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Huffman reflects on Issue 1 campaignArticle content MEXICO CITY — Mexico has been taking a bashing lately for allegedly serving as a conduit for Chinese parts and products into North America, and officials here are afraid a re-elected Donald Trump or politically struggling Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could try to leave their country out of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement. Recommended Videos Mexico’s ruling Morena party is so afraid of losing the trade deal that President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday the government has gone on a campaign to get companies to replace Chinese parts with locally made ones. “We have a plan with the aim of substituting these imports that come from China, and producing the majority of them in Mexico, either with Mexican companies or primarily North American companies,” Sheinbaum said. While Sheinbaum claimed Mexico had been working on that effort since t he 2021 global supply chain crisis — when factories around the world were stalled by a lack of parts and particularly computer chips from Asia — it appears to be an uphill battle. Even the United States has faced big challenges in moving chip production back home despite billions in subsidies and incentives. Mexico gained tens of thousands of jobs when U.S. and foreign automakers moved their plants to Mexico under the free trade pact to take advantage of much lower wages. But the idea that Chinese parts _ or even whole cars — could be piggybacking on that arrangement to further hollow out the U.S. auto industry has enraged some people north of the border. So Mexico is scrambling with private companies to get them to move parts production here. “Next year, God willing, we are going to start making microchips in Mexico,” Mexican Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said on Thursday. “Of course they’re not yet the most advanced chips, but we are going to start producing them here.” Mexico’s nationalistic ruling party, which is normally very resistant to being seen as bending to U.S. demands, is scrambling in other ways, too. The ruling party is in the process of eliminating a half-dozen independent regulatory and oversight agencies that were established by former presidents. That includes the anti-monopoly, transparency and energy regulatory bodies. Together with reforms that will make all judges stand for election in Mexico, that has sparked concern in the U.S. and Canada. Countries are required under the agreement to have some independent agencies, in part to protect foreign investors. For example, they could prevent a government from approving a monopoly for a state-owned company that could force competitors out of the market. So ruling-party legislators are actually re-writing the proposed laws to exactly mimic the minimum accepted requirements under the trade accord. “What is being done is to create a reform so that its almost exactly equal to what exists in the United States, so we can clear that up,” Ebrard said. It’s all part of a very legalistic defence of the trade accord, signed in 2018 and approved in 2019. Mexico hopes the rules of the agreement would prevent the U.S. or Canada from simply walking away when the trade pact comes up for review in 2026. Experts agree, saying that totally abandoning the accord is unlikely. Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis of the financial group Banco Base notes that if a country is dissatisfied with the trade agreement during the periodic reviews, like in 2026, there is a clause in the pact that says they can ask for a review each year to work out a solution, and keep doing that for a decade while the agreement remains in force. “That is, they wouldn’t be able to get out until 2036,” Siller said. “I think they will play hardball with Mexico in the 2026 review.” Like any marriage, when the pact no longer works for one party, it may still drag on for years but it’s death by a thousand cuts. C.J. Mahoney. who served as deputy U.S. trade representative in Trump’s first administration, said in a talk for the Texas-based Baker Institute in September that the United States probably wouldn’t end the trade agreement. But with growingly vocal critics of the pact it could hold up renewing it for years. “The costs of not renewing immediately are actually quite relatively low,” Mahoney said. “I think the inclination to just kick the can down the road will be pretty strong.” Because many companies won’t make big investments in production facilities without certainty, that could be a serious if not fatal blow to the pact. How much does Mexico actually buy from China? Mexican officials say they have fewer imports of Chinese parts and products than the United States does. But given the enormous size difference between the two countries’ economies, it is a true but weak argument. In July, the U.S. imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum shipped from Mexico that were made elsewhere, in an attempt to stop China from avoiding import taxes by routing goods through Mexico. It includes a 25% tariff on steel not melted or poured in Mexico and a 10% tariff on aluminum. Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat, has called for stopping Mexican steel imports, saying “the alarming rise in Chinese steel and aluminum coming into the country through Mexico ... is unsustainable and a threat to American jobs, as well as our economy and national security.” In the end, Mexico may be forced to crack down on Chinese imports, but it won’t be easy. “Reducing the dependence on Chinese imports is not going to be achieved in the short or medium term,” said Jose Maria Ramos, a professor of public administration at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte in Tijuana.Have you been following the latest developments in the crypto market? Ethereum is making headlines with record-breaking ETF inflows, while SUI has achieved remarkable growth in its decentralised exchange activity. But Qubetics ($TICS) is turning heads with its transformative Real World Asset Tokenization platform, attracting over 10,800 token holders and selling more than 359 million tokens. Unlike many projects, Qubetics focuses on solving practical challenges that its predecessors couldn’t address, offering innovative tools for investors and businesses alike. With its structured presale and revolutionary features, Qubetics is rapidly climbing the ranks of the best cryptos to invest in now. Let’s explore how Qubetics, Ethereum, and SUI are changing the game for crypto enthusiasts. Qubetics' Transformative Approach to Real World Asset Tokenization Qubetics is redefining blockchain by introducing a platform that tokenizes physical and digital assets into tradeable digital tokens. With over 10,800 token holders and more than 359 million $TICS tokens sold, this platform is gaining traction among investors. Imagine a real estate firm tokenizing property portfolios to allow fractional ownership, opening up access to high-value assets for smaller investors. Or consider an art collector who can tokenize paintings, enabling fans to own shares of valuable artworks without needing millions. This is the power of Real World Asset Tokenization , a process that democratises ownership and brings liquidity to previously illiquid markets. Qubetics’ presale is structured uniquely, with each stage lasting seven days and a 10% price increase occurring every Sunday at midnight. Currently in its 13th stage, $TICS tokens are priced at $0.0342, with over $7.2 million raised. Analysts predict that $TICS could reach $0.25 by the end of the presale, offering a 630.19% ROI. Further projections suggest it could reach $10 after the mainnet launch, translating to a 29107.82% ROI. To illustrate, an investment of $5,440,000 today would yield approximately 159,064,516 $TICS tokens at the current price. If $TICS hits $10, this investment could grow to an astounding $1.59 billion. As the world’s first Web3 aggregator, Qubetics connects leading blockchains to provide seamless interoperability. By uniting platforms, it enhances efficiency for developers and businesses alike, making it a standout among the best cryptos to invest in now. For more information, take a look at this video . Ethereum Poised for a Breakout With Institutional Backing Ethereum is once again proving its dominance in the blockchain space. Recently, Ether ETFs reported a record-breaking single-day inflow of $428.5 million, highlighting increased institutional interest. This surge underlines Ethereum’s appeal as a versatile platform for decentralised finance (DeFi) and smart contract development. In addition, Ethereum is benefiting from growing regulatory clarity under the U.S. administration. Experts suggest that new policies could favour Ethereum-based projects, enabling faster adoption and innovation in the DeFi space. This potential regulatory support comes as Ethereum continues to expand its ecosystem, powering decentralised applications, NFTs, and Layer 2 scaling solutions. Analysts are optimistic about Ethereum’s price performance, with predictions of an upcoming breakout that could take Ether to new all-time highs. Its integration into mainstream finance, coupled with its robust infrastructure, makes Ethereum one of the best cryptos to invest in now. SUI’s Rapid Growth Highlights Its Potential SUI, a high-performance blockchain designed for decentralised finance and trading, has been making waves with its recent achievements. The network recorded a total DEX volume of $35 billion, with daily peaks hitting $466 million—setting new benchmarks for on-chain activity. The token has seen steady growth in its price and adoption, fuelled by strategic partnerships like its integration with Backpack, a decentralised exchange and wallet. This partnership has significantly enhanced SUI’s ecosystem, attracting developers and traders alike. Looking ahead, analysts believe SUI could reach $5 in the near future if its current momentum continues. Its focus on scalability and low transaction costs makes it a compelling option for DeFi projects and decentralised exchanges, further solidifying its position among the best cryptos to invest in now. Conclusion: Evaluating the Best Cryptos to Invest in Now As the crypto market evolves, Qubetics, Ethereum, and SUI offer distinct opportunities for investors. Qubetics stands out with its Real World Asset Tokenization platform , enabling practical and innovative uses for blockchain technology. Ethereum continues to lead with its scalability and institutional backing, while SUI’s rapid growth positions it as a strong contender in the DeFi space. With over 10,800 token holders, 359 million tokens sold, and a presale structure driving demand, Qubetics offers unmatched potential among the best cryptos to invest in now. Whether you’re looking for scalability, innovation, or long-term growth, these three projects deserve a closer look. Qubetics: https://qubetics.com/ Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics Twitter: https://twitter.com/qubetics Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.
