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Saints say Taysom Hill 'likely' has a season-ending knee injuryQatar tribune Agencies European Union rules requiring all new smartphones, tablets and cameras to use the universal type of charger came into force on Saturday, in a change Brussels said will cut costs and waste. Manufacturers are now obliged to fit devices sold in the 27-nation bloc with a USB-C, the port chosen by the EU as the common standard for charging electronic tools.“Starting today, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, speakers, keyboards and many other electronics sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port,” the EU Parliament wrote on social media X. The EU has said the single charger rule will simplify the lives of Europeans and slash costs for consumers.Allowing consumers to purchase a new device without a new charger will also reduce the mountain of obsolete chargers, the bloc has argued. The law was first approved in 2022 following a tussle with U.S. tech giant Apple. It allowed companies until Dec. 28 this year to adapt. Makers of laptops will have extra time, from early 2026, to also follow suit. Most devices already use these cables, but Apple was more than a little reluctant.The firm said in 2021 that such regulation “stifles innovation,” but by September last year, it had begun shipping phones with the new port. Makers of electronic consumer items in Europe had agreed on a single charging norm from dozens on the market a decade ago under a voluntary agreement with the European Commission.But Apple, the world’s biggest seller of smartphones, refused to abide by it and ditch its Lightning ports. Other manufacturers kept their alternative cables going, meaning there were about half a dozen types knocking around, creating a jumble of cables for consumers. USB-C ports can charge at up to 100 Watts, transfer data up to 40 gigabits per second, and serve to hook up to external displays. At its approval, the commission said the law was expected to save at least 200 million euros ($208 million) annually and reduce more than 1,000 tons of EU electronic waste. “It’s time for THE charger,” the European Commission wrote on X on Saturday. “It means better-charging technology, reduced e-waste and less fuss to find the chargers you need.” Copy 30/12/2024 10No damage was reported after a 4.1 magnitude earthquake rattled the Maniwaki area, western Quebec, Sunday morning, according to Earthquakes Canada. The epicentre was 75 kilometres northwest of Maniwaki. It happened at 8:02 a.m. The earthquake was felt by some residents in Ottawa and Gatineau. One resident from Kanata told CTV News Ottawa they wondered whether it woke them up. Another resident reported snow falling off the roof of their home. Earthquakes Canada received reports from people feeling it from Pembroke to Montreal, and as far south as Brockville. No damage would be expected from the earthquake, according to Earthquakes Canada. More to come Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks Here Are All The Best Amazon Boxing Day Deals You Can Find On Beauty Products In Canada These Walking Pads Will Help You Get 10,000 Steps Every Day (And They're On Sale In The Name Of Boxing Day) 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Home If You're Headed Somewhere Warm On Vacation, Don't Forget To Pack These 16 Things Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals 11 Bestselling Coffee Makers And Espresso Machines You Can Get On Sale Right Now Don’t Walk, Run! These LEGO Kits Are On Sale For Boxing Day 2024 The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 41% Off For Boxing Day Ottawa Top Stories BREAKING NEWS | 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal Clouds, rain, fog patches in the forecast for Ottawa this Sunday Ottawa OPP seizes $28K, suspected drug tablets following traffic stop on Highway 417 Driver, 17, charged after going more than 100 km/h over the limit on Hwy. 401 in eastern Ontario What's happening in Ottawa over the Christmas holidays Natural gas leak near Cornwall, Ont. resolved: TC Energy International teams make their debut at the Bell Capital Cup in Ottawa Families enjoy unique programming at Ottawa museums over holiday break CTVNews.ca Top Stories A plane crashes and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 A passenger plane skidded off a runway at a South Korean airport Sunday, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames after its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board died in one of the country's worst aviation disasters. Runway at Halifax airport resumes regular operations after landing incident An aircraft incident at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport caused temporary delays to all flight operations Saturday night. Canadian model Dayle Haddon dies from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning Dayle Haddon, an actor, activist and trailblazing former 'Sports Illustrated' model who pushed back against age discrimination by reentering the industry as a widow, has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Trump appears to side with Musk, tech allies in debate over foreign workers roiling his supporters U.S. president-elect Donald Trump appears to be siding with Elon Musk and his other backers in the tech industry as a dispute over immigration visas has divided his supporters. Azerbaijan's president says crashed jetliner was shot down by Russia unintentionally Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said Sunday that the Azerbaijani airliner that crashed last week was shot down by Russia, albeit unintentionally, and criticized Moscow for trying to 'hush up' the issue for days. Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it's here to stay Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. Rolex stolen from Keanu Reeves' LA home turns up in Chile Police in Chile say they have recovered three watches belonging to 'John Wick' star Keanu Reeves – including a US$9,000 Rolex – that are thought to have been stolen from the actor's Los Angeles home in late 2023. What type of stretch is best before or after a workout? As you head into the gym, you likely already have a workout plan in mind. Maybe you're taking a light jog on the treadmill, or you're working on some bicep curls on arm's day. To get the most out of your gym session, consider first how you start and end your workouts. Musk causes uproar for backing Germany's far-right party ahead of key elections Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk caused uproar after backing Germany's far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Atlantic Runway at Halifax airport resumes regular operations after landing incident An aircraft incident at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport caused temporary delays to all flight operations Saturday night. No one injured after vehicle crashes into Shoppers Drug Mart: N.S. RCMP RCMP is investigating after a vehicle crashed into a Shoppers Drug Mart in Lower Sackville, N.S. on Saturday. One dead in two-vehicle collision in Sackville, N.B. One person has died following a two-vehicle collision in Sackville, N.B., Friday. Toronto ‘Significant rainfall,’ and heavy fog expected in the GTA, much of southern Ontario Sunday It’s expected to be a foggy and rainy day across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Sunday, with as much as 30 mm of rain expected in some locations. SIU investigating after Toronto cops discharge sock round, less-lethal firearm at man that resulted in serious injuries The province’s police watchdog is investigating after Toronto officers discharged sock round and less-lethal firearm at a man who had allegedly stabbed another person in the city’s Rockcliffe-Smythe area on Saturday morning. 