PARIS For years, the world knew them only as “Caesar” and “Sami.” Since 2014, these pseudonyms have become synonymous with exposing torture in Syrian prisons under the Bashar al-Assad regime. The gruesome images they smuggled out shocked global consciences, prompting the US to enact the Caesar Act sanctions against Syria. Their photos have also been used in Western courts to convict Syrian officials accused of torture and human rights abuses during their time in power. -Who is Sami, the ‘twin witness’ alongside Caesar? In his first public interview using his real name and image, Sami, now revealed as Osama Othman, shared his story with the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. Othman, currently chairman of the Caesar Files Group, was a civil engineer when the Syrian uprising began in 2011. Initially peaceful, the revolution spiralled into a bloodbath as Assad's forces brutally suppressed it. Sami lived in rural Damascus, where areas were divided between opposition forces and government troops. His area was controlled by factions within what became known as the Free Syrian Army. But someone very close to him, later known as “Caesar,” worked in regime-controlled areas. His job was far from ordinary. His mission was to document the deaths in Syrian security branches, documenting them through photos: a headless corpse, a body without eyes, another marked with signs of severe torture. Some bore marks of starvation. Naked corpses carried numbers. Thousands of photos. Women, men and children. Many of their “crimes” were officially classified as “terrorism.” But how could the crime of a child be labelled “terrorism”? The brutal nature of the crimes led both Sami and Caesar to work together to document what was happening in Syrian prisons and detention centers, particularly in Damascus, where Caesar worked, often documenting the deaths of at least 70 people daily. The two men began collaborating in May 2011, with Caesar smuggling photos via USB drives and handing them over to Sami in opposition-controlled areas. ‘Daddy...why are they sleeping without clothes?’ The smuggler of the Syrian torture archive, Sami, often hesitated to speak about himself and avoided answering questions on this topic. However, after some pressure, he shared a glimpse of his experience. He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Even my children didn’t know they were the children of this man (Sami) carrying the secret code. Sometimes, by accident, as I was watching and searching for a photo late at night, I was surprised to find my little son entering and coming to me while I was looking at the computer and asking, 'Daddy, why are these people sleeping without clothes?' In his innocence, he thought they were just asleep. This pain is hard to bear, especially when you have to make your child live in such anxiety and stress. It was necessary to protect our children by protecting ourselves.” He further reflected on his emotions of that time, saying: “You made a very dangerous decision, so why should others bear the responsibility of this decision? People you didn’t consult when you left. People who were very young and others who were much older, and you burdened them with fear without asking them, at a moment when you decided your responsibility was greater than your love for your family.” The efforts of Sami and Caesar resulted in the smuggling of tens of thousands of photos of torture victims’ bodies out of Syria. The photos were first revealed in 2014, after they had escaped Syria. Today, these images are part of the “indictment” against the security agencies of Bashar al-Assad's regime. In fact, the crimes were not limited to one prison or another. Torture practices were widespread, leaving little doubt that this was a systematic policy likely backed by the highest levels of the regime. When asked why he decided to break his silence and reveal his true identity, he responded: “Syrians know the answer to this question. I think the answer is obvious to most Syrians, both inside and outside the country. The nature of the work and the nature of the file we brought out of Syria, which went through many complicated stages and steps until we reached this blessed day, made it necessary for me to conceal my identity and that of many of the team members.” “Today, thank God, we are in a completely different situation. We are in a different place. A new Syria. I wanted Syrians to know what happened, and I also want to address them and the authorities in Damascus, expressing what we hope for regarding human rights issues related to documenting and archiving data and evidence that will lead us to a stage of accountability and transitional justice for stability in Syrian society. I believe this matter is worth speaking out about so we can tell the world what we know, so future generations do not face the same problems,” he added. “I never thought, honestly, that I would live to say these words. Congratulations to our people in Syria on the fall of Assad. And congratulations to all the righteous people in the world on Assad's fall. Thank you to all who stood by our revolution, and shame on those who stood against it. After 14 years of working in secrecy, facing fear and anxiety, the sun of freedom is now rising over Syria, a freedom for which our people have paid a heavy price. A team of unsung heroes led a complex, risky task, with dangers not only from the regime but from other sources as well. Today, we vow to continue defending the dignity of the Syrian people, wherever they are.” The necessity of accountability Sami stressed the importance of “accountability” in Syria today, after the fall of the previous regime. “At this crucial moment in Syria’s history, as we prepare to enter a new phase after more than