Nearly 200 people rescued from Colorado ski resort gondola after metal support cracksMost EM currencies rise as dollar rally stalls after Trump Treasury nomination Most emerging market currencies advanced on Monday as the dollar weakened globally after US President-elect Donald Trump nominated Wall Street veteran Scott Bessent as Treasury secretary, pulling Treasury yields lower. Trump said late on Friday he would nominate prominent investor Bessent as US Treasury secretary, which sent the greenback and Treasury yields lower, giving a leg up to emerging market assets. Some strategists said his nomination was a relief as he understands markets and his appointment could reduce the chance of severe tariffs.Jane Foley, senior FX strategist at Rabobank wrote that Bessent’s appointment has “raised the possibility that some ‘Trump trades’ may be watered down”. South Africa’s rand was up 0.2 per cent, while most dollar-pairs in emerging Europe also rose, with the Czech crown among top gainers, last up 0.7 per cent.Against the euro, Hungary’s forint was an outlier, down 0.6 per cent, briefly hitting its lowest since December 2022. Romania’s international dollar-denominated debt fell after results showed hard-right Nato critic Calin Georgescu and centre-right opposition party leader Elena Lasconi will likely face each other in a Dec 8 presidential run-off vote. The bond maturing in 2053 was the hardest hit, down more than 1.5 cents on the dollar.Israel’s shekel was last up 0.7 per cent against the dollar ahead of a local interest rate decision, with consensus tilted towards the Bank of Israel keeping rates steady at 4.5 per cent. EM assets have experienced a torrid November as investors mull the implications of Trump’s policies on trade, tariffs and immigration.“EM FX and rates continue to be tightly linked to US assets. Amidst geopolitical tensions and US policy uncertainty, external macro factors will dominate EM asset performance,” Phoenix Kalen, Societe Generale’s global head of emerging markets research wrote in a note. Continued repricing of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate path has also helped the dollar globally, weakening EM currencies.Minutes from the Fed’s most recent policy meeting, where it opted to cut interest rates by 25 basis points, are due to be released on Tuesday. MSCI’s index for emerging market equities had added 0.6 per cent by 1027 GMT, as shares in emerging Asia, which account for the bulk of the index’s weight, rose.India’s benchmark Nifty 50 was last up more than 1.0 per cent as the ruling alliance’s victory in a Maharashtra state election over the weekend boosted sentiment. Most stocks linked to billionaire Gautam Adani also reversed some of the sharp falls of the previous two sessions posted after the founder’s indictment for fraud by US prosecutors and arrest warrants issued for him over an alleged $265 million bribery scheme. Chinese equities lagged with the blue-chip CSI 300 hitting a more than five-week low and the Hong Kong benchmark clocking its weakest close since September.Late on Friday, credit ratings agency Moody’s upgraded Saudi Arabia’s rating to ‘Aa3’ from ‘A1’, citing the country’s efforts to diversify beyond its oil economy. Prices of the country’s dollar-denominated bonds rose, with the 2054 maturity outperforming, up 0.9 cents on the dollar. Moody’s also upgraded Cyprus’ long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings to A3 from Baa2, citing a “material improvement” in fiscal and debt metrics that the rating agency expected to be sustained.Prince George took part in a key royal moment for the very first time. The eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales had his taste of royal football tradition as he joined his father, Prince William, for the annual festive kickabout on the Sandringham estate. The pre-Christmas match, a highlight for estate workers and neighbouring villagers, saw the father-son duo take to the pitch together for the first time. Cheering them on from the sidelines was the Princess of Wales , along with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis , who lent their support to the blue-shirted team that included George, 11, and William, 42. Revealed: What Prince George whispered to sister Princess Charlotte during Christmas Day walkabout Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis charm crowds during walkabout Find out what stockings Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be opening on Christmas day For George, an avid football fan like his dad, it was a dream moment, running energetically around the pitch to the cheers of onlookers. William, who has long been a keen Aston Villa supporter, showed his skill on the field and even came close to scoring a goal. Wearing number 18 on his shirt, the Prince of Wales looked right at home alongside his eldest son. Observers were quick to praise George’s enthusiasm and natural athleticism, suggesting he might have inherited his father’s love for the game. Meanwhile, Kate, ever the supportive mum, kept warm in a chic dark purple polo neck paired with a long light purple waistcoat, beige trousers, and a green peaked cap. Her hair was neatly tied back in a plait, and she carried black leather gloves as she stood on the sidelines, watching the action unfold. Not to be left out, Prince Louis, six, dressed adorably in navy blue shorts and a light blue top, joined in on the fun, kicking a ball around with his mum during breaks