1 person in hospital, suspect in police custody following stabbing in Fairbank One person is in hospital, and a suspect is in custody following a stabbing in Toronto’s Fairbank neighbourhood on Saturday. Montreal Freezing rain alert and smog warning remain in effect in Montreal Drivers in and around the Montreal area are advised to take caution as a freezing rain weather alert and smog warning remain in affect. Friend of Quebec man killed in Florida boat explosion says his sister also injured A childhood friend of the Quebec man killed in a Florida boat explosion earlier this week says one of the victim's sisters was among the other six passengers injured in the blast. Women’s hockey looks to expand coverage and support as spotlight grows More girls and women than ever are lacing up their skates and hitting the ice. The rising popularity of women's hockey is driven by inspiration believes hockey coach Hanna Bunton Northern Ontario Pair of 911 calls leads to two impaired driving arrests in three hours A pair of 911 calls from concerned citizens led to two separate impaired driving charges in a single northern Ontario town within three hours. Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it's here to stay Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. Five southern Ont. hunters fined $37K for moose hunt offences in northern Ont. A multi-year moose hunting investigation resulted in five people being convicted of moose hunting offences and fined a total of $37,000, plus $9,250 in victim surcharges. Windsor A plane crashes and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 A passenger plane skidded off a runway at a South Korean airport Sunday, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames after its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board died in one of the country's worst aviation disasters. Community partners in Windsor propose education campaign to veer people away from payday loans In a move aimed at combatting the financial strain caused by payday loans, the City of Windsor is considering the launch of a comprehensive education campaign to promote alternative financial options. Ex-boyfriend arrested for violating bail conditions Chatham-Kent police have made an arrest after a man allegedly violated his bail conditions. London Fatal crash in Middlesex County Middlesex County OPP attended the scene of a fatal motor vehicle collision in Strathroy-Caradoc early Sunday morning. A plane crashes and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 A passenger plane skidded off a runway at a South Korean airport Sunday, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames after its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board died in one of the country's worst aviation disasters. St. Thomas fraud victim loses nearly $100K to job scam According to police, the victim was investing money into a company that they believed they were employed by for over a month. Kitchener Cambridge industrial plant dealing with major damages after fire A fire Saturday morning has a Cambridge industrial plant dealing with major damage. Minor flooding possible with snow melt, rain on way: GRCA The Waterloo Region and the city of Guelph will be wrapping up 2024 with unusually warm weather over the weekend. Stretch of Kitchener road closed after gas leak at abandoned building Kitchener Fire is investigating after a "strange odor" was reported on Courtland Avenue East Saturday. Barrie Region under rainfall warning, fog advisory Many areas across Simcoe Muskoka, upper York Region and Grey County are under rainfall warnings and fog advisories as of Sunday morning. Deluxe taxi goes up in flames in Barrie parking lot Some locals were quick to pull out their cellphones and capture a minivan as it went up in hot flames in a Barrie parking lot. Boxing Day bust: Police allege shopper stole from LCBO amid holiday rush While Boxing Day is known for securing the best deals, one local shopper took things too far and allegedly tried to score a deal at a free cost. Winnipeg The most-read stories on CTV Winnipeg in 2024 Historic events, community pride and significant losses dominated headlines in Manitoba in 2024. Here’s a list of the most-read stories of each month of 2024 on CTV News Winnipeg. Cross-country ski race returns to Windsor Park The Prairie Holiday Loppet made its long-awaited return to Winnipeg’s Windsor Park Saturday, with dozens of racers hitting the trails. Have you seen Genevieve? RCMP search for woman last seen on Christmas Eve Thompson RCMP are searching for a woman who went missing from Split Lake earlier this week. Calgary 1 arrested after 3 stabbed in Airdrie, including 2 youth Airdrie RCMP have arrested a male in connection with multiple aggravated assaults that left three people injured. A plane crashes and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 A passenger plane skidded off a runway at a South Korean airport Sunday, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames after its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board died in one of the country's worst aviation disasters. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east At least two people were killed and six more injured as several tornadoes touched down in Texas and Mississippi on Saturday, damaging homes and flipping vehicles as the storm system moved east across Alabama early Sunday. Edmonton Edmonton street photographer captures moments and people one frame at a time A local photographer who is passionate about capturing moments in one-hundredth of a second embraced many styles of his trade before landing on one which truly represents his mantra: street photography. 2 vehicles fall through ice at Sylvan Lake, promoting police warning RCMP issued a warning Saturday after two vehicles fell through the ice on Sylvan Lake. A plane crashes and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 A passenger plane skidded off a runway at a South Korean airport Sunday, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames after its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board died in one of the country's worst aviation disasters. Regina Regina man showcases local bead supply business Jeramy Hannah recently began selling beading supplies, after he realized the beaders in his life were struggling with a lack of local vendors, prompting him to create a business called Bead Bro. 'A great holiday memory': Echo Valley Provincial Park gets plenty of visitors at Skate the Park launch Families and groups of friends made use of the good weather as the new season of Skate the Park got underway at Echo Valley Provincial Park. Missing 89-year-old Moose Jaw man found dead, no foul play suspected: Police Saskatoon U18 provincials curling tournament underway in PA Teams from across Saskatchewan are in Prince Albert for the U18 curling provincials. Police made two arrests following a shooting in Saskatoon A swift response from Saskatoon police led to the arrest of a man and woman following a reported shooting Friday afternoon. Saskatoon fire crews battle house fire Saskatoon firefighters responded to a house fire on the 100 block of Klassen Crescent Friday afternoon. Vancouver Vancouver man defrauded Chinese developers of US$500K, court rules A Vancouver man has been ordered to pay more than US$500,000 after a B.C. Supreme Court judge found he had defrauded the would-be developers of a real estate project in China of that amount. Vince Dunn's second goal comes in overtime as Kraken rally past Canucks 5-4 Vince Dunn scored his second goal of the game 2:15 into overtime as the Seattle Kraken rallied from a three-goal, third-period deficit to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 5-4 on Saturday afternoon. Burnaby RCMP investigating bear spray incident at Metrotown Mounties in Burnaby are investigating after several bystanders were affected by bear spray outside the Metrotown mall Friday evening. Vancouver Island Victoria police seek witnesses, additional victims after hit-and-run spree A woman is facing seven charges after allegedly committing multiple hit-and-run crashes in a stolen vehicle while impaired, according to police in B.C.'s capital. Vancouver man defrauded Chinese developers of US$500K, court rules A Vancouver man has been ordered to pay more than US$500,000 after a B.C. Supreme