Labour peer condemns her own party as ‘cruel’ over inheritance tax raid on farms
The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — John Poulakidas’ 22 points helped Yale defeat Fairfield 91-66 on Saturday. Poulakidas shot 7 for 8, including 6 for 7 from beyond the arc for the Bulldogs (4-3). Nick Townsend scored 16 points and added seven rebounds and five assists. Samson Aletan shot 5 of 9 from the field and 5 for 6 from the line to finish with 15 points. Makuei Riek led the Stags (2-4) in scoring, finishing with 13 points. Fairfield also got 13 points and two steals from Noah Best. Louis Bleechmore also had 11 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Keir Starmer branded ‘disgrace’ after backing arrest warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
Australia-Canada to fast track missile defence researchNoneRavens' running game was crucial in a big win over the Chargers, especially on 4th down
After what they say has been months of refused visits with their four children in foster care, Kimberly and Jordan Joseph packed their bags and decided to walk more than 1,500 kilometres from “Prince Rupert, B.C.” to “Victoria.” The couple — both Dakelh (Carrier) — say they’re raising awareness about the lack of support for birth parents resulting in too many kids in the country’s child welfare system. During their 75-day journey, they met dozens of people with lived experience of the child welfare system, visited a number of Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) offices, and earned the encouragement of hundreds of supporters. The Josephs live in Yekooche, a remote community of 87, northwest of “Fort St. James.” They said they weren’t just walking for Indigenous children and Youth — but every young person in foster care. On July 27, the couple set off, sending updates to their growing Facebook community. As the walk — and blisters — progressed, they alternated between walking and travelling by car, sometimes walking together or taking turns making the journey on foot while the other drove. The Josephs said they faced delays when MCFD repeatedly called to arrange visits with their kids, only to cancel after the couple had abandoned their walk to drive north. But they didn’t give up, and kept coming back to try and finish the walking journey. By late November, the Josephs had reached Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish). “It’s terrifying for a child to not understand why they can’t talk to their mom and their dad, or talk to their siblings,” said Kimberly during the stop on Nov. 25. Earlier that morning, the Josephs arrived holding hands, listening carefully to Kimberly’s smartphone. They were attending family court virtually — waiting to hear a judge’s response to their refusal for their children’s foster parents to continue caring for their boys. For Kimberly and Jordan, it was good news: the couple’s case will go to trial, she confirmed with a smile. There are now nearly 2,000 members of a Facebook group, “Walking For All Children in Ministry Care,” where the Josephs have given regular updates on their way. Until June 2023, the boys were in custody of Kimberly’s mother in “Kamloops,” but when she was no longer able to provide the care they needed, MCFD asked Kimberly if she would take them back. Though eager to be reunited with the children — of whom Jordan is a stepfather to three and biological father to one — it was not an easy process. The couple said they struggled with MCFD and Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) for almost a year. While caring for their children, Kimberly said CSFS had received money through Jordan’s Principle — a legal rule ensuring First Nations children can access services and support in a timely manner — to deliver the couple diapers and baby formula from CSFS’s “Fort St. John” office to their remote home, where they had no access to transportation. “They didn’t do it for a month,” alleged Kimberly, who said despite phoning countless times, she had to enlist help from friends and family to get by. “Finally, we showed up at their office and they gave us [an entire month’s worth] of formula. They were like, ‘this is all yours, it’s just been sitting at the office.’” While Jordan was in counseling after the death of his grandfather, a therapist reported his behaviour to MCFD as “aggressive,” the couple alleged. “It was all false,” said Kimberly, who said she wishes the ministry had handled Jordan’s grief with more compassion. Eventually, they said, MCFD insisted that Kimberly move into a shelter, separate from Jordan — who had been residing in a tiny house. During this time, she was given a chance to prove she could care for her children, but said she was chastized by social workers, who allegedly told her she was neglectful and didn’t dress properly (“but I like to dress cozy,” she said). A 2021 report released by the MCFD states that 84 per cent of Indigenous children in foster care were there due to what they call “neglect.” “But neglect from whom?” said Cindy Blackstock, speaking to this issue at the recent Our Children Our Way National conference in “Vancouver.” Blackstock said she believes that child welfare laws push the blame onto the parents, when they should be asking, “What is the actual source of this risk?” she said. While in the women’s shelter, Kimberly said she experienced a health emergency that resulted in her needing to be hospitalized. When MCFD showed up alongside paramedics, she expressed to MCFD that she needed time to recuperate — knowing she