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Providence, Oklahoma hope key players are back in BahamasA fugitive gains fame in New Orleans eluding dart guns and nets NEW ORLEANS (AP) — For months, a fugitive dog known as Scrim has transfixed the city of New Orleans. The 17-pound mutt has gained fame eluding a tenacious band of citizens wielding a tranquilizer dart gun and night vision binoculars. He's already escaped two homes. Now his sightings are plotted on a crowd-sourced Google map. Animal rescuers hope to capture the renegade pooch and put him in a place that's safe and secure. But there's a backlash, fueled by the now-viral video of Scrim leaping out a two-story window, under the hashtag #FreeScrim, as some think the dog should be able to roam free. McConnell falls and sprains wrist after GOP luncheon, colleague says he is 'fine' WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell fell and sprained his wrist while walking out of a GOP luncheon on Tuesday, the latest in a series of medical incidents for him in recent years. That's according to a senator who was with him when it happened. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the No. 3 Senate Republican and a doctor, said McConnell walked back to his office after the fall with no assistance and had “a small scratch.” Medical staff were seen taking a wheelchair into McConnell’s office just before a scheduled weekly news conference. McConnell, who is stepping down from his leadership post at the end of the year, did not attend the news conference. Who is Tony Buzbee, the lawyer suing Jay-Z as part of civil cases against Sean 'Diddy' Combs? HOUSTON (AP) — High-profile legal battles are nothing new for Texas attorney Tony Buzbee. His latest is a lawsuit he’s filed against rapper Jay-Z. Buzbee is accusing the iconic rapper as well as Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting a minor at an awards show after-party in 2000. The lawsuit against Jay-Z is part of multiple civil cases Buzbee has filed on behalf of more than 150 people who allege sexual abuse and exploitation at the hands of Combs, who denies the claims. In his legal career, Buzbee has represented a variety of clients, including victims of sexual assault and well-known politicians. His critics say he’s full of bluster and bombast. Buzbee's firm says he's worked to “pursue justice against powerful figures.” OpenAI releases AI video generator Sora but limits how it depicts people SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — OpenAI has publicly released its new artificial intelligence video generator Sora but won’t let most users depict people as it monitors for patterns of misuse. Users of a premium version of OpenAI’s flagship product ChatGPT can now use Sora to instantly create AI-generated videos based on written commands. Among the highlighted examples are high-quality video clips of sumo-wrestling bears and a cat sipping coffee. But only a small set of invited testers can use Sora to make videos of humans as OpenAI works to “address concerns around misappropriation of likeness and deepfakes,” the company said in a blog post. Soto's record $765 million, 15-year contract with Mets reverberates through Major League Baseball DALLAS (AP) — Juan Soto’s record $765 million, 15-year contract with the New York Mets, the largest and longest deal in baseball history, has reverberated across the winter meetings. It stung the Yankees, who offered $760 million over 16 years to the All-Star outfielder. Soto’s deal sparked even greater expectations in a free agent market that includes pitchers Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, first basemen Pete Alonso and Christian Walker, third baseman Alex Bregman and outfielder Anthony Santander. Many small-market teams have long sought a salary cap but the consensus since the 1994-95 strike has been not to propose a hard limit. Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to change his family’s trust over Fox News media empire control rejected RENO, Nev. (AP) — A sealed document obtained by The New York Times says a Nevada commissioner has ruled against Rupert Murdoch’s effort to change his family’s trust to give his son Lachlan Murdoch control of his media empire and ensure Fox News maintains its conservative editorial slant. The commissioner concluded in a decision filed on Saturday that the two men had acted in “bad faith” in their bid to amend the irrevocable trust. Lachlan Murdoch is the head of Fox News and News Corp. The trust divides control of the company equally among Murdoch’s four oldest children after his death. A lawyer for Rupert Murdoch says he and his son intend to appeal the ruling. Greyhound racing is increasingly rare worldwide. New Zealand now plans to outlaw the practice WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand's racing minister says the country will outlaw greyhound racing, citing the injury rates for racing dogs. He says it will be shut down over the next 20 months, allowing time for those it employs to find other work and homes to be found for the 2,900 racing dogs. New Zealand is one of only a handful of countries where commercial greyhound racing is held. The industry body says the government has not recognized the progress it has made in animal welfare. The government passed an urgent law Tuesday barring greyhound owners from killing dogs as the industry winds down. Trustee over Infowars auction asks court to approve The Onion's winning bid A trustee who oversaw the bankruptcy auction of Alex Jones’ Infowars is asking a judge to approve The Onion’s winning bid for the conspiracy-filled platform. Trustee Christopher Murray took the stand Tuesday in the second day of testimony at a hearing where a judge is scrutinizing the satirical news outlet’s winning offer. He told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston that he was there asking a court to approve the sale of Infowars’ parent company to The Onion’s parent company. It is not clear how quickly Lopez will rule. The Onion wants to turn Infowars’ website and social media accounts into parodies. Still rockin': As a singer turns 80, the Christmas song she sang as a teen is a holiday staple NEW YORK (AP) — Brenda Lee's memories of recording “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” are a little hazy now. But that's to be expected, since she was 13-years-old when it was made in 1958 and this month is celebrating her 80th birthday. The song has lived a remarkable life, and even unseated Mariah Carey's “All I Want for Christmas is You” at the top of the Billboard charts last year. Experts say the way it evokes a simpler time at the “Christmas party hop” is a key to its success. The song achieves the neat trick of sounding retro without being dated. Mass evacuation of Philippine villages underway after a brief but major volcanic eruption MANILA, Philippines (AP) — About 87,000 people are being evacuated in a central Philippine region after a volcano erupted with a huge plume of ash and superhot streams of gas and debris hurtling down its slopes. The eruption Monday of Mount Kanlaon on central Negros island did not cause any immediate casualties, but the alert level was raised one level, indicating further and more explosive eruptions may occur. Volcanic ash fell over a wide area, nine flights were canceled or diverted, schools were closed and a nighttime curfew was imposed in the most vulnerable areas. Mass evacuations were being carried out urgently in towns and villages nearest the volcano's western and southern slopes.