Court judge found he had defrauded the would-be developers of a real estate project in China of that amount. New Canadians, non-traditional demographics boost minor hockey uptake in B.C. Participation in hockey in British Columbia was struggling in 2021 — the pandemic had dealt a heavy blow to player registrations, and numbers had already been flagging before COVID-19 arrived. Kelowna B.C. team building 100 beaver 'starter homes' in the name of wetland preservation More than 70 manmade beaver dams have been installed in Interior waterways since the B.C. Wildlife Federation project launched last year with the goal of building 100 dams by the end of 2025. B.C. man charged with drug trafficking and weapons offences after CBSA investigation A resident of B.C.'s Interior has been charged with weapon and drug trafficking offences after an investigation launched by border agents at Vancouver International Airport earlier this year. B.C woman awarded nearly $750K in court case against contractor A B.C. woman has been awarded nearly $750,000 in damages in a dispute with a contractor who strung her along for a year and a half and failed to complete a renovation, according to a recent court decision. Stay ConnectedRayonier Declares Special Dividend of $1.80 Per Share Payable 25% in Cash and 75% in Common Shares
We hinted at it last month, and it’s now official – has re-opened its crowdfunding program, giving fans and believers in the startup’s solar electric vehicle technology the opportunity to invest and help it reach scaled production. Well, that didn’t take long. After in May 2024, Solar EV startup Aptera is once again turning to its posse of loyalists to help keep development going as it continues to inch toward the holy grail of scaled solar electric vehicle production. Up until that point, the startup had raised a staggering $135 million from over 19,000 investors—the most successful crowdfunding raise in history. Never one to shy away from its progress (and hurdles), Aptera said that despite such an inspiring capital raise, it would need another $60 million to begin low-volume SEV production, . To achieve this, Aptera which led a $60 million investment offering of convertible notes of Aptera Motors Corp. that began in July. At the time, US Capital Global executives anticipated the raise would take 60 to 90 days. However, from November 20, 2024, states that the investment round had only garnered $700,000 in convertible notes sold – a mere 1.2% of the targeted amount. As we pointed out during a video tour with Aptera , Aptera co-CEO Chris Anthony briefly mentioned the possibility of a return to crowdfunding. Here’s what he said at the time: We think along the way, we may open the crowdfunding again because right now, the minimum investment for the convertible note is $50,000. So, a lot of people have been waiting to invest in Aptera, but they can’t because the minimum is so high. The cycle continues. Less than a month later, Aptera reopened crowdfunding to the people, allowing you to invest now. Aptera recently announced the return to crowdfunding on , citing a responsibility to protect and restore the environment as a call to action for those willing to part with their hard-earned dollars to join the cause and keep the startup pushing forward. Per the post: Our vision is clear: a world where every journey is powered by the sun. This relaunch provides a way for everyone—everyday people like you—to become part of the solution. Through this campaign, you can invest in Aptera’s mission to revolutionize transportation and significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Prospective investors can sign up on Aptera’s dedicated investor page and purchase shares in the startup priced at $14.80 each. Per Aptera, a minimum investment of $1,000 is required. Per Aptera: Every dollar invested is a statement of hope and determination to shift the status quo. Together, we can lead the way toward a world where clean energy solutions are the norm, not the exception. Your support fuels more than just vehicles—it fuels change. With a fresh crowdfunding campaign in place, Aptera is continuing to develop its en route to low-volume SEV production for those early investors who secured the first builds via the company’s successful accelerator program. The team still needs about $59 million to get there, but the people have already gotten the company this far, and could once again be this startup’s saving grace. We will keep tabs on the company’s progress as we see to see more of the (PI) builds in early 2025. and subscribe to the . Scooter Doll is a writer, designer and tech enthusiast born in Chicago and based on the West Coast. When he’s not offering the latest tech how tos or insights, he’s probably watching Chicago sports. Please send any tips or suggestions, or dog photos to him at scooter@9to5mac.com(The Center Square) – The Biden administration on Monday instituted a new round of restrictions targeting the export of advanced semiconductor chips and manufacturing equipment to China. This move by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security builds on previous measures aimed at curbing China's ability to develop cutting-edge technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and military applications.Convenient payment option for Filipino shoppers: PayMongo, Lazada PH launch QR Ph integration
(The Center Square) – The Biden administration on Monday instituted a new round of restrictions targeting the export of advanced semiconductor chips and manufacturing equipment to China. This move by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security builds on previous measures aimed at curbing China's ability to develop cutting-edge technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and military applications. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.Aminu Abdullahi, the Commissioner Higher Education Sokoto state, is the Iya Sokoto, a highly respected titleholder of the Sultanate. Before his appointment by Governor Ahmed Aliyu, he was for nine the nine years the state’s accountant general. He was also the permanent secretary in the ministries of environment and animal health. In this syndicated interview he spoke on the Aliyu adnistration’s 9-Point agenda as it concerns higher education. Chamba Simeh brings excerpts: Without thinking twice about it I would say that it has been a wonderful experience superintending over this critical sector. I am indeed very grateful that I am contributing my quota to ensuring that Sokoto state children receive qualitative education. And when you work with a governor that’s wholeheartedly committed to the development of education and that’s supportive that definitely makes your assignment less stressful. Before we go far into the interview I think it’s important that I explain the difference between the ministries of higher education, science and technology and basic which in a sense shows the importance the governor attaches to the education sector. The first reason for the creation of the three separate ministries is that the governor wants an effective supervision of the education sector which by the way is huge. So in Sokoto state like some other states we have three ministries – basic and secondary, science and technology and higher education,though we might be three ministries but we collaborate because we are dealing with essentially the same raw materials or if you like we are in a sense like the 3 arms of government- the executive, the legislature and the judiciary- though distinct we must work harmoniously to deliver development to the people. So the Ministry of Higher Education is solely concerned with tertiary education – the institutions of higher learning that offer different courses to students after their secondary level of education. We have Diploma, Certificate and Degree Awarding Instuitions under the ministry numbering about ten (10). But at the recent State Executive Council meeting the Council in its wisdom took the decision to return the School of Nursing to the Ministry of Health and