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winph99 xom Project 2025 architect to spend $1M to back Trump’s Pentagon pick HegsethAdani FCPA Charges Show Scope of U.S. Laws for Indian WhistleblowersAnchored in Excellence: Miros’ 2024 Milestones Making Waves

Americans support increasing government efficiencyMacao – magnetic Chinese hub with multiple charmsBIT Mining Limited to Hold Annual General Meeting on January 7, 2025

Meghan Markle's former co-star opens up on what she was really like to work withPETALING JAYA: Cloudpoint Technology Bhd has accepted a letter of award from a local bank for the implementation of ServiceNow’s Integrated Service Management Automation solutions for RM33.6mil. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the technology solutions provider said the contract covers implementation services, cloud subscription, subscription of software licenses and warranty support. “The contract will not have any effect on the issued and paid-up share capital and the shareholding of the substantial shareholders of Cloudpoint as it does not involve the issuance of ordinary shares in Cloudpoint. “The contract is expected to contribute positively to the earnings and net assets of Cloudpoint for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2024 onwards,” the firm said.

GM and ChargePoint plan to install hundreds of fast EV chargers by the end of 2025AI chatbot usage and concepts Artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked transformative changes across industries, but its rapid evolution has also raised critical concerns about ownership, privacy, and control over creative expression. The centralized nature of most AI systems concentrates power in the hands of a few corporations, leaving copyright creators and owners vulnerable to exploitation. Companies like OpenAI recognize the legal limits of using unlicensed copyrighted materials to train ChatGPT tools. As reported by The Guardian , in a submission to the House of Lords communications and digital select committee , OpenAI said it could not train large language models such as its GPT-4 model – the technology behind ChatGPT – without access to copyrighted work. Interestingly, Open AI’s strategic partner Microsoft (that reportedly holds a 49% ownership stake in OpenAI, with rights to up to 75% of profits until it receives back its investment), is usually a strong proponent of robust copyright protection , to control the copying, distribution, adaptation and public performance or display of copyrighted materials it owns. Now, with at least eight newspaper publishers suing Microsoft and OpenAI for copyright infringement not excused by “fair use”, a legal doctrine that allows for the authorized use of copyrighted works, these data-dependent companies find themselves on the other side of the “information wants to be free” debate. Funny how copyright works. Enter decentralized AI. Decentralized AI (deAI) offers a new way forward, empowering individuals and communities with autonomy over their creativity while ensuring fair rewards for contributions. To understand why deAI matters, we must first explore its benefits, the role of emerging decentralized AI ecosystems like Bittensor and Ocean Protocol, and the broader implications for intellectual property rights. The Need for Decentralized AI At its core, decentralized AI leverages blockchain and distributed ledger technology to distribute the development, deployment, and governance of AI systems across a global network. Unlike centralized AI, which depends on proprietary data silos controlled by corporations, deAI systems enable open participation and transparency. This shift offers transformative benefits : Decentralized AI is not just a technological evolution; it is a societal imperative. By empowering individuals with tools to co-create the future of AI, deAI dismantles the monopolistic stronghold over creativity and innovation. The Fed’s ‘Biggest Nightmare’ Is Suddenly Coming True As Bitcoin Price Surges Elon Musk Xmail Teaser Poses New Threat For Billions Of Gmail Users Mystery Drones Saga: Rand Paul Blocks Expedited Drone Bill (Updated) The Intersection of AI and Copyright The rise of deAI comes amid growing scrutiny of how AI systems are trained. Many current AI models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4, rely heavily on copyrighted material for training. Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship, such as books, music, and software, from unauthorized use. However, copyright differs from trademark and patent protections: Copyright law allows for “ fair use,” a legal doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without the owner’s consent under certain conditions. AI companies often invoke fair use to justify their use of copyrighted works for training models, but this approach has sparked legal battles with creators who argue that their work is being exploited without fair compensation. Lawsuits, like those filed by the New York Times and authors such as George R.R. Martin , underscore the tension between innovation and intellectual property rights. While the centralized AI industry grapples with these challenges, deAI offers an alternative model—one where contributors’ rights are respected, and rewards are distributed equitably. Top Decentralized AI Projects to Watch in 2025 The future of AI will not be defined by monolithic corporations but by collaborative ecosystems that empower individuals. Here are five decentralized AI projects leading the charge: Bittensor Fetch.ai SingularityNET Ocean Protocol Numerai These projects exemplify how deAI can address the shortcomings of centralized AI, creating ecosystems where creativity and innovation thrive. Empowering Creativity Through Decentralization In an era where data is the lifeblood of innovation, centralized AI systems pose significant risks to autonomy and equity. The deAI movement seeks to dismantle these systems by redistributing power to the people. Ecosystems like Bittensor and Ocean Protocol not only enable individuals to contribute but also ensure they are rewarded fairly for their creativity and labor. More importantly, deAI aligns with the ethos of intellectual property protection by respecting the rights of creators and contributors. By offering transparency and traceability, decentralized networks foster trust—something sorely lacking in the centralized AI industry. The fight for creative autonomy is not just a legal or technological battle; it is a cultural shift toward a future where AI serves the many, not the few. Through decentralized systems, we can build a world where innovation flourishes on a foundation of equity, inclusion, and empowerment. The Future of AI is Decentralized Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, decentralized AI is emerging as more than just a technological advancement; it is reshaping how creativity, data ownership, and transparency are addressed in AI development. The breakneck development of closed AI tools, branded as "open," has relied heavily on harvesting free data to monetize their systems. This approach is awakening creators and copyright owners to the true value of their data and the importance of ownership. These new deAI ecosystems and projects highlight the potential for collaboration and fairness to drive innovation. As these platforms evolve, they offer a blueprint for how AI can be developed to better align with societal values, protect creators' rights, and foster more inclusive and equitable outcomes.

Guwahati: On the occasion of Asom Diwas , Indian Army ’s Spear Corps celebrated Assam’s rich cultural heritage, history and contributions to India to instil a sense of pride and awareness among young minds. The event held on Dec 3 witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, who displayed keen interest and engagement throughout the programme. The function was held at Bhimbor Deori LP School at Jagun in Tinsukia district, which was attended by 100 students and eight teachers. According to an official statement, students participated in various activities. Through rhythm, movement and expression, they reflected the history, traditions and values of the society. An interactive session with the Indian Army was also organised during the event for the students. We also published the following articles recently Army celebrates Asom Diwas with students Indian Army's Spear Corps celebrated Asom Diwas at Bhimbor Deori LP School in Tinsukia district, highlighting Assam's cultural heritage and history. The event saw participation from 100 students and teachers who engaged in various activities. An interactive session with the army fostered curiosity and appreciation for India's military history among the students. Siu-Ka-Pha remembered on Asom Diwas Assam governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya emphasized Swagadeo Chao Lung Siu-Ka-Pha's impact on Assam's development on Asom Diwas. Highlighting advancements in technology and infrastructure, Acharya praised the state's heritage preservation efforts. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma honored the Ahom dynasty founder's leadership and courage. Isro chairman interacts with students at science fest in Guwahati At the India International Science Festival in IIT-Guwahati, Isro chairperson S Somanath encouraged students to become future leaders in science and technology. Highlighting the importance of their involvement, he emphasized its role in making India a global powerhouse. The event, attended by over 20,000 students, featured interactions with prominent scientists and the signing of sustainability-focused technology transfer agreements.Palantir and Shield AI forge strategic partnership for AI-driven autonomous flight

NoneLuigi Nicholas Mangione was arrested Monday in the Dec. 4 attack on Brian Thompson after police say a worker at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, alerted them to a customer who resembled the suspected gunman. When arrested, Mangione had on him a gun that investigators believe was used in the attack and writings expressing anger at corporate America, police said. As Mangione was led into the Hollidaysburg courthouse Tuesday, he struggled with officers and shouted something that was partly unintelligible but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” He left hours later without saying anything and was driven away. Mangione is being held on Pennsylvania charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Manhattan prosecutors have charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. What's the latest? Wearing an orange jumpsuit, Mangione mostly stared straight ahead during the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair, or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion but was quieted by his lawyer. Judge David Consiglio denied bail to Mangione, whose attorney, Thomas Dickey, told the court that his client did not agree to extradition and wants a hearing on the matter. Blair County (Pennsylvania) District Attorney Peter Weeks said that although Mangione will create “extra hoops” for law enforcement to jump through by fighting extradition, it won’t be a substantial barrier to sending him to New York. What evidence has been gathered? In addition to a three-page, handwritten document that suggests he harbored “ill will toward corporate America,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Monday that Mangione also had a ghost gun, a type of weapon that can be assembled at home and is difficult to trace. Officers questioned Mangione, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Officers also found a sound suppressor, or silencer, “consistent with the weapon used in the murder,” she said. He had clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the shooter and a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching one the suspect used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting, the commissioner said. What do we know about Mangione? Mangione, who comes from a prominent Maryland family, was valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and had degrees from one of the nation’s top private universities. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania. Mangione's grandfather Nick Mangione, who died in 2008, was a successful real estate developer. One of his best-known projects was Turf Valley Resort, a sprawling luxury retreat and conference center outside Baltimore that he purchased in 1978. One of Luigi Mangione’s cousins is Republican Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione, a spokesman for the lawmaker’s office confirmed. From January to June 2022, Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu. Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin, said that Martin had learned that Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life. Friends in Hawaii widely considered Mangione a “great guy,” and pictures on his social media accounts show a fit and smiling young man on beaches and at parties. Mangione likely was motivated by his anger at what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed, according to a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of the suspect’s handwritten notes and social media posts. The shooting and a quick escape Police said the person who killed Thompson left a hostel on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 5:41 a.m. last Wednesday. Eleven minutes later, he was seen on surveillance video walking back and forth in front of the New York Hilton Midtown, wearing a distinctive backpack. At 6:44 a.m., he shot Thompson at a side entrance to the hotel, fled on foot, then climbed aboard a bicycle and within four minutes had entered Central Park, according to police. Another security camera recorded the gunman leaving the park near the American Museum of Natural History at 6:56 a.m. still on the bicycle but without the backpack, police said. After getting in a taxi, he headed north to a bus terminal near the George Washington Bridge, arriving at around 7:30 a.m. From there, the trail of video evidence runs cold. Police have not located video of the suspect exiting the building, leading them to believe he likely took a bus out of town. Police said they are still investigating the path the suspect took to Pennsylvania. “This just happened this morning," Kenny said. "We’ll be working, backtracking his steps from New York to Altoona, Pennsylvania,” Kenny said. Associated Press reporters Jamie Stengle, Lea Skene, Matt O'Brien, Sean Murphy and Cedar Attanasio contributed to this report.How African countries can build systems to share climate information at the local level

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winph99.com ph PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 23, 2024-- University of Phoenix is proud to support the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Winter Classic event each year with employee volunteers and as the presenting partner. The 27th annual D-backs Winter Classic, presented by University of Phoenix, took place from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10. Event coordinators estimate 100 University of Phoenix, Phoenix-based employees volunteered alongside D-backs players, coaches and staff for the celebration. University volunteers handed out backpacks filled with gifts for the children including new shoes, a sweatshirt, and books. More than 600 children attended the event. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223934202/en/ Arizona school children gather around the Arizona Diamondbacks® mascot at the 27th annual Arizona Diamondbacks Winter Classic celebration presented by University of Phoenix. The event took place on December 10, 2024, at Chase Field and provides local children with a day of celebration. (Photo: Business Wire) “University of Phoenix is honored to continue our support of the Diamondbacks Winter Classic,” stated Provost and Chief Academic Officer John Woods, Ph.D. “This cherished event enables our two organizations to create unforgettable experiences for hundreds of school children across the valley. It’s heartwarming to witness our employees generously dedicating their time to support local children, highlighting our shared commitment to giving back.” The annual event provides Arizona schoolchildren from low-income, at-risk schools with a day of celebration, fun, and giving, with gifts provided by the University and Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. The event began more than two decades ago when Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson sought a way to give back to the community by providing children in need with new shoes. Since that time, the event has grown, and now features a friendly game of baseball, music and crafts for the children. This year’s activities included a baseball station featuring Baxter the D-backs mascot, photos with Santa, a shoe station, a University of Phoenix Reading Corner and a STEM activity Station. “The Winter Classic is a Diamondbacks tradition that we look forward to each December, and it would not be possible without the support of our friends at University of Phoenix,” said Derrick Hall, President, CEO & General Partner, Arizona Diamondbacks. “We are grateful for their partnership and their employees, who generously volunteer to help us bring a little bit of holiday magic and a whole lot of joy to hundreds of kids across the Valley every year.” University of Phoenix Academic Counseling Manager Amy Kelley has worked at the University for 20 years and was thrilled to volunteer at this year’s event. “It was truly an amazing experience,” Kelley states. “I was able to hand out hoodies to all the kids as they walked in and also served as a University of Phoenix team leader for one of the groups of students. The smiles and laughs that this event brought to the kids were so rewarding.” The University of Phoenix has been a proud sponsor of the Winter Classic since 2012. About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu . About the Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks provide industry-leading entertainment in a clean, safe and family-friendly environment and make a positive impact on its fans and civic partners. The Diamondbacks on-field successes include their 2023 run to the National League Pennant and the franchise’s second trip to the World Series as well as their 2001 World Series title, seven trips to the postseason and vast array of player awards. The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, through its "D-backs Give Back" mantra, has made charitable contributions totaling more than $93 million to the Arizona community since 1997 to support three main areas of need – homelessness, indigent healthcare and children's programs of all types – as well as strategic programs to address the needs of our community’s veterans and first responders. The Valley’s premier entertainment, concert and event venue, Chase Field in downtown Phoenix is the home of the Diamondbacks and the first Major League Baseball stadium to feature a pool. The team was established in 1995 and played their inaugural season in 1998. For more information, please visit dbacks.com and losdbacks.com or follow the team on social media @Dbacks and @LosDbacks. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223934202/en/ CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT: Michele Mitchum University of Phoenix michele.mitchum@phoenix.edu KEYWORD: ARIZONA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY BASEBALL SPORTS OTHER PHILANTHROPY CONTINUING UNIVERSITY SOURCE: University of Phoenix Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/23/2024 02:28 PM/DISC: 12/23/2024 02:28 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223934202/enWill New Year's Eve be loud or quiet? What are the top 2025 resolutions? AP-NORC poll has answers

Exagen Inc. (NASDAQ:XGN) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

What to know about ‘ghost guns,' the weapon allegedly tied to the CEO shooting

Red Cat Holdings Q2 Earnings: Revenue, EPS Miss Estimates As Drone Company Prioritizes Long-Term Growth Over Short-Term SalesBOSTON — More suspected drone sightings in the eastern U.S. led to a temporary airspace shutdown at an Air Force base in Ohio and arrests near Boston’s Logan International Airport, as elected officials increased their push for action to identify and stop the unmanned flights. Drones flying around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, forced base officials to close the airspace for about four hours late Friday into early Saturday, said Robert Purtiman, a base spokesperson. It is the first time drones have been spotted at the base, one of the largest in the world, and no sightings were reported since early Saturday, Purtiman said Monday. He would not say how many drones were flying in the area, adding that they ranged in size and that they did not impact any base facilities. In Boston, city police arrested two men accused of operating a drone “dangerously close” to Logan Airport on Saturday night. Authorities said an officer using drone monitoring technology detected the aircraft and the location of the operators. A third man who fled police remains at large. Authorities said the two men face trespassing charges. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Merck Provides Update on KeyVibe and KEYFORM Clinical Development Programs Evaluating Investigational Vibostolimab and Favezelimab Fixed-Dose Combinations with PembrolizumabWASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 4,058 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed, with 76 flights canceled. The site had not posted any American Airlines flights on Tuesday morning, but showed in the afternoon that 961 American flights were delayed. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

WOONSOCKET, R.I. , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health Corporation ("CVS Health" or the "Company," NYSE: CVS) announced today the applicable Reference Yields and Total Consideration (each as summarized in the tables below) to be paid in connection with the previously announced cash tender offer (the "Maximum Tender Offer" ) for the maximum principal amount of the following series of Maximum Tender Offer Notes (as defined below) for which the aggregate purchase price, not including Accrued Interest (as defined below), payable in respect of such Maximum Tender Offer Notes, does not exceed $1,774,423,242.62 (such maximum purchase price, the "Maximum Tender Offer Amount"): its 2.700% Senior Notes due 2040, the 3.875% Senior Notes due 2047 issued by its wholly-owned subsidiary Aetna Inc. ("Aetna"), its 4.250% Senior Notes due 2050, the 4.125% Senior Notes due 2042 issued by Aetna, its 4.125% Senior Notes due 2040, its 2.125% Senior Notes due 2031, its 1.875% Senior Notes due 2031, its 5.050% Senior Notes due 2048, the 4.500% Senior Notes due 2042 issued by Aetna and its 1.750% Senior Notes due 2030 (together, the "Maximum Tender Offer Notes"). The applicable Reference Yield for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes and the Total Consideration for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes are summarized in the table below: Maximum Tender Offer Notes : Title of Notes CUSIP Number Original Issuer Principal Amount Outstanding Maturity Date Acceptance Priority Level (1) UST Reference Security Bloomberg Reference Page Fixed Spread (bps) Early Tender Payment (2) Reference Yield (3) Total Consideration (2)(3) Approximate Proration Factor (4) 2.700% Senior Notes due 2040 126650DP2 CVS Health Corporation $1,250,000,000 8/21/2040 1 4.625% due 11/15/2044 FIT1 +110 bps $30 4.676 % $685.54 100 % 3.875% Senior Notes due 2047 00817YAZ1 Aetna Inc. $1,000,000,000 8/15/2047 2 4.625% due 11/15/2044 FIT1 +121 bps $30 4.676 % $750.06 100 % 4.250% Senior Notes due 2050 126650DL1 CVS Health Corporation $750,000,000 4/1/2050 3 4.250% due 8/15/2054 FIT1 +136 bps $30 4.611 % $776.80 100 % 4.125% Senior Notes due 2042 00817YAM0 Aetna Inc. $500,000,000 11/15/2042 4 4.625% due 11/15/2044 FIT1 +122 bps $30 4.676 % $805.69 100 % 4.125% Senior Notes due 2040 126650DK3 CVS Health Corporation $1,000,000,000 4/1/2040 5 4.625% due 11/15/2044 FIT1 +119 bps $30 4.676 % $825.77 57.5 % 2.125% Senior Notes due 2031 126650DR8 CVS Health Corporation $1,000,000,000 9/15/2031 6 4.250% due 11/15/2034 FIT1 +92 bps $30 N/A N/A 0 % 1.875% Senior Notes due 2031 126650DQ0 CVS Health Corporation $1,250,000,000 2/28/2031 7 4.250% due 11/15/2034 FIT1 +87 bps $30 N/A N/A 0 % 5.050% Senior Notes due 2048 126650CZ1 CVS Health Corporation $8,000,000,000 3/25/2048 8 4.250% due 8/15/2054 FIT1 +156 bps $30 N/A N/A 0 % 4.500% Senior Notes due 2042 00817YAJ7 Aetna Inc. $500,000,000 5/15/2042 9 4.625% due 11/15/2044 FIT1 +130 bps $30 N/A N/A 0 % 1.750% Senior Notes due 2030 126650DN7 CVS Health Corporation $1,250,000,000 8/21/2030 10 4.125% due 11/30/2029 FIT1 +106 bps $30 N/A N/A 0 % (1) Subject to each of the Maximum Tender Offer Amount and proration, the principal amount of each series of Maximum Tender Offer Notes that is purchased in the Maximum Tender Offer will be determined in accordance with the applicable acceptance priority level (in numerical priority order) specified in this column. (2) Per $1,000 principal amount of Maximum Tender Offer Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date (as defined below) and accepted for purchase. (3) Pricing information has only been provided for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes that are expected to be fully or partially accepted for tender. (4) The proration factor has been rounded to the nearest tenth of a percentage point for presentation purposes. The Maximum Tender Offer is being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated December 2, 2024 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase"), which sets forth a more detailed description of the Maximum Tender Offer. Copies of the Offer to Purchase are available at www.dfking.com/cvs . The Maximum Tender Offer is open to all registered holders (individually, a "Holder" and collectively, the "Holders") of the Maximum Tender Offer Notes. The Total Consideration payable by CVS Health for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes is a price per $1,000 principal amount calculated as described in the Offer to Purchase in a manner intended to result in a yield to maturity or first par call date, as the case may be, equal to the sum of the yield to maturity of the applicable U.S. Treasury reference security specified in the table above as determined at 10:00 a.m. , New York City time, on December 16, 2024 and the applicable fixed spread shown in the table above. Maximum Tender Offer Notes that were tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 13, 2024 (the "Early Tender Date") and that are accepted for purchase will receive the applicable Total Consideration, which includes the Early Tender Payment (as defined in the Offer to Purchase). Maximum Tender Offer Notes that are tendered after the Early Tender Date but at or prior to 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 31, 2024 (the "Maximum Tender Offer Expiration Date") (unless earlier terminated by CVS Health as described in the Offer to Purchase) and that are not validly withdrawn and that are accepted for purchase will receive only the applicable Tender Offer Consideration (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), which is the applicable Total Consideration minus the Early Tender Payment. The Maximum Tender Offer Withdrawal Deadline of 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 13, 2024 has passed and, accordingly, Maximum Tender Offer Notes validly tendered in the Maximum Tender Offer may no longer be withdrawn. The settlement date for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase is expected to be December 18, 2024 , the third business day after the Early Tender Date (the "Early Settlement Date"). Although the Maximum Tender Offers is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 31, 2024 , unless extended or terminated, because the aggregate purchase price of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to the Early Tender Date exceeded the Maximum Tender Offer Amount, there is not expected to be a Final Settlement Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), and no Notes tendered after the Early Tender Date are expected to be accepted for purchase. In addition to the Total Consideration for the Maximum Tender Offer Notes, Holders of the Maximum Tender Offer Notes accepted for purchase on the Early Settlement Date will receive accrued and unpaid interest ("Accrued Interest") on those Maximum Tender Offer Notes from the last interest payment date with respect to those Maximum Tender Offer Notes to, but not including, the Early Settlement Date. CVS Health expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, subject to applicable law, to amend, extend or terminate the Maximum Tender Offer with respect to any or all series of Maximum Tender Offer Notes at any time if any condition to the Maximum Tender Offer is not satisfied. The Maximum Tender Offer is not conditioned on any minimum principal amount of Maximum Tender Offer Notes being tendered but the Maximum Tender Offer is subject to certain other general conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase. CVS Health has retained Barclays Capital Inc. and Mizuho Securities USA LLC to act as Dealer Managers for the Maximum Tender Offer. D.F. King & Co., Inc. has been retained to act as the Tender and Information Agent for the Maximum Tender Offer. The Offer to Purchase may be accessed at the following link: http://www.dfking.com/cvs . Requests for assistance relating to the procedures for tendering Maximum Tender Notes may be directed to the Tender and Information Agent either by email at cvs@dfking.com , or by phone (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers only) or (800) 487-4870 (for all others toll free). Requests for assistance relating to the terms and conditions of the Maximum Tender Offer may be directed to Barclays Capital Inc. at (800) 438-3242 (toll free) or (212) 528-7581 (collect) or Mizuho Securities USA LLC at (866) 271-7403 (toll-free) or (212) 205-7741. Beneficial owners may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of tenders with respect to, any securities, including the Maximum Tender Offer Notes. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The Maximum Tender Offer is being made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase made available to Holders of the Maximum Tender Offer Notes. None of CVS Health, the Dealer Managers, Tender and Information Agent or the trustees with respect to the Maximum Tender Offer Notes, or any of their respective affiliates, is making any recommendation as to whether or not Holders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of their Maximum Tender Offer Notes in response to the Maximum Tender Offer. Holders are urged to evaluate carefully all information in the Offer to Purchase, consult their own investment and tax advisers and make their own decisions whether to tender Maximum Tender Offer Notes in the Maximum Tender Offer, and, if so, the principal amount of Maximum Tender Offer Notes to tender. About CVS Health CVS Health is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer it serves and connecting care so that it works for people wherever they are. As of September 30, 2024 , the Company had more than 9,000 retail locations, more than 900 walk-in medical clinics, more than 225 primary care medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 90 million plan members and expanding specialty pharmacy solutions, and a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than 800,000 patients per year. The Company also serves an estimated more than 36 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including expanding Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company is creating new sources of value through its integrated model allowing it to expand into personalized, technology driven care delivery and health services, increasing access to quality care, delivering better health outcomes and lowering overall health care costs. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of CVS Health. By their nature, all forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and/or quantify. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties described in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section and under the heading "Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2024 , June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on CVS Health's forward-looking statements. CVS Health's forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. CVS Health does not assume any duty to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, uncertainties or otherwise. Investor Larry McGrath Media Ethan Slavin Contact: Executive Vice President Contact: 860-273-6095 Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Strategic Advisor to the CEO investorinfo@cvshealth.com Ethan.Slavin@CVSHealth.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cvs-health-corporation-announces-pricing-of-maximum-tender-offer-302333016.html SOURCE CVS Health

