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China's permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong Photo: VCG The US on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, drawing harsh criticism from most of the UN members. The US consistent biased support of Israel and its repeated use of its veto at the UN have been a major factor contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, expert said. The draft, put forward by the council's 10 non-permanent members, demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The 15-member council voted 14-1 in favor of the resolution, and the US used its veto as a permanent council member to block it. When the US cast its first veto on October 18 last year, nearly 3,000 civilians had been killed in Gaza. By the time the US cast its second veto, 17,000 people had been killed as a result of Israeli bombardment. With its continued use of veto, when the US cast its fifth veto on April 18 this year, the death toll in Gaza had surged to 34,000. Now, nearly 44,000 people have been killed in Gaza, and the US still do not hesitate to use its veto, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at a Security Council meeting on Wednesday. Speaking after the vote, Robert Wood, deputy US ambassador to the United Nations, said that Washington had made clear it would only support a resolution that explicitly calls for the immediate release of hostages as part of a ceasefire, according to Xinhua. "The resolution would have sent a dangerous message to Hamas that there was no need to come back to the negotiating table," he said. The US move to block the resolution drew harsh criticism from most of the members. "China is very disappointed with the result of today's vote," Fu said, noting that the US single use of the veto has shattered the Gazan people's hope for survival and pushed them further into darkness and desperation. "The loss of each and every one of them means eternal pain for the surviving relatives. People cannot help but ask: do Palestinian lives mean nothing? Can the deaths of 44,000 people not win even a little bit of sympathy from the United States? How many more people have to die to wake them up from pretending asleep?" Fu asked. The insistence on setting preconditions for a ceasefire is tantamount to giving the green light to prolong the war and condone the continued killing, Fu said. "We call on the US to take its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Council seriously, stop being passive and evasive, and stop the deliberate procrastination. Instead, it should act with a sense of responsibility to history, and support the Council in taking all necessary actions to achieve an immediate ceasefire, save lives, and restore peace," the Chinese envoy said. Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said on Wednesday that "It is shocking that the US has vetoed an effort to save the lives of Palestinians and Israelis. Though perhaps we should not be surprised about it," Sputnik News reported. "It is deeply regretted that due to the use of the veto this council has once again failed to uphold its responsibility to maintain international peace and security," Malta's UN Ambassador Vanessa Frazier said, adding that the text of the resolution "was by no means a maximalist one," Reuters reported. France's delegate stated that "international humanitarian law is being trampled underfoot," while Slovenia's delegate lamented "There is an entire generation of children in Gaza we are failing," according to the UN website. Liu Zhongmin, a professor from the Middle East Studies Institute at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday that the US has repeatedly abused its veto power on critical issues like a ceasefire in Gaza, and backed Israel disregard immense pressure from international community and humanitarian tragedy. "This stance has not only isolated both the US and Israel on the international stage but also deepened political divisions within the US," Liu said. The expert specified that the differences between the US and its Western allies, particularly European countries, regarding the Gaza crisis are intensifying. Meanwhile, the opposition to Washington from developing countries and the Islamic world has become an increasingly evident trend since this round of the Israel-Palestine conflict, Liu said. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 43,985, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Wednesday. According to a report by Brown University's Watson Institute, the US has spent $22.76 billion in support of Israel's war on Gaza and operations against the Houthis in Yemen, Al Jazeera reported in October. The US consistent biased support of Israel and its repeated use of its veto at the UN have been a major factor contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Liu said.Inside Senate Democrats' last-ditch deal to confirm judges
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Canada kicks off its quest for a 21st title when it takes on Finland tonight to headline the opening day of the 2025 world junior hockey championship. Canada will field a team of top young prospects at the Ottawa-based tournament, including 17-year-old Gavin McKenna of the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers. Winnipeg Jets prospect Brayden Yager is Canada’s captain at this edition of the world juniors. He was part of the Canadian team that finished a disappointing fifth at the 2024 tournament in Sweden after back-to-back titles and will be looking to help Canada get back to the top of the podium. Finland is looking for its sixth title and first since 2019. The United States won the title in 2024 and will face Germany in the afternoon. Sweden will face Slovakia and Switzerland will take on Czechia in the other opening-day games. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 26, 2024. The puck drops against Canada and Finland at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT on Dec. 26. For more information, visit Hockey Canada .