in the match. Princess Charlotte, nine, looked delighted to be part of the family outing, standing close to Kate as they cheered on their dad and brother. This beloved royal tradition has seen William take to the pitch for many years, often joined in the past by Prince Harry. The last time the brothers played together in the Sandringham match is believed to have been in 2016. While Harry’s absence was noted, the sight of George stepping into his father’s boots brought a fresh sense of excitement to the event. William’s passion for football has always been evident. As a devoted Aston Villa fan, he has often been spotted in the stands at Villa Park and cheering England on at Wembley. This summer, William and George were captured in a moment of shared joy, leaping to their feet when Cole Palmer equalised for England in the Euro 2024 final against Spain in Berlin, despite the heartbreaking 2-1 defeat. In a 2020 appearance on That Peter Crouch Podcast, William spoke candidly about George’s football journey. "I’m trying not to persuade him to be a Villa fan," he shared. "I'm letting him choose his own way. It’s about finding what fits for him." However, he humorously admitted to "concerns" when George briefly showed an interest in Chelsea as a younger child. As the royal family enjoyed this festive day out, football fans couldn’t help but smile at the idea of Prince George following in his father’s footsteps—not just on the field, but as a future ambassador for the sport. With the Villa faithful hoping to welcome George to their ranks, the Prince of Wales remains resolute in letting his son chart his own path. WATCH: A Right Royal Podcast: Wolf Hall's ultimate fact vs fiction, Christmas Windsor Castle and more
The Delhi high court on Monday refused to grant anticipatory bail to formerprobationary Indian Administrative (IAS) officer Puja Khedkar, observing that her actions in faking her identity to fraudulently avail attempts in the public service examination were driven by the motive to dupe the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as part of a larger conspiracy to manipulate the system. Calling the present case a “classic example” of a fraud committed not only against UPSC, which is a constitutional body, but also society at large, a bench of justice Chandra Dhari Singh ruled that necessary interrogation is warranted to reveal all the aspects related to the alleged fraud committed against the nation. Justice Singh, while refusing pre-arrest bail to Khedkar, noted that she appeared to have forged documents to reap benefits out of the schemes introduced for the disadvantaged group of the society. Also, there was a high possibility that her parents, who held high positions in the Executive, colluded with unknown powerful persons in order to get the requisite certificates produced by her, the court added. “[It is] prima facie established that the conduct of the petitioner has been truly driven with the motive to dupe the complainant UPSC and all the documents alleged by her were done in order to reap benefits out of the schemes introduced for the disadvantaged group of the society. The investigation in the present case as per the material available on record prima facie reveals that the petitioner is not a fit candidate to avail the benefits meant for the disadvantaged group and she has been availing the same by forging the documents prepared with unknown individuals in the government or outside. Apart from owing luxury cars and various properties, the family of the petitioner i.e. father, mother have held high positions in the executives and therefore there is a high possibility that family members have colluded with unknown powerful persons in order to get the requisite certificates produced by the petitioner,” justice Singh said, while pronouncing the verdict. “The steps taken by the petitioner were a part of the large conspiracy to manipulate the system and investigation in this regard would be impacted if she is granted anticipatory bail. The present incident is a classic example of a fraud committed not only with the constitutional body but the society at large and necessary interrogation is warranted to reveal all the aspects related to the said fraud committed against the nation,” the judge added. Khedkar had approached the Delhi high court against a city court order refusing to grant her anticipatory bail. The court, while denying bail to her on August 1, noted that her custodial interrogation was required to unearth the whole conspiracy since she only cheated and defrauded UPSC but also snatched the lawful rights of eligible aspirants with benchmark disabilities. She has been charged with a commission of an offence punishable under Sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document), and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of Indian Penal Code; 66D Information Technology Act, and 89 and 91 Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016. The prosecution’s case against Khedkar is that she had already exhausted all the permissible attempts available to candidates (nine attempts) by 2020, and was not eligible further to appear for the 2021 civil services exam. However, she deliberately changed her name in the year 2021 and appeared in 2021, 2022, and 2023 by making “incorrect or false statements” regarding the number of attempts already availed by her. Khedkar, a trainee officer of the 2023 batch, was accused of faking her identity to get more attempts in the UPSC examination. She was also accused of wrongly availing benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quotas. Disparities in her candidature came to light after reports emerged that she was misusing her power during her training in Pune. The Centre on July 11 set up a committee to probe the disparities, which submitted its report on July 24. On July 31, UPSC issued a press release cancelling her candidature after Khedkar failed to respond to a show-cause notice issued on July 18. On September 7, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) discharged her from service.F1 expands grid, adds Cadillac brand and new American team for '26