NEW YORK — Dylan Raiola passed for 228 yards and a touchdown as Nebraska built an 18-point lead through three quarters and hung on to beat Boston College 20-15 on Saturday for its first bowl victory since 2015. After Nebraska built a 13-2 lead in the first half on scoring runs by Rahmir Johnson and Kwinten Ives, Raiola hit Emmett Johnson with a 13-yard TD pass on fourth down with 3:02 remaining in the third quarter for a 20-2 edge, and the Cornhuskers (7-6) held on for the win. Raiola completed 23 of 31 passes in front of a sizable Nebraska crowd that celebrated the team’s first bowl win since topping UCLA in the 2015 Foster Farms Bowl and first winning season since 2016. “The biggest thing is that finally they can walk off the field and say, ‘Hey, we got it done,’” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. “We’ll have a lot of momentum heading into the offseason.” Raiola completed passes to 10 receivers, including Jahmal Banks, who finished with four receptions for 79 yards. “He’s gotten so much better as the year’s gone on in terms of the speed, movement and those things,” Rhule said of Raiola. Rahmir Johnson and Ives scored on short TD runs in the second quarter, and Nebraska’s defense set up the critical score in the third. Emmett Johnson scored on fourth-and-3 for a 20-2 lead. That score came after John Bullock sacked Boston College quarterback Grayson James, forcing a fumble that Elijah Jeudy recovered at midfield. James finished 25 of 40 for 296 yards as Boston College (7-6) fell to 0-3 in Pinstripe Bowls. The Eagles got past midfield on five of their first seven drives but committed two turnovers and failed to convert four fourth downs, including two inside the 10-yard line. Boston College finally cashed with 6:11 left in the fourth when Turbo Richard scored on a 1-yard run, but the 2-point conversion failed. BC made it a one-score game on Jordan McDonald’s 2-yard run, a play after getting possession on a blocked punt. “I thought we were productive, but we couldn’t score,” BC coach Bill O’Brien said. “So that’s a problem because you have to score to win.” After a scoreless opening quarter, Rahmir Johnson easily scored on a 4-yard run on the first play of the second quarter. After BC turned it over on downs twice in Nebraska territory, the Cornhuskers took a 13-0 lead on Ives’ 2-yard run that was set up by Rahmir Johnson’s 22-yard run. The Eagles picked up their only points of the first half when Ashton McShane blocked John Hohl’s extra point and returned it for two points. Nebraska: Rahmir Johnson was named MVP in his final game at Nebraska to cap an emotional season in which he lost his mother in November. Johnson finished with 10 carries for 60 yards, and the Cornhuskers totaled 127 yards on the ground and 363 yards overall. “Even with news like that, I still want to play for these guys,” Johnson said. “And that’s just the type of person I am.” Boston College: Without ACC sacks leader Donovan Ezeiruaku, the Eagles could not get Nebraska and had to burn their final two timeouts after getting within 20-15. Nebraska: Opens its 2025 season against Cincinnati on Aug. 30. Boston College: Takes on Fordham on Aug. 30 to open its season and will welcome Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan into its quarterback mix.Former President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Vice President Sara Duterte —Official Facebook pages of Rody Duterte and Inday Sara Duterte MANILA, Philippines — Even Vice President Sara Duterte did not escape the sweeping report of the House quad committee calling for her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to be held liable for crimes against humanity for his vicious drug war. Among the recommendations in the panel’s 51-page report is for the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to further investigate the alleged joint bank accounts of the former President and his daughter “as alleged by former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, containing funds coming from an alleged drug lord, Sammy Uy.” This could compound Duterte’s political woes as she is already facing three impeachment complaints and a separate inquiry by the House committee on good government for her alleged misuse of confidential funds as Vice President and as former education secretary. READ: Act on impeach raps vs Sara, House urged The quad committee cited Trillanes’ testimony about bank accounts shared by the Dutertes, into which millions of pesos were transferred regularly by Uy, one of Duterte’s election campaign contributors. From 2011 to 2013 alone, Trillanes claimed that the Dutertes received more than P133 million: P14.88 million was transferred to Vice President Sara Duterte’s account, P15.65 million to the former President, P41.2 million to Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and P42.6 million to Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña. Some of the deposits were based on managers’ checks that were traced to Uy, who was later identified by confessed hit man Arturo Lascañas as a drug lord in his affidavit before the International Criminal Court (ICC). “That’s why we concluded that this war on drugs is fake to protect his syndicate, which includes (former presidential economic adviser) Michael Yang, Sammy Uy, and Charlie Tan,” the former senator said during one of the quad committee’s hearings. Duterte himself denied the accusations and even said he was willing to execute a bank waiver after being dared again by Trillanes. He later backtracked and said he would only do so if Trillanes hung himself. Testifying before the House panel, Duterte also said that he would take “full legal, moral responsibility” for his administration’s bloody war on drugs. The recommendations are all contained in the progress report submitted by the megapanel chaired by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers during Congress’ last working day, Dec. 18. Among others, the report said Duterte, along with his allies Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, should be held accountable for crimes against humanity for leading the brutal campaign that claimed thousands of lives over his six-year term. The same report, a copy of which was obtained by the Inquirer, also called for further investigation into the Vice President’s brother, Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte, for his alleged involvement in a so-called Davao Mafia involved in the drug trade as alleged by former Customs insiders Jimmy Guban and Mark Taguba. When Barbers read his sponsorship speech, however, he only mentioned that the panel recommended further investigation into, among others, Uy for his alleged involvement in the drug trade. He did not name Sara Duterte or the bank accounts even though the call for AMLC to further investigate was part of the roster of recommendations to address “extrajudicial killings.” Based on official reports, the war on drugs left at least 6,000 people dead. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . However, data from human rights watchdog Karapatan showed that at least 30,000 drug suspects were summarily killed, 422 political activists were summarily executed, and 544 cases of frustrated extrajudicial killings.Phl military welcomes Senate's approval of RAA ratification

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” he wrote on his social media site. “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!” Presidents historically have no involvement in dictating or recommending the punishments that federal prosecutors seek for defendants in criminal cases, though Trump has long sought more direct control over the Justice Department's operations. The president-elect wrote that he would direct the department to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated,” but was vague on what specific actions he may take and said they would be in cases of “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” He highlighted the cases of two men who were on federal death row for slaying a woman and a girl, had admitted to killing more and had their sentences commuted by Biden. On the campaign trail, Trump often called for expanding the federal death penalty — including for those who kill police officers, those convicted of drug and human trafficking, and migrants who kill U.S. citizens. “Trump has been fairly consistent in wanting to sort of say that he thinks the death penalty is an important tool and he wants to use it,” said Douglas Berman, an expert on sentencing at Ohio State University’s law school. “But whether practically any of that can happen, either under existing law or other laws, is a heavy lift.” Berman said Trump’s statement at this point seems to be just a response to Biden’s commutation. “I’m inclined to think it’s still in sort of more the rhetoric phase. Just, ‘don’t worry. The new sheriff is coming. I like the death penalty,’” he said. Most Americans have historically supported the death penalty for people convicted of murder, according to decades of annual polling by Gallup, but support has declined over the past few decades. About half of Americans were in favor in an October poll, while roughly 7 in 10 Americans backed capital punishment for murderers in 2007. Before Biden's commutation, there were 40 federal death row inmates compared with more than 2,000 who have been sentenced to death by states. “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states,” Berman said. A question is whether the Trump administration would try to take over some state murder cases, such as those related to drug trafficking or smuggling. He could also attempt to take cases from states that have abolished the death penalty. Berman said Trump's statement, along with some recent actions by states, may present an effort to get the Supreme Court to reconsider a precedent that considers the death penalty disproportionate punishment for rape. “That would literally take decades to unfold. It’s not something that is going to happen overnight,” Berman said. Before one of Trump's rallies on Aug. 20, his prepared remarks released to the media said he would announce he would ask for the death penalty for child rapists and child traffickers. But Trump never delivered the line. One of the men Trump highlighted on Tuesday was ex-Marine Jorge Avila Torrez, who was sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia and later pleaded guilty to the fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old girl in a suburban Chicago park several years before. The other man, Thomas Steven Sanders, was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and slaying of a 12-year-old girl in Louisiana, days after shooting the girl's mother in a wildlife park in Arizona. Court records show he admitted to both killings. Some families of victims expressed anger with Biden's decision, but the president had faced pressure from advocacy groups urging him to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The ACLU and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were some of the groups that applauded the decision. Biden left three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. _______ Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Michelle L. Price and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. Announces Series A Preferred Stock Dividend

Trump chooses Florida prosecutor as attorney general nominee

OUSM: Low-Volatility Small Cap ETF Beating The Benchmark

WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request after it experienced trouble with its flight operating system, or FOS. The airline blamed technology from one of its vendors. As a result, flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 36% of the airline's 3,901 domestic and international flights leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company; 51 flights were canceled. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the FOS system. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS went down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Hours after the ground stop was lifted, Tajer said the union had not heard about "chaos out there beyond just the normal heavy travel day." He said officials were watching for cascading effects, such as staffing problems. On social media, however, customers expressed frustration with delays that caused them or their family members to miss connecting flights. One person asked if American planned to hold flights for passengers to make connections, while others complained about the lack of assistance they said they received from the airline or gate agents. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Bobby Tighe, a real estate agent from Florida, said he would miss a family Christmas Eve party in New York because his American flight was repeatedly delayed. The delays made him miss a connecting flight, leaving him the choice of going to his destination — Westchester, N.Y. — on Christmas Day or taking another flight to Newark, N.J., scheduled to land Tuesday evening. He chose the latter. "I'm just going to take an Uber or Lyft to the airport I was originally supposed to go to, pick up my rental car and kind of restart everything tomorrow," Tighe said. He said his girlfriend was "going through the same exact situation" on her way from Dallas to New York. Cirium noted the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 39% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays, Cirium said. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 4,058 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed, with 76 flights canceled. The site did not post any American Airlines flights Tuesday morning, but it showed in the afternoon that 961 American flights were delayed. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms were developing in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers automatic cash refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. That's because finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so it had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The Transportation Security Administration said it expected to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal are building momentum again after their bad patch but must maintain their resurgent form, manager Mikel Arteta said after his side's 5-2 demolition of West Ham United on Saturday. The victory lifted Arsenal back to second place in the Premier league and confirmed they have engaged top gear again after a run of four winless league games before this month's international break. Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, skipper Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were all on target in a frenetic seven-goal first half at the London Stadium as Arsenal moved to 25 points, six behind Liverpool who host troubled champions Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. "Yeah, we've got some momentum. I think we have some flow back, a real determination, winning consecutive matches against three opponents is great," Arteta, who side beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 last Saturday and then followed up by beating Sporting 5-1 away in the Champions League, told reporters. "We're going to enjoy tonight and watch a beautiful game of football tomorrow. We are in a great moment right now. "But in football be on your toes and prepare the best way possible," added the Spaniard whose side host Manchester United in the Premier League on Wednesday. The return to fitness of captain Odegaard after a long lay-off with an ankle injury has been a major boost for Arsenal, while Saka looked rejuvenated after sitting out the last England camp with a niggling injury. As well as his penalty, Saka added two more assists on Saturday, taking his tally for the season to 10 in 13 games, four more than the next best total of Mohamed Salah. "Incredible. Because it is the hardest thing to do in football, so a player who can believe in those moments can impact the scoreline in that way, you know, the value of that is tremendous," Arteta said of Saka. Saka was unplayable at times in the first half especially with Arsenal toying with their London rivals. "Today was a top performance from us and we scored a lot of goals - we are playing good football right now and we want to continue like this," he said. "We are back to our best form. We look fluid and dynamic we are all enjoying it right now. "It has been a top week for us. We have built a lot of momentum and we want to go on to the next few games." (Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar)NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It’s climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 76 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. Nippon Steel announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also came out against the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 to 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump’s preferences for lower tax rates and bigger tariffs could spur higher inflation along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the monthly jobs report , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday’s jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea’s currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then later said he’d lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats to raise tariffs , including for goods coming from China . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The 140 companies newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about politics in Paris , where the government is battling over the budget. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.。

Abu Dhabi [UAE], November 23 (ANI/WAM): The Security Media Department at Abu Dhabi Police GHQ will participate in the third edition of the Global Media Congress 2024, held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. During its participation, it will showcase its media experience and its modern and sophisticated system, which includes digital security and traffic awareness initiatives using artificial intelligence and digital technologies. Also Read | Singapore Shocker: Teacher Groomed Student, Had Sex With Her Before She Turned 16; Sentenced to 14 Years in Jail. Brigadier Mohammed Ali Al Muhairi, the Director of the Security Media Department at AD Police, emphasised the importance of the Congress in shaping the future of global media. He stated that the event will engage in constructive international dialogue with industry leaders and experts to explore key trends. These include the impact of artificial intelligence, digital innovation, evolving media business models, and improved media collaboration. (ANI/WAM) Also Read | Pakistan Violence: 15 Killed, 25 Injured in Fresh Sectarian Clashes in Kurram, 2 Days After Attack on Passenger Vehicles. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

NoneChris Pratt feels "grateful" to have married Katherine Schwarzenegger. The 45-year-old actor tied the knot with Katherine - with whom he has Lyla, four, Eloise, two, and one-month old Ford - in 2019 and took to social media on Friday (13.12.24) to dedicate a special message to her on her 35th birthday. He wrote on Instagram: "Happy Birthday, Katherine! Thank you for all of the joy you’ve brought all of us through the years. To see the way you care for our family. To see the way you run the house. To see the way you communicate. Your wisdom and mindfulness are a blessing I thank God for every day. I’m so grateful to have married you. "We all feel so well taken care of and loved. Through the ups and downs, I got you Chief. Love you." The 'Guardians of the Galaxy' star - who also has 12-year-old son Jack from his previous marriage to Anna Faris - and his wife announced the arrival of their third child last month in a post on social media. In a joint post on Instagram, Katherine and Chris said: "We are overjoyed to announce the birth of our son, Ford Fitzgerald Schwarzenegger Pratt. Mama and baby are doing well and Ford’s siblings are thrilled by his arrival. We feel so blessed and grateful. "Love, Katherine and Chris (sic)" The social media post also confirmed that Katherine gave birth to her son on November 8. Meanwhile, Chris previously opened up about his parenting style, revealing that he wants his children to "feel comfortable expressing themselves". The Hollywood star told E! News: "I think there's a new age of parenting. "I grew up, I did exactly what my parents said all the time. I never knew I could say 'no' to my parents. And now I'm a guy who's not super ... didn't have a super healthy grip on his own emotions. So we're trying to raise them in a way that they feel comfortable expressing themselves. "They still know the meaning of the word 'no' from their mom. When it comes from me, they don't seem to know what that means. And I don't really know what to do about it, but we'll get there."

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BOSTON — After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, elected officials are urging action to identify and stop the mysterious flights. This photo provided by Trisha Bushey shows the evening sky and points of light Dec. 5 near Lebanon Township, N.J. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on “Fox News Sunday.” “'We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer,” he said. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference or a public safety threat. But because they can’t say with certainty who is responsible for the sudden swarms of drones over parts of New Jersey, New York and other eastern parts of the U.S. — or how they can be stopped — has led leaders of both political parties to demand better technology and powers to deal with the drones. Sen. Chuck Schumer called Sunday for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify the drones and their operators. “New Yorkers have tremendous questions about it,” Schumer, the Senate Majority leader, told reporters about the drone sightings. “We are going to get the answers for them.” The federal government did little to answer those questions in its own media briefings Sunday morning. “There’s no question that people are seeing drones,” U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “But I want to assure the American public that we are on it. We are working in close coordination with state and local authorities.” Some of the drones reported above parts of New York and New Jersey have turned out to be “manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones,” Mayorkas said. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter.” Last year, federal aviation rules began requiring certain drones to broadcast their remote identification, including the location of their operators. It’s not clear whether that information has been used to determine who is behind the drones plaguing locations over New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office didn’t respond to questions about whether they’ve been able to identify drones using this capability. Schumer wants the federal government to use a recently declassified radio wave technology in New York and New Jersey. The radio wave detector can be attached to a drone or airplane and can determine whether another flying object is a bird or a drone, read its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place. Schumer said state and local authorities do not have the authority to track drones. On Sunday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said federal officials were sending a drone detection system to the state. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement. The governor did not immediately provide additional details, including where the system will be deployed. Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month over parts of New Jersey, raising concerns among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Drones are now being reported all along the northern East Coast, with suspicious sightings in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to news reports. Some U.S. political leaders, including Trump, have called for stronger action against these drones, including shooting them down. Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “incapacitate” drones, Mayorkas said Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said. A bill before the U.S. Senate would enhance some federal agencies’ authority and give new abilities to local and state agencies to track drones. It would also start a pilot program allowing states and local authorities to disrupt, disable or seize a drone without prior consent of the operator. “What the drone issue points out are gaps in our agencies, gaps in our authorities between the Department of Homeland Security, local law enforcement, the Defense Department.," said Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., Trump’s pick to be his national security adviser, speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday. "Americans are finding it hard to believe we can’t figure out where these are coming from.’’ Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. FILE - Former Rep. Doug Collins speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Oct. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Guilfoyle is a former California prosecutor and television news personality who led the fundraising for Trump's 2020 campaign and became engaged to Don Jr. in 2020. Trump called her “a close friend and ally” and praised her “sharp intellect make her supremely qualified.” Guilfoyle was on stage with the family on election night. “I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador. She will be an amazing leader for America First,” Don Jr. posted. The ambassador positions must be approved by the U.S. Senate. Guilfoyle said in a social media post that she was “honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and I look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate.” Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Ron Johnson, Ambassador to Mexico Johnson — not the Republican senator — served as ambassador to El Salvador during Trump's first administration. His nomination comes as the president-elect has been threatening tariffs on Mexican imports and the mass deportation of migrants who have arrived to the U.S.-Mexico border. Johnson is also a former U.S. Army veteran and was in the Central Intelligence Agency. Tom Barrack, Ambassador to Turkey Barrack, a wealthy financier, met Trump in the 1980s while helping negotiate Trump’s purchase of the renowned Plaza Hotel. He was charged with using his personal access to the former president to secretly promote the interests of the United Arab Emirates, but was acquitted of all counts at a federal trial in 2022. Trump called him a “well-respected and experienced voice of reason.” Andrew Ferguson, Federal Trade Commission Ferguson, who is already one of the FTC's five commissioners, will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Jacob Helberg, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment Dan Bishop, deputy director for budget at the Office of Budget and Management Leandro Rizzuto, Ambassador to the Washington-based Organization of American States Dan Newlin, Ambassador to Colombia Peter Lamelas, Ambassador to Argentina Trump says he’s picking Kari Lake as director of Voice of America, installing a staunch loyalist who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor and a Senate seat to head the congressionally funded broadcaster that provides independent news reporting around the world. Lake endeared herself to Trump through her dogmatic commitment to the falsehood that both she and Trump were the victims of election fraud. She has never acknowledged losing the gubernatorial race and called herself the “lawful governor” in her 2023 book, “Unafraid: Just Getting Started.” Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!This year marked the 70th anniversary of the European Council for Nuclear Research, which is known universally as CERN. To celebrate, we have published a bumper crop of articles on particle and nuclear physics in 2024. Many focus on people and my favourite articles have definitely skewed in that direction. So let’s start with the remarkable life of accelerator pioneer Bruno Touschek. Born in Vienna in 1921 to a Jewish mother, Bruno Touschek’s life changed when Nazi Germany annexed Austria in 1938. After suffering antisemitism in his hometown and then in Rome, he inexplicably turned down an offer to study in the UK and settled in Germany. There he worked on a “death ray” for the military but was eventually imprisoned by the German secret police. He was then left for dead during a forced march to a concentration camp in 1945. When the war ended a few weeks later, Touschek’s expertise came to the attention of the British, who occupied north-western Germany. He went on to become a leading accelerator physicist and you can read much more about the extraordinary life of Touschek in this article by the physicist and biographer Giulia Pancheri. Today, the best atomic clocks would only be off by about 10 ms after running for the current age of the universe. But, could these timekeepers soon be upstaged by clocks that use a nuclear, rather than an atomic transition? Such nuclear clocks could rival their atomic cousins when it comes to precision and accuracy. They also promise to be fully solid-state, which means that they could be used in a wide range of commercial applications. This year saw physicists make new measurements and develop new technologies that could soon make nuclear clocks a reality. Click on the headline above to discover how physicists in the US have fabricated all of the components needed to create a nuclear clock made from thorium-229. Also, earlier this year physicists in Germany and Austria showed that they can put nuclei of the isotope into a low-lying metastable state that could be used in a nuclear clock. You can find out more here: “ Excitation of thorium-229 brings a working nuclear clock closer ”. In 2024 we launched our Physics World Live series of panel discussions. In September, we explored the future of particle physics with Tara Shears of the UK’s University of Liverpool, Phil Burrows at the University of Oxford in the UK and Tulika Bose at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the US. Moderated by Physics World ’s Michael Banks, the discussion focussed on next-generation particle colliders and how they could unravel the mysteries of the Higgs boson and probe beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. You can watch a video of the event by clicking on the above headline (free registration) or read an article based on the discussion here: “ How a next-generation particle collider could unravel the mysteries of the Higgs boson ”. Neutrinos do not fit in nicely with the Standard Model of particle physics because of their non-zero masses. As a result some physicists believe that they offer a unique opportunity to do experiments that could reveal new physics. In a wide-ranging interview , the particle physicist Juan Pedro Ochoa-Ricoux explains why he has devoted much of his career to the study of these elusive subatomic particles. He also looks forward to two big future experiments – JUNO and DUNE – which could change our understanding of the universe. “Children decide quite early in their life, as early as primary school, if science is for them or not,” explains Çiğdem İşsever – who is leads the particle physics group at DESY in Hamburg, and the experimental high-energy physics group at the Humboldt University of Berlin. İşsever has joined forces with physicists Steven Worm and Becky Parker to create ATLAScraft, which creates a virtual version of CERN’s ATLAS detector in the hugely popular computer game Minecraft . In this profile , the science writer Rob Lea talks to İşsever about her passion for outreach and how she dispels gender stereotypes in science by talking to school children as young as five about her career in physics. İşsever also looks forward to the future of particle physics and what could eventually replace the Large Hadron collider as the world’s premier particle-physics experiment. This year marked the 70th anniversary of the world’s most famous physics laboratory, so the last two items in my list celebrate that iconic facility nestled between the Alps and the Jura mountains. Formed in the aftermath of the Second World War, which devastated much of Europe, CERN came into being on 29 September 1954. That year also saw the start of construction of the Geneva-based lab’s proton synchrotron, which fired-up in 1959 with an energy of 24 GeV, becoming the world’s highest-energy particle accelerator. The original CERN had 12 member states and that has since doubled to 24, with an additional 10 associate members. The lab has been associated with a number of Nobel laureates and is a shining example of how science can bring nations together after a the trauma of war. Read more about the anniversary here . When former physicist James Gillies sat down for dinner in 2009 with actors Tom Hanks and Ayelet Zurer, joined by legendary director Ron Howard, he could scarcely believe the turn of events. Gillies was the head of communications at CERN, and the Hollywood trio were in town for the launch of Angels & Demons. The blockbuster film is partly set at CERN with antimatter central to its plot, and is based on the Dan Brown novel. In this Physics World Stories podcast , Gillies looks back on those heady days. Gillies has also written a feature article for us about his Hollywood experience: “ Angels & Demons, Tom Hanks and Peter Higgs: how CERN sold its story to the world ”. Note: The verification e-mail to complete your account registration should arrive immediately. However, in some cases it takes longer. Don't forget to check your spam folder. If you haven't received the e-mail in 24 hours, please contact customerservices@ioppublishing.org .