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With Trump on the way, advocates look to states to pick up medical debt fightAscent Pickleball showcased its state-of-the-art indoor facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday at Shenango Commons. The 24,000-square-foot facility features six professionally designed, cushioned courts — installed by the same company that puts down the tennis surface for the U.S. Open — as well as such cutting-edge technology as electronic scoring and instant replay. The pro shop at Ascent Pickleball Frank Augustine got to be one of the first persons to experience all of that earlier this week. “It was easy on my legs,” the Shenango Township supervisor chairman said. “I’ve played on other surfaces. This is easy on my legs. Whatever they used for these courts, I enjoyed it, it was great. “Plus the fences here (around each court), the ball doesn’t go to far when I miss it. I don’t have to chase it so far.” Does that mean his game is about to step up? “Nothing’s going to improve my game,” he said. That’s OK. Ascent is open to players of all levels, from the casual to the serious. And you don’t have to be a member to use the courts. Prior to Friday’s ribbon-cutting, owner Tim Kelly was beaming as he watched various players get their first taste of the facility. “They’re here because they enjoy playing pickleball, they’re pickleball players, and they’re now experiencing taking things to a whole other layer that they didn’t even know existed,” Kelly said. “We’re the only place in the tri-state area that has the electronic scoring and the instant replay. You’ve got to go to Richmond, Virginia, to get the next facility that has anything like what we’ve got here.” Kelly should know. He traveled the country seeking the best ideas to infuse into Ascent. Story continues below video “I’ve been able to visit 27 facilities across the U.S., everything from small locals to big facilities that have indoor and outdoor courts, plus multiple bar/restaurants all within the same complex,” he said. “I’ve been able to take and pick pieces of each one of those experiences and meld them all together.” The result is everything that he had envisioned. “Being that I was involved not only with the design but all the actual drawings and the CAD work and spacing...I’ve had many experiences where what I envisioned was not what really came to fruition, was not exactly what I had envisioned,” he said. “But this is exactly what we envisioned.” He credited Wish Development, owner of a section of the former Lawrence Village Plaza in which Ascent is located, and Shenango Township officials with bringing that dream about. “Without those two entities, this does not happen,” he said. In addition to pickle ball, Ascent offers a pro shop, a sports bar/restaurant called the Golden Pickle and rooms that can be rented for parties or other gatherings. And it’s not finished yet. There’s a Phase Two coming in 2025. “There will be courts outside (at the rear of the facility, next to the park),” Kelly said, adding that at least some of those will be covered. “Plus we will have cornhole areas, we will have fire pits with lounge seating. We will have cabanas you can sit under with TVs up in the corner. And we hope – we don’t know for sure yet – but we hope to create a sand volleyball area.” Augustine, for one, couldn’t be more excited about what’s already at Ascent, and what is still to come. “You don’t know you’re in Lawrence County when you walk in here,” he said. “Lawrence County’s great, but this is a Western Pennsylvania destination for people to come to. We’re going to get people from everywhere.” d_irwin@ncnewsonline.com The Golden Pickle sports bar inside Ascent Pickleball is open to all. Owner Tim Kelly embraces his wife, Sharon and daughter, Alissa, moments before a ribbon cutting to officially open Ascent Pickleball. Other family members are Tim’s son, Travis, holding the other pair of large scissors along with Tim’s brother and partner, John Kelly, and Travis’ wife, Marissa, who