Utah Valley is on the road but looking no worse for wear. After one quarter, neither squad has the contest in the bag, but Utah Valley leads 34-32 over Western Georgia. If Utah Valley keeps playing like this, they'll bump their record up to 4-1 in no time. On the other hand, Western Georgia will have to make due with an 0-7 record unless they turn things around (and fast). Utah Valley Wolverines @ Western Georgia Wolves Current Records: Utah Valley 3-1, Western Georgia 0-6 When: Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 4 p.m. ET Where: Pete Hanna Center -- Homewood, Alabama TV: ESPN Plus Follow: CBS Sports App Online Streaming: Catch select College Basketball matches on Fubo (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) The Western Georgia Wolves will face off against the Utah Valley Wolverines at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Pete Hanna Center. The Wolves are looking for their season's first win. Western Georgia is headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week's over/under low at 153.5, but even that wound up being too high. They took a 64-54 hit to the loss column at the hands of Georgia Southern on Saturday. The matchup marked the Wolves' lowest-scoring contest so far this season. Meanwhile, Utah Valley skirted by Murray State 77-75 on Friday on a last-minute layup from Tanner Toolson with less than a second left in the second quarter. Carter Welling and Dominick Nelson were among the main playmakers for Utah Valley as the former almost dropped a double-double on 19 points and nine rebounds and the latter almost dropped a double-double on 15 points and nine rebounds. Western Georgia's defeat dropped their record down to 0-6. As for Utah Valley, their victory bumped their record up to 3-1. Western Georgia is hoping to beat the odds on Tuesday, as the experts think they're headed for a loss. This contest will be their seventh straight as the underdogs (so far over this stretch they are 3-2-1 against the spread). Utah Valley is a big 14.5-point favorite against Western Georgia, according to the latest college basketball odds . The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Wolverines as a 15-point favorite. The over/under is 141.5 points. See college basketball picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine's advanced computer model. Get picks now .Both Oklahoma and Providence are hoping they'll have key pieces back in place when the two undefeated teams square off in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday in Paradise Island, Bahamas. The Friars (5-0) are expected to have Bryce Hopkins available, according to a report from Field of 68. Hopkins was averaging 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds last season before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament Jan. 3. He returned to full-go practices last week, and Tuesday, Providence coach Kim English said Hopkins would be a "game-time decision" against the Sooners. "It's been a process," English said. "We're not rushing it." But English praised Hopkins' progress since the Friars' last game, Nov. 19, when Hopkins went through pregame warmups. "I thought he looked better than I remembered," English said. "He's been in our system for the past year. His patience, his understanding, his versatility on offense and defense ... it's been great to see him in practice." The Sooners (4-0) are hopeful that they'll get Brycen Goodine back. Goodine played for the Friars for two seasons from 2020-22 before transferring to Fairfield for two seasons and then to Oklahoma this offseason. Goodine suffered an ankle injury in the Sooners' opener Nov. 4 and has not played since. "He's a really tough kid and trying to push through it," Oklahoma coach Porter Moser said. "It will truly be one of those game-time decisions. He hasn't gone a full practice yet, just been pieces of practices." Playing with Goodine and Jadon Jones, expected to be two of the Sooners' top outside shooters, Moser said he's learned plenty about his team's offense. "When you're down those shooters, it's really a great weapon to know that a lot of other guys can knock down the open shot," Moser said. "It's been a huge takeaway." The Sooners have been led by Jalon Moore, who is averaging 18.8 points per game, and freshman Jeremiah Fears, who is averaging 15.5. Providence has been led by senior guard Bensley Joseph, who is averaging 11.8 points and 4.0 assists per game. Oklahoma has not played a game closer than 16 points yet this season, with an average margin of victory of 24 points. Providence has won its five games by an average of nearly 17 points per game. The teams will square off against either Davidson or No. 24 Arizona in the second round Thursday, with the winners playing each other in one semifinal while the losers play in a consolation semifinal. --Field Level MediaFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Looking for hard-to-find bottles of Kentucky bourbon to toast the holidays or add to a collection? Get your bids ready as the Bluegrass State launches its first online auction of confiscated alcohol. Whiskeys up for sale include two bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle, a Blanton’s Single Barrel Gold in box with Japanese markings and a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch Barrel Strength 2011. The sale is the result of a new Kentucky law, which allows alcohol confiscated from closed criminal investigations by the state’s alcoholic beverage control agency to be auctioned. Online bidding opens Wednesday and closes at midnight on Dec. 11. Proceeds will support programs promoting responsible alcohol use by adults and awareness programs for youths. “This is a really good auction,” Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, said by phone Tuesday. “There are some hard-to-find and rare bottles on there.” No estimate has been given on how much the auction might raise. “We look forward to seeing the response to this auction and have started planning additional auctions for 2025,” said Allyson Taylor, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The auction features 32 bottles of alcohol and includes a “stock the bar” bundle with bottles of wine, vodka, rum and whiskey, the agency said. But the stars are the hard-to-find and rare bourbons up for sale. “It’s not every day you go to a liquor store and find a bottle of Blanton’s Gold,” Gregory said. “You never go to a liquor store and find a bottle of Four Roses 2011.” The lineup includes bottles of E.H. Taylor bourbon, Blanton’s Single Barrel, Eagle Rare 10 yr., Weller Antique 107, Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Rye, Michter’s, an Old Forester gift set and more. A link to the online auction is available at ABC.ky.gov. Auction items cannot be shipped, so winning bidders must pick up items in Frankfort, the state said. The auctions will become a “can’t miss opportunity” for bourbon connoisseurs, Gregory said. Previously, confiscated bourbon or other spirits could end up being destroyed, he said. “We don’t like to see good bourbon poured down the drain,” Gregory said. Kentucky distillers produce 95% of the global bourbon supply, the Kentucky distillers’ group says. Bruce Schreiner, The Associated Press

While the new Government’s steps to eliminate wasteful expenditure are much applauded by the public, there is also a necessity to enact early electoral reforms to reduce the heavy burden on the treasury to elect people’s representatives and maintain them. Although the Government has many priorities to provide early solutions to reduce cost of living and related issues, it is also of paramount importance to enact electoral reforms before forthcoming Local Government and Provincial Councils election. Sri Lanka’s electoral system has undergone significant scrutiny and reform efforts in recent years, especially concerning Local Government elections and Provincial Councils. If the Local Government elections are held under the existing system, more than 8,000 representatives will be elected. However the electoral reforms already agreed upon by the political parties represented in the last parliament will reduce the numbers by half, thus saving the country a colossal amount of much-needed funds. These reforms aim to enhance democracy, ensure fair representation, and address the inefficiencies and criticisms of the existing electoral framework. Since 1978, Sri Lanka has operated under a mixed electoral system, combining elements of Proportional Representation (PR). The new proposed system will allow a mixture of PR and a first-past-the-post (FPTP) mechanism. While