West Ham surprise Newcastle with 2-0 away win
Gary Lineker jokes about his Match Of The Day exit as he returns to showDURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke coach Manny Diaz says quarterback Maalik Murphy will face discipline “internally” after extending both of his middle fingers skyward in celebration after throwing a long touchdown pass early in the . Diaz said Monday that Murphy's exuberant gesture, caught on the ACC Network national broadcast, was directed at offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer in the booth after a bit of practice “banter” from a few days earlier. Diaz said the Texas transfer just let his excitement get away from him but still called it “unacceptable in our program." Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content.
What’s Next for Super Micro Computer’s Stock? Tech Revolution or Risky Business?
Duke's Diaz: QB Murphy faces internal discipline for raising middle fingers in Virginia Tech winLONDON - Liverpool strengthened their hold on the Premier League top spot with an extraordinary 6-3 victory at battered Tottenham Hotspur after second-placed Chelsea were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw away to Everton. Mohamed Salah scored twice, as did Luis Diaz, while Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were also on target at bamboozled Spurs for Dutchman Arne Slot’s Liverpool side who head into Christmas four points clear. Chelsea could have gone into first place before Liverpool’s clash in north London but failed to make it nine straight wins in all competitions as Everton dug deep to earn a point at Goodison Park. Liverpool have 39 points from 16 games with Chelsea on 35 having played a game more. Arsenal, who won 5-1 at Crystal Palace on Saturday, have 33 points from 17 games. Bottom club Southampton’s 0-0 draw at Fulham on Sunday means reigning champions Manchester City are now the worst performing Premier League team since the start of November after a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday left them down in seventh. Manchester United suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth on Sunday as the south coast club moved up to fifth, while Wolverhampton Wanderers won 3-0 at Leicester City in Vitor Pereira’s first game in charge. Tottenham’s last three home games in all competitions have now provided 23 goals as their wide-open style was ruthlessly punished by a razor-sharp Liverpool. Diaz met Trent Alexander-Arnold’s beautiful cross with a diving header to open the scoring before Alexis Mac Allister nodded home from close range to double Liverpool’s lead. James Maddison pulled one back for Spurs in the 41st minute but Dominik Szoboszlai restored the visitors’ two-goal lead before the break as he slotted past Fraser Forster following a counter-attack. Salah’s double came in seven second-half minutes to take his league tally this season to 15 before Tottenham hit back with Dejan Kulusevski’s volley and Dominic Solanke’s effort in the 83rd that threatened to set up a frantic finale. But Diaz settled any Liverpool jitters with his second goal of the game. Liverpool’s emphatic win means only one of the weekend’s Premier League games ended in a home victory. “We expected that (a chaotic game), the way they play, they open the game, they enjoy their football, physically tough and mentally we always have to be in the game,” Salah, whose two assists took his total for the season to 11, told Sky Sports. Tributes paid to Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan Salah is the first player to reach double figures for both goals and assists before Christmas in a Premier League season. The closest Chelsea came to piercing Everton’s armour was a Nicolas Jackson shot against the post in the first half but while it proved a frustrating day for Enzo Maresca’s side the Italian remained upbeat. “That was a real game,” he said. “I’m very happy because the performance of the boys was fantastic. Sometimes you have to play a different game and we’re learning to play a different game. Everton are one of the best teams in Europe in terms of clean sheets.”The Toffees kept a fifth clean sheet in six games. Tags: liverpool hit tottenham
