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Lewandowski joins Ronaldo and Messi in Champions League 100-goal club. Haaland nets 2 but City draws"As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It's an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world's premier racing series, and we're committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM's engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level." The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. "We're excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. "Together, we're assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world." Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. "The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team," Michael Andretti posted on social media. "I'm very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!" The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti's dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years, and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA. The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they've already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti's application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1's current grid. "General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. "Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024," F1 said in a statement. "Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. "With Formula 1's continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1."
Pokhara [Nepal], December 23 (ANI): Former Nepali Home Minister and Chairman of Rastriya Swatantra Party- Rabi Lamichhane's post as Member of Parliament has been suspended, the Federal Parliament Secretariat announced on Monday. Issuing a notice, the General Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat, Padma Prasad Pandey announced Lamichhane's MP position has been suspended. The Kaski District Attorney on Sunday had filed a case including money laundering. Also Read | Sheikh Hasina Extradition: Bangladesh Requests India To Extradite Former Prime Minister; New Delhi Confirms Communication. Lamichhane has been suspended from the post of lawmaker according to Section 27 of the Asset (Money) Laundering Prevention Act, 2008. "Any official or staff of any organized institution established under the prevailing laws or civil servant shall be deemed to be automatically suspended for a period he/she is detained as per this Act or until the case filed against him/her pursuant to Section 22 is settled," states Section 27 of the Act in Nepal's constitution. Also Read | Brian Thompson Murder Case: Luigi Mangione Pleads Not Guilty to State Murder, Other Charges in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Death. The former TV anchor who rose to political fame and got elected twice from Chitwan Constituency Number 2, is facing charges including money laundering, organized crime, and cooperative fraud. The cases have led to questions about his political future as a lawmaker. Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2007 (as amended), "any individual holding a public office, such as a lawmaker, who faces a money laundering charge, is automatically suspended from their position until the case is resolved." Section (27) of the Act clearly outlines that a public office-holder detained under this law will be suspended for the duration of their detention and until the case is disposed of. If the court decides to remand Lamichhane in custody, Lamichhane's parliamentary status will be suspended, marking the second time he has faced such a situation. Lamichhane was arrested on October 18 in connection with a separate savings fraud case involving Pokhara's Suryadarshan Cooperative Society. He has been in police custody in Kaski ever since. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
LAS VEGAS — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. "As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It's an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world's premier racing series, and we're committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM's engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level." The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. "We're excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. "Together, we're assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world." Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. "The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team," Michael Andretti posted on social media. "I'm very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!" The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti's dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years, and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA. The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they've already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti's application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1's current grid. "General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. "Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024," F1 said in a statement. "Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. "With Formula 1's continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
As table tennis continues to evolve and embrace new technologies, it is crucial for all stakeholders to engage in open dialogue and constructive debate about the role of innovation in the sport. By working together to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and sportsmanship, we can ensure that table tennis remains a vibrant and competitive arena for athletes and fans alike. Wang Chuqin's stance on the controversial ball tracking system serves as a reminder that the integrity of the game must always take precedence, no matter the level of technology involved.Stocks to buy: Two stock recommendations from MarketSmith India for 30 December
OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship'By HALELUYA HADERO The emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce novel and detailed online reviews with almost no work has put merchants , service providers and consumers in uncharted territory, watchdog groups and researchers say. Related Articles National News | Bluesky finds with growth comes growing pains — and bots National News | Mega Millions jackpot nears $1 billion ahead of Christmas Eve drawing National News | The Container Store, buffeted by rough housing market and competition, seeks bankruptcy protection National News | An ex-police officer is convicted of lying about leaks to the Proud Boys leader National News | 2 US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent ‘friendly fire’ incident, US military says Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. They are typically traded on private social media groups between fake review brokers and businesses willing to pay. Sometimes, such reviews are initiated by businesses that offer customers incentives such as gift cards for positive feedback. But AI-infused text generation tools, popularized by OpenAI’s ChatGPT , enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice, which is illegal in the U.S. , is carried out year-round but becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season , when many people rely on reviews to help them purchase gifts. Fake reviews are found across a wide range of industries, from e-commerce, lodging and restaurants, to services such as home repairs, medical care and piano lessons. The Transparency Company, a tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews, said it started to see AI-generated reviews show up in large numbers in mid-2023 and they have multiplied ever since. For a report released this month, The Transparency Company analyzed 73 million reviews in three sectors: home, legal and medical services. Nearly 14% of the reviews were likely fake, and the company expressed a “high degree of confidence” that 2.3 million reviews were partly or entirely AI-generated. “It’s just a really, really good tool for these review scammers,” said Maury Blackman, an investor and advisor to tech startups, who reviewed The Transparency Company’s work and is set to lead the organization starting Jan. 1. In August, software company DoubleVerify said it was observing a “significant increase” in mobile phone and smart TV apps with reviews crafted by generative AI. The reviews often were used to deceive customers into installing apps that could hijack devices or run ads constantly, the company said. The following month, the Federal Trade Commission sued the company behind an AI writing tool and content generator called Rytr, accusing it of offering a service that could pollute the marketplace with fraudulent reviews. The FTC, which this year banned the sale or purchase of fake reviews, said some of Rytr’s subscribers used the tool to produce hundreds and perhaps thousands of reviews for garage door repair companies, sellers of “replica” designer handbags and other businesses. Max Spero, CEO of AI detection company Pangram Labs, said the software his company uses has detected with almost certainty that some AI-generated appraisals posted on Amazon bubbled up to the top of review search results because they were so detailed and appeared to be well thought-out. But determining what is fake or not can be challenging. External parties can fall short because they don’t have “access to data signals that indicate patterns of abuse,” Amazon has said. Pangram Labs has done detection for some prominent online sites, which Spero declined to name due to non-disclosure agreements. He said he evaluated Amazon and Yelp independently. Many of the AI-generated comments on Yelp appeared to be posted by individuals who were trying to publish enough reviews to earn an “Elite” badge, which is intended to let users know they should trust the content, Spero said. The badge provides access to exclusive events with local business owners. Fraudsters also want it so their Yelp profiles can look more realistic, said Kay Dean, a former federal criminal investigator who runs a watchdog group called Fake Review Watch. To be sure, just because a review is AI-generated doesn’t necessarily mean its fake. Some consumers might experiment with AI tools to generate content that reflects their genuine sentiments. Some non-native English speakers say they turn to AI to make sure they use accurate language in the reviews they write. “It can help with reviews (and) make it more informative if it comes out of good intentions,” said Michigan State University marketing professor Sherry He, who has researched fake reviews. She says tech platforms should focus on the behavioral patters of bad actors, which prominent platforms already do, instead of discouraging legitimate users from turning to AI tools. Prominent companies are developing policies for how AI-generated content fits into their systems for removing phony or abusive reviews. Some already employ algorithms and investigative teams to detect and take down fake reviews but are giving users some flexibility to use AI. Spokespeople for Amazon and Trustpilot, for example, said they would allow customers to post AI-assisted reviews as long as they reflect their genuine experience. Yelp has taken a more cautious approach, saying its guidelines require reviewers to write their own copy. “With the recent rise in consumer adoption of AI tools, Yelp has significantly invested in methods to better detect and mitigate such content on our platform,” the company said in a statement. The Coalition for Trusted Reviews, which Amazon, Trustpilot, employment review site Glassdoor, and travel sites Tripadvisor, Expedia and Booking.com launched last year, said that even though deceivers may put AI to illicit use, the technology also presents “an opportunity to push back against those who seek to use reviews to mislead others.” “By sharing best practice and raising standards, including developing advanced AI detection systems, we can protect consumers and maintain the integrity of online reviews,” the group said. The FTC’s rule banning fake reviews, which took effect in October, allows the agency to fine businesses and individuals who engage in the practice. Tech companies hosting such reviews are shielded from the penalty because they are not legally liable under U.S. law for the content that outsiders post on their platforms. Tech companies, including Amazon, Yelp and Google, have sued fake review brokers they accuse of peddling counterfeit reviews on their sites. The companies say their technology has blocked or removed a huge swath of suspect reviews and suspicious accounts. However, some experts say they could be doing more. “Their efforts thus far are not nearly enough,” said Dean of Fake Review Watch. “If these tech companies are so committed to eliminating review fraud on their platforms, why is it that I, one individual who works with no automation, can find hundreds or even thousands of fake reviews on any given day?” Consumers can try to spot fake reviews by watching out for a few possible warning signs , according to researchers. Overly enthusiastic or negative reviews are red flags. Jargon that repeats a product’s full name or model number is another potential giveaway. When it comes to AI, research conducted by Balázs Kovács, a Yale professor of organization behavior, has shown that people can’t tell the difference between AI-generated and human-written reviews. Some AI detectors may also be fooled by shorter texts, which are common in online reviews, the study said. However, there are some “AI tells” that online shoppers and service seekers should keep it mind. Panagram Labs says reviews written with AI are typically longer, highly structured and include “empty descriptors,” such as generic phrases and attributes. The writing also tends to include cliches like “the first thing that struck me” and “game-changer.”
