President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction
Playoff game at Ohio State has sold 34% more tickets than Notre Dame game on StubHub
Daryl Bohac, former adjutant general for Nebraska, takes the podium with Gov. Jim Pillen, right, after being appointed director of the Nebraska State Historical Society. Nov. 21, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen has called upon Daryl Bohac to direct the embattled Nebraska State Historical Society, drawing Bohac back into public service after he retired 18 months ago from leading the Nebraska National Guard. Pillen said the decision to recruit and redeploy Bohac to fill a post that oversees collection, preservation and sharing of Nebraska history was based on his view of leadership. “When you spend 45 years of your life in public service, when you’re the adjutant general of the Nebraska Air and Army National Guard, you develop extraordinary leadership characteristics and qualities,” he said of the Nebraska native. Pillen said he needed someone to steer the 146-year-old historical agency he said had veered “off the tracks.” Renamed History Nebraska by the previous director, the agency has been scrutinized and restructured . It recently became part of the governor’s cabinet following the arrest two years ago of the former executive director, who faces theft charges for allegedly improperly handling a private donation to the state agency. Bohac will oversee more than 60 full-time employees, and start with a $175,000 salary. Questioned about Bohac’s qualifications for the history-centric job, Pillen cited his track record in creating a “culture of team.” During the past two years, turnover at the society was 22% and 31%, respectively, among the highest of state agencies, according to state personnel figures. More than once, Pillen mentioned Bohac’s work with the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward, which preserves state militia history and educates about the guard’s role during peace and war. Introduced in his new role at a Thursday news conference, Bohac said he had received a phone call from someone outside of the Governor’s Office inquiring about his interest in taking over the agency, which also publishes a quarterly magazine and operates a state history museum in Lincoln and six other historic sites across the state. He said he talked to his wife and others and felt it was a “good fit — perhaps a good opportunity in that I could bring some leadership values to a complex organization.” He said the past 18 months of retirement had been good for him and his family. “But it’s time to go back to work for the people of Nebraska.” Among top priorities, Bohac said, is improving financial accountability. He referred to the past executive director. Former director Trevor Jones is facing felony charges for allegedly misappropriating a private donation. He resigned in 2022, after serving six years as the top administrator, saying he planned to do some traveling . Shortly after Jones resigned, he was charged with theft by deception in connection with diverting two donations from a foundation that had been intended to over anticipated agency revenue losses due to COVID-19. He instead deposited the funds in a foundation he had set up. Jones recently asked the court to dismiss the felony charge, saying he has been denied his right to a speedy trial. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Tuesday. Pillen also pointed to the past. “It takes a lifetime of having a culture and it got tore down in a few simple years and it’s gonna take a lot of work to rebuild it to what Nebraskans expect.” The governor said he expects Bohac to lessen the society’s reliance on taxpayer dollars and to build active public and private partnerships. “It’s a $9 million a year budget but it doesn’t necessarily have to stand on the backs of taxpayers,” Pillen said. Bohac said he is excited to dive into his new mission — noting what he described as one of the first decisions presented to him in 2013 when he became the state’s adjutant general. It had to do with relocation of the military museum from the old Nebraska State Fairgrounds. He said the operations model relied on a combination of private, state and federal funding, a mix he plans to build upon at the state historical society. Other priorities in his new post, Bohac told reporters, include rebuilding core history museum exhibits to create a more alluring place for tourists and Nebraskans. He also wants to improve public access to archives. Bohac’s hire follows the passage earlier this year of Legislative Bill 1169, which made the historical society a code agency and part of the governor’s cabinet. That shift from independence status, and governance by a citizen Board of Trustees, worried many society employees who feared politics might enter into decisions about subject matter in museum displays, research projects and magazine articles. State lawmakers who supported LB 1169 said it should increase financial oversight and restore trust in the agency. Others feared potential impact. He has managed to adeptly thread the needle of keeping focused on mission and setting aside politics. – State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln put forth an amendment intended to protect the academic freedom of choosing museum displays and public outreach. Thursday, upon