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Behind a record surge in cocoa prices this year, a corner of financial markets that drives the cost of chocolate underwent a seismic shift: the hedge funds that oiled its workings headed for the exit. Confectionery prices, from candy bars to hot chocolate, are heavily influenced by futures contracts for cocoa beans. These financial instruments, traded in London and New York, allow cocoa buyers and sellers to determine a price for the commodity, forming a benchmark for sales across the world. In the middle of last year, hedge funds – a class of investors that use privately pooled money to make speculative bets – started pulling back from trading cocoa futures because price swings in the market were raising their cost of trading and making it harder to make profits. They accelerated their retreat in the first half of this year as cocoa prices hit a record in April, driven by supply issues in West Africa, according to Reuters calculations based on data from the U.S. Commodity Trading Futures Commission (CFTC), which oversees the New York market, and ICE Futures Europe, an exchange that compiles figures for trading in London. “This market became increasingly volatile,” said Razvan Remsing, director of investment solutions at Aspect Capital, a $9.3 billion London-based fund that uses coding and algorithms to find trades. “Our system’s response was to trim our positions.” Aspect slashed the exposure to cocoa in its Diversified Fund from nearly 5% of its net asset value in January to less than one percent after April, according to a presentation reviewed by Reuters. The departure of hedge funds and other speculators caused liquidity in the market to slump, making it harder to buy and sell, stoking volatility to record highs and fueling the price spike still further. Reuters spoke to a dozen fund executives, cocoa market brokers and traders who said the retreat – described here in detail for the first time — has left lasting strains on the market. That has resulted in greater gaps between the price at which cocoa can be bought and sold, and has prompted some industry players to seek alternative instruments, leaving a lasting impact on the sector. This month, the number of futures contracts held globally at the end of a given trading day – a key indicator of market health known as “open interest” – hit its lowest since at least 2014, the global figures show, a sign the futures market overall has shrunk significantly. Data prior to 2014 was not available. On Wednesday, New York cocoa futures prices topped their April peak. The futures market is a crucial cog in the cocoa industry, allowing producers and chocolate companies to hedge their exposure to swings in the price of beans. Futures dictate income for the farmers and low-income nations that produce the world’s cocoa – the majority of which comes from Ghana and Ivory Coast in West Africa. Hedge funds and speculators have become bigger players in commodity markets over the past two decades as the value of their overall assets has grown. But, as purely financial investors, they have no need to remain in the market at times of stress. The impact of hedge funds’ exit illustrates how reliant trading has become on these lightly regulated funds that increasingly shape financial markets. Reuters has reported this year on how hedge funds are piling into the euro zone’s $10 trillion government bond market, drawing regulatory scrutiny, and on their growing sway in European stock trading. Contacted by Reuters, the CFTC declined to comment. A representative for Britain’s regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, said that, in line with its market supervision practice, “we have been working with trading venues and participants to monitor the orderliness of the market.” Bernhard Tröster, an economist at the Austrian Foundation for Development Research (ÖFSE) in Vienna, who last year co-authored a paper on the growing role of financial actors in commodities derivatives markets, said the withdrawal of hedge funds had helped fuel the crisis in cocoa markets. “When markets became so volatile this year, it was clear how hedge funds and other financial actors have become so important,” he said. SUPPLY ISSUES HIT PRICES Hedge funds and other speculators’ share of the market peaked at 36% in May 2023, the highest in at least a decade, after which their retreat began, the global data calculated by Reuters show. Then, at the start of this year, global cocoa prices soared after top producer Ivory Coast was hit by adverse weather and disease. Number two producer Ghana fared even worse, with smuggling, illegal gold mining on cocoa farms and sector mismanagement added to the mix. In early February, cocoa prices surpassed a previous record high set in 1977. Executives at five hedge funds told Reuters they began to withdraw as volatility grew and the cost of trading increased. When markets become too hot, exchanges require speculators to increase the amount of collateral they put down per futures contract, raising their costs. Lawrence Abrams, president of Absolute Return Capital Management in Chicago, said the cost of trading a single cocoa futures contract soared from $1,980 in January to $25,971 by June. High prices and volatility, combined with falling liquidity, began to affect “our system’s trading and risk management decisions,” Abrams said, whose fund sold out before prices peaked in April. He declined to detail how much his fund managed, citing regulatory reasons. Many hedge funds promise investors they will not exceed a certain amount of risk, meaning that if a certain market becomes too volatile they have to reduce their exposure. The difference between prices offered and sought for futures, the so-called “bid-ask spread”, soared following the hedge funds’ withdrawal. That has made trading harder: lower liquidity and wider spreads mean traders struggle to execute large trades without moving overall prices. “You need speculators,” said Vladimir Zientek, a trading associate at brokerage firm StoneX, referring to hedge funds, which are not among his clients. “Without speculators in the market, you lose a lot of liquidity, which allows for these very wide and erratic market swings.” By mid-April, New York contracts hit a then-record above $12,000, up three-fold from January, prompting hedge funds to sell down their positions. “Trends don’t last forever,” said Remsing at Aspect Capital. “Stay too long in size and you stand to give back all your gains.” Hedge funds’ share of the cocoa futures market dropped to 7% in late May, its lowest in at least a decade, the global data show. One European broker, who requested anonymity to discuss clients’ trades, said that panic in the market increased in March and April as liquidity drained away. Volatility in cocoa futures hit an all-time high in May, up five-fold from a year earlier, according to data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). Daily average price swings that month neared $800, some 15 times the levels of a year earlier, according to a Reuters analysis of figures from market data provider PortaraCQG. RISKIER MARKETS For major trading houses that buy and sell cocoa beans – a group that includes Singapore’s Olam (OLAG.SI), Switzerland’s Barry Callebaut (BARN.S), and U.S.-based Cargill – the liquidity drain and associated price surge exacerbated the more than-$1 billion dollar hit they took on their futures positions. The losses came earlier this year after Ghana, following a disastrous harvest in the October 2023 to September 2024 season, delayed delivery on nearly half the beans the nation had pledged to sell, upsetting cocoa traders’ futures market strategies. These traders typically use futures to lock in prices achieved for cocoa beans, or to hedge against the risk of falling prices. But that strategy unraveled as Ghana delayed its deliveries. Traders were forced to liquidate, at steep losses, short positions for the month of expected delivery, and take new short positions. The market turmoil has prompted some trading houses and producers to seek alternatives to futures. Australian investment bank Macquarie, a big player in commodity markets, told Reuters it sold over-the-counter products to trading houses, processors and chocolate makers when cocoa volatility hit record levels this year, and demand remains high. One major agri-commodities trader is now using such bespoke contracts, according to a source who requested anonymity citing sensitive commercial relationships. They declined to comment on the magnitude of the business. Such products typically protect buyers against narrower price swings than is possible with futures, limiting their use, a European broker said, declining to be identified to freely discuss clients’ activity. ‘COCOA TOURISTS’ Some hedge funds have returned to the market. Along with other speculators that trade using investors’ cash, they accounted for 22% of futures trading this month, according to the global data. But buying and selling in the cocoa market’s altered landscape has become harder. Zientek, the trading associate at StoneX, said bid-ask spreads can now top 20 “ticks” – $200 per contract – compared to about 2-4 ticks before cocoa’s rally to record highs. “This makes larger orders tougher to execute without seeing an immediate distortion in the market,” he said. Daniel Mackenzie, managing director of Cocoa Hub, a UK-based company that sources and sells cocoa beans to artisan chocolate makers, said higher and more volatile prices were forcing small and medium-sized makers to decide between passing costs to clients or reducing product sizes. One chocolate maker he worked with has been shuttered and another sold, he said, without providing further details. As hedge funds exited, short-term investors such as day-traders – which buy and sell assets within a single trading day – have stayed in the market, the European broker and the broker at the agri-commodities bank said. The cohort that includes day-traders this month accounted for 5% of the market, about the same as the start of the year, the global data show. Day-traders cannot fulfill the liquidity-provision role traditionally played by hedge funds, the two brokers said. “I like to call them ‘cocoa tourists’ – they move in, hold a position for a day or two, then move out,” the European broker said. Watch the latest edition of BizTech below: Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channelMacom technology director Charles Bland sells $311,208 in stock

NoneAIDS/HIV (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome/Human Immunodeficiency Virus) caught everyone by surprise nearly four decades ago. Since then, 42 million people worldwide have succumbed to complications arising from AIDS, out of around 88 million infected persons. There are around 40 million people living with HIV worldwide. According to the latest reports, Sri Lanka has experienced a drastic surge in HIV/AIDS cases during the second half of 2024, marking the highest number of cases logged in a single quarter since 2009. Statistics released by the National STD/AIDS Control Program show 214 new HIV cases this year, reflecting an 18 percent increase compared to the previous quarter in 2023 (181 cases). Of the cases reported in the second quarter, 28 persons fall within the age range of 15-24, while the remaining persons are above 25. In Sri Lanka, 4,643 males and 1,472 females have contracted HIV since 2009. Today (December 1), on World AIDS Day, the world will focus on the progress made so far in the fight against AIDS and the steps that should be taken to eliminate the disease. There used to be a time when HIV/AIDS meant an automatic death sentence, but these days are gone now. Remarkable progress is being made on HIV treatment. This year’s World AIDS Day is being marked under the theme, “the world can end AIDS – if everyone’s rights are protected”. Ending AIDS needs engaging everyone who is living with, at risk for or affected by HIV – especially including people who have been excluded and marginalised. “With human rights at the centre, with communities in the lead, the world can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” says UNAIDS, the United Nations (UN) agency specialising in AIDS/HIV control. As per UNAIDS, the substantial progress that has been made in the HIV response is directly linked to progress in protecting human rights of HIV patients and indeed, all others. In turn, the progress made on the HIV response has galvanised broader progress in realising the right to health and strengthening health systems in general. But gaps in the realisation of human rights and Universal Health Care (UHC) for all are keeping the world from getting on the path that ends AIDS and are hurting public health, and now a surge in attacks on rights is threatening to undermine the progress that has been made. The good news is that access to treatment, which in itself is a fundamental right, has risen significantly. As of the end of 2023, 77 percent of all people with HIV (around 30.7 million) were accessing Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) globally. Low-cost or no-cost access to HIV treatment is the key to the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat. No single prevention method or approach can stop the HIV epidemic. Several methods and interventions have proved effective in reducing the risk of, and protecting against HIV infection including male and female condoms, the use of antiretroviral medicines as pre-exposure medication, voluntary male medical circumcision, behavioural change interventions to reduce the number of sexual partners, the use of clean needles and syringes, and the treatment of people already living with HIV to reduce the viral load and prevent onward transmission. Thus access to HIV ART drugs and awareness campaigns on prevention are more important than ever. Everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live, has a right to health, which is also dependent on adequate sanitation and housing, nutritious food, healthy working conditions and access to justice. The right to health is supported by, and linked to, a wider set of rights. Ending AIDS as a public health threat can only happen if these rights are placed at the centre of global health, so that quality health care is available and accessible for everyone. Almost all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are linked to health and achieving the SDGs, which include ending the AIDS epidemic, will depend heavily on ensuring the right to health. The right to health is firmly enshrined in our law, but even more importantly, it is deeply ingrained in the national psyche. Sri Lanka is one of the few developing countries that provide a completely free health care service. While there are no problems with regard to medical care for HIV patients, the bigger challenge is changing societal attitudes towards those living with HIV. There are still a lot of misconceptions about the disease, which have not been effaced even after sustained media campaigns. Every attempt should be made to educate the masses on the true nature of this disease and methods of transmission to end the social stigma faced by the victims. While today’s anti-HIV drugs can prolong the lives of patients to the point where most of them can reach the full natural lifespan, scientists have not lost sight of the ultimate goal – a cure and a possible vaccine. A greater understanding of our bodies’ complex immune systems is essential in this quest since AIDS is a disease that essentially cripples one’s immunity to disease. HIV is very adept at evading the body’s immune responses. The main way it does this is by developing mutations that enable the virus not to be recognised by a person’s immune system. At the same time it continues to replicate and reproduce itself. Controlling the behaviour of this virus will be the key to any eventual cure or vaccine. Judging by the progress made so far in the world of medicine, where certain diseases such as polio and smallpox have been eradicated from Earth, there is no doubt that scientists will achieve the same goal vis-à-vis AIDS/HIV within the next two or three decades. How to reach us If you would like to comment on the articles that appear in our editorial/opinion and features pages, please write to us at: editor.suo@lakehouse. If you have a news item to share with us, please send to: [email protected] If you wish to write a Letter to the Editor, a tribute, an opinion piece, feature article, a correction or a Right of Reply (RoR) under the guidelines of the Press Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka (PCCSL), you can forward them to: [email protected]

Chairman of the General Authority for Healthcare and General Supervisor of the Comprehensive Health Insurance Project, Ahmed El-Sobky, met with Ronald Lavatar, CEO of the International Hospital Federation. The Authority held its fifth annual forum under the slogan “Towards Globalization in Providing Healthcare Services” to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the official launch of the comprehensive health insurance system. El-Sobky discussed with Lavatar ways to enhance cooperation to support the development of healthcare systems in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region, in line with the directions of the political leadership in Egypt. Lavatar also handed El-Sobky the Gold Award Certificate in Health Sustainability, Awareness, and Social Responsibility after the Authority won it in appreciation of its distinguished efforts in the fields of sustainability and healthcare. Preparations for the upcoming meetings of the International Hospital Federation, scheduled in India at the end of February 2025, were also a topic of discussion between the two sides. Dr. El-Sobky expressed his aspiration to host the 49th International Hospital Federation Forum in Egypt in 2026, stressing that Egypt has become a leading destination in the fields of healthcare at the regional and global levels. In the context of future cooperation, El-Sobky stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation with the Federation to continue developing treatment services, transferring advanced expertise, and employing modern technology and artificial intelligence to achieve the best global practices. He also mentioned enhancing cooperation with the Federation and the Geneva Center for Sustainability in Switzerland to support sustainability initiatives in healthcare and enhance innovation. He emphasized the Authority’s keenness to partner with global health institutions to develop the health system. For his part, Ronald Lavatar expressed his happiness to participate in the Authority’s fifth annual forum, stressing his aspiration for many visits to Egypt and the Authority’s health facilities in the coming periods to deepen joint cooperation. Lavatar commended the swift progress in Egypt’s healthcare sector, emphasizing that the General Authority for Healthcare has established a benchmark for managing and operating health facilities in accordance with the most stringent international standards.SEAN JANSEN’S red card was costly as Connacht lost to the Bulls at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Both sides finished with 14 but the Westerners played most of the game with a man gone. And the Bulls were clear when Celimpilo ka Gumede saw red after 56 minutes. The South Africans took an early lead when Sebastian de Klerk touched down in the corner. Johan Gosen added the extras.Jansen was then dismissed for an elbow to the head of Marcel Coetzee in the 21st minute. And the Bulls made Connacht pay with three unanswered tries from Embrose Papier, David Kriel and Canan Moodie. Late tries from Connacht duo David Hawkshaw and Caolin Blade meant little. SCORERS — Connacht: Tries, Hawkshaw, Blade; cons, Forde 2. Bulls: Tries, De Klerk, E Papier, Kriel, Moodie; cons, Goosen 4. Elsewhere, Cian Healy became Ireland’s most-capped player with his 134th appearance against Australia in Dublin on Saturday. The Leinster prop was presented the history-making cap by IRFU President Declan Madden after the 22-19 win at Aviva Stadium. The Belvedere college man broke the long-standing recording for that was previously held by Brian O'Driscoll . Ireland's win was the third of their Autumn Nations Series 2024 in their last game of the calendar year - the win always marked the IRFU's 150th anniversary. Andy Farrell's men came back in the second half after a disjointed opening period that saw them trail by eight points at the break with Healy coming from the bench to break BOD's record.

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2025-01-08   

Sunday, December 29, 2024 As the world moves toward a more inclusive and diverse future, the travel industry is beginning to address the unique needs of neurodivergent travelers. These individuals, who process and experience the world differently, have often faced significant challenges while navigating traditional travel environments. In 2025, the demand for neuroinclusive navigation is reshaping the way we think about travel, thanks to groundbreaking technological advancements and increased advocacy for inclusivity. The numbers tell a compelling story: nearly half (49%) of neurodivergent individuals report negative travel experiences due to their neurodivergence, and 50% feel their travel options are limited. These statistics underscore the pressing need for change. For many neurodivergent travelers, traditional travel environments are filled with sensory overload, lack of accessibility, and a lack of understanding from service providers. “Travel should be an enriching experience for everyone, yet for neurodivergent individuals, it can often feel like a daunting challenge,” says Dr. Emily Carter, a cognitive neuroscientist specializing in accessibility. “By addressing these challenges with thoughtful design and technology, we can create a travel industry that truly caters to everyone’s needs.” The call for technology to play a more significant role in neuroinclusive travel has been heard loud and clear. Two-thirds (66%) of neurodivergent travelers express enthusiasm for AI tools that provide up-to-date travel information, alert them to delays, and suggest quieter, less busy spaces in airports and hotels. These tools not only enhance convenience but also significantly reduce anxiety associated with the unpredictability of travel. AI-powered applications are emerging as indispensable tools for neurodivergent travelers. Imagine an app that: These features can make travel planning less stressful and more tailored to unique needs. Virtual reality (VR) technology is another game-changer. VR allows travelers to explore their destinations and accommodations before they arrive, helping them mentally prepare for unfamiliar environments. This capability is particularly beneficial for individuals with heightened anxiety or sensory sensitivities. Sensory overload is a common challenge for neurodivergent travelers. Bright lights, loud noises, and crowded spaces can quickly become overwhelming. Addressing these issues, sensory rooms are becoming a sought-after feature in airports, hotels, and other travel hubs. An impressive 68% of neurodivergent individuals express a desire for such spaces, where they can decompress and recharge. Key Features of Sensory Rooms Include: Hotels are also stepping up by offering quieter rooms with “block out noise” options, a feature favored by 74% of neurodivergent travelers. These innovations not only enhance comfort but also demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity. A significant step forward in 2025 is the push for industry-wide initiatives that allow travelers to share their needs and preferences seamlessly. Imagine booking a flight or hotel and having your preferences—such as sensory sensitivities or a need for quiet spaces—automatically communicated to service providers. This seamless connection between travelers, platforms, and operators can transform the travel experience for neurodivergent individuals. The demand for change is undeniable: 69% of neurodivergent travelers advocate for a standardized program across the travel industry that prioritizes inclusivity. Such a program would include: “Creating an inclusive travel industry requires collective effort,” says Maria Lopez, CEO of Inclusive Journeys. “By listening to neurodivergent voices and implementing their suggestions, we can set a new standard for accessibility and inclusion.” As we look ahead to 2025, the travel industry stands at a pivotal moment. The integration of innovative technologies, sensory-friendly designs, and seamless preference-sharing systems marks the beginning of a new era of neuroinclusive navigation. By addressing the unique needs of neurodivergent travelers, we not only create a more inclusive industry but also enrich the travel experience for everyone. In the words of Dr. Carter, “Inclusion is not a privilege; it is a right. The future of travel lies in embracing diversity and ensuring that every journey is as unique as the traveler embarking on it.”winph99 。

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Wikileaks Cable Exposes How Afe Babalola, Ex-President Obasanjo Allegedly Bought Nigerian Court Of Appeal Ruling With N30million Cash In 2004Many of us have felt it, and now it's official: "brain rot" is the Oxford dictionaries' word of the year. or signup to continue reading Oxford University Press said Monday that the evocative phrase "gained new prominence in 2024," with its frequency of use increasing 230 per cent from the year before. Oxford defines brain rot as "the supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging." The word of the year is intended to be "a word or expression that reflects a defining theme from the past 12 months". "Brain rot" was chosen by a combination of public vote and language analysis by Oxford lexicographers. It beat five other finalists: demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore. While it may seem a modern phenomenon, the first recorded use of "brain rot" was by Henry David Thoreau in his 1854 ode to the natural world, Walden. Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl said that in its modern sense, "'brain rot' speaks to one of the perceived dangers of virtual life, and how we are using our free time." "It feels like a rightful next chapter in the cultural conversation about humanity and technology. It's not surprising that so many voters embraced the term, endorsing it as our choice this year," he said. The 2023 Oxford word of the year was "rizz," a riff on charisma, used to describe someone's ability to attract or seduce another person. Collins Dictionary's 2024 word of the year is "brat" –- the album title that became a summer-living ideal. Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement

Lewis Hamilton ended his glorious 12-year spell at Mercedes with cheers and tears yesterday after finishing a rousing fourth from starting 16th in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion, who will turn 40 before he races with Ferrari next season, stirred emotions with his driving and his words after a classic recovery drive that saw him pass teammate George Russell on the final lap. “When he (race engineer Pete Bonnington) said ‘hammer time’ I did notice, in the moment, that it was the last time I’m going to hear that,” said an emotional Hamilton afterwards. “It really clicked for me in that moment. “It was a really, really hard race naturally where I was, I didn’t get as great a start as this one here, my teammate next season (pointing to nearby Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc) and the first stint was really, really difficult. “I wasn’t losing hope, but it just wasn’t going as well as I thought it would. I didn’t give up, I kept pushing and thinking ‘come on, we can get there’ and switched on to the different tyres and the car came alive. I wanted to finish on as much as a high and give every ounce of me to the team as they have given to me all these years.” Before spinning ‘donuts’ in his car to the cheers of a chanting crowd and posing for photographs with individual team members, Hamilton had spoken eloquently of his feelings and his love for the ‘silver arrows’ team in radio exchanges. “That was the drive of a world champion,” said Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff. The drive of a world champion. Amazing!” Bonnington said: “Stellar drive today bud, it’s been a pleasure all the way.” Hamilton replied: “The pleasure’s been mine. We dreamed alone, but together we believed and as a team we achieved things, thank you for all the courage, the determination and the passion for seeing me and supporting me. “What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books. We did everything together and I’m so grateful to everyone back at the factory from the bottom of my heart. All the best.” Bonnington added: “It’s been an amazing journey and I’m so grateful to have been a part of this chapter of your life and best of luck for the next one.” In a final comment, team boss Toto Wolff said: “We love you too and you’re always going to be part of the family. And if we can’t win, you should win.” In 12 seasons, Hamilton started 246 races with Mercedes, a record for a driver with a single team. He won 84, secured 13 other podium finishes and claimed 78 pole positions and six of his seven drivers’ world championships. In a final social media post, he wrote: “It’s been real. I love you all.” Related Story NBK Automobiles unveil Mercedes-Benz campaign QU launches 4th World Congress on Engineering and TechnologyEVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Cameron Haffner scored 13 points as Evansville beat Missouri State 57-40 on Sunday to snap a five-game losing streak. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Cameron Haffner scored 13 points as Evansville beat Missouri State 57-40 on Sunday to snap a five-game losing streak. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Cameron Haffner scored 13 points as Evansville beat Missouri State 57-40 on Sunday to snap a five-game losing streak. Haffner went 5 of 12 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) for the Purple Aces (4-9, 1-1 Missouri Valley Conference). Joshua Hughes added 11 points, nine rebounds and four steals. Tayshawn Comer scored 11. Dez White finished with 12 points, four assists and six steals for the Bears (7-6, 0-2). Missouri State also got 10 points, 12 rebounds and two steals from Michael Osei-Bonsu. Zaxton King had eight points. Evansville carried a slim three-point lead into halftime, as Haffner led the way with seven points. Evansville took the lead for what would be the final time on Haffner’s 3-pointer with 18:44 remaining in the second half. His team would outscore Missouri State by 14 points in the second half. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement

Trump says he can’t guarantee tariffs won’t raise US prices, won’t rule out revenge prosecutionsAlessandra Ambrosio is all smiles in pink bikini with new boyfriend in Hawaii