Bundesbank sounds alarm over US trade war By JESSICA CLARK Updated: 16:51 EST, 13 December 2024 e-mail View comments Germany's central bank sharply downgraded its growth outlook for the country yesterday. And the Bundesbank also warned prospects for Europe's largest economy could sink even further if Donald Trump imposes damaging trade tariffs. The bank now expects gross domestic product to shrink by 0.2 per cent this year – a second year in a row of contraction – having previously forecast growth of 0.3 per cent. And it slashed the outlook for 2025 growth from 1.1 per cent to 0.2 per cent. The performance could be even worse if US president-elect Trump fulfils pledges including the imposition of 60 per cent import tariffs on Chinese goods and 10 per cent on those from other economies including Germany. That could knock as much as 0.6 percentage points off growth next year, the Bundesbank predicted. The export-driven German economy is likely to 'suffer considerably from such a US policy shift,' a report published by the central bank said. Concern: The Bundesbank warned prospects for Germany's economy could sink even further if Donald Trump imposes damaging trade tariffs 'Its strong reliance on exports makes it particularly vulnerable to the decline in foreign demand resulting from the global trade losses triggered by the restrictive trade policy. 'The heightened uncertainty further burdens the German economy.' Germany's industrial sector – including its once-mighty car industry – has been struggling since it lost access to cheap Russian energy due to the war in Ukraine and as China's demand for German exports faded. The crisis has set off turmoil at Volkswagen which has been convulsed by strikes this month after the company threatened to close plants in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Trump is making Americans richer by the day - and he's not... How investors can make hay if Trump starts a trade tariff... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account Political instability has also weakened growth prospects as Germans prepare to head to the polls in February after a snap election was called amid widespread dissatisfaction about the country's economy. Bundesbank president Joachim Nagel said: 'The German economy is not only struggling with persistent economic headwinds but also with structural problems. 'The labour market too is now responding noticeably to the protracted weakness of economy activity.' And acknowledging the threat posed by Trump's plans, he added: 'The biggest source of uncertainty for the forecast is a possible global increase in protectionism.' The European Central Bank (ECB) cut interest rates to 3 per cent this week – the fourth reduction this year – amid weak growth and political instability in Germany and France. ECB president Christine Lagarde said efforts to bring down inflation – now 2.3 per cent – were bearing fruit but foresaw 'a slower economic recovery'. DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS AJ Bell AJ Bell Easy investing and ready-made portfolios Learn More Learn More Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown Free fund dealing and investment ideas Learn More Learn More interactive investor interactive investor Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month Learn More Learn More Saxo Saxo Get £200 back in trading fees Learn More Learn More Trading 212 Trading 212 Free dealing and no account fee Learn More Learn More Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: Bundesbank sounds alarm over US trade war e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence. More top stories
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — Victims' families and others affected by crimes that resulted in federal death row convictions shared a range of emotions on Monday, from relief to anger, after President Joe Biden commuted dozens of the sentences . Biden converted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The inmates include people who were convicted in the slayings of police, military officers and federal prisoners and guards. Others were involved in deadly robberies and drug deals. Three inmates will remain on federal death row: Dylann Roof , convicted of the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; the 2013 Boston Marathon Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Opponents of the death penalty lauded Biden for a decision they'd long sought. Supporters of Donald Trump , a vocal advocate of expanding capital punishment, criticized the move as an assault to common decency just weeks before the president-elect