PR ensures broader representation of political parties, it has been criticised for diluting the direct accountability of representatives. Conversely, FPTP promotes accountability but risks underrepresenting smaller parties. The Local Government elections and provincial council system have been at the center of reform debates due to complaints about inefficiency corruption. The system also resulted in undue delays in holding elections. Provincial Councils were established under the 13th amendment to the constitution, which was introduced as a result of Indo-Sri Lanka agreement of 1987. The PC elections have faced repeated postponements, raising concerns about democratic accountability. Local Government elections have also suffered from delays due to administrative, judicial and political challenges. The PR system often favors larger political entities, marginalising smaller parties and Independent candidates. Hence there is a need for a mixed system. The conduct of elections under the PR system has been expensive, given the complexity of vote counting and seat allocation. Another important requirement is to enhance gender representation. Despite laws mandating a minimum quota for women, their representation in local bodies has remained inadequate. One positive sign is the increase in women representation in parliament to 19 from 12 in the 2024 General Election. Sri Lanka has embarked on several electoral reforms to address these issues including the proposal for Introduction of a mixed electoral system. A hybrid system combining FPTP and PR has been implemented for Local Government elections. Under this system: 60% of representatives are elected through FPTP. 40% are allocated proportionally based on party performance. Proposals have been made to adopt a similar mixed system for Provincial Council elections, ensuring better representation while retaining direct voter accountability. The Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act, 2017, introduced a 25% quota for women in Local Councils. Efforts are underway to improve its implementation at the provincial level. Delimitation commissions have been established to redraw electoral boundaries, addressing concerns of gerrymandering and ensuring equitable representation. Reforms include measures to prevent undue delays in conducting elections by setting strict timelines for their scheduling and conduct. The delimitation process has sparked controversies, with allegations of bias and lack of transparency. Despite reforms, administrative delays and political maneuvering continue to hinder timely elections. Larger political parties have resisted reforms that could reduce their dominance, complicating the legislative process. The reforms are also aimed at solving the issue of underrepresentation of minorities. Concerns persist that smaller ethnic and religious minorities may still face underrepresentation under the hybrid system. Electoral reforms in Sri Lanka must focus on enhancing inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. To achieve these goals, the following steps are essential. Strengthening Election Commission Powers: Empowering the Election Commission to act independently and enforce timelines for elections. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating citizens about the importance of reforms to garner public support. Gender and Minority Inclusion: Ensuring better implementation of quotas and equitable representation of all communities. Digital and Technological Advancements: Streamlining electoral processes through technology to reduce costs and enhance efficiency. Sri Lanka’ is a nation with a proud history of 90 years of universal franchise. The journey toward comprehensive electoral reform is a testament to its commitment to democracy. While significant progress has been made, challenges remain. There is also a need to strengthen campaign finance regulations. Limiting campaign financing to reduce the influence of money in politics is a crucial aspect of the proposed reforms. 2024 Parliamentary Elections The 2024 Parliamentary elections marked a pivotal moment in Sri Lankan politics. The elections were held under a newly proposed framework aimed at improving transparency and voter engagement. The ongoing electoral reforms and recent election outcomes indicate a critical juncture for Sri Lanka’s democratic processes. The emphasis on inclusivity, transparency, and effective governance reflects a commitment to addressing past shortcomings while fostering a more representative political landscape.25 Best Black Friday Deals Under $25: Save Big at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Other Top Retailers

Venture Capital investments in India surge to $16.8 bn in January-November: ReportJammu, Dec 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended the Annual Day function of Jammu Sanskriti School “Karmanya-The Power of Good Deeds”, at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, Jammu University. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor extended his felicitations to the school management, teachers and students on its annual day. Over the years, many eminent teachers and educationists have contributed to high reputation the Jammu Sanskriti School enjoys today. It is an occasion to remember all of them with gratitude, he said. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that the prime objective of school education is to ignite the intellectual capacity of children. “The future of a nation is decided in school campus. The overall goal of our education system is to provide unique opportunity to every unique personality so that they can create something new and contribute to nation building with their unique talent,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor emphasized the role of teachers and educational institutions in developing a conducive environment to boost the confidence of the students and motivate them to continue their quest to learn new skills. “In today’s era of rapid change, when new technological advancements are taking place every day, only one skill will be relevant in the future and that is – Lifelong Learning Skill,” the Lieutenant Governor said. He observed that the primary and secondary education is an interesting phase of positive change in a student’s life. He said, this is the time when knowledge and influence around affects his mind and body. Whatever a child learns in this impressionable age stays for long years. It is during this period when a child develops instincts to make decisions and the sense of understanding between good and bad, right and wrong. Our focus should be to develop primary and secondary education as per the needs of the modern world, he added. On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor gave seven resolutions to the educational institutions across the UT of J&K to adopt new technologies in education, focus on both knowledge and values and to stimulate students’ intellectual capacity. “The first resolution is to make the digital learning system interactive and encourage children to actively participate in the learning process. We must focus on one-to-one mentoring instead of information delivery, and offer field experience to students outside the classroom. Teachers must share their life experiences with the students, encourage them for data interpretation and problem solving, and provide them with the freedom to explore new ideas. Our focus should also be on project-based learning so that children develop the ability to use their skills in different situations. The seventh resolution is to ensure regular training and capacity building of teachers and provide them the opportunity to learn new things continuously,” the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor further impressed upon the youth to imbibe the ideals of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. National Education Policy 2020 is a great opportunity for you. Kindle the curiosity within you and discover new frontiers in real life through independent thinking, creativity and problem solving, he said. The Lieutenant Governor felicitated the students who excelled in academics and diverse fields. He also released the latest edition of school magazine. Prof Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu; Sh Harpreet Singh, Chairman, Jammu Sanskriti School; Ms. Rohini Aima, Principal of the school, teachers, students and parents were present. Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, heads of various institutions and senior officials of Civil and Police Administration were also present on the occasion.

