OpenAI's Sora Goes Live, Website Overloaded; Lei Jun: New Car YU
It is essential that all parties involved in the power transfer work together in good faith to ensure that the needs and concerns of the Syrian people are taken into consideration at every step of the process. The focus should be on providing stability and security to the population, while also addressing the root causes of the conflict and laying the groundwork for a sustainable and inclusive political system.The man was driving with gang insignia displayed on the dashboard of his car and was among more than a dozen people arrested or summoned to appear in court for exhibiting such symbols since the law took force, New Zealand’s police said Friday. The prohibition on displaying gang insignia anywhere outside private homes, including on clothing or in vehicles, is among a suite of new measures intended to bolster police powers to disrupt the groups. Wearing or displaying the insignia of 35 listed gangs will now prompt a fine of up to 5,000 New Zealand dollars ($2,940) or up to six months in jail. New Zealand’s center-right government, which pledged ahead of last October’s election to tackle gang crime, says the measures will reduce the membership of groups responsible for violence and drug offenses. But detractors say the law breaches civil liberties and could drive gang activities underground. "Gangs aren’t community groups. They’re not a Rotary club," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wrote on social media Thursday. “They thrive on destroying the lives of other New Zealanders, whether that’s by peddling drugs or through brutal acts of violence that leave communities in fear.” Under the new law, officers can also disperse public gatherings of three or more members, bar some gang affiliates from associating with each other, and enter homes of those who keep breaking the law to search for banned items. Gang membership will now be considered by the courts when sentencing offenders. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told reporters Thursday that two people were arrested hours after the law took effect for wearing gang “patches,” which are large insignia often worn by gang members on the backs of leather jackets or vests. The government says the patches are intimidating because members are required to earn them through violent acts. The measures shift New Zealand's response to gangs closer to that of neighboring Australia, which also uses a law to suppress the public visibility of gangs, and away from jurisdictions like the U.S. and Britain, which use criminal law to respond to specific activities carried out by organized crime groups, according to a report published by Treasury officials in February. Facial tattoos that display gang insignia are exempt from the ban, as is the wearing of gang colors. The government was criticized by some for not including white supremacist groups in its list of 35 organizations targeted by the new law. That means displaying swastikas and making Nazi salutes remains legal in New Zealand -– unlike in Australia, which banned both in a law that took effect in January. There are nearly 9,400 people on a New Zealand police list of known gang members. New Zealand’s population is 5 million. Successive governments have vowed to tackle criminal gangs, which often are linked to poverty and other deprivation. The previous center-left government was decried by Luxon’s administration for working with gangs on social initiatives, including COVID-19 vaccination efforts, while the current government has been denounced for advancing policies that are likely to ensnare some of New Zealand’s most marginalized groups, including Indigenous Māori. Official reports say three-quarters of those on the national gang list are Māori, who make up less than 20% of New Zealanders, and that 80% to 90% of those in two of the most notorious gangs are former wards of the state. Luxon made a formal apology this month for the widespread abuse of children and vulnerable adults in state care over the past seven decades.
In conclusion, the decision by the Syrian Embassy in Russia to raise opposition flags has ignited a firestorm of debate and speculation. The move has highlighted the complex and multifaceted nature of the conflict in Syria, as well as the challenges facing diplomatic actors in navigating the turbulent waters of international relations. Only time will tell how this bold gesture will impact the ongoing conflict and shape the future of Syria.