the School of Legal Studies to the Ministry of Justice, for more effective supervision. The fact is that these five(5) tertiary institutions were transferred to their mother ministries in line with the laws establishing them. Only God knows why the previous administration decided to put them under ministry of higher education. We equally have 20 private tertiary institutions in Sokoto state that are also under our supervision only because the government doesn’t fund them like it funds its own schools. Like every other sector when this administration assumed office things were at different levels of decay and the education sector wasn’t spared which is most unfortunate. The handover note that officials of the ministry put together for me was depressing because the situation in all our institutions was alarming ...the morale of the workers was expectedly low because their course were not accredited and they were not paid their teaching incentives. For instance, the state university was without power for more than three years. Most of the lecture theatres were in a state of dilapidation. On assumption of office Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto instantly instructed the Kaduna Power Company to restore power immediately to the university and the other institutions after reaching an agreement with them on payment of the backlog. That singular act elicited wild jubilation and confirmed that a Daniel has indeed come to judgement. I am ashamed talking about what Sokoto State suffered in the hands of Aminu Tambuwal, a man who at one time was the number four citizen and who could have been president in line with the constitutional succession process and who on his own had attempted being the president of our dear country twice. Governor Aliyu has shown by words and actions that his commitment to the development of education is not political, that he in fact means his campaign promise to revamp the educational sector. He has paid all outstanding salaries, including the teaching allowances and rehabilitated dilapidated infrastructures in our higher institutions ...if you visit them you will find an environment that is conducive for learning... we can’t be blaming the students for poor performance when we haven’t provided them with the necessary tools and environment to study. The situation we met was terrible. We have equally gotten most courses being run by institutions accredited under one year. How on earth can any institution worth its salt run unaccredited courses? It certainly amounted to a sheer waste of everybody’s time, especially that of the students. Thankfully the examination bodies have shown an understanding which has gone a long way in resolving the issues. The governor has approved the payment of accreditation fees to the various bodies like the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). Governor in all sincerity has restored the hope of these students that was dashed by the past administration. As a mark of his commitment there is no memo from this ministry seeking his intervention on any urgent matter that hasn’t received his prompt response. He understands the importance of education and is determined to change the narrative. It’s important that I make the point that the governor is well guided in his decision to create the three ministries. It’s backed by the decision of the National Council of Education which is the highest policy making body on education in Nigeria on the separation of the ministries for effective supervision. It is a national policy ...the governor could have chosen to ignore it,but being a firm believer in the rule of law and convinced that it is the right decision he decided to go along with it wholeheartedly because it serves his purpose of the sector being vigorously supervised. The courses that were not accredited cut across the various departments of the schools. For instance some science courses were not accredited same with some social science courses, depending on the school. The most important point is that we have solved a problem which was why the governor was elected. He saw problems and offered himself to solve them, that’s the mentality of Governor Aliyu. While he believes in accountability he equally believes that the misdeeds of the past shouldn’t be an excuse, shouldn’t hold us back and every appointee understands this fact. We have spent about N3 billion on the rehabilitation of our institutions. For accreditation the cost is huge. For some courses we paid N35 million and for others N70 million, it depended on the course. Thankfully accreditation is once in five years, so we have some breathing space. So far virtually all our institutions have their courses accredited and the cost is running into millions of naira. Some few months back we paid the NUC about N100 million for courses being run at the state university and they were very impressed with our governor for his efforts in running a university that is truly a center of learning and research. In fact they followed up with a letter of appreciation to the governor. The governor on his part is extremely happy because he is seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I can tell you for free that the university surpassed the NUC conditions, and that we didn’t cut corners, we adhered to their guidelines. According to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007 which aims at ensuring the prudent management of resources and to promote transparency and accountability, if a public officer steals money he would be charged to court of law and tried. Also according to that same law if an officer commits an irresponsible act he or she is liable for persecution. But it wasn’t their fault that the Tambuwal administration refused to accredit the courses their schools were running. They didn’t commit a deliberate and irresponsible act because they kept drawing the attention of government to the problem and there is overwhelming evidence. So it would have been heartless sacking them for a crime they didn’t commit. I wish I could provide you with the answer considering the importance of our schools running courses that are accredited. It beats my imagination why they didn’t. I am not saying this to paint the previous administration in bad light, but just to put the facts before the public and nothing more. The governor has since moved on from what they didn’t do to doing them. Sokoto state is lucky to have a calm and dedicated governor after the disastrous eight years of Tambuwal. In November 2023, several countries under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the recommendation on education for peace and human rights, international understanding, cooperation, fundamental freedoms, global citizenship and sustainable development. Today, UNESCO remains the only global standard-setting instrument that lays out how education can and should be used to bring about lasting peace and sustainable development and in positioning education as a key driver of peace and international understanding. Education in the 2024 budget was allocated the highest percentage and in 2025 it has equally maintained its number one position in terms of budgetary allocation. Sokoto State in the last two years has in fact surpassed the UNESCO budget recommendation. And what does this say about Governor Aliyu’s unwavering commitment to education? It no doubt clears whatever doubt about his desire to rewrite the ugly story of education in the state. As a professional accountant I prefer to talk more in terms of releases because you can be allocated a fantastic budget without it being cash backed. So we say thank you to the governor for not only allocating funds to education, but for his express approvals and for cash backing them. Our modest achievements are due to his leadership and support. Our mandate and responsibilities includes policy formulation for higher education and recommending same to the governor who in the case of the university is the Visitor, carrying out needs assessment to determine the state’s needs in higher education in both public