is standing behind him. Tim Kelly, left, talks to Frank Moses of Forward Lawrence and state Rep. Marla Brown about Ascent Pickleball. Tim Kelly, left, talks to visitors about Ascent Pickleball prior to Friday's ribbon cutting. Tim Kelly explains Ascent Pickleball's Legacy Lounge, an area for members who had comprised the Shenango Pickleball Association. Tim Kelly, left, talks to state Rep. Marla Brown and other visitors about Ascent Pickleball. The pro shop at Ascent Pickleball Players get some game time in on the cushioned courts of Ascent Pickleball. The ribbon is cut to officially open Ascent Pickleball. A courtside screen provides electronic scoring and instand replay at Ascent Pickleball. On the far side of the fence is the Ascent pro shop. The Golden Pickle sports bar inside Ascent Pickleball is open to all. Owner Tim Kelly embraces his wife, Sharon and daughter, Alissa, moments before a ribbon cutting to officially open Ascent Pickleball. Other family members are Tim’s son, Travis, holding the other pair of large scissors along with Tim’s brother and partner, John Kelly, and Travis’ wife, Marissa, who is standing behind him. Tim Kelly, left, talks to Frank Moses of Forward Lawrence and state Rep. Marla Brown about Ascent Pickleball. Tim Kelly, left, talks to visitors about Ascent Pickleball prior to Friday's ribbon cutting. Tim Kelly explains Ascent Pickleball's Legacy Lounge, an area for members who had comprised the Shenango Pickleball Association. Tim Kelly, left, talks to state Rep. Marla Brown and other visitors about Ascent Pickleball. The pro shop at Ascent Pickleball Players get some game time in on the cushioned courts of Ascent Pickleball. The ribbon is cut to officially open Ascent Pickleball. A courtside screen provides electronic scoring and instand replay at Ascent Pickleball. On the far side of the fence is the Ascent pro shop.
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India's badminton star PV Sindhu got engaged to Hyderabad-based tech executive Venkata Datta Sai. The two-time Olympic medallist shared a picture of her engagement with Datta Sai on her social media. In the picture shared by Sindhu, the two can be seen having rings in their hands and sharing a burst of laughter. The picture has gone viral on social media. Check the post here. Sindhu is set to marry Datta Sai, who is an Executive Director at Posidex Technologies. The two will tie the knot on December 22 in Udaipur. The wedding festivities will begin on December 20. There will be a reception in Hyderabad too. Sindhu's father had revealed that the two families know each other. "The two families knew each other but it was only a month ago that everything was finalised. This was the only possible window as her schedule will be hectic from January," Sindhu's father, PV Ramana, told PTI. "So that is the reason the two families decided to have the marriage ceremony on December 22. The reception will be held in Hyderabad on December 24. She will start her training soon after as the next season is going to be important," he added. The couple will be marrying in the end of December as Sindhu has a busy season coming up. "So that is the reason the two families decided to have the marriage ceremony on December 22. The reception will be held in Hyderabad on December 24. She will start her training soon after as the next season is going to be important," her father further added. PV Sindhu's would-be husband, Venkata Datta Sai is a Hyderabad-based executive director at Posidex Technologies. He did a Diploma in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies from the Foundation of Liberal and Management Education. Datta Sai later pursued a BBA in Accounting and Finance from Flame University. He attained a Masters degree in Data Science and Machine Learning from the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore. Datta Sai has also managed team Delhi Capitals. He has worked with JSW as a summer intern and as an in-house consultant. During his tenure, he also managed JSW-owned Delhi Capitals.
