(The Center Square) – Of the many costly security missteps uncovered at the rally site in Butler, Pa. where a would-be assassin nearly killed Donald Trump, one deterrent may have been relatively affordable. Rep. Pat Fallon said the U.S. Secret Service could have fashioned a rudimentary fence made of caution tape, signs, posts and stakes around the AGR building on July 13 for roughly $410. The agency’s decision to unman the outside of the building and exclude it from an overall security perimeter around the Butler Farm Show Grounds that day has drawn much criticism from lawmakers on the task force assembled to investigate both attempts on Trump’s life, the second occurring at a Mar-a-Lago golf course in September. During a heated seven-minute exchange with Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr., the Republican congressman from Texas said the agency’s $2 billion funding increase seemed far in excess of what it would have cost to have functioning drones, more coordinated radio communications, agents on a nearby water tower and security deterrents available in Butler. “What sticks in our craw is when we report to our constituents, we have to say, ‘Hey, this federal agency failed epically, and then they wanted to almost double their budget,’” Fallon said. The conversation devolved into a shouting match after Fallon then accused Rowe of showing up at a 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York City for political purposes only.Macau is regarded by China as a shining example of its "One Country, Two Systems" model, and Xi praised the city as a "pearl in the nation's palm" at the start of his three-day visit. The Chinese casino hub has grown from a Portuguese trading outpost to the world's casino capital by gaming revenue and a popular destination for Chinese tourists. When Macau reverted to Chinese rule on December 20, 1999, Beijing promised that the city's "capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years". Arriving in the city on Wednesday, Xi lauded Macau's "world-recognised success" in implementing the "One Country, Two Systems" framework and said the city had a bright future. "Macau is a pearl in the nation's palm, and I have always kept in my thoughts its development and the welfare of all its people," Xi said. The Chinese president added that he would use his trip for "extensive and in-depth exchanges with our friends from all places, and discuss plans for Macau's development". Friday's festivities will be centred around the inauguration of Sam Hou-fai, the former president of Macau's apex court, as the city's fourth post-handover leader, replacing Ho Iat-seng. Security was tight around the city on Thursday, with roadblocks set up around an event venue and authorities increasing checks on inbound visitors. Following the end of 442 years of Portuguese rule, Macau's fortunes have risen in lockstep with China's economic growth. It is the only place in China where casino gambling is permitted and has long surpassed Las Vegas as the world's top casino hub, fuelled by two decades of Chinese visitor spending. Macau, which has a resident population of 687,000, saw just over 29 million visitor arrivals in the first 10 months of the year. Its GDP has soared from $6.4 billion in 1999 to more than $47 billion last year, and its population is the richest in China on a per capita basis. Under orders from Beijing to diversify the economy, Macau leaders have proposed fields such as financial services, technology and Chinese medicine as new economic drivers. But as of November, gaming-related taxes still made up 81 percent of government revenue and experts say Macau is years away from weaning itself off casino wealth. Xi on Thursday visited the Macau University of Science and Technology and was "briefed on the development of two state-level key laboratories" that involved Chinese medicine and planetary science, according to state news agency Xinhua. He also visited the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone on Hengqin Island, speaking to residents and people there in charge of planning, construction, management and services, Xinhua reported. Hengqin Island, a landmass adjacent to Macau and three times its size, was partly leased by Beijing to Macau to boost its land supply for non-gaming development. hol/oho/sco
NoneThe Supreme Court With NGOs and social activists trying to perpetuate Covid-time free ration to migrant labour, Centre on Monday told SC that it continued to provide foodgrain to the needy under Food Safety Act but strongly resisted what it called attempts by petitioners to run the country through PILs. Appearing for a PIL petitioner, activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan said the govt may be giving free ration to 80 crore people but had illegally left out 2-3 crore poor people from the scheme by telling states that stock of foodgrain meant to be distributed under the scheme was exhausted. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Manmohan said it may fall under the govt's policy domain to decide its food security scheme, but suggested to SG Tushar Mehta that if the financial status of 80 crore beneficiaries of free ration was re-evaluated and if a few crore people had crossed the below poverty line parameters, it could consider including those left out from the scheme. The bench said states were indiscriminately issuing ration cards for free foodgrain knowing full well that it was the Centre's liability to provide grains. "If states are asked to provide free ration, then most of them would run away citing financial crunch," it said. Mehta said these proceedings were initiated suo motu by SC in 2020 when the pandemic was at its peak to ensure that no one went hungry. "Bhushan is riding on that and trying to run the govt and frame policies," he said. "These NGOs and activists must file affidavits detailing what they did to help ameliorate the condition of the poor during the pandemic," the SG added. A hurt Bhushan said, "Mehta has a habit of making comments against me in every case he opposes me in SC as I had made public damaging emails featuring him." SG replied, "He cannot attempt to run govt. We have and will always oppose such attempts from him." Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Syrian government services come to ‘complete halt’ as workers stay at home
