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Excitement for Virginians and New Kent County businesses is already building ahead of the Virginia Derby in March, New Kent County's Lindsay Hurt 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 nameEknath Shinde elected Shiv Sena leader in Maharashtra Assembly a day after Mahayuti’s massive winNNPCL’S SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE
BoP ensures safety of employees, customers amid smog crisisISLAMABAD: The World Bank (WB) has estimated Pakistan’s total external debt stocks at $130.847 billion by end 2023 compared to $127.708 billion by end-2022. The World Bank in its latest report, “International Debt Report 2024, noted that the South Asia region saw the biggest yearly increase in interest payments on public and publicly guaranteed (PPG) debtin 2023, rising 62 per cent to $12.5 billion. The increase was most noticeable in Bangladesh and India, whose interest payments increased by more than 90per cent in 2023; Pakistan made the second-largest interest payments in the region. Govt debt stocks rise to Rs69.9trn For IDA-eligible countries, interest payments on total debt stock have tripled since 2013 to an all-time high of $34.6 billion in 2023. Interest payments as a share of export earnings, a measure of the repayment capacity of a country, significantly increased by 1.6 percentage points in 2023 to 5.8 per cent, equivalent to an increase last recorded in 2005. Mozambique (38.3 per cent), Senegal (25.9 per cent), Pakistan (13.6 per cent), Kenya (12.8 per cent), and Dominica (10.3 per cent) had the highest ratios of interest payments on total debt to export earnings, a situation that has weakened their fiscal positions. The IMF repurchases for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), excluding Argentina, more than doubled in 2023 to $12.2 billion, with the top repurchases registered from Egypt, Ukraine, and Pakistan. The IMF repurchases outpaced the increase in new lending, which rose 12.9 per cent to $14.8 billion in 2023, as new IMF lending has stabilised after the extraordinary support provided in 2020 during the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. In terms of volume, the top five LMIC recipients of personal remittances in 2023 were India at US$119.5 billion, followed by Mexico ($66.2 billion), the Philippines ($39.1 billion), China ($29.1 billion), and Pakistan ($26.6 billion). The World Bank report noted that total external debt stocks stood at $130.847 billion by 2023 including the use of IMF credit and SDR allocations of $11.532 billion against $11.522 billion in 2022, long-term external debt of $110.437 billion in 2023 against $107.418 billion in 2022. Public and publicly guaranteed debt, by creditor and creditor type in 2023, including IMF credit includes 46per cent multilateral, (18 per cent World Bank, 15 per cent ADB, 13 per other multilateral), 45 per cent bilateral (22 per cent China, 7 per cent Saudi Arabia, 8 per cent other bilateral) and 9 per cent private (8 per cent bondholders, 8 per cent multiple lenders). Short-term external debt stood at $8.878 billion in 2023 compared to $8.768 billion in 2022. According to the data, external debt stocks as percentage of export was 352.4 in 2023 compared to 322.1 per cent in 2022, external debt stocks to GNI was 39.3 per cent in 2023 compared to 34.6 per cent in 2022, debt service as percentage of exports was 43.1 in 2023 compared to 42 per cent in 2022, gross national income (GNI) was 332,603.5 in 2023 compared to 369,540.0 in 2022. Of the long-term external debt stocks include; public and publically guaranteed debt $92.990 billion in 2023 compared to $91.220 billion in 2022. Commercial banks and others stood at $440 million in 2023 compared to $2.096 billion in 2022. Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
LINCOLN — What was once a major event of the college football season has, in the first week of December, just become one of the subplots. Early signing day is here for Nebraska and every other program, many of which, including NU, have their attention split several ways. Conference title games haven’t even been played yet. The transfer portal — not officially open until Dec. 9 — has nevertheless been whirling with at least seven Husker departures since Monday. NU has lost one coordinator, locked another up for two years, and set its sights on Kentucky assistant Daikiel Shorts to coach receivers. Matt Rhule’s early afternoon press conference may focus just as much — perhaps more — on topics as the 2025 recruiting class, which stood Tuesday evening at 19 members. By the time Rhule talks about the class, it could grow by a few or in theory shrink, were commits inclined to balk at the departure of Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White. That hasn’t been the case so far, as some of the highest-rated prospects in the class — four-star linebackers Dawson Merritt and Christian Jones — had reaffirmed their commitment to Nebraska through social media statements. Nebraska awaits final answers from at least three prospects, though Dalkiel’s imminent hiring could, in theory, bring more options into play. »San Antonio Alamo Heights High School five-star athlete Michael Terry, a prospect of few interviews who has narrowed his list to home-state Texas, Nebraska and Oregon, the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder’s top three schools for months. He’ll announce a choice at his 8:15 a.m. signing ceremony on Wednesday. At NU, Terry projects to wideout. »Homestead (Florida) High School four-star receiver Cortez Mills has long been committed to Oklahoma, but recruiting site reporters have him trending to flip to Nebraska. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Mills caught 79 passes for 1,640 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, breaking Miami-Dade County single-season marks. Mills’ signing ceremony takes place between 8:05-9:30 a.m. in the school’s auditorium. »Kahuka (Hawaii) High School three-star safety Aidan Manutai remains a Husker target, though he’s currently committed to California. The 6-foot, 170-pound Manutai would be part of a defensive backs group that could vie for early playing time. »Another potential prospect to watch is Kentucky receiver commit Dejerrian Miller, who verbally pledged to Shorts and the Wildcats last week and plays prep football at St. Louis Cardinal Ritter, the same school as Husker running back commit Jamarion Parker. Miller did not previously have Nebraska among his top group of suitors and may stick in the SEC. In total, NU plans to sign six in-state commitments — headlined by Jones, an Omaha Westside linebacker — to financial aid papers, as the NCAA in October eliminated the national letter of intent, which binds prospects to school. The group of six — Jones, Omaha North defensive tackle Tyson Terry, Millard North athletes Pierce Mooberry and Caden VerMaas, Wahoo Neumann running back Conor Booth and Lincoln Southwest receiver Jackson Carpenter — are part of one of the strongest corps of in-state recruits in years. Fifteen prospects are poised to sign with FBS programs, with 12 of those headed to power conferences. Unless Terry or Mills flips to NU, Merritt, out of Overland Park (Kansas) Blue Valley High School, is NU’s highest-ranked player in the 2025 class. Thirteen of the 19 prospects in the class have a four-star according to at least one of the four major recruiting services — 247 Sports, ESPN, On3 and Rivals. And all but 247 Sports, as of Tuesday evening ranked NU’s class as No. 20 in the nation. 247 Sports had the Huskers 22nd. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Vardy helps Van Nistelrooy to first win with Leicester as Guehi defies the FA with religious message