Stock indexes drifted to a mixed finish on Wall Street as some heavyweight technology and communications sector stocks offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 slipped less than 0.1 percent Thursday, its first loss after three straight gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1 percent, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.1 percent. Gains by retailers and health care stocks helped temper the losses. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened following the Christmas holiday. The Labor Department reported that U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. Treasury yields fell in the bond market. On Thursday: The S&P 500 fell 2.45 points, or 0.04 percent, to 6,037.59. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 28.77 points, or 0.1 percent, to 43,325.80. The Nasdaq composite fell 10.77 points, or 1 percent, to 19,764.89. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 20.34 points, or 0.9 percent, to 2,280.19. For the week: The S&P 500 is up 106.74 points, or 1.80 percent. The Dow is up 485.54 points, or 1.1 percent. The Nasdaq is up 447.76 points, or 2.3 percent. The Russell 2000 is up 37.82 points, or 1.7 percent. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,267.76 points, or 26.6 percent. The Dow is up 5,636.26, or 15 percent. The Nasdaq is up 5,009.01 points, or 33.4 percent. The Russell 2000 is up 253.12 points, or 12.5 percent. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.Finland shares higher at close of trade; OMX Helsinki 25 up 0.67%
Summer is a wonderful time for families to go the beach and for small children to get to know the water and the sand. But aside from being a place to relax, my new research shows how the beach provides many ways to teach young children about science. My ‘beach kinder’ research I research science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning in bush kinders. These are programs where preschool children regularly go into the natural environment with their daycare centre or kinder/preschool, to gain an appreciation for nature . Educators do not take any toys, balls or games, so children are reliant only on what is available in nature for play. Bush kinders often happen in parks, forests and gardens but educators and researchers are increasingly looking at the benefits of education around beaches . These “blue spaces” provide children with wide open spaces to learn through play. But so far there has been little research on educational benefits of beach learning in early childhood settings. Last year, I observed a “beach kinder”: where childhood educators and four- and five-year-old children went to the beach along Victoria’s Surf Coast. They were spending between three and five hours per week at the beach for a term as part of their regular kinder/preschool program. What I noticed was how many opportunities the beach provides to teach little kids about science. Here are a three examples families can try on their next visit to the beach. Read more: What are bush kinders? And what makes a good one? 1. Rockpool life When the tide is low, the ocean can expose a wide range of plant and animal life. Small fish, crabs, starfish, sea plants and maybe even an octopus can be found in rockpools. You can ask your child: How many different animals can you see? You can also search for barnacles that look like small volcanoes or periwinkles – the little snails that live in the splash zone. You can talk about how animals can sometimes be very small or hiding – just because we can’t see them does not mean they are not there. You can talk to children about how these small animals survive as the tide rises and falls. For example, crabs bury themselves in the sand away from the water or other types of shellfish can shut their shells tightly to keep the water out. If possible, gently lift one for a look and then replace it just as gently. You can explain life cycles and simple biology as you walk among the rockpools. For example, sea turtles lay their eggs on sandy beaches, then the baby turtles make their way to the sea where they mature into adults. 2. Sticky sand Sand is an amazing thing to play with and it changes, depending on where you are on the beach. Far away from the waters’ edge, have your child take a handful of dry sand and watch what happens as it slips through small hands. Walk closer to the water and do the same thing. Ask your child: Have you ever wondered why dry and wet sand are so different? You can explain how the water in the sand actually acts like glue, making the sand grains stick together. This lets us talk to young children about chemistry and how different materials interact with each other. Try making sandcastles with wet sand and dry sand and see the difference. Is one version harder to work with than the other other? What happens if you mix wet and dry sand together? Read more: How to get the most out of sand play: 4 tips from a sculptor 3. Watching the waves The waves can teach us about floating, sinking and the force of water. Children can have a lot of fun using pieces of seaweed or small sticks as boats, letting them bob up and down on small waves. They can even have “seaweed races” learning about how waves can move materials around. Sea waves and ocean currents are really important as some marine animals such as dolphins and turtles use waves to move around. In fact, some animals migrate thousands of kilometres to and from breeding grounds. You can then replace the seaweed pieces with shells and ask your child to observe what happens: Why does the seaweed stay on top of the water, but the shell goes underneath? Talk about how the shell is heavier than the water and so will sink. This helps them understand the physics of floating and sinking as well as the patterns associated with wave motion. This summer when you’re at the beach, think about all the science happening around you. This could include the animals and habitats you encounter, as well as all the many, changes things happening with the sand and surf.New spiking offence aims to bring law up to date, minister says