Our soccer writers bring you the latest transfers of the League of Ireland off-season. Sunday, December 8 Derry City have secured the services of midfielder Adam O'Reilly until the end of the 2026 season. The Cork native had interest from around the league and did spend time training with Leyton Orient but positive discussions with Tiernan Lynch influenced his decision to stay put with the Brandywell club. Lynch is also trying to keep midfielder Will Patching who is likely to make a decision on his future in the coming week. It was anticipated that Patching would move on but he has spoken with the new boss about extending his stay. Sligo Rovers are considering a move for midfielder Evan McLaughlin whose future is up in the air after turning down a contract offer from Cork City. The 22-year-old had been in talks with the Leesiders about staying after impressing in their First Division title win and being voted onto the team of the season but he now looks set to move on due to a difference of opinion on terms. However, interested clubs will have to pay a fee as McLaughlin is under the age of 23 and was retained by City. Sligo Rovers are exploring the possibility. Dundalk have added experienced defender Conor O'Keeffe to their expanding panel with the securing of a First Division licence allowing manager Ciaran Kilduff to recruit players with a knowledge of that level. O'Keefe joins from Galway United where he dropped out of favour last term. Dundalk have signed midfielder Harry Groome from Bray and striker Dean Ebbe from Athlone Town with Kilduff working off a competitive budget for the division. The Lilywhites have also sealed a deal to bring in promising attacker Gbemi Arubi from Waterford. Versatile Drogheda player Luke Heeney is understood to be a target. Waterford's new recruit Matty Smith says his decision to return to the club was influenced by Keith Long's repeated attempts to sign him. The Scot started his League of Ireland journey at Waterford in 2020, but moved on to St Patrick's Athletic, Derry City and Shelbourne where he contributed to title success under Damien Duff before being told he could go. Long tried to sign Smith when he was Bohemians manager. "He's been onto me probably since I've come here," said Smith, "Over the past four years he's been trying to sign me. After meeting with him, I can't wait to get going." – DMcD Friday, December 6 Shamrock Rovers: The Hoops are set to make another bid to sign Darragh Burns on a permanent basis after an initial offer to MK Dons was rejected, writes Daniel McDonnell. Burns has made a good impression on loan with the Hoops this year and Rovers want to tie the 22-year-old down for the long term. His contract with the League Two side expires this summer, and there are no indications that he has a future there so Rovers are keen to get the deal done – especially as there is likely to be a reasonable level of squad turnover the winter. Their European campaign is set to continue into February and they technically only have the facility to make three changes to their squad list for the playoff round. Burns has been involved throughout their run so keeping him would be a bonus. Celtic striker Johnny Kenny has starred during his loan spell, but he’s understood to be keen on trying his luck in England while the out of contract Neil Farrugia is expected to have offers from overseas to consider after the game with Chelsea on December 19. St Patrick’s Athletic have made a strong play to sign Sean Hoare whose deal is also up and his fellow defender Sean Kavanagh is also likely to move on after playing a peripheral role this term. Shelbourne and Bohemians are both interested in the 30-year-old. Richie Towell has no future with the Hoops after reacting badly to being an unused sub in October’s league win over Shelbourne. His next destination is unclear; it’s understood he has spoken with Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic but both of those clubs are reasonably well stocked in the midfield department. Wednesday December 4 Derry City Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch says the club have put their best foot forward in their pursuit Gavin Whyte, as well as in their attempts to resign Adam O’Reilly and Brian Maher. The Candystripes are also interested in signing former Northern Ireland international Shane Fergsuon, with Lynch admitting the 33-year-old is a player who ticks all the boxes for him. Last month the Irish Independent reported that Derry had made a strong push to attract Northern Ireland midfielder Whyte, who is currently a free agent after departing Portsmouth in August. “Is Gavin someone I’d love to bring to Derry City? One million percent,” Lynch told Drive105. “He’s a kid I know really well and who I had at a really young age. He’s hugely talented. Getting him now is another challenge. As a club we feel like we’ve put our best foot forward and we’ll see where it takes us.” Asked about the club’s interest in 57-times capped Ferguson, who is without a club having left Rotherham last summer, Lynch added: “Is he someone we admire as a footballer? Absolutely. “Is he someone who ticks all the boxes as a person, the experience he has? One million percent. Is he a Derry player? The answer is no and until he is there’s very little I can do about that With the club also hoping to convince goalkeeper Maher and midfielder O’Reilly to stay at the Brandywell for the 2025 campaign, Lynch said: “The club has put their best foot forward and they are players we definitely want to keep.” City also have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Arlo Doherty on an initial 18-month deal. The 21-year-old cut his teeth at the academies of Manchester City, Norwich and Leicester before he was released by the latter last summer. Capped for Ireland up to U-19 level, Doherty has now committed his future to the Candysripes having been training with the club since September. “I’m very ambitious and I’m very proud of my Irish heritage. I have a lot of hard work to do but I’m ready,” said Doherty, whose grandparents hail from Dublin and Limerick. “I want to be here beyond 2025 and in helping Derry City, I also hope to use my time here to help push me into the Ireland U-21 set up as well. It’s a challenge, I can’t wait to start.” St Patrick’s Athletic Jason McClelland has committed his future to St Patrick’s Athletic, penning a contract extension to remain at Richmond Park for a sixth year. The 27-year-old has made 128 appearances for the Inchicore club to date although he found starts hard to come by last term with just five in the league. "Jason has been an integral part of St Patrick's Athletic for the last five seasons, so we're pleased that he's agreed to extend his stay with us,” said Saints boss Stephen Kenny. “He has an extremely high level of professionalism, his attitude to training is always first class and he is a brilliant team-mate.” Shelbourne: Shels have confirmed that winger Rayhaan Tulloch will remain at the club for the 2025 campaign. As reported by the Irish Independent last week, the Englishman was absent from a list of retained players last month but was expected to agree a deal to remain at Tolka Park for the Reds' title defence. The 23-year-old scored a crucial winner in their penultimate league game against Drogheda United. Bohemians: Bohs academy product Nickson Okosun has earned a move to Championship side Watford, it has been confirmed. The 18-year-old rose through the ranks at Bohs after arriving from St Kevin’s making his senior debut in 2023 and signing his first professional contract that same year. The Ireland U-19 cap made 12 senior appearances for the Dalymount Park club, and will now join Watford on January 1. Irish players on the Hornets’ books include senior cap Festy Ebosele (on loan from Udinese) and U-21 star Rocco Vata. Tuesday December 3 Shamrock Rovers: The Hoops are in advanced negotiations to complete a deal for goalkeeper Ed McGinty and are also keen on resurrecting the career of Danny Grant . We revealed last month that the Hoops had targeted Sligo Rovers favourite McGinty to strengthen their goalkeeping department. He spent the 2024 season back on loan at the Showgrounds with the club where he made his name before earning a move to Oxford that hasn't gone to plan, with the Scottish born stopper surplus to requirements. It's understood that Rovers and Oxford have worked out a deal in principle but personal terms need to be agreed before the 25-year-old opts to continue his career in Tallaght. Meanwhile, Rovers have made a move to try and sign Grant after his release from Bohemians. The 24-year-old failed to make an impact in his second stint at Bohs after relocating from Huddersfield in the summer of 2023. Grant was voted PFAI Player of the Year in 2020 before leaving for England but a serious hamstring issue severely hindered his progress. He was made one of the highest earners at Dalymount when they saw off competition from elsewhere to bring the winger back to Phibsborough but he struggled to capture his previous form. It was expected that Grant would look at options outside of Dublin when champions Shelbourne passed up the opportunity to pursue a deal, but Rovers have now entered the picture, believing that they can get the best out of the Dubliner. They may be left short in the attacking midfield department with the out of contract Neil Farrugia exploring the idea of going overseas at the end of this calendar year. St Patrick's Athletic: The Saints have confirmed the signing of midfielder Barry Baggley from Fleetwood Town. Last month, the Independent reported that Stephen Kenny was very keen on Baggley who impressed on loan with Fleetwood's sister club Waterford last term. The Saints have moved assertively to negotiate a permanent deal with Fleetwood for a player who has been capped with Northern Ireland through the age groups. Baggley (22) has signed a long term deal. "I think the type of football Stephen plays will suit me," he said. News of the deal could be good news for Derry City. They want to retain Adam O'Reilly who was on the radar of Pat's but fell behind Baggley in the pecking order of targets. Sligo Rovers: John Russell has added to his squad for 2025 by recruiting Jad Hakiki from Dundalk on a two year deal. Hakiki joined Dundalk from Shelbourne midway through the season just gone but the Lilywhites' relegation from the top flight opened up the possibility that he would be able to move on. Hakiki has signed a two year deal at The Showgrounds. "He has bags of ability," said Russell, who has already rated the Ireland U-21 international. "He's able to carry the ball and beat players which is exactly the type of player we need.” Bohemians: James Talbot will spend a seventh season at Dalymount Park as the goalkeeper has signed up for the 2025 campaign. The 27-year-old took a temporary step back from football prior to the 2024 season to deal with mental health challenges, before returning to the Bohs squad at the end of last March. The Dubliner’s only two appearances of last season came in the final two games as Bohs finished in eighth. Monday, December 2 Derry City: The Candystripes have confirmed the departure of another experienced squad member with Ciaran Coll opting to reunite with former City boss Declan Devine at Glentoran. Coll had just completed his sixth season at the Brandywell, with injury ruling him out of run-in and the FAI Cup final. Earlier today, new Derry boss Tiernan Lynch confirmed our report from last week on the club's interest in free agent Gavin Whyte. However, he added that reported competition from Shamrock Rovers could be a difficulty. "Gavin is someone I've worked with before and have a good relationship with," Lynch told the Derry Journal. "He's someone we would love to try and bring to Derry City. Whether we can get him, whether we can lure him here or can get into that rat race because apparently Rovers are also very interested and I think if you can see the type of money Rovers are throwing around, it might come down to finance."- Daniel McDonnell Romal Palmer has penned a new two-year contract at St Patrick’s Athletic and hailed the impact Stephen Kenny has made in building up his confidence at Richmond Park. The midfielder arrived in Inchicore last February on loan from Turkish side Goztepe and appeared 25 times for the Saints across 2024. The 26-year-old netted two key goals in their Conference League qualifying campaign against Vaduz and Sabah, but missed their play-off second-leg defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir with a knee injury in late August. He returned from injury for the final stages of the Premier Division season and helped St Pat’s close out the campaign with a remarkable run of nine successive wins as Kenny’s side finished third and clinched European qualification for 2025. After committing his future to the club, the ex-Manchester City youth player admitted the move was a “no-brainer” for him. "It feels amazing, signing a new deal has been in the works for a while now. It was a no-brainer for me really,” said Wigan native Palmer. "Stephen Kenny coming in helped me a lot, confidence wise and building me up and I feel like that’s what I need at this point of my career, to get back playing games and try to be the best version of myself. I feel like I can do that at St Pat's." “He's a brilliant midfield player, with a high level of technical ability, combined with a really strong work ethic. If he can stay fit, Romal can have a real impact on the season ahead," added Saints boss Kenny. – SOC Friday, November 29 Cork City: As Cork City prepare for their return to the Premier Division for 2025, the Leesiders have announced the signing of left-back Benny Couto this evening. Couto (21) cut his teeth at Oldham Athletic, rising through the ranks at the National League club before he made 28 appearances for their first team. The Lisbon native joined Ashton United last August but his time at the non-league side, who play in the seventh tier, was short lived as has now opted for a fresh start in the League of Ireland. “Benny is a very exciting young player and is someone that I’m very pleased to have on board. He is a player with massive potential, and despite his age, brings experience from the English Football League which is exactly what we are looking for,” said Cork boss Tim Clancy. Sligo Rovers: Striker Cian Kavanagh has today departed St Patrick’s Athletic and signed a two-year deal with Sligo Rovers, the club has confirmed. The Baldoyle man (21) returned home after a spell in Scotland in 2021 and spent time at Waterford and Derry City before arriving at Richmond Park last January. But he found starts hard to come by at the Saints last term, making just two in the league in 2024 with his 15 other appearances all coming off the bench as he sat behind Aidan Keena and Mason Melia in the pecking order in Inchicore. "I want to be on the team sheet every week,” said Kavanagh, who officially joins John Russell’s side on December 1. “That's going to come down to me putting in a good pre-season and performing day in, day out. I want to score as many goals as I can and hopefully we'll finish in a high position. "After I met with John, he told me about his plans for Rovers for the next few years and how things have been run here, it was a no-brainer for me. I felt straight away how much he wanted to bring me here and that he believes in me and that's what I need right now." – Sean O’Connor Drogheda United: FAI Cup champions Drogheda United have confirmed that midfielders Warren Davis and Steve Zishim Bawa and defensive duo James Bolger and Aaron Harper-Bailey will all remain at Weavers Park for the 2025 Premier Division season. Wednesday, November 27 Drogheda United have paid tribute to their captain Gary Deegan this evening as the 37-year-old departs the Louth club. Having signed from Shelbourne in 2021, the Dubliner made 134 appearances for Drogheda in total with his final display coming in their FAI Cup triumph over Derry City at Lansdowne Road earlier this month. “I want to thank Gary from the bottom of my heart for his four seasons with the club, in particular the last three years since I became manager and made him club captain,” said Drogheda manager Kevin Doherty, as the midfielder departs following the expiration of his contract. “He is an example to every player with his work ethic and the dedication he brings, showing what it takes to be a successful professional footballer. I wish him nothing but success in the future.” Tuesday, November 26 Derry City: Derry have made a strong push to sign Northern Ireland international Gavin Whyte who is a free agent after his recent departure from Portsmouth, writes Daniel McDonnell. The 28-year-old has interest from clubs on both sides of the border as he considers the next move with a weekend interview indicating that the 30-times capped attacking midfielder is open to playing his football on this island. New Derry boss Tiernan Lynch is looking to make a splash in the transfer market after the departure of key players from the dressing room – including skipper Patrick McEleney – and the Candystripes are willing to make the Belfast native a high earner. But they face strong competition for his signature from multiple Irish League clubs with Shamrock Rovers also monitoring the situation. Whyte had a long association with Crusaders in his youth before earning a move to Oxford United. Cardiff paid a seven figure fee for his services, but it didn’t quite work out with loan spells at Hull and back at Oxford functioning as the bridge to a move to Portsmouth last summer. He departed the club by mutual consent in August, citing family reasons. Lynch needs fresh bodies as he presides over a dressing room overhaul but there remains confidence around the club that goalkeeper Brian Maher and midfielder Adam O’Reilly can be persuaded to stick around. Derry sources believe that Maher will stay put unless an overseas option emerges, while midfielder O’Reilly has long standing interest from his former club St Patrick’s Athletic but it’s understood that Stephen Kenny is exploring other options in that position. Fleetwood midfielder Barry Baggley is a Saints target after impressing on loan with Waterford and it’s possible that remaining with Derry will be the best option on the table for O’Reilly. St Pat’s: Pat’s confirmed on Monday night that centre half Tom Grivosti has signed a new two year deal with the club. His partnership with Joe Redmond was central to the resurgence under Kenny in the second half of the season. The Saints are still keen on the versatile Sean Hoare, who is out of contract with Shamrock Rovers and taking time to consider his options. He started his senior career with the Saints before Kenny brought him to Dundalk. Saints have the under-contract Conor Keeley and Luke Turner as defensive back-up but Drogheda want to bring Keeley back to Weaver’s Park, while Cork City are one of a number of clubs tracking Turner’s situation. City confirmed the capture of Alex Nolan from the Saints yesterday; he had a longer-term deal on the table from Sligo Rovers but opted for the Leesiders. The First Division champions are also believed to be close to bringing in a goalkeeper from Europe. The retirement of Dave Webster has made the recruitment of a centre half a high priority for Drogheda who are also admirers of Dundalk’s Mayowa Animasahun. Dundalk captain John Mountney is expected to sign for Bohemians after confirming the end of his stay with the Oriel Park club as they enter a new era under Ciaran Kilduff. Monday, November 25 St Patrick’s Athletic: The Saints have confirmed that defender Tom Grivosti has penned a new two-year deal with the Inchicore club. “Tom has shown immense character having been a full calendar year out injured, to have the fortitude to go through that and come back into the team and play at a very high level is exceptional,” said Saints boss Stephen Kenny. “Tom defends with real intelligence and his decision making is excellent. He is extremely calm and decisive in possession so we're really pleased that he has signed a new contract.” – SOC Cork City: The Rebels have bolstered their squad ahead of their return to the top-flight next season, with 21-year-old winger Alex Nolan arriving from St Pat’s. “Alex is a very exciting young winger who has been in high demand, so we’re delighted to get this deal done,” said City boss Tim Clancy. “Although he is still a very young player, he has been a part of a Cup winning side and has featured in a European campaign, so he knows the standards that are expected as we return to the Premier Division.” – SOC Waterford FC: The Blues have announced the signing of midfielder Sam Glenfield on a multi-year deal this evening. The 19-year-old joined the Blues on loan from sister club Fleetwood Town last summer and having impressed during that stint at the RSC, the Belfast native has now joined the Premier Division club on a permanent basis as Keith Long continues to build his squad for the 2025 campaign. Sam Glenfield of Waterford “Sam is a player who is an extremely important member of our squad – a player who we really only saw a snapshot of what he can really be last year,” said Long of Glenfield, who has been capped at Under-19 level for Northern Ireland. – SOC Friday November 22 St Patrick’s Athletic: Axel Sjoberg has signed a new deal with the Saints. The Swedish full-back enjoyed a successful end to last season under manager Stephen Kenny after overcoming a series of injuries. The 24-year-old has now put pen to paper on a new deal in what will be his third season at Richmond Park. The defender has played 33 times for St Pat’s and is excited to get going again next season. He said: “It’s great news, I’ve signed a new deal with St Pat’s and I’m really looking forward to the new season as we hope to continue on from how we finished last season. "We have built a great team and a strong environment for all the players and the connection with the fans too. We had a good European campaign in 2024 and I hope we will next year as well, we want to keep going and have a great year together.” – AF Shelbourne: ​The Reds have also shored up their defence for the 2025 season with a new deal for full-back Seán Gannon. Gannon won the 11th league title of his career last season with Shels but he has opted for another push for honours next term as he follows the lead of teammates like Mark Coyle and Seán Boyd by extending his contract. – AF Thursday November 21 Shelbourne: Shels defender Tyreke Wilson has committed his future to the club, signing a multi-year deal after appearing in all but two games across their title-winning campaign last term. And midfielder JJ Lunney has today signed a new deal to keep him at Tolka Park until 2027. "It means the world to sign back with Shels. Tolka is home for me and I'm thrilled to sign back for 2025," he said. Two more of Damien Duff's men have also committed their futures to the club with Harry Wood and Paddy Barrett penning new deals this evening, the latter signing a multi-year contract. This evening, Shelbourne captain Mark Coyle also penned a new long-term deal with the champions while forward Evan Caffrey has signed for the 2025 campaign too. – SOC Wednesday November 20 Shelbourne: Shelbourne striker Sean Boyd insists the club’s 2024 league triumph should be the standard, as he penned a new deal at Tolka Park today. The 26-year-old played a crucial role in the Reds’ title run-in with three goals in their final three games to help Damien Duff’s men clinch a first Premier Division title since 2006. The Dubliner enjoyed a purple patch in May too, hitting five goals in six games, while he also picked up the Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month award for October. “Thrilled to be at this club for another year,” said Boyd this evening. “It’s been an amazing journey from when the gaffer took over three years ago to now. Last year was special but that should be the standard for the club. See you all in Tolka next season. Up the Reds.” Goalkeeper Conor Kearns has also committed his future to Tolka Park this evening, having helped the club to the best defensive record last season. "I've loved every minute of my time at Shels since coming here and continuing that journey was a no-brainer," said the 26-year-old, who won the joint golden glove (along with Galway's Brendan Clarke) last term keeping 16 clean sheets in 36 games. "Last year was a special one that will live long in the memory of everyone involved at the club. But there's plenty more work to be done to continue the rise that has taken place over the last couple of years." – SOC Friday November 15 Shelbourne: The Reds have announced the exit of three members of their title winning squad, including long serving defender Shane Griffin and Scottish striker Matty Smith, a keynote signing in Damien Duff's first season in charge. Dean Williams has also left Tolka Park after his contract expired, a well-travelled striker who made minimal impact this term. Griffin was one of Duff's first signing at Shels, but the left-sided defender made just 12 league appearances this term. Smith was signed on loan from Derry in 2022 before the move was made permanent, and he was involved in some big moments this year, playing a starring role in a 2-0 win away to Shamrock Rovers in May. However, he did struggle for goals, scoring just twice in 30 appearances with 12 of those outings coming off the bench. His final outing for Shels showcased the good and the bad with Smith scoring a brilliant equaliser in the thrilling Tolka Park derby with St Patrick's Athletic only to get sent off for a petulant stamp in the aftermath of the Saints bagging a late winner. Duff made no excuses for it and Smith played no part in the rest of the season, serving a three-game ban before he was an unused sub in the decider in Derry. – DMcD Galway United: The Tribesmen have confirmed that Greg Cunningham is sticking around for the 2025 season. The former Irish international impressed upon his return home in the summer before his campaign was cut short by a late tackle in the costly 1-1 draw with Dundalk. Garry Buckley, Jimmy Keohane and Bobby Burns have also extended their contracts. Sligo Rovers: The Bit O’ Red have suffered with departures in the off-season but local centre-half John Mahon has penned a new two-year deal. Mahon has thanked the club for showing faith in him with a new contract even though he missed most of the 2024 season through injury. “It feels great to get the deal across the line”, Mahon says. “John (Russell) has shown huge faith in me in offering me a deal for next season and I want to repay that faith.” Cobh Ramblers: The Cork side are looking for a new manager after announcing the departure of Gary Hunt. The club have recently been taken over by USA-based group FC32. Wednesday November 13 Waterford FC: Former Ireland international Andy Boyle admits it was a tough decision to leave crisis club Dundalk as he completed his move to Waterford which guarantees him top flight football for next season. The 33-year-old won eight major trophies in his two spells with Dundalk, but with that club condemned to an uncertain future due to their financial situation and have been relegated, he needed to move on and Waterford boss Keith Long has swooped for the Dubliner, adding to his squad in a week when the Blues released eight members of the 2024 squad. – AF Monday November 11 St Patrick’s Athletic: New Saints signing Simon Power admits the chance to work under his former Ireland Under-21 boss Stephen Kenny was a major factor in his decision to sign a two-year contract at Richmond Park. The 26-year-old winger arrives in Inchicore from Sligo Rovers where he scored four times in 19 appearances across an injury-hit campaign. – SOC

‘Enron’ announces return but appears to be parody

Ending the year strong and proudKansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Labor secretary Amber Shultz announce the launch of the state's new online unemployment system Nov. 22, 2024, at the Statehouse. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — After years of fraud, delayed claims and long waits, Kansas’ beleaguered unemployment program has rolled out a new, modernized system. Gov. Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Labor secretary Amber Shultz announced Friday the launch of the online claim system that has been three years in the making, and more than a decade overdue. Kelly called it a “complete transformation.” “Now we’ve unlocked access to a world of new possibilities,” Kelly said. “Modernizing an IT system is about more than just updating old software. It’s about rethinking the entire infrastructure.” The old system was “slow, inefficient and, frankly, unresponsive, especially when Kansas needed it most,” Kelly told reporters and labor department staff. Kansas’ aging unemployment system crumbled under the weight of a historic number of unemployment claims filed during the COVID-19 pandemic, of which an estimated hundreds of millions of dollars worth were deemed fraudulent. Officials admitted the system should have been updated years ago. In 2011, former Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration halted efforts to revamp the system. Kelly had planned to upgrade the 1970s-era mainframe system before the pandemic, but the process didn’t begin until June 2022. Kelly referenced floppy disks, the Beatles and the Vietnam War when characterizing the time in which the system came to be. Roughly 50 years later, transforming the system was like turning a rotary phone into a smartphone, she said. Kelly said the overhaul cost more than $40 million, but it would have cost about $27 million if done a decade ago. Continued investment in technology is important, Kelly said, “so we never fall behind the mark again.” Shultz, who took over as department secretary in 2021 , became emotional while thanking the labor department staff members. The “dark days” of the pandemic, as Kelly dubbed them, involved death threats and law enforcement protection for labor department staff. “They came into a burning building during the pandemic,” she said. A September 2021 state audit found that about 59% of the roughly 1 million unique claims filed during the pandemic were suspected to be fraudulent. That same audit showed the state processed $700 million in fraudulent benefit payments. Half came from federal funds and half from state funds. A backlog of fraudulent claims still exists, Shultz told the Reflector. However, the department believes every case of fraud has been identified. The new system, accessible at KansasUI.gov , was launched earlier this week. Some users encountered hiccups with the system’s multi-factor authentication, a process that is meant to add an extra layer of security, but Shultz said those affected have been contacted. With the new system’s launch, claim filings are at normal levels, Shultz said. Typically, seasonal layoffs bring in about 1,200 initial claims this time of year, while continued claims are at about 7,500. As the new system’s first week comes to a close, volumes remain normal, Shultz said.

If you just made yourself a pile of steamed crabs for dinner, don't toss those shells in the trash just yet — you can still get some use out of them even if you can't eat them. That's because crab shells contain a lot of flavor, even once you've finished the delicious meat inside. You can save those shells to use in stock or sauce, and the process couldn't be easier — you simply simmer the whole shells with your aromatics, strain the solids out, and you've got a flavorful base to do with as you please. (While you may be able to , the real deal has some serious upsides.) The easiest thing to do with leftover crab shells is to make a stock. You can concentrate this stock into a sauce later by incorporating other ingredients. If you don't have enough crab shells on hand, you can supplement your stock with more readily available alternatives like shrimp shells, which also have plenty of flavor, especially in the heads. Chances are you spent , so you might as well squeeze every little bit of flavor out of it, right? And if you only have a few crab shells on hand, don't worry — you can freeze what you have and use them later when you've saved up enough. How many crab shells should you save for stock? If you're looking to make crab stock, you'll want to save up about 2 pounds of shells for around 1 quart of broth. That might sound like a lot, but crab shells are fairly dense, and as I mentioned earlier, it's easy to supplement with shrimp shells. You can also mix and match with ingredients like lobster shells . Once you have the stock completed, you can think about using it for things like seafood chowder, bisque, or any kind of pasta sauce that could benefit from that rich, briny flavor. Don't forget that the only exception is soft-shelled crabs — with these, you can actually eat the shells along with the meat. And if you want to coax out even more flavor from your leftover crab shells, you can crack them in your blender or food processor (just until they're fractured evenly) before you throw them in the pot with your aromatics. Breaking the shells up allows more surface area to steep in the stock, extracting extra flavor, which will all show up in your end dish. RecommendedDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones' 21 points helped UC San Diego defeat James Madison 73-67 on Friday night. Tait-Jones also contributed six rebounds for the Tritons (4-2). Hayden Gray scored 16 points and added four steals. Nordin Kapic went 5 of 8 from the field (1 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 12 points. Bryce Lindsay led the way for the Dukes (3-3) with 17 points. James Madison also got 13 points and four assists from Xavier Brown. UCSD went into halftime ahead of James Madison 34-28. Tait-Jones scored 14 points in the half. UCSD took the lead for good with 5:46 left in the second half on a free throw from Tait-Jones to make it a 58-57 game. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

US pledges unwavering support for Govt.’s anti-corruption drive

Jimmy Carter: A brief bio

Jets head coach makes Aaron Rodgers prediction after QB offered to leave Bills gameGoodman Group shines among Australian property firms on data-centre pushDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones' 21 points helped UC San Diego defeat James Madison 73-67 on Friday night. Tait-Jones also contributed six rebounds for the Tritons (4-2). Hayden Gray scored 16 points and added four steals. Nordin Kapic went 5 of 8 from the field (1 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 12 points. Bryce Lindsay led the way for the Dukes (3-3) with 17 points. James Madison also got 13 points and four assists from Xavier Brown. UCSD went into halftime ahead of James Madison 34-28. Tait-Jones scored 14 points in the half. UCSD took the lead for good with 5:46 left in the second half on a free throw from Tait-Jones to make it a 58-57 game. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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Watch King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard perform ‘Flight b741!’ with kids bandA boil water advisory in eastern Pittsylvania County was lifted Sunday afternoon. It was put in place following a water line break Thursday evening near U.S. 58 in Pittsylvania County. Following two samples taken 24 hours apart, the water was found to be safe to drink. The break happened near the intersection of Westover Drive and U.S. 58, just east of the end of Lemon Lane, according to the county. The advisory was put in place as a precaution. The advisory included Plantation Drive, Martin Drive, Whispering Pines Road, Inman Road, Hyler Circle, Rockwood Drive, Willow Briar Lane, Grays Park Road, Horseshoe Road, Gemstone Lane, Windsor Place, Windsor Trail, Windsor Court, Brosville Industrial Park, Mangrums Road, Deercrest Lane, Breezewood Drive, Pine Lake Road, Berry Hill Road, Foxwood Place, Pineview Road, Blue Ridge View Drive, Ridgeway Drive, Westridge Drive, Beckham Court, Beckham Lane, Rivertree Drive, Bowe Street, Pin Oak Lane, Meadowview Drive, Meadowbrook Circle, Martinsville Highway and West Carter Drive. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Prosecutors appeal dismissal of charges against notary for Nebraska medical cannabis petitionsVictory Capital Management Inc. Sells 2,082 Shares of HarborOne Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:HONE)winph 777 。

Mayor Olivia Chow’s city hall has inconsistently addressed antisemitism in Toronto, based on a range of community complaintsVerifying images shared in the wake of Assad’s ouster from SyriaNendah Tarke scores 24 to help Towson defeat Morgan State 64-60

Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad faces a test after 13 members of his caucus have asked him to essentially discipline Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko for comments that she made about a former Vancouver Police Board member. The signed letter published by radio host Jas Johal on X Thursday (Dec. 5) calls on Rustad to "invite" Sturko to "offer" Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba a written apology after Sturko had criticized her, following Sakoma-Fadugba's controversial remarks about the nature of Canadian society. Sakoma-Fadugba left her position Nov. 22 after several social media posts linked to her became public. Screenshots of the Instagram stories linked to Sakoma-Fadugba show Reddit posts lamenting the loss of Christian values in the face of immigration and criticized "woke culture" as well gender transitions. The alleged statements cost Sakoma-Fadugba her job on the police board and drew criticism from various corners of the political spectrum, including Sturko, a former RCMP officer and member of the LGBTQ2S+ community. “When we have statements being made that erode the public’s trust, or their comfort with their police service, it makes it that much harder on the front-line officers," Sturko told the CBC in November. But this statement did not sit well with her 13 colleagues, calling on Rustad to ask Sturko for the apology "and to encourage the Vancouver Police Board to advance conciliatory discussions with (Sakoma-Fadugba)." But that is not their only demand. "If Ms. Sturko declines your invitation, we ask that you offer this apology and encouragement on behalf of the Conservative caucus," they write. This double-demand appears to put Rustad in a double-bind. He either follows the demands from his part of his caucus ostensibly aimed at one of their own or he undermines the position of Sturko by issuing an apology on her behalf. "The way he responds will tell us something about where his own loyalties lie," UBC political scientist Stewart Prest said. "We do know that he is quite supportive of articulations of these kinds of more critical views of modernity ... so it may be that he has a certain amount of sympathy with the letter writers and his response will tell us whether that's the case. At the same time, a leader has another responsibility to the larger caucus as well. It may be that there are other members of the caucus who feel (Sturko) was quite correct in offering that assessment, and then has nothing to apologize for." Found within the letter is also a larger expression of sympathy for Sakoma-Fadugba's statements and a request to Rustad to give those views room by reminding him of what the signatories consider Rustad's own views to be. "The posts express views many Conservatives (including Conservative MLAs and staff) hold in support for parental rights, religious faith, and the pursuit of shared Canadian values," it reads. "Under your leadership, the Conservative Party of BC has consistently denounced 'cancel culture' and stood for the Charter rights British Columbians enjoy to free expression and freedom of religion," it reads. "The very first question you raised in the (legislature) as leader was in defence of parental rights." “Will the minister admit this SOGI 123 has been divisive and an assault on parents’ rights and a distraction to student education?” Rustad asked on Oct. 3, 2023. That question drew a rebuke from Premier David Eby, who called the question "outrageous" in accusing Rustad of leveraging children for culture-war purposes. “Shame on him," Eby said. "Choose another question." Prest called the letter a "deliberately provocative approach" that speaks to the ideological divisions within the party now for everyone to see. "It's putting right out in the open something we knew was going to be part of this, this challenging political coalition bringing together more populist-style conservatives with more, if you like, centrist or politically moderate types such (Sturko)." None of the 13 signatories once sat with Sturko when she was part of BC United and all were elected on Oct. 13 as first time Conservative candidates. Of note, is also the geographical representation of the MLAs. Eleven signatories represent ridings outside of Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria including areas in the Fraser Valley and the Okanagan. Three signatories – Dallas Brodie (Vancouver-Quilchena), Brent Chapman (Surrey-South) and Anna Kindy (North Island) – have also found their names in the news over comments that they had made before or during the election campaign, with Chapman being perhaps the most widely reported one following his comments about Palestinian children made in 2015. "I would suggest that we are seeing to emerge, perhaps the makings of which you could almost call a Freedom Caucus in the (Conservative Party of B.C.), the sense that there's a group within a group that looks at the world quite differently than other members of that caucus," Prest said. This is not the first time that Sturko has been the object of criticism from within the Conservative Party of B.C. While still with B.C. United, Conservative candidate Paul Ratchford had called her a "woke, lesbian, social justice warrior." At the same time, Sturko had also been critical of the Conservatives, while still with B.C. United. In early October 2023, Sturko called on Rustad to apologize after appearing to draw a comparison with harms caused by residential schools and parental concerns about SOGI 123. Rustad denied making such a comparison. Sturko also called on Rustad to apologize after he had referred to being LGBTQ2S+ as a "lifestyle" in a media interview. When asked to comment on the letter from her colleagues, Sturko said deferred to Rustad. "This letter was addressed to John. I'm going to allow him the opportunity to speak to it at this time." Black Press Media has reached out to the Conservative Party of B.C., including Rustad's spokesperson and Rustad himself for comment.

“Gladiator II” asks the question: Are you not moderately entertained for roughly 60% of this sequel? Truly, this is a movie dependent on managed expectations and a forgiving attitude toward its tendency to overserve. More of a thrash-and-burn schlock epic than the comparatively restrained 2000 “Gladiator,” also directed by Ridley Scott, the new one recycles a fair bit of the old one’s narrative cries for freedom while tossing in some digital sharks for the flooded Colosseum and a bout of deadly sea-battle theatrics. They really did flood the Colosseum in those days, though no historical evidence suggests shark deployment, real or digital. On the other hand (checks notes), “Gladiator II” is fiction. Screenwriter David Scarpa picks things up 16 years after “Gladiator,” which gave us the noble death of the noble warrior Maximus, shortly after slaying the ignoble emperor and returning Rome to the control of the Senate. Our new hero, Lucius (Paul Mescal), has fled Rome for Numidia, on the North African coast. The time is 200 A.D., and for the corrupt, party-time twins running the empire (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), that means invasion time. Pedro Pascal takes the role of Acacius, the deeply conflicted general, sick of war and tired of taking orders from a pair of depraved ferrets. The new film winds around the old one this way: Acacius is married to Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, in a welcome return), daughter of the now-deceased emperor Aurelius and the love of the late Maximus’s life. Enslaved and dragged to Rome to gladiate, the widower Lucius vows revenge on the general whose armies killed his wife. But there are things this angry young phenom must learn, about his ancestry and his destiny. It’s the movie’s worst-kept secret, but there’s a reason he keeps seeing footage of Russell Crowe from the first movie in his fever dreams. Battle follows battle, on the field, in the arena, in the nearest river, wherever, and usually with endless splurches of computer-generated blood. “Gladiator II” essentially bumper-cars its way through the mayhem, pausing for long periods of expository scheming about overthrowing the current regime. The prince of all fixers, a wily operative with interests in both managing gladiators and stocking munitions, goes by the name Macrinus. He’s played by Denzel Washington, who at one point makes a full meal out of pronouncing the word “politics” like it’s a poisoned fig. Also, if you want a masterclass in letting your robes do a lot of your acting for you, watch what Washington does here. He’s more fun than the movie but you can’t have everything. The movie tries everything, all right, and twice. Ridley Scott marshals the chaotic action sequences well enough, though he’s undercut by frenetic cutting rhythms, with that now-familiar, slightly sped-up visual acceleration in frequent use. (Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo are the editors.) Mescal acquits himself well in his first big-budget commercial walloper of an assignment, confined though he is to a narrower range of seething resentments than Crowe’s in the first film. I left thinking about two things: the word “politics” as savored/spit out by Washington, and the innate paradox of how Scott, whose best work over the decades has been wonderful, delivers spectacle. The director and his lavishly talented design team built all the rough-hewn sets with actual tangible materials the massive budget allowed. They took care to find the right locations in Morocco and Malta. Yet when combined in post-production with scads of medium-grade digital effects work in crowd scenes and the like, never mind the sharks, the movie’s a somewhat frustrating amalgam. With an uneven script on top of it, the visual texture of “Gladiator II” grows increasingly less enveloping and atmospherically persuasive, not more. But I hung there, for some of the acting, for some of the callbacks, and for the many individual moments, or single shots, that could only have come from Ridley Scott. And in the end, yes, you too may be moderately entertained. “Gladiator II” — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong bloody violence) Running time: 2:28 How to watch: Premieres in theaters Nov. 21. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans police arrested on Friday a man accused of killing two people during a large parade where two separate shootings within an hour left two dead and at least 10 wounded. Curtis Gray, 19, faces two counts of second-degree murder tied to the Nov. 17 shootings along a crowded parade route, according to a news release from the New Orleans Police Department. Gray allegedly fatally shot Rasean Carter, 21, and Malachi Jackson, 19, at the Almonaster Avenue Bridge, authorities say. Carter, an aspiring photographer who lived in Marrero just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, had planned to document the Nine Times Social Aid & Pleasure Club's annual outing and was accompanied by Jackson, his friend and uncle, Nola.com reported. The parade was part of New Orleans' long-running tradition of “second-lines” where revelers follow brass bands marching through the streets and has deep ties to the city's Black culture. The deaths of Carter and Jackson were among a series of recent lethal shootings in New Orleans. While most violence has been on the decline in the city since mid-2023 , there were three people killed and eight wounded in six shootings over the past weekend according to Nola.com . On Thursday, New Orleans police arrested two men, Darrell Fairley Jr., 18, and Cornelius G. Tillman, 19, in connection with a Nov. 30 double homicide in New Orleans East.

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Polls close in Uruguay’s election, with ruling coalition and opposition headed for photo finishMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins were ready to deal veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens ahead of the Nov. 5 trade deadline until Mike McDaniel stepped in. “I may or may not have thrown an adult temper tantrum,” Miami's coach said, confirming the news first reported by NFL Network Sunday morning. The Dolphins were 2-6 and had lost three straight at that point. They'd played four uninspired games without their starting quarterback, going 1-3 after Tua Tagovailoa went on injured reserve on Sept. 17 with a concussion. Campbell would have had a chance to rejoin the contending Ravens, and Miami would have received a 2026 fifth-round pick in return, NFL Network reported. McDaniel argued that Campbell was too valuable to lose. “I was happy that they brought me into the conversations," Campbell said after Miami's 34-15 win over the New England Patriots . “They didn't have to say anything to me at all. We had a really good conversation about what we think about this team, where we are. We felt like we had a good shot to get back into the fight.” Added McDaniel: “I think it wasn’t like it was (GM) Chris (Grier) versus me. ... That’s the tricky thing about Chris’ job is he has to look long-term and short-term at the same time, what’s the best for the organization.” Campbell, a 17-year veteran, signed with the Dolphins after playing for Atlanta last season. Players and coaches have praised the 38-year-old's contributions on the field and in the locker room. “There’s no one’s game I’ve come to respect more than Calais up front on the D-line,” defensive tackle Zach Sieler said, “being with him this year and just the energy, the attitude and the mindset he brings every week. It can’t be matched, and that’s the reason why he is who he is today and doing what he’s doing at 17 years.” Campbell leads the team with four sacks. With back-to-back sacks in Weeks 10 and 11, he became the eighth player 38 or older to record sacks in consecutive games since the 1970 merger. He also has nine tackles for loss, giving him at least five tackles for loss in 15 of his 17 seasons. He played for Baltimore from 2020-2022, totaling 11 sacks and 113 tackles. “I think he means a great deal to not only the defensive line room, but the entire defense as well as the entire team,” McDaniel said earlier this week. “It’s rare for a guy to get here when he did, and then be voted, with such conviction, captain. I think the way that he operates to be a pro, I think has had a substantial impact on a lot of players that hadn’t been fortunate enough to be around someone with sustained success like he’s had.” The Dolphins have won three straight games since the deadline. Miami's defense held the Patriots scoreless until the fourth quarter on Sunday. Campbell broke down the team's pregame huddle as he has done before most games this season. He was also seen coaching up rookie linebacker Chop Robinson, who is always seeking pointers from the six-time Pro Bowler. “My job is to speak on behalf of what’s the best thing for the 2024 Dolphins,” McDaniel said. “I’m just fortunate to work in an organization where myself and the GM can be transparent and work together. “And he didn’t want to see any more adult temper tantrums.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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The central government on Monday told the Parliament that there were no immediate plans to convert Panjab University (PU) into a central university. The statement from minister of state for education Sukanta Majumdar came in response to a question raised by Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari regarding the delay in election of the senate, the apex governing body of PU. The statement comes at a time when a protest is underway at the varsity from students and Punjab politicians speaking in unison, apprehending that efforts are being made to dilute Punjab’s claim over university. A pre-Independence university, created under the Panjab University Act, 1947, under provisions of Section 72 of the Reorganisation Act, 1966, PU was declared an inter-state body corporate, having the participation of Punjab and Centre. While there has been demand from the campus faculty to declare it a central university, all political parties have been opposed to the idea. Responding to a question by Tewari in the Lok Sabha, Majumdar reaffirmed the university’s autonomy under the Panjab University Act, 1947, and said senate elections were conducted by the university after due approval from chancellor (the Vice-President of India). “The ministry is guided by the autonomy of the Panjab University. The government has no plan to convert PU into a central university at present,” he said. Tewari had asked a question that whether the government was aware that the process for PU senate elections had not been initiated despite its tenure ending on October 31, 2024. The PU Act provides that the election process must be initiated 240 days before the expiry of the term of the senate. He had, thus, sought to know whether there were plans to convert PU into a central university. “What the education minister is saying, without saying it, is if senate elections are not being held it is not their responsibility. We have nothing to do with it,” Tewari said on X, after the government response. The senate is the apex body of the university, overseeing all of its affairs, concerns and property. It comprises 91 members, including 47 from eight faculty constituencies, while the rest are nominated or ex-officio members. Its term ended on October 31, 2024. Protests began on campus seeking senate polls on October 18, which are still continuing. An FIR came to be lodged against a dozen odd students for allegedly trying to disrupt an event, to be presided over by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, during these protests. Later, university promised to take the FIR back, but has not initiated the process so far. Authorities maintain that they have written to the chancellor’s office numerous times regarding the issue, but they have yet to receive a response and as per rules, the senate elections can only be called only after permission from the chancellor. On June 30, 2022, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha had passed a resolution against the attempt to alter the status of PU into a central university, while strongly urging the Centre not to consider any change in the nature and character of the institution. All MLAs, except those from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had supported the resolution. The resolution was moved by then higher education minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, who claimed that Punjab was being robbed of its rights by the Centre. HC to hear petition on senate poll delay on Dec 11 Meanwhile, the high court deferred the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking senate polls for Wednesday. The case could not be taken up and later counsels from the petitioner’s side urged for a short date. Following this, the high court ordered listing of the matter for December 11. The plea from advocate Vaibhav Vats seeks immediate election and alleges that the delay in conducting the senate elections is a violation of the provisions of the Panjab University Act.

Alberta premier calls-out federal rebates, GST holiday

Labour’s promises to be laser-focused on growth and get value for taxpayers are in danger of looking like sick jokes

Children up and down the country will have received a new mobile phone or tablet this Christmas , and will be busy downloading apps, setting up accounts and chatting on messaging services. Children are more "online" than ever before in 2024 - nearly all teenagers have a social media account, and over 60% of 8-11 year-olds use social media despite age restrictions. Have your say! Should children be banned from social media? Would it be fair to take it away from them, or would it be "for their own good"? Comment below, and join in on the conversation . Social media apps set an age restriction on accounts, but these have been easy to fool in the past. Ofcom, the online regulator, will be setting out plans next year aimed at ensuring that social media giants know who their users are, and bar underage people from using them. Speaking to the Telegraph, Jon Higham, Ofcom’s head of online safety policy, said kids were creating adult profiles to get onto apps. He said: “It doesn’t take a genius to work out that children are going to lie about their age. So we think there’s a big issue there.” “The sort of thing that we might look to in that space is some of this facial age estimation technology that we see companies bringing in now, which we think is really pretty good at determining who is a child and who is an adult. So we’re going to be looking to drive out the use of that sort of content, so platforms can determine who’s a child and who isn’t, and then put in place extra protections for kids to stop them seeing toxic content.” The Online Safety Bill was finally introduced in 2023 after years of political wrangling, but Ofcom can't yet use powers to punish companies who fall foul of the new rules. Tech firms could be fined up to 10% of their global turnover or have their services blocked in the UK if they fail to protect kids online. In 2025, Ofcom will set out how it will update its rules so it can begin to enforce the law - but this will take more time, and be subject to more scrutiny in Parliament. A Government spokeswoman said: "Under the Online Safety Act, services which are likely to be accessed by children must have highly effective age assurance. It is for the independent regulator to decide how to implement the Act, but the government is clear that services should be taking proactive action to keep children safe including when it comes to age verification, not waiting for measures to come into force." Have your say! Should children be banned from social media? Would it be fair to take it away from them, or would it be "for their own good"? Comment below, and join in on the conversation .Florida Gulf Coast 60, FIU 59Best Bets, Odds for the Titans vs. Jaguars Game – Week 17

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Virginia Beach School Board member Jennifer Franklin's election loss was an unjust response to her principled service, former Del. Karen Greenhalgh writes in a guest column. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Cause of underground fire at Williamsburg Premium Outlets still unknown — and may stay that way, fire chief says Cause of underground fire at Williamsburg Premium Outlets still unknown — and may stay that way, fire chief says Hampton’s superintendent just got a massive raise. Here’s how it compares. Hampton’s superintendent just got a massive raise. Here’s how it compares. John Hinckley Jr. nixes plans to open Williamsburg music store John Hinckley Jr. nixes plans to open Williamsburg music store Poquoson’s Carter Jones, Lafayette’s Baum Hogge are sophomore stars in state semis Poquoson’s Carter Jones, Lafayette’s Baum Hogge are sophomore stars in state semis Amber Alert canceled for 3 children last seen at Augusta County bus stop Amber Alert canceled for 3 children last seen at Augusta County bus stop Naval Academy can continue using race in admissions, federal judge rules Naval Academy can continue using race in admissions, federal judge rules Williamsburg-area Democrats announce candidacy for House seats Williamsburg-area Democrats announce candidacy for House seats Digging resumes in the search for a woman in a Pennsylvania sinkhole Digging resumes in the search for a woman in a Pennsylvania sinkhole Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the U.S. Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the U.S. An appeals court ruled there were issues with a man’s sentencing. Then the Norfolk judge increased it. An appeals court ruled there were issues with a man’s sentencing. Then the Norfolk judge increased it. Trending Nationally Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass MAGA influencer Nick Fuentes charged with battery of woman he maced: report ‘America’s Got Talent’ comedian Kabir ‘Kabeezy’ Singh dead at 39 Police may search a vehicle based on the smell of raw cannabis, Illinois Supreme Court rules ‘Oppenheimer’ actor Emma Dumont comes out as transmasculine, changes nameLike the American “Golden Raspberry Awards” to honor the “worst” in contemporary cinema, the “ Sanddalki (Raspberry) Awards” has been an ongoing tradition since 2017, held by the South Korean media Sports Khan . In 2024, for the 8th Sanddalki Awards, Sports Khan conducted its annual survey of 51 movie and/or entertainment reporters from leading domestic media outlets. While 2024 was filled with unprecedented chaos, actors Jung Woo Sung , Youn Yuh Jung , and Jeon Do Yeon particularly stood out to these industry insiders as the worst-mannered. As Sports Khan expected, Jung Woo Sung received 22 votes and was named 2024’s worst-mannered actor. The voting reporters called out his actions involving model Moon Gabi and the extramarital son, as well as his flirtatious DMs with non-celebrity women. Noting the negative impact he brought upon the Korean movie business, the reporters blamed his multiple scandals as being ill-mannered to himself, his fans, and his career. Reporter comments included: “I’ll always remember how he took the Blue Dragon Awards and gave it a funeral vibe.” “I didn’t know he’d use his good looks this way. Taking responsibility for his child is his duty, but how will he rebuild the reputation he shattered in just three days?” “It’s unfortunate, especially when Korean cinema is already struggling, that public sentiment toward filmmakers is growing colder.” “ 12.12: The Day is one of my all-time favorite films, but he ruined it. No more rewatching for me!” 18 votes went to Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh Jung. According to the voting reporters, Youn’s attitude at press interviews, especially the ones promoting her K-Movie Dog Days , was “rude.” At one point, Youn blamed the reporters for the death of the late Lee Sun Kyun . While her sadness was understandable, the reporters who participated in the interview were stunned by her baseless accusations. Additionally, there were numerous complaints about Youn Yuh Jung smoking during the interviews and speaking in an informal manner that belittled the reporters. Reporter comments included: “What kind of logic is it to say the reporters killed Lee Sun Kyun?” “No matter how great an actress she is, she should watch her words in an interview.” “Ma’am, there’s a fine line between honesty and rudeness.” “Please show respect and manners that match your global fame.” “If she’s going to get annoyed with every question, how are we supposed to do our job?” “Why does she always ask every reporter their age?” Actress Jeon Do Yeon came in third with 4 votes. In August 2024, the actress was blasted for her behavior toward comedian Yoo Jae Suk at a press conference for her K-Movie, Revolver . “Extra Rude” Actress’s Explanation For Her Behavior Toward Yoo Jae Suk Leaves More Unimpressed Reporters commented: “She’s so stubborn that she couldn’t take a joke as a joke. Instead, she had to make it awkward for everyone.” “So she wanted to use Yoo Jae Suk and his show for publicity, but she couldn’t take his jokes.” Other names mentioned include the late Lee Sun Kyun (for his multiple scandals leading up to his death), Kwak Do Won (for his DUI jeopardizing a movie release ), and Gong Yoo (for his past comments about dictator Park Chung Hee resurfacing amid South Korea’s recent political unrest). Read more about 2023’s Sanddalki Awards winners here: 7 Korean Celebrities Voted 2023’s “Worst Actors” By Movie Biz InsidersMartin O'Malley joins The Lead

NewPeak Metals Limited ( ASX:NPM – Get Free Report ) insider Emma Fairhurst purchased 3,223,334 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 20th. The stock was bought at an average cost of A$0.01 ($0.01) per share, with a total value of A$41,903.34 ($26,026.92). NewPeak Metals Price Performance The company has a current ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.46. About NewPeak Metals ( Get Free Report ) Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for NewPeak Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NewPeak Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