would be closely watched and her poor health would make it impossible to comprehensively care for her children on her own. She said she got an ultimatum in return. “And now they’re saying I could have had the boys but I gave them up,” she said. Now that the couple’s children are back in foster care, Kimberly alleged there have been multiple occasions where MCFD has told them there are no funds available to allow them to visit their children, who are divided between foster families in “Prince Rupert” and “Prince George.” But Jordan said after being given a vehicle from Jordan’s aunt, he and Kimberly decided to visit their children using their own money. “It was awesome, we finally had our own transportation,” he said. When they phoned the MCFD office to ask for a visit, they repeated the same reason — “a lack of funds,” Jordan recalled. “We told them they don’t need funding — we are already down here, and we’ve got the money to do stuff with the boys.” An MCFD employee replied they’d look into scheduling a visit, but one week later — after multiple inquiries from Kimberly and Jordan — they said they were told there was no supervisor available to attend a visit. “I feel like whenever we ask for anything, our file gets thrown to the side and they say no,” said Kimberly. IndigiNews requested comment from MCFD, who said that although it could not comment on individual cases, it noted that “recruitment and retention are a continuous priority for the ministry and direct child and family service staffing numbers are stable.” “In the last two years, there has been a 17 per cent increase in staffing levels and staffing has been up year-over-year since the pandemic,” the statement reads. IndigiNews also reached out to Carrier Sekani Family Services, but did not receive a response by time of publication. For Kimberly and Jordan, their frustrations soon reached a tipping point. “We decided we wanted to walk,” Jordan said. The couple spent one week preparing — alerting police they’d be walking the road, telling friends and family, and creating a Facebook group. “It was a really nice send-off,” Kimberly recalled. “People came to see us and it was fun.” After just a day of walking, she was shocked to find roughly 500 people had joined their Facebook group by the time Kimberly regained cell service — and nearly 100 messages of encouragement. The number of people in the group soon grew to close to a couple thousand. “We were like, ‘No way!’ And then people were stopping for us along the way, giving us their food and drinks.” Originally, the couple’s plan was to walk just the 700-kilometre route from “Prince Rupert” to “Prince George” — because their children had been split up between homes in the two cities. But when the Josephs finally reached “Prince George,” they felt so encouraged by the public’s support that they decided to extend their journey to the province’s capital — an additional walk of more than 800 kilometres south. They packed up their car and began leapfrogging their way down — alternating between walking and driving in a shared effort. The couple said they’ve found the walk healing. “I’ve opened up a lot about my past,” said Kimberly, who herself grew up in the “child welfare” system. “I really don’t ever talk about my past, but I think walking has helped me quite a lot.” Jordan said the walk has been healing for him too. “Being close to nature, seeing all the animals and getting to connect with everything has been awesome,” he said. The couple weren’t as fond of the countless tiny frogs, grasshoppers, beetles. “We hate insects,” the couple said in unison. Kimberly says that — besides offering counselling — MCFD also wants her to take parenting and relationship courses. But she believes the structure of such programs are colonial. “There’s Indian time, right?” she said. “I’ve never liked Western structure.” During their walk, Kimberly and Jordan met with many people through social media who shared their own experiences with the child welfare system. “It’s a lot easier to open up to people like that,” Kimberley said, “than to have someone sitting across from you that you don’t really know, that doesn’t say anything back to you other than, ‘How do you feel about that?’” When she and Jordan spoke to IndigiNews in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, it was actually their second time reaching the community. Back in October, the couple had walked as far as “Lions Bay” — 40 kilometres north of “Vancouver” — just when MCFD called about a visit they’d managed to arrange with their children. The Josephs headed back north. When they resumed their walk in November and finally reached “Vancouver,” the couple visited two local MCFD offices to ask staff what support systems they have for Indigenous mothers needing help. Kimberly recalls staff at both offices telling her she should make complaints through “the main office.” Later, after reaching “New Westminster,” the couple received another phone call from MCFD, alerting them to another visit the agency had arranged with their children. So for a second time, the couple returned north, only to learn the ministry had cancelled the visit due to “poor weather,” said Kimberly. “I keep telling them if you arrange a visit for us and we can show up, you have no excuse. You should be ready for us to receive our kids,” said Kimberly. On Nov. 30, the couple updated that they were finally being given an opportunity to visit their boys for a few hours. “I can’t wait to see our boys,” Jordan told the Facebook live. “Love and miss