New spiking offence aims to bring law up to date, minister sayshen early in his administration around three months ago President made a pledge to crack down on corruption, the decision to name secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Hasto Kristiyanto suspect in a graft case was most likely not at the top of his priority list. As a new president who was still working to consolidate his power, Prabowo certainly did not want to alienate the PDI-P, currently the biggest political party in the House of Representatives. If anything, the arrest of Hasto could complicate his efforts to build a good and stable relationship with the party’s chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri, a plan that has not yet been realized despite several attempts. Incurring the wrath of Megawati only three months after the President took office is a risk not worth taking. From the anti-graft fight perspective, the decision to name Hasto a graft suspect in a bribery case, which revolves around an illicit cash transfer of a little over Rp 1 billion (US$66,000) should also be low in the priority list of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), considering that the anti-graft body still has to go after some bigger fish in other major corruption cases. So how do we make sense of the KPK’s move against Hasto on Christmas Eve? Whether you're looking to broaden your horizons or stay informed on the latest developments, "Viewpoint" is the perfect source for anyone seeking to engage with the issues that matter most. By registering, you agree with 's Please check your email for your newsletter subscription. The fact that Hasto was named suspect in a corruption case only days after the PDI-P banished former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, his son Vice President and his son-in-law Bobby Nasution from the party, is a strong indication that the former first family still has a score to settle. For obvious reasons. In the lead-up to this year’s presidential election Hasto led a staunchly anti-Jokowi faction within the PDI-P, a group of politicians who have been very critical of the former president’s actions, which they deem anti-democratic, and which range from wanting to serve another term in office, to nominating his oldest son as vice presidential candidate. In May 2023, Hasto chaired a session hastily arranged to reprimand Gibran, after the then mayor of Surakarta, Central Java, held a meeting with Prabowo, at that time the defense minister, long before the party nominated its own presidential candidate. In more ways than one, the decision to name Hasto a suspect is similar to the arrest of former trade minister Tom Lembong, who has been implicated in a graft case surrounding the importation of sugar. With the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) failing to give details as to how Tom’s decision to import sugar in 2015 caused any state losses, many are convinced that he is simply being punished for being too critical of some of Jokowi’s economic policies. It does not make much difference now that Hasto’s corruption case is being handled by the KPK instead of the AGO, a law enforcement agency serving under the executive branch of the government. Since 2019, following the amendment of the KPK Law, the antigraft agency has also been placed under the stewardship of the President and its reputation has been on the downward spiral ever since (the agency’s last chairman Firli Bahuri is now a graft suspect, by the way). There is nothing to indicate that the current batch of KPK commissioners, whose nomination and inauguration was one of Jokowi’s final acts in office, would act differently and their last move to name Hasto a suspect in a minor bribery case serves only to confirm the public skepticism. In the first decade after its formation in the early 2000s, the KPK was a much-feared agency whose anti-graft investigations could send a shiver down the spine of government officials and politicians. Today, the anti-graft body is simply a tool for political witch hunts.PWHL Roundup: Charge rout Fleet, Frost edge Sirens in pre-season play
BRASILIA, Brazil -- Supermarket giant Carrefour’s support for French farmers’ protests against a trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur has sparked a strong reaction in Brazil, including a refusal to supply beef to Carrefour stores in Brazil. Carrefour CEO Alexandre Bompard announced in social media posts last week that the French company would stop buying beef from all Mercosur countries, which also include Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Bompard wrote that he agrees with French producers' arguments that Mercosur beef is an unfair competitor due to lower production costs resulting from fewer environmental and sanitary requirements. The executive encouraged other retailers to follow suit. Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture called Bompard's move protectionist, saying it was made “without any technical criteria.” The decision also angered Brazil's meatpackers. Though France makes up just a tiny sliver of Brazil’s beef exports, meatpackers worried that Carrefour’s decision would hurt its reputation in other markets. Beef giants JBS and Marfrig halted supplies last Friday to Carrefour's extensive supermarket chain in Brazil, including the food warehouse giant Atacadao. Both companies refused to comment on the boycott to The Associated Press, but Minister of Agriculture Carlos Fávaro confirmed it. “We support the reaction of the meatpackers. If Brazil ́s beef isn’t good enough for Carrefour’s shelves in France, it isn’t good enough for Carrefour’s shelves in Brazil either,” Faváro told Folha de S.Paulo newspaper on Monday. Carrefour Group in Brazil acknowledged the boycott in a statement, though it said there's not yet a shortage of beef in stores. It said it has “esteem and confidence in the Brazilian agricultural sector, with which it maintains a solid relationship and partnership.” “Unfortunately, the decision to suspend the meat supply has an impact on customers, especially those who rely on the company to supply their homes with quality and responsible products,” the statement said. “It is in constant dialogue in search of solutions that will make it possible to resume the supply of meat to its stores as quickly as possible, respecting the commitments it has to its more than 130,000 Brazilian employees and millions of Brazilian customers countrywide.” The backdrop for the conflict is the EU-Mercosur trade deal , which would increase agricultural imports to EU countries from South America. French farmers fear it will affect their livelihoods. An initial agreement was reached in 2019, but negotiations have faltered since then due to opposition that also includes some European governments. Brazil’s agribusiness sector also fears that the pending European Union Deforestation Regulation will outlaw the sale of forest-derived products within the EU’s 27-nation bloc if companies can’t prove their goods are not linked to deforestation. Its scope includes soy and cattle, Brazil’s top agricultural exports. Almost half of the country’s cattle is raised in the Amazon region, where 90% of deforested land since 1985 has turned into pasture, according to MapBiomas, a nonprofit network. The date of its implementation remains uncertain. ___ The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org .Global Digital Pathology Image Analysis Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players-Media Cybernetics Inc.,Augmentiqs,Reveal Biosciences,Leica Biosystems,Visiopharm
US prosecutors dismiss key criminal cases against Trump
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FIUGGI, Italy (AP) — Foreign ministers from the world’s leading industrialized nations expressed cautious optimism Monday about possible progress on a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The top diplomats met for the final time before a new U.S. administration takes office with wars raging in the Mideast and Ukraine. “Knock on wood,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said as he opened the Group of Seven meeting outside Rome. “We are perhaps close to a ceasefire in Lebanon," he said. "Let's hope it's true and that there's no backing down at the last-minute.” A ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon was foremost on the agenda of the G7 meeting in Fiuggi, outside Rome, that gathered ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, in the last G7 encounter of the Biden administration. For the first time, the G7 ministers were joined by their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, the so-called “Arab Quintet,” as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League. “Everyone favors a ceasefire in both scenarios,” Tajani told reporters, adding that Italy had offered to take on an even greater peacekeeping role in Lebanon to oversee any ceasefire deal. As the ministers arrived in Italy, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Mike Herzog, told Israeli Army Radio on Monday a ceasefire deal to end fighting between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah could be reached “within days.” Several Arab ministers reiterated calls for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza during a G7-affiliated conference in Rome. “We need a ceasefire, a permanent ceasefire. That will stop the killings and stop the destruction and restore a sense of normalcy to life,” Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told the conference. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, for his part, reaffirmed that Cairo would host a minister-level conference next Monday on mobilizing international aid for Gaza. The so-called “Quintet” has been working with the U.S. to finalize a “day after” plan for Gaza. There is some urgency to make progress before the Trump administration takes over in January. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to pursue a policy that strongly favors Israel over the aspirations of the Palestinians. Tajani added another item to the G7 agenda last week after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief. Italy is a founding member of the court and hosted the 1998 Rome conference that gave birth to it. But Italy’s right-wing government has been a strong supporter of Israel after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, while also providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. The Italian government has taken a cautious line, reaffirming its support and respect for the court but expressing concern that the warrants were politically motivated. The United States, Israel's closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Tajani acknowledged consensus hadn't been reached among the G7 members but hoped for agreement to have a unified position. He noted that all sides