takes office. Donnie Oliverio, a retired Ohio police officer whose partner was killed by one of the men whose death sentence was commuted, said the execution of “the person who killed my police partner and best friend would have brought me no peace.” “The president has done what is right here,” Oliverio said in a statement also issued by the White House, “and what is consistent with the faith he and I share.” Heather Turner, whose mother, Donna Major, was killed in a bank robbery in South Carolina in 2017, called Biden's commutation of the killer's sentence a “clear gross abuse of power” in a Facebook post, adding that the weeks she spent sitting in court with the hope of justice were now “just a waste of time.” “At no point did the president consider the victims,” Turner wrote. “He, and his supporters, have blood on their hands.” There has always been a broad range of opinions on what punishment Roof should face from the families of the nine people killed and the survivors of the massacre at the Mother Emanuel AME Church. Many forgave him, but they can’t forget and their forgiveness doesn’t mean they don’t want to see him put to death for what he did. Felicia Sanders survived the shooting shielding her granddaughter while watching Roof kill her son, Tywanza, and her aunt, Susie Jackson. Sanders brought her bullet-torn bloodstained Bible to his sentencing and said then she can’t even close her eyes to pray because Roof started firing during the closing prayer of Bible study that night. In a text message to her lawyer, Andy Savage, Sanders called Biden’s decision to not spare Roof’s life a wonderful Christmas gift. Michael Graham, whose sister, Cynthia Hurd, was killed, told The Associated Press that Roof’s lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the country means he is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for. “This was a crime against a race of people," Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.” But the Rev. Sharon Richer, who was Tywanza Sanders’ cousin and whose mother, Ethel Lance, was killed, criticized Biden for not sparing Roof and clearing out all of death row. She said every time Roof’s case comes up through numerous appeals it is like reliving the massacre all over again. “I need the President to understand that when you put a killer on death row, you also put their victims' families in limbo with the false promise that we must wait until there is an execution before we can begin to heal,” Richer said in a statement. Richer, a board member of Death Penalty Action, which seeks to abolish capital punishment, was driven to tears by conflicting emotions during a Zoom news conference Monday. “The families are left to be hostages for the years and years of appeals that are to come,” Richer said. “I’ve got to stay away from the news today. I’ve got to turn the TV off — because whose face am I going to see?” Biden is giving more attention to the three inmates he chose not to spare, something they all wanted as a part of what drove them to kill, said Abraham Bonowitz, Death Penalty Action’s executive director. “These three racists and terrorists who have been left on death row came to their crimes from political motivations. When Donald Trump gets to execute them what will really be happening is they will be given a global platform for their agenda of hatred,” Bonowitz said. Two of the men whose sentences were commuted were Norris Holder and Billie Jerome Allen, on death row for opening fire with assault rifles during a 1997 bank robbery in St. Louis, killing a guard, 46-year-old Richard Heflin. Holder’s attorney, Madeline Cohen, said in an email that Holder was sentenced to death by an all-white jury. She said his case “reflects many of the system’s flaws,” and thanked Biden for commuting his sentence. “Norris’ case exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said. “Norris has always been deeply remorseful for the pain his actions caused, and we hope this decision brings some measure of closure to Richard Heflin’s family.” Swenson reported from Seattle. Associated Press writer Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri, contributed to this report.In the emotional embrace of reunion, words were exchanged, tears were shed, and hearts were filled with a profound sense of gratitude and belonging. The years of separation melted away, replaced by a renewed sense of unity, forgiveness, and hope for the future. Together, the family embarked on a journey of reconciliation and healing, cherishing the precious moments they had lost and savoring the newfound joy of being together once again.