them so much.” With winter quickly approaching, Kimberly doesn’t think they’ll actually reach “Victoria” this year, though she hasn’t completely laid the idea to rest. In fact, she’s already planning next year’s walk. “We want to do it until something’s done for the foster children,” she said. With a pre-trial date being set, Kimberly and Jordan now want to focus their attention on preparing for their day in court, hoping to finally be reunited with their children. “Not all parents get to hug their children, not all parents get to play with them, wake up to them, go to sleep and tuck them in,” Kimberly said. As the couple ponders the next steps on their journey, Jordan added that “time is precious” for any parent. “We have to be watched every time we see ours,” he said. “So cherish every moment with your kids.”Nano-X Imaging (NNOX) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Bengaluru is becoming popular these days for all the wrong reasons. Be it traffic, road rage incidents, scuffles with auto drivers or getting in a verbal fight with food delivery agents, Bengaluru is all over internet. In addition to these, now a story has pooped in where a man, who claimed to have worked as an engineer in a tech firm, was found begging on the streets. According to a recent incident, the man's story was shared on Instagram by a user @sharath_yuvaraja_official a week ago through three videos. In the first video, the man could be seen dressed in a red t-shirt and appeared dishevelled. He claimed he worked for a tech firm in Global Village Tech Park, now known as Sattva Global City, near Mysuru Road as an engineer. His videos are going viral on social media. The man stated he began drinking after he lost his parents and now begs for his living. He was found begging on the JSS Road in Jayanagar 8th Block and was also spotted in 4th Block in a drunken state. In the second video, he rambles about meditation, Albert Einstein's work, David Hume's books, and more. In the third video, he claims to have visited Frankfurt in 2013 and returned to Bengaluru . "Actually, religion, caste, all those things... See what did (have) I become, finally. I need to read more, I need to read more," Deccan Herald quoted him as saying in the video. Following his videos were uploaded, netizens were quick to comment on it. Here are a few reactions: One wrote, "Thats so very sad." Another wrote, "Where is he now" A third commented, “This is really sad 😢 he needs help he needs to overcome his loss” "Why don't try taking to nimhans. It's clear something is wrong. He needs help to push him selves out of the condition. Once he overcomes the undying problem he might be able to take care of self. When sensitive ppl go through many losses etc I believe they lose their interest in materialism. Maybe he is in such a stage," commented the fourth. "This is a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life. It’s crucial to support mental health and provide opportunities for skill development and rehabilitation. No one should have to face such circumstances, especially in a city known for its thriving tech ecosystem," commented a fifth user.
Diplomatic tensions have flared between Haiti and France after Haitian authorities summoned the French ambassador to discuss comments made by President Emmanuel Macron. The French leader's remarks, made during his return from the G20 summit in Brazil, criticized the Haitian transitional presidential council's decision to dismiss the prime minister, labeling it as 'completely dumb.' Macron's comments, which blamed Haitians for the nation's challenges due to drug trafficking and praised former Prime Minister Garry Conille, have ignited a wave of outrage in Haiti. The island nation, a former French colony, declared independence in 1804 after paying a century-long debt to France, a sum activists now argue has contributed to Haiti's enduring economic woes. In response to the burgeoning controversy, France has reaffirmed its commitment to Haiti by pledging funds through a U.N. mission to restore security. Additionally, France plans to support language education for troops and has guaranteed its support in helping Haiti conduct future elections. (With inputs from agencies.)Thousands of defiant pro-EU protesters in Georgia staged a fresh rally Friday after the prime minister claimed victory in a "battle" against the opposition, amid a deepening post-electoral crisis. Tbilisi has been engulfed in turmoil since the governing Georgian Dream party declared that it had won a disputed October 26 election. The party's critics have accused it of creeping authoritarianism and of steering the country back towards Russia. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets since the election to protest against alleged electoral fraud. Fresh rallies took place across the country after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced last week that Georgia would not hold talks on European Union membership until 2028. Police have fired tear gas and water cannon against pro-EU protests in Tbilisi and hundreds of arrests have been made, triggering outrage at home and mounting international condemnation. France, Germany and Poland condemned what they called the government's "disproportionate" use of force against protesters and opposition leaders in a joint statement by their foreign ministers Friday. - 'Fighting for our freedom' - Several thousand people blocked the street outside parliament for a ninth consecutive night Friday, some blowing whistles and others setting off