Wright believes that Ramsdale's potential arrival at Stamford Bridge would not only strengthen Chelsea's defense but also provide healthy competition for current goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The competition for the number one spot would push both goalkeepers to elevate their performances and maintain a high level of consistency, ultimately benefiting the team as a whole.
Liu Damaeli, whose real name is Liu Xin, was a well-known figure in the world of social media, with a large following on various platforms. Her glamorous lifestyle, fashion sense, and beauty tips had captivated audiences and earned her a significant following. However, on that fateful day, what was supposed to be a routine cosmetic procedure turned into a tragedy.
- **Definition:** Staying up all night to study or complete assignments.South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief imposition of martial law marks a new warning for the worldwide fragility of democracy, even in a country hailed as a model of political transformation. Yoon’s overnight attempt to shut down political activity, censor media and lock out opposition lawmakers stunned South Korea’s longtime ally, the United States, which said it had no advance warning and issued a statement of concern. South Korea’s transition to elected rule since a mass uprising in 1987 had been seen as so thorough that the United States increasingly spoke of its ally as a global partner. Meanwhile, Seoul billed itself as a new, ideal hub for international media as China clamped down on Hong Kong. President Joe Biden had even chosen Yoon as the host in March of his final Summit for Democracy — a signature initiative of the outgoing US leader, who sought to champion liberal values globally, in an unstated repudiation of Donald Trump, who returns to the White House next month. But observers, while stunned by Yoon, said there were warning signs. Danny Russel, a top US diplomat for Asia under former president Barack Obama and who earlier served in South Korea, pointed to the deadlock in parliament where the opposition repeatedly sought impeachments against Yoon’s administration. Yoon’s move “was a complete surprise to me (but) yes, there were very obvious structural forces at work,” he said. “There is a radically polarized political scene in Korea. The opposition has been pursuing scorched-earth political obstruction tactics,” he said. But he pointed to the quick, large-scale protests that erupted after Yoon’s declaration as a sign of a vibrant civil society ready to defend democracy. “One certainly would hope that this would serve as a wake-up call to both the ruling conservative party and the progressive opposition that both sides have gone too far and that there needs to be some process of reconciliation, of dealing with legitimate differences and grievances.” – Authoritarian tendencies – Yoon himself had earlier shown signs of authoritarianism. In a national address last year, Yoon raged against supposed communists who have “disguised themselves as democracy activists, human rights advocates or progressive activists.” A prosecutor, Yoon narrowly won the 2022 election on a platform of economic reform and advocated close ties with the United States as well as historic rival Japan. But his popularity swiftly slid and the opposition won the National Assembly. Celeste Arrington, a Korea expert at George Washington University, noted that Yoon had never held elected office before and had become increasingly frustrated. “This is really an extreme move that may signal, I think, the president’s lack of political experience,” she said. She said that martial law showed “some cracks in democracy” but that the quick reversal “gives me hope in the health and strength and vibrancy of democracy in South Korea.” Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, expected Yoon’s career to be over after attempting martial law, which constitutionally can only be imposed for wars or other emergencies. “Yoon’s action is a damning reversal to decades of South Korean efforts to put its authoritarian past behind it,” he said. – Democracy stronger? – The number of democracies worldwide soared starting in the late 1980s as the Soviet Union collapsed and student-led uprisings brought reforms elsewhere. But globally, democracy has been in retreat for the last 18 straight years, according to the Washington-based group Freedom House, which promotes political liberty. Democratically elected leaders have taken increasingly authoritarian steps in countries as diverse as India, Turkey and Hungary. V-Dem, another closely watched democracy index, had most recently ranked South Korea third in Asia after Taiwan and Japan. In the United States, Trump has rejected long-held norms, refusing to accept he lost to Biden four years ago — culminating in his supporters violently rampaging through the US Capitol. Trump’s rejection of democracy ultimately worked out for him: campaigning on the rage of 2020, he won last month’s election. But experts said Yoon’s power play — and its reversal — could in fact show a victory for democratic values. “Yoon is a deeply unpopular and ineffectual leader, but there was nothing I saw of people being dissatisfied with the way government runs,” Alan Yu, a senior vice president at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, said after a recent trip to Seoul. Darcie Draudt-Vejares of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that with the swift response to Yoon, “this crisis may ultimately strengthen Korean democracy by reaffirming civilian control and demonstrating institutional resilience.” With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.We hear a lot about the British Royal family — maybe more than we to know — but has anyone stopped to appreciate across the continent? Many African royals come from diverse educational, political, and even ethnic backgrounds, and with so much to love in the motherland, it’s about time we show African royals some much-needed appreciation. From Morocco all the way to Lesotho, here’s a list of African royals who are doing the damn thing! 