hearing of Bohac’s appointment, Conrad she welcomed the “sound” choice. She sees Bohac as an “adept leader” and a “nonpolitical person.” “He has managed to adeptly thread the needle of keeping focused on mission and setting aside politics,” she said. Conrad, a Democrat, said she believes Bohac will be supported across the political spectrum to “stabilize the important work of this agency which has been mired in controversy for far too long.” Founded in 1878 by people who saw a need to record stories of both the state’s indigenous and immigrant populations, the historical society was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the Legislature in 1883. In July, Pillen appointed Cindy Drake to be interim executive director. She had been at odds with the policies of the former director, Jones, and was dismissed after 45 years of serving as chief librarian at the society. Drake and Pillen moved swiftly to make changes at the agency, restoring the name to the Nebraska State Historical Society, rescinding a Jones’ decision to rebrand as “History Nebraska” in 2018. Employees also were reassigned. Public visiting hours were to be added at the society’s research room. A diversity council established by Jones was disbanded. During the media event Thursday, Bohac said he was eager to jump into his new job. As adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Bohac was responsible for programs affecting more than 4,500 Army and Air National Guard personnel. He oversaw the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and served as the state’s official channel of communication with the National Guard Bureau to the Departments of the Army and Air Force. Said Pillen: “The hardcore reality is Daryl and I see a lot of things alike. One is how important leadership is, how important culture is.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOXGeyser sales pick up as winter bites
Jimmy Carter, 39th US president, Nobel winner, dies at 100
HCP-1803 is under clinical development by and currently in Phase III for Idiopathic (Essential) Hypertension. According to GlobalData, Phase III drugs for Idiopathic (Essential) Hypertension does not have sufficient historical data to build an indication benchmark PTSR for Phase III. GlobalData tracks drug-specific phase transition and likelihood of approval scores, in addition to indication benchmarks based off 18 years of historical drug development data. Attributes of the drug, company and its clinical trials play a fundamental role in drug-specific PTSR and likelihood of approval. HCP-1803 overview HCP-1803 is under development for the treatment of essential hypertension. It is administered through oral route as tablets. Hanmi Pharmaceuticals overview , a subsidiary of Hanmi Science Co Ltd, develops prescription drugs and over the counter (OTC) drugs. The company’s prescription drugs include antibiotics, antidiarrheal, drugs for osteoporosis, liver supplements, and antiemetics. It provides OTC products such as nutritional supplements, calcium supplement, and vitamins, among others. The products of are used in the treatment of cancer, depression, dementia, dermatology, diabetes, inflammation, cardiovascular conditions, epilepsy, hepatitis, osteoarthritis, gastrointestinal diseases, obesity, osteoporosis, and others. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Hwaseong, Songpa and Pyeongtaek, South Korea. It supplies its products and APIs in various countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. For a complete picture of HCP-1803’s drug-specific PTSR and LoA scores, This content was updated on 12 April 2024 From Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors. , the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article. GlobalData’s Likelihood of Approval analytics tool dynamically assesses and predicts how likely a drug will move to the next stage in clinical development (PTSR), as well as how likely the drug will be approved (LoA). This is based on a combination of machine learning and a proprietary algorithm to process data points from various databases found on GlobalData’s .ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday highlighted a significant decline in inflation, which has dropped to its lowest level in 70 months, indicating the country’s economic progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Highlighting key economic indicators, the minister stated that foreign exchange reserves have surged past $11 billion, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) continues to decline monthly. The stock market has reached a record high, crossing the 100,000-point mark, demonstrating investor confidence in the country’s economic policies. Additionally, the interest rate has fallen to 15 per cent, and the KIBOR rate stands at 13 per cent, paving the way for increased investment across various sectors. Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
The Indiana vs. Notre Dame matchup in the first round of the College Football Playoff is the most expensive ticket on StubHub, but it's Tennessee vs. Ohio State that's selling the fastest. StubHub spokesperson Adam Budelli said Monday that the game being hosted in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 21 has sold 34% more tickets than the game in South Bend, Indiana, on Dec. 20. 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.