need Netanyahu to make any deal. “We can also not agree with how his government has led the reaction after the massacre of Oct. 7, but now we have to deal with Netanyahu to arrive at peace in Lebanon, peace in Palestine,” Tajani said. Nathalie Tocci, director of the Rome-based Institute for International Affairs think tank, warned that inserting the ICC warrant into the G7 agenda was risky, since the U.S. is the lone member that is not a signatory to the court and yet tends to dictate the G7 line. “If Italy and the other (five G7) signatories of the ICC are unable to maintain the line on international law, they will not only erode it anyway but will be acting against our interests,” Tocci wrote in La Stampa daily this weekend, recalling Italy’s recourse to international law in demanding protection for Italian U.N. peacekeepers who have come under fire in southern Lebanon. The other major talking point of the G7 meeting is Ukraine , and tensions have only heightened since Russia attacked Ukraine last week with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the strike was retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. The G7 has been at the forefront of providing military and economic support for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 and G7 members are particularly concerned about how a Trump administration will change the U.S. approach. Trump has criticized the billions of dollars that the Biden administration has poured into Ukraine and has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. “It’s hugely important that this G7, that all colleagues across the G7 continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it lasts,” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said as he arrived. He announced new sanctions on vessels of Russia's “shadow fleet” of ships that are evading sanctions to export Russian oil. “And we are confident that Ukraine can have the funds and the military equipment and kit to get through 2025,” Lammy said. The G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, the second of the Italian presidency after ministers gathered in Capri in April , is being held in the medieval town of Fiuggi southeast of Rome, best known for its thermal spas. On Monday, which coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ministers were attending the inauguration of a red bench meant to symbolize Italy’s focus on fighting gender-based violence. Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people marched in Rome to protest gender-based violence , which in Italy so far this year has claimed the lives of 99 women, according to a report last week by the Eures think tank.Abu Dhabi [UAE], November 22 (ANI/WAM): The Air Expo Abu Dhabi 2024 has come to a close, with the next edition set to return in 2026. The event wrapped up after three dynamic days dedicated to aviation training, advanced air mobility, and the latest trends shaping the future of aviation. Air Expo Abu Dhabi attracted over 15,000 participants, including top executives from the aviation industry, representatives from 50 aviation training academies, and more than 50 airlines from across the GCC, Europe, and Asia. Also Read | France Shocker: Man Rapes Daughter For Years, Offers Her to Strangers For Sex; Sentenced to 20 Years in Jail. The successful conclusion of the Expo's seventh edition highlights Abu Dhabi's ambition to establish itself as a global aviation hub by bringing together leading industry players such as Gulfstream, Bombardier, Jet Aviation, FlightSafety International, and Sanad, a Mubadala company. The event featured the latest advancements in aerospace technologies and advanced air mobility, while also tackling important issues related to training, services, and sustainable aviation safety. Didier Mary, CEO of 4M Events, stated, "We are delighted that more than 160 exhibitors joined us at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC, marking a new chapter for the event. The satisfaction among exhibitors surpassed expectations, with high-quality business interactions over the three days. Numerous MoUs were signed during the event, solidifying this B-to-B event as a preferred fixture on the aviation industry calendar." Thanks to our sponsors for their amazing support in showcasing Abu Dhabi at its best! Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Returns to Delhi After Concluding Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana Visit (Watch Video). One of the major successes of the 2024 edition was the Middle East Aviation Career Trade Show and Conference (MEAC), which stood out among the various programs held at the event. MEAC garnered much attention as a platform dedicated to educating, inspiring, and promoting inclusivity within the aviation industry. Leading companies, industry experts, and over 40 top international flight training schools participated in this specialised career fair, enabling attendees to explore promising opportunities in the aviation sector in roles such as cabin crew, pilot training, airport management, and engineering, among others. As the UAE's aviation sector continues to flourish, fueled by a rise in tourism and strategic investments, such conferences are essential to addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals. They provide a unique opportunity to explore diverse career prospects, embrace innovation, and share valuable insights. (ANI/WAM) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)