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In early September the foreign press made a big fuss because President Maduro “brought Christmas forward” to October 1st. In truth, this is something the Venezuelan leader had done before, nearly always as an effective strategy to cool down political, economic and social tensions. Press buzz aside, the measure is welcomed by retailers who could seamlessly move from their Halloween decorations to Christmas trees and glittered ornaments. It also generated an incentive for people to buy things “ahead of time,” “before the December price hike,” etc. But beyond that, the truth is that in Venezuela Christmas is felt way before December 24. In fact, our country is a living example of a famous slogan created by a Colombian radio station: “Since September it feels like December is around the corner.” Venezuelans have the holidays on their minds during the last trimester, and they start planning the most important gastronomic traditions: , ham bread and chicken salad. The is the main event, with its long preparation often becoming an opportunity for families to gather and catch up. There are many theories concerning its origin. One says that it was created from the scraps that the elites gave to their slaves during colonial times. Another is that it takes on a Spanish pie but made out of corn flour due to the shortage of wheat. But the theory I like the most – with solid bibliography to back it up – says that the can be traced back hundreds of years, to pre-Hispanic times, when Indigenous peoples prepared a corn dough wrapped in its own leaves and cooked in clay pots. Now, the stew that fills the does have a lot to do with the Spaniards, and it was later adapted and perfected. So a deconstructed has pre-colonial elements: corn and (achiote). As for the elements that came from the Iberian peninsula, some of them are clearly Spanish: onion, garlic, beef, pork, sugar cane and wine. But the rest, like olives, capers, raisins and almonds is actually inherited from the Moorish presence in Iberia for hundreds of years. All things considered, the hallaca is synonymous with Venezuela’s (mixing). It involved a brutal colonization, which shapes us to this day, but the traditions were adopted and molded by the people, with variants in different regions. The final result has a glorious balance between savory, sweet, acid and bitter. Not just that, have a perfect sidekick in ham bread ( ). The recipe was created in 1905 in a central Caracas bakery called Ramella. Its sole goal was to make use of leftover ham. How Venezuelan is that? We’re a country that always finds a workaround, making use of all scraps, itself as many times as it takes. As Venezuelan culinary editor Miró Popic points out, “ham bread was born before the discovery of oil, in a poor, austere country, where one day of Christmas tried to make up for 364 days of hardship.” And history can be cyclical. Still, during the worst economic crisis of the Fourth Republic (1958-1999) and the tough years of economic siege we’ve lived through, with 2016 and 2017 having been especially terrible, Venezuela held firm to its legitimate right to celebrate the holiday season. Rightly so, because our traditions are unique and full of life. The most traditional music genre is the , a popular rhythm from western Zulia state which bears African, Spanish and possibly Berber influences. In fact, the very name originally referred to , an Arab flute. This genre is furthermore traced back to slaves’ protest chants against their masters. Plantation owners granted their slaves a single day a year to hold their festivities. That meant a grand party, during which the enslaved peoples also voiced their discontent with all the oppression around them, not just from slave masters but also the Church. “Why has God abandoned us?” they asked. As a result, as time went on, became an instrument for popular classes to express their hopes and frustrations. There are plenty of songs denouncing inequality in cities like Maracaibo, where the oil riches and the poverty of the majority have always stood in stark contrast. This political facet of has remained heavily present to this day. When I was a little girl, before Hugo Chávez arrived in power, there was a that radio stations played all the time. “ ” by the Gran Coquivacoa group was a theme criticizing the government led by Social Christian Rafael Caldera, who held the presidency twice (1969-1974 and 1994-1999). Apart from the political songs, I have two favorite that are quite bittersweet. One is “ ” by Ricardo Cepeda: The other one is “ ” by Argenis Carruyo: Apart from , there are other synonymous with the holidays, with a stronger presence of religious themes. Aguinaldos and parrandas are two examples which in turn have different variants depending on the region. Then there are the crazy traditions, with origins that are harder to trace and a lot more dependent on people’s levels of superstition. One case is eating lentils on Christmas Eve to invoke prosperity. Never mind how often we already eat lentils throughout the year... Other examples include yellow underwear to attract riches, taking a suitcase out so that next year is full of traveling, or breaking out new clothes so that new experiences abound. No one actually in these things, but many will do them just in case! Nevertheless, my favorite one are the skateaways (“patinatas”), which are public celebrations carried out on the streets. Major avenues and roads are closed so that young and not-so-young kids can take over with their skateboards, bicycles and skates. It is often an occasion for kids to break out their Christmas gifts. As I watch them, I’m usually reminded of the essence of Christmas: working and fighting for children to be happy. And if we recall where Christmas is from, we wish and struggle so that children in Gaza can smile too.Nov 21 (Reuters) - Gautam Adani , the billionaire chair of Indian conglomerate Adani Group and one of the world's richest people, could face a long road to trial in the U.S. on criminal charges over his alleged role in a multi-billion-dollar fraud and bribery scheme . Here’s a look at what’s next for Adani, who is accused of conspiring to pay about $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials to obtain contracts and develop India's