By WILL WEISSERT, JUAN ZAMORANO and GARY FIELDS PANAMA CITY (AP) — Teddy Roosevelt once declared the Panama Canal “one of the feats to which the people of this republic will look back with the highest pride.” More than a century later, Donald Trump is threatening to take back the waterway for the same republic. Related Articles National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak National Politics | Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl The president-elect is decrying increased fees Panama has imposed to use the waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He says if things don’t change after he takes office next month, “We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America, in full, quickly and without question.” Trump has long threatened allies with punitive action in hopes of winning concessions. But experts in both countries are clear: Unless he goes to war with Panama, Trump can’t reassert control over a canal the U.S. agreed to cede in the 1970s. Here’s a look at how we got here: It is a man-made waterway that uses a series of locks and reservoirs over 51 miles (82 kilometers) to cut through the middle of Panama and connect the Atlantic and Pacific. It spares ships having to go an additional roughly 7,000 miles (more than 11,000 kilometers) to sail around Cape Horn at South America’s southern tip. The U.S. International Trade Administration says the canal saves American business interests “considerable time and fuel costs” and enables faster delivery of goods, which is “particularly significant for time sensitive cargoes, perishable goods, and industries with just-in-time supply chains.” An effort to establish a canal through Panama led by Ferdinand de Lesseps, who built Egypt’s Suez Canal, began in 1880 but progressed little over nine years before going bankrupt. Malaria, yellow fever and other tropical diseases devastated a workforce already struggling with especially dangerous terrain and harsh working conditions in the jungle, eventually costing more than 20,000 lives, by some estimates. Panama was then a province of Colombia, which refused to ratify a subsequent 1901 treaty licensing U.S. interests to build the canal. Roosevelt responded by dispatching U.S. warships to Panama’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The U.S. also prewrote a constitution that would be ready after Panamanian independence, giving American forces “the right to intervene in any part of Panama, to re-establish public peace and constitutional order.” In part because Colombian troops were unable to traverse harsh jungles, Panama declared an effectively bloodless independence within hours in November 1903. It soon signed a treaty allowing a U.S.-led team to begin construction . Some 5,600 workers died later during the U.S.-led construction project, according to one study. The waterway opened in 1914, but almost immediately some Panamanians began questioning the validity of U.S. control, leading to what became known in the country as the “generational struggle” to take it over. The U.S. abrogated its right to intervene in Panama in the 1930s. By the 1970s, with its administrative costs sharply increasing, Washington spent years negotiating with Panama to cede control of the waterway. The Carter administration worked with the government of Omar Torrijos. The two sides eventually decided that their best chance for ratification was to submit two treaties to the U.S. Senate, the “Permanent Neutrality Treaty” and the “Panama Canal Treaty.” The first, which continues in perpetuity, gives the U.S. the right to act to ensure the canal remains open and secure. The second stated that the U.S. would turn over the canal to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999, and was terminated then. Both were signed in 1977 and ratified the following year. The agreements held even after 1989, when President George H.W. Bush invaded Panama to remove Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega. In the late 1970s, as the handover treaties were being discussed and ratified, polls found that about half of Americans opposed the decision to cede canal control to Panama. However, by the time ownership actually changed in 1999, public opinion had shifted, with about half of Americans in favor. Administration of the canal has been more efficient under Panama than during the U.S. era, with traffic increasing 17% between fiscal years 1999 and 2004 . Panama’s voters approved a 2006 referendum authorizing a major expansion of the canal to accommodate larger modern cargo ships. The expansion took until 2016 and cost more than $5.2 billion. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said in a video Sunday that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to.” He added that, while his country’s people are divided on some key issues, “when it comes to our canal, and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.” Shipping prices have increased because of droughts last year affecting the canal locks, forcing Panama to drastically cut shipping traffic through the canal and raise rates to use it. Though the rains have mostly returned, Panama says future fee increases might be necessary as it undertakes improvements to accommodate modern shipping needs. Mulino said fees to use the canal are “not set on a whim.” Jorge Luis Quijano, who served as the waterway’s administrator from 2014 to 2019, said all canal users are subject to the same fees, though they vary by ship size and other factors. “I can accept that the canal’s customers may complain about any price increase,” Quijano said. “But that does not give them reason to consider taking it back.” The president-elect says the U.S. is getting “ripped off” and “I’m not going to stand for it.” “It was given to Panama and to the people of Panama, but it has provisions — you’ve got to treat us fairly. And they haven’t treated us fairly,” Trump said of the 1977 treaty that he said “foolishly” gave the canal away. The neutrality treaty does give the U.S. the right to act if the canal’s operation is threatened due to military conflict — but not to reassert control. “There’s no clause of any kind in the neutrality agreement that allows for the taking back of the canal,” Quijano said. “Legally, there’s no way, under normal circumstances, to recover territory that was used previously.” Trump, meanwhile, hasn’t said how he might make good on his threat. “There’s very little wiggle room, absent a second U.S. invasion of Panama, to retake control of the Panama Canal in practical terms,” said Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. Gedan said Trump’s stance is especially baffling given that Mulino is a pro-business conservative who has “made lots of other overtures to show that he would prefer a special relationship with the United States.” He also noted that Panama in recent years has moved closer to China, meaning the U.S. has strategic reasons to keep its relationship with the Central American nation friendly. Panama is also a U.S. partner on stopping illegal immigration from South America — perhaps Trump’s biggest policy priority. “If you’re going to pick a fight with Panama on an issue,” Gedan said, “you could not find a worse one than the canal.” Weissert reported from West Palm Beach, Florida, and Fields from Washington. Amelia Thomson-Deveaux contributed to this report from Washington.The Eagle’s 2024 Top 10 Sports Stories, No. 8: A&M volleyball makes run to Sweet 16
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Daily Post Nigeria EPL: Maresca confirms goalkeeper that will start against Brentford Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Sport EPL: Maresca confirms goalkeeper that will start against Brentford Published on December 13, 2024 By Ifreke Inyang Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that he will continue to select Robert Sanchez over Filip Jorgensen as his first-choice goalkeeper. Sanchez has been Maresca’s preferred option since joining Chelsea, even though Djordje Petrovic displaced the Spaniard as the starter last season. Petrovic subsequently joined Strasbourg on loan during the summer transfer window. Sanchez now faces competition from summer signing Jorgensen, who made his league debut against Southampton and regularly features in the Conference League. While Sanchez has delivered key saves for Chelsea this season, he has also faced criticism for several high-profile errors. Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Brentford on Sunday, Maresca addressed the ongoing debate about his goalkeeper selection, making his stance clear. “The idea is not to change,” Maresca stated, dashing Jorgensen’s hopes of taking the starting spot. “But in this case, we have two keepers who are both good. Until they maintain the same level, we are happy with that.” Related Topics: Brentford EPL Maresca Don't Miss CAF Confederation Cup: Olanrewaju confident Enyimba will beat Black Bulls You may like EPL: ‘We have lots of issues’ – Amorim predicts Man City vs Utd EPL: Iwobi credits Fulham manager for impressive form EPL: He’d destroy the squad – Gallas advises Chelsea against signing Liverpool star EPL: Amorim clears air on replcing Guardiola at Man City EPL: David Seaman names best goalkeeper in history of Premier League EPL: Southampton coach confirms Onuachu fit to face Tottenham Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdBy LOLITA BALDOR and FATIMA HUSSEIN WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account, and said “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80 year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of troops as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more to Kyiv before Biden leaves office in less than months. Trump has criticized the billions that the Biden administration has poured into Ukraine. Washington has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. The incoming Republican president has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is a move to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Trump’s proposed national security advisor U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg was a character in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.