Sana Biotechnology’s (SANA) “Buy” Rating Reiterated at HC WainwrightKam Jones scored 20 points and dished with 10 assists to lead the No. 10 Marquette Golden Eagles to a 94-62 victory over the visiting Western Carolina on Saturday afternoon in Milwaukee. Jones added six rebounds for Marquette (8-0), which is off to its best start since winning 10 straight to begin the 2011-12 campaign that ended with a Sweet 16 appearance. Ben Gold added 12 points, while Stevie Mitchell scored 10 and had three steals. David Joplin, Caedin Hamilton and Royce Parham each netted nine points for the Golden Eagles. The Catamounts (2-4) were led by Bernard Pelote's 13 points and eight boards. Jamar Livingston chipped in 10 points and CJ Hyland bundled five points with five rebounds and six assists. Marquette controlled most of the game, thanks largely to 51.4 percent shooting and 21 takeaways. The Golden Eagles built a 16-point lead in the first half before Western Carolina clawed within 37-28 with 3:55 left. Marquette responded with a 12-2 run to take a 49-30 advantage into the break, its largest lead of the game to that point. The game quickly got out of hand from there, with the Golden Eagles eventually scoring 11 straight points to push its lead to 81-45 with 7:15 remaining. Marquette finished with 26 points off of Catamount turnovers and hit 14 of 40 shots (35.0 percent) from 3-point range. The win wasn't all smooth sailing for the Golden Eagles, who lost backup guard Zaide Lowery to an apparent left knee injury. Lowery was helped off the court and into the locker room by his teammates with 1:36 left in the game. Saturday's game was a final tune-up for Marquette, which has three challenging games coming up against No. 5 Iowa State, No. 15 Wisconsin and Dayton before Big East conference play begins Dec. 18. --Field Level Media
19.12.2024 – 20:25 Sentrycs Tel Aviv, Israel (ots/PRNewswire) Sentrycs Concludes a Year of Record Growth with its C-UAS Technology Capable of Addressing the Growing Drone Threat Across Four Continents Sentrycs, a technology leader in the Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) industry, announced today its continued progress globally within the public safety market. The company recently closed agreements with two new law enforcement organizations, including one in North America. These new agreements will deliver core protocol manipulation sensor solutions across a wide variety of scenarios, from fixed sites to vehicle-mounted (mobile) operations. The deals mark another significant milestone for the company, which has seen its business quadruple, year over year, along with continued adoption of its pioneering technology which is now deployed across sensitive facilities and strategic assets worldwide. The company has seen a noticeable spike in C-UAS interest heading into 2025, especially as in recent weeks, concerns have grown over unexplained drone sightings throughout several east coast states in the US. These sightings have prompted calls from both officials and citizens for swift action to identify and mitigate these mysterious flights. Unregulated or malicious drone activity poses significant risks to public safety and critical infrastructure, ranging from unauthorized surveillance and smuggling to potential terrorist threats where commercially available drones can quickly and inexpensively be weaponized. Addressing these challenges requires sophisticated solutions capable of countering such threats effectively while ensuring no interference with other communication systems that rely on the same frequency bands as the drones themselves. Sentrycs' solution is one of the few available technologies that addresses these challenges head-on, offering reliable and field-proven capability designed to safeguard public safety with no collateral damage. Leveraging proprietary technology, Sentrycs' passively detects, identifies and tracks drones, significantly reducing the possibility of false detections, a constant challenge encountered with other technologies. The platform also allows the operator to mitigate (or neutralize) the drone in seconds, directing it to a designated safe landing spot or returning the device to its original home location, avoiding the need for kinetic engagements that often cause collateral damage. "Recent events here in the US, specifically those in New Jersey really highlight the need to monitor unregulated drone activity, as it poses significant risks to public safety and critical infrastructure. Every single day our technology is supporting missions to monitor or mitigate illegal drone activity. Our global footprint means we address a variety of threats from ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) to enable human trafficking and drug smuggling, to even improvised explosive devices being delivered by the drones themselves" said Jason Moore, Chief Revenue Officer at Sentrycs. "Addressing these challenges demands sophisticated solutions that counter such threats immediately and effectively without interfering with critical communication systems or causing collateral damage" About Sentrycs Founded in 2017, Sentrycs is a leader in integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) technology, providing innovative solutions for drone threat detection and mitigation. The company is dedicated to advancing C-UAS technology through continuous research and development, ensuring its products remain at the forefront of the industry. With its solutions deployed across four continents, Sentrycs is committed to safeguarding public safety and critical infrastructure worldwide. CONTACT: Info@sentrycs.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2585358/Sentrycs_Counter_Drone.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2422730/5087617/Sentrycs_Logo.jpg View original content: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/counter-drone-technology-leader-sentrycs-announces-its-latest-public-safety-deals-including-new-customers-in-north-america-302336542.html Contact: +97254626236 Original content of: Sentrycs, transmitted by news aktuell