Called to answer emergencies, Ethan’s Storm hopes to see rural ambulance district become a realityJoaquin Buckley implemented his unorthodox knockout against Impa Kasanganay after watching his opponent juggle during fight week. When fight fans look back at Joaquin Buckley’s career, many different angles will come to mind. From an awkward callout of Conor McGregor to his strange feud with a UFC broadcaster , Buckley’s UFC tenure has been extremely eventful. Buckley’s name rose to prominence in 2020, during the height of the UFC’s events during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when the UFC was one of the biggest entertainment sources for fans stuck at home, Buckley’s greatest highlight reel knockout went viral and drew many new fans to mixed martial arts. Buckley knocked out Impa Kasanganay, a current PFL star, with a wild two-touch spinning backkick in October 2020. While initially thought to be thrown strictly based on instinct, Buckley decided to implement the technique into his game plan after watching Kasanganay relax during fight week. One of Kasanganay’s downtime activities ended up being the catalyst to Buckley’s all-time great knockout. READ MORE: Aljamain Sterling shares hilarious reaction to lookalike getting beat up by a FedEx delivery driver in viral video Joaquin Buckley says Impa Kasanganay’s juggling inspired jaw-dropping knockout During a recent interview on the MightyCAST podcast, Buckley explained how Kasanganay’s juggling inspired the idea behind his knockout technique. “He started to catch my kicks a lot, and the reason why I think he was so good at catching my kicks, is because before that fight we were at the hotel just chillin’, and I would see him juggling,” Buckley said. “He’s a great juggler, good hand-eye coordination. And I was like ‘Man why is he doing that? That don’t make no sense’. But when he was catching my kicks, he was so quick with it. “So if he catches my kick again, I have the opportunity to throw this kick. So I feint, boom, I throw the kick, catches it again and gets a good lock on it. We turn, spin, and throw the attack,” Buckley continued. “And I feel like in that moment just being able to think and be free, actually having an understanding I could do that, it kind of cemented the name for life.” Luckily for Buckley and Kasanganay, both fighters have found sustainable success since the knockout. Kasanganay won last year’s PFL light heavyweight title, while Buckley is on the verge of a potential UFC title shot. Remarkably, Buckley went on to land a similar knockout against Andre Fialho in his UFC welterweight debut last year. After recent wins over Stephen Thompson and Nursulton Ruziboev, Buckley is knocking on the door of title contention. READ MORE: Michael Bisping explains why he wants to see Anthony Smith fight again after teasing retirement at UFC 310 Joaquin Buckley nearing a title shot ahead of UFC Tampa headliner Buckley returns to the Octagon this weekend at UFC Tampa against three-time UFC title challenger Colby Covington . A win over Covington, especially by stoppage, could potentially earn Buckley a title shot for his next fight. Buckley has reinvented himself since making the full-time move from middleweight to welterweight in his UFC tenure. With a solid wrestling base, along with his vastly improved striking, Buckley is one of the most dangerous contenders in the welterweight division. Ahead of his next UFC fight, Buckley’s iconic knockout of Kasanganay remains on the top of fight fans’ minds when reflecting on his career to date. Buckley could repeat history this weekend when he comes face-to-face with Covington in Tampa. READ MORE: Randy Couture reveals what really happened in his wrestling session with Francis NgannouLightchain AI Acquires Polkadot Holders Who Are Still Bearish as It Crushes BNB For Yearly Gains!

President-elect Donald Trump is filling his incoming administration with an unprecedented number of former rivals, many of whom were once highly critical of him. Since winning the election, Trump has tapped at least a half dozen one-time political opponents — as defined by people who ran for president against him — to Cabinet and other high level positions. This approach could foster debate and disagreement within his administration on a wide range of issues, political experts said. But, many believe dissent is unlikely given that they claim Trump’s old opponents have become ardent loyalists. Team of former rivals If confirmed by the Senate, Trump’s Cabinet will be filled with more former rivals than any president in recent memory, experts told McClatchy News. These would be: Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of health and human services, Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and Doug Burgum as secretary of the interior. All four of them, when campaigning for president, expressed varying degrees of criticism toward Trump. When Rubio ran for the Republican party nomination in 2016, he labeled Trump a “ con artist .” Gabbard, while running for the Democratic party nomination in 2019, attacked Trump on foreign policy, saying in a debate, “This president and his chickenhawk Cabinet have led us to the brink of war with Iran.” Similarly, when Kennedy ran for president as an independent in 2024, he castigated Trump on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying he “presided over the greatest restriction on individual liberties this country has ever known.” Burgum, who ran for the Republican party nomination in 2023, was less critical, though he called the violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6 “ reprehensible .” Trump has also elevated former rivals to other key posts in his administration. For example, he tapped Vivek Ramaswamy to co-lead a newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Ramaswamy ran for the Republican party nomination in 2024, during which time he occasionally clashed with Trump. He described him as “wounded” and said he had been “ duped ” by the Washington establishment. Similarly, Trump nominated Mike Huckabee to serve as U.S. ambassador to Israel. Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, ran for the Republican party nomination in 2016, around which time he likened Trump to “ a car wreck .” Expert analysis The addition of these old rivals — many of whom have strong personalities — could have several effects on the incoming administration, David Lewis, a professor of political science at Vanderbilt University, told McClatchy News. “These are not shrinking violet kinds of people, and they do have different views from one another,” Lewis said. “So there will be some ideological and policy disagreements in the Cabinet.” This would not be unprecedented for Trump. “In the first administration, there was some reporting suggesting there were big internal fights between prominent people in the administration, and that the president kind of liked that,” Lewis said. He added that Trump could benefit by absorbing the supporters of his one-time opponents, who represent various factions within the Republican party and beyond. More politics news → How does Senate confirmation process work? What to know as Trump makes Cabinet picks → Trump to return to White House after 4 years. Only one past president has done that → How did LGBT Americans vote in election? Exit poll finds significant shift from 2020 Multiple political experts, however, including Lewis, were hesitant to attribute major significance to Trump’s move. Jim King, an emeritus professor of political science at the University of Wyoming, told McClatchy News that many of the president-elect’s “so-called rivals were never real threats to Trump’s ambitions...” “The inclusion of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard doesn’t represent a traditional ‘former rival’ dynamic — they didn’t run against Trump directly but instead served as critics of the Democratic Party, often positioning themselves as foils to Trump’s opponent,” Matthew McDermott, a Democratic strategist, told McClatchy News. “Rubio, meanwhile, ran against Trump eight years ago in 2016, a distant political past that underscores just how long Trump has dominated the American political landscape,” he added. Further, while they were critical of Trump in the past, these individuals have since publicly expressed their support for him and key aspects of his agenda, experts said. For example, Kennedy — who has a lengthy history of criticizing Trump — praised many of his policy plans after endorsing him in August, according to CNN. Additionally, “Rubio supported