firecrackers. The crowd was smaller than on previous nights and the mood quieter, but protesters rejected claims the movement was dying out. "We are fighting for our freedom," said Nana, 18, a medical student, wrapped in an EU flag, accompanied by a friend in a matching Georgian flag. "We are not going to give up." Another protester, 35-year-old academic Alexander Kavtaradze, said: "It's a battle of nerves right now. The illegitimate government is hoping we'll get tired, that fewer people will come out each day. "We will continue our fight until the end." Separate protests were held outside Georgia's Public Broadcaster -- accused of serving as a government propaganda tool -- the education ministry, and the country's tourism administration offices. Shalva Alaverdashvili, founder of the Georgian hotels' federation, told AFP that the "unexpected and unacceptable" suspension of EU accession talks has severely hit the country's tourism industry, which accounts for seven percent of the country's GDP. Thousands have also staged anti-government rallies in the second city of Batumi on the Black Sea coast. On Friday evening, a court in Tbilisi put a 19-year-old youth activist in pre-trial detention. Zviad Tsetskhladze had been arrested during the protests on charges of "organising, leading, and participating in group violence". Tsetskhladze told the judge: "Democracy in Georgia is no more. The rule of law has been crushed. "Our actions are a form of resistance, aimed at preserving the rule of law, defending democracy, and protecting the rights of every individual." - Expected escalation - Earlier Friday Prime Minister Kobakhidze praised his security forces for "successfully neutralising the protesters' capacity for violence". "We have won an important battle against liberal fascism in our country," he told a news conference, using language reminiscent of how the Kremlin in Russia targets its political opponents. "But the fight is not over. Liberal fascism in Georgia must be defeated entirely, and work towards this goal will continue," Kobakhidze said. He repeated an earlier threat to "complete the process of neutralising the radical opposition". With both sides ruling out a compromise, there appeared to be no clear route out of the crisis. The leader of the opposition Lelo party, Mamuka Khazaradze, said the ruling party "no longer has the strength or resources to stand against the people." The government "has resorted to arresting young activists and political opponents out of fear of relentless public protests and growing civil disobedience by public servants," he told AFP. The interior ministry said police had detained three more individuals Friday for "participating in group violence", punishable by up to nine years' jail. Masked officers have raided several opposition party offices and arrested opposition leaders earlier this week, while around 300 people have been detained at rallies. On Friday Nika Gvaramia, leader of the opposition Akhali party, was sentenced to 12 days in prison. Alexandre Elisashvili, leader of the Strong Georgia opposition group, was remanded in custody for two months of pretrial detention. More trouble is expected after December 14, when Georgian Dream lawmakers elect a loyalist to succeed pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili. She has vowed not to step down until the parliamentary polls are re-run. Local media has also reported protests across the country, including in the cities of Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Rustavi and Telavi. - 'Torture' allegations - Critics of Georgian Dream are enraged by what they call its betrayal of Tbilisi's bid for EU membership, enshrined in the constitution and supported by around 80 percent of the population. Several ambassadors, a deputy foreign minister, and other officials have resigned over the suspension of EU talks. Georgian Dream, in power for more than a decade, has advanced controversial legislation in recent years, targeting civil society and independent media and curbing LGBTQ rights. Brussels warned such policies were incompatible with EU membership, while domestic critics accuse the government of copying Russia's playbook. Georgia's own rights ombudsman Levan Ioseliani has accused the police of "torture" against those arrested. ub-im/jjSira Thienou scores 16 points, No. 18 Ole Miss women coast to 89-24 win over Alabama State
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lynne Roberts wasn’t looking to leave the Utah women’s basketball team. Then she got a call from Los Angeles Sparks general manager Reagan Pebley that changed her thinking. Roberts was introduced Thursday as coach of the Sparks, becoming the second coach to make the leap from college to the WNBA this month. Karl Smesko of Florida Gulf Coast got the Atlanta Dream job last week. “I was 100 percent invested at Utah,” Roberts said. “It just kind of felt like this is a golden opportunity. As a competitor, the chance to coach the best in the world, it’s what I want.” She replaces Curt Miller , who was let go in September and now is general manager of the Dallas Wings. Roberts inherits a team that has a strong young nucleus of Rickea Jackson, Cameron Brink and Dearica Hamby. The Sparks have the No. 2 pick in next year’s WNBA draft. “We’ve got kind of a cool combination of some veteran leadership and then we’ve got a really dynamic young group,” Roberts said. “That’s a good roster right there and then we can keep working with it.” Los Angeles finished 8-32 last season for the league’s worst record and