Tributes were paid to the former Scottish first minister, who died suddenly in North Macedonia in October at the age of 69. A private family funeral has already taken place, with Saturday’s memorial service in Edinburgh held to celebrate his love of Scotland and his commitment to the cause of independence. But while some 500 people, including family, friends and politicians from across the spectrum attended the service at St Giles’ Cathedral, his successor Nicola Sturgeon was not present. A rift between her and Mr Salmond – who she had previously described as her mentor – developed during her term as SNP leader. Ms Sturgeon attended the funeral of Scottish comedian Janey Godley in Glasgow on Saturday morning. Her successor, Mr Swinney, was met with boos as he arrived at the service – held on St Andrew’s Day – with at least one person in the crowd outside on the Royal Mile shouting “traitor”. Mr Salmond stood down as SNP leader and first minister after the 2014 referendum in which Scots voted to stay part of the UK. He helped found and went on to lead another pro-independence party, Alba, with Kenny MacAskill, a long-time friend who served as justice secretary in Holyrood under Mr Salmond. Mr MacAskill, now the acting Alba leader, told the congregation – which included Mr Salmond’s widow Moira as well as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, former Labour first minister Henry McLeish and Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay – that Mr Salmond had been a “giant of man”. Mr MacAskill, who quit the SNP to join Alba, hailed Mr Salmond as “an inspiration, a political genius” and being “most of all a man who had the cause of independence burned into his heart and seared in his soul”. The cause of independence was Mr Salmond’s “guiding light, his north star”, the former justice secretary said, adding that “he came so close to achieving it”. He added: “Those of us who share his dream must conclude that journey on his behalf. That’s the legacy he’d expect and the duty we owe him.” Recalling Mr Salmond’s words from when he stood down as first minister that “the dream shall never die”, Mr MacAskill concluded his address with the words: “Your dream shall be delivered.” Former Conservative Brexit minister and long-time friend of Mr Salmond, David Davis, gave a reading as did former Scottish government minister SNP MSP Fergus Ewing. Scottish folk singer Dougie MacLean performed his famous song Caledonia, while singer Sheena Wellington led mourners in a rendition of Robert Burns’ classic A Man’s A Man For A’ That. Scottish rock duo the Proclaimers were applauded for their performance of Cap in Hand – a pro-independence song which features the line “I can’t understand why we let someone else rule our land, cap in hand”. Brothers Craig and Charlie Reid said: “We’re going to do this for Alex, with love and respect and eternal gratitude for everything you did for our country.” Christina Hendry described her Uncle Alex as a “political giant, a strong leader, a fearless campaigner” but also remembered his as a “dearly loved husband, brother and uncle”. While she said he had been “the top man in Scotland”, he had “always made time for his family”, recalling how he phoned her brother on his birthday – the day after the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 – to apologise for not posting a card “as he’d been busy”, before telling them he would “resigning in 10 minutes”. She told the congregation: “As his family, we always felt loved no matter how far away he was or the time that passed before we saw him next. “We always knew he was standing up for our country, and for that we were grateful.” Ms Hendry continued: “The world will be a much quieter place without Uncle Alex, for Moira, for the wider family and for Scotland. “Uncle Alex passing means a great loss for many. A loss of Scotland’s voice on the international stage. A loss of integrity in Scottish politics. And a great loss to Scotland’s independence movement. “As a family it is likely a loss we will never get over.” Duncan Hamilton KC, who was an SNP MSP after the first Scottish Parliament elections, but also served as a political adviser and legal counsel to Mr Salmond, said the former first minister had “rightly been hailed as one of the greatest Scottish politicians of this, or any, generation”. He told how Mr Salmond took the SNP from being “a fringe act trying to get onto the main stage” to a party of government. “In Scottish politics, his success was both spectacular and unrivalled,” Mr Hamilton said. “Alex Salmond will forever be a pivotal figure in Scotland’s story. He changed a nation. He inspired a country. “History will certainly remember him as a man of talent, charisma and substance. But also as a political leader of courage, vision and intelligence. “He dared to dream. And so should we.” As the service finished the crowd gathered outside applauded and chanted “Alex, Alex” before singing Flower Of Scotland.