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NoneHuge sports events are coming to streaming. Is the technology ready for prime time?Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia
PAT Kenny has accused RTE of blundering by having two debate moderators on Wednesday night. The broadcaster hit out at the hosts of RTE’s Prime Time leaders’ debate Sarah McInerney and Miriam O’Callaghan on his Newstalk radio programme. He said on the Pat Kenny Show: “It really wasn’t a debate , and it comes down to the format that they had. “They had two moderators and I think that was the big competition of the night. Who could ask the best questions , who could be the best moderator, rather than who is going to be the best leader of the country . “Because I watched that from a professional perspective watching how that was done, and I think that probably did inhibit the debate a bit.” He said the best debate he could host is one where “I say nothing and I let them at it. That’s where it becomes, for me, I’m watching like a sentry waiting to jump in if I have to, but otherwise I want the protagonists to have a right go at each other”. He added: “The moderators were kind of like the fire brigade putting out the fires before the fires could erupt.” Meanwhile, a Sinn Fein TD has said anyone voting for Fianna Fail will be voting for Simon Harris . Housing spokesperson Eoin O Broin warned voters that backing Fianna Fail on Friday will put Fine Gael and Mr Harris back into government. He said: “This Friday will be the last chance voters have for the next five years to fix the housing crisis and to change the government. “Five years ago, Micheal Martin told voters that Fine Gael had been in power for too long and that they needed to come out of government. He then went and put them in. We all know the results of that decision. “Micheal Martin now wants to give Fine Gael five more years - a fourth term in government. His only offering to the Irish people is 19 unbroken years of Fine Gael in government. “Mícheal Martin is determined to put the discredited Simon Harris back into government, despite everything that we have seen during this campaign. “The best way and the only way to stop this is to vote for Sinn Féin on Friday. Sinn Féin is the only party that can change the government, and chart a new course which will tackle the critical issues facing our society.” The Greens have accused their former coalition partners of wanting them out for an easier life. Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman fears a new government made up of small right-wing groups will set Ireland back. He said: “It’s been clear from the briefings that have been coming out from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael that they want a coalition partner that represents the path of least resistance. “They know that the Green Party fights hard. We fought hard in the programme for government negotiations in 2020. We got one of the strongest, one of the greenest programmes for governments ever agreed. “My sense is certainly the mood music from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael is that they like an easier life in the next government and my concern is they use these kind of populists, small populist parties, right-wing independents that they can put little deals [in place] with, but who are then in Cabinet and are actually rolling back the progressive policies of climate, on transport, on supporting families and kids that we’ve introduced over the last four-and-a-half years.” Elsewhere, the Social Democrats said it’s not possible to cut taxes and invest heavily in the likes of health and housing - despite what the other parties make out. Deputy Leader Cian O’Callaghan said: “A lot of other parties are promising very significant tax cuts and very significant increases in public services and investment and it is simply not possible to do the two, to erode the tax base and improve our public services. “So, if you want to have change, you want to see affordable purchase housing, you want to see improvements in disability services, you want to see affordable childcare, a full implementation of Sláintecare, you want real action on climate, then you need to vote Social Democrats number one. “It’s not going to be delivered by parties that are promising to do two contradictory things, erode funding for public services and improve public services at the same time.”
DANNY Jones' wife Georgia has broken down in tears and admitted she is "struggling" with her husband being in I'm A Celebrity. Georgia, 37, recorded a video for fans and cried as she revealed that her emotions have "come to a head" while Danny is in the jungle. 