Patrick Gathara The arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), have brought back not-so-fond memories to many Kenyans. More than a decade ago, then Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy – current President William Ruto – became the first incumbent heads of state or government to actually face an ICC trial, having been indicted before they got into office. However, while both Kenyatta and Ruto chose to cooperate with the court – at least on the face of it – and attended their trials, thus obviating the need for an arrest warrant, it is unlikely that Netanyahu and Gallant will be taking a trip to The Hague any time soon. Kenyatta and Ruto were accused of being responsible for the violence that followed the country’s disputed 2007 election, in which more than 1,300 people lost their lives. The two had been on opposing sides of the conflict and were alleged to have organised and funded “tribal” militia to carry out killings. To date, only a handful of people have ever been prosecuted for the murders, rapes and mutilation that led to the forcible displacement of 660,000 people, and it was only after the Kenyan state proved unwilling to act that the ICC stepped in. Similarly, when he applied for warrants for the Israeli leaders in May, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan – who coincidentally headed Ruto’s defence team – also indicated he would be happy to defer prosecution if Israel’s justice system shows any willingness to take action against Netanyahu and Gallant and “engage in independent and impartial judicial processes that do not shield suspects and are not a sham”. The ICC judges have now agreed that there are reasonable grounds to believe the two bear criminal responsibility for the many crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinians during its ongoing genocidal assault on Gaza. With an official death toll of more than 44,000, Gaza has witnessed murders, rapes and displacement on a vast scale, as well as mass starvation, and the deliberate targeting of schools, hospitals and places of worship. Many have complained about the seven-month-long delay in the ICC judges issuing the arrest warrants, but Kenyans had to wait for two years to have the ICC prosecutor send a request for an investigation and then another five months for the court to approve it. It then took another 12 months for the actual indictment of specific individuals – six of them – to be handed down. Thus, by comparison, the Palestine cases have moved much faster. Among the reasons for the delay in the Palestine case were the numerous briefs challenging the court’s jurisdiction and the admissibility of the allegations. There was also a lot of pressure put on the ICC by Israel and its Western friends. There were Israeli attempts to intimidate the court even before the war started last year, with Khan’s predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, facing threats by the Mossad not to launch an investigation into Israel’s war crimes of 2021. Khan now himself faces accusations of sexual misconduct. It is notable that few Western nations came to Kenyatta’s and Ruto’s aid. On the contrary, there was more than a subtle hint given to Kenyans that electing Kenyatta and Ruto would be a bad idea – that “choices have consequences”. I am not saying they should have opposed the duo’s arraignment, but there is more than a whiff of double standards here. It does seem that there is more of an interest in seeing justice done when those in the dock are Africans, and not just anti-Western. That point is driven home when one considers how the indictments of Israeli officials have been framed in the Western press. The Guardian, for example, described it as “the first time a western ally from a modern democracy has been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global judicial body”. This account comes as a surprise to Kenya, which for well over six decades has considered itself a “Western ally” and which – having held regular elections throughout that time – can be described as something of a “modern democracy”, whatever that means. Unless, of course, these are euphemistic descriptors of more problematic relationships. Kenyans have a name for this sort of thing: the “mtu wetu [our guy] syndrome”. Whenever our politicians find themselves being investigated or – God forbid! – charged with crimes, they try to rally their ethnic kinsmen around the idea that it is the “tribe” being targeted. The mobilisation of an imagined identity is a political tactic that is very effective in scaring off prosecutors and intimidating judges both locally and internationally. “Mtu wetu” is how Kenyatta and Ruto were able to avoid prosecution at home and then instrumentalise their control of the Kenyan state to undermine their cases at the ICC. It is why the ICC found itself accused of “race hunting” – of focusing on prosecuting Black Africans, an allegation that conveniently ignored the fact that most of the situations the court was pursuing had been referred to it by African governments. “Mtu wetu” is why Netanyahu today accuses the court of anti-Semitism, suggesting his prosecution is an attack on all Jews. “Mtu wetu” is why suddenly Germany seems less keen on upholding its obligations under international law, and why US politicians are threatening all and sundry, even those in Canada and Europe who perhaps mistakenly thought they would be always part of the tribe. It is sadly ironic that on the 140th anniversary of the Berlin West Africa Conference – which set the stage for European colonisation of Africa and which subsequently introduced the scourge of tribalism to the continent – that the same irrational and totalising conception of identity is being weaponised in the West to defend people accused of some of the worst categories of crimes imaginable. Courtesy: aljazeeraUS News Today Live Updates on December 8, 2024 : Donald Trump says US should avoid Syria: ‘This is a mess, but not our fight, let it play out’