Unai Emery feels confidence returning after Aston Villa end winless runST. CATHERINES , ON , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Right Time Group of Companies ("Right Time" or the "Company"), a leading provider of residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing and electrical services, announced today it has named Jason Moore as Chief Financial Officer. Right Time is majority-owned by Gryphon Investors, a San Francisco -based middle-market private equity firm. Mr. Moore will be responsible for overseeing Right Time's financial operations and will play a significant leadership role in guiding the Company's financial and business strategy to support its long-term growth objectives. "Jason has extensive experience and a proven track record in financial leadership," said Right Time CEO Doug Hart . "Jason will play a pivotal role in working across the business to drive growth, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Right Time." During a 30+ year career, Mr. Moore has developed deep knowledge and expertise which he now brings to his new role at Right Time. Prior to joining the Company, he served as the CFO of SCI Group Inc., a leading Canadian third-party logistics company and as CFO of Acklands Grainger, Canada's largest distributor of maintenance, repair and operational supplies. Mr. Moore has also held a variety of impactful senior leadership positions at Molson Coors Canada, a multi-national drink and brewing company. He is a Chartered Accountant and began his career in the audit practice at Coopers & Lybrand in Toronto . "This is a very exciting time to join Right Time as the Company focuses on delivering home comfort solutions to Canadians coast to coast, growing its service and product offering as well as continuing to make solid progress towards its long-term strategy," said Mr. Moore. "I look forward to collaborating with Doug and the Right Time team to drive financial excellence, operational efficiency, and continued growth." Gryphon Deal Partner Alex Earls and Operating Partner Jeff Balagna said, "We are thrilled to welcome Jason to Right Time. His depth and breadth of financial and operational experience will be a significant asset to the organization." About Right Time Right Time is the largest independent residential HVAC contractor in Canada and operates 26 locations in Ontario , Nova Scotia , Manitoba , Saskatchewan , Alberta , and British Columbia . With over 1,400 employees, the company provides preventative maintenance programs, repairs, and replacements of household HVAC units. For more information about Right Time, visit https://right-time.ca/ About Gryphon Investors Gryphon Investors is a leading middle-market private investment firm focused on profitably growing and competitively advantaged companies in the Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare, Industrial Growth, Software, and Technology Solutions & Services sectors. With approximately $9+ billion of assets under management, Gryphon prioritizes investments in which it can form strong partnerships with founders, owners, and executives to accelerate the building of leading companies and generate enduring value through its integrated deal and operations business model. Gryphon's highly differentiated model integrates its well-proven Operations Resources Group, which is led by full-time, Gryphon senior operating executives with general management, human capital acquisition and development, treasury, finance, and accounting expertise. Gryphon's three core investment strategies include its Flagship, Heritage, and Junior Capital strategies, each with dedicated funds of capital. The Flagship and Heritage strategies target equity investments of $50 million to $500 million per portfolio company. The Junior Capital strategy targets investments of $10 million to $25 million in junior securities of credit facilities, arranged by leading middle-market lenders, in both Gryphon-controlled companies, as well as in other private equity-backed companies operating in Gryphon's targeted investment sectors. Contact: Lambert Caroline Luz 203-570-6462 cluz@lambert.com or Jennifer Hurson 845-507-0571 jhurson@lambert.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/right-time-group-names-jason-moore-as-chief-financial-officer-302336505.html SOURCE Gryphon InvestorsSwinney and Brown at memorial service for ‘giant of a man’ Alex Salmond
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5 top tech gifts for the holidaysVijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath alias Chinni met union minister of state for skill development Jayant Chaudhary in New Delhi on Thursday. He submitted a representation to the central minister seeking establishment of specialised skill development centres in Vijayawada to enhance the skills of over one lakh workers in the unorganised automobile sector of the city. The MP stressed that this will help such workers remain in step with the evolving technologies in the automobile sector. He felt that the existing skill development initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana are insufficient for the region's needs. Chinni pointed out that Vijayawada is home to over one lakh unskilled workers engaged in the automobile industry in Auto Nagar area of the city. He said, “Despite their critical contributions, many of these workers lack formal training in advanced automotive technologies, which is essential to meet industry demands. The establishment of dedicated skill development centres would not only benefit these workers, but also open up new employment opportunities for the youth in the region.” The MP pointed out that notable automobile companies, such as Kia Motors and Ashok Leyland, are expanding their operations in the Vijayawada region. To meet their demand, workers need to be trained in mechanical and electrical systems, including BS6 vehicle diagnostics, fuel injection systems, paint and coating technologies and the latest diagnostic tools for both conventional and electric vehicles. Chinni said following their meeting, Jayant Chaudhary immediately directed officials to submit a report on the MP’s proposal within four days. He expressed his gratitude to the union minister for his swift response.