Every other Tuesday, the team behind Civics 101 joins NHPR’s All Things Considered host Julia Furukawa to talk about how our democratic institutions actually work. Republicans have won enough seats to have a narrow majority in the U.S. House. When President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in next January, the Republican Party will be in control of the presidency and Congress. This week, Civics 101 senior producer Christina Phillips joined Julia to talk about what happens when one party has both the executive and legislative branches of government. Transcript Christina, when's the last time one party had control of both the executive and legislative branches? I mean, how common is this? So this is known as unified control. The most recent time this happened was actually pretty recently. It was during Biden's first two years in office. And Republicans also had unified control during Trump's first two years. But I should say this is not super common these days or when it happens, it doesn't last very long. Prior to the 1960s, unified control was the norm. Why doesn't it last that long? I think it's a factor of the increased partisanship that we're seeing over the last couple of decades, [or] more than a couple of decades. But really, what happens now is that if one party is in control of both Congress and the White House, you often see in the midterm elections that that president and that party will lose power going forward. When there was unified control in previous administrations, what kind of laws were they able to pass? So unified control makes it easier to pass major lasting legislation. I think one of the most famous examples is Obamacare, which [is] the Affordable Care Act, [and] it passed in 2010 when Democrats had unified control. Trump and Republicans had the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and then Biden had the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. But it is worth pointing out, like I said, that in today's politics, unified control is pretty hard to keep. In all of those examples, the party with unified control lost that control during the next midterm election. It's easier to point to one party as a whole for your dissatisfaction in the government, when it seems like that party has all of the power. And other than passing legislation, what else does this unified control make it easier to do? It certainly makes it easier for a president to carry out other aspects of their agenda, for example, political appointments. That's not just members of the president's cabinet, [it] also includes judges on lower courts, which could have a lasting impact on how laws are interpreted in a way that could affect you and me. So is unified control necessarily better or worse than having a divided government? In terms of the function of democracy, in that we elect people and then hold them accountable for the job we've chosen them to do, a unified government is ideal because it means that the chosen leaders carry out the policies they were elected on with more efficiency. However, a divided government provides a greater check on power between the two branches, whether it be congressional investigations or the threat of a veto. Voters can provide their own check at the voting booth, of course, but that happens every two years and a lot can happen in the meantime.( MENAFN - Daily News Egypt) Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of health and Population, met with Karim Saada, CEO and Managing Director of Al-Ahly Capital- the investment arm of the National bank of Egypt (NBE)- and his accompanying delegation on Wednesday at the Ministry of Health and Population. The meeting focused on exploring ways to enhance investment opportunities within Egypt's health sector, emphasizing community collaboration between state institutions to strengthen healthcare. During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister underscored the importance of deepening the national investment partnership between the two parties, aligning with the country's vision to promote community participation in sustainable development. Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that the government offers a range of promising investment opportunities in the health sector. The Ministry of Health is working to attract both local and international investments, aiming to improve the quality of medical services provided to citizens. He also highlighted the critical role of private sector partnerships, particularly as the government moves forward with its comprehensive health insurance system across the country, as part of the directives set by the political leadership. The discussion also covered the recently introduced law aimed at streamlining investment procedures in Egypt. This law is designed to facilitate investments by offering various incentive packages and necessary support for health sector projects. The Minister reiterated the government's commitment to overcoming any challenges that may hinder investment in healthcare. Another key topic was the future of radiology services in Egypt. The delegation explored investment opportunities in this area, recognizing its importance in improving healthcare delivery. Abdel Ghaffar stressed the need to fully harness the potential of Egypt's health system to provide optimal services to citizens. Karim Saada, CEO of Al-Ahly Capital, expressed the company's strong commitment to investing in Egypt's health sector. He emphasized that the collaboration with the Ministry of Health reflects the company's dedication to playing a significant role in healthcare, which is a crucial component of sustainable development. MENAFN27112024000153011029ID1108934522 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
As the transfer saga unfolds, Barcelona fans are eagerly anticipating the official announcement of the winger's signing, hoping that he will don the famous number on the back of his jersey and light up the Camp Nou with his electrifying performances. With the new season on the horizon, the arrival of the Golden Boot winner could be the catalyst for a successful campaign filled with goals, excitement, and unforgettable moments for the Barça faithful.One of the key factors that contributed to the early completion of the housing handover mission was the province's proactive approach to project management. By setting clear goals, establishing deadlines, and closely monitoring progress, Liaoning was able to stay on track and ensure that the project was completed in a timely manner.As fans and followers of the beautiful game, we can only hope that Barcelona can rise above the discord, unite as a team, and once again showcase the world-class football that has made them a powerhouse in the footballing world. Only time will tell if the Catalan giants can overcome their internal struggles and emerge stronger on the other side.Vikings place LB Ivan Pace on injured reserve and sign LB Jamin Davis off Packers practice squad
In closing, let us raise a toast to Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong, wishing them a lifetime of happiness, laughter, and love. May their journey together be filled with warmth, adventure, and unwavering support, as they navigate the highs and lows of life hand in hand.