Those economic horses showed plenty of pluck in 2024, gamely hauling the social cart through an unfamiliar post-COVID-19 pandemic terrain. (If unemployment was so low in Manitoba, why the heck were those nags making such poor time as per GDP growth?) Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Those economic horses showed plenty of pluck in 2024, gamely hauling the social cart through an unfamiliar post-COVID-19 pandemic terrain. (If unemployment was so low in Manitoba, why the heck were those nags making such poor time as per GDP growth?) Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Those economic horses showed plenty of pluck in 2024, gamely hauling the social cart through an unfamiliar post-COVID-19 pandemic terrain. (If unemployment was so low in Manitoba, why the heck were those nags making such poor time as per GDP growth?) In some respects, the unusual dynamics allowed the field to clear, allowing new players to emerge (like the Manitoba Métis Federation). The sad culling of some favourite restaurants happened almost on cue after facing interminable pandemic shutdowns and the hand-wringing about downtown Winnipeg took on a more dire rhythm, but the top business stories of the year also included the kind of slow, steady pace Manitobans know and love and are resigned to live with. Despite some of their own looking for ancestral links to other nations so as not have to endure another four more years of Trumpy weirdness, Winnipeggers have never had so many direct route options to fly to the U.S. WestJet added Nashville and seasonal Fort Lauderdale, Fla., service after fanfare-inducing L.A. and Atlanta flights that started last year. United Airlines revived its Chicago and Denver flights this year, and there’s even a daily flight to Montreal and thrice weekly to Ottawa. Winnipeggers have never had such a diversity of choices to get out of town. Not only did the hard-working souls at the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone have to cajole and entice workers back to the area while many of its member businesses embraced hybrid workplace environments, unhoused encampments and a revival of old-fashioned shoplifting made doing business a real challenge this year. Although the first half of the year saw the first net increase in downtown businesses since 2020, there are 60 fewer than there were four years ago. Still, with the construction of the first high-rise in the east Exchange District in 50 years, the occupation of the city’s newest downtown tower by Wawanesa Insurance, and revival of construction of a half-built apartment tower at Donald Street and St. Mary’s Avenue means maybe there’s still hope. Delta 9 Cannabis entered receivership. While the rest of the industry was blowing its brains out trying to create an industry model matching the old cigarette oligarchy, Winnipeg’s Delta 9 Cannabis, the fourth licensed producer of cannabis in Canada, was a great homegrown story of well-organized, modest production of formerly illicit weed. But Delta 9 ran out of runway in 2024, done in by standard-issue vulture capitalism. Even in receivership, it still managed to stay cool with all the stores remaining open, staff employed and buds still being harvested. A casual observer might be mistaken to think the Town of Churchill is a lot larger and busier than it really is. The only Arctic port in Canada has a growing ($100 million) tourism industry and is the terminus of the only railway through the North. This year, it received a much-needed $60 million in track upgrades and, for the first time in 20 years, shipped Manitoba-mined minerals (concentrated zinc) destined for Europe. But for it to realize its potential — both as a tourism destination and thriving seaport — it has a long way to go. And to make it that much harder to realize, an even more fantastical alternative concept was being touted by some (Alberta energy concerns) to build an entirely new port south of Churchill. It may have taken some time to materialize, but as some pundits warned when the lockdown mandates started up in 2020, many Winnipeg restaurants finally succumbed and shuttered this year. The list includes, in no specific order: Yafa Café, Starbucks (Osborne Village), Tropikis, Roughage Eatery, RnR Family Restaurant, Pancake House (The Forks), Preservation Hall, Second Cup (Polo Park), Fionn MacCool’s (Regent Avenue), Nick’s on Broadway and A & W (Osborne Village). According to Restaurants Canada, more than half of Manitoba eateries are currently losing money or breaking even compared to 19 per cent before COVID. Winnipeggers finally got local access to big-name brands including Kripsy Kreme in 2024. 7-Eleven just opened its first licensed facility in Winnipeg (and also closed a handful of its convenience stores), Stella’s returned to the airport and boutique bakery Jenna Rae Cakes opened a kiosk inside airport security. Wolseley stalwart Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company is building its biggest location yet in St. Boniface. Activate Games has continued its rapid internationalexpansion. Activate Games, the Winnipeg high-tech amusement facility featuring unique interactive technologies, continues to take over the world. After inking a partnership with a developer in Dubai at the end of 2023, and along with significant growth in the U.S., it signed distributorships in Europe in 2024. It’s now on pace for 200 locations around the world in the next few years. Two of the largest development projects in the city — Naawi-Oodena and Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn — are led by First Nations organizations. The Manitoba Métis Federation’s big property acquisitions in Winnipeg. The Manitoba Métis Federation has been going hard for years but, in 2024, it was as if its stock doubled. Already the owner of the old BMO building at Portage and Main, the MMF acquired the 24-storey Bell MTS tower and its 13-floor sister space at 191 Pioneer Ave., along with a 99-stall parking lot, opened the Lake Manitoba Resort and a new pharmacy and health facility in Dauphin, plans to turn the old Roxy Lanes into an affordable 55-plus residential tower and partnered in a downtown yoga studio. Manitoba’s economy is fuelled by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), but when the big players are feeling confident, it makes a difference. In 2024, the Chipman family-owned True North Real Estate Development flexed once again to commit to a $680 million redevelopment of Portage Place mall. After years of successfully satisfying ‘Buy America’ provisions to be able to sell its heavy-duty urban buses to U.S. transit authorities, NFI is investing in its hometown so it can finish the manufacturing of its buses sold into the Canadian market. James Richardson & Sons, Limited reacquired the Fairmont Hotel after a 24-year hiatus. Gerry Price, one of the smartest and most successful (and least well-known) Winnipeg entrepreneurs of his generation, was recognized by his alma mater, the University of Manitoba, with the International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award. CentrePort Canada Inc. has built a highway through its 20,000-acre footprint that virtually surrounds the Winnipeg airport. This year, the second tenant of its 665-acre rail park started construction, with five more in the queue. This is where the largest greenfield developments in town that need direct rail access to the CPKC main line (with interswitching to CN and BNSF) will be built. Also this year, the City of Winnipeg and province of Manitoba committed $75 million to install servicing for another 1,800 acres in CentrePort south, including 500 acres of residential (housing for up to 12,000) and 1,100 acres of industrial space. In the past five years, $750 million of development permits have been let for the northwestern corner of the city and part of the Rural Municipality of Rosser. Arctic Char, to be specific. Arctic char fry at the Sapphire Springs facility. Sapphire Springs Inc., a locally owned enterprise is building an Arctic char fish farm north of the city that will almost double the global supply of the delicious salmonoid. Located at the former site of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Rockwood Experimental Fish Hatchery, it draws its water from a glacial aquifer, recycling 99 per cent of it through each growing cycle. Sapphire Springs may not solve global food security problem, but if successful, it could provide at least the inspiration for other forms of industrial protein production. martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Martin Cash is a business reporter/columnist who’s been on that beat for the since 1989. He’s a graduate of the University of Toronto and studied journalism at Ryerson (now Toronto Metropolitan University). . Every piece of reporting Martin produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.The Nike Air Max Plus OG is making a bold return in the legendary "Hyper Blue" colorway. First introduced in 1998, this sneaker quickly became a fan favorite. Its vibrant design and groundbreaking technology redefined sneaker culture. Now, official photos confirm its comeback in Spring 2025, sparking excitement among enthusiasts. The "Hyper Blue" colorway showcases a gradient blue upper that transitions seamlessly from dark to light. Black overlays add structure and contrast, creating a dynamic look. Additionally, the white midsoles with visible Air units deliver both timeless style and premium comfort. Yellow-to-orange accents on the Air bubbles and branding add warmth and energy to the design. Originally created by Sean McDowell, the Nike Air Max Plus revolutionized footwear with its Tuned Air system, offering superior cushioning and support. Its signature wavy TPU overlays and breathable mesh upper remain as iconic as ever. These features are faithfully preserved in the 2025 release, staying true to the original. The "Hyper Blue" remains one of the most celebrated colorways in the Air Max Plus lineup. With its bold gradient and innovative design, this release is set to make waves once again. Fans are already gearing up for its return. Read More: Deion Sanders' Style Returns In Nike Air Diamond Turf "Signing Day" Image via Nike These shoes have a black rubber bottom matched with a white middle sole. Additionally, the midsole features several air cushions, a classic detail of the Nike Air Max line. The top is made of gradient mesh that shifts from light to dark blue. Black laces enhance the style, while a yellow Nike check decorates the sides. All in all, this pair showcases a lively color scheme that stands out when worn. Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Nike Air Max Plus “Hyper Blue” is going to drop in the spring of 2025. Also, the retail price will be $180 when they release. Fans are eagerly awaiting more details on the exact launch date. Image via Nike Image via Nike Read More: Fall In Love With The "Valentine’s Day" Nike Air Max 1
