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In the ever-evolving landscape of global politics, one topic that has recently come under scrutiny is the United States' commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). President Donald Trump's administration has raised concerns about the U.S. remaining in NATO, citing the issue of fair payment as a critical factor in determining the future of America's involvement in the alliance.JERUSALEM — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen on Thursday targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital and multiple ports, while the World Health Organization's director-general said the bombardment occurred nearby as he prepared to board a flight in Sanaa, with a crew member injured. "The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters from where we were — and the runway were damaged," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media. He added that he and U.N. colleagues were safe. "We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave," he said, without mentioning the source of the bombardment. U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay later said the injured person was with the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service. Israel's army later told The Associated Press it wasn't aware that the WHO chief or delegation were at the location in Yemen. People are also reading... OU linebacker Kobie McKinzie on fiancée Kinzie Hansen: 'She's the Alpha of my family' Berry Tramel: John Mateer has the OU quarterback job, but Michael Hawkins has the opportunity The 12 best new restaurants of 2024 Berry Tramel: Barry Switzer's 1980s players salute their lion-in-winter coach. Read their letter Tulsa school board votes to proceed with Jennettie Marshall, E’Lena Ashley lawsuit How to care for your mental health Four northeastern Oklahoma educators' teaching certificates suspended Berry Tramel: Another OU-Navy game and another historically inept Sooner offense Judge denies Ryan Walters' motion to dismiss defamation suit Where to eat on Christmas Day in Tulsa area Loren Montgomery: An inside look at Bixby's record-setting football coach Bill Haisten: What would Mike Holder do? At OSU, it’s time to talk Tulsa's Country Bird Bakery named one of the best in the U.S. OU releases depth chart for Armed Forces Bowl vs. Navy; Here are notable changes The Christmas story behind the lights on 29th Street. Why is that one tree a different color? The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military said in a statement it attacked infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, along with power stations, claiming they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials. Israel's military added it had "capabilities to strike very far from Israel's territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively." The strikes, carried out more than 1,000 miles from Jerusalem, came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad's regime and others learned" as his military has battled those more powerful proxies of Iran. The Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah reported multiple deaths and showed broken windows, collapsed ceilings and a bloodstained floor and vehicle. Iran's foreign ministry condemned the strikes. The U.S. military also targeted the Houthis in recent days. The U.N. says the targeted ports are important entryways for humanitarian aid for Yemen, the poorest Arab nation that plunged into a civil war in 2014. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, while other missiles and drones were shot down. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor, calling it solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The U.N. Security Council has an emergency meeting Monday in response to an Israeli request that it condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying them weapons. Journalists killed in Gaza Meanwhile, an Israeli strike killed five Palestinian journalists outside a hospital in Gaza overnight, the territory's Health Ministry said. The strike hit a car outside Al-Awda Hospital in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The journalists worked for local news outlet Al-Quds Today, a television channel affiliated with the Islamic Jihad militant group. Islamic Jihad is a smaller and more extreme ally of Hamas and took part in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel that ignited the war. Israel's military identified four of the men as combat propagandists and said that intelligence, including a list of Islamic Jihad operatives found by soldiers in Gaza, confirmed that all five were affiliated with the group. Associated Press footage showed the incinerated shell of a van, with press markings visible on the back doors. The Committee to Protect Journalists says more than 130 Palestinian reporters have been killed since the start of the war. Israel hasn't allowed foreign reporters to enter Gaza except on military embeds. Israel banned the pan-Arab Al Jazeera network and accuses six of its Gaza reporters of being militants. The Qatar-based broadcaster denies the allegations and accuses Israel of trying to silence its war coverage, which has focused heavily on civilian casualties from Israeli military operations. Israeli soldier killed Separately, Israel's military said a 35-year-old reserve soldier was killed during fighting in central Gaza. A total of 389 soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the ground operation. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed across the border, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250. About 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel's air and ground offensive has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry. It says more than half the fatalities are women and children, but doesn't say how many of the dead were fighters. The offensive caused widespread destruction and hunger and drove around 90% of the population of 2.3 million from their homes. Hundreds of thousands are packed into squalid camps along the coast, with little protection from the cold, wet winter. Also Thursday, people mourned eight Palestinians killed by Israeli military operations in and around Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid.As the power transition process unfolds, it is crucial for all parties involved to remain committed to the principles of unity, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence. This includes fostering a culture of tolerance, understanding, and dialogue among all Syrians, regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, the Syrian people can overcome their differences and work together towards a common goal of building a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future for their country.