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Man arraigned on murder charges in NYC subway death fanned flames with a shirt, prosecutors sayJason Derulo's ex Jena Frumes puts her sizzling bikini body on display during family beach day in Miami Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By CHRISTINE RENDON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 18:03 EST, 24 December 2024 | Updated: 18:03 EST, 24 December 2024 e-mail View comments Jason Derulo's ex-girlfriend Jena Frumes put her bikini body on display as she enjoyed a beach day with her family in Miami Beach. The beauty, 31, sent temperatures soaring in a skimpy red two-piece as she basked in the sunshine alongside Jason and their three-year-old son Jason King Derulo over the weekend. Jena set up camp on beachfront lounge chairs before playing in the sand with her son. At one point, she chatted with her ex. She looked stunning with her bouncy ringlets cascading down, along with an array of gold jewelry glamming up the look. Eventually, Jena pulled back her hair away from her face, opting for a sensible beach bun. While Jena and Jason, 35, have been split up three for years, they have clearly remained on good terms for the sake of their son. Jason Derulo's ex-girlfriend Jena Frumes put her bikini body on display as she enjoyed a beach day with her family in Miami Beach over the weekend Jena posted a clip of their 'heart in the sand' family photo shoot to her account, which featured herself, Jason, and their son. She dug a hole that was the shape of the heart in the sand before taking photos with her family with her phone inside the crater. Read More Jason Derulo makes surprising admission about three-year-old son Jason King 'Heart in the sand family photo,' she captioned the post. 'Would you try this?' The exes continued putting on an amicable display as they bonded with their child during a relaxed stroll. Jason sweetly held his youngster's hand as they strolled down a busy pathway. The former couple first started dating in March 2020 and welcomed their son Jason King, in May 2021. They broke up just four months later in September after their relationship was marred by cheating allegations. They have continued to co-parent their son. Last year, Jason splashed out an astonishing US$30,000 (GBP£23,422) on a huge birthday bash for his son. Jason Derulo joined Jena and their son Jason King Derulo along for the beach day The beauty basked in the sunshine in a red bikini She played in the sand with her youngster Jason, who at the time was filming for The Voice Australia, flew back to Los Angeles to host the event for his baby boy, Jason. The doting father made the surprising reveal on The Kyle and Jackie O Show in June, after posting a highlight reel of the spectacular celebrations to social media. Host Kyle Sandilands quizzed the singer about the shindig, asking: 'That didn't look like cheap party! How much did it cost?' Jason responded: 'It was pretty big. It was probably about $30,000.' She scooped her bouncy ringlets back into a sensible beach bun Jena and Jason split up in 2021 just months after welcoming their son They clearly have remained on good terms for the sake of their child She looked stunning with her bouncy ringlets cascading down, along with an array of gold jewelry glamming up the look In a highlights clip the toddler could be seen enjoying games, cuddling his dad and playing 'air guitar' among hundreds of guests. The party included a sit down catered meal, a full bar for the adult guests and a multi-layered cake with blue icing and roman candles. There was also a be spoke sign made in tribute to the birthday boy that spelled out the message, 'Growing 2 Fast'. Guests also received a souvenir stencil featuring Jason King's face with the 'Growing 2 Fast' slogan. Share or comment on this article: Jason Derulo's ex Jena Frumes puts her sizzling bikini body on display during family beach day in Miami e-mail Add commentThe president of the largest ethnic-Serbian party in Kosovo on December 24 said that he will file an appeal with the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) over a decision by the Central Election Commission (CEC) barring the party’s from the February 9 elections due to its strong links with Belgrade. Zlatan Elek told a news conference that he expects the decision of the CEC against Serbian List (Srpska Lista) to be annulled. Elek used harsh words against Prime Minister Albin Kurti, saying he wanted to "eliminate" Serbian List from the race. "This is institutional and legal violence against the Serbian people, against the Srpska List, because Kurti does not want to see Srpska List MPs in the Kosovo Parliament, but wants obedient Serbs in that parliament," said Elek. The CEC said on December 23 when it announced its decision not to certify Serbian List that its main reason was its nationalist stance and close ties to Serbia. Some commission members noted that Elek has never referred to Kosovo as independent and continues to call it Serbia's autonomous province of Kosovo. The CEC also said that Serbian List has close ties with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and other Serb leaders who also refuse to recognize Kosovo's independence. Kurti, speaking his own news conference on December 24, accused Serbian List of being under the command of Belgrade. "The Serbian List is unfortunately representing the wide scope and high degree of Serbia's interference in Kosovo's internal affairs," Kurti said. Kurti has previously criticized Serbian List regarding its relationship with Vucic and fugitive former Kosovar Serb politician Milan Radoicic. Kosovar officials have accused Radoicic of being the ringleader of an ambush near the Serbian Orthodox Banjska Monastery complex in September 2023 that killed a policeman and injured another. Radoicic, who has taken responsibility for the armed attack, remains in Serbia, which refuses to extradite him. Kosovo has characterized the assault on the monastery as a terrorist attack and accused of being responsible for it. Belgrade has denied involvement and has said the attack was not terrorism. Kurti underlined that the Serbian List has never distanced itself from the attack nor condemned it. "Radoicic continues to be the de-facto head of Srpska Lista," Kurti said. "In my view, the Serb List is not an expression of the political organization of Serbs in Kosovo, but rather Belgrade's dictate to the Serbs of Kosovo by placing Radoicic as the leader of that party." Kosovar President Vjosa Osmani also said that the Serbian List is engaged in terrorist acts, acts of aggression, and violations of the constitutional order, according to her office in responses to RFE/RL’s inquiries. "Every decision made by the CEC must be respected, as part of the commitment to the rule of law and preserving institutional integrity," Osmani said, according to her office. Petar Petkovic, head of the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian government, said that Osmani's "shameful" statement only confirms that the CEC's decision was political and made on Kurti's orders. “[Osmani] and Kurti know neither about democracy nor the rule of law. With this stance, Pristina is showing that the Serbian List and the unity of Serbs are a thorn in its side. Therefore, the Serbian List must win," Petkovic stated on X. Meanwhile, the international community has warned against the process of certifying political entities becoming politically motivated. The U.S. Embassy in Pristina assessed that "it is necessary for voters, not political bodies, to decide who represents them." German Ambassador to Kosovo Joern Rohde said that equal application of the law for all is necessary and the certification process should not be politicized. Similar reactions have been expressed by the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The Kosovo Democratic Institute said the CEC's decision was "contrary to the law and other applicable regulations." Eugen Cakolli of the institute said if the Serbian List appeals to the ECAP, it will be certified and the CEC's decision will be annulled. Pakistani military jets on December 24 conducted air strikes inside Afghanistan, targeting suspected hideouts of the Islamist militant group Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The TTP positions targeted were in the Murgha area of the Bermal district in Afghanistan's Paktika Province, according to sources. The area borders the Angoor Adda town in Pakistan's volatile South Waziristan tribal district. Pakistani jets carried out strikes against one target in the Murgha area and two more areas of the Bermal district. There has been no official comment from Pakistan, but some accounts on X believed to be related to Pakistani intelligence confirmed the strikes and claimed casualties among the TTP militants. An Afghan Taliban leader, speaking to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity, confirmed the strikes but added that it is too early to report on casualties. The Afghan Taliban leader said an Afghan government official confirmed to him that there were strikes in three places in Paktika Province but it was not yet known who was targeted. Pakistani security sources say the hideouts of the TTP were hit and dozens of militants were killed. But a TTP official who spoke with RFE/RL said a camp of Pakistani displaced persons was bombed and civilians killed. Pakistan says that TTP militants are hiding across the border in Afghanistan, and Islamabad has repeatedly asked the Afghan Taliban to take action against them. But the Afghan Taliban say the TTP are in Pakistan. The air strikes on December 24 come just days after TTP militants carried out a raid near the northwestern border with Afghanistan that killed 16 security officers. The attack occurred when militants opened fire at a security checkpoint in South Waziristan in the early hours of December 21. Laddha Police Deputy Superintendent Hidayat Ullah told RFE/RL that, in addition to the 16 killed, eight officers were wounded. The TTP, which seeks to impose Shari'a law in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack and said it killed 35 Pakistani security officers. RFE/RL could not independently confirm the number of dead. Neither side said how many militants were killed during the attack. The year already had been one of the deadliest for the region. There has been a steady increase in TTP attacks in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province since the Taliban regained control of Kabul in August 2021. The Pakistan Center for Conflict and Security Studies said in its most recent report that more than 240 people were killed in "terrorist incidents" in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in November. The death toll included 68 security officers, the highest in a single month this year. Meanwhile, the Army Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) claims to have killed dozens of suspected militants in operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this month. The governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan say they are committed to wiping out the TTP. Iran’s council on safeguarding the Internet has voted to lift bans on the WhatsApp messenger and the Google Play apps, state media reported. The Supreme Cyberspace Council voted unanimously in favor of lifting restrictions on some foreign-owned applications, including WhatsApp and Google Play, during a meeting on December 24, state news agency IRNA said. "Today, we took the first step toward lifting Internet restrictions with unanimity and consensus," Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi said on X. It was not immediately clear when the decision would come into force. The Supreme Cyberspace Council holds its meetings behind closed doors and its members' votes are not made public. IRNA reported that the members of the council voted to lift restrictions while at the same time " emphasizing the importance of rule-of-law governance in cyberspace." The two apps were restricted in 2022 following the Woman, Life, Freedom protests that were severely suppressed. The Supreme Cyberspace Council, which was established by order of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has also emphasized "supporting domestic platforms." On the eve of the council’s meeting, Mehr News Agency published a document indicating that, based on a Supreme Cyberspace Council plan, an "advertising support package" is to be allocated to domestic messaging services. The document states that the “first phase” of the council’s plan will include “building infrastructure” for domestic content platforms. While the bans on WhatsApp and Google Play were lifted by the council, other popular social media platforms including Facebook, X, Telegram, and YouTube remain blocked in Iran. Critics of the restrictions have argued that the controls have been costly for the country. "The restrictions have achieved nothing but anger and added costs to people's lives," social and political activist Ali Rabiei said on X on December 24. Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif added that President Masud Pezeshkian believes in removing restrictions and does not consider the bans to be in the interest of the people and the country. “All experts also believe that this issue is not beneficial to the country's security," Zarif said on December 24. Others, however, warned against lifting the restrictions. The reformist Shargh daily reported on December 24 that 136 lawmakers in Iran's 290-member parliament sent a letter to the council saying the move would be a "gift” to Iran's enemies. The lawmakers called for allowing access to restricted online platforms only "if they are committed to the values of Islamic society and comply with the laws of" Iran. A Russian cargo ship sank in the Mediterranean Sea, leaving two members of its crew missing, Russian and Spanish authorities said on December 24. Fourteen members of the crew were rescued from a lifeboat and taken to Spain, the country’s maritime rescue agency said. The Russian Defense Ministry said the ship began sinking after an explosion in the engine room, but Spanish authorities did not confirm that an explosion had occurred. The vessel is owned by a subsidiary of Oboronlogistika, a shipping and logistics company established under the Russian Defense Ministry that has been designated for sanctions by the United States and the European Union for its ties to Russia's military. Spanish authorities said they received an alert around 1 p.m. local time on December 23 when the vessel, the Ursa Major, was roughly 100 kilometers from the coast of southeastern Spain. A ship nearby reported poor weather conditions and said the Ursa Major was listing. Authorities said a Russian warship arrived later to oversee rescue operations and that the 142-meter-long vessel sank around midnight. On board the vessel were empty containers and two cranes, Spanish authorities said. The Russian Embassy in Spain told state news agency RIA Novosti that it was investigating and that it was in contact with local authorities. The Ursa Major left St. Petersburg on December 11 and its final destination was Vladivostok, where it was scheduled to arrive on January 22, according to open-source data. Some news outlets, including Mediazone, cited open-source information in reporting that the sunken dry cargo ship was actually heading to Syria, where the Kremlin-loyal regime of Bashar al-Assad was overthrown earlier this month, to help evacuate a Russian military base. Tracking data indicate that Russia also sent the dry cargo ship Sparta and three large landing ships to the Mediterranean amid reports that Russia was evacuating military personnel and equipment in the wake of the fall of the Assad regime. But an open-source analyst cited by RFE/RL studied the data on the cargo that was on board the Ursa Major and concluded that it was indeed heading to Vladivostok. A photo and video show that there were two port cranes on board the sunken ship as well as 45-ton hatch covers for the construction of nuclear icebreakers. According to analyst Alexander Oliver, the loss of the cargo will be a big blow to the port of Vladivostok and the icebreaker construction program. Oboronlogistika vessels have been repeatedly used to supply Russian military bases in Syria. The United States in May 2022 imposed sanctions against Oboronlogistika and several other Russian companies involved in maritime transportation for the Russian Defense Ministry. YouTube traffic in Russia has plummeted to just 20 percent of its “normal levels” in recent days, a leading Russian expert said, describing the situation as a “de facto” blocking of the video-sharing platform in the country. Mikhail Klimarev, director of the nonprofit organization Society for the Protection of the Internet, said in a Telegram post on December 23 that YouTube traffic in Russia has dropped to one-fifth of the levels recorded before the authorities reportedly began to deliberately slow down the service in July. “Google’s monitoring service currently shows 8.5 traffic points from Russia. Before the “slowdown,” it was 40 points. This means it’s now at roughly 20 percent of normal levels,” Klimarev wrote on his Telegram channel, ZaTelecom, adding: “YouTube is de facto blocked in Russia.” Speaking on condition of anonymity, a resident of the Russian city of Surgut told RFE/RL on December 24 that YouTube has become “inaccessible for some time.” “I first noticed YouTube becoming frustratingly slow in the summer, now it is simply impossible to open,” she said. “We have three smartphones in our family and get the Internet from two different [service providers.] We tried [opening YouTube] in all of them. I can say for sure that we can’t open YouTube anymore,” the Surgut resident added. YouTube, which is owned by Google, has tens of millions of users in Russia. Russian YouTube users have been experiencing mass outages and slowdown in the service since July. Russian authorities said the problems were caused by Google's failure to upgrade equipment used to ensure access to Google services in Russia. Critics, however, accuse the authoritarian government in Moscow of deliberately disrupting the service to prevent Russians from viewing content there that is critical of the Kremlin’s policies. In July, Russian outlet, Gazeta.ru quoted two sources close to the president’s administration as saying that Moscow was planning to begin blocking YouTube in September. The EU-based news website Meduza at the time quoted a source in Russia’s telecommunications sphere who claimed the government started slowing YouTube speeds on July 11. YouTube said in August that it was aware that some people in Russia were not able to access the platform, but it insisted that the problem was not caused by any action or technical issues on YouTube’s part. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow’s position, claiming that the YouTube service disruption was caused by Google’s failure to upgrade equipment. During his annual news conference and call-in show on December 19, Putin also demanded that Google and YouTube observe Russia’s laws and not use the Internet as a tool to “achieve [the U.S.] government’s political goals.” There was no immediate response by Google. Russia has blocked major social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Six people died in a fire at a migrant workers’ temporary residence in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, highlighting the increasingly difficult conditions faced by those coming to Russia seeking work. The regional Investigative Committee said a criminal investigation into the blaze on December 24 has been opened. It added that the wooden building on a farm housed more than three dozen Uzbek migrant workers. Migrants , especially from Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, have long provided desperately needed workers across Russia even though the conditions they live in can be poor. In October, the Russian government approved a measure that cuts the quota for residence permits for foreigners in 2025 by almost half even as the number of workers entering the country has fallen to a 10-year low, exacerbating an acute labor shortage. The move came as public sentiment toward migrants grows increasingly negative , with some 80 percent of Russians surveyed expressing concerns about the high number of migrants, particularly from Central Asia and the Caucasus. Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from those areas legally reside in Russia on working visas allowing them to stay and work in the country for a limited period, while residence permits allow stays in Russia for years. But many Russians turned against migrants from Central Asia after a terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall entertainment center near Moscow in March that claimed 140 lives. Several Tajik citizens were arrested over their alleged involvement in the attack. The men appeared in court bearing clear signs of beating and torture . Suspicions of migrants from Central Asia were further stoked last week when Russian authorities said they had arrested a man from Uzbekistan over the assassination of a senior general in Moscow on December 17. The arrest of the 29-year-old, who Moscow claimed killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov on Ukraine's orders has triggered fear among Central Asian migrants in Russia. Kirillov was the highest-ranking Russian military officer to be assassinated since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Authorities in Tatarstan have not tied the fire to the backlash. In addition to the investigation, the republic’s president, Rustam Minnikhanov, has ordered a check of housing for workers at farms in Tatarstan and pledged assistance for the victims of the fire. Alisher Ilkhamov, an Uzbek analyst and the director of the U.K.-based research entity Central Asia Due Diligence, said Uzbeks will be portrayed "to some extent as the villains” in the assassination. "Anti-migrant rhetoric has been very popular with Russian politicians recently," Ilkhamov said. "Now that will be reinforced.” A Russian court has sentenced U.S. citizen Eugene Spector to 15 years in a penal colony for "espionage" amid accusations by several Western governments that Moscow is convicting foreign nationals to use as bargaining chips in prisoner swaps. Spector was sentenced on December 24 by the Moscow City Court after a trial that was held behind closed doors. Little is known about the charges the former pharmaceuticals executive faced as the court claimed classified materials during the trial warranted it being closed to the public. The case comes against a backdrop of deteriorating relations between Moscow and Washington, which are at their lowest point since the end of the Cold War. Moscow has also been accused of targeting U.S. citizens by detaining them on trumped-up charges to later use as bargaining chips in talks to bring back Russians convicted of crimes in the United States and other Western nations. At least 10 U.S. citizens remain behind bars in Russia even after a prisoner swap on August 1 involving 16 people that Moscow agreed to free in exchange for eight Russians convicted of crimes and serving prison terms in the United States and Europe. “Although the prisoner exchange can rightly be considered a victory for diplomacy, we should not hastily declare that justice has prevailed,” Yulia Mineeva , an associate at Chatham House, said after the prisoners were swapped. “The Russian side held hostages to free their hitmen, spies, and hackers , while the West made a tough decision in favor of the freedom and lives of innocent people, not only their citizens but Russian nationals as well.” The state TASS news agency said Spector was born in 1972 in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and moved to the United States, where he became a citizen. His Russian name is Yevgeny Mironovich, TASS added. Spector was the chairman of the board of Medpolymerprom Group, a company known for its focus on developing cancer-curing drugs. He was sentenced in 2021 to four years in prison on alleged bribery charges. His sentence was reduced by six months after a retrial. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for Georgian security forces to be investigated for the “brutal police violence” against largely peaceful protesters who have taken to the streets for anti-government demonstrations. Police have clashed with protesters for over two weeks, detaining dozens and injuring scores of people who accuse the government of the ruling Georgian Dream party -- founded by Russia-friendly billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili -- of moving the country away from the EU and closer to Moscow. “In widespread and apparently punitive acts, security forces have chased down, violently detained, and beat protesters. Police also tortured and otherwise ill-treated them in police vans and police stations,” HRW said in a report on December 24. The political crisis erupted after Georgian Dream claimed victory in October elections that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said was marred by instances of vote-buying, double-voting, physical violence, and intimidation. The rallies intensified after a government decision last month to delay negotiations on Georgia joining the European Union. The authorities have responded violently to the demonstrations, arresting hundreds of people in recent weeks and closely watching participants with Chinese-made surveillance cameras with facial-recognition capabilities. Dozens of protesters – as well as journalists covering the rallies – have been beaten and detained by police were wearing riot gear or full-face black masks, with no identifiable insignia. “The level of the authorities’ violence against largely peaceful protesters is shocking, blatantly retaliatory, and violates Georgia’s domestic laws and international norms,” said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The scale of the police ill-treatment of protesters and the failure of Georgian authorities to hold them accountable for it indicates they either authorized or condoned the violence.” Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili on December 22 called on Georgian Dream to set a date for new parliamentary elections by December 29. Zurabishvili has been locked in a standoff with the party since the October parliamentary elections, which the opposition has refused to recognize. Georgian Dream has denied any election wrongdoing and has refused to consider new elections despite the almost daily protests. Georgia received EU candidate status in December last year but ties with Brussels have been tense in recent months following the adoption in May of a controversial "foreign agent" law pushed through parliament by Georgian Dream, which has ruled since 2012. Critics say the legislation threatens media outlets and civil society groups and mirrors a similar Russian law used by the Kremlin to stifle political opponents and civil society. While initially endorsed by Georgian Dream for her successful presidential run in 2018, Zurabishvili has been a thorn in the ruling party's side. Although officially a nonpartisan president limited to a ceremonial role, Zurabishvili has criticized Georgian Dream for its increasingly authoritarian stance. Earlier this month, an electoral college dominated by Georgian Dream chose Mikheil Kavelashvili, a 53-year-old former soccer player and right-wing populist, as Georgia's next president. His inauguration is supposed to take place on December 29, though the 72-year-old Zurabishvili, whose term ends this year, has said she isn't going anywhere. The 'foreign agent' law, which mandates that organizations receiving significant foreign funding register as foreign agents, took effect on August 1, sparking significant backlash from international and domestic actors. The government last week pledged to amend the law, though it did not give details of the changes it would enact. CHISINAU -- Moldova's pro-Western president, Maia Sandu, was sworn in for a second term in what analysts call a critical milestone for the integration of one of Europe's poorest countries into the European Union. Sandu defeated her Russian-friendly opponent, Alexandr Stoianoglo, in the second-round of a hard fought election last month. The Harvard University educated, former World Bank official's victory -- coming just one week after another former Soviet republic, Georgia, suffered a setback on its EU path when elections were won by Moscow-friendly incumbents -- came as a relief for Moldova's Western partners, who hailed it as proof that democracy can win over Russian meddling. Sandu said in her inauguration speech that she hopes her second and final four-year mandate will tie her legacy to "Moldova being in the European Union." During Sandu's first term, Moldova secured EU candidate status in 2022 and opened accession talks earlier this year after firmly aligning itself with its neighbor, Ukraine, after Russia's unprovoked invasion in 2022, and joining the EU sanctions regime against Russia. "European integration is our path to security and prosperity, but let's not think of it as a business-class ticket to paradise," Sandu said in her inauguration speech. "It's not a miracle cure to all our problems. The French won't come here to run our judiciary. The Danes won't come in to clean up our garbage. The Germans won't come in to manage our border crossings. Only we are responsible for our lives, for our country." Last week the European Union applauded Moldova for the successful conduct of the presidential elections and of the referendum on enshrining EU accession in the constitution," while blasting the " hybrid attempts to undermine the country's democratic institutions." Moldovan officials had warned for months of threats from Russia that included disinformation and facilitating millions in illicit payments for an informal network of anti-EU organizers. At the same time, they also fended off cyberattacks and deepfakes, and publicly confronted what they regarded as false narratives aimed at influencing the outcome of the vote. Sandu, 52, became Moldova's first female president with a landslide victory in 2020, running on a strong pro-EU message and vowing to fight corruption. Stoianoglo, 57, from Gagauzia -- a Turkic-speaking autonomous region of Moldova with pro-Russian sentiment -- campaigned on a law-and-order theme, although critics slammed him for what they say was a failure to address high-level corruption during his time as Moldova's prosecutor-general. One person was killed and 11 were wounded by a ballistic missile strike on an apartment block in the Ukrainian city of Kryviy Rih, local officials said on December 24 as clashes were reported along much of the front line in eastern Ukraine amid gains by Russian forces and speculation over the Kremlin’s strategy . Ukrainian officials condemned the attack on the building in Kryviy Rih, calling it a direct hit on a four-story residential block with 32 apartments. Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak said 11 people had been wounded and seven of them had been hospitalized. He described three of the wounded as two women, ages 69 and 72, and a 78-year-old man, and said all were in moderate condition. He said later that one man who had been pulled from the rubble could not be revived despite doctors doing everything possible to resuscitate him. Lysak added that there may still be people buried in the rubble. Ukraine's human rights ombudsman reacted angrily, noting that the strike occurred on Christmas Eve. "While other countries of the world are celebrating Christmas, Ukrainians are continuing to suffer from endless Russian attacks," Dmytro Lubinets said on Telegram. Kryviy Rih, the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has regularly been the target of Russian missile attacks throughout the war. Russia says it does not deliberately target civilians despite widespread evidence to the contrary and thousands of deaths among the civilian population. Ukraine’s General Staff of the Armed Forces said earlier on December 24 that by mid-morning some 235 clashes had been recorded at the front since the start of the previous day, with intense fighting in the direction of Kharkhiv, Donetsk, and Kupyansk. It added that Russia lost over 1,600 soldiers and 30 armored vehicles during the period, though the claim could not be independently verified. Moscow rarely comments on its losses in the war. The Institute for the Study of War ( ISW ) said in a report on December 24 that Russia’s priorities in the current fighting remain unclear as troops make incremental advances south and southwest of the key city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. “It remains unclear if Russian forces will be able to exploit these gains to envelop the town or if they intend to advance to the administrative boundary of Donetsk region,” the ISW said. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that Moscow is nearing its primary goal in the war , though he didn’t elaborate. Ever since Ukraine's counteroffensive to drive out invading Russian forces culminated with little success in October 2023, Russian troops have slowly pushed westward, capturing the Donetsk city of Avdiyivka and then the town of Vuhledar. Russia currently controls about 60 percent of Donetsk. Russian troops reportedly are just a few kilometers from the edge of Pokrovsk and could be on the verge of taking it. Pokrovsk is strategically significant because it serves as a major transportation hub, is close to the front lines, and serves as a supply hub for military operations in the Donbas region. Fighting between Russia and Ukraine has ratcheted up in recent weeks, with Moscow launching waves of drones and missiles across Ukrainian territory, mainly aimed at civilian and energy infrastructure. Kyiv has countered with attacks on Russian oil and energy targets just inside Russian territory and over the weekend struck high-rise buildings in Kazan, the capital of Russia's oil-rich republic of Tatarstan. A delegation from Kazan on December 24 traveled to Belgorod to study best practices in organizing civil defenses during drone attacks, according to Kazan media citing a statement by city's mayor, Ilsur Metshin. Metshin said that Kazan must establish a clear plan so that residents know how to respond in emergencies and where to find shelters. "Everyone should have this in mind. We will bring the best practice in the country by the end of the week," the mayor said. He said he understands that in Belgorod all residents can evacuate to shelters within minutes. Last week Putin dangled the prospect of Russian concessions, saying more than once during his annual question-and-answer conference that Moscow was ready for a compromise. But he attached numerous conditions to the idea of compromise, suggesting Moscow’s goal of subjugating Ukraine and winning major security guarantees from NATO and the West remain in place, as well as saying he does not consider Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy a legitimate leader. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump -- whose inauguration is set for January 20 -- has said he would move to end the war quickly and during his remarks at Turning Point’s America Fest convention on December 22, said, "We have to end that war. That war is horrible, horrible." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine is interested in stabilizing the situation in Syria and believes it is essential for the country's security to remove any Russian presence from the country. “We are grateful to every country and every leader who is now ready to help Syrian society restore normal life and build effective state institutions,” Zelenskiy said on X on December 23, pledging to "support Syria in ensuring food security." "We are ready to work with representatives of the Syrian people to correct the mistakes of the Assad regime, in particular, regarding Ukraine and all of Europe,” he said. Russia granted former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family asylum earlier this month after rebels took control of Damascus. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said on December 23 that said it was in contact with Syria's new administration at both a diplomatic and military level. Moscow is concern in particular about the fate of a naval facility and an air base it operates in Syria. Zelenskiy in his message on X also renewed his warnings about Russia's cooperation with North Korea. Russia earlier this month began deploying North Korean troops to reinforce its military, including to the Kursk border region, where Ukrainian forces seized territory earlier this year. Kyiv continues to press allies for a tougher response to the development, which it says is a global threat because it involves a transfer of Russian warfare experience and military technologies to Pyongyang. "For the world, the cost of restoring stability is always much higher than the cost of effectively pressuring those who destabilize the situation and destroy lives," Zelenskiy said. He warned of "risks of North Korea sending additional troops and military equipment” and said Kyiv will have a “tangible responses to this." He added that according to preliminary data supplied by General Oleksandr Syrskiy, Ukraine's top commander, the number of North Korean soldiers killed and wounded in the Kursk region has exceeded 3,000. Syrskiy said last week that Russian forces backed by North Korean troops had intensified their offensive against Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region. South Korea's assessed the number of killed and wounded troops was closer to 1,000. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said on December 23 that based on "various sources of information and intelligence," the North Korea has suffered around 1,100 casualties since joining combat operations against Ukraine. The JCS agreed that Pyongyang is reportedly "preparing for the rotation or additional deployment of soldiers" to aid Russia's war effort. JCS added that it has detected signs of Pyongyang planning to produce suicide drones to be shipped to Russia in addition to the 240mm multiple rocket launchers and 170mm self-propelled howitzers it already is supplying. The Kremlin has neither denied nor directly confirmed the presence of North Korean troops on its soil. NATO, however, confirmed in October that North Korean troops had been deployed in the Kursk region. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the deployment marked a sign of Russian President Vladimir Putin's "growing desperation." Kosovo’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has decided not to certify the main ethnic Serbian party, effectively barring it from competing in the February 9 parliamentary elections. The CEC said its main reason for declining to certify Serbian List was its nationalist stance and close ties to Serbia. Some commission members noted that Serbian List leader Zlatan Elek has never referred to Kosovo as independent and continues to call it Serbia's autonomous province of Kosovo. The CEC also said that Serbian List has close ties with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and other Serb leaders who also refuse to recognize Kosovo's independence. There was no immediate reaction from Serbian List. The move may further aggravate the already tense ties between Kosovo and Serbia despite international efforts to normalize them. The parliamentary elections on February 9, 2025, are expected to be a key test for Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti, whose party came to power in 2021 in a landslide. Vucic claimed on December 23 that Kurti is trying to "eliminate the only opponent" in the elections. He also accused Kurti and his allies of attempting to expel the Serbian people from the southern areas of Kosovo. Vucic said that he had also spoken with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about what he considered to be violations of international law by Pristina. Only the chairman of the CEC, Kreshnik Radoniqi, voted for the certification of Serbian List. Two members of the ruling Self-Determination party voted against, while the others abstained. Political analyst Albert Krasniqi of the Demokraci+ NGO told RFE/RL that the decision is part of the preelection campaign being conducted by Kurti’s Self-Determination party. He said Serbian List will appeal the decision to the Electoral Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) and predicted that it will reverse the decision. “All this noise will last at most four days, and I am sure that the ECAP will reverse this decision of the CEC and will oblige the CEC to certify Serbian List,” Krasniqi said. Eugen Cakolli of the Democratic Institute of Kosovo told RFE/RL that the CEC has once again become “part of [the] political rhetoric, making a decision in violation of the law and other regulations in force.” He also said Serbian List will appeal and the ECAP will overturn the decision. Kosovo proclaimed independence from Serbia in 2008. Belgrade still considers Kosovo a province of Serbia and has a major influence on the ethnic Serbian minority living there. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico of wanting to "help" President Vladimir Putin earn money to fund Russia’s war in Ukraine after Fico paid a visit to Putin in Moscow. Zelenskiy said on X on December 23 that EU leaders had previously observed that Fico opposes reducing energy dependence on Russia, "implying that he wants to help Putin earn money to fund the war and weaken Europe." Ukraine is “losing people as a result of the war that Putin started, and we believe that such assistance to Putin is immoral,” Zelenskiy said . Fico said his trip to Moscow and meeting with Putin on December 22 was in response to Zelenskiy opposing any "transit of gas through Ukraine to our territory." Ukraine has said it will not renew a contract for gas transit through pipelines in Ukraine that expires on December 31. Slovakia has raised concerns about the prospect of losing supplies of natural gas as a result. The flow of gas through the pipeline accounts for around half of Russia's total exports to Europe, and Slovakia, Italy, Austria, and the Czech Republic are set to be most affected if it ends. The European Commission has said it is ready for the current contract to expire, and all countries receiving Russian fuel via the Ukraine route have access to alternative supplies. Fico is one of the few European leaders Putin has stayed friendly with since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, but Zelenskiy questioned his motivation. "Why is this leader so dependent on Moscow? What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?" Zelenskiy asked rhetorically. The visit by Fico, whose country is a NATO and European Union member, had not been previously announced, but Fico said he had informed EU leaders about it ahead of time. Fico said on Facebook after his meeting with Putin that the Russian president had confirmed Russia's “readiness to continue supplying gas to the West and to Slovakia in view of the Ukrainian president's stance after January 1, 2025." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on December 23 said he could not give more details about the talks between Putin and Fico but said the situation regarding the flow of gas is “very difficult” and “requires increased attention." Fico’s visit with Putin drew strong reactions from other European leaders. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky denounced it, saying on X that the Czech government “has been working to achieve independence from Russian energy supplies so that we don't have to grovel to a mass murderer." Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda reacted sarcastically, saying that any dealings with Russia involve a price. “How cheap is your love,” he said on X . “There are those who come to Russia with love and feel gassed to meet a war criminal. This is not Lithuania's way. We choose energy independence and real market prices -- with no political strings attached! Uzbek authorities are keeping a close eye on the family of the suspect in the high-profile assassination of a Russian general in Moscow last week, neighbors and activists say. Uzbek national Ahmadjon Qurbonov, 29, has been charged by a Moscow court with terrorism and other offenses in the December 17 killing of Igor Kirillov, who headed Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Forces. Qurbonov, who grew up in the Uchteppa district of the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, has been accused of remotely detonating a homemade bomb hidden on a scooter parked outside a residential building. The blast killed Kirillov and his assistant. Qurbonov's neighbors in Tashkent told RFE/RL that his family are refraining from speaking to media and are being monitored by Uzbek authorities since the news of Qurbonov’s arrest broke. Uzbek law-enforcement agencies have since been in regular contact with the family, according to Abdurahmon Tashanov, head of the Ezgulik human rights group in Uzbekistan. Tashanov told RFE/RL that he had spoken with the family and quoted them as saying the relatives first found about Qurbonov's alleged involvement in the attack from the anti-terrorism unit of the Uchteppa police department. They learned other details from media reports, Tashanov added. Uzbek authorities did not respond to RFE/RL's request for comment. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the neighbors said Qurbonov's mother had last spoken with her son two days before the attack, when he called from Russia and had assured her he was healthy and had found good work as a cook. According to the neighbors, Qurbonov left Tashkent in 2021, saying he was going to Turkey as a migrant worker. They claimed the family didn't know when Qurbonov moved from Turkey to Russia. Both Russia and Turkey host thousands of migrant workers from Uzbekistan. The residents in Uchteppa's Pakhtakor neighborhood described the Qurbonovs as a regular, middle-class family with a comfortable life. Qurbonov’s late father, Alijon, made a living as a cook, and one of his siblings works at a bakery, they said. Tashanov raised concern about a video released by Russian authorities that purportedly shows Qurbonov "confessing" to having committed the deadly attack on Kirillov. It is not known whether the "confession" was obtained under duress. Tashanov said releasing such footage violates the presumption of innocence in Qurbonov's case. During a hearing at Moscow's Basman district court on December 19, Qurbonov requested a translator due to his limited knowledge of the Russian language. Russian investigators claimed Qurbonov was recruited and trained by Ukrainian intelligence services to carry out the attack. There has been no official claim of responsibility, but Ukraine's security service SBU has said it was behind the killing. Kyiv had accused Kirillov of being responsible for Russia's use of banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops, a claim Moscow denies. The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Uzbek counterpart, Shavkat Mirziyoev, discussed cooperation in the fight against terrorism in a phone call on December 19. Belarus's Central Election Commission (CEC) said five candidates, including Alyaksandr Lukashenka, have been registered for a presidential election next month, the first since balloting in 2020 triggered mass unrest amid claims of victory by the 70-year-old authoritarian ruler, who has since wiped out almost all traces of opposition and dissent in the country. Lukashenka, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is expected to easily cruise to a seventh consecutive term in office as the other four candidates announced by CEC on December 23 are seen as being pro-government. "Lukashenka has announced the date of his 'reelection' -- January 26. It’s a sham with no real electoral process, conducted in an atmosphere of terror," exiled opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who ran against Lukashenka in the August 2020 election after her husband, Syarhey Tsikhanouski, was arrested and jailed during the campaign, said on X when the January vote was first announced. "No alternative candidates or observers will be allowed. We call on Belarusians and the international community to reject this farce," she added. Along with Lukashenka, the CEC said Oleh Gaidukevich, Serhey Syrankov, Anna Konapatskaya, and Alyaksandr Khizhnyak were approved to run in the vote. Massive street protests followed the disputed 2020 presidential election that extended Lukashenka's long-standing rule for another term. The election was widely condemned as fraudulent by the United States, the European Union, and other international actors. The protests, which demanded Lukashenka's resignation, were met with mass arrests, alleged torture, and violent crackdowns that left several people dead. Tsikhanouski, as well as other opposition politicians and activists, were arrested and many were sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Many opposition leaders remain imprisoned or in exile, while Lukashenka refuses dialogue with his critics. Tsikhanouskaya was forced into exile in 2020. Her husband was later convicted of organizing riots among other charges following a trial condemned as a sham and sentenced to 18 years in prison. The Romanian parliament has sworn in a new pro-European coalition government led by leftist Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The new government took the oath of office and held a ceremonial first cabinet meeting after parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote on December 23. President Klaus Iohannis had earlier appointed Ciolacu as prime minister to form a new government after three pro-Western parties agreed on a coalition aimed at preventing far-right groups from joining the government. "You are entering a difficult period in your new responsibilities," Iohannis told the government in a congratulatory message. "I wish you to succeed in everything you set out to do, but, first of all, I wish you to succeed for Romania and Romanians. People expect solutions, stability, and a government that firmly maintains Romania's trajectory." Iohannis said the situation is like no other the country has experienced, adding that all those he spoke to asked for the continuation of the pro-European path. The government, which includes five new ministers, took shape amid political turmoil prompted by revelations about Russia's malign influence that led to the annulment of a presidential election after a Moscow-friendly outsider won the first round. "It will not be an easy mandate for the future government," Ciolacu said in a statement. "We are aware that we are in the midst of a deep political crisis. It is also a crisis of trust, and this coalition aims to regain the trust of citizens, the trust of the people." The coalition government includes Emil Hurezeanu, a former journalist for RFE/RL, who will serve as foreign minister. The parties that together won just over half the seats in parliamentary elections on December 1 -- the leftist Social Democratic Party (PSD), center-right National Liberal Party (PNL), and the ethnic Hungarian UDMR -- reached an agreement to band together late on December 10 in Bucharest. That deal came after they threw their support behind presidential candidate Elena Lasconi ahead of a December 8 scheduled runoff against the pro-Russian independent candidate Calin Georgescu, who had won a shock victory in the first round on November 24. However, Romania's Constitutional Court on December 6 canceled the results of the first round and ordered a rerun of the presidential polls after the EU and NATO member's Supreme Defense Council declassified documents allegedly proving Georgescu's presidential bid had been aided by a campaign led by an unnamed "state actor" with the help of Chinese-owned TikTok social media platform. The PSD and the PNL, the two parties that have dominated Romania's politics since the fall of communism, formed an unlikely left-right alliance in 2021. The alliance became increasingly unpopular while also eroding both parties' support among voters, and allowed the shock rise of pro-Russian, far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, which finished a close second in parliamentary elections with more than 18 percent to PSD's 23 percent. Adding to the current instability, no presidential polls are likely until sometime early next year while it remains unclear if parties would have to propose new candidates or if Georgescu will be allowed to run again. One of the government's first tasks will be to set a date for the new presidential election. Last week, Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, an independent, said he will be a candidate in the presidential election when it is re-run. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has called on the ruling Moscow-friendly Georgian Dream party to set a date for new parliamentary elections by December 29 amid unrest over the last vote and the party's unilateral decision to postpone negotiations with the European Union. Zurabishvili has been locked in a standoff with the party since it won October parliamentary elections plagued by allegations of electoral fraud . The opposition has refused to recognize the vote, accusing Georgian Dream of rigging the vote to cling to power. In a speech late on December 22, she invited Russia-friendly billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, a former prime minister and the founder of Georgian Dream, to the presidential palace for talks on setting an election date. Georgian Dream has denied any election wrongdoing and has refused to consider new elections despite almost daily protests over its victory and its subsequent decision to halt talks with the 27-member bloc until 2028. "Ivanishvili should come to the palace, and I am ready to sit down and think about how the elections should be scheduled. The date of the elections should be agreed upon by the 29th," Zurabishvili told a rally on Tbilisi's Rustaveli Avenue, the site of countless Georgian protests. Due to technical issues during the speech, Zurabishvili said she would release a new video recorded message of the address on December 23. Georgia received EU candidate status in December last year but ties with Brussels have been tense in recent months following the adoption in May of a controversial "foreign agent" law pushed through parliament by Georgian Dream, which has ruled since 2012. Critics say the legislation threatens media outlets and civil society groups and mirrors a similar Russian law used by the Kremlin to stifle political opponents and civil society. While initially endorsed by Georgian Dream for her successful presidential run in 2018, Zurabishvili has been a thorn in the ruling party's side. Although officially a nonpartisan president limited to a ceremonial role, Zurabishvili has criticized Georgian Dream for its increasingly authoritarian stance. Earlier this month, an electoral college dominated by Georgian Dream chose Mikheil Kavelashvili, a 53-year-old former soccer player and right-wing populist, as Georgia's next president. His inauguration is supposed to take place on December 29, though the 72-year-old Zurabishvili, whose term ends this year, has said she isn't going anywhere. After the ruling Georgian Dream party declared victory in an election on October 26, protests restarted and intensified after the government said it was suspending talks with Brussels on Tbilisi's bid to join the EU, Georgia’s biggest donor, biggest economic market, and home to the South Caucasus country's biggest diaspora. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said in its final report on the elections -- which it issued on December 20 -- that numerous issues "negatively impacted" the elections and eroded public trust. The report refers to the passage of the "foreign agent" law, modeled on a similar Russian law, saying the election took place amid “serious concerns about the impact of recently adopted legislation on fundamental freedoms and civil society.” The law, which mandates that organizations receiving significant foreign funding register as foreign agents, took effect on August 1, sparking significant backlash from international and domestic actors. The government last week pledged to amend the law, though it did not give details of the changes it would enact. The Kremlin said there are currently no plans for President Vladimir Putin to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump amid a rise in talk of finding a peace deal to end Russia's war against Ukraine. Trump told a conservative convention on December 22 that Putin said he "wants to meet with me as soon as possible.” In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS on December 23 that "so far, there have been no real impulses" for a meeting with Trump before his inauguration in January. Fighting between Russia and Ukraine has ratcheted up in recent weeks, with Moscow launching waves of drones and missiles across Ukrainian territory, mainly aimed at civilian and energy infrastructure. Kyiv has countered with attacks on Russian oil and energy targets just inside Russian territory and over the weekend struck high-rise buildings in Kazan, the capital of Russia's oil-rich republic of Tatarstan. Last week Putin dangled the prospect of Russian concessions before audiences in Washington and the West, saying more than once during his annual question-and-answer conference that Russia was ready for a compromise. But he attached numerous conditions to the idea of compromise, suggesting Moscow’s goal of subjugating Ukraine and winning major security guarantees from NATO and the West remain in place, as well as saying he does not consider Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy a legitimate leader. Trump has said he would move to end the war quickly and during his remarks at Turning Point’s America Fest convention on December 22, said, "We have to end that war. That war is horrible, horrible." Analysts say that behind closed doors in Moscow, Kyiv, Brussels, Washington, and other capitals diplomats, elected leaders, and military officers are gearing up for what will likely be a full-court press to find a resolution to Europe's largest land war since World War II. In Western negotiating rooms, sentiment has shifted decisively toward a push to resolve a conflict that has killed or wounded more than 1 million men on both sides over 34 months and counting. In a rare meeting with a European Union leader, Putin met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on December 22. While the main topic was a soon-to-expire contract allowing for Russian natural gas to transit through Ukraine, the two leaders also talked about the military situation in Ukraine and the possibility of a peaceful settlement to the war. Fico is one of the few European leaders with whom Putin has maintained ties since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. Kyiv said it will not extend the gas transit deal beyond January 1 as payments Russia receives for gas have helped fund Moscow's war. Fico, whose views on Russia's war on Ukraine differ sharply from those of most European leaders, returned to power last year after his leftist party Smer (Direction) won parliamentary elections on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform. Since then, he has ended his country's military aid for Ukraine, hit out at EU sanctions on Russia, and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO. Zelenskiy warned on December 23 that Fico's stance on Russian gas was a "big security issue" for Europe. "His key goal is to deal with Russia, and this is what benefits him. This is indeed a big security issue -- both for Slovakia and the entire Europe," Zelenskiy said on X. "Why is this leader so dependent on Moscow? What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?" he added. Students who have been blocking academic faculties at the University of Belgrade for weeks staged a protest on December 22 to demand accountability for the collapse of a canopy at the train station in Novi Sad that killed 15 people. Streets near Slavija Square in central Belgrade were closed to traffic as thousands gathered for the protest, filling the square and beyond as farmers, actors, and educators joined the student-led protest. The demonstration began at 4:30 p.m. local time with 15 minutes of silence for the victims of the collapse on November 1, which seriously injured two people in addition to killing 15. Many of the participants turned their mobile phone lights on and held them high. The 15 minutes of silence was followed by 30 minutes of participants blowing whistles and vuvuzelas. Student Teodora Topalovic told RFE/RL at the protest that the support of citizens means a lot to the gathered students. "Every time something like this starts at the beginning, I'm first on the verge of tears, and then I pull myself together and continue," Topalovic said. "This means a lot to all the students." Nikola Peric of Belgrade said his motive for coming to this protest is to say "no" to the entire situation and the authorities in Serbia. "To support the students, to honor the people who died innocently, and to try to change the situation in the country, which is not good," he told RFE/RL. Pensioner Tatjana Spolja Miletic told RFE/RL that "new, young forces" have arrived and that the older ones are have joined in the protest to support them. "I can't be silent and sit at home," she said. The organizers demanded the government identify and prosecute the people who allegedly attacked demonstrators during protests that swept across Serbia in the days following the collapse of the canopy. The organizers also called for the release of activists detained during earlier protests and an end to legal proceedings against them. Serbians have protested regularly over the accident to demand accountability. Some of the protests turned violent, but there was no violence reported during the demonstration in Belgrade on December 22. The collapse of the canopy has turned into a political headache for President Aleksandar Vucic as more than 50 academic faculties at four state universities, the offices of several university rectors, and dozens of high schools remain blocked in solidarity with the protests. Students also have taken part in daily protests in which traffic stops for 15 minutes in cities across Serbia. The accident occurred after the railway station had been renovated twice in recent years by a Chinese-led consortium of four companies. Serbian Railways insisted that the renovation didn’t include the concrete overhang, but some experts disputed that. The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad announced on November 21 that 11 people had been arrested after being found responsible for the collapse. Among them were former Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Minister Goran Vesic and the ex-director of railway infrastructure Jelena Tanaskovic. They face up to 12 years in prison if they are found guilty of charges of committing criminal acts against public security, endangering the public, and irregular construction work. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met in the Kremlin on December 22 to discuss a soon-to-expire contract allowing for Russian natural gas to transit through Ukraine. Fico said the meeting with Putin came in reaction to Ukraine saying it would not renew the contract, which is set to run out on December 31. "Putin confirmed [Russia's] readiness to continue supplying gas to the West and to Slovakia in view of the Ukrainian president's stance after January 1, 2025," Fico said on Facebook. He said he and Putin also exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine, the possibility of a peaceful settlement to the war, and mutual relations between Slovakia and Russia. Fico is one of the few European leaders with whom Putin has maintained ties since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. Fico arrived in Russia on a "working visit" and met with Putin one-on-one, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying earlier on December 22. According to Russian media reports, Peskov said the meeting was to focus on "the international situation" and was likely to also touch on Russian natural gas deliveries. Slovakia and Hungary, which rely on Russian gas, raised concerns about the prospect of losing supplies after Ukraine said it would not renew the contract. Fico, whose views on Russia's war on Ukraine differ sharply from those of most European leaders, returned to power last year after his leftist party Smer (Direction) won parliamentary elections on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform. Since then, he has ended his country's military aid for Ukraine, hit out at EU sanctions on Russia, and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO. The visit by the leader of the NATO- and EU-member country had not been previously announced, but Fico said top EU officials had been informed about his journey and its purpose on December 20. Michal Simecka, leader of the opposition Progressive Slovakia, described Fico's trip to meet Putin as a "shame for Slovakia and a betrayal of national interests." "If the prime minister actually cared about gas transit, he should have negotiated with Ukraine rather than turning Slovakia into a tool of Putin's propaganda," Simecka said on X. Fico also complained that in addition to allowing the natural gas transit contract to expire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is also in favor of sanctions against the Russian nuclear program. He called this "unacceptable," saying it would financially damage and endanger the production of electricity in nuclear power plants in Slovakia. Zelenskiy said on December 19 during a European Union summit in Brussels that Kyiv could consider continued transit of Russian gas on the condition that Moscow does not receive payment for the fuel until after the war. "We will not give the possibility of additional billions to be earned on our blood, on the lives of our citizens," Zelenskiy said. Zelenskiy also lambasted Fico, who has claimed that his country will face an economic hit if it loses cheap gas from Russia. "To be honest, during war, it's a bit shameful to talk about money, because we are losing people," Zelenskiy said. Zelenskiy said he told Fico that Ukraine would be open to carrying another country's gas through its pipeline infrastructure to reach Europe, but it would need assurances that the gas was not merely relabeled Russian fuel. "We have to know that we will only transit gas if it's not coming from Russia," Zelenskiy said. The European Commission has said it is ready for the current contract to expire, and all countries receiving Russian fuel via the Ukraine route have access to alternative supplies. Russian forces executed five Ukrainian prisoners of war according to the latest war crime allegation against Russian troops raised by Ukraine's ombudsman for human rights. Dmytro Lubinets said on December 22 that Russian troops shot the five unarmed soldiers at point-blank range after they had surrendered. He gave no details but said on Telegram that a Ukrainian military unit had released a video showing the alleged shooting. "I will report this fact to the UN and the ICRC," he said . "Russian war criminals who shoot Ukrainian prisoners of war should be brought before an international tribunal and punished with the most severe punishment provided for by law," Lubinets added. Russia did not immediately comment on the accusation but has previous denied committing war crimes. Lubinets said earlier this month that there had been 177 confirmed cases of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by the Russian military since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Andriy Kostin in October called the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian soldiers a deliberate policy of the Russian Federation. Kostin said in a statement on October 15 that torture and executions without trial and investigation are used as weapons of war, intimidation, and destruction. "We can prove that these cases are not isolated incidents but an organized and targeted policy," Kostin said. The Institute for the Study of War reported in October it had observed an increase in Russian forces executing Ukrainian POWs, adding that "Russian commanders are likely writ large condoning, encouraging, or directly ordering the execution of Ukrainian POWs." A Ukrainian open-source intelligence project reported on October 13 that Russian forces executed nine Ukrainian POWs near the village of Zeleny Shlyakh in the Kursk region on October 10. Lubinets condemned those executions as a serious violation of the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of POWs and stated that he sent letters to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding the case. The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has called on Syrians to resist the emerging rebel-led government after the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad, saying the uprising was orchestrated by the West. Speaking in an address on December 22, Khamenei said Syrians, especially the country's youth, "should stand with strong will against those who designed and those who implemented the insecurity." Assad left the country in the late hours of December 8 after the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies -- some of whom are linked with Turkey -- overran government forces in a blitz offensive. While Assad was granted political asylum in Russia by President Vladimir Putin after more than five decades of iron-fisted rule by his family, the HTS has since moved quickly to establish an interim government, and its leader, Riad al-Asaad, has said he is confident the factions that helped topple Assad will unite as one force. HTS and the transitional government have insisted the rights of all Syrians will be protected, but Khamenei said he believes a group aligned with the Islamic republic's government would end up prevailing in Syria. However, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on December 22. Details of the meeting were not immediately released, but Turkey has long been seen as a backer of HTS as it looked to remove Assad. The toppling of Assad was seen by many as another blow to Tehran, which has seen regional groups aligned with it -- parts of the so-called axis of resistance -- suffer major setbacks in the past 14 months. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, has been decimated by Israel, which launched a war against the group in the Gaza Strip and Hamas fighters in October 2023 crossed into Israel and killed 1,200 people while taking another 250 hostage. That conflict spread to Lebanon, home of the Tehran-backed Hezbollah, a militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the EU blacklists its armed wing but not its political party. Hezbollah’s political party has seats in the Lebanese parliament. Israel has severely weakened Hezbollah -- killing its longtime leader and many of its top officials -- after the group launched attacks on Israel that it said was in support of Hamas. A U.S.-brokered deal to end hostilities in Lebanon took effect last month. Khamenei downplayed the links to Iran, saying they have fought against Israel on their own beliefs. "They keep saying that the Islamic republic lost its proxy forces in the region. This is another mistake. The Islamic republic does not have a proxy forces," he said. “If one day we plan to take action, we do not need proxy force,” he added. Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed revenge over Kyiv's attack a day earlier on high-rise buildings in Kazan , the capital of Russia's oil-rich republic of Tatarstan, as Russia launched a massive drone attack at Ukraine on December 22. More than the 100 drones that Russia launched in the December 22 attack were shot down, according to Ukraine's military. Businesses and apartment buildings were damaged in the Russian attacks, though at this point, the military said, "without casualties." The regions of Kherson, Mykolayiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhya, Zhytomyr, and Kyiv all saw drones fired in their direction, with 52 of the total 103 shot down, the Ukrainian Air Force reported . Russia has stepped up its air attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy saying on December 21 that Moscow has launched more than 550 guided bombs, almost 550 drones, and 20 missiles over the past week. Russia has systematically targeted Ukraine's civilian and energy infrastructure since the start of the war, stepping up attacks especially at the onset of the cold season, causing maximum difficulties and lengthy power cuts for Ukrainians for the third winter in a row. It has also been accused by Kyiv of targeting residential buildings, which Moscow denies. Russia's massive attack comes a day after Ukraine struck high-rise buildings in Kazan , the capital of Russia's oil-rich republic of Tatarstan. Putin vowed to bring more "destruction" to Ukraine in retaliation for the drone attack on Kazan. "Whoever tries to destroy something here will face many times more destruction on their own territory and will regret what they are trying to do in our country," Putin said during a televised meeting. On December 22, Ukraine appeared to again strike inside Russian territory. Andrey Klychkov, the head of Oryol region near the border with Ukraine, said a fire broke out at a fuel infrastructure facility in the village of Stalnoy Kon after the area came under a drone attack, the second in a week. Kyiv has not commented on the accusation, but footage on social media showed what appeared to be explosions in the area. Ukraine has been investing heavily in drone production in part to compensate for its shortage in manpower on the battlefield. Ukraine's Defense Ministry said earlier this month that it had transferred 1.2 million drones to the armed forces through the first 11 months of 2024, including more than 6,000 deep strike drones. Ukraine's drone production is now close to parity with Russia, experts have said. Kyiv has used its long-range drone capacity to hit objects crucial to Russia's war effort, such as weapons and energy facilities. It has tried to avoid civilian targets in part amid concern about backlash from its Western backers. Kazan, one of the wealthiest cities in Russia, is approximately 800 kilometers east of Moscow. Several Russian pensioners were allegedly tricked by scammers into carrying out risky stunts in crowded places in Moscow and St. Petersburg on December 21, police said. A number of the pensioners have been detained, the police said. Law enforcement is still searching for at least one of the suspects. It is unclear who is behind the scam. One incident took place at the Fort shopping center in northeastern Moscow. The building was evacuated following a small explosion in the public services center located there. One woman was treated for injuries after she fell amid the rush for the doors. Meanwhile, a shopping center and a post office in the suburban Moscow towns of Korolev and Khimki, respectively, were evacuated the same day on similar grounds. In Korolev, the explosion blew out several windows and triggered a fire that damaged the shopping center’s ceiling. In the Fort incident, police detained a pensioner who allegedly detonated a firecracker on the instructions of unknown individuals who had extorted 120,000 rubles ($1,200) from her. The 64-year-old suspect in the Korolev incident allegedly tried to detonate pyrotechnics at the police station as well. A 70-year-old woman was detained in connection with the explosion at the post office in Khimki. The same day, two retired women in St. Petersburg allegedly tried to set fire to a police car at the direction of telephone scammers. They have been detained and a case has been opened against them on terrorist charges. Also in St. Petersburg, an explosion occurred at an ATM location belonging to Sberbank, Russia’s largest lender. No injuries were reported. Local media reported that an elderly woman poured a flammable liquid inside the ATM before the explosion. A similar incident at an ATM occurred the night before in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, RFE/RL’s Siberia.Realities reported. This time the suspect was a teenager. Police said the 19-year old girl was duped into carrying out the attack by scammers. She received second-degree burns and is being treated at a hospital. Pakistani militants carried out a daring early-morning raid near the northwestern border with Afghanistan, killing over a dozen officers in the latest attack of 2024 -- a year already marked as one of the deadliest in the region. Laddha Police Deputy Superintendent Hidayat Ullah told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that 16 security officers were killed when militants opened fire at a security checkpoint in South Waziristan at 2 am on December 21. He said eight more officers were wounded. Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which claimed responsibility for the attack, said it killed 35 Pakistani security officers. Radio Mashaal could not independently confirm the number of officers killed. Neither side said how many militants were killed during the attack. There has been a steady increase in TTP attacks in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province since the Taliban regained control of Kabul in August 2021. The TTP seeks to impose Shari'a law in Pakistan. The latest attack came as the elders of Dre Maseed in the Sur Rogha area of South Waziristan held a meeting on December 20 to demand that the security forces change tactics. Sherpao Maseed, a leader of the assembly, told Radio Mashaal that Pakistani defense forces are targeting militants with artillery and mortar shells , putting civilians in danger. The Pakistan Center for Conflict and Security Studies said in its most recent report that more than 240 people were killed in "terrorist incidents" in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in November The death toll included 68 security officers, the highest in a single month this year. Meanwhile, the Army Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) claims to have killed dozens of suspected militants in operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this month. The governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan say they are committed to wiping out the TTP.

Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row

Generative AI tools snuck into the pockets of millions more Australians this week as Apple launched its big push into the technology. The software updates delivered to smartphones, computers and tablets promise to help users compose stories and messages, edit images or create them and identify objects from the real world. But Apple’s AI tools come almost a full year after its biggest rival launched artificial intelligence in smartphones and four months after one of the world’s biggest tech companies made its AI play. Industry experts say Apple may still have one big drawcard for consumers, however, and it relies on keeping its promise to keep their personal information private. Apple Intelligence features arrived inside software updates delivered to the company’s devices on Thursday. Rather than appear in a single app, the US tech giant has scattered AI tools throughout its menus, offering writing assistance in its own apps like Notes, for example, as well as those from third parties, and notification summaries from all apps as they arrive. Apple’s AI additions also offer a photo-editing tool that removes objects in images and Visual Intelligence that uses photos to search for real-world objects. The company’s AI tools have taken longer to arrive than many expected, University of the Sunshine Coast computer science lecturer Dr Erica Mealy says, but Apple could not avoid making an investment in the popular technology. “Apple had to put AI in their devices or they were definitely going to be left behind but I don’t think that’s necessarily a disadvantage because Apple often does that and does it better,” she says. “They are more of an everyman’s technology company, whereas some of the others tend to bring out the technology really soon.” Apple’s biggest rival, Samsung, launched Galaxy AI in its devices in January and Google followed in August, bringing more Gemini-powered tools to the latest generation of Pixel smartphones for rewriting text, producing images and even swapping faces in photographs. The iPhone’s AI delay might not be the drawback it seems on paper, Dr Mealy says, if the company can convince customers their take on the technology is more practical and private. “Their approach is refreshing because a lot of the others are saying, ‘AI is here, let’s give all the data to AI,’ and they’re forgetting the fact that for the AI to be aware it needs to watch us constantly,” she says. “If (Apple) can tell users a story about keeping more privacy or about how they are doing AI better that will be interesting to see.” Apple’s AI approach is different in that features are not only spread across apps but use two models: the company’s own Apple Intelligence system and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. In the first instance, AI requests on Apple devices are handled by the company’s own platform, with processing on the device itself or on a Private Cloud Compute server that does not retain the data. More complex AI tasks such as composing stories or answering challenging queries posed to Siri can be handed over to ChatGPT but only if the user grants permission. Tasks handed over to ChatGPT remain anonymous, unless the user decides to sign into the service. The partnership of Apple and OpenAI is an unexpected one, Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi says, but could prove beneficial for both parties if it’s handled well. “It’s pulling Apple out of its comfort zone,” he says. “Going out to ChatGPT was probably a very difficult decision for Apple to have made and it’s to indicate to users Apple features are not going to be behind the times or antiquated.” Apple will face significant challenges to ensure its own AI system keeps pace with that of standalone apps, such as Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot and Meta AI, Mr Fadaghi says but consumers will demand it. One in five Australian consumers say they will consider AI when upgrading their smartphone, according to Telyste research, and that figure rises to one in four for consumers who regularly use AI tools. “Consumers are thinking about what they might need in four or five years’ time when buying handsets now,” Mr Fadaghi says. “Devices that don’t have AI-ready hardware are going to be less attractive.” The additional of AI features is a key consideration for some phone buyers, Kantar Worldpanel global consumer insights director Jack Hamlin says. Twelve per cent of Google Pixel buyers say AI features are key to their choice, he says, even though sales of the smartphones did not rise this year. AI IN YOUR POCKET: 5 APPLE INTELLIGENCE FEATURES Smarter Siri: The AI-boosted voice assistant can respond to queries posed in natural language, features a new glowing light, more voice choices and can summon assistance from ChatGPT if users permit it. AI images: A dedicated app called Image Playground can generate cartoons or illustrations based on themes or inspired by photographs, while a feature called Image Wand can turn a sketch in the Notes app into a polished image. Photo editing: Apple takes a light touch to photographic AI. Its Clean Up feature lets users select visual distractions to remove them, recording its use in metadata and it supports more detailed photo voice searches. Word-wrangling: An AI-powered feature called Writing Tools appears across apps including Notes, Pages, Mail and Messages. It can proofread, summarise or rewrite text in different styles. Additional text-generation is available using ChatGPT. Summaries: Useful if a group chat gets too chatty, Apple Intelligence can summarise notifications from apps including Mail and Messages and provide a summary of what is yet to be read.

GTA 6 Trailer 2 release date - Fans convinced new Grand Theft Auto trailer out this week

Derby ended a run of six games without a win in emphatic style as a dominant first-half display helped them to a 4-0 win over Portsmouth, to take them seven points above their opponents and the drop zone. The Rams last picked up a second-tier win in early November, while Pompey were on a four-game unbeaten run - but this game went against the formbook as Derby went 3-0 up inside the first half an hour. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing created two of the goals, including the first for Kane Wilson after eight minutes, as the Derby captain crossed for the wing-back to slam home. The hosts then showed their set-piece expertise once again as Eiran Cashin crashed home a header from Kenzo Goudmijn's corner - for Derby's league-high 12th set-piece goal of the season. It was even better six minutes later as Mendez-Laing's cross from the left was turned in by Ebou Adams - via a wicked deflection from Tom McIntyre to take it into the far corner. Trending Portsmouth failed to register a shot on target throughout and their second-half performance matched the dreariness of the first. And a familiar face punished them as former Pompey winger Marcus Harness was played through down the right and after dancing through multiple defenders, his cross was turned into his own net by Marlon Pack. Also See: Download the Sky Sports app Live EFL 2024/25 fixtures on Sky Sports+ Get more EFL to your phone with WhatsApp Watch EFL on Sky with NOW It could have been worse as James Collins headed a good chance wide of the far post while Pompey goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid did well to keep out Goudmijn and Curtis Nelson late on. There was also almost a comical own goal from the visitors as Schmid left Abdoulaye Kamara's backpass while under pressure from substitute Kayden Jackson, but the shot-stopper scampered back to clear it off the line. But Derby had to settle for four - as they ended a four-game winless run at Pride Park and Paul Warne's side can now start looking up the table. Portsmouth, meanwhile, are only above the relegation zone on goals scored. WATCH: All of Derby's goals! Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The game in stats The managers Derby's Paul Warne to Sky Sports: "It's nice to win and score and take our chances. I don't think we played as well as in previous home games but when you're clinical you give yourself a chance to win. And we defended well. Three games in seven days has taken its toll on us so everyone can get a deserved rest. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "I've been proud of how we've played in every game. We've been at the rough end of a bit of class from the opposition. I don't think we were too much better than Portsmouth. But we took our chances early on and the game looked more comfortable because of the scoreline. "We played well in our home games but Leeds away and Burnley away - when I saw that I thought that would be a long week of no sleep! You need to win home games and there are certain home games when there is more pressure on the lads to win. "As much as we want to compete, we're not there. It may take a couple of windows. My job is to get the best out of our group to get as much as we possibly can. As a performance leader, I'm really pleased and tonight the football gods were kind to us." Portsmouth's John Mousinho to Sky Sports: "We didn't start particularly well which invited a bit of pressure away from home. On a Friday night at Pride Park, that's something you can never afford to do. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "We gave Derby a leg up and a bit of a boost early on and we never really recovered from that. The first half was a strange one: I didn't think it was a disaster but at the same time every time Derby went forward they looked like scoring. When they got the fourth, it was game over and a write-off. "At 3-0, we felt a goal might change it but we didn't create enough and we only created half chances. They were much better than us in one game. "I felt confident going into the game, the players have been in really good shape and we've had some excellent results recently at home and away from home. The nature of it, the manner of it and the way we went under was surprising. I think that's the most disappointing thing, I can't really remember us winning an individual battle or second balls. "We didn't do enough all over the pitch and we didn't win enough tonight - and when you do that you get a result like this." The £250,000 is up for grabs with Super 6, and as always it is completely free to play. Entries by 3pm Saturday.Georgia's Smart, Texas' Sarkisian say all the right things ahead of SEC title gameAssembly convened tomorrow, homage to be paid to Manmohan Singh

MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. ("OPT" or "the Company") (NYSE American: OPTT), today announced preliminary financial results for the second quarter ended October 31, 2024 (Q2FY25). The preliminary results included in this press release are subject to change and have not been audited or reviewed by our independent auditor. The Company expects to file its second quarter financial results and update in mid‐December. Preliminary Q2FY25 Financial Highlights (All figures are preliminary, unaudited, and subject to finalization): Revenue : Estimated to be greater than $2 million, compared to $0.9 million for the same period last year, representing a more than 2x increase. Net Loss : Anticipated net loss of approximately $4 million, compared to $7.2 million in the prior year period and representing a year-over-year decrease in net loss of more than 40%. Operating expenses have been reduced by approximately 40%, including reduced external expenditures leading to a material reduction in third party spend. Cash Used in Operating Activities : Estimated to be less than $4.7 million, compared to $7.5 million in the prior-year period and representing a year-over-year decrease of approximately 40%. Business and Operational Highlights During Q2FY25, the Company completed the second set of exercises of the previously announced follow-on contract as a subcontractor to EpiSci and successfully deployed several WAM-V autonomous surface vehicles during the Mission Autonomy Proving Grounds (MAPG) as part of Project Overmatch. Project Overmatch is a United States Navy initiative aimed at achieving a seamless and highly integrated warfighting capability by leveraging advanced data networks, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning. Under this contract, OPT continues to ruggedize and enhance the operational capability of its autonomous maritime technologies to support the U.S. military and its allies. The first set of exercises was concluded over the summer and the completion of these most recent exercises contributed to the revenue recognition noted above. The Company delivered several vehicles to customers in Latin America for commercial survey services. The Company signed its first service contract for multi-year support services for vehicles. Since the end of the quarter, OPT has received the final permits to install the previously announced PowerBuoy equipped with AT&Ts 5G equipment in Monterey Bay. The Company reaffirms its previously issued guidance that it believes it will reach profitability (excluding unanticipated extraordinary expenses) during the fourth quarter of calendar 2025. Performance to date reflects strong demand for products, effective cost management, and progress in strategic initiatives. Recent achievements, including recently announced partnerships and operational milestones regarding successful exercises and continued customer deliveries, further support the Company’s trajectory toward achieving this stated objective. Philipp Stratmann, OPT’s CEO and President, stated “We believe our preliminary results underscore the success of our strategic initiatives, such as focusing on national security and critical infrastructure solutions, coupled with targeted international expansion and our ability to execute for our customers. We have seen a recent uptick in demand for our services domestically and overseas and will continue to convert our pipeline to bookings and ultimately to revenue through future deliveries and additional opportunities to deploy our assets, and we remain committed to delivering long-term value for our shareholders. The success of our most recent quarter leads us to reconfirm our pathway to profitability in late calendar 2025.” CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION A conference call to discuss OPT’s financial results will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 9:00 AM EDT. Philipp Stratmann, CEO, and Bob Powers, CFO will host the call. The dial-in numbers for the conference call are 877-407-8291 or 201-689-8345. Live webcast: Webcast | Ocean Power Technologies FY2025 Q2 Earnings Conference Call (choruscall.com) Call Replay: Call replay will be available by telephone approximately two hours after the call's completion. You may access the replay by dialing 877-660-6853 from the U.S. or 201-612-7415 for international callers and using the Conference ID 13748550. Webcast Replay: The archived webcast will be on the OPT investor relations section of its website. INDIVIDUAL MEETING INFORMATION In an effort to increase relations with institutional investors, OPT management has dedicated time to hosting individual meetings with portfolio managers and analysts. If you are interested in scheduling a meeting with OPT management, please contact: Email: InvestorRelations@oceanpowertech.com , or Call: 609-730-0400 x401 ABOUT OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES OPT provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets, including Merrows, which provides AI capable seamless integration of Maritime Domain Awareness Systems across platforms. Our PowerBuoy® platforms provide clean and reliable electric power and real-time data communications for remote maritime and subsea applications. We also provide WAM-V® autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) and marine robotics services. The Company’s headquarters is in Monroe Township, New Jersey, with an additional office in Richmond, California. To learn more, visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com . FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release may contain forward-looking statements that are within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are identified by certain words or phrases such as "may", "will", "aim", "will likely result", "believe", "expect", "will continue", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "contemplate", "seek to", "future", "objective", "goal", "project", "should", "will pursue" and similar expressions or variations of such expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations about its future plans and performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates that could be inaccurate and subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the Company. Please refer to the Company's most recent Forms 10-Q and 10-K and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The Company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to provide further interim updates in the future.

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NEW YORK , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Hub (SRJ Hub) at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) launched the newest iteration of the civil society-led Global 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence campaign. For more than 30 years, feminist activists and movements around the world have used the 16 days between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women ( November 25 ) and Human Rights Day ( December 10 ) to advocate for an end to gender-based violence. With the help of the SRJ Hub, the campaign now will transition into a year-round initiative, reflecting the 365-days-a-year efforts of feminist activists to shift norms, secure accountability, and transform power structures that oppress women, girls, and gender-diverse people. The 2024 campaign responds to requests from grassroots organizers who asked for more flexible and diverse campaign messages, illustrations, and resources. Their perspectives are complemented by insights from the campaign's Advisory Council composed of scholars and organizers with deep experience in gender, economic, racial, reproductive, and environmental justice. Bodily autonomy, the 2024 campaign theme, makes visible the ways different causes and manifestations of gender-based violence are linked. By avoiding a uniform, standardized approach, the campaign will enable local partners to adapt materials according to their unique needs, prioritizing authenticity and safety in local activism. "Women's and feminist gender justice organizations and movements have always been at the forefront of the push for bodily autonomy, and now more than ever we need to support the efforts of grassroots organizers who know what works in their contexts," said CUNY SPH Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs Terry McGovern . "The campaign materials will allow organizers to mix and match sample images and messages or use their own." The SRJ Hub continues to encourage funders to support the requests of grassroots organizers for multi-year, trust-based core funding that advances their efforts to promote bodily autonomy and end gender-based violence. This includes support for local events and strategic resources or organizers in restrictive environments. Addressing Urgent Global Trends A confluence of global trends threaten previously enshrined protections and push equality farther out of reach for far too many women, girls, and gender-diverse people across the globe. These include femicide and restrictions on abortion access; exclusion and marginalization of LGBTQI+ people; growing gender inequality as debt crises, austerity measures, and corruption crowd out social expenditures; conflict and occupation enabled by disregard for international law; increasingly frequent and devastating climate crises; and failure to fully engage with patriarchal practices driving the popularity of anti-gender movements. Bodily Autonomy Theme Connects Movements At a time when equality remains out of reach for far too many women, girls, and gender-diverse people across the globe and many previously enshrined protections are being rolled back, the 2024 campaign theme will amplify the efforts of feminist grassroots groups to resist and counter the impacts of gender-based violence by framing bodily autonomy as a fundamental human right. The campaign defines bodily autonomy as the freedom to express every thought, feeling, need, and desire through our bodies, each uniquely shaping who we are . "Too often campaigns focus on suffering and victimization," said SRJ Hub consultant Oriana López Uribe, who led the campaign strategy design process. "We want people to imagine what life could be like if everyone had the power and right to make choices about our physical selves, and to feel empathy and solidarity with others who want the same thing." This approach is reflected in the campaign's principles, which emphasize positivity, bravery, and collective care for all: Grassroots organizers who reviewed and contributed to the sample messages told us, "I like the different levels of messaging, the intentional counter-messaging for some of the more dominant narratives, and some really simple questions that can lead to rich conversations. Many messages were a refreshing change from NGO comms which I appreciate," and "I appreciate the nuances in the design of the framework and in the messaging. It has been a long time since I encountered those layers in a global campaign. And I love that the messaging is evoking emotions and not dictating policy solutions. I think this is a tactic that progressive movements have abandoned and that anti-rights groups are good at." The campaign is on Instagram, 'X' and TikTok as @365toEndGBV and c ampaign materials are available for download after submitting individual or collective information in this form . The campaign materials include sample templates, illustrations, and messages in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian, as well as tips for designing campaigns and activities, and examples from other campaigns. The SRJ Hub plans to update and expand materials throughout the year based on user feedback. Media contact: Clarisa Bencomo Clarisa.Bencomo@sph.cuny.edu 917-702-0998 About the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Hub In 2024, the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) began hosting the Global 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence campaign following the closure of its founding host, the Center for Women's Global Leadership at Rutgers University . The campaign is housed at the Sexual & Reproductive Justice Hub (SRJ Hub) at CUNY SPH, which coordinates solutions-oriented scholarship, training, and advocacy, centering the lived experiences of women of color and funding their and other marginalized people's work. Our work is informed by our experience as part of the United States' largest, oldest, and most diverse urban public university system, with faculty, staff, and students connected to communities and populations around the world. Origin of the Global 16 Days Campaign The Global Campaign was launched in 1991 at the first Women's Global Leadership Institute held by the Center for Global Women's Leadership (CGWL), with the goal of raising awareness of GBV as a human rights violation. From the beginning, the Campaign brought together a diverse group of activists and researchers working at all levels from grassroots to international, and united in their belief that ending GBV requires local and global work to change the norms and systems that drive GBV in all its manifestations. Under CGWL's stewardship the Global Campaign gained traction in more than 187 countries, with participation from over 6,000 organizations and a reach of over 300 million. It played a pivotal role in gaining recognition of GBV as a human rights violation in the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Program of Action and the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action . Early campaign themes addressed health impacts of GBV, cultural drivers, racism, sexism, and militarism, among others. More recent campaign themes have included femicide (2021-2022), violence against women working in the informal economy (2020), and violence and harassment in the world of work (2018 – 2019). The latter included advocacy in support of the adoption of the historic International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 190 , concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work (2019). In August 2022 , CGWL sadly closed its doors after 31 years of collaborative and transformative global work. The 16 Days Campaign is now housed at CUNY SPH, ensuring that the important work of CGWL will continue going forward. About CUNY SPH The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) is committed to promoting and sustaining healthier populations in New York City and around the world through excellence in education, research, and service in public health and by advocating for sound policy and practice to advance social justice and improve health outcomes for all. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/16to365-new-resources-for-year-round-activism-to-end-gender-based-violence-and-strengthen-bodily-autonomy-for-all-302314570.html SOURCE CUNY SPH

Strictly Come Dancing's Claudia Winkleman makes announcement moments into showChina's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Projects: Leading the World in Quantity with Successful Spring Festival Inscription

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Cleanliness drive in Mahakumbh area to start todayWheel of Fortune contestants whiffing their bonus puzzles is nothing new, but on December 4’s episode, a player came up short on a $40,000 puzzle that left fans joking that she may never want to visit a Disney theme park again. The game show’s latest big miss involved Vandana Patel, an Indian fusion food expert from Chicago. She won the episode and proceeded to the coveted bonus round with $20,600, a trip to Florida, and the selection of “What Are You Wearing?” as her category. Joined by host Ryan Seacrest and the off-side support of her waving mom, daughter, and husband, she faced the two-word puzzle. Choosing a “DMH” and “A,” Vanna White added a mere “H” to the first word. “We want more!” Seacrest chanted. With that tough break, the 10-second timer began. The puzzle read as, “‘_ H _ T E’ ‘_ L _ _ E S.'” A stern Patel did her very best to concentrate on cracking it, successfully saying “White” was the first word. But she couldn’t figure out the second word, and the timer ran out. The full puzzle was unveiled, “WHITE GLOVES.” Seacrest revealed the gold envelope contained the $40,000 amount and put a consoling arm around Patel’s shoulder. “This was on your bucket list!” he told her. “It was,” she replied. The game show shared the big miss on Youtube, where fans reacted to the loss with the top comment being about how the contestant will likely never want to see Mickey Mouse, or Mario of the Nintendo games, again given their white gloves. “Now she never wants to see mickey or mario again,” the fan wrote scoring 20 likes. “Or the keeper of the Stanley Cup,” replied another. A third fan wrote, “I knew it said WHITE GLOVES and I even solved it before the timer was displayed.” A fourth penned, “Don’t worry, Vandana, I was stumped too. I got the first word, but not the second. That’s alright, you’re a winner regardless. $20K is nothing to sneeze at. Great job! A fifth said, “I knew gloves from the initial and her h got me white. Tough puzzle “Wow. At least it wasn’t the hundred thousand dollar wedge,” wrote one more. Meanwhile , Seacrest, of course, had huge shoes to fill replacing the legendary Pat Sajak after four decades for Season 42. His debut month was the strongest ratings month for WoF in the past three years, and viewers were already treated to a viral moment (via a round of sausage) . That said, there have been some questionable hosting moments. In September, Seacrest suffered what fans dubbed his “first blooper” , involving a prolonged reaction to rewarding a bonus round. Fans also called out the host for ruling against another player before the timer was up. Most controversially, last month, fans called out the host for not reminding a player to pick a letter , leading to him losing the game in a misunderstanding and by a mere $147. This past two weeks, a more puzzling issue has come to light, which is that there has been a mere one bonus puzzle win out of the last eight episodes , many fans blaming the players and not the host. More Headlines:winph 99 。

Mocha Mousse isn’t the misspelled name of a beloved cartoon — it’s Pantone’s official . Also known as Pantone 17-1230, Mocha Mousse is a light brown that evokes, well, mocha and chocolate mousse. Why brown? how Pantone chooses its COTY before, but it’s all about charting and predicting trends in fashion and design. Pantone tells that Mocha Mousse is “foundational.” It’s gender-neutral, not tied to a season, and pairs well with pastels and vibrant colors. It’s a comfort color, hence the dessert imagery. It’s all still business Pantone picks the color in spring so it can line up merchandise deals, . Pantone’s website has Mocha Mousse already. Motorola is releasing official Mocha Mousse phones, just like it did with 2024’s COTY, Peach Fuzz. Knowing trends in advance allows the global supply chain to prepare for increased demand and reduce some guesswork, . Even for Pantone, it’s mostly about marketing: It claims to have brand recognition in the design industry because of COTY. What about Brat summer? Color fans may be shocked to learn that the COTY is anything but “Brat green,” an arguably hideous shade that graced a Charli XCX album cover and became a meme unto itself. Pantone didn’t miss the boat on this one, it actually gave top honors to a similarly abrasive color in 2017. It sees the popularity of “Brat green” as proof that it correctly predicted the trend, per . The color was on social media this summer, which saw restaurants selling carefully colored green drinks, an Etsy seller shipping 1k green “Charli lighters,” and sizable search increases for green cars, per — all to court virality. Just wait until 2031, when some album with a brown cover is all the rage.Trump Backs Elon Musk's H1-B Visa Policy

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