Software-Defined Data Center Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report Forecast Period (2024-2031). 12-25-2024 07:27 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Orion Market Research Software-defined data center market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 21.9% during the forecast period (2024-2031). Software-defined data centers are virtualized data center infrastructures comprising networking, storage, and computing, which are collectively offered as a service. The global market growth is driven by the rapid adoption of cloud computing, the modernization of data centers, a growing demand for automation and orchestration, and advancements in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and containerization. Furthermore, the market is expected to be influenced by the integration of edge computing, AI-driven business operations, and the growing efforts for security enhancement and regulatory compliance. Get Sample Copy of this Report at https://www.omrglobal.com/request-sample/software-defined-data-center-market-size Segmental Outlook Based on type, the market is segmented into software-defined network, software-defined storage, and software-defined compute. Based on industry, the market is segmented into BFSI, telecom & IT, healthcare, retail, and others (media & entertainment, logistics). Software Defined Networking is the Most Sorted Type Software-defined networking (SDN) is the most popular type in the SDDC market owing to its ability to centralize and automate network management, optimize resource allocation, and improve scalability and operational efficiency. Further, the market growth drivers for the segment include AI advancements in network automation, rising needs for adaptable network architectures to aid digital transformation, and the expanding requirements of edge computing for resilient network infrastructures. For instance, in June 2022, Tech Mahindra, a prominent supplier of digital transformation, consulting, and business re-engineering services and solutions, unveiled the introduction of Synergy Lounges, created in partnership with IBM and Red Hat, the foremost provider of open-source solutions worldwide. The inaugural Synergy Lounge was inaugurated in Bengaluru, with a concentration on edge, 5G, and software-defined networking solutions, to expedite the hybrid cloud progression of enterprises on a global scale. full report of available https://www.omrglobal.com/industry-reports/software-defined-data-center-market-size IT & Telecom is the Prominent Software-Defined Data Center Industry IT and telecom are the leading industries for software-defined data centers (SDDCs) owing to their ability to provide scalable and agile infrastructure for IT and telecom operations. Further, the segmental growth is driven by increasing digitalization efforts, demand for efficient cloud integration, advancements in automation technologies, and the need to support expanding IoT and edge computing applications. For instance, in February 2024, VMware Inc., now under Broadcom's ownership, launched new enhancements within its Software-Defined Edge (SDE) portfolio. This includes advancements in 5G, software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN), secure access service edge (SASE), and edge computing. These developments are designed to support telecom operators in monetizing their networks and introducing new revenue-generating services. Regional Outlook The global software-defined data center market is further segmented based on geography including North America (the US, and Canada), Europe (the UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America). North America is Estimated to Dominate the Global Software-Defined Data Center Market North America is projected to dominate the software-defined data center market in the future, attributed to the strong IT infrastructure of the region, rapid adoption and integration of cloud-based solutions across sectors, regulatory requirements to modernize current data center capabilities, and the presence of major solution providers such as Oracle, Cisco, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services. For instance, in March 2023, a bipartisan group of senators reintroduced a bill aimed at enhancing the security of federal data centers, both physically and digitally. The Federal Data Center Enhancement Act, introduced by Sens. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Gary Peters, D-Mich., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, would mandate the Office of Management and Budget to collaborate with federal agencies in establishing minimum cybersecurity, resiliency, availability, and sustainability standards for new federal data centers. These standards would cover cyber intrusions, data center availability, mission-critical uptime, and resilience against physical attacks, wildfires, and other natural disasters. Global Software-Defined Data Center Market Growth by Region 2024-2031 The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing an increase in the adoption of digital technologies and initiatives across industries, which is expected to drive demand for agile and scalable data center solutions such as SDDCs. The countries in the Asia-Pacific, such as India, China, and Southeast Asian nations, are witnessing rapid economic growth, leading to increased investments in IT infrastructure, including SDDCs. by Type (Software-Defined Network, Software-Defined Storage, and Software-Defined Compute), and by Industry (BFSI, Telecom & IT, Healthcare, Retail, and Others (Media & Entertainment, Logistics) Market Players