6 Danny Jones' wife Georgia has cried to fans while her husband is in the jungle Credit: Instagram / @thegeorgiaedit 6 The former Miss Great Britain says she is 'struggling' Credit: Instagram / @thegeorgiaedit 6 McFly star Danny is currently starring in I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! Credit: Eroteme The former Miss Great Britain is attempting to juggle parenting their six-year-old son Cooper with work and a house move - and it has all got too much. Georgia began the video already in tears and told her Instagram followers: "I'm a bit of an emotional one today. I think it's just been bubbling. "Obviously, house move on its own is stressful and then working at the same time, solo parenting and having a husband in a jungle. "So today's it's just kind of come to a head. READ MORE ON DANNY JONES tough time Danny Jones' wife breaks down in tears as she gives emotional update jo my gosh Danny Jones's mum reveals she was left in TEARS watching her son on I'm A Celeb "The last thing I want to do is not be my authentic self, which is what my Instagram is. "I show real life, I show who I am, I show ups and downs and highs and lows so that you guys feel, you know, less alone with anything you might be struggling with. "So I'm just having a bit of a wobble and I'm just a bit tired and just making sure I'm looking after everyone and keeping everybody happy." Georgia, who married McFly star Danny in August 2014, went on to urge her army of fans to pick up the phone and vote for her hubby. Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 letting loose Ruth Langsford flies to I'm A Celebrity in Australia as bosses sign her up MISSING? Moment Barry McGuigan 'goes missing' after TEN days in the I'm A Celebrity jungle clap back I'm A Celebrity star Dean McCullough's mum slams Ant for being 'too hard' on him jungle jinks I'm A Celeb star claims bosses edit show to make campmates look bad The model and podcaster also told them that she is desperate to see him do some Bushtucker Trials. "Vote for Danny to do trials, vote for him to win, because we are so proud of him and he needs to stay in for as long as possible," she continued, while still wiping her eyes. Campmates have got it too EASY compared to my time in jungle - here's why producers need to step in "We will be going out there and supporting him. His mum's currently out there, so that's great, she made it. "But I will continue to show up on here as my authentic self." Sniffing, Georgia added: "Thank you for all the support for Danny so far. It doesn't go unnoticed." Georgia, who has a parenting podcast with Kelsey Parker, has been inundated with messages of support since sharing her "authentic self" video. One follower told her: “'And having a husband in the jungle' sounds like the most normal thing to say, but it’s not, it’s a lot to be doing all of that while your husband is eating bugs in a jungle!!! You’re amazing for sharing." Another added: "Sending lots of love Georgia! I've been struggling with how I feel & anxiety at the minute, in fact I had a cry like you, and then saw Danny cry on the show about his anxiety & it set me off again! But it is amazing to follow relatable people like you!" And a third commented: "Life can be overwhelming. Hang in there. Here's a hug. We all just love Danny here. Here's to Christmas together in your new home." I'm A Celebrity 2024 i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher. Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth." Danny is among this year's cohort of I'm A Celebrity campmates and arrived in Australia two-and-a-half weeks ago . This week, in another emotional video, Georgia revealed she has even moved house alone , due to Danny's absence. She admitted she had been left "broken" by the situation. "We have moved house whilst Danny is in the jungle, and I have done it on my own and I am a broken woman, to say the least," Georgia said on Instagram. Thankfully, Georgia has been able to call upon the assistance of family and friends, as well as Danny's PA, Carly. "I have had the help of the most incredible woman, Carly," she added. Read more on the Scottish Sun LOOKING UP I'm a four-time world champ but my eyesight is going so I've made crucial change ISLE SAY Stunning home with panoramic views for sale for just £135k - but there's a catch "If anyone is looking for a PA – she's not mine, she's Danny's, I do not have one – she's your woman. "My friends, my mum, my dad have just been flipping incredible. I have got a village, full-blown village." 6 Danny and Georgia married in 2014 Credit: Getty - Contributor 6 The McFly singer flew out to Australia two-and-a-half weeks ago Credit: Rex 6 Georgia and their son Cooper have moved house while Danny is away Credit: Instagram
Leading marketing executive Lisa Ronson has been remembered as “the light in every life she touched” after her tragic death in a farm accident near Daylesford on Saturday night, reports News Corp’s Rebecca Borg . The high-profile businesswoman lost control of an all-terrain vehicle at her beloved property on Daylesford-Clunes Rd in Ullina about 7pm. Ronson’s family told the Herald Sun the 52-year-old had been stolen “from us far too soon”. Her husband Chris Taylor paid tribute to “the love of my life, my inspiration and greatest supporter”. “I am lost without her,” he said. Taylor said his wife – who was the chief marketing officer at Medibank – was the “light in every life she touched”. Ronson joined Medibank after leaving her role as chief executive of marketing at Coles in May 2023, following a successful four-year stint where she won numerous awards including Australia’s most prolific marketer and the Best of the Best Marketer of the Year in 2021. [Read more] Prominent anti-gambling advocate Tim Costello has slammed the government’s failure to enact a long-mooted ban on wagering advertising, saying it had caved in to vested interests and broken a commitment to get it passed before Christmas, reports The AFR’s Max Mason . Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is facing growing frustration, including from within her own party, over the delay in introducing legislation to restrict gambling advertising 18 months after an inquiry led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy recommended a total ban. The Albanese government may still restrict gambling advertising but does not plan to introduce legislation this week, according to Rowland’s office. Monday kicks off the last parliamentary sitting week of the year, which may also be the last before an election if an early vote is called. [Read more] Southern Cross Media will hold its AGM on Monday, and we imagine that chairman Heith Mackay-Cruise will face an uncomfortable grilling over, well, just about everything going wrong with the management of the business, report The Australian’s Yoni Bashan and Nick Evans . We hear he’ll just scrape over the line during a re-election ballot, but Adore Beauty chair Marina Go , appointed to the board last month, and notably without any broadcast experience, is unlikely to survive. She is quite certain to be dumped, and there’s certainly a view that Mackay-Cruise should be following her out. Just take a look at the joint. The SCA board has received five transaction proposals over the past 12 months and shrugged off each of them as the share price kept tumbling – from highs of $1.05 in November last year to Friday’s pitiful close of 54.5c. [Read more] See also: Southern Cross hit with first strike, with chairman under pressure The Albanese government is facing growing backlash for attempting to ram through its ban on social media for people under 16 before the end of the week without proper consultation, reports The AFR’s Max Mason . The government’s proposed ban allowed the industry just a day to make fresh submissions on a bill introduced to parliament last Thursday. The Senate will hold a three-hour public inquiry on Monday before reporting on Tuesday. The legislation is expected to pass this week with the support of the Coalition, who announced a similar policy in June. [Read more] Back when he lived in Newtown, Alan Jones had a wall covered in photographs of himself with the Pick and Stick crew. There were football players, political allies, celebrities and billionaires; the “Moses of the airwaves” had cultivated a powerful fellowship over his first 20-odd years on air, and still had half his radio career to run. Yet even then, some in his orbit had misgivings about getting too close to Jones. “The last place you wanted to end up was on his wall,” said one, reports Nine Publishing’s Jordan Baker . Being close to Jones was, as one former staffer put it, “an exhausting thing”. It was like being smiled upon by a capricious emperor. The anointed ones, who ranged from sports stars to musicians to prime ministers and premiers, were graced with favours and largesse. But they had to pay homage or risk it all. Jones’ warning that a failure to respond to a request would “be the end of our friendship”, was ominous indeed. For decades, power protected Jones. He bullied his staff, bulldozed elected officials, and was perceived to favour handsome young men. Few were game to challenge him. Those who did paid the price. Jones was a man “drunk on power”, said one former staffer, and “did not know when to stop”. But his grip loosened as society changed and Jones refused to change with it, as advertisers became reluctant to align themselves with his increasingly fringe views, and as movements such as #MeToo put the anatomy of power under the microscope. [Read more] Prominent broadcaster and podcaster Josh Szeps has defended radio star Alan Jones despite revealing that the 83-year-old made repeated physical advances towards him as a young producer on his radio show, including trying to kiss him and touch his genitals, reports Nine Publishing’s Riley Walter . In an episode of his Uncomfortable Conversations podcast, Szeps told listeners that Jones – who on Monday was arrested and charged with 26 offences against nine alleged victims after a top-secret police investigation – tried to “put his hand on my dick”, kiss him and rub his chest on several occasions while he worked as a junior producer on his radio show. “It was clear that he had a crush on me, and he hit on me many times, and in that context, hitting on me meant making a physical move, not a verbal one. He tried to put his hand on my dick, he tried to kiss me, he tried to rub my chest, and I would just slap him off, and we would laugh, and we’d move on,” Szeps said. [Read more] Some of those best placed to uphold the presumption of innocence are the same ones who ignored it, after Alan Jones was arrested and charged with more than two dozen alleged offences against nine men over two decades. His youngest alleged victim was 17, writes The Australian’s Janet Albrechtsen. The presumption of innocence was undermined when NSW Assistant Police Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald fronted the media and described the complainants as victims. He commended the “victims” for their “bravery in coming forward”. “The victims have our full support. This is what they have been asking for,” he said. “These are serious charges.” Equally serious is the presumption of innocence. There is no “victim”. Not yet. There is a complainant. I would launch this