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Harry and Meghan’s polo docuseries to highlight ‘grit behind the glamour’Will Tanner Hudson Play in Week 17? NFL Injury Status, News & UpdatesGore-Tex maker sued over pollution from toxic ‘forever chemicals’The US State and Treasury departments said they hit Georgian Dream party founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili with penalties “for undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia for the benefit of the Russian Federation”, according to a statement. The designation of Mr Ivanishvili is the latest in a series of sanctions the US has placed on Georgian politicians and others this year. Those sanctions include freezes on assets and properties those targeted may have in US jurisdictions or that might enter US jurisdictions as well as travel bans on the targets and members of their families. “We strongly condemn Georgian Dream’s actions under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including its ongoing and violent repression of Georgian citizens, protesters, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures,” the State Department said in a statement. “The United States is committed to promoting accountability for those undermining democracy and human rights in Georgia.” Mr Ivanishvili is a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia and served briefly as Georgia’s prime minister. In 2012, he founded Georgian Dream, Georgia’s longtime ruling party. Critics have accused Georgian Dream of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted towards Moscow. The party recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBT+ rights, prompting the European Union to suspend Georgia’s membership application process indefinitely. In October, Georgian Dream won another term in a divisive parliamentary election that has led to more mass protests. Last month, the country’s prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced a four-year suspension of talks on Georgia’s bid to join the European Union, fuelling further public outrage.
Whoopi Goldberg told her co-hosts Monday on ABC’s “The View” that President-elect Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 election was about race and misogyny. Goldberg said, “As I’ve always said, you know, this process was handled without me. Because the things I was looking for, and I listen to people make fun of it. It’s not about race. It’s not about misogyny. It is for me. It is for me because that’s how you see me first. So that’s how I have to respond to you. I don’t think this is what you’re saying. I want to be really clear because you know how they like to always put us, oh, and she was mean to her.” She added, “I understand all the things you want to see him be. I understand all the things that he promised he would be, and he wasn’t, and now that he has been given carte blanche. I’m not going to waste a lot of time on what he might do. I’m going to wait because I need to see what he will do so that I know what I’m going to do.” Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said, “We can sit here and we can be apocalyptic about what he might do, but I also think there’s a moment for self-reflection. I felt as unrepresented by Biden when I would talk about that I care about the border. Why did you wait until three years in to do it?” Goldberg said, “We’ve done all of that, and we’re talking about how this respect comes to you how it comes to me. We’re looking at different things. You’re hearing different things than I’m hearing because you’re not listening for the same things. We just aren’t, and that’s okay.” Follow Pam Key on X @pamkeyNENOnline Therapy Services Market , 42% of Growth to Originate from North America, Technavio
Donald Trump has yet to move back into the White House and already fissures are opening in his coalition, amid squabbling between Elon Musk and his Silicon Valley "tech bros" and his hardcore Republican backers. At the heart of the internecine sniping is Trump's central election issue -- immigration -- and the H1-B visas that allow companies to bring foreigners with specific qualifications to the United States. The permits are widely used in Silicon Valley, and Musk -- who himself came to the United States from South Africa on an H1-B -- is a fervent advocate. The world's richest man, who bankrolled Trump's election campaign and has become a close advisor, posted on X Thursday that welcoming elite engineering talent from abroad was "essential for America to keep winning." Vivek Ramaswamy, appointed by Trump as Musk's co-chair on a new advisory board on government efficiency, suggested that companies prefer foreign workers because they lack an "American culture," which he said venerates mediocrity. "A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers," he posted, warning that, without a change in attitude, "we'll have our asses handed to us by China." Skepticism over the benefits of immigration is a hallmark of Trump's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement and the billionaires' remarks angered immigration hawks who accused them of ignoring US achievements in technological innovation. Incoming White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller posted a 2020 speech in which Trump marveled at the American "culture" that had "harnessed electricity, split the atom, and gave the world the telephone and the Internet." The post appeared calculated to remind critics that Trump won November's election on a platform of getting tough on immigration and boosting American manufacturing. But it was Michael Faraday, an English scientist, who discovered that an electric current could be produced by passing a magnet through a copper wire and Ernest Rutherford, a New Zealander, who first split the atom. And Alexander Graham Bell may have died a US citizen but he was a British subject in Canada when he invented the telephone. Trump voiced opposition to H1-B visas during his successful first run for the White House in 2016, calling them "unfair for our workers" while acknowledging that he used foreign labor in his own businesses. The Republican placed restrictions on the system when he took office, but the curbs were lifted by President Joe Biden. Trump is known for enjoying the gladiatorial spectacle when conflict breaks out in his inner circle. He has been conspicuously silent during the hostilities that Politico characterized as "Musk vs MAGA." Many MAGA figures have been agitating for a complete closure of America's borders while the problem of illegal entries is tackled, and hoping for a steer from Trump that would reassure them that he remains firm in his "America First" stance. For some long-time loyalists, Silicon Valley has already inserted itself too