2 / 17 Her Royal Highness the Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda is the wife of the King of Buganda, King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, according to She is regarded as an humanitarian for her transformational leadership and her work in empowering the youth, advocating for disability rights and women’s rights. 3 / 17 King Amon N’Douffou V (Ivory Coast) King Amon N’Douffou V (Ivory Coast) King Amon N’Douffou V took over the throne in 2005, and his enthronement was met with national celebration, according to . In 2009, the king named civil rights leader Jesse Jackson a prince of the Kingdom of Sanwi. Jackson marked the second person to receive the title from King Amon. The first person was Michael Jackson. 4 / 17 LisaRaye McCoy (Ghana) LisaRaye McCoy (Ghana) Actress Lisa Raye McCoy was named the Queen Mother of Ghana by King Yahweh, at a ceremony in Los Angeles in 2019. She did have a crowning ceremony, but there has been criticism of the legitimacy of the title. Lisa Raye was also the First Lady of Turk and Caicos in 2006 when she married Michael Misick, the former Premier of the Turks and Caicos. 5 / 17 David Oyelowo (Nigeria) David Oyelowo (Nigeria) Actor is a prince in Nigeria. His grandfather was the King of Awe in the Oyo State. In an interview with , Oyelowo said that he does not flaunt this title because royal families are “a dime in a dozen,” in Nigeria. 6 / 17 The princess, who also goes by “Stephanie Benson,” was raised royal her whole life. At just 14 years old, Benson was sent to Britain to prepare for her role as Queen, but while working at De Beers, she fell in love with John Benson and the couple eventually wed, according to . The princess is still a Ghanaian royal, but she spends her time pursuing her career as a singer. 7 / 17 King Kwongo Dak Padiet (Sudan) King Kwongo Dak Padiet (Sudan) The 35th Reth — or King — of the Shilluk Kingdom in Sudan came to power in 1993. At the time of his coronation, Sudan was in the middle of a bloody civil war, which didn’t end until 2005. Most recently, King Kwongo has been criticized for banning non-traditional wedding practices in his kingdom, according to . According to him, these decrees are in efforts to preserve the traditions and culture of his people. 8 / 17 Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso (Lesotho) Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso (Lesotho) ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso is the Queen of Lesotho and the wife of King Letsie III of Lesotho. According to Lesotho records, she was the first commoner in modern history to marry into the country’s royal family. Since becoming queen, ‘Masenate has used her power to advocate for projects related to HIV/AIDS in addition to donating to several charities. 9 / 17 King Misuzulu Zulu (South Africa) King Misuzulu Zulu (South Africa) After the death of his father, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, in 2021, Misuzulu Zulu came to power over the Zulu nation. He is one of 28 children, according to . After his father’s death, Misuzulu’s rise to power ruffled quite a few feathers in his own family, with many calling his coronation unlawful. 10 / 17 Princess Esther Kamatari (Burundi) Princess Esther Kamatari (Burundi) Esther Kamatari went from being Burundi’s exiled princess to France’s first Black model after fleeing from her home country. She decided to step away from her royal life and move to France after her father, Prince Ignace Kamatari, was assassinated when she was only 13, according to 11 / 17 (Benin) (Benin) Born Eheneden Erediauwa, the Benin royal values education and public service. Before taking the throne, Ewuare spent much time in Great Britain pursuing his education. He holds a degree in economics and a master’s degree from New Jersey’s Rutgers University, according to . 12 / 17 Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini (Eswatini) Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini (Eswatini) Her father, King Mswati III, is Africa’s last absolute monarchy. In his role, the king has unrestricted political power and can rule by decree, according to Eswatini law. His eldest daughter, Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini, is the country’s former Minister of Information and Communication Technology. 13 / 17 (Morocco) (Morocco) The king first came to power in 1999, just hours after his father died of a heart attack, according to . King Mohammed VI is now regarded as one of the wealthiest royals in the world. According to , his net worth was around $2.1 billion as of 2019. 14 / 17 Princess Princess While most royals like to lavish in their wealth and status, Buganda Princess Joan Nassolo has created a career of her own by advocating and helping others. She has her own non-profit organization committed to environmental conservation, cultural heritage preservation, and youth empowerment. Nassolo holds a title belt for the East and Central Xtra Combat Muay Thai Women’s Championship, according to the She is also the creator and author of the Legend Of Buganda Comic Book Series. 