five decades of the Assad family's rule, we call on the new government to work diligently to achieve justice, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure the dignity of human rights as a foundation for building a better future that all Syrians dream of,” he said. “In recent days, and in the events preceding them, we have witnessed a significant increase in the likelihood of chaos resulting from the remnants of the Syrian regime. The random entries of citizens into prisons and detention centers has led to the destruction or loss of critical documents and official records that reveal violations from decades ago.” He emphasized that “the full responsibility for the destruction of evidence and the loss of the rights of detainees and survivors falls on the shoulders of the security officials of the former regime, both those who have left and those still in office, as well as the current forces preparing to take control of Damascus.” “Although what is happening now is expected after the country's liberation from the Syrian regime, urgent intervention is necessary to gather the evidence and documents from the archives of the previous security institutions, ministries, and other government bodies. This raises our concern that the former regime’s employees are still working, which allows them to destroy or erase critical files related to exposing the crimes of the fallen regime,” he added. Fate of the ‘Baath Party’ files Sami believes that “all institutions of the former regime contain files of great significance, whether security, civil or military. We are also concerned about the erasure of files from the Baath Party branches and affiliates, which, as all Syrians know, were essentially security institutions that practiced all forms of physical and psychological intimidation against our people throughout the years of the revolution.” “We hope that this step will involve human rights organizations concerned with investigating and addressing human rights violations. The delay in uncovering the locations of official and secret detention centers, especially in liberated areas or those not yet reached by armed opposition forces, in addition to circulating testimonies and information about detainees being transferred to unknown locations just before the regime's fall, reflects a disregard for the lives of these individuals.” Sami called on the current authorities to “take immediate and transparent steps to disclose the fate of detainees and victims who died under torture in Syrian prisons and to arrest all those responsible for managing and operating the prisons.” “They must urgently provide documents showing the names and numbers of victims to ensure families’ right to know the fate of their loved ones. The Syrian people's right to access the truth cannot be compromised; it is a duty for all concerned parties. Tolerating those responsible for these crimes under any pretext is a direct violation of humanitarian and legal standards and gives the green light to reproduce the tools of oppression and violations practiced by the security apparatuses that remain in place.” The Syrian activist emphasized that “achieving justice requires holding accountable everyone involved in the crimes committed against the Syrian people, and that achieving peace and stability in Syria depends on transitional justice as a core principle at this stage.” “We call for a national reconciliation based on the principles of justice and accountability, ensuring the rights of all components of the Syrian people in a safe and stable environment that respects their dignity and meets their needs while guaranteeing that no one escapes punishment under any guise,” Sami added. Opposition ‘imposed’ on the people Sami criticized certain factions within the Syrian opposition without naming them, speaking about their “failures.” “Given the past political failures of the opposition that were imposed on the Syrian people, we stress the need for immediate reassuring statements regarding their vision and how they intend to involve the people in decision-making and initiate the process of building a society in a manner that respects the will of the Syrian people and guarantees their right to self-determination.” He called on the current authorities “to strengthen and facilitate the work of all civil society organizations operating both inside and outside Syria. We also urge all these organizations to actively support efforts to achieve transitional justice in Syria, involve the Syrian people in developments regularly, contribute to providing humanitarian and medical support to survivors of detention and enforced disappearances, and ensure that all those involved in crimes are held accountable without impunity.” He demanded the “publication and circulation of the names of the officers responsible for the crimes and who are known to the Syrian people, monitoring both official and unofficial crossings, and calling on the official Syrian media institutions, which have long contributed to the oppression of Syrians, distorting facts and glorifying murderers, to return to their natural function as a tool that strengthens the citizens' trust in state institutions and as a source of accurate information.” “It pains us to see our people searching for the names of their missing loved ones on social media while the state's media is absent from performing its task, which was created solely as a public service institution, not a political tool.” ‘Crimes that do not statute-bar’ Sami reiterated that “crimes against humanity and genocide are not subject to statutes of limitations and cannot be forgiven under any circumstance. The Syria we dream of is a free Syria built on justice and equality. Transitional justice, preceding comprehensive national reconciliation, is