The Los Angeles Chargers activated running back J.K. Dobbins from injured reserve on Friday. Dobbins is formally listed as questionable but figures to be the team's top running threat for Saturday's road game against the New England Patriots. Teammate Gus Edwards (ankle) was ruled out Thursday. Dobbins has missed the past four games since sustaining a knee injury against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 25. He was a full practice participant Thursday before receiving the questionable label. The injury-prone Dobbins was enjoying a solid season prior to the knee ailment, with 766 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and 28 receptions for 134 yards in 11 games. His career high for rushing yardage is 805 for the Ravens in 2020. Dobbins' return comes with the Chargers (9-6) just one win from clinching an AFC wild-card playoff spot. Los Angeles also elevated safeties Eddie Jackson and Kendall Williamson from the practice squad. --Field Level Media
Mid-Penn Capital boys basketball preview: picks, predictions and preseason MVPsFox & Fiancée: Sean Hannity is engaged to fellow Fox News host Ainsley EarhardtMinister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala told Parliament there is a sinister campaign aiming to create division and conflict between the North and the South of the country, highlighting the manipulative intent behind the false narratives. Making a special statement in Parliament on Wednesday (December 4), the Minister said an organised politically bankrupt group had orchestrated the campaign, confirming that investigations had identified their involvement. He said that several arrests have already been made in connection with the dissemination of false information which also includes a political activist from Boralesgamuwa who had contested the last general election under the Cylinder symbol. The Minister said that the photographs from the past LTTE Mahaviru commemorations that were held even in other countries in 2017 and 2022 had been circulated on social media, to create the impression that similar events were taking place in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka in 2024 under the current administration. Minister Wijepala said of the 244 Mahaviru commemoration events held in the Northern Province from November 21 to 27, LTTE-related symbols were displayed at 10 of them. The Police had taken action in response to these incidents. The Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court had reported about two such incidents while the Point Pedro Magistrate’s Court had reported four similar incidents. In addition, the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court had reported one such incident. A person from Chunnakam had also been arrested for attempting to promote the LTTE. Fake post on Mahaviru commemoration Social activist Kelum Jayasumana who was arrested for sharing a post related to the Mahaviru commemoration on social media was granted bail after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (December 4). During the trial, the officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) told court that the suspect had downloaded and reposted a picture which was initially posted by a French woman on Facebook that contained proscribed symbols of the LTTE organisation. They said that this had disrupted public order and ethnic harmony, and that no such event had been held in the North. Since the investigation has not been completed, the officers of the CID requested that the suspect be further remanded. Subsequently, Colombo Magistrate Thilina Gamage questioned the CID officers whether statements confirming that public order had been violated due to this act had been recorded and submitted to the court. In response, the CID officers said that no such statements had been recorded. Questioning how the suspect could be further remanded without evidence confirming that a public disturbance had occurred, the Magistrate said the suspects cannot be remanded further without proper evidence. Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered the suspect to be released on two surety bails and ordered the case to be taken up again on April 3, 2025. Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament on Wednesday (December 4), that a new political culture has emerged in the country and that is peace building and social cohesion. The country will never move forward unless there is an effort by the Government with peace building and social cohesion. Our international friends have worked with us so long providing us resources, sharing their knowledge and expertise. But how much have we achieved when it comes to social cohesion and peace building? We have not progressed that much. If that is the case then this society must reject all forms of racism outright. But still we feel there are certain elements in the society who are continuing it because old habits die hard. Most of the Governments in power had only paid lip service to the concept of peace building and social cohesion. It was merely a show either to appease Geneva or to get a donation or just to plead some international donor. But this Government doesn’t consider peace building and social cohesion as a mere show. It is our main project and we will push Government policies forward to that end. The Minister said, “We understand we are culturally different and we have different ethnic identities and cultural identities. We respect them all and the Government will make policies to encourage and preserve each other’s cultural identities. No matter how many laws you bring in and whatever the policies speak about to build peace, social cohesion and friendship, the bridge of friendship must be built first. It should start in our minds. Still, we geographically speak about the North and the South. That mindset has to be settled first and that is a serious problem. We are here to represent Sri Lankans of all ethnic origins, races and casts. No matter whatever the divisions, we have to create a unified Sri Lanka. Social inclusion, gender equality and inclusive principles, respecting cultural diversity is essential. Otherwise, this country will not go forward. I am happy to say that my Ministry of National Integration takes this job seriously and encourages all those stakeholders in the Government as well as non-Government to be hopeful and work with us on peace building and social cohesion because this Government is very serious about it.” Right to commemorate the dead Minister Nanayakkara said some of these old habits die hard. As Minister Ananda Wijepala had told Parliament false information was circulated in the media about the Mahaviru commemorations held in the North. We admit the fact that in a civilised society the relatives of those who died have the right to commemorate them or invoke blessing on them. However, that did not happen when it came to the North. When we were in the Opposition we were subjected to state suppression and their stringent laws, violating our human rights. Therefore, as a party, we will not introduce any law to restrict the freedom of expression of the people or violate their rights to engage in politics. We govern with the mandate of the public will. The law is not so essential to a Government which has a clear public mandate and we always appear on behalf of the people. There is an accepted law in the country. As a policy we admit that the PTA should be abolished. However, even in developed countries, they have