strident defence of the presumption of innocence even if Jones were my foe. That Jones is a friend of mine is neither here nor there. A good portion of the media take the presumption of innocence seriously. But when, in the first press conference after Jones’s arrest, a senior policeman calls a complainant a “victim”, the media will report that. When police tip off the media about the arrest of a man with as high a profile as Jones, the media will film that. Still, there are plenty in the media also laying down impressions that here’s a man who has rightly met his comeuppance. [Read more] The Australian has recorded the highest audience growth of any major metropolitan print title over the past year, with its average weekday readership surging by more than 10 per cent, according to figures released by research company Roy Morgan on Monday, reports The Australian’s James Madden . The national masthead attracted 38,000 extra readers over the past 12 months, more than any newspaper in the country. The Weekend Australian also remains the most-read Saturday masthead in the nation, lifting its audience by 1.1 per cent year on year and boasting more than 3.6 times more readers than the Nine-owned business tabloid The Australian Financial Review on weekends. Across print and digital, The Australian is read by more than four million consumers each month, with its cross-platform audience 16 per cent higher than that of the AFR , its main commercial rival. Of News Corp’s state-based titles, the Herald Sun’s weekday edition drew an additional 19,000 readers (up 3.3 per cent year on year), the Courier-Mail’s cross-platform metro audience (print and digital) jumped by 12.1 per cent over the past 12 months, The Advertiser climbed by 4.7 per cent and Sydney’s Daily Telegraph increased by 2.5 per cent. The weekday edition of the Herald Sun remains the most-read Monday-to-Friday masthead in Australia, while Sydney’s Sunday Telegraph is the highest-selling title on weekends, with an average weekly readership of 804,000. [Read more] The Sydney Morning Herald continues to hold its long-running title as Australia’s most-read masthead, attracting a cross-platform readership of more than 7 million, fresh Roy Morgan figures have revealed, reports Nine Publishing. The numbers were driven by the Walkley Award-winning investigative series Building Bad, the masthead’s Olympics and Paralympics coverage and news of two assassination attempts on Donald Trump, which have also pushed subscriber figures higher. At 7.05 million readers in the 12 months to September, this means about one in three Australians choose to read the Herald , putting it ahead of competitor The Daily Telegraph , which had 4 million. The Herald’s Monday to Friday print edition notched average reader numbers of 386,000, while the Saturday paper recorded 472,000 readers. Victoria’s The Age has a national readership of 4.55 million, ahead of competitor the Herald Sun by 450,000. [Read more] Tensions are reportedly high at Brisbane’s 4BC as breakfast host Peter Fegan has an issue with the station’s decision to enlist Shane Doherty as a summer fill-in presenter, reports News Corp’s Georgia Clelland . Doherty, a former senior media adviser to the Palaszczuk government, will temporarily replace drive host Gary Hardgrave while both he and Fegan are on leave. Sources close to the station reveal Fegan and Doherty share a frosty history. Both Fegan and Hardgrave have been vocal critics of Palaszczuk. The move to bring Doherty on board is understood to have been driven by execs in Sydney, bypassing local reservations. Meanwhile, future of Brisbane breakfast radio is under scrutiny, with speculation swirling that Sydney’s Kyle and Jackie O Show could replace Robin and Kip on KIIS97.3 in 2025. Despite strong denials from the Australian Radio Network (ARN), industry insiders remain unconvinced, citing recent structural changes at the station as potential indicators. The redundancy of Robin and Kip’s executive producer, Ruth De Glas , this week has fuelled rumours of an impending shake-up. [Read more] Jase Hawkins , Lauren Phillips and Clint Stanaway of Nova Melbourne’s breakfast show marked an unusual anniversary on Friday, with November 22 being the date last year that they were told they were being axed from the breakfast shift at KIIS FM to make way for Kyle Sandilands and Jackie Henderson , reports News Corp’s Fiona Byrne . Twelve months on, the number 1 FM breakfast show in Melbourne is the Nova trio while Sandilands and his posse are dwelling in seventh position in the overall breakfast market. “We just want to thank everyone for listening to our show. It was one year ago today that we were told no one wanted to listen to us on the radio,” Phillips said on their show on Friday. “We got shafted a year ago to the day,” Hawkins added. [Read more] Brigitte Duclos is radio’s comeback queen, reports News Corp’s Fiona Byrne . After a stellar career as part of some of Melbourne radio’s most iconic on air teams in 90s and mid noughties, Duclos thought her radio days were over when the axe fell on her role as host of Gold FM’s breakfast show in late 2015. But after forging a new career as a counsellor, Duclos is returning to the airwaves in 2025 as the host of ABC Melbourne’s afternoon show. Duclos started her media career in the sports department at