and private institutions. We also advice the government on the appointment of heads of the various institutions working in collaboration with their governing bodies. The other critical responsibility is in assisting the various tertiary institutions with accreditation from the relevant bodies. We also have the mandate to establish linkage programmes with other institutions of higher learning; and in the area preparing and implementing an annual budget, the revenue and expenditure of state tertiary institutions. Monitoring is critical, so we also carry out a rigorous monitoring exercise to ensure that they are performing the functions why they were established. Finally, we oversee the disbursement of scholarships to state indigenes in higher learning institutions. We do produce Performance Reports to the governor who is interested in knowing the progress being recorded. There is a close collaboration between the three ministries. About out of school children it’s a challenge but I can assure you that we are addressing it on all fronts. To some extent the Nigerian culture of marrying many wives and having many children is partly responsible for the problem. But things are beginning to change. I’m glad because in the past only the few of us went to school, but now there is no household that you will not find with students in higher institutions. Education would help people understand the importance of producing children they can cater for. Mmeanwhile, we would continue to deploy policies that would help address the problem. You know the story of Sokoto State. We remain eternally grateful to our father who by the way was my teacher and leader Senator Aliyu Magatarda Wamakko for laying a solid foundation for our education system using his experience as an educationist. As governor of Sokoto State, he put in a place several fundamental policies; free and compulsory education, he encouraged girl child education and so many other policies. We certainly won’t be increasing fees rather we would continue to encourage our students with incentives like scholarships to pursue their education to the highest level. The robust policies of Governor Aliyu have continued to attract more students to enroll into schools in the state and abroad. In fact enrollment has increased and very interestingly is the fact that students have stopped skipping school. We have achieved all these due to the policy of Governor Aliyu who understands the importance of education and is walking the talk. The previous government had for inexplicable reasons stopped the stipends and other privileges of the students which Governor Aliyu immediately restored. Yes. It’s important I make this additional point, in Sokoto state non-indigenes are treated as indigenes, they don’t pay school fees and the government doesn’t exclude them when it is paying examination fees. Once you are resident in Sokoto state you are automatically an indigene of the state, you pay the fees that the indigenes are paying. Back to your question, the Aliyu administration understands that schools must be well funded. From next year the governor has directed that schools would be given N200,000 monthly allowance to meet minor expenses which would help them face desks, repairs of toilets etc. So this is a government that understands its responsibility to its schools and indeed all government departments. You must also be aware of the efforts of the governor ensuring the availability of water 2/4/7 in the state. The interesting thing about developmental partners is that they only come in when they see what you are doing. It’s only when they see your seriousness and enthusiasm that they would partner with you. Our budget outlook which is friendly attracted them. We actually have a synergy with them and several other projects with different development partners. UNESCO that you mentioned earlier linked us up with other partners because they are impressed with what we are doing. They are facilitating and augmenting what the government is doing. So we are happy with the relationship. Yes. But that is in Basic and Secondary Education. It would be great if you equally interview the commissioner in charge of the ministry. TETFund was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in its farsighted wisdom in 2011 to disburse, manage, and monitor education tax to government-owned tertiary institutions. You know that before the establishment of the agency in 2011, government-owned tertiary institutions were poorly funded so the scheme was designed to improve the crisis in the sector through its interventions especially in the area of facilities where the decay was monumental.In fact facilities in most schools had almost collapsed, teachers and lecturers morale were at their lowest. The enabling environment for conducive teaching and learning was absent. So the government took this step to arrest the rot. This background is important so we can appreciate the seriousness of the situation and why the agency was set up. TETFund’s interventions is only for the universities. Primary schools have the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) that is saddled with the responsibility of providing greater access to, and ensuring quality of basic education throughout the country. The Universal Basic Education Programme was introduced in 1999 by the Federal Government of Nigeria to also address the rot in the sector. Each year TETFund intervenes based on specific requests of the concerned institution. They don’t decide for you,because you know what you need most. For example if we need a Laboratory, we will spell out our specific needs to TETFund and they would react appropriately. So they can’t come and build hostels for us when what we need is a lecture hall or ICT facilities. Our schools have well equipped hostels, we have beds so we don’t need them, so we can’t ask them to buy beds that we have. So the answer is a big yes. The state university has tremendously benefited from the intervention of the Fund in various areas. Governor Aliyu is absolutely clear about what he wants to achieve in education, which is development of human capital that’s important to the development of the state. The governor is driving the economic development of the state, so it’s important that we have indigenes that are skilled to work in the industries he is attracting. We recently graduated 80 medical doctors and being our citizens they can operate better in our environment because they understand the language and culture of the people. He sees education as both a social and economic investment. An educated person would easily understand the need to pay his/her tax and to be law abiding. I would give you the example of an educated woman – she is a nurse, and the first teacher of her children, so if she is educated that would certainly impact on their healthcare and education because she would be able to give them proper care and teach them alphabets before they start school. Governor Aliyu means business with his well thought out 9-Point Smart Agenda. In housing he has delivered. He was recently crowned the Urban and Housing-Friendly Governor of the Year 2024 in recognition of his achievements in the sector. It’s not a joke to deliver 1,000 housing units under two years. In the area of legal reforms he has equally done well. During our last State Executive Council meeting the Secretary to the State Government announced the execution of over 180 projects that have been completed in the last one and half years. The governor is serious minded; he won’t fail himself, his father Senator Wamakko or the people who have stood solidly behind him. The National Policy on Education introduced entrepreneurship into the curriculum of higher institutions. In the year 2000 the federal government and UNESCO partnered to incorporate Entrepreneurship Education (EEd) into Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) curricula. The main goals of entrepreneurship education in Nigeria include, preparing the students to be self-reliant and self-employed, creating employment opportunities, helping