legislation to face global terrorism. We should formulate a counter terrorism act to suit international best practices and definitions. Definition given to the word ‘terrorism’ in all those recently introduced bills had restricted the freedom of expression of the people which has been enshrined in the Constitution. Until we formulate new laws, if any form of racism or religious extremism emerges, we will have to deal with such incidents in keeping with the prevailing laws. He said, “I admit the fact that freedom of expression is essential and this Government will take positive action to ensure that. However, the freedom of expression and committing a crime are two closely related facts. People can post anything on Facebook and that is their freedom of expression. However, Minister Ananda Wijepala had clearly explained what had really happened. One person who had got involved in that incident was a DNF candidate. He had circulated fake social media posts on Mahaviru commemorations that were not held in the North. What is their ulterior motive? Is it just an attempt to exercise their right legally? Otherwise, is this an attempt to create a division and conflict between the North and the South, paving the way to emerge yet another ethnic conflict in the country? I would like to appeal before writing songs and poems on the freedom of expression, please look into this aspect as well. We are new to govern but we are not new to politics. It is normal for the Opposition to test our strengths and limits from time to time and that is something we expect. They can clash with us ideologically and differ from us politically. We would respond to them democratically and politically. But any citizen in this country who thinks that race and religion could be used again for political gain, I tell you to think again and again.” No racism or religious extremism The Minister said, “This Government will not stand for racism or religious extremism in any form or the other. It will be defeated with whatever the laws we have enforced. If we are in the Government or the Opposition, we all are against racism and religious extremism. We all can join hands from that particular point but we will not be able to do so in some other matters. However, as the new Parliament, we all should join hands for this particular aspect by setting a new example. Although we have different political ideologies, all MPs who represent this Parliament are against racism and religious extremism. If we can take this message to the bottom level, there will be true social cohesion and peace building. So, I am inviting all Parliamentarians to help the Government with that initiative. Yes, we can fight politics another day on another topic. But let’s unite for this because the country has suffered enough and more. Enough tears had been shed in the North and the South and enough blood had run through this land. It has to come to an end and that can only happen by respecting one another’s cultural identities and diversities.” Minister Nanayakkara said the laws belong to the people and that laws are there to protect the people and their interest. Laws are essential for those who are marginalised, weak and poor. Our laws must focus not only on the making of them or even the implementation to make sure that their rights are protected. Three Bills, Proceeds of Crime Bill, Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency Bill and amendments to the Audit Act will be presented to Parliament in the first quarter of next year. The whole idea of this is to recover stolen assets, trace the proceeds of crimes with one law and to effectively deter money laundering, drug trafficking and all related vices. The Audit Act and Insolvency Bill are there to improve the creditor’s confidence and to protect the debtor’s right to bring some uniformity and update. So, this Government is serious about what is said about it. Let’s build this country together. Let’s fight politics and that’s another matter. But I invite you all, let’s uphold the rule of law. There are so many law delays causing massive issues. Some of the delays are due to lack of resources and some human and technical errors. There are over one million court cases in the entire court system. At present, the ease of doing business in the country is very low-ranking and the rule of law far less. SJB Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara told the Sunday Observer that his personal opinion is that nobody can prevent the right of a person to light a lamp in memory of a deceased person. Since 2009, we have been maintaining this stance. However, it was not allowed those days. These Mahaviru commemorations have been held since 2011. The issue is these commemorations are held during the Mahaviru week. It was LTTE Leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran who declared the Mahaviru week. Should these commemorations be held during the Mahaviru week? A circular has been issued in 2011 specifying guidelines as to how these commemorations should be held. A large number of Mahaviru commemorations were held by violating the guidelines in that particular circular. Except for two persons, those who violated the circular had not yet been arrested. However, a person in the South who shared information of those incidents took place in the North was arrested under the PTA. But those who violated the law have not been arrested. Outdated law It is completely wrong to arrest people under the PTA. The PTA is an outdated law in the country. I would like to say that anybody should not be arrested or detained under the PTA and it should be implemented equally to North and the South. However, the PTA is used to arrest people in the South and the ordinary law is used to deal with the incidents that take place in the North. This is the issue I raised in Parliament. As the JVP holds Il Maha Viru Samaruma to commemorate their fallen comrades, the people in the North also have the right to talk about the deaths of their people and conduct Mahaviru commemorations. We should also keep in mind that thousands of war heroes and police personnel sacrificed their lives to safeguard the motherland. In addition, a large number of people had died and some became disabled due to LTTE bomb attacks. Therefore, they also might feel hurt when such incidents occur. I told Parliament that the Government should seriously consider this issue. There are some extremist groups in all parts of the country including North, East and the South. However, there is a law in the country to prevent any form of extremist acts and I would like to say that the law should be implemented equal to everybody. The new political transformation in the North is a very positive development. The people in the North and the East who were trapped by Tamil and Muslim parties had voted for a national political party in the South. It is a very significant development and it was unable to do so over the past many years. I think it is the responsibility of all of us to safeguard the trust and mandate given by the people in the North and the East.