Tories accuse Labour of waging 'war on rural England' after Angela Rayner announced plans to expand 'London sprawl' across the UK green belt By DAVID CHURCHIL CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 23:17, 12 December 2024 | Updated: 01:41, 13 December 2024 e-mail 40 View comments Angela Rayner was accused of waging 'war on rural England' yesterday as she unveiled the biggest shake-up of planning rules for a generation. The Housing Secretary's blueprint included new demands for hundreds more developments in the Home Counties and fewer in the North. MPs and campaigners warned that it paved the way for swathes of the Green Belt to be concreted over because it forces councils to re-classify thousands of acres into 'Grey Belt' sites for building on. Other protections have also been diluted, with a vow to 'safeguard the countryside from encroachment' now dropped. Councils that fail to submit detailed plans for achieving the steep targets, with some facing demands for a 2,000 per cent increase in building, could have developments imposed on them by Whitehall. Two-thirds of councils have yet to submit fresh plans, creating fears of a flood of speculative planning applications by developers hoping their estates will be rammed through by officials eager to hit Labour 's new target of building at least 1.5million homes within this Parliament. Local authorities have only three months to lodge fresh plans with the Government, even though they can take years to develop. Under a shake-up intended to turbo-charge building to tackle the housing crisis and boost economic growth, some councils are facing demands for a seven-fold increase in the number of homes built every year. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner (pictured) was accused of waging 'war on rural England' yesterday as she unveiled the biggest shake-up of planning rules for a generation Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) defended the changes during a visit to a construction site in Cambridge yesterday The areas of the UK facing the biggest increases in building demands under Labour's proposals Sir Keir Starmer defended the changes during a visit to a construction site in Cambridge yesterday, saying getting people on the housing ladder was more important than protecting nature and the environment. The Prime Minister added: 'For years, we have not had enough houses being built. That means that individuals and families don't have the security they want.' Under the overhaul: On average, 370,000 homes must be built in England each year; Of these, 70,681 must be built in the South East – up from 69,000 when draft proposals were unveiled in the summer. In London, the target is nearly 88,000, much lower than the 98,800 set by the previous Tory government; Green Belt land that 'does not strongly contribute' to Green Belt purposes such as stopping urban sprawl should become Grey Belt; Any development on these sites must comply with new 'golden rules', such as requiring developers to build local infrastructure; The 'golden rule' of developments having to make 50 per cent of housing affordable was diluted to a minimum of 15 per cent; Councils must increase the land designated for traveller sites; Developments that appear to comply with a council's local plan may not need to be signed off by councillors; Ministers will have the power to ram through developments in areas where councils have failed to submit comprehensive plans for reaching their annual target; Proposed fast-food and take-away shops within 'walking distance' of schools can be banned in certain areas. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Unveiling the overhaul to MPs, housing minister Matthew Pennycook insisted it included a 'brownfield sites first' approach to developments. But he added: 'We know that there simply are not enough sites on brownfield land registers to deliver the volume of homes the country needs each year. 'We know that the changes required to start putting things right will be uncomfortable for some. But this Labour government will not duck the hard choices that must be confronted in order to tackle the housing crisis, because the alternative is a future in which a decent, safe, secure and affordable home is a privilege enjoyed by some rather than being the birthright of all working people.' Read More How many new houses are coming to YOUR town? Use our interactive finder He warned that the Government 'won't hesitate to use the full range of ministerial intervention powers at our disposal' to ram through developments if councils fail to play ball. His Tory counterpart, Kevin Hollinrake, said he 'welcomed' the target of 1.5million homes, but added: 'What we do not welcome is the war on rural England he is pursuing. 'Following on from the family farm tax, the withdrawal of rural services delivery grants [which cover the additional costs of delivering services in remote areas], now we see the massive shift – mass house building in rural areas and on Green Belt. 'We do not welcome the bulldozing of democratic accountability, we do not welcome the lowering of housing targets for urban areas and we do not welcome an average doubling – a 100 per cent increase [in developments] – for predominantly rural areas. 