15 / 17 Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan is the current traditional ruler of Ugbo Kingson. He is the founder of Obat Oil, one of Nigeria’s largest and leading privately held oil companies, according to . Apparently, Akinruntan’s rise to power was set in stone from his childhood. “There were two separate prophecies that Iwas going to be an Oba [King],” he told The Capital. 16 / 17 The death of Angola’s Queen Nhacatolo Chilombo Tchissengo in 2023 devastated the country. In her place, Queen Nhakatolo Anabela Ngambo Kaumba took the throne and was coronated in 2024. Kaumba marks the newest addition to — meaning only women can sit on the throne with the title “nhakatolo.” 17 / 17Landmark lawsuit brought on behalf of thousands of survivors of child sexual abuse images and videos (CSAM) traded on Apple platforms CUPERTINO, Calif. , Dec. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This weekend, a class action lawsuit was filed against Apple on behalf of thousands of survivors of child sexual abuse for knowingly allowing the storage of images and videos documenting their abuse on iCloud and the company's defectively designed products. The lawsuit alleges that Apple has known about this content for years, but has refused to act to detect or remove it, despite developing advanced technology to do so. The plaintiffs are being represented by Marsh Law Firm. Additionally, Heat Initiative is providing some support for this lawsuit as part of the organization's broader Ignite program , which provides legal and advocacy support for victims of child sexual abuse through referrals, research, and funding to empower them to use their voices and hold technology companies accountable. The images and videos of the plaintiffs' childhood sexual abuse, which have been stored thousands of times, would have been identified and removed had Apple implemented its 2021 "CSAM Detection" technology. However, Apple terminated the program after its announcement. Other leading technology providers have been proactively detecting and reporting illegal child sex abuse images and videos for more than a decade. Apple's belated efforts, and subsequent cancellation, leave it among the very few major platforms that do not engage in proactive detection and removal. The full complaint, as well as a fact sheet and other supporting materials, can be found HERE . "The knowledge that images of my abuse are still out there is a never-ending nightmare – Apple could have stopped this, but has chosen not to act," said Jane Doe , a plaintiff in the lawsuit. "Apple has the technology to stop this from continuing, yet they knowingly turn a blind eye. This isn't just about my story – it's about standing up for every survivor who deserves safety and dignity. Apple has a responsibility to protect us, and I'm here to demand that they fulfill it." "Today, thousands of brave survivors are coming forward to demand accountability from one of the most successful technology companies on the planet. Apple has not only rejected helping these victims, it has advertised the fact that it does not detect child sex abuse material on its platform or devices thereby exponentially increasing the ongoing harm caused to these victims," said Margaret E. Mabie , Partner at Marsh Law Firm, representing the plaintiffs. "Our clients have endured unimaginable abuse, and yet Apple's top executives continue to ignore their pleas, fully aware that this illegal contraband remains on their platform. By abandoning their state-of-the-art detection program without offering an alternative, Apple has chosen to prioritize its own corporate agenda over the lives and dignity of survivors. This lawsuit is a call for justice and a demand for Apple to finally take responsibility and protect these victims." "Apple wants people to think they are the 'responsible' tech company, and this lawsuit demonstrates clearly that, on this issue, they are not," said Sarah Gardner , Founder and CEO of the Heat Initiative, an organization dedicated to encouraging leading technology companies to combat child sex abuse on their platforms. "The plaintiffs and countless other survivors of child sexual abuse are forced to relive the worst moments imaginable because Apple refuses to implement common sense practices that are standard across the tech industry. They will argue that this is a privacy issue, but they are failing to acknowledge the privacy and basic humanity of the children being raped and sexually assaulted in the videos and images Apple stores on iCloud." In August 2021 , Apple announced it would implement a new "CSAM Detection" feature, which would have identified known child sexual abuse material in iCloud using NeuralHash, a type of hashing technology that Apple developed. However, after the program was announced, Apple executives reversed their decision and ultimately killed the implementation of the program . At the same time, in 2023, five major tech companies collectively reported more than 32 million pieces of child sexual abuse images and videos on their platforms– Apple reported only 267 . The lawsuit is seeking injunctive relief for Apple to implement basic child safety measures on behalf of the plaintiffs. The claim of negligence and failing to fulfill their duty of care resulting in harms to the plaintiffs stems from two main factors: Marsh Law Firm focuses its legal practice exclusively on representing survivors of sexual abuse and online exploitation. They are a survivor-focused, trauma-informed, and justice-oriented law firm that advocates for clients both in and out of the courtroom to secure justice and hold perpetrators and the institutions that enable abuse accountable. Heat Initiative is a collective effort of concerned child safety experts and advocates encouraging leading technology companies to combat child sexual abuse on their platforms. Heat Initiative sees a future where children's safety is at the forefront of any existing and future technological developments. The Heat Initiative's Ignite program catalyzes impact litigation to hold technology companies accountable to their duty to prevent and address the sexual exploitation of children on their platforms. Contact: press@heatinitiative.org View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/apple-sued-for-knowingly-hosting-child-sexual-abuse-material-on-its-products-failing-to-protect-survivors-302325571.html SOURCE Heat Initiative