PTI convoy led by Bushra Bibi, Gandapur reaches Hazro Interchange amid protestsWINDHOEK, Namibia (AP) — Namibia elected its first female leader as Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was declared the winner Tuesday of a presidential election last week that was tarnished by technical glitches that caused a three-day extension to allow votes to be cast, and rejected as illegal by opposition parties. The 72-year-old Nandi-Ndaitwah won with 57% of the vote, defying predictions that she might be forced into a runoff. Her ruling SWAPO party also retained its parliamentary majority, although by a very thin margin, and extended its 34-year hold on power since the southern African country gained independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. Namibia, a sparsely populated country of around 3 million on the southwestern coast of Africa, has a reputation for being one of the continent's more stable democracies and the problems around the election have caused consternation. Last Wednesday's vote was marred by shortages of ballot papers and other problems that led election officials to extend voting until Saturday. Opposition parties have said the extension is unconstitutional, and some have pledged to join together in a legal appeal to have the election invalidated. The Electoral Commission of Namibia, which ran the election, rejected opposition calls for a redo of the vote. It has undermined Nandi-Ndaitwah's place in history. She is set to become her country's fifth president since independence and a rare female leader in Africa. She was a member of Namibia's underground independence movement in the 1970s and received part of her higher education in the then-Soviet Union. She was promoted to vice president in February after President Hage Geingob died while in office . Nangolo Mbumba, who became president after Geingob's death, didn't run in the election. The ruling SWAPO party won 51 seats in the parliamentary vote, only just passing the 49 it needed to keep its majority and narrowly avoiding becoming another long-ruling party to be rejected in southern Africa this year. It was SWAPO's worst parliamentary election result. A mood of change has swept across the region, with parties that led their countries out of white minority or colonial rule in neighboring South Africa and Botswana both losing their long-held political dominance. South Africa's African National Congress, which freed the country from the racist system of apartheid, lost its 30-year majority in an election in May and had to form a coalition. Botswana's ruling party was stunningly removed in a landslide in October after governing for 58 years since independence from Britain. Mozambique's long-ruling Frelimo has been accused of rigging an October election and has faced weeks of violent protests against its rule. SWAPO faced similar challenges as those countries, with frustration at high unemployment and economic hardship, especially among young people, driving a desire for era-ending change. In a brief speech after the results were announced late Tuesday night, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibians had voted for peace, stability and youth empowerment. “We are going to do what we promised you during the campaigns. Thank you for your confidence and trust in us," she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah was also due to address the nation on Wednesday morning. “SWAPO Wins. Netumbo Wins. Namibia Wins. Now Hard Work,” the ruling party posted on its official account on social media site X. Some opposition parties boycotted the announcement by the Electoral Commission of Namibia at its results center in the capital, Windhoek. The commission has been roundly criticized for its running of the vote, with many angry Namibians complaining they had to wait hours and sometimes over multiple days for the chance to vote. Just over 1 million votes were cast out of 1.4 million registered voters, according to the electoral commission. Panduleni Itula, the leading opposition candidate from the Independent Patriots for Change party, was second in the presidential election with 25% of the vote. His party won the second-largest number of seats in Parliament behind SWAPO. Itula and his party have led the criticism of the vote and said they will lodge their appeal against the election this week. Other opposition parties said they will join that legal challenge. Itula has said that thousands of voters may have been prevented from voting as only some polling stations allowed an extension. "This election has violated the very tenets of our Electoral Act. Namibians deserve the right to choose their leaders freely and fairly, not through a rigged process,” he said. Namibia is a former German colony that came under South African control after World War I and its Black majority was later subjected to some of South Africa’s apartheid policies. SWAPO was at the forefront of the battle for independence from South Africa. While the country has swaths of desert running through it, it has diamond and uranium resources and untapped oil and gas off its coast that is being explored by international companies and could make it a major producer of both. ___ AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa The Associated PressOpinion: Fareed Zakaria: Why DOGE is an essential and important ideaVardy helps Van Nistelrooy to first win with Leicester as Guehi defies the FA with religious message
HK should stick with China amid incoming Trump storm - SunAP Business SummaryBrief at 2:22 p.m. EST
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By ERIC TUCKER WASHINGTON (AP) — A ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans, a top White House official said Friday. Biden administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies , as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, told reporters Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. The update from Neuberger is the latest development in a massive hacking operation that has alarmed national security officials, exposed cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the private sector and laid bare China’s hacking sophistication. The hackers compromised the networks of telecommunications companies to obtain customer call records and gain access to the private communications of “a limited number of individuals.” Though the FBI has not publicly identified any of the victims, officials believe senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures are among those whose whose communications were accessed. Related Articles National News | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National News | US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people National News | Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds National News | Another jackpot surpasses $1 billion. Is this the new normal? National News | Man indicted in burning death of woman inside a New York City subway train, prosecutors say Neuberger said officials did not yet have a precise sense how many Americans overall were affected by Salt Typhoon, in part because the Chinese were careful about their techniques, but a “large number” were in the Washington-Virginia area. Officials believe the goal of the hackers was to identify who owned the phones and, if they were “government targets of interest,” spy on their texts and phone calls, she said. The FBI said most of the people targeted by the hackers are “primarily involved in government or political activity.” Neuberger said the episode highlighted the need for required cybersecurity practices in the telecommunications industry, something the Federal Communications Commission is to take up at a meeting next month. “We know that voluntary cyber security practices are inadequate to protect against China, Russia and Iran hacking of our critical infrastructure,” she said. The Chinese government has denied responsibility for the hacking.“Barbenheimer” was a phenomenon impossible to manufacture. But, more than a year later, that hasn’t stopped people from trying to make “Glicked” — or even “Babyratu” — happen. The counterprogramming of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” in July 2023 hit a nerve culturally and had the receipts to back it up. Unlike so many things that begin as memes, it transcended its online beginnings. Instead of an either-or, the two movies ultimately complemented and boosted one another at the box office. This combination of images shows promotional art for "Gladiator II," left, and "Wicked." And ever since, moviegoers, marketers and meme makers have been trying to recreate that moment, searching the movie release schedule for odd mashups and sending candidates off into the social media void. Most attempts have fizzled (sorry, “Saw Patrol” ). This weekend is perhaps the closest approximation yet as the Broadway musical adaptation “Wicked” opens Friday against the chest-thumping sword-and-sandals epic “Gladiator II.” Two big studio releases (Universal and Paramount), with one-name titles, opposite tones and aesthetics and big blockbuster energy — it was already halfway there before the name game began: “Wickiator,” “Wadiator,” “Gladwick” and even the eyebrow raising “Gladicked” have all been suggested. “'Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more,” actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening of “Gladiator II” this week. “I think we should all band around ‘Glicked.’ It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it.” As with “Barbenheimer," as reductive as it might seem, “Glicked” also has the male/female divide that make the fan art extra silly. One is pink and bright and awash in sparkles, tulle, Broadway bangers and brand tie-ins; The other is all sweat and sand, blood and bulging muscles. Both films topped Fandango’s most anticipated holiday movie survey, where 65% of respondents said that they were interested in the “Glicked” double feature. Theaters big and small are also pulling out the stops with movie-themed tie-ins. B&B Theaters will have Roman guards tearing tickets at some locations and Maximus popcorn tubs. Marcus Theaters is doing Oz photo ops and friendship bracelet-making. Alamo Drafthouse is leaning into the singalong aspect (beware, though, not all theaters are embracing this) and the punny drinks like “Defying Gravi-Tea.” This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cynthia Erivo, left, and Ariana Grande in a scene from the film "Wicked." “Rather than it being in competition, I think they’re in conversation,” “Gladiator II” star Paul Mescal said. “This industry needs a shot in the arm. Those films gave it last year. We hope to do it this year.” And the hope is that audiences will flock to theaters to be part of this moment as well. It's a sorely needed influx of could-be blockbusters into a marketplace that's still at an 11% deficit from last year and down 27.2% from 2019, according to data from Comscore. “Competition is good for the marketplace. It’s good for consumers,” said Michael O'Leary, the president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners. “Having two great movies coming out at the same time is simply a multiplier effect.” “Glicked” is currently tracking for a combined North American debut in the $165 million range, with “Wicked” forecast to earn around $100 million (up from the $80 million estimates a few weeks ago) and “Gladiator II” pegged for the $65 million range. “Barbenheimer” shattered its projections last July. Going into that weekend, “Barbie” had been pegged for $90 million and “Oppenheimer” around $40 million. Ultimately, they brought in a combined $244 million in that first outing, and nearly $2.4 billion by the end of their runs. It’s possible “Glicked” will exceed expectations, too. And it has the advantage of another behemoth coming close behind: “Moana 2,” which opens just five days later on the Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday. “Glickedana” triple feature anyone? This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Pedro Pascal, left, and Paul Mescal in a scene from "Gladiator II." “These are 10 important days,” O'Leary said. “It’s going to show the moviegoing audience that there’s a lot of compelling stuff out there for them to see.” There are infinite caveats to the imperfect comparison to “Barbenheimer,” as well. “Wicked” is a “Part One.” Musicals carry their own baggage with moviegoers, even those based on wildly successful productions (ahem, “Cats”). “Gladiator II” got a head start and opened internationally last weekend. In fact, in the U.K. it played alongside “Paddington in Peru,” where that double was pegged “Gladdington.” “Gladiator” reviews, while positive, are a little more divided than the others. And neither directors Ridley Scott nor Jon M. Chu has the built-in box office cache that Christopher Nolan’s name alone carries at the moment. The new films also cost more than “Barbie” ($145 million) and “Oppenheimer” ($100 million). According to reports, “Gladiator II” had a $250 million price tag; “Wicked” reportedly cost $150 million to produce (and that does not include the cost of the second film, due next year). The