largest solar power plant project. The indictment alleges Adani and his co-defendants agreed to pay more than $250 million in bribes to Indian officials to obtain solar contracts worth an estimated $2 billion over 20 years. Adani is charged with foreign bribery, securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy. U.S. law allows prosecutors to charge executives with foreign bribery when their companies do business in the U.S. and also gives broad jurisdiction over transactions that pass through U.S. financial institutions. Prosecutors also allege Adani deceived U.S. investors by covering up the alleged bribes. No. If Adani is in India, U.S. prosecutors would need to ask the Indian government to extradite him under the terms of the two countries’ extradition treaty. That process would be handled by a court in India, which would need to consider several factors including whether the crime he was charged with in the U.S. is also a crime in India, whether the charges are politically motivated or whether he could face inhumane treatment in the U.S. Adani could fight extradition, and it is unclear how long the process might take. The billionaire is accused of bribing Indian government officials, which could make extradition more politically fraught. No. Adani has not been arrested and his whereabouts are unknown, though he is believed to be in India. He could not immediately be reached for comment. In a statement Thursday, Adani Group said the charges were "baseless" and that the company is a "law-abiding organization, fully compliant with all laws." Yes, but until he appears in U.S. court, Adani's lawyers could only challenge the indictment on procedural grounds, for example by claiming U.S. prosecutors do not have the authority to charge him. After Adani appears before a U.S. judge, his lawyers could attack the substance of the indictment by arguing the charges are legally deficient or unsupported by the facts. Defendants generally face an uphill battle getting criminal charges thrown out because prosecutors enjoy the benefit of the doubt in the early stages of a case, and judges are reluctant to dismiss cases before juries have a chance to weigh the facts. Prosecutors cite extensive evidence of the alleged crimes in the indictment, including in-person meetings with Indian officials and an extensive paper trail of cell phone and messaging app records. Adani could also strike a plea deal with prosecutors by agreeing to admit to certain crimes in exchange for a lighter sentence, though prosecutors are under no obligation to negotiate. Any deal would also need to be approved by a judge. A trial could still be a long way off even if Adani is extradited or surrenders in the U.S. Adani’s lawyers would be entitled to litigate the admissibility of evidence and other legal questions before a trial could begin, as would lawyers for his seven co-defendants, who could seek separate trials. Adani would be entitled to a speedy trial within 70 days under U.S. law, though he would likely waive that right to give his lawyers more time to fight the charges. If convicted, Adani could face decades in prison as well as monetary penalties, though any sentence would ultimately be up to the judge overseeing the case. Adani faces up to five years in prison for foreign bribery and up to 20 for securities fraud, wire fraud, obstruction of justice and conspiracy charges. A jury of 12 would need to unanimously vote to convict Adani, and he could appeal a verdict against him. Sign up here. Reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Additional reporting by Luc Cohen;Editing by Noeleen Walder Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Thomson Reuters Legal correspondent specializing in politically charged cases.Woman faces court, charged with murdering partner near Ballarat
Opinion: Is university worth it? Yes, for both students and societyKayode Tokede Foreign and domestic portfolios investors transactions in the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited stood at N4.9 trillion in 11 months, nearly 52 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY)increase from N3.23 trillion reported in 11 months of 2023. The latest ‘domestic & foreign portfolio participation in equity trading’ in 11 months of 2024 showed that foreign portfolio investors are showing stronger appetite for local assets with Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) transactions at N785.28 billion as against N362.75 billion in corresponding 11 months of 2023. Official trading report at the weekend showed that FPI’s transactions in 11 months have reduced domestic investors dominance of the stock market, contributing 15.98 per cent against 84.02 per cent contribution by domestic investors. According to the report, FPI inflow in 11 months of 2024 nearly tripled, as most foreign investors continue to benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reforms in the foreign exchange market and cheap prices of most blue-chip companies quoted on the NGX. The report by NGX showed that FPI inflow stood at N370.15 billion in 11 months of 2024 from N157.32 billion in 11 months of 2023. On the other hand, foreign portfolio outflows, the sell side of the transactions, increased to N415.13 billion, about 102.09per cent increase over N205.43 billion reported in 11 months of 2023. However, the weak FPI inflows and decreased domestic demand plummets total transactions at the NGX in November 2024 to N442.34 billion from N502.73 billion reported in October 2024. The report, however, disclosed that domestic transactions totalled N4.13 trillion within the 11months period, 43.77 per cent above N2.87 trillion recorded in the comparable period of 2023. The FPI report, coordinated by the NGX, included transactions from nearly all custodians and capital market operators and it is widely regarded as a credible measure of foreign portfolio trend. The November 2024 performance set a new record above the market’s third quarter performance. Total transactions at the stock market had risen to N3.97 trillion in the first nine months of this year, the highest third quarter turnover according to available official records of the market. The third quarter 2024 performance represented a new record against the market’s turnover in third quarter 2023, when the market had set a high of N2.71 