Campbell River city council voted Thursday (Nov. 21) to decrease funding to non-profit organizations in Campbell River, while also streamlining the city's approach to its grant process, with most of the changes taking effect in 2026. Chief financial officer Alaina Maher said the new grant policy will allow the city to continue to support non-profits in "improved ways." "It's less subjective, more transparent, and more inclusive," said Maher of the new policy. By providing $2.87 million in grants, leases, and facility rentals to non-profit organizations, she said, the changes reflect a $370,000 decrease in the city's current funding. She added the changes would also align city spending with comparable communities. Currently, the City of Campbell River spends more on non-profit funding than comparable communities, such as Courtenay and Penticton, During the presentation to the council, finance services manager Aaron Daur said the proposed changes streamline three existing policies – the permissive tax exemption, the community grant policy, and a segment of the property policy – into a single policy called the "financial assistance policy." Permissive tax exemptions will decrease from 1.7 percent (or $720,000) to 1.4 percent (or $603,000) of the previous year's tax, resulting in an estimated savings of up to $220,000 each year, he said. Community grants will no longer be restricted to the arts and culture sector. Instead, they will be available to all organizations that contribute directly to the city's social, recreational, cultural, environmental, and economic well-being. A total of $150,000 will be budgeted for community grants, with a maximum of $20,000 per organization. The city currently awards $277,000 in grants, meaning the savings will amount to $127,000, Daur said. The city operating grants are available to organizations operating on city-owned property – and, under the changes, are no longer restricted to arts and culture organizations. The budget will decrease to $550,000, from the $654,000 the municipality currently awards. For example, the Campbell River Art Gallery was awarded an operating grant of $80,000 in 2024. But, due to the changes, with a budget of $550,000, it would instead receive $67,000 – a reduction of $13,000. The changes are substantial, Daur said. City staff recommend the changes be phased in over 2025, taking effect in 2026. At the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Kermit Dahl addressed the significant community uproar over the changes. He said there is a "lack of understanding" about the substantial funding the city currently allocates to non-profits. "Like many cities across Canada, Campbell River is facing the challenge of maintaining our service levels while meeting the needs of a growing community and keeping taxes affordable," Dahl said. "We also recognize that we provide significant funding to the non-profit sector each year." Coun. Ben Lanyon said a five per cent reduction for certain organizations would not lead to dire consequences. He recommended the organizations reach out to the community for philanthropic donations. These days many families are just struggling to put food on the table and don't have any extra money to put toward a higher property tax, he added. Just one councillor, Tanille Johnston, voted against the changes. "We are taking a pretty intense, in my opinion, approach to where we're finding the money to keep the taxation as low as is desired," she said. "This is also a cumulative effect of having councils that have not, in my opinion, operated the community in a way that can sustain itself." She pointed to what she called the city's "historic commitment" to single-family housing as a culprit, adding that single-family homes don't pay for themselves, setting up the city to implement drastic tax measures. Sara Lopez Assu, the Campbell River Art Gallery's executive director, attended Thursday's council meeting. To her, the city is playing a "numbers game" and is "intentionally misleading." "I'm angry and I'm disappointed," she told the , adding when it comes to the actual money the art gallery receives, the community grant cuts amount to about 25 per cent, while the permissive tax cuts add up to 16 per cent. Asking organizations to seek philanthropic donations is "tone deaf," she said, as organizations, like the art gallery, already do so. She said city funding represents about 13 per cent of the art gallery's total operating budget. However, they use those funds, which are core operating funds, to leverage a "multiplier effect" with other funding sources. "We can show up with money in our pocket and say, 'Hey, match it.' And that is what we all have been doing. So we bring in four times what the city invests," she said. Lopez Assu is also not convinced the city funds more than the so-called comparable communities. "It's nine (comparative) communities that the city report is based on," she said. "Five out of those nine communities don't even have a public art gallery. You're comparing complete apples to oranges. "They're comparing us to communities that don't have arts