narrative, though, has shifted away from “who will win the weekend.” Earlier this year, Chu told The Associated Press that he loves that this is a moment where “we can root for all movies all the time.” Close behind are a bevy of Christmas releases with double feature potential, but those feel a little more niche. There’s the remake of “Nosferatu,” the Nicole Kidman kink pic “Babygirl” and the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.” The internet can’t even seem to decide on its angle for that batch of contenders, and none exactly screams blockbuster. Sometimes the joy is just in the game, however. Some are sticking with the one-name mashup (“Babyratu”); others are suggesting that the fact that two of the movies feature real-life exes (Timothée Chalamet and Lily-Rose Depp) is enough reason for a double feature. And getting people talking is half the battle. When in doubt, or lacking a catchy name, there’s always the default: “This is my Barbenheimer.” Associated Press journalist John Carucci and Film Writer Jake Coyle contributed reporting. Last summer, Malibu's iconic blonde faced off against Cillian Murphy and the hydrogen bomb in the unforgettable "Barbenheimer" double feature. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. 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Is ‘Glicked’ the new ‘Barbenheimer’? ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ collide in theaters
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank (WB) has estimated Pakistan’s total external debt stocks at $130.847 billion by end 2023 compared to $127.708 billion by end-2022. The World Bank in its latest report, “International Debt Report 2024, noted that the South Asia region saw the biggest yearly increase in interest payments on public and publicly guaranteed (PPG) debtin 2023, rising 62 per cent to $12.5 billion. The increase was most noticeable in Bangladesh and India, whose interest payments increased by more than 90per cent in 2023; Pakistan made the second-largest interest payments in the region. Govt debt stocks rise to Rs69.9trn For IDA-eligible countries, interest payments on total debt stock have tripled since 2013 to an all-time high of $34.6 billion in 2023. Interest payments as a share of export earnings, a measure of the repayment capacity of a country, significantly increased by 1.6 percentage points in 2023 to 5.8 per cent, equivalent to an increase last recorded in 2005. Mozambique (38.3 per cent), Senegal (25.9 per cent), Pakistan (13.6 per cent), Kenya (12.8 per cent), and Dominica (10.3 per cent) had the highest ratios of interest payments on total debt to export earnings, a situation that has weakened their fiscal positions. The IMF repurchases for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), excluding Argentina, more than doubled in 2023 to $12.2 billion, with the top repurchases registered from Egypt, Ukraine, and Pakistan. The IMF repurchases outpaced the increase in new lending, which rose 12.9 per cent to $14.8 billion in 2023, as new IMF lending has stabilised after the extraordinary support provided in 2020 during the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. In terms of volume, the top five LMIC recipients of personal remittances in 2023 were India at US$119.5 billion, followed by Mexico ($66.2 billion), the Philippines ($39.1 billion), China ($29.1 billion), and Pakistan ($26.6 billion). The World Bank report noted that total external debt stocks stood at $130.847 billion by 2023 including the use of IMF credit and SDR allocations of $11.532 billion against $11.522 billion in 2022, long-term external debt of $110.437 billion in 2023 against $107.418 billion in 2022. Public and publicly guaranteed debt, by creditor and creditor type in 2023, including IMF credit includes 46per cent multilateral, (18 per cent World Bank, 15 per cent ADB, 13 per other multilateral), 45 per cent bilateral (22 per cent China, 7 per cent Saudi Arabia, 8 per cent other bilateral) and 9 per cent private (8 per cent bondholders, 8 per cent multiple lenders). Short-term external debt stood at $8.878 billion in 2023 compared to $8.768 billion in 2022. According to the data, external debt stocks as percentage of export was 352.4 in 2023 compared to 322.1 per cent in 2022, external debt stocks to GNI was 39.3 per cent in 2023 compared to 34.6 per cent in 2022, debt service as percentage of exports was 43.1 in 2023 compared to 42 per cent in 2022, gross national income (GNI) was 332,603.5 in 2023 compared to 369,540.0 in 2022. Of the long-term external debt stocks include; public and publically guaranteed debt $92.990 billion in 2023 compared to $91.220 billion in 2022. Commercial banks and others stood at $440 million in 2023 compared to $2.096 billion in 2022. Copyright Business Recorder, 2024The rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump's promises on growth and inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has big plans for the economy. He also has big debt problem that'll be a hurdle to delivering on those plan. Trump has bold ambitions on tax cuts, tariffs and other programs. But high interest rates and the price of repaying the federal government’s existing debt could limit what he’s able to do. The federal debt stands at roughly $36 trillion, and the spike in inflation after the pandemic has pushed up the government’s borrowing costs such that debt service next year will easily exceed spending on national security. 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator' make gravity-defying theater debuts NEW YORK (AP) — “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” have debuted in theaters with a combined $270 million in ticket sales. Their worldwide performance breathed fresh life into global box office results that have struggled lately. Together the films turned the moviegoing weekend into one of the busiest of the year. Jon M. Chu’s lavish big-budget musical “Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, debuted with $114 million domestically and $164.2 million globally. Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” is a sequel to his 2000 best picture-winning original and launched with $55.5 million in ticket sales. “Moana 2” is being released Wednesday, so it looks like Hollywood might be looking at historic sales over the Thanksgiving holiday. Trump's Republican Party is increasingly winning union voters. It's a shift seen in his labor pick WASHINGTON (AP) — Working-class voters helped Republicans make steady election gains this year and expanded a coalition that increasingly includes rank-and-file union members. It's a political shift spotlighting one of President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Cabinet picks: a GOP congresswoman, who has drawn labor support, to be his labor secretary. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term this month, despite strong backing from union members. They're a key part of the Democratic base but are gravitating in the Trump era toward a Republican Party traditionally allied with business interests. Trump raced to pick many Cabinet posts. He took more time to settle on a treasury secretary WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump launched a blitz of picks for his Cabinet, but he took his time settling on billionaire investor Scott Bessent as his choice for treasury secretary. The Republican not only wanted someone who jibes with him, but an official who can execute his economic vision and look straight out of central casting while doing so. With his Yale University education and pedigree trading for Soros Fund Management before establishing his own funds, Bessent will be tasked with a delicate balancing act. Trump expects him to help reset the global trade order, enable trillions of dollars in tax cuts, ensure inflation stays in check, manage a ballooning national debt and still keep the financial markets confident. Trump chooses Bessent to be treasury secretary, Vought as budget chief, Chavez-DeRemer for Labor WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has chosen hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, an advocate for deficit reduction, to serve as his next treasury secretary. Bessent, 62, is founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management. He previously had worked on and off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. Trump also said he would nominate Russell Vought, 48, to lead the Office of Management and Budget, a position he held during Trump's first term. And Trump chose Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, an Oregon Republican, as his labor secretary, and Scott Turner, a former football player who worked in Trump’s first administration, as his housing secretary. Afraid of losing the US-Canada trade pact, Mexico alters its laws and removes Chinese parts MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico has been taking a bashing for allegedly serving as a conduit for Chinese parts and products into North America. Officials here are terrified that a re-elected Donald Trump or politically struggling Justin Trudeau could simply expel their country from the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement. Mexico's ruling Morena party is so afraid its has gone on a campaign to get companies to replace Chinese parts with locally made ones. And its legislators are consciously tweaking the wording of major laws to try to make them compatible with the trade pact's language. Mexico hopes the rules of the trade pact would prevent the U.S. or Canada from simply walking away. Australia withdraws a misinformation bill after critics compare it to censorship CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s government has withdrawn a bill that would give a media watchdog power to monitor digital platforms and require them to keep records about misinformation and disinformation on their networks. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said Sunday that the government was unable to drum up the support needed to pass the legislation. The opposition spokesman, David Coleman, said the bill “betrayed our democracy” and amounted to “censorship laws in Australia.” The bill would have granted the Australian Communications and Media Authority power over digital platforms by approving an enforceable code of conduct or standards for social media companies if self-regulation fell short. He'll be the last meatpacker in the Meatpacking District. Here's how NYC's gritty 'hood got chic NEW YORK (AP) — The last meatpackers in New York's Meatpacking District have agreed to end their leases early and make way for development on their city-owned lot. A third-generation meatpacker says he is ready to retire and he'll be proud to be there when the building closes. The closure date has not been set, but will mark the end of over a century of industrial life in the Meatpacking District. Starting in the 1970s, a new nightlife scene emerged as bars and nightclubs moved in. Today it's a hub for shopping, tourism, and recreation and only echoes of that grit remain. US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems? DALLAS (AP) — Delta and United Airlines have become the most profitable U.S. airlines by targeting premium customers while also winning a significant share of budget travelers. That is squeezing smaller low-fare carriers like Spirit Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday. Some travel industry experts think Spirit’s troubles indicate less-wealthy passengers will have fewer choices and higher prices. Other discount airlines are on better financial footing but also are lagging far behind the full-service airlines when it comes to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Most industry experts think Frontier and other so-called ultra-low-cost carriers will fill the vacuum if Spirit shrinks, and that there's still plenty of competition to prevent prices from spiking. What to know about Scott Bessent, Trump's pick for treasury secretary WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has chosen money manager Scott Bessent, an advocate for deficit reduction and deregulation, to serve as his next treasury secretary. Bessent is a past supporter of Democrats who has become an enthusiastic supporter of Trump. He’s an advocate of cutting spending while extending the tax cuts approved by Congress in Trump’s first term. He has said tariffs imposed during a second Trump administration would be directed primarily at China.
Sambhal Violence: 20 detained, internet suspended after Islamists indulge in violence and arson during mosque surveyCarbon capture technology is vital in tackling climate change, says SFU prof
Apparently, last Sundays' writer (Post Election 2024: Send in the clowns), forgot the rest of the song: Don't bother, they're already here. Michael Willis Green Valley Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star. Follow these steps to easily submit a letter to the editor or guest opinion to the Arizona Daily Star. 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. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!Josh Gottheimer trades in Microsoft options, buys and sells various stocks