students to transition from a traditional economy to a modern industrial economy, training students to be creative and innovative in identifying business opportunities and to establish careers in small and medium-sized businesses. In Sokoto State our tertiary institutions have embraced the entrepreneurial message. I understand that even at the secondary school level the students are being thought Entrepreneurship. This is the way to go because government has a limited capacity to create jobs. Yes they are being adequately supervised. We regularly send out supervisors who are experts in their respective subjects to go and supervise the teachers. It’s actually part of the system it’s just that the last administration the government bluntly refused funding their assignment. That was a huge challenge. You don’t expect a public servant to spend his/her money to carry out government duties. So logistics were largely responsible for that responsibility not being carried out like it ought to. When I resumed office I was told by the officials of the ministry and I believe them that they use to contribute money to buy fuel to run the generator and buy stationeries. All that changed immediately with the coming of Governor Aliyu. Ministries are now being funded to be able to carry out their functions. The governor without much noise has restored the monthly allocations to the ministries and agencies. It’s important that I stress that we take our monitoring role very seriously. And that we treat both privately or publicly owned institutions the same way. We usually carry out unannounced and random visits. We don’t want them to prepare for our visit which would defeat the purpose. Yes it is working. We have the right to close the schools, when they are not operating in line with the laid down criteria. But closing such schools isn’t our usual approach. We normally enter into conversations with them which enable both parties to discuss the breaches. We are partners in progress. We have a duty of ensuring that standards are adhered to. We don’t want them producing half baked graduates. On the whole yes,but I know we have some departments that are over staffed while others are lacking personnel but that’s being addressed. Recently we carried out an audit, which enabled us to identify some departments that had surplus staff and the departments that were lacking. So we are working on moving staff from over staffed departments to areas of needs and where they can contribute more efficiently to the overall goals of the institution. Not yet. We are taking things one at a time. Yes all courses being run by the School of Nursing are accredited. It would also interest you to know that the State University is equally offering nursing. Our degree is HND unlike other universities that prefer awarding B.Sc Nursing. It’s a matter of choice. Like I said earlier the governor has been very generous in approving our projects and providing the necessary funds. In the year ending we have executed over 30 impactful projects worth over N3 billion spread across the various tertiary institutions.For Iowa, it's a chance to tune up going into the bulk of its Big Ten Conference schedule. For New Hampshire, it's an opportunity to collect a nice paycheck and perhaps even pull off a memorable upset. The Hawkeyes and Wildcats will finish their nonconference schedules Monday night when they meet in Iowa City. Iowa (9-3) last played on Dec. 21, erasing an 11-point second-half deficit to outgun Utah 95-88 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Payton Sandfort scored a season-high 24 points and added eight rebounds for the Hawkeyes, while Owen Freeman added 16 despite running into foul trouble. Hawkeyes coach Fran McCaffery praised fifth-year senior Drew Thelwell, Iowa's sixth-leading scorer, who matched his season high with 15 points. "The energy in the building was phenomenal. Drew was right in the middle of that," McCaffery said. "His defense and drawing six fouls, those are stats that are critical to a team's ability to win. Get to the bonus, get to the double bonus. We do that by driving the ball and drawing fouls and that's what we did." Freeman is averaging a team-high 17.1 points and shooting 66.1 percent from the field, while Sandfort adds 16.7 ppg. Iowa has its usual high-powered attack, ranking seventh in Division I in scoring at 87.8 ppg and canning 50.2 percent from the field. The Hawkeyes could add more gaudy offensive numbers against New Hampshire (2-12), which has lost six straight games, including a 90-83 decision on Dec. 22 at Stonehill. The Wildcats have experienced trouble defensively, allowing opponents to sink 45.2 percent of their field goal attempts and score 76.5 ppg. Coming off a successful 2023-24 campaign that saw the Wildcats go 16-15 and win a game in the America East Conference tournament, New Hampshire returned just three players and had to replace AEC Player of the Year Clarence Daniels and his 19.4 ppg. It hasn't gone to the plan of second-year coach Nathan Davis, but he's still hopeful his team can figure things out in conference play. "We've improved across the board as far as our talent level," he said this summer. "I like our pieces." This is the first meeting between the Wildcats and Hawkeyes. --Field Level Media
Google is ramping up its push into smart glasses and augmented reality headgear, taking on rivals Apple and Meta with help from its sophisticated Gemini artificial intelligence. The internet titan on Thursday unveiled an Android XR operating system created in a collaboration with Samsung, which will use it in a device being built in what is called internally "Project Moohan," according to Google. The software is designed to power augmented and virtual reality experiences enhanced with artificial intelligence, XR vice president Shahram Izadi said in a blog post. "With headsets, you can effortlessly switch between being fully immersed in a virtual environment and staying present in the real world," Izadi said. "You can fill the space around you with apps and content, and with Gemini, our AI assistant, you can even have conversations about what you're seeing or control your device." Google this week announced the launch of Gemini 2.0, its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date, as the world's tech giants race to take the lead in the fast-developing technology. CEO Sundar Pichai said the new model would mark what the company calls "a new agentic era" in AI development, with AI models designed to understand and make decisions about the world around you. Android XR infused with Gemini promises to put digital assistants into eyewear, tapping into what users are seeing and hearing. An AI "agent," the latest Silicon Valley trend, is a digital helper that is supposed to sense surroundings, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals. "Gemini can understand your intent, helping you plan, research topics and guide you through tasks," Izadi said. "Android XR will first launch on headsets that transform how you watch, work and explore." The Android XR release was a preview for developers so they can start building games and other apps for headgear, ideally fun or useful enough to get people to buy the hardware. This is not Google's first foray into smart eyewear. Its first offering, Google Glass, debuted in 2013 only to be treated as an unflattering tech status symbol and met with privacy concerns due to camera capabilities. The market has evolved since then, with Meta investing heavily in a Quest virtual reality headgear line priced for mainstream adoption and Apple hitting the market with pricey Vision Pro "spacial reality" gear. Google plans to soon begin testing prototype Android XR-powered glasses with a small group of users. Google will also adapt popular apps such as YouTube, Photos, Maps, and Google TV for immersive experiences using Android XR, according to Izadi. Gemini AI in glasses will enable tasks like directions and language translations, he added. "It's all within your line of sight, or directly in your ear," Izadi said.