and cultural assets," she said. To help with this transition, council also approved a $20,000 budget to implement the policy and provide workshops to help organizations navigate the changes. The city is also in discussions about creating a grant process with the Strathcona Regional District for non-profits that benefit the entire region, including the city.Rep. Pat Fallon said the U.S. Secret Service could have fashioned a rudimentary fence made of caution tape, signs, posts and stakes around the AGR building on July 13 for roughly $410. The agency’s decision to unman the outside of the building and exclude it from an overall security perimeter around the Butler Farm Show Grounds that day has drawn much criticism from lawmakers on the task force assembled to investigate both attempts on Trump’s life, the second occurring at a Mar-a-Lago golf course in September. During a heated seven-minute exchange with Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr., the Republican congressman from Texas said the agency’s $2 billion funding increase seemed far in excess of what it would have cost to have functioning drones, more coordinated radio communications, agents on a nearby water tower and security deterrents available in Butler. “What sticks in our craw is when we report to our constituents, we have to say, ‘Hey, this federal agency failed epically, and then they wanted to almost double their budget,’” Fallon said. The conversation devolved into a shouting match after Fallon then accused Rowe of showing up at a 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York City for political purposes only. Rep. Pat Fallon, of Texas, questions Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe Jr. during Congressional task force hearing on the attempted assassination of President-elect Donald Trump in Butler, Pa.
Malvern, Pennsylvania (USA), Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rajant Corporation , the pioneer of Kinetic Mesh® wireless networks, and Hader Security and Communication Systems (HSCS), a Kinetic Mesh Partner (KMP) together with Tabbara Electronics, a Kinetic Mesh Distributor (KMD), have secured a key robotic connectivity project using Rajant ES1 BreadCrumb® nodes for a strategic government-owned client in UAE. The UAE client was battling to provide a rapidly deployable, resilient, and secure wireless network to its quadruped Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot for remote inspection, monitoring, and critical maintenance tasks in sensitive industrial environments while complying with local regulations. Other traditional and non-traditional networks were considered and failed. Rajant had the solution with continuous connectivity anywhere Spot was required to go. According to Mr. Mohamad Tabbara - CEO at HSCS, “One of the key characteristics of the project was to build a special mounting arrangement on the Spot robot to ensure full maneuverability of its robotic arm. Movement must be robust and offer an unobstructed view of the infrared camera. Rajant, together with HSC, worked to customize a tailor-made solution fulfilling the client requirements from the technical & operational aspects.” Ms. Sana Kanaan – VP at Tabbara Electronics adds, “Safe and secure tele-remote operation of Spot is crucial in sensitive and hard-to-reach environments to keep people out of harm’s way and improve productivity and safety. Wireless and simple-to-use Rajant BreadCrumb radio nodes are designed from the ground up for such tasks. Moreover, whether it is the ES1 or any of Rajant’s BreadCrumbs, these nodes can grow with the capacity needs of the UAE client for future applications and deliver cost-saving efficiencies to the client’s operation.” “As AI & robotics are evolving industrial operations, Rajant and its local UAE partners continue to support this transformation by providing true M2M AI-powered Kinetic Mesh networks for achieving better operational & business efficiency”, shares Waqas Ansar, Rajant Director of Sales ME. Rajant will be represented at Intersec 2025 in Tabarra Electronics’ booth SA, A29. Stop by and meet us there, or book an appointment beforehand. ### About Hader Security and Communication Systems (HSCS) Hader Security and Communication Systems (HSCS) is a leading provider of integrated security and communication solutions in the UAE. With a focus on delivering state-of-the-art technologies, HSCS specializes in tailored systems for critical infrastructure, government, and industrial operations. By combining innovation with expertise, HSCS empowers clients to achieve operational excellence and enhance safety across dynamic environments. About Tabbara Electronics Tabbara Electronics is a premier distributor of advanced communication and security solutions, serving the EMEA region. With decades of experience, Tabbara Electronics offers a robust portfolio of products, including mission-critical wireless communication systems, surveillance solutions, and AI-powered analytics. Partnering with global technology leaders, Tabbara Electronics ensures reliable, scalable, and innovative solutions that drive efficiency, safety, and connectivity for their clients. For media, contact Ms. Loubna Tabbara, loubna@tabbara-electronics.com . Rajant Corporation Rajant Corporation is the broadband communications technology company that invented Kinetic Mesh® networking, BreadCrumb® wireless nodes, and InstaMesh® networking software. With Rajant and its family of products, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. A low-latency, high-throughput, and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajant’s Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 80 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, energy, manufacturing