has missed the playoffs for four straight years. “I want to compete, I want to win now,” Roberts said. “I know that’s easier said than done, but I’m up for the challenge and I can’t wait to get started.” Roberts is friends with Southern California women’s coach Lindsay Gottlieb and UCLA coach Cori Close. “That was intentional,” Sparks general manager Reagan Pebley said. “That we were bringing somebody into this role that had existing relationships because again this is a community of women’s basketball that is exceptional.” Roberts added, “I want to be the top of that pyramid with the Sparks.” Roberts is returning to her native California. The 49-year-old coach grew up in the Northern California city of Redding. She played college ball at Seattle Pacific and then began coaching at Chico State before moving to Pacific and then Utah. Roberts was 165-116 in nine-plus seasons at Utah and recently signed a six-year extension. She led the team to three straight NCAA Tournament berths and was the Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2023. The Utes have started this season 3-1 and will be coached by Gavin Petersen, who was promoted from associate head coach. “I poured 10 years of my life into that place and I loved it. I loved every minute of it,” Roberts said. “Where we started wasn’t great, where it is now is great and I’m very proud of that.” Roberts said the current upheaval in college basketball including name, image and likeness, the transfer portal and Utah's move to the Big 12 this season had nothing to do with her leaving. “I'm sitting here because it's a chance to coach the best people in the world and win a championship in LA. That's it,” she said. “As a competitor and as someone that kind of thrives in pressure, being in this market, being in LA, it sounds like heaven to me." AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketballHere, the PA news agency looks at the seven Grand Slam finals contested by the pair. Murray turned in a poor performance in Melbourne, failing at the third attempt to win a set in a Grand Slam final as Djokovic broke serve seven times and hit six aces to claim a comprehensive win 6-4 6-2 6-3. “You had an unbelievable tournament and deserved to win,” the Scot said in reference to his opponent. “I look forward to playing against you in the future.” It took five sets for Murray to claim his first Grand Slam title, becoming the first British man to achieve the feat since Fred Perry in 1936. The final clocked in at four hours and 54 minutes as Murray prevailed 7-6 (10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2 to end a wait of 287 tournaments in British male tennis for a victory. “I want to congratulate Andy on his first grand slam, he thoroughly deserves it,” said Djokovic. “I really tried my best. I gave it my all. It was a tremendous match.” Congrats . Incredible athlete. Perfect gentleman. — judy murray (@JudyMurray) Murray was dogged by injury in Melbourne with a heavily strapped right foot and a tight hamstring as Djokovic fought back from a set down to land a third consecutive Australian Open title, 6-7 (2) 7-6 (3) 6-3 6-2. “His record here is incredible,” said Murray. ”Very few people have managed to do what he has done, a deserved champion.” Murray ended a 77-year wait for a British men’s victory at Wimbledon by defeating his old foe 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in SW19, serving emphatically with nine aces and only two double faults to throw off the weight of history. The Scot had been 4-1 down in the second set as the match threatened to slip away from him and with it the chance to cement his place in tennis folklore, but having wasted three championship points he finally sealed the deal when Djokovic drove into the net with his final shot. Djokovic triumphed 7-6 (5) 6-7 (4) 6-3 6-0 and after the 24 matches and five grand slam finals the pair had played against each other across nine years, the Serb had established a 16-8 overall lead and 3-2 in slam finals. “Success is being happy,” said Murray. “It’s not about winning every single tournament you play, because that isn’t possible.” What a journey. Really grateful for everything. I'll keep working hard. Love is the key! — Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) The Serb landed a fourth win over Murray in Australian Open finals and his 11th in 12 matches to land his 11th major title, whilst the Scot made it five consecutive final losses in Melbourne, a new record in the Open era. “I feel like I’ve been here before,” said Murray after a 6-1 7-5 7-6 (3) loss. “Congratulations Novak, six Australian Opens, an incredible feat, and incredible consistency the last year.” "This is something that’s so rare in tennis... it’s gonna take a long time for it to happen again" Andy to Novak ❤️ — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) This was Murray’s first final at Roland Garros but it brought a familiar conclusion as Djokovic triumphed against him for the fifth time in seven Grand Slam finals. The 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 success was a first win for the Serb in Paris and saw him hold all four slams simultaneously. Murray went on to win Wimbledon the following month and was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year but, addressing Djokovic in Paris, said: “This is his day today. What he’s achieved the last 12 months is phenomenal, winning all four of the grand slams in one year is an amazing achievement.”NonePreview: Qarabag FK vs. Lyon - prediction, team news, lineups