The US market opened lower on Thursday, December 26, as Wall Street witnessed investors sticking with their existing portfolio, contributing to lighter trading volumes. At 9:30 am (EDT), the stock markets for the United States opened lower, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 0.22 per cent to 43,201.85 points, compared to 43,297.03 points at Tuesday's market close. The stock market was closed on account of the Christmas holiday on Wednesday, December 25. Dow Jones stocks Even though the index opened lower, the top gainers for the early trading session were Boeing Co., Honeywell International Inc., UnitedHealth Group Inc., Verizon Communications, Walt Disney Co., Apple Inc., Procter and Gamble Co., 3M Co., Johnson and Johnson, Nike Inc., International Business Machines Corp., Merch & Co. Inc., American Express Co., McDonald's Corp, and Amgen. Home Depot Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Coca-Cola Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Nvidia Corp., Sherwin-Williams Co., Salesforce Inc., Walmart Inc., Caterpillar Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Microsoft Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., Visa Inc., Travelers Cos. Inc., and Chevron Corp were amongst the top losers, in the early session. S&P 500 The S&P 500 index opened 0.25 per cent lower at 6,024.97 points on Thursday, compared to its previous close of 6,040.04 points. Companies like Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., CVC Health Corp., Target Corp., Lamb Weston Holdings Inc., Broadcom Inc., Starbucks Corp., Ulta Beauty Inc., FedEx Corp., Dollar Tree Inc., and Best Buy Co. Inc. were the early trade gainers of the day. Other stocks include Fair Isaac Corp., Netflix Inc., Pool Corp., Williams Cos., Targa Resources Corp., GE Vernova Inc., Tesla Inc., Axon Enterprise Inc., Cintas Corp., and Royal Caribbean Group were the top laggards, according to Marketwatch data. Nasdaq Composite The Nasdaq Composite opened 0.26 per cent lower at 19,979.251 points, compared to 20,031.13 points in the previous market session. SKK Holdings Ltd., Millenium Group International Holdings Ltd., SciSparc Ltd., Zoomcar Holdings Inc., Palladyne AI Corp., SEALSQ Corp., Coeptis Therapeutics Holdings Inc., reAlpha Tech Corp., TruGolf Holdings Inc., and Color Start Technology Co Ltd. were the early trade gainers. While, Kidpik Corp., Molecular Templates Inc., Baosheng Media Group Holdings Ltd., SaverOne 2014 Ltd., Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc., Direct Digital Holdings Inc., Hour Loop Inc., Meiwu Technology Co. Ltd., and Brera Holdings PLC were the losers for the day.
Saturday, November 23, 2024 Gujarat Tourism is hosting two exciting photography contests, providing an exceptional opportunity for enthusiasts to capture and showcase the diverse beauty of the state through their lenses. Launched on November 19, these contests are set to conclude on November 24, drawing both amateur and professional photographers to participate in this unique initiative. The first contest, titled “Hidden Gems of Gujarat – Gujarat Tourism 2025 Calendar” , focuses on unveiling the state’s lesser-known marvels. Participants are encouraged to explore and highlight the hidden treasures that make Gujarat a fascinating destination, from quaint villages and ancient architectural sites to serene landscapes and vibrant cultural hubs. The second contest, “Gujarat: A Bird’s-Eye View” , offers a thrilling challenge to photographers by emphasizing drone photography. This competition aims to capture the state’s iconic landmarks, bustling urban centers, and breathtaking natural vistas from a unique aerial perspective. By presenting Gujarat from the skies, the contest promises to redefine how the state’s beauty is perceived, adding a fresh dimension to its visual narrative. Winners of both contests will have their photographs featured in the Gujarat Tourism 2025 Calendar , a prestigious platform that celebrates the state’s visual grandeur. Additionally, their works will gain widespread recognition through Gujarat Tourism’s official social media channels, further amplifying their artistic contributions. These contests aim to inspire a deeper appreciation for Gujarat’s charm while providing a significant platform for budding and seasoned photographers alike. Beyond the Competition: Nurturing a Culture of Art and Tourism This initiative not only highlights Gujarat’s physical beauty but also underscores the state’s commitment to promoting art and tourism in harmony. By blending photography with travel, the contests invite participants and viewers to rediscover Gujarat through fresh perspectives. Moreover, the campaigns help foster a sense of pride and connection among residents while showcasing Gujarat as an attractive destination for tourists worldwide. This collaborative approach between art, technology, and tourism positions Gujarat as a forward-thinking state, celebrating creativity and its multifaceted cultural heritage.