the Trump administration on 97% of the votes before the Senate in 2017-2020 and voted ‘not guilty’ on Trump’s impeachments,” King said. He’s also recently defended Trump’s stance on the Ukraine-Russia war , calling for it to be brought to an end through a negotiated settlement, according to Politico. “It seems that Trump is willing to forgive any number of outspoken insults to him, as long as the person changes their tune and praises him sufficiently,” James Pfiffner, an emeritus professor of public policy at George Mason University, told McClatchy News. In response to a request from McClatchy News about Trump’s elevation of old rivals to key positions, a spokesperson for the Trump transition team said that “his Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First.” “President Trump will continue to appoint highly-qualified men and women who have the talent, experience, and necessary skill sets to Make America Great Again,” the spokesperson said. Can Donald Trump actually end birthright citizenship? Legal experts weigh in Are people still concerned about voter fraud? Polls show dramatic post-election shift Are Americans happy with their health insurance? Here’s what a new poll foundQatar tribune Dr Ramzy Baroud The story of the Israeli war on Gaza can be epitomized in the story of the Israeli war on Beit Lahia, a small Palestinian town in the northern part of the Strip. When Israel launched its ground operations in Gaza, Beit Lahia was already largely destroyed due to many days of relentless Israeli bombardment which killed thousands. Still, the border Gaza town resisted, leading to a hermetic Israeli siege, which was never lifted, even when the Israeli military redeployed out of much of northern Gaza in January 2024. Beit Lahia is largely an isolated town, a short distance away from the fence separating besieged Gaza from Israel. It is surrounded mostly by agricultural areas that make it nearly impossible to defend. Yet, a year of grisly Israeli war and genocide in Gaza did not end the fighting there. To the contrary, 2024 has ended where it started, with intense fighting on all fronts in Gaza, with Beit Lahia, a town that was supposedly ‘conquered’ earlier, still leading the fight. Beit Lahia is a microcosm of Israel’s failed war in the Strip, a bloody grind that has led nowhere, despite the massive destruction, the repeated ethnic cleansing of the population, the starvation and the genocide. Every day of Israel’s terrible war on the Palestinians serves as a reminder that there are no military solutions and that the Palestinian will cannot be broken, no matter the cost or the sacrifice. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, remains unconvinced. He entered the new year with more promises of ‘total victory’, and ended it as a wanted criminal by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The issuing of an arrest warrant for the Israeli leader was a reiteration of a similar position taken by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the start of 2024. The ICJ’s position, however, was hardly as strong as many had hoped or wanted to believe. The world’s highest court had, on 26 January, ordered Israel “to take action to prevent acts of genocide”, but stopped short of ordering Israel to halt its war. The Israeli objectives of the war remained unclear, although Israeli politicians provided clues as to what the war on Gaza was really all about. Last January, several Israeli ministers, including 12 from Netanyahu’s Likud party, took part in a conference calling for the resettlement of Gaza and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. “Without settlements, there is no security,” extremist Israeli minister of finance, Bezalel Smotrich, said. For that to happen, the Palestinian people themselves, not merely those fighting on the ground, had to be tamed, broken and defeated. Thus, the ‘flour massacres‘, a new Israeli war tactic that was centered around killing as many Palestinians as possible while waiting for the few aid trucks that were allowed to reach northern Gaza. On 29 February, more than 100 Gazans were killed while queueing for aid. They were mowed down by Israeli soldiers, as they desperately tried to lay their hands on a loaf of bread, baby milk or a bottle of water. This scene was repeated, again and again in the north, but also in other parts of the Gaza Strip throughout the year. The aim was to starve the Palestinians in the north so that they would be forced to flee to other parts of the Strip. Famine actualized as early as January, and many of those who tried to flee south were killed, anyway. From the early days of the war, Israel understood that to ethnically cleanse Palestinians, they must target all aspects of life in the Strip. This includes hospitals, bakeries, markets, electric grids, water stations, and the like. The Gaza hospitals, of course, received a large share of Israeli attacks. In March, once more, Israel attacked the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City with greater ferocity than before. When it finally withdrew, on April 1, the Israeli army destroyed the entire compound, leaving behind mass graves with hundreds of bodies, mostly medical staff, women and children. They even executed several patients. Aside from a few statements of concern by western leaders, little was done to bring the genocide to an end. Only when seven international aid workers with the charity, the World Central Kitchen, were killed by Israel, a global outcry followed, leading to the first and only Israeli apology in the entire war. Desperate to distract from its failure in Gaza, but also Lebanon, and keen on presenting the Israeli public with any kind of victory, the Israeli military began escalating its war beyond Gaza. This included the strike on the Iranian Embassy in Syria on 1 April. Despite repeated attempts, which included the assassination in Iran of the head of Hamas’s Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, on 31 July, an all-out regional war has not yet come to pass. Another escalation was taking place, this time not by Netanyahu but by millions of people around the world, demanding an end to the Israeli war. A focal point of the protests were student movements that spread across US campuses and, ultimately, worldwide. Instead of allowing free speech to flourish, however, America’s largest academic institutions resorted to the police, who violently shut down many of the protests, arresting hundreds of students, many of whom were not allowed to return to their colleges. Meanwhile, the US continued to block international efforts aimed at producing a ceasefire resolution at the United Nations Security Council. Ultimately, on 31 May, US President Joe Biden delivered a speech conveying what he termed an “Israeli proposal” to end the war. After some delay, Hamas accepted the proposal, but Israel rejected it. In his rejection, Netanyahu referred to Biden’s speech as “incorrect” and “incomplete”. Strangely, but also unsurprisingly, the White House blamed the Palestinians for the failed initiative. Losing faith in the American leadership, some European countries began changing their foreign policy doctrines on Palestine, with Ireland, Norway and Spain recognizing the State of Palestine on 28 May. The decisions were largely symbolic but indicated that western unity around Israel was faltering. Israel remained unfazed and, despite international warnings, invaded the Rafah area in southern Gaza on May 7, seizing control of the Philadelphi Corridor – a buffer zone between Gaza and the Egyptian border that extends for 14 kilometers. Netanyahu’s government insisted that only war can bring their captives back. There was very little success in that strategy, however. On June 8, Israel, with logistical support from the US and other western countries managed to rescue four of its captives held in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. To do so, Israel killed at least 276 Palestinians and wounded 800 more. In August, another heart-wrenching massacre took place, this time in the Al-Tabaeen school in Gaza City, where 93 people, mostly women and children, were murdered in a single Israeli strike. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, women and children were the main victims of the Israeli genocide, accounting for 70 per cent by 8 November. An earlier report by the Lancet Medical Journal said that if the war stopped in July, “186,000 or even more” Palestinians would have been killed. The war, however, went on. The rate of genocide in Gaza seemed to maintain the same killing ratio, despite the major regional developments including the mutual Iranian-Israeli tit-for-tat strikes and the major Israeli ground operation in Lebanon. In October, Israel returned to the policies of targeting or besieging hospitals, killing doctors and other medical staff, and targeting aid and civil defence workers. Still, Israel would not achieve any of its strategic goals of the war. Even the killing of Hamas’ leader, Yahya Sinwar, in battle on 16 Octoberwould not, in any way, alter the course of the war. Israel’s frustration grew by leaps and bounds throughout the year. Its desperate attempt to control the global narrative on the Gaza genocide largely failed. On 19 July, and after listening to the testimonies of over 50 countries, the ICJ issued a landmark ruling that “Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is illegal.” That ruling, which expressed international consensus on the matter, was translated on 17 September to a UN General Assembly resolution “demanding an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine within the next twelve months”. All of this effectively meant that Israel’s attempt at normalizing its occupation of Palestine, and its quest to illegally annex the West Bank was considered null and void by the international community. Israel, however, doubled down, taking its rage against West Bank Palestinians, who, too, were experiencing one of the worst Israeli pogroms in many years. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, by 21 November, at least 777 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023, while thousands more were wounded and over 11,700 arrested. To make matters worse, Smotrich called, on November 11, for the full annexation of the West Bank. The call was made soon after the election of Donald Trump as the next US President, an event that initially inspired optimism amongst Israeli leaders, but later concerns that Trump may not serve the role of the saviour for Israel after all. On 21 November, the ICC issued its historic ruling to arrest Netanyahu and his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The decision represented a measure of hope, however faint, that the world is finally ready to hold Israel accountable for its many crimes. 2025 could, indeed, represent that watershed moment. This remains to be seen. However, as far as Palestinians are concerned, even with the failure of the international community to stop the genocide and reign in Israel, their steadfastness, sumoud, will remain strong until freedom is finally attained. (Ramzy Baroud is a journalist and the Editor of the Palestine Chronicle. He is the author of five books.) Copy 30/12/2024 10

Posted: Thursday, December 26, 2024. 2:48 pm CST. The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News. (Note: This TIME COME post features a guest piece by Mr. Grinch – or at least inspired by him. And Happy Holidays to all my readers.) By ‘Di Grinch’, TIME COME #18, 20 December 2024. I live on hill where it blows and it snows. So, I crave a place with no need for ploughs. Perhaps a warm isthmus with a nice quiet Christmas. To catch some warm breeze and escape the deep freeze. My mutt Max says, ‘let’s do Belize’. Hmmmm? But is it just what he heard from that migratory bird? That Belize now has tons of free turkeys and hams. Free turkeys and hams! Is it but a scam? The Grinch knows what to do! Trusting Max nor A.I., I will employ a good spy. Christmas in Belize? Do I go, or abort? Well, let me first read my intel report. Dear Mr. Grinch, Greetings from Belize and much thanks for the commission – though please note that I am a ‘consultant’, not ‘spy’. But straight to the point as your deadline is tight. The rumour Max heard is no rumour at all. At Christmas in Belize there are free turkeys and hams! There are also loud parties with free food and free drinks, with free gifts for the kids, and with free raffles of fridges. And some get free cash, if cards are played right. Who can argue with all this free giving in a season of joy? Perhaps you, Mr. Grinch? But I rudely digress. So yes, Max was right about free turkeys and hams. It’s important you know that some free ‘givings’ at Christmas are well above board. Several kind people and charity groups give food (including turkeys and hams) and gifts to some most in need. But these are not the free turkeys and hams that have Max excited. Those ones are doled out by politicos painted deep blue or deep red. (No green as yet, I am afraid, Mr. Grinch). The Blues – the People’s United Party (PUP) – and the Reds – the United Democratic Party (UDP) – have made such free ‘givings’ quite a fine art. How did it come to this you ask Mr. Grinch? The explanation does require some contextualization. From Informal to Normal It began quite innocently you see, Mr. Grinch. By 1981, when Belize became free, some politicians of both colours hosted wee parties for constituents at Christmas. It was mostly informal and the ‘givings’ were small. They used their own funds or donations from family and friends. Some used part of their constituency ‘vote’ they got from the state, or small contributions from companies like Belize Estate. Over the next three decades, the practice of ‘free givings’ expanded each Christmas. And so, the Blues and the Reds needed more and more funds for more and more free turkeys and hams. Reds Up the Game Voila! In December 2011, the then Red Government had an epiphany: Let’s just officially use public money! All in plain sight. If it is all formalised there is no need to hide giving out turkeys and hams. So, $1.4 million was allocated to a scheme with a name shrewdly innocuous: Christmas Cheer. Who can argue with that? And the money did flow. Red politicians in 31 divisions, elected or not, got $40,000 each for Christmas goodies for their constituents. But the Blue Opposition was quite vexed that its politicians received zero. They did, indeed, moan – and accused the Reds of vote-buying, gross bribery and abusing public funds. Well, the Reds won again in 2012, and by 2013, Christmas Cheer reached a new record of $2.3 million. This time, the 17 Red elected representatives got $90,000 each. The 14 Reds who were just standard bearers (not in the House) got $25,000 each. But guess what, Mr Grinch? The 14 Blue representatives got $25,000 each! Though they complained about the ‘inequity in distribution’, the Blues, took their smaller Cheer with little contrition – and continued to do so except for one year. Did the Blues just forget their vote-buying concerns? Well, they used the excuse that they too needed state money to meet the growing demand for turkeys and hams. By 2020, when the long-reigning Reds got the voters’ boot, Christmas Cheer was its own institution – a national programme much anticipated every December. So, would the new Blue Government, that came to power with the promise to clean up corruption, disband or clean up Christmas Cheer? Alas no, Mr Grinch. Blues Up the Game Instead, the Blues embraced the Reds’ Christmas Cheer tactics, it seems without question. In the Christmas of 2020 (that annus horribilis) the Blues called its programme ‘December COVID-19 Relief Fund’ with an allocation of $930,000. Although very much needed in that dark December, it very much resembled a Christmas Cheer. Since 2021, with the Blues in control, Christmas Cheer has both thrived and solidified. And so embedded was the name that the Blues could not lose it. In 2022, all 31 elected representatives got $75,000 each in Christmas Cheer. The total that year of $2.3 million matched or exceeded the Reds’ 2013 record. Some Belizeans lining up for Christmas Cheer But the Blues did initiate two noteworthy ‘Cheer’ changes. First, elected representatives of both the Blues and the Reds now receive equal amounts of Christmas Cheer funds. Then, in a change more recent, Cheer is allocated based roughly on the number of voters in a constituency. For example, this year, in 2024, all elected representatives of larger constituencies got $90,000 each and those of smaller constituencies got $60,000 each. Does it not all sound so fair? Well, at least until you realise that by adding some rules to the partisan game, it becomes further normalised with more official permission to splurge. An informal bi-partisan agreement perhaps? So, when next in power, the Reds will maintain equity in distribution? In 2024, 43 years after independence, Christmas Cheer and Santa Claus politicians are now deeply embedded in Belize’s political and Christmas culture. Christmas Cheer is now institutional