the only way to build the Syria of the future.” “We all hope that Syria is now in a better place (than) the Syria our team left 11 years ago, along with thousands of tortured faces and mutilated bodies, hundreds of faces whose eyes had dreamed of being with us today,” he said. “I am not alone. There are many unsung heroes who contributed to reaching this stage. The Caesar File required tremendous efforts in Europe through the courts and in the US through Syrian organizations that worked tirelessly until they managed to push the US administration to issue the Caesar Act or the Civilian Protection Act, which is one of the outcomes of the Caesar File.”JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday that would end nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to pummel Hezbollah before the ceasefire takes hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. There appeared to be some lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement after it was presented by Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt . Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state," he said, referring to Israel's demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it says are Hezbollah targets across Lebanon as the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, and Aamer Madhani in Washington, contributed. Find more of AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
rich9 com agent sign up
。
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders was taken to a hospital for a neck injury after landing on his head while making a catch late in the first half of Sunday's 30-27 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. As Sanders was brought down near the sideline after a 10-yard reception, he was flipped upside down and landed directly on the top of his helmet as he went out of bounds on the tackle by cornerback Trent McDuffie. After receiving attention from the team's medical staff, Sanders was strapped to a backboard and taken off the field on a cart with 40 seconds remaining in the half. He was taken to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte for observation and later released Sunday afternoon, according to the team. On the CBS broadcast following halftime, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Sanders had movement in all his extremities, while extreme precaution was taken because of back tightness. CBS reported he was being examined for a concussion before later amending that to a neck injury. The 21-year-old rookie out of Texas had a team-leading three receptions for the Panthers at the half for 49 yards. In 11 games this season, Sanders has 29 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown. Sanders was a fourth-round selection in the NFL draft in April. --Field Level Media‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained?
Area high schools compete in state quarterfinalsIn the aftermath of the tragic stampede in Nigeria that took the lives of many, including children, the words from the Bible in Jeremiah 31:15 feel so real: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted because they are no more.” This verse paints a vivid picture of a mother’s deep sorrow, symbolising the collective grief of a nation losing its children. This sorrow should remind us of the urgent need for unity and compassion in the face of such profound loss. For Nigeria, grappling with hardship and heartbreak, this moment must become a lesson—not an opportunity for political games, but a time for true leadership and healing. The reference to Ramah is significant. According to biblical commentaries like those in Matthew 2:18, Ramah was a location tied to immense sorrow—a place where Jewish captives were gathered before being taken into exile. In the New Testament, this verse is echoed to describe the anguish of mothers during King Herod’s massacre of the innocents. Rachel’s weeping transcends individual grief, symbolizing a communal mourning for lost innocence and life. As Christmas approaches, the resonance of this story deepens. Just as mothers mourned during the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, we too, as Nigerians, must share in the pain of grieving families affected by this tragedy. Their sorrow is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the need for compassion. This recent stampede mirrors the sorrow captured in Jeremiah’s lament. Rachel’s weeping symbolized the heartbreak of a people torn apart by exile, a grief so profound it reverberates through history. Today’s tragedy echoes that anguish, as several incidents across Nigeria have claimed dozens of lives. In one instance, at least 32 people died in a stampede during a rush to collect Christmas gifts. Another report revealed the devastating loss of 10 lives, including children, at a charity event meant to bring relief. In yet another tragedy, the death toll at a food distribution center exceeded 50, leaving families shattered and communities in mourning. Festus Adedayo, in his poignant article “Harvest of Human Chickens for Christmas,” recounts the story of a mother who lost her newborn in the chaos, a life so young and innocent, gone in an instant. Separately, I also heard the heartbreaking story of another mother who had taken four children to a food distribution but tragically lost three of them in the chaos. These unimaginable losses expose the harsh reality of life for so many Nigerians, where even moments of goodwill can end in despair. Leadership is not about projecting invincibility but about showing compassion when things fall apart. Take former President Barack Obama as an example. During a memorial for slain peace officers in Dallas, he openly wept. This act of vulnerability was not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of