Staggering amount Beyonce was paid by Netflix to perform at halftime of Ravens-Texans NFL game READ MORE: Beyoncé used NFL performance to distract herself from lawsuit By ERIC BLUM Published: 17:07 EST, 26 December 2024 | Updated: 17:37 EST, 26 December 2024 e-mail 13 shares 1 View comments Beyonce reportedly had a massive payday for her halftime performance as part of Netflix 's NFL Christmas Day doubleheader, taking home $20million for her 13-minute music extravaganza. Alongside special guests Shaboozey, Post Malone , and her 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy, Beyonce took the field at NRG Stadium in her hometown of Houston at the halfway point of the Ravens blowout of the Texans. Beyonce earning more than $1million per minute for her time on Netflix are just reports and have not been confirmed by either the streaming network or the 'Cowboy Carter' singer. The $20million figure comes from social media , with several people claiming the staggering figure is part of a larger deal with Beyonce and Netflix. The 43-year-old star reportedly signed a three-project deal with the streaming giants in 2019, which is now two-thirds done. The first part was a documentary that showed her 2019 performance at Coachella , which earned her $20million. Beyonce reportedly earned $20million for her halftime Christmas performance from Netflix The figure is unconfirmed, but means Beyonce earned more than $1million per minute on stage Now, the second part has earned her two-thirds of the contract's earnings. What the final part of her $60million deal will be is unclear, although some would not mind an encore for Netflix's next NFL spectacular. Read More Everyone notices the same thing in LeBron James' Christmas post with wife and children Beyoncé's halftime show during the Texas-Ravens games was also her first performance since husband Jay-Z was accused of rape, with a lawsuit accusing the music mogul and disgraced rapper Sean ' Diddy ' Combs of raping a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in New York in 2000. Jay-Z strenuously denied the allegations, and a lawyer for Diddy, who is currently awaiting trial and behind bars on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution, also denied the accusations. It was her first performance since she last hit the stage in October of 2023 to wrap her highly successful Renaissance World Tour at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Beyoncé's Christmas show was her third major showing at halftime of an NFL game. She was the solo headliner for the Super Bowl halftime show in 2013 and was a special guest alongside Bruno Mars during Coldplay's Super Bowl show three years later. Post Malone Netflix Share or comment on this article: Staggering amount Beyonce was paid by Netflix to perform at halftime of Ravens-Texans NFL game e-mail 13 shares Add comment
Irish civil servants compiled a list of “major leaks” they claimed originated from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and Special Branch officers in the region, records show. The confidential briefing note is part of the tranche of documents made public in the annual release of State papers from the Irish National Archives. An Irish Department of Foreign Affairs official focusing on justice and security created the list in October 2002. The document starts by referencing a 1999 interview given by George Mitchell, the chairman of the Good Friday Agreement negotiations, in which he claimed the British and Irish governments, as well as Northern Ireland’s political parties, had leaked information to manipulate public opinion. However, he further accused the NIO of attempting to sabotage the process by leaking information on British Government policy to the media. Mr Mitchell, a former US senator, is said to have expressed alarm and anger over the frequency of leaks from the NIO – saying they were uniquely “designed to undermine the policy of the British Government of which they were a part”. The Irish civil servant notes Mr Mitchell himself was subjected to an attempted “smear” when he first arrived in Northern Ireland, as newspaper articles falsely claimed his chief of staff Martha Pope had had a liaison with Sinn Fein representative Gerry Kelly with ulterior motives. The Irish civil servant goes on to list several “leaks”, starting with the publication of a proposed deal in a newspaper while “intense negotiations” for the Downing Street Declaration were under way. Next, the Department lists two “high-profile and damaging leaks issued from the NIO”. A so-called “gameplan” document was leaked in February 1998, showing papers had been prepared weeks before the Drumcree march on July 6, 1997. In the preceding years, there had been standoffs and clashes as nationalists opposed the procession of an Orange parade down Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The gameplan document showed then secretary of state for Northern Ireland Mo Mowlam, who was publicly expressing a desire for a negotiated solution to the 1997 parade, advocated “finding the lowest common denominator for getting some Orange feet on the Garvaghy Road”. In 1997, a large number of security forces were deployed to the area to allow the march to proceed. The incident sparked heightened tension and a wave of rioting. The document further describes the release of a document submitted by the NIO’s director of communications to the secretary of state as a “second major leak”. It claims a publicity strategy was released to the DUP in the aftermath of the Good Friday Agreement and showed how the UK Government would support a yes vote in a referendum following any talks agreement. In addition, it is claimed unionists used leaked sections of the Patten report on policing to invalidate its findings ahead of its publication in 1999. The report recommended the replacement of the Royal Ulster Constabulary with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the changing of symbols, and a 50-50 recruitment policy for Catholics and Protestants. At the time, UUP leader David Trimble said the recommendations would lead to a corruption of policing in Northern Ireland. Chris Patten, chairman of the independent commission on policing, said some of the assertions were a “total fabrication” and designed to “muddy the waters” to create a difficult political atmosphere. Elsewhere, the author notes it was leaked to the media there was serious disagreement between the governments of the UK and Ireland on the composition of that commission – with not a single name submitted by the Irish side being accepted by the other. The author notes this incident, still under the heading “NIO leaks”, was believed by British officials to have emanated from the Irish side. The report turns to leaks of other origin, claiming “disgruntled Special Branch officers in Northern Ireland” were blamed by the British Government for a series of releases about the IRA which were designed to damage Sinn Fein in the 2001 general election in Northern Ireland. One senior Whitehall source was quoted in the Guardian as complaining that Special Branch was “leaking like a sieve” after details of an IRA intelligence database containing the names of leading Tories – described at the time as a “hit list” – was passed to the BBC in April 2002. The briefing note adds: “This was followed days later by a leak to The Sunday Telegraph which alleged that senior IRA commanders bought Russian special forces rifles in Moscow last year. “The newspaper said it was passed details by military intelligence in London.” The briefing note adds that other Special Branch leaks were associated with the Castlereagh break-in. The final incident in the document notes the Police Ombudsman’s Report on the Omagh bombing was also leaked to the press in December 2001. Then Northern Ireland secretary John Reid said at the time: “Leaks are never helpful and usually malicious – I will not be commenting on this report until I have seen the final version.” The reason for creating the list of leaks, which the Irish National Archives holds in a folder alongside briefing notes for ministers ahead of meetings with officials from the UK Government and NIO, is not outlined in the document itself. – This document is based on material in 2024/130/6.