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NEW YORK (AP) — Police don't know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack , not a random one. They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 a.m. Wednesday as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company’s annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson’s body bore the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics . The fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Over the weekend, police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his backpack there Friday. They didn’t immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analyzed. Early Sunday afternoon, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or on the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned. The bag’s apparent manufacturer did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press. Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isn’t as quick as it looks like on TV . Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson’s family and coworkers and the shooter’s randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face. Retracing the gunman’s steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven’t been able to ID him using facial recognition — possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask.
THIS is an incredible timelapse showing a swarm of ants outsmarting humans by solving an unbelievable puzzle. The bizarre experiment was used to explore how both humans and ants navigate a complex maze while working individually or in groups. Researched led by Ofer Feinerman at the Weizmann Institute of Science wanted to find the comparison between the two species, leading to the maze based on the "piano movers puzzle". This is a problem from motion planning and robotics. Instead of a piano, however, participants are captured maneuvering a T-shaped object through a space divided into three chambers. These are connected by narrow slits. read more in tech Humans tackled the task by themselves or in groups of up to 26 people, meanwhile the ants worked in groups ranging from one to 80. The ants in the experiment are Paratrechina longicornis, also known as "crazy ants" due to their erratic movements. Human participants were told to avoid any verbal or gestural communication as this mirrors the ants' natural constrains. They could also only handle the object using specific designated handles equipped with force meters. Most read in Science Experts found that when humans worked alone, they outperformed ants by a wide margin. They were also said to have used strategic planing to complete the task efficiently. But in group settings, ant colonies showed incredible coordination and problem-solving abilities. The small but mighty insects showed a unified force, using collective memory to process their mistakes and maintain consistent progress to fit the T through. Humans, meanwhile, struggled to improve their performance after making mistakes with their communication restricted. Instead of attempting to work as a group, human participants showed to have "greedy" strategies, with a focus on short-term solutions. Experts therefore credited this discrepancy to the ants' social structure as, in a colony, they operate as a "super-organism". The researchers hope their incredibly insights will be able to inform future studies on group dynamics - in nature and human societies. Through the exploration of collective behaviour, and strengths and weaknesses within this, the investigation aims to shed light on how cooperation evolved and could be optimised. THE longhorn crazy ant, called the Paratrechina longicornis, or the black crazy ant, is a small ant species. It's called "crazy" because of its random, rapid movements. A key distinguishing feature is its extraordinarily long antennae and legs compared to its 2.3-3mm body length. The antennae are slender, 12-segmented, with no club. Its head and body appear smooth and shiny. These ants are highly adaptable and are found worldwide, often infesting homes and outdoor areas in large numbers. They are opportunistic foragers, travelling long distances from their nests, making them difficult to control. Their diet is varied, including live and dead insects, honeydew, fruits, seeds, household foods, and even large prey like lizards. They are particularly drawn to sweet foods. They obtain honeydew by tending to plant lice, mealybugs, and scales.Manchester United's decision to mercilessly sack Ashworth, a well-respected figure within the club, has left the team's staff increasingly on edge. The once harmonious atmosphere within the organization has been shattered, with employees now living in constant fear of being next in line for dismissal.
Title: "Diawara: Special Connection with B-fee, Amarlin's Understanding of Players as a Former Player"