and logistics, municipalities, agriculture, and more, Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona and Kentucky. For more information, visit Rajant.com or follow Rajant on LinkedIn and YouTube. Attachment Alice DiSanto Rajant Corporation 914-582-8464 adisanto@rajant.comGeorge Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, diesSALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- Franklin Covey Co. (NYSE: FC), a leader in organizational performance improvement, announced today that the conference call to review the Company’s first quarter fiscal 2025 financial results will take place on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. MT). The Company’s financial results are expected to be released after the close of the market on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Interested persons may access a live webcast at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/gk9ap76y or may participate via telephone by registering at https://register.vevent.com/register/BIe59413e64e764817b6ae5c75d8008324 . Once registered, participants will have the option of 1) dialing into the call from their phone (via a personalized PIN); or 2) clicking the “Call Me” option to receive an automated call directly to their phone. For either option, registration will be required to access the call. A replay of the conference call webcast will be archived on the Company’s website for at least 30 days. About Franklin Covey Co. Franklin Covey (NYSE: FC) is the most trusted leadership company in the world with operations in over 150 countries. We transform organizations by partnering with our clients to build leaders, teams, and cultures that get breakthrough results through collective action, which leads to a more engaging work experience for their people. Available through the Franklin Covey All Access Pass®, our best-in-class content and solutions, experts, technology, and metrics seamlessly integrate together to ensure lasting behavior change at scale. This approach to leadership and organizational change has been tested and refined by working with tens of thousands of teams and organizations over the past 30 years. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219219776/en/ CONTACT: For Further Information: Stephen D. Young Chief Financial Officer 801-817-1776 KEYWORD: UTAH UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSULTING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TRAINING HUMAN RESOURCES EDUCATION SOURCE: Franklin Covey Co. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 04:03 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 04:03 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219219776/en
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, a US-based Ghanaian lawyer, has voiced strong concerns regarding the Electoral Commission’s decision to order a rerun of the election in one polling station within the Dome Kwabenya Constituency. Asare, a prominent advocate for the integrity of the electoral process, argued that the decision could undermine the core principles of democracy, particularly the will of the people. Asare’s concerns are rooted in a long-standing legal precedent, citing the case of Akufo-Addo et al. v. Mahama et al. , in which the courts emphasized that the will of the electorate should remain paramount and that procedural errors should not nullify valid election results. “The ultimate purpose of election results is to reflect the will of the electorate. If the results declared on the training sheet are accurate and can be verified, rejecting them solely because of the medium used is akin to ‘throwing the baby out with the bathwater,'” he remarked. According to Asare, such actions risk disenfranchising voters and betray the very essence of democracy. The ruling by the Electoral Commission, he argued, sets a troubling precedent that could have far-reaching consequences for the future of Ghana’s electoral system. While Asare acknowledged that strict adherence to procedural protocols is important for maintaining the integrity of elections, he emphasized that fairness and equity must also be prioritized. He believes that a decision which does not explore available options for verification and correction misses the crucial balance between procedure and justice. In Professor Asare’s view, the Electoral Commission’s approach to this issue fails to account for the practical realities of election administration, where minor procedural lapses should not be allowed to overshadow the broader objective of ensuring that the voters’ will is respected and upheld. For Asare, the decision could set a dangerous precedent for future elections, where the focus on procedural purity may inadvertently diminish the power of the people’s voice. As the debate continues, Professor Asare’s remarks underscore a growing concern about the intersection of electoral procedures and democratic values, raising important questions about the need to safeguard the integrity of elections without inadvertently disenfranchising voters or undermining public trust in the electoral process. GOGO is deeply concerned about the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to rerun the election at the Abokobi Women’s Development Centre 2 polling station in the Dome Kwabenya constituency. This decision, rooted solely in the use of training sheets rather than the official statement of poll, raises significant questions about prioritizing form over substance. By rejecting the declaration outright on such a procedural basis, the commission has chosen to “strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.” While adherence to proper forms is essential for safeguarding electoral integrity, dismissing