trillion. The closest records were in 2018 and 2014 when the market recorded N2.01 trillion and N2.04 trillion respectively. In terms of performance of the market over the last decade, the report disclosed that, “Over a 17 year period, domestic transactions decreased by 10.94per cent from N3.556 trillion in 2007 to N3.167 trillion in 2023; whilst foreign transactions also decreased by 33.28 per cent from N616 billion to N411 billion over the same period. “Total domestic transactions accounted for about 89per cent of the total transactions carried out in 2023, whilst foreign transactions accounted for about 11per cent of the total transactions in the same period. The transaction data for 2024 shows that total domestic transactions are circa N4.128 trillion, whilst total foreign transactions are circa N785.28 billion.” Meanwhile, capital market analysts have attributed the upbeat at the stock market to the increasing attractiveness of the Nigerian market to foreign investors, ongoing economic reforms, resilient earnings by Nigerian companies, exchange rate differential, ongoing banking recapitalisation and the reform in the oil sector. The Managing Director, HighCap Securities, Mr David Adonri, stated that the banking sector has contributed substantially to the growing turnover at the stock market. Adonri said, “The recapitalisation of banks is orchestrating demand for their shares even in the secondary market. Highly capitalised stocks in the petroleum sector have also been upbeat. Finally, investors have also reacted positively to the big interim dividends declared by banks.” A report by Afrinvest West Africa had indicated that FPIs in the Nigerian market could reach N1.1 trillion by the end of 2024 as foreign investors continued to increase their stakes on Nigerian securities. Analysts at Afrinvest West Africa stated that at the current run rate, the size of foreign participation at the stock market should reach N1.1 trillion by year-end, translating to a 267.8 per cent increase on 2023. Afrinvest estimated that total FPIs, including equities, money, and bond markets, could swell fourfold to $5.2 billion in 2024 in a base case scenario. The analysts noted that even when adjusted at exchange rate of N1,510.10 per dollar, the current run rate should deliver about $728.4 million participation size on the NGX, representing a 60.9 per cent increase over the 2023 actual that was converted at an exchange rate of N907.10 per dollar. “This marked improvement underscores the gradual return of foreign portfolio investors to Nigeria – a development we believe is largely connected to the ongoing reforms by the CBN,” Afrinvest stated. The report highlighted a strong and positive correlation between FPI inflow data reported by the NBS in dollars and foreign investor participation statistics reported by the NGX in naira. Afrinvest noted that the correlation was not a surprise given that equity is one of the three investment portfolio areas into which FPIs are deployed. The report pointed out that although FPIs are less reliable in building sustainable foreign exchange buffers due to their characteristic nature of flight to safety, the recent dynamics if sustained hold positive for stabilising the exchange rate in the short to medium term.Nebraska judge dismisses challenges against medical marijuana petitions
A Ballarat mother has appeared in court accused of stabbing her partner to death at their family home in the days after Christmas, in the second suspected family violence murder in Victoria within a week. Cheryl Lucas, 38, allegedly stabbed Heath Speedie, 47, in the chest as he sat on the couch of their home in Park Lane, in the Ballarat suburb of Mount Helen, on Saturday. A young child was inside the home at the time of the alleged attack. Cheryl Lucas has been charged with murder over the fatal stabbing of her partner. Credit: Facebook Speedie, who suffered critical injuries, managed to stagger outside before collapsing on the front lawn of the property. Emergency services performed CPR, but he could not be saved. Police arrested Lucas at the home shortly before 8am and later charged her with one count of murder . She appeared in Ballarat Magistrates’ Court for a brief filing hearing on Monday, after spending the weekend in police custody. Dressed in a light pink shirt and with her brown hair tied in a ponytail, Lucas was not required to speak during the proceedings and slumped in a half-shrug with her shoulders up. The court heard it was Lucas’ first time in custody and arrangements should be made for her to see a medical professional in prison for an assessment for “health concerns”. Speedie’s family members, who attended the hearing in person, refused to speak to the media outside court. Neighbour Doug Mills said most residents in the street kept to themselves, and Speedie and Lucas were no exception. He said Speedie had knocked on his door to introduce himself when the family first moved to the neighbourhood from the Ballarat suburb of Winter Valley, but he’d had limited interactions with him since. Cheryl Lucas and partner Heath Speedie. Credit: Facebook “We would see each other, we would wave or acknowledge them, and that was about the extent of it really,” Mills told The Age . “Their house, diagonally, is about 40-odd metres away from our place. And from what I could determine, they kept pretty much to themselves, like most of us in this particular street.” Mills said Speedie was a keen fisherman and would often drive to Portland to fish. Speedie, 47, shared images of his Revival-brand boat and Portland’s harbour on social media and invited friends and acquaintances to join him on the water. “When you’re in town next drop me a line, we go out blue water again,” he told a friend inquiring about the boat in the comments on one social media post. The Mount Helen incident follows the death on Boxing Day of 59-year-old Yvonne Beres, who was allegedly murdered by husband John Beres , 63, in their home in Langwarrin, in Melbourne’s south-east. The Beres had spent the previous day celebrating Christmas with their family. Lucas, who did not apply for bail, was remanded in custody to appear in Ballarat Magistrates’ Court again on April 15. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter .Windows 11 24H2 update breaks Ubisoft games; fix still pending