deep care, which strengthened the bond between him and the American people. Having worked with an organization connected to Obama’s career, I have seen firsthand how such openness can create trust and a sense of shared purpose, inspiring hope even in the darkest times. Contrast this with leaders who attempt to appear unshakeable in moments that demand empathy and connection. For example, Donald Trump’s refusal to acknowledge his need for God’s forgiveness alienated many Christians, a key part of his political base. As someone who attended an evangelical institution deeply tied to Trump’s support during his election, I saw firsthand how such statements created unease within that community. Additionally, his premature departure from the hospital during his COVID-19 treatment—an effort to project strength—ultimately backfired, costing him both sympathy and credibility. Such actions demonstrated a disconnect between his leadership image and the emotional expectations of his followers. People need to see their leaders’ humanity, as it reassures them that their struggles and emotions are understood and shared. President Tinubu’s reliance on spokespersons to deliver “soft” messages after tragedies creates a sense of detachment. Nigerians need to see their president’s heart. A tear, a heartfelt speech, or an open show of grief could go a long way to heal the nation’s wounds. Leaders who don’t show they care risk appearing indifferent, which can deepen anger and disillusionment. That said, this is not a time for blame. Even with a free press, lashing out at Tinubu won’t help Nigeria heal. This tragedy demands collective mourning and a shared understanding of the loss and pain. Divisive criticism will only widen the gaps that need bridging. Beyond emotional leadership, practical solutions are essential. Take Nigeria’s fuel pricing issue: why should Nigerians pay international rates for fuel when they live in an oil-producing country? I’ve argued before that Dangote Refinery should sell fuel domestically at its production cost, not the global benchmark. Policies like this prioritize people over profits, demonstrating that leaders view citizens as individuals, not just statistics. Research underscores the importance of combining macroeconomic strategies with microeconomic realities. Articles like “Microeconomic Foundations of Macroeconomic Policy” highlight how integrating small-scale insights can improve large-scale plans. Leaders who focus solely on broad numbers often miss the lived struggles of real families. For example, “Microeconomic Behavior and Macroeconomic Outcomes” explains that effective policies must address daily challenges. By blending these perspectives, governments can create solutions that are fair and meaningful. History also teaches us that the greatest leaders—from Abraham Lincoln to Nelson Mandela—embraced vulnerability. Lincoln’s emotional speeches during the Civil War and Mandela’s tireless reconciliation efforts after apartheid united their people. They understood that true strength comes from compassion and connection. President Tinubu has a rare and pivotal opportunity to lead Nigeria through this moment of sorrow and despair. By demonstrating genuine care for the Nigerian people, he can rebuild trust and foster unity in a time of deep division. True leadership lies in vulnerability, which shows authenticity and strength. When a leader connects with the emotions of their people, it creates solidarity and a shared sense of purpose. This is Tinubu’s chance to demonstrate that genuine empathy and humanity are far more powerful than political posturing. So, what can President Tinubu do? First, he must address Nigerians directly, speaking not just as a leader but as a fellow human being who shares their grief. Honesty and vulnerability are powerful tools; they allow people to connect with their leader on a personal level. A heartfelt message, delivered with genuine emotion, can provide solace and restore trust during these painful times. Second, beyond words, he must take immediate steps to alleviate the everyday struggles that weigh heavily on Nigerians. Policies like reducing fuel prices to reflect the cost of domestic production, rather than international benchmarks, can offer tangible relief. Such actions signal that the government prioritizes the welfare of its citizens over profit margins or bureaucratic inertia. Finally, President Tinubu must cultivate a culture of empathy within his administration. This means creating a government that listens, understands, and acts on the needs of the people. By embedding compassion into policymaking and governance, he can rebuild faith in leadership and lay the foundation for a more unified and resilient Nigeria. Jeremiah 31:15 reminds us of the profound sorrow that accompanies loss, but it also shines a light on the promise of hope and renewal. As we reflect on this tragedy, it mustn’t inspire despair but a collective resolve to create a more compassionate and unified Nigeria. Let us hold the grieving families in our hearts, offering them solace through our empathy and solidarity. At the same time, we must look forward with determination, committing ourselves as a nation to the path of healing and restoration. We must ensure that such sorrow does not define our future but instead inspires meaningful change. Let us pray for the strength to rise above these challenges and for the wisdom to address the deep-rooted issues that have led us here. Unity is key; it is what binds us together as a nation and gives us the resilience to rebuild in the face of adversity. Together, let us envision a future where peace and compassion triumph over pain and despair, offering hope to the grieving families and to all Nigerians.