Outlook The major companies serving the global software-defined data center market include Cisco Systems Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., IBM Corp., Microsoft Corp., and Oracle Corp. among others. The market players are focusing on capitalizing on growth by adopting strategies such as collaboration, partnerships, and market expansion among others. For instance, in October 2023, NetApp, a global software company focused on cloud and data, officially declared the extension of its partnership contract with Ducati Corse for the seasons spanning from 2023 to 2025. In addition, NetApp has been appointed as the Official Data Infrastructure Partner of the team. A notable outcome of this collaboration is the introduction of a cutting-edge virtual data management and insights solution designed for race analytics and research and development, which leverages NetApp ONTAP, NetApp SnapMirror, and NetApp FlexCache. The Report Covers Market value data analysis of 2023 and forecast to 2031. Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment. Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions. Key companies operating in the global software-defined data center market. Based on the availability of data, information related to new product launches, and relevant news is also available in the report. Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future. Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies. Competitive strategies by identifying 'who-stands-where' in the market. For More Customized Data, Request for Report Customization https://www.omrglobal.com/report-customization/software-defined-data-center-market-size Media Contact: Company Name: Orion Market Research Contact Person: Mr. Anurag Tiwari Email: info@omrglobal.com Contact no: +91 780-304-0404 About Orion Market Research Orion Market Research (OMR) is a market research and consulting company known for its crisp and concise reports. The company is equipped with an experienced team of analysts and consultants. OMR offers quality syndicated research reports, customized research reports, consulting and other research-based services. The company also offers Digital Marketing services through its subsidiary OMR Digital and Software development and Consulting Services through another subsidiary Encanto Technologies. This release was published on openPR.
Oklahoma's throwback offensive approach against Alabama gets LSU's attentionTexas greenlights Bible-based curriculum for use in public schoolsMichail Antonio had video call with West Ham team before their win over Wolves
Baytex Announces 2025 BudgetOklahoma's throwback offensive approach against Alabama gets LSU's attention
Racist message left on Santa letters at Tennessee museum, visitors sayMIAMI (AP) — The top United Nations human rights watchdog on Tuesday ordered Venezuela to avoid destroying tally sheets and other electoral material as it investigates allegations that President Nicolás Maduro stole this summer's election . The U.N. Human Rights Council announced the opening of the probe in a letter to several Latin American jurists who in October petitioned the U.N. agency to take action in the face of what is said was widespread evidence of electoral fraud that violates the political rights of millions of Venezuelans. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Neal Maupay: Whenever I’m having a bad day I check Everton score and smile
Oklahoma's throwback offensive approach against Alabama gets LSU's attention. NEW DELHI: With incidents of sexual harassment of women workers/members of political parties often hushed up, SC on Monday asked the Election Commission to examine whether registered political parties could be brought under the ambit of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Appearing for advocate-petitioner Yogamaya G, senior advocate Shobha Gupta told a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Manmohan that though many women are active members of political parties, only CPM has set up an internal complaint committee with external members. AAP lacks transparency about its committee, while BJP and Congress have admitted not having an adequate ICC structure mandated under law, the petitioner alleged, while demanding the law must apply in equal rigour to parties which owe allegiance to the Constitution that mandates protection of dignity of women. The bench said the petitioner's analogy to equate political parties as employers and workers/members as employees may not be apt, but agreed that this is an important issue that should be adjudicated by EC. SC told the petitioner that if she does not receive any satisfactory response from EC on the issue raised by her, she is free to approach court again. The PIL quoted a 2014 NDTV article titled 'Congress seeks security for Nagma, winks at party leader who kissed her', which narrated an incident of a Congress member publicly kissing the actress who was seen walking off without addressing a rally. Quoting a report from Ranjana Kumar's organisation, Centre for Social Research, published in Economic Times, it said, "Nearly 50% respondents said they faced verbal abuse and 45% said physical violence and threats were common, particularly true during election campaigns. Sixty-seven per cent of women politicians said perpetrators were male contestants and 58% party colleagues. Violence and harassment at the hands of colleagues is a reason why we see only women from political families in politics." Interestingly, in March 2022, Kerala HC ruled that political parties are under no compulsion to establish internal complaints committees, as mandated by the 2013 law, since parties lack the employee-employer relationships. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Loo-less town's battle illustrates national problemTulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria fallout
DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector had come "to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. The rebel alliance now in control of much of the country is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and promises representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. Syrian citizens stand on a government forces tank that was left on a street Monday as they celebrate in Damascus, Syria. "It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women's dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty," the command said on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled. Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew. Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey on Monday at the Oncupinar border gate near the town of Kilis, southern Turkey. In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past. The Kremlin said Russia granted political asylum to Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad's specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people still celebrated. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence, though in some areas small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. Syrian citizens celebrate Monday during the second day of the takeover of the city by the insurgents in Damascus, Syria. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons, security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. "Don't be afraid," one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. "Bashar Assad has fallen!" In southern Turkey, Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad. "I haven't seen him for 13 years," he said. "I am going to go see whether he's alive." Jalali, the prime minister, sought to project normalcy since Assad fled. "We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth," he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation already improved from the day before. Israeli soldiers sit on top of a tank Monday along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly. "We want to give everyone their rights," Haddad said outside the courthouse. "We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods." But a U.N. official said some government services were paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home. The public sector "has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies was put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. "This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation's capital," Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again." People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Members of the Syrian community in Finland wave a Syrian flag and celebrate in Helsinki, Finland, Dec. 8, 2024. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Syrians wave opposition flags and give out sweets during a spontaneous rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) Syrians celebrate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria at a demonstration in Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Jonas Ekstroemer/TT News Agency via AP) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime, in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians wave Syrian opposition flags at a rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Syrians living in France gather on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government's fall, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians living in France hug during a rally on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) Get local news delivered to your inbox!Like spy thrillers, which rarely focus on trust as the central plot, global politics is increasingly based on trust deficit. Could the lacklustre global leadership since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s be the reason? Compared to the aftermath of the Second World War, political achievements in the new millennium seem puny and overwhelmingly self-serving, albeit more so for individual leaders, than their countries. The ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, Israel’s military adventurism in the Gaza Strip and now the Golan Heights, China’s braggadocio on the border with India, the antagonism in the South China Sea and intimidation of Taiwan are all instances, where conflict -- a convenient distraction from domestic shortcomings -- breeds distrust. Tangential, least-cost mechanisms to punish transgressors of the peace spawn new systemic risks. Consider, that economic sanctions on the purchase of Russian energy, devised as a rap for its Ukraine adventure, created a new security risk by incentivizing options to the dollar-dominated system for the settlement of international payments. In turn, US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened countries exploring dollar alternatives for global settlements with trade sanctions! Global disarray is inherent to the unravelling of the consensus on climate action in Glasgow in 2021. Gone is the desire to comply with the Kyoto 1990 principle of the “common but differentiated responsibilities” which front-loads climate action for developed economies, making them squarely