Channel 10 in 1986 before moving into general news. In 1992 she also started reading news on Richard Stubbs’ Triple M breakfast show. “Eventually I gave up the TV because I thought this radio is so much better for me,” Duclos said. After four years on Stubbs’ show she joined Triple M’s The Grill Team with Eddie McGuire and Dermott Brereton . Next came The Cage on Triple M with Peter Berner, James Brayshaw, Matt Parkinson and Mike Fitzpatrick before Duclos moved to MIX FM (now KIIS) in 2008 to host breakfast with Tom Gleeson and George McEnroe . [Read more] Matt Doran , the co-host of Seven’s Weekend Sunrise , is quitting the network, reports The Australian’s James Madden . The 41-year-old made the announcement during Sunday’s show, telling viewers that after five years on the program, he would be finishing up at the end of the year. “It’s something I’ve agonised over because it’s honest to say this is one of the best jobs on earth, but we think it’s right – and at the right time – for our little family,” Doran told viewers. Three years ago, Doran made headlines across the globe when he delivered an on-air apology to British singer Adele after he flew to the UK to interview her about her new album without having listened to it – a mistake that left him Rolling In The Deep shit with his bosses at Seven. [Read more] Samantha Armytage is set to “Wake up with Today ” next month, when she sits in the hot seat as host of the program, reports News Corp’s Briana Domjen . Sunday Confidential can reveal Nine bosses have asked Armytage to “fill in” for a week and a half over the summer period, while regular hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo are on leave. She will be co-hosting the show with Weekend Today host Clint Stanaway . Armytage wouldn’t return Confidential’s calls on Saturday, and a Nine spokesperson said the network would confirm its summer program soon. It is believed Nine has made the move in a bid to get the Nine audience acquainted with Armytage, who worked with rival network Seven for 21 years but recently jumped ship to host their new reality dating program. Whether it is a “trial” for a more permanent position is yet to be seen. [Read more] The Seven Network may be about to dip their toe back in the rugby league waters, report News Corp’s Brent Read and Michael Carayannis . The network has held internal talks over starting their own rugby league show next year in a potential pointer to entering the fight for the game’s broadcast rights in coming months. Seven were last involved with rugby league seven years ago when they won the rights to televise the 2017 World Cup. However, they have hitched their wagon to AFL in recent years and Nine has been the commercial broadcaster of choice for rugby league. [Read more] Josh Hazlewood has been sold for nearly $2.3m while Jake Fraser-McGurk’s price has gone through the roof, reports cricket.com.au’s Max Hatzoglou . A total of 37 Australians will go under the hammer across two days of the Indian Premier League Auction beginning on Sunday night. Mitchell Starc was one of the first few players to sell with the left-arm quick going to the Delhi Capitals for 11.75 crore ($2.14 million), less than half of the 24.75 crore he went for last year to break the record for the most expensive player in IPL history. Marcus Stoinis was sold to Ricky Ponting’s Punjab Kings for 11 crore ($2 million) while rising star Jake Fraser-McGurk was sold to the Capitals for 9 crore ($1.64 million) after the franchise which he starred for last year matched the bid of the Kings. Glenn Maxwell was sold to the Kings for 4.2 crore ($765,000) and Mitchell Marsh was picked up by the Lucknow Super Giants for 3.4 crore (620,000). Josh Hazlewood was the last of the first five Aussies to be sold at the auction with the fast bowler heading to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for 12.5 crore ($2.29 million), the highest price of an Aussie at the auction so far. David Warner went unsold in the auction. [Read more]
Alex Ovechkin is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks with a broken left legLiving Opera has announced the new podcast “Behind the Curtain,” hosted by soprano Soula Parassidis and tenor Norman Reinhardt. The video podcast, filmed at the Hotel Bristol in Vienna, takes listeners beyond the stage and into the heart of opera. Through candid, thought-provoking conversations, the podcast explores universal themes such as personal growth, leadership, and perseverance. In the first episode, which was released on Dec. 3, Parassidis and Reinhardt discuss the life of opera singers. They reflect on founding of their organization, Living Opera, as well as performance anxiety, balancing passion and pressure, and the harmful pursuit of perfectionism. Christos Makridis , co-founder of Living Opera, professor, entrepreneur, and social scientist joins the conversation in episode two. Together they discuss the intersection of economics and opera. Makridis shares his research on artists’ labor market experiences and the fascinating challenges of interpreting artistic careers through data. They also discuss the issues of artist compensation and the broader value of the arts in our society. “Behind the Curtain” is uploaded weekly to all major listening platforms. Categories
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