I’m A Celebrity fans question ITV’s ‘duty of care’ after Ant and Dec make shocking revelationFresh off their open date, the Baltimore Ravens prepare for their schedule to become busy
The Prime Minister insisted the UK will back Ukraine “for as long as it takes” as he made a speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London, but for the first time acknowledged the conflict could move towards a negotiated end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has in recent weeks suggested he is open to a possible ceasefire with Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Kyiv and its European allies meanwhile fear the advent of Donald Trump’s return to the White House could result in American aid being halted. President-elect Trump has said he would prefer to move towards a peace deal, and has claimed he could end the conflict on “day one” of his time in power. As he attempts to strike up a good relationship with the incoming president, Sir Keir revealed he had told Mr Trump the UK “will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come”. In his speech at London’s Guildhall, the Prime Minister said there is “no question it is right we support Ukraine”, as the UK’s aid to Kyiv is “deeply in our self-interest”. Allowing Russia to win the war would mean “other autocrats would believe they can follow Putin’s example,” he warned. Sir Keir added: “So we must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defence for as long as it takes. “To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence, and right to choose their own future.” Mr Zelensky told Sky News over the weekend he would be open to speaking with Mr Putin, but branded the Russian president a “terrorist”. He also suggested Ukrainian territory under his control should be taken under the “Nato umbrella” to try to stop the “hot stage” of the war with Russia. In a banquet speech focused on foreign affairs, the Prime Minister said it was “plain wrong” to suggest the UK must choose between its allies, adding: “I reject it utterly. “(Clement) Attlee did not choose between allies. (Winston) Churchill did not choose. “The national interest demands that we work with both.” Sir Keir said the UK and the US were “intertwined” when it came to commerce, technology and security. The Prime Minister added: “That’s why, when President Trump graciously hosted me for dinner in Trump Tower, I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come.” He also repeated his commitment to “rebuild our ties with Europe” and insisted he was right to try to build closer links with China. “It is remarkable that until I met President Xi last month there had been no face-to-face meeting between British and Chinese leaders for six years,” the Prime Minister said. “We can’t simply look the other way. We need to engage. To co-operate, to compete and to challenge on growth, on security concerns, on climate as well as addressing our differences in a full and frank way on issues like Hong Kong, human rights, and sanctions on our parliamentarians,” he added. The Prime Minister said he wants Britain’s role in the world to be that of “a constant and responsible actor in turbulent times”. He added: “To be the soundest ally and to be determined, always, in everything we do. “Every exchange we have with other nations, every agreement we enter into to deliver for the British people and show, beyond doubt, that Britain is back.” Ahead of Sir Keir’s speech, Lord Mayor Alastair King urged the Prime Minister and his Government to loosen regulations on the City of London to help it maintain its competitive edge. In an echo of Sir Keir’s commitment to drive the UK’s economic growth, the Lord Mayor said: “The idealist will dream of growth, but the pragmatist understands that our most effective machinery to drive growth is here in the City, in the hands of some of the brightest and most committed people that you will find anywhere in the world.”California residents on edge as high surf and flooding threats persist on Christmas Eve