New spiking offence aims to bring law up to date, minister says
Prime Minister James Marape has officially released his 2025 address to the people of Papua New Guinea, highlighting the country’s 50 years of independence and reflects on the country’s achievements in the last five years. My Fellow Papua New Guineans, As the sun rises on 2025, we stand at a monumental juncture in our history—our Golden Jubilee. This year, we celebrate 50 years of independence, a journey that began in 1975 when Papua New Guinea became a sovereign nation. It is a time to honor our past, recognise our achievements, and recommit ourselves to the ideals that our founding fathers envisioned: unity, progress, and prosperity for all. Reflecting on 50 Years of Nationhood In 1975, a dream was realised as Papua New Guinea claimed its rightful place among the community of nations. Under the leadership of the visionary Sir Michael Somare and other courageous patriots, our country declared its independence, not through conflict, but with dignity, peace, and unity. Ours has been a journey marked by trials and triumphs. From the challenges of nation-building and the Bougainville Crisis to the global economic shifts of recent decades, we have risen to each challenge with resilience. Today, we stand united as a people of immense cultural diversity, with over 800 languages and traditions woven together into a rich tapestry of shared identity. This diversity is not a source of division—it is our greatest strength. It is the essence of who we are as Papua New Guineans and will continue to guide us as we move forward into the next chapter of our history. Acknowledging the Role of the Church As we commemorate this historic milestone, we must also acknowledge the pivotal role that the Church has played in shaping Papua New Guinea’s moral and social fabric over the past five decades. From education to healthcare, from fostering unity to providing spiritual guidance, the Church has been a cornerstone of our nation’s development. In 2025, the Church will lead key aspects of our Golden Jubilee celebrations. In August, churches across the country will host a Month of Prayer, Repentance, and Healing, culminating in the National Repentance Day on August 26. This will bring our people together in a spirit of humility and renewal. Furthermore, on August 30, 2025, Papua New Guinea and Bougainville will observe a Day of Reconciliation—a profound moment of healing and unity as we strengthen bonds and honor our shared commitment to peace and prosperity. Achievements of the Last Five Years As we reflect on our journey, we must also celebrate the significant progress made in the last five years under the Marape-Rosso Government. These achievements reflect the strength of our collective efforts and our commitment to building a better Papua New Guinea: Economic Growth: The national economy grew from K79.6 billion in 2019 to K122 billion in 2024, supported by resource projects like PNG LNG and reforms in agriculture, fisheries, and SMEs. Infrastructure Development: Through the Connect PNG Programme, over 2,400 kilometres of highways and 93 bridges have been completed, linking rural communities to essential services and markets. Education: We have made significant strides in transforming our education system to ensure no child is left behind. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programmes and the establishment of Schools of Excellence are equipping our youth with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a modern world. The expansion of Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) has brought learning opportunities to students in remote areas, while the Higher Education Loan Programme ( HELP) has made tertiary education accessible for thousands of young Papua New Guineans. These initiatives reaffirm our commitment to leaving no child behind and empowering the next generation to build a prosperous Papua New Guinea. Health: As we celebrate 50 years of independence, our state-of-the-art facilities for heart and cancer treatment will be operational in Papua New Guinea for the first time, eliminating the need for our people to seek these critical services overseas. At the same time, we continue to expand access to modern basic healthcare by upgrading rural health centers and hospitals nationwide. These efforts underscore our dedication to providing quality healthcare for every Papua New Guinean, ensuring that no one is left behind. Climate Leadership: Papua New Guinea has emerged as a global leader in sustainability, pioneering initiatives in carbon trading, renewable energy, and environmental conservation. These achievements demonstrate what we can accomplish when we unite around a shared vision and purpose. Celebrating Our Golden Jubilee 2025 will be a year of reflection, celebration, and forward planning. To ensure that all Papua New Guineans feel included in this historic milestone, a range of events and initiatives will take place: Economic Growth and Jobs: Investments in infrastructure, agriculture, and SMEs to drive job creation and economic diversification. Strengthening Security: Enhanced funding for police, defense, and judiciary services to ensure safety and justice for all. Cost-of-Living Relief: Removing GST on essential goods like rice, chicken, and tinned fish to ease household pressures. Sustainability: Initiatives in renewable energy and climate solutions to protect our environment for future generations. Forging Ahead: A Clear Vision for the Next 20 Years As we look to the future, we must reflect on our journey and set clear goals for the next phase of our development. Within the framework of Vision 2050, we will focus on the period from 2025 to 2045 to lay the foundation for transformative economic growth. This phase will prioritise: Manufacturing: Ensuring our resources are processed locally, creating jobs and increasing export value. Special Economic Zones: Establishing zones that foster industrialisation and economic diversification. Workforce Growth: Expanding education and training to equip our people with the skills needed for a modern economy. Infrastructure Development: Continuing the Connect PNG Programme to provide markets, healthcare, and education to all communities. By catching up on missed opportunities from the first 15 years of Vision 2050, we will propel our nation from its 50th to its 70th anniversary with a visible, actionable blueprint for progress. A Call to Unity and Patriotism Fellow Papua New Guineans, this Golden Jubilee is not just a celebration—it is a call to action. It reminds us of the sacrifices of our ancestors and challenges us to honor their legacy by building a nation that is strong, inclusive, and prosperous. Let us unite as one people, one nation, with a shared vision for the future. Let the drumbeats of our kundu resonate across the land, and let the vibrant colors of our bilums reflect our pride and hope. Together, we will write the next chapter of Papua New Guinea’s history—a chapter of progress, unity, and opportunity for all. May God bless you all, and may God bless our beloved Papua New Guinea.