deeply into MAGA politics. "We welcomed the tech bros when they came running our way to avoid the 3rd grade teacher picking their kid's gender -- and the obvious Biden/Harris economic decline," said Matt Gaetz, the scandal-hit congressman forced to withdraw after being nominated by Trump to run the Justice Department. "We did not ask them to engineer an immigration policy." When Musk almost single-handedly blew up a deal painstakingly hammered out between Democrats and Republicans to set the 2025 federal budget, Democrats used "President Musk" to mock Trump, who is famously sensitive about being upstaged. It remains to be seen whether these cracks can be smoothed out or if they are a portent of further strife, but critics point to the chaos in Trump's first term as a potential indicator. "Looking forward to the inevitable divorce between President Trump and Big Tech," said far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, a MAGA figure with so much influence that she had a seat on Trump's plane during the campaign. "We have to protect President Trump from the technocrats." Loomer has subsequently complained of censorship after she was stripped of her paying subscribers on X, which is owned by Musk. "Full censorship of my account simply because I called out H1B visas," she posted. "This is anti-American behavior by tech oligarchs. What happened to free speech?" rle/ft/smsSam Darnold leads game-winning drive in OT and Vikings beat Bears 30-27 after blowing late leadISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Dec, 2024) The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ( ), the flagship project of the Belt and Initiative, remains the cornerstone of economic cooperation between the two all-weather friends and brotherly countries. "Contrary to rumors suggesting a slowdown, recent developments signal a renewed vigor and strategic focus on advancing the next phase of , dubbed Phase 2.0," the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives said in a release here on . It said this pivotal phase aims to redefine the framework of bilateral relations through deeper collaboration, advanced technological transfer, and transformative socio-economic projects. Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, , is spearheading ’s engagement in a series of high-profile events in , including the High-Level Seminar on 2.0 in and the 3rd Forum on China-Indian Ocean Region Development Cooperation in . His participation underscores ’s seriousness in revitalizing , addressing unresolved issues, and charting a robust roadmap for Phase 2.0, which envisions long-term prosperity for both nations. At the heart of these engagements lies ’s unwavering commitment to transforming into a strategic partnership that fosters growth, development, and connectivity. Far being sidelined, is evolving into a multi-dimensional framework with five key thematic corridors—Growth Corridor, Livelihood-Enhancing Corridor, Innovation Corridor, Green Corridor, and Opening-Up/Regional Connectivity Corridor. These initiatives, proposed by President , align seamlessly with ’s 5Es framework of Economy, , Environment, Energy, and Equity, conceptualized under ’s visionary leadership. China’s eagerness to propel into Phase 2.0 is evident its invitation to a 27-member high-level delegation to . This delegation comprises seasoned professionals and experts diverse fields who will receive specialized training to build their capacity for collaborative projects with counterparts. This initiative reflects ’s commitment to transferring cutting-edge technologies, modernizing ’s infrastructure, and fostering a knowledge-based economy. During the preparatory orientation session in , chaired by , the minister stressed the importance of the delegation’s mission, describing it as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to learn ’s transformative journey. He highlighted how has lifted over 800 people out of poverty, achieving unparalleled economic . This remarkable transformation serves as an inspiring blueprint for , which aims to replicate ’s success through sustainable development and poverty alleviation initiatives under Phase 2. 0. The delegation’s agenda includes key focus areas such establishing an economic growth corridor with clear priorities; advancing tech-driven industries and fostering innovation; addressing poverty alleviation, , and healthcare through targeted socio-economic projects; accelerating energy transitions and promoting sustainable economic models; expanding and building global supply chain linkages. This multifaceted approach aims to position as a regional manufacturing and trade , serving as an economic engine for South . Ahsan Iqbal’s to and participation in these critical engagements are expected to rebuild mutual trust and reassure leadership of ’s commitment to . The minister has a proven track record in successfully implementing Phase 1 projects, particularly in infrastructure, energy, and development. He has also been instrumental in advocating for the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), paving the way for industrial relocation to . Chinese authorities have often acknowledged and praised ’s significant role in steering projects. His presence in will send a strong message about ’s resolve to resolve outstanding issues Phase 1, particularly regarding project security and operational challenges. A key highlight will be his assurance to counterparts about prioritizing the security of nationals working in , a critical concern for the . A seminar in , co-organized by ’s Ministry of Planning and ’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), will mark the official launch of Phase 2.0. This high-level symbolizes the deep-rooted partnership between the two countries and their shared vision for a prosperous future. With the emphasis on capacity building, this exercise aims to equip experts with the skills and strategic vision needed to collaborate effectively with their counterparts. The delegation’s findings and recommendations will form the cornerstone of a comprehensive blueprint for Phase 2.0, ensuring its alignment with global sustainable development goals. CPEC Phase 2.0 represents a paradigm shift in Pakistan-China relations. With a focus on innovation, transfer, and sustainable development, this new phase promises to unlock ’s economic potential and position it as a regional leader. The of and the active participation of experts in these high-level engagements reflect ’s unwavering commitment to the success of . As the two nations strengthen their partnership through initiatives like these, the will witness Phase 2.0 emerge as a model of international cooperation and economic integration, benefiting not only and but the entire region.