'Residents will one day wake up to realise that they will face targets of up to 600 per cent increase. They will call their local councillor to ask them to oppose a specific application and be shocked at the response – 'I'm sorry, we no longer have the right to vote against an individual application'.' The Deputy PM revealed the collective total for local targets would be just over 370,000 homes a year - as she bids to deliver 1.5million new homes over the next five years Former Tory deputy prime minister Sir Oliver Dowden said his rural Hertfordshire constituency was 'almost entirely Green Belt', adding: 'This will mean massive new development, an expansion of London sprawl and a change in the character of the area for ever.' Rebecca Paul, the Tory MP for Reigate, said the targets meant a 96 per increase in housebuilding for her Surrey constituency. She said: 'If all areas must play their part in building the homes we need, why is the minister reducing housing targets for London and other urban areas while increasing them in rural areas like mine?' Roger Mortlock, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: 'Local authorities responsible for delivering new homes will be swamped with speculative applications on high-quality Green Belt and farm land. Inevitably, many of these will be approved to meet nationally imposed targets.' Cambridge Labour London Keir Starmer Share or comment on this article: Tories accuse Labour of waging 'war on rural England' after Angela Rayner announced plans to expand 'London sprawl' across the UK green belt e-mail Add comment
The Bose SoundLink Flex is a portable Bluetooth speaker that’s marketed as being rugged and stylish. But is it worth the price tag? I recently got my hands on one to test it out, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. In this review, I’ll go over my experience with the SoundLink Flex, including its design, sound quality, features, and overall value. The Bose SoundLink Flex is a compact and portable Bluetooth speaker designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Released in 2021, it boasts a durable design, IP67 water and dust resistance, and aims to deliver Bose’s signature sound quality in a grab-and-go format. It’s marketed towards those with active lifestyles, promising to be a reliable audio companion for adventures and everyday use alike . First Impressions: Unboxing the SoundLink Flex, the first thing that struck me was its design. It’s undeniably sleek and modern, with a minimalist aesthetic that’s become synonymous with Bose. Available in a variety of colors, the unit I tested was a vibrant blue that immediately caught the eye. The speaker feels robust and well-built, with a soft-touch silicone exterior and a powder-coated steel grille. It’s compact and lightweight, easily fitting into my backpack or even a large coat pocket. Design and Build Quality: Bose has clearly put a lot of thought into the design of the SoundLink Flex. The speaker has a rectangular shape with rounded edges, making it comfortable to hold and carry. The controls are located on the top of the speaker and are easy to use. They’re seamlessly integrated into the design, with raised buttons for power, volume, and Bluetooth pairing. There’s also a handy utility loop made from tear-resistant fabric, allowing you to attach the speaker to a backpack, belt loop, or carabiner. The IP67 rating means the SoundLink Flex is fully dustproof and can be submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. This makes it ideal for use at the beach, by the pool, or even in the shower. I tested its water resistance by taking it to the pool, and it performed flawlessly. Even after being submerged for several minutes, the speaker continued to work perfectly. Sound Quality: While the SoundLink Flex is undeniably stylish, I was initially skeptical about its sound quality. Could such a small speaker truly deliver the rich and balanced audio Bose is known for? The answer, to my surprise, is a resounding yes. The SoundLink Flex produces a surprisingly powerful sound for its size. The bass is deep and punchy, the mids are clear and detailed, and the highs are crisp and well-defined. I tested the speaker with a variety of music genres, from classical to hip-hop, and it handled everything I threw at it with ease. Even at high volumes, there was minimal distortion. The SoundLink Flex also features Bose’s PositionIQ technology, which automatically adjusts the EQ based on the speaker’s orientation. This ensures that you get optimal sound quality whether the speaker is standing upright, lying flat, or hanging from its utility loop. Features: The SoundLink Flex keeps things simple in terms of features, focusing on core functionality. Here are some highlights: Battery Life: Bose claims that the SoundLink Flex has a battery life of up to 12 hours. In my testing, I found this to be fairly accurate. I was able to get around 10-11 hours of playtime at moderate volume. The battery life will obviously vary depending on the volume level and type of music you’re playing. Charging is done via a USB-C port, and a full charge takes around four hours. What Could Be Improved: While the SoundLink Flex impressed me overall, there are a few areas where I think Bose could make improvements: Who is the SoundLink Flex for? The Bose SoundLink Flex is an ideal speaker for anyone who wants a portable, durable, and stylish speaker with good sound quality. It’s perfect for use outdoors, thanks to its IP67 rating, and it’s also great for use around the house. I would particularly recommend this speaker to: Final Verdict: The Bose SoundLink Flex is a great all-around portable speaker that excels in both design and sound quality. While it may not be the most feature-packed speaker on the market, its combination of durability, portability, and audio performance make it a compelling option for many users. If you’re looking for a stylish and reliable speaker that can keep up with your active lifestyle, the SoundLink Flex is definitely worth considering.
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