Ahead of Ghana’s General Elections on December 7, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appealed to Ghanaians to exercise their voting rights in a peaceful and dignified manner. In a nationwide address on Friday, December 6, he emphasized the importance of maintaining Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democracy on the African continent. President Akufo-Addo urged all citizens to cooperate fully with the Electoral Commission (EC) and the security agencies to ensure that the elections are free from incidents. He stated, “The flame of freedom needs to be protected and constantly refueled. We have a reputation to maintain as a nation of peaceful elections.” He also encouraged voters to cast their ballots with tolerance and mutual respect, reinforcing the need to protect Ghana’s democratic values during this crucial election period. Security Measures: Border Closures and Military Support In a bid to ensure the integrity of the election process, the Minister of the Interior, Henry Quartey, has ordered the temporary closure of all land borders. This closure is effective immediately and will last until 6:00pm on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The Ministry has urged citizens and travelers to cooperate with security agencies enforcing this directive. Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have begun deploying personnel to assist the Ghana Police Service (GPS) in ensuring election security. A press release from GAF emphasized that their personnel would provide standby support, with no military officers stationed at polling stations. GAF’s role will be purely in support of the police, responding only upon request. Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director-General of Public Relations for GAF, reassured the public that the military’s presence should not cause concern, as their aim is to maintain law and order and support the peaceful conduct of the elections. He encouraged all Ghanaians to responsibly exercise their civic duties and cooperate with security personnel to help ensure a smooth electoral process. With these measures in place, authorities are working to uphold the integrity and peaceful nature of the 2024 elections as Ghanaians prepare to vote for a new president and Members of Parliament.
Radiography Market to See Rapid Expansion Over the Next Decade 2024-2032MI5 has had to “pare back” its counterterrorism focus because of the growing threat from Russia and other hostile states, the security agency’s boss has said. Ken McCallum, the director general of MI5, said in an interview recording obtained by The Times newspaper that the agency has to look at its “finite” resources and make “uncomfortable choices”. “We now face much, much more aggression from nation states. In effect, we had the 20 to 30-year holiday from that kind of big player, sophisticated states in serious conflict with each other. It’s back, I’m afraid. “And so there is something quite profound about that ... we’ve had to make some of those uncomfortable choices in recent years ... how could we pare back a bit on the amount of our capacity we are spending on countering terrorism in order to be ready to meet these somewhat grander and more sophisticated, in some respects, threats from nation states.” He made the comments in an interview with Simon Case, the outgoing cabinet secretary, for a civil service podcast Mr Case is making, the newspaper reported. He said: “We’ll be looking at how much of our finite capacity can we spend on state activity from Russia or Iran or China , how much do we have to spend on various forms of terrorism, but also how much of our capacity can we spend on things that we think might be a threat tomorrow morning and how much do we have to keep back to plan for how we are capable to do what the nation needs us to do in five years’ time? “We need to invest in new technology, new skills. So you always have some version of these uncomfortable choices.” The MI5 boss recently warned that Russia is intent on causing “mayhem” on UK streets and that Iranian-backed plots that pose “lethal threats” to British people are ramping up at an “unprecedented pace and scale”. In a speech in October, the security agency’s director general said Britain should “expect to see continued acts of aggression here at home” from Russia, with its military intelligence agency, the GRU, on “sustained missions”, adding: “We’ve seen arson, sabotage and more.” The number of state threat investigations run by MI5 has “shot up by 48%” in the last year and 13% of people being investigated by the security agency for involvement in UK terrorism are under 18, he said at the time. He called the rise in the number of children being investigated for terrorism in the UK “staggering” and warned of “canny online memes” drawing them into extreme right-wing ideologies. A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “This innovative conversation series was provided on the civil service learning site to offer insight into the experience of senior leaders from across the civil service, to allow other civil servants to learn and develop, as is so vital throughout their careers. “The comments made by Ken McCallum, director general of MI5, reflect those he has previously made publicly. In his October threat update, he talked about the challenges of prioritisation.”NYT Connections hints and answers for today: December 20 puzzle solved