Geof Wood, Emeritus Professor of Interna-tional Development at the University of Bath, UK, has suggested that Bangladesh's recent uprising might offer a pathway for overcoming autocratic regimes, a challenge faced by many nations worldwide. Speaking at a conference organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) at a Dhaka hotel yesterday, Professor Wood delivered a lecture titled "Keeping Democracy Alive in Bangladesh or Anywhere". "The world is in a period of great turbulence, with a general increase in autocratic regimes and few uprisings to challenge them," he said. "And we have to be concerned about the further prospect of such regimes in erstwhile bastions of bourgeois democracies in Europe and North America," he added. Bangladesh, he observed, might have demonstrated a potential path to avoid this fate. Reflecting on Bangladesh's post-liberation trajectory, Wood said the constitutional principles designed in the euphoria of independence 52 years ago had been "warped and thwarted" through the actions of contesting individuals. "This Bangladesh has become a case of no-one ending up where they collectively wanted to be," he said. He warned that revolutions and uprisings are often betrayed, as "normal" oligarchical behaviours re-emerge. Citing Orwell's "Animal Farm" as an analogy, he referred to the ultimate failures of the French Revolution and pointed to the Arab Spring, particularly Egypt, as examples of institutional hierarchies reasserting themselves and rebels struggling to govern effectively. Wood outlined the immense challenges in returning to and sustaining democracy, which he defined as embodying equality, opportunity, dignity, and freedom. He emphasised the need for expertise to manage an economy, banking, inflation, geopolitics, and state institutions while confronting corruption, cronyism, a politicised justice system, and others. "The link between performing these necessities of state management and the structural tendency for regimes to return to oligarchic concentration of power is the main challenge," he said. He stressed the importance of boundaries between the state and regime to prevent the latter from contaminating the former. Citing Antonio Gramsci, he argued that the hegemonic incorporation of non-state institutions, as seen in Bangladesh, must be resisted. Wood criticised the lack of vigilance and accountability in Bangladesh, which he said has led to the unchecked power of ruling parties and the contamination of state institutions. He highlighted the shared blame among the state, civil society, and political regimes for this failure, stemming from a lack of checks and balances. "Large-scale and blatant rent-seeking of the past, alongside other misuses of power, has clearly been an affront to the interests of ordinary citizens and must be condemned," he said. "This means that the justice system therefore has to be tackled and 'cleaned up' in order to be fit for purpose—for now and into the future," he said. A similar agenda applies to the civil services, local government and forces of law and order. The Election Commission itself cannot be left out of this agenda. "The Public Services Commission and Establishments Division have presided over a network of patronage via recruitment and promotions for years. Clientelism has been everywhere. Political interference has been rife," he said. To restore trust in the state, he proposed cleaning up public services and considering a truth and reconciliation commission to confront past abuses, reset careers, and establish principles to prevent future slippage. "Without such reforms, the culture of public service cannot be established," he concluded.
Marianne Williamson, who ran in the 2024 Democratic presidential primary against President Joe Biden, launched a bid on Dec. 26 to chair the Democratic National Committee (DNC) amid a growing field of candidates who are looking to rebrand the party after it lost control of the Senate and White House this year. Williamson’s candidacy is among others who have indicated their intentions of leading the DNC after current Chair Jaime Harrison’s term expires early next year. New York state Sen. James Skoufis (D), Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, and former Homeland Security official Nate Snyder have expressed interest in the party leadership position. Williamson, who also ran in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, said, “My experience of what went wrong has given me insight into what needs doing to make things right.” She suspended her 2020 campaign before Iowa’s Democratic caucus and then suspended her 2024 campaign in February before unsuspending it shortly thereafter. “MAGA is a distinctly 21st century political movement and it will not be defeated by a 20th century tool kit,” Williamson wrote. “Data analysis, fundraising, field organizing, and beefed-up technology—while all are important—will not be enough to prepare the way for Democratic victory in 2024 and beyond. That’s why I have decided to run for DNC Chair this year.” After losing control of the Senate and the presidential race this year, the Democratic Party is trying to chart a new path forward for the 2026 midterms and beyond. Many of the DNC chair candidates have made promises of rebuilding and rebranding the party so that it can chip away at the Republican’s trifecta—its control of the White House and both chambers of Congress—in the coming years. There will be four candidate forums throughout January, including in-person and virtual events at which candidates can engage with grassroots party members nationwide. Williamson suggested she has the right experience to lead the Democratic Party to future victory. “As chairwoman, I will work to reinvent the party from the inside out. For if we want a new president in four years, and a new Congress in two, then we must immediately get about the task of creating a new party,” Williamson wrote.As we look towards the future, the effectiveness of these policy measures in achieving the desired outcomes will depend on a combination of factors, including the pace of economic recovery, inflation trends, and external factors influencing global economic conditions. The central bank's proactive stance in adjusting its monetary policy sets the stage for a dynamic and responsive approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Tottenham January transfer briefing: who are they after, what do they need and who might leave? Our expert reveals which positions Spurs will look to strengthen next month Join