a declaration without examining the substantive validity of the results undermines public confidence in the process. As the courts have consistently ruled, beginning with Akufo-Addo et al. v. Mahama et al., the will of the people is paramount and should not be nullified by mere procedural lapses. The ultimate purpose of election results is to reflect the will of the electorate. If the results declared on the training sheet are accurate and can be verified, rejecting them solely because of the medium used is akin to “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.” Such actions risk disenfranchising voters and betraying the very essence of democracy. Rather than outright rejection, the commission could have opted for rectification—verifying the results and re-declaring them using the correct forms. This approach would have preserved both procedural integrity and the electorate’s trust. Unfortunately, the EC’s decision casts the troubling impression that it is more concerned with procedural rigidity than ensuring a transparent and equitable process. As the Akan proverb goes, “When the rhythm of the drum changes, the dance steps must adapt.” Electoral processes must remain flexible enough to address human error without undermining the voters’ will. Rejecting declarations based on procedural errors without exploring alternative means of verification sets a dangerous precedent. It suggests that technical missteps, no matter how inadvertent, can override the sovereign will of the people—a principle that should be sacrosanct in any democracy. Elections are inherently complex, and procedural errors are not entirely avoidable. That is precisely why multiple redundancies are built into the process, providing safeguards to verify and affirm the integrity of results. The EC’s decision, however, disregards these safeguards, opting instead for an approach that prioritizes perfection in form over fairness in substance. The voters fulfilled their democratic duty and cast their votes in good faith. Their voices should not be disregarded simply because an EC official failed to adhere to proper procedures. As the saying goes, “The fault of one should not ruin the efforts of many.” The responsibility for procedural errors lies squarely with the commission, not with the electorate. To penalize voters for mistakes beyond their control undermines the very principles of fairness and justice that elections are meant to uphold. Ultimately, while strict adherence to procedure is vital, the commission must balance this with fairness and equity. A decision that fails to explore options for verification and correction misses this balance entirely. Da Yie!
Aadi Bioscience Transforms with In-Licensing of Novel ADC Portfolio, $100 Million Sale of FYARRO® and $100 Million PIPE FinancingAlgerian boxer Imane Khelif secured third place in the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year 2024 award. However, her inclusion has reignited controversy surrounding her Olympic achievements. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova expressed disbelief over Khelif's recognition, questioning the decision publicly. Khelif won gold at the Paris Olympics, but her victory was overshadowed by claims that she is biologically male. In her first Olympic match, Khelif defeated Italy's Angela Carini in just 46 seconds, a stunning performance that attracted criticism. Legal battles followed after leaked medical reports alleged Khelif had XY chromosomes. Khelif has consistently denied the allegations and filed complaints over harassment. Navratilova's reaction on social media was swift. She tweeted "Wtaf???" and followed it up with, "It literally says FEMALE athlete..." The remarks reignited online debates about gender and sports. A social media user argued that feminism should protect women's rights and questioned why many women support men "taking away jobs" from females. Navratilova responded, clarifying that women did not set Olympic rules. She tweeted, "Women didn't vote for Imane. Women did not make the rules that the IOC used to allow Imane to box even though Imane twice failed a sex test. Stop blaming women for this travesty." One user challenged Navratilova's stance, insisting Khelif is a biological female with medical evidence to prove it, including childhood photos. The user accused Navratilova of promoting bigotry against women who appear "too manly." Navratilova fired back, explaining that the controversy isn't about being transgender. She referenced Disorders of Sexual Development (DSD) and high testosterone levels in Khelif's medical records, stating, "Imane failed two sex tests. Imane's testosterone is at male levels. Only males can have it that high. Check the facts and then speak." The discussion also touched on other athletes like French tennis player Amélie Mauresmo and American basketball player Brittney Griner, both known for their athletic builds. Navratilova dismissed the comparison, urging critics to understand the nuances of DSD. Khelif has remained largely silent about the ongoing debate, focusing instead on her legal defense. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has yet to comment further on the allegations or review its policies regarding athlete eligibility. Navratilova, a vocal advocate for women's rights in sports, retired in 2006 after a legendary tennis career. She won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 doubles titles, and 10 mixed doubles titles, solidifying her as one of the sport's greatest players. The controversy around Khelif highlights ongoing challenges in balancing inclusivity and fairness in sports. As debates persist, the issue remains a flashpoint in global discussions about gender and competition.