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Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Flies To Germany For Injury TreatmentThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has launched a blistering critique of former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, accusing him of political sycophancy and hypocrisy. Wike claimed he was instrumental in reviving Odili’s political relevance, describing him as “politically dead” before his intervention. Speaking at a Special Thanksgiving Service organized by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Anglican Communion in Port Harcourt, Wike responded to comments Odili made during a Christmas Ballad in honor of the current Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Odili had alleged that Fubara thwarted Wike’s attempt to turn Rivers State into his personal estate. Reacting to Odili’s statement, Wike said, “Between him and myself, who has turned Rivers State to his personal estate? His wife is the Chairman of a Governing Council, his daughter is a commissioner, his other daughter is a judge, and he is the general overseer. Who has now turned Rivers State into a private estate?” Wike accused Odili of betraying past support and loyalty, adding that the former governor’s remarks reeked of opportunism. He recalled Odili’s earlier praise during his own tenure as governor. “When I was governor, this same Odili praised me to high heavens. In fact, he said then that all past governors in Rivers State combined did not do better than me. He even hung my pictures in every room of his house—living room, bedroom, kitchen, and toilets. But today, all those pictures are gone.” Read also: NPFL: Ikorodu beat Sunshine Stars as Rangers pip Tornadoes Wike detailed his contributions to Odili’s resurgence, highlighting the support he provided for PAMO University and the mansion he built for the former governor. “In 2007 after he left office, he couldn’t come near power in the state because Amaechi was governor. He was gone! When I became governor in 2015, I brought him back to life politically. For PAMO University, Rivers State sponsored 100 students per session, each paying at least N5 million per semester. I even called Julius Berger to build him a mansion. He was telling everyone how Wike had shown him love,” Wike recounted. The FCT Minister also took a swipe at Odili’s alleged sycophantic tendencies, accusing him of pandering to whoever is in power. “An elder statesman should not be a trader or a sycophant all the time. What can I learn from such an elder? What kind of advice can one get from someone who praises you one moment and criticizes you the next?” Wike queried. On the Rivers governorship issue, Wike dismissed Odili’s criticisms and alleged inconsistency. “When I was plotting who would be governor after me, was he there? Back then, he was complaining about this governor, saying he couldn’t stand before the public to talk. But today, he’s organizing Christmas Carols for the same governor he once opposed,” Wike said. Addressing Odili’s claim that Fubara had surpassed the achievements of past governors, Wike said, “The governor hasn’t even spent one year in office, and Odili is already saying he’s done more than all the past governors. You spent eight years as governor, and someone who hasn’t spent one year has beaten your record? What manner of elder talks like that?” Wike concluded by accusing Odili of lacking the courage to stand firm in politics, referencing Odili’s decision to step down from the presidential race years ago. “This is a man who wanted to run for president but didn’t have the balls. He chickened out because Obasanjo said no. Because of him, I never invited Obasanjo to Rivers State to commission projects. I didn’t want to humiliate him,” Wike stated. The Minister’s fiery remarks underscore a deepening rift between two of Rivers State’s most prominent political figures, casting a spotlight on the personal and political dynamics shaping the state’s leadership. Opinions Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs. As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake. If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause. Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development. Donate NowVolunteers stock Long Island Coalition for the Homeless pantry for the holidays
Left-handed batter Nehal Wadhera was sold for INR 4.2 crore to Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants also showed their interest in Nehal, but the bidding war was won by the Punjab Kings. IPL 2025 Mega Auction Day 1 Live Updates: Atharva Taide Goes to Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 30 Lakh . From INR 30 Lakhs to INR 4.2 Crore Nehal Wadhera is SOLD to @PunjabKingsIPL for INR Crore 4.2 Crore 👏👏 Base Price - INR 30 Lakh Final Price - INR 4.2 Crore #TATAIPLAuction | #TATAIPL — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 24, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers, accused of domestic violence, cleared to practice and playIt's Dana Holgorsen's 'focus on execution' that's impressing Matt Rhule — not just his play calls
OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship'After Gaetz, other controversial nominees test Trump's sway with Senate Republicans
Supreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standards WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to California’s nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions. The justices agreed Friday to hear an appeal filed by fuel producers who object to a waiver granted to California in 2022 by the Environmental Protection Agency during Joe Biden’s presidency. The waiver allows California to set more stringent emissions limits than the national standard. The case won’t be argued until the spring, when the Trump administration is certain to take a more industry-friendly approach to the issue. Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases DETROIT (AP) — Elon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed — or failed to disclose — about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. In a letter, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro tells the outgoing SEC chairman, Gary Gensler, that the commission’s demand for a monetary payment is a “misguided scheme” that won’t intimidate Musk. The letter also alleges that the commission reopened an investigation this week into Neuralink, Musk’s computer-to-human brain interface company. The SEC has not released the letter. Nor would it comment on it or confirm whether it has issued such a demand to Musk. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports. He posted on social media Thursday that he met with union leaders and that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. He wrote that the “amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. The Maritime Alliance says the technology will improve worker safety and strengthen our supply chains, among other things. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund LOS ANGELES (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million. China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year and sketched out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing's monetary policy. Analysts said the broad-brush plans from the annual Central Economic Work Conference were more of a recap of current policy than ambitious new initiatives at a time when the outlook is clouded by the President-elect Donald Trump's threats to sharply raise tariffs once he takes office. The ruling Communist Party did commit to raising China's deficit and to doing more to encourage consumer spending by bringing wage increases in line with the pace of economic growth. Here's a look at China's main priorities and their potential implications. Stock market today: Wall Street ends mixed after a bumpy week Stock indexes closed mixed on Wall Street at the end of a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 ended little changed Friday. The benchmark index reached its latest in a string of records a week ago. It lost ground for the week following three weeks of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%. The Nasdaq composite edged up 0.1%. Broadcom surged after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged after raising its revenue forecast. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. Next Week: Retail sales, Fed policy update, existing home sales The Commerce Department releases its monthly snapshot of U.S. retail sales Tuesday. Federal Reserve officials wrap up a two-day meeting and issue an interest rate policy update Wednesday. The National Association of Realtors issues its latest update on U.S. home sales Thursday.Monday, December 30, 2024 Travel agencies report that group flight bookings from Singapore to China for the first half of 2025 have already equalled the total bookings for all of 2024. This significant increase is largely attributed to recent visa-free agreements between China and countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Visa-Free Travel Boosts Interest Since February 2024, Singaporeans have enjoyed visa-free entry into China for stays up to 30 days, an extension from the previous 15-day allowance. Similarly, Malaysia and Thailand have established mutual visa exemption policies with China, facilitating spontaneous travel plans. This ease of access has led to a surge in interest among Southeast Asian travelers. Diverse Destinations Attracting Travelers Travelers like Kerryn Lee May Xin, a 27-year-old Malaysian residing in Singapore, have taken advantage of these relaxed visa requirements to explore various Chinese cities. Over the past year, Lee has visited Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, Harbin, Chengdu, and Chongqing, often accompanied by friends sharing her enthusiasm for discovering China’s diverse landscapes and cultures. Cultural Experiences and Social Media Influence Lee’s experiences highlight the rich cultural tapestry awaiting visitors in China. From sailing in Dalian to indulging in local cuisines in Shenyang’s Korean community, travelers are immersing themselves in authentic local experiences. Notably, Lee’s introduction to China’s bathhouse culture left a lasting impression, showcasing the country’s unique social traditions. Social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu, TikTok, and YouTube have played a pivotal role in promoting China’s attractions. Scenic spots featured in Chinese dramas have become trendy destinations, with travelers sharing their experiences online, broadening the appeal to both Chinese-speaking and non-Chinese-speaking communities. Infrastructure Enhancements Facilitate Travel China’s advancements in infrastructure have further enhanced the travel experience. Enhanced mobile payment options now allow visitors to link overseas bank cards to platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay, simplifying transactions. Additionally, apps such as 12306 for train bookings and Xiaohongshu for travel tips make planning seamless. Reciprocal Tourism Growth The increase in travel is reciprocal. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, 2.89 million Chinese tourists visited Singapore in the first 11 months of 2024, marking a 134.1 percent year-on-year increase. This mutual interest underscores the strengthening tourism ties between Singapore and China. Future Outlook With the continuation of visa-free policies and growing interest fueled by social media and cultural curiosity, the upward trend in travel between Singapore and China is expected to persist. Travel agencies anticipate that the momentum will continue beyond the first half of 2025, further bolstering tourism and cultural exchange between the two nations. Conclusion The surge in travel bookings between Singapore and China reflects the success of visa-free agreements and the increasing desire among travelers to explore new destinations. As both countries continue to facilitate easier travel, the tourism sector is poised for sustained growth, enriching the cultural and economic landscapes of both nations.SAINT JOHN - After more than seven months of construction work, the walkway that connects Market Square and City Hall has reopened after a $1.7 million renovation project. In April, the city closed the St. Patrick Street pedway to replace the existing escalator with a wider staircase and add an additional elevator. Work was expected to conclude by October, but in that month the city’s infrastructure commissioner Ian Fogan told Brunswick News that a materials issue would delay completion of the project by six to eight weeks. On Thursday, the city posted on its social media that the connection was now reopened, adding that plywood would be standing in for glass railings until the material arrived, and that one of the two elevators was out of service. Samir Yammine, the city’s director of asset management and environmental performance, said he was “so excited.” “To make it accessible to people, especially those with a disability, and provide better service to the people moving forward ... it’s been a long journey,” Yammine said. “I’m very happy to see the project come alive.” The pedway is part of the Inside Connection path which runs from the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre and Hilton hotel through Market Square, Rocky’s Sports Bar, City Hall and Brunswick Square to City Market, with a branch that runs past the Canada Games Aquatic Centre to TD Station. It provides an accessible path for those with mobility needs especially in winter months, when snow and ice can make Saint John’s hilly sidewalks tough to navigate with a wheelchair or walker. Yammine said the pedway was first built in 1982, and since the last renovation, much of the infrastructure, including the skylight, was “already past due.” One of the big additions is an elevator shaft added to the side of the building, which has a brand new Otis Gen3 elevator with a capacity of 20 people, which Yammine said was the second of its kind in Canada. The existing elevator, however, was from the original build and had “major issues,” and the city is working with a contractor to decide whether to repair or replace it over the next month or two. The renovation started in 2023 following engagement with local businesses, with Yammine saying the city was told they’d rather have the build take place over the summer rather than the winter, when the pedway protects from the elements. But the materials acquisition had “several issues,” including problems with the tempered glass planned for the stair railing and balcony. He said they made the choice to make it accessible and hope that the glass can be installed in mid-January. Moe Arsenault, owner of Rocky’s and Beer Bread Pizza, which is on the first floor of the Canada Permanent building, said he is “extremely happy” about the reopening. “We believe the pedway system is the artery of our city,” Arsenault said. “To have the upgrades that were done were necessary. It did take a little longer than expected, but it’s a great day to celebrate moving forward and having a new piece to showcase the abilities to host events and people visiting our city.” He said the impact of the closure would have resulted in 30 per cent drop in sales to Beer Bread, which can be accessed through a stairwell in the pedway, and a 15 per cent cut to Rocky’s. He said that having the pedway reopened will mean renewed access from guests at the Hilton, as well as residents who live in the buildings along Harbour Passage. “It means the pedway system is going to be able to operate as intended, allowing people to come, shop and visit our establishment,” he said. “It looks wonderful out there, and it’s opened up quite a bit of that artery.” On Thursday, lunch traffic flowed up and down the stairs, and some residents stopped to chat to a waiting security guard. Lynn and Junior Patterson, two seniors who live at the Rotary Admiral Beatty Complex in Kings Square, passed through the area just before noon. “It’s nice, the stairs are lovely, the tile and everything on them, and they’ve got both elevators ... I think it’s better than the escalator,” said Lynn Patterson, who said they walk it every day. Junior Patterson said it was “very helpful” to have the walkway, saying “it’s a breakthrough, just getting out and getting your exercise.” Lynn Patterson noted that it opens connections to the seniors who live on Smythe Street “that are used to being able to stay inside the whole way.” Yammine said Saint John residents were “very patient with us” and said that the pedway is an “important link.” “We can see this flow here, nice flow,” he said. “Many people are very excited to see this finally open.”