responsible for consuming more than their per capita share of the historical carbon emissions budget. Not only have the agreed finances ($100 billion per year) not been provided to the developing countries, but the European Union has gone one step further by scheduling a carbon tax, effective from 2026, on imports exceeding a specified carbon intensity. Ostensibly designed to preserve the competitiveness of domestic EU producers against “dirty” imports, it conveniently fast-forwards and imposes developed world obligations for climate mitigation action on all exporting developing countries, in defiance of the Kyoto mandate. Some of this backsliding could be because three decades on, several developing economies have quickly become less poor. Consider that 48 per cent of the growth in global GDP was driven by the United States and its European allies during 1960-1980. During 2000-2023 they were down to just a 28 per cent share. In contrast, China grew from contributing a two per cent share in global GDP, in the earlier period, to 11 per cent over the latter period. India’s contribution grew slower, but it also increased from one per cent to five per cent. The change in relative economic muscle and the spectacular rise of China raises the question whether a rearrangement of global responsibilities is also not necessary. This conversation has long been stymied by the reluctance of the entrenched order to smell the coffee and initiate a more equitable sharing of the levers of global power in the United Nations and other multilateral bodies. The consequence of ignoring shifts in global economic power are most visible in the growing trend for a brazen transactional approach to global relations. China’s wolf warrior diplomacy, its opaque bilateral infrastructure financing initiatives and military stridency in the South China Sea are examples. Even the United States, till recently an advocate of an open global economic order, still the mightiest military power and the most dynamic developed economy, growing faster than the global economy is now turning mercantilist, building trade walls and adopting industrial protection policies more suitable for poor, developing economies with nascent economies. This flags a complete breakdown in global economic consensus. It was not always so. Mahatma Gandhi built trust and solidarity across castes and communities in India (1920-1947) at a time when the very concept of nationality in India was nascent or colonial at best. To give this “big tent’ a political structure, India chose democracy, modelling itself on countries like the UK -- at the time, one sixth its population, and the US, half its population, France and Ireland -- all significantly richer and well-endowed with infrastructure. Dismissed by colonial rulers at the time, as an unlikely fit for India, democracy remains its bedrock even as it works to become the third largest economy. Margaret Thatcher drew as many bouquets as brickbats for disrupting the economic order in the UK. But her 1980s drive to privatise government and bolster business set the tone for more than four decades of global governance and efficiency reform in the developing world. Compare that with the political theatrics around Brexit which reduced the UK’s influence to the moat around its shores. Nelson Mandella’s long, principled struggle against apartheid, touched hearts and minds globally. After the end of apartheid in 1994, his inclusiveness consolidated South Africa’s role in African economic development by preserving the integrity of the inherited institutional architecture. In the US, Henry Ford set the tone in 1912 by creating a motorized car, the Model T, for common use, as did Karl Benz in Germany. Around these cars grew a globally replicable ecosystem of manufacturing-led development which spawned a large, well-paid middle class powering the economy with domestic consumption. A century later this model is increasingly broken. Manufacturing productivity has improved vastly with digital design, automation, and robotics but the supply of “good” jobs has fallen behind population growth, reducing the net benefits for workers and increasing benefits for those with capital invested in such enterprises. Productivity gains, concentrated at the top, do nothing for providing gainful and satisfying work at scale, beyond “burger flipping,” for a workforce surging on the back of degenderized occupations, better medical care, and immigration. In China, after the ideological purification of the Long March, Mao Zedong in 1949 curated the transformation of an ancient monarchy into an equitable but inefficient Asian version of Communism, five times more populous than the Soviet Union. By the 1980s, with the material gains from centralized production and statism stagnating, Deng Xiaoping boldly encouraged economic reform. Import of foreign investment, technology, and access to foreign education rapidly retrofitted China, making it a hub for global supply chains, enhancing the availability of domestic jobs, reducing poverty, and providing public resources for new infrastructure. In contrast, contemporary global leadership appears blind to inclusive goals which can cement social cohesion. It seems unmindful of the economic paradigm that inefficiency bleeds national wealth and is uninterested in the proposition that the best policy options come with personal and political risk. Clinging to the wheel is human but surely not at the expense of sinking the ship unless an escape route exists, to a second home on Mars.