Mail+ for more exclusive scoops, in-depth reporting and analysis from inside the Tottenham camp By MATT BARLOW Published: 07:00 EST, 29 December 2024 | Updated: 07:00 EST, 29 December 2024 e-mail View comments There may be no Premier League team more in need of new recruits this month than Tottenham , who have been blighted by injuries particularly in defence. Ange Postecoglou promised silverware in his second season just as he usually brings to a club, and while they have made a cup semi-final for the first time in three years, the Australian may need some reinforcements to go any further - not least as their last-four opponents are Liverpool . There's also a Europa League campaign to stock up for with Spurs just outside the top eight of the league table, a place in which would guarantee them safe passage to the last 16, and an FA Cup journey that begins at non-League Tamworth next week. So who might arrive and where to bolster Spurs' ranks? And will their biggest addition be the massed ranks occupying the treatment room? Here, as part of our series looking at Premier League clubs' January transfer plans, our Spurs expert Matt Barlow answers the five big questions. Ange Postecoglou promised a trophy in his second season at Tottenham but needs signings There may be no Premier League team more in need of new recruits this month than Spurs Spurs are 12th in the Premier League but have a Carabao Cup semi-final to look forward to 1. What do Tottenham need? Most urgently, they could do with some more firepower up front and a defender. They might also look at short term cover at goalkeeper and centre half. Although much will depend on the recovery assessments of their injuries in the next few weeks. Postecoglou talks like someone hedging his bets because he hopes players such as Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Richarlison will be fit again soon. But then can he rely on them all staying fit until the end of the season? Probably not with Tottenham's current injury record. Postecoglou wants more depth in the squad. Cover and options from the bench, which is likely to mean creative loan deals and/or continued investment in young talent to develop in the mould of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert, rather than big money splurges to improve the first team. Postecoglou is hopeful Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero will be fit again soon Spurs may continue to invest in young talent to develop in the mould of Archie Gray 2. Do they have money to spend? There are no great PSR concerns at Tottenham but the watchword regarding transfers through recent press conferences with Postecoglou has been 'discipline'. There have also been warnings about it being trickier than usual this year because of the new format in Europe and with two ties to play in the Champions League and Europa League there are clubs holding players when they might have been prepared to sell or loan had they been out of European competition. Beyond this, with no summer international tournament there is not the same pressure from individual players to make moves to win places in the squads. I'd expect Spurs to perform as they have in the last couple windows, looking primarily at young players and short-terms solutions with bigger investments and any potential improvements on the first team more likely to wait until the summer 2025. Daniel Levy has no great PSR concerns but the watchword regarding transfers is 'discipline' 3. Which players are they interested in? With Spurs, it's easier to talk about those who they already have on the way, having wrapped up a pair of signings that will give them a boost in 2025. Yang Min-Hyeok is one player who will arrive and be added to the squad. Yang is an 18-year-old winger, who scored a dozen goals and won the Young Player of the Year award in South Korea's K-League last season. Tottenham signed him from Gangwon in July but agreed to let him complete the K-League season before making the switch to London in mid-December, and he will register in the New Year. Luka Vuskovic is a 17-year-old central defender signed from Hadjuk Split in 2023. Vuskovic is 6ft 4in tall and on loan in Belgium at Westerlo, for whom he has been ever-present and scored six goals. He is due to join Spurs next summer and the club's raft of emerging talent is one of the reasons they will not commit to a rash of signings of experienced players on long expensive contracts in the same positions. Yang Min-Hyeok, an 18-year-old winger signed from South Korea, has already arrived at Spurs Promising defender Luka Vuskovic (centre) is due to join next summer from Hadjuk Split 4. Who might leave? Sergio Reguilon is out of contract at the end of the season and will be sold if they can find a buyer. Even a massive injury crisis has not resurrected his Tottenham career. It was his first Spurs appearance for two years and eight months when he came off the bench in the 89th minute of the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United in December. Richarlison if they could raise a decent fee but that will be harder than ever after his absence through the first half of the season. He rejected a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer. Timo Werner is another option, if they can negotiate out of the loan deal with RB Leipzig and bring in a replacement. Richarlison could leave if Spurs can secure a decent fee, but this may prove tricky Timo Werner is another option should Spurs negotiate out of the loan deal with RB Leipzig 5. What unexpected moves should fans keep an eye on? A shrewd move for that old favourite Internal Solutions. Mikey Moore is a precocious talent on the wing at 17, but almost as soon as he burst onto the scene this season he picked up a virus and has not been seen since the end of October. He should return imminently and will be a vital injection of energy and speed to a squad that has been out on its feet while ailments have prevented Postecoglou from rotating just when the fixture calendar got its most congested. Other young academy products Will Lankshear and Alfie Dorrington will likely get their chances if the injury crisis persists, though they are not as highly thought of. Odobert, the £25m summer signing, should finally be able to make his mark soon when he returns from a hamstring injury that has kept him out even longer than Moore. Tottenham Hotspur Transfers Share or comment on this article: Tottenham January transfer briefing: who are they after, what do they need and who might leave? e-mail Add comment