policy, eagerly supported by the Blues and the Reds – and awaited each December by more and more people. But I know Mr. Grinch, you also did ask, “Is it but a scam?” Is it but a Scam? Before I respond, you should know, Mr. Grinch, that Christmas Cheer is but one piece of the broader practice of handout politics in Belize. This is where Red and Blue politicians hand out money, resources and services to voters in return for political support – usually their votes. Besides Christmas Cheer, there are also ‘Cheers’ for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and such other big periods – like when the school year begins. And every week the politicians of the Reds and the Blues hold ‘clinics’ where constituents can go to personally ask them for bills to be paid, or for cash or for land or for some government favour. Then there are the big Christmas gimmicks like writing off mortgages (2011 by the Reds) and waiving GST (2024 by the Blues). And all this is before it is election day once again. But it’s time to talk scam. Scam 1: Tek di Turkey, Tek di Ham, Vote PUDP The Blues and the Reds all say they are just ‘helping’ the needy and bringing good cheer. But most everyone knows that it’s part of the partisan game where the prize is winning the next election. It’s best seen as ‘transaction’: from my hand to yours – and you owe me something. For you see Mr. Grinch, no matter what accountability measures they boast, each politician ensures that each voter knows that it is, he or she, the individual politician, who is giving. From my own hand to yours. That’s why politicians say insane things like, “I gave Miss Gertrude a turkey and ham.” Or “I gave all the kids in my constituency free gifts.” Or “I gave your daughter a scholarship?” So, Scam 1 is that politicians of the Blues and the Reds personally give voters ‘free’ Christmas goodies but expect their votes in return. But is free really free? Scam 2: Use the People’s Own Money Scam 2 is about where the money comes from for tens of thousands of turkeys and hams. You will recall, Mr. Grinch, that Christmas Cheer money comes from the public treasury. So, the funds for Christmas Cheer can come from things like taxes, duties, fees, returns on investments, grants or loans. In other words, from the people’s money or the people’s debt. Few people know that the $1.4 million for the 2011 Christmas Cheers came from proceeds received by the Red Government from shares it held for the people in the then newly nationalised Belize Telemedia Limited. Then between 2013 and 2019 the Reds funded most of their Christmas Cheers from the PetroCaribe loan provided by Venezuela. One credible estimate is that the total expended just on Christmas Cheer in this period was some $9,000,000.00. In this term of office, the Blues do not say much about the exact public source of the funds for their Christmas Cheers. It is just another line in an annual or supplementary budget. And whereas the Blues used to boastfully announce the monetary amounts for Christmas Cheers in the House, none was made for the over $2 million in 2024. So, Mr. Grinch, the scam here is deceitfully simple: for their personal electoral gain, the Blues and the Reds give people back their own money and make it seem free. But is free really free? I know time is short, but two more things you must know. One is that local governments (like city and town councils) and statutory bodies (like the Belize Tourism Board) also dole out Christmas Cheer, funded largely by the people’s money. The second is that both the Blues and the Reds also get private funds from some big wigs to supplement their Christmas Cheers. The funds or goods or discounts that they get, allow them, in theory, to have more goodies to barter with. There are no records kept here, for Belize has no laws that require political parties and politicians to disclose their donations. Scam 3: Immediate Relief but Core Problems Remain I suggest, Mr. Grinch, that Scam 3 is the most disillusioning of all. Who can blame needy people for accepting free turkeys and hams and free gifts for kids at this time of year? On top of high poverty and much inequality, inflation is rough, making times harder for many. But however much festive joy they bring and however many bellies they full, are most Christmas Cheer givings not just immediate gratifications? So, Mr. Grinch, even as some in need surely do benefit, these seasonal givings are like opiate-laced band-aids. The Blues and the Reds – and some of the people – ignore key questions like: “Why can’t more people afford their own turkeys and hams? And if there is to be a state programme, why must it be implemented by the Blues and the Reds? In short, Mr. Grinch, handout programmes like Christmas Cheer do not address why so many people are poor. Or why a few have so much and most have so little. In fact, such programmes may just foster even more socio-economic dependency on the Blues and the Reds. The more deeply we look, the more evidence we see that the short-term benefits of such things as ‘free’ turkeys and hams are outweighed by their long-lasting damaging effects. For sure programmes like these are wide open to corruption, to waste. How do we know that no public funds end up in private hands or that no deals are made with suppliers for kickbacks? And one often hears of double dipping – where more cunning constituents get again and again, while others get none. What promises are made to big private donors and how much public revenue is lost in this game? How much funds are wasted that could have gone to under-funded social programmes ran by the state? No time to explore such questions right now Mr. Grinch. Your deadline is today, and I must wrap up. The Grinch and Max in Belize? So, Mr. Grinch, by now you know that Belize’s turkeys and hams are not really free – they just seem to be. You may agree that, in principle, there is nothing wrong with people really in need getting social and economic assistance from the state. The issue is how it is done. We have seen that when programmes such as Christmas Cheer, go ‘through’ the hands of Blues and the Reds, their politicians use partisan discretion to decide who gets what and how much. It not only bad for democracy and people’s development, but, as you may suspect, it is not sustainable. But let’s dream for a bit, Mr. Grinch, that most Belizeans agree the needy should receive things like turkeys and hams from public funds each December. Then a sound social welfare programme, based on merit and transparency, is designed and established in a department of government. Then trained public officers implement the programme with full accountability and provide audited records for all to see. Politicians will be banned from any involvement – apart from informing their constituents that the programme exists. Wake up, Mr. Grinch! While your key query was about scams around hams, please do not assume that all is bad in Belize. Of course they are problems, but good things do happen. Belize has great natural beauty with warm beaches, blue seas, a long barrier reef, hundreds of birds, majestic Maya temples and lush forests that are greener than you. And yes, most Belizeans are really welcoming and nice – though I fear this could be a put off knowing you. The economy is growing, and unemployment is low. Minimum wage has been raised, and a National Health Insurance scheme is expanding. And more good things can happen – if Belize can fix things like free turkeys and hams. Mr. Grinch, I hope that this brief will help you decide whether you and Max will do Belize this Christmas. I am sure if you do, that Max can ‘arrange’ to eat dozens of ‘free’ turkeys and hams. As for you, Mr Grinch, you now know that Christmas in Belize comes with big noisy parties, lots of bright lights, much feasting on hams, and sleek politicians. All things that you say make you more and more grumpy. Perhaps you stay home and just send Max to Belize? Happy Holidays Mr. Grinch. Do extend my greetings to Max and the Whos. ******************** Dear Dr. Vernon, I appreciate your wee brief, though it has but increased my grief. I deduce that if we go to Belize, we may never leave – at least not in one piece. So, Max and I will stay put and just travel to nearby places by foot. Bah Hambug! Mr. Grinch But I want to go. Please Mr. Grinch...free turkeys and hams! Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315. © 2024, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (AP) — Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's home was broken into during Monday Night Football in the latest home invasion of a pro athlete in the U.S., authorities said Tuesday. No one was injured in the break-in, but the home was ransacked, according to a report provided by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Deputies weren't immediately able to determine what items were stolen. A person who is employed by Burrow arrived at the Anderson Township home Monday night to find a shattered bedroom window and the home in disarray. The person called their mother, and then 911 was contacted, according to the report. Deputies reached out to neighbors in an attempt to piece together surveillance footage. “Our investigators are exploring every avenue,” public information officer Kyla Woods said. The homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were broken into in October. In the NBA , Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis had his home broken into Nov. 2 and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr.'s home was burglarized on Sept. 15 while he was at a Minnesota Vikings game. Portis had offered a $40,000 reward for information. Both the NFL and NBA issued security alerts to players after those break-ins, urging them to take additional precautions to secure their homes. In league memos previously obtained by The Associated Press, the NFL said homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” And the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets, including attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in the neighborhood, according to officials. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Rescue team tracking entangled humpback last seen off O.C.’s coastThe Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a message late on Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the Uvda investigative programme into Sara Netanyahu. The programme uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organise protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. The announcement did not mention Mrs Netanyahu by name and the Justice Ministry declined further comment. Earlier on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu blasted the Uvda report as “lies”. It is the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus, highlighted by the PM’s ongoing corruption trial. Mr Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases alleging he exchanged favours with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. He denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt” by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media.Bula Two stories make the front page of The Fiji Times for Wednesday, November 27. THE Ministry of Employment will not leave any stones unturned in their inspection of Grace Roads Group operated businesses located across the country. Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh says labour officials will be deployed to every outlet in their inspections following a report on alleged breaches of labour laws. Meanwhile, GRG has confirmed they will cooperate with the Ministry during the inspections. BUSINESSES can plan for the future using generational projections seen through the lens of emerging generations and understanding respective trends to get a sense of what the next few decades ahead will hold. Author, social researcher and TEDx speaker Mark McCrindle made these comments to business executives at their TOPEX Conference that ended in Nadi last Saturay. Mr McCrindle said leaders needed to work effectively with people of different generations, “therefore, with the sense of generational humility, we can include the next generation and prepare for what’s next”. Full report on Page 13 Kaila! We have the special Kaila! edition every Wednesday inside The Fiji Times! Synopsis Cut out the big talk, make a difference! Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka believes no community in Fiji is exempt from what he terms the pervasive issue of gender-based violence. Marking the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25 to December 10, Mr Rabuka called for a national commitment to combat violence against women and girls. He referred to the theme: “From Prevention to Justice, Ending Violence, Impunity Against Women and Girls in All Spaces.” Gender-based violence, he said, was a serious issue that demanded collective action, not just during the 16 days of activism, but every day of the year. Preventing violence, he said, was not just about policies or programs. It was about values we hold in our homes, and lessons we teach our children. The PM makes a point about us all having a role to play in challenging harmful attitudes that normalise abuse or discrimination. That’s when we are de-sensitised to the abuse and discrimination. That’s a stage we don’t want to reach. As parents and guardians, he notes, we must make a commitment to teach our sons and daughters that no one has the right to harm or belittle any other person. We agree there must be respect, fairness and compassion which are the pillars of a strong family, and a strong nation. Mr Rabuka has called on Fijians to unite in creating a safer environment for women and girls, where justice is not merely a promise, but a reality. As we reflect on this campaign, it is important to appreciate the role we each can play in fostering a culture of safety and respect. The 16 Days of Activism offers us an opportunity to raise awareness, engage in discussions, and take positive steps toward ending gender-based violence. We should see this as an opportunity to encourage sustained efforts and unwavering dedication. Mr Rabuka’s call to action should encourage us to re-evaluate our roles within our families and communities, appreciating that change begins at home. The campaign serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting survivors of gender-based violence. We should be talking about effective laws, access to justice, and support services as a means to address this issue. Let’s see the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence as an opportunity for us all to unite in the fight against this pervasive issue. Let’s commit to speaking out against violence and working together to encourage a culture of respect and justice. Let’s cut the big talk, and take that first step towards making a difference!Key details about the man accused of killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO

Arsenal player ratings: Martin Odegaard runs the show but poor defending from Riccardo Calafiori stops clean sheetAmaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday warned that land grabbers will be sent behind bars. Addressing a revenue seminar at Edupugallu of Penamaluru Assembly segment in Krishna district, he said the government would deal firmly with those resorting to land grabbing. “Beware of grabbing even a single cent of land. If anyone resorts to land grabbing, cheating and blackmailing such persons will certainly be sent to jail,” the Chief Minister said. Chandrababu Naidu promised to take necessary measures to resolve the land issues in an amicable manner and said that the state government will certainly abide by the rules till the problems are resolved. Stating that the errors in re-survey too will be corrected soon, the Chief Minister said the government’s motive is to do justice to all. “You have elected the TDP-led NDA Government with 57 per cent of vote reposing immense faith in us. We have been striving hard for the past six months to fulfill your expectations,” the Chief Minister said. Alleging that the previous government completely destroyed all the systems in the state, Chandrababu felt that with the Land Titling Act that government had created a worse situation in the state. He said that over three lakh people attended the revenue sadassulu through which 95,263 petitions have been received. The Chief Minister promised to provide QRCode on passbooks and geotagging facility through which the land records can be examined anytime. He said that Rs 12 crore had to be spent to simply delete the photos of former chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy from land boundary marker stones that were fixed during land surveys during YSRCP rule. Revenue ‘sadassulu’ are being conducted at almost all the villages in the state from December 6 till January 8. Chandrababu Naidu promised to take personal responsibility to hand the land to the real owners. The provisions of the Land Grabbing Act are so severe that stringent action will be taken against those who resort to illegal land grabbers.Escaping the 'Perfection Trap'