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During a Labour away day ahead of the last election, the party’s candidates were put through their paces as parliamentary debaters. The topic chosen, , was a deliberately intractable issue designed to test their analytical skills. Yet just months later, scores of new MPs find themselves having to make a very real decision over changing the law. “I’m genuinely the most back and forth on this that I’ve been on anything,” said one new MP who has found themselves over recent months. Like so many, with the issues so finely balanced in their mind, a single conversation can sway their thinking. “I had a conversation during the election campaign with a woman whose husband was on a [syringe] driver for 12 days,” the MP said. “I can honestly say that conversation really changed my mind and put me in the pro camp. But the challenge for the people who are pro is whether they can convince everybody that this bill is narrow enough. I don’t know what they could do prior to Friday to get that over.” All MPs are now grappling over how they will vote in Friday’s once-in-a-generation decision on the brought forward by Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater. They talk of being bombarded with campaign material from the pro and anti campaigns, as well as being swayed by personal stories of friends, family and constituents. However, Labour MPs involved in that pre-election debate practice say it could never have prepared them for the real thing, as discussing the principle of assisted dying has given way to assessing the merits of the specific bill now before them. “The general public get to say whether they’re pro or against it as a principle,” said a Labour MP. “The MPs in the grey area now are the ones asking: ‘How would this work?’ We’re trying to think of it pragmatically.” MPs across the political divide said that there had been a large amount of lobbying in their inboxes, but they are taking very different approaches to reaching their final decisions. Some said they were talking at length to their colleagues to thrash out the issues. Others said they were keeping their thoughts to themselves. While new MPs find themselves thrown into a major ethical debate only months into their career, Friday’s free vote on the issue has been no easier for some veteran MPs. John McDonnell, the former shadow chancellor who entered parliament in 1997, said he had thought about the issue for decades – but had only very recently switched in favour of backing the bill. “I’ve been in parliament 27 years now,” he said. “This has become a recurring debate every few years. It’s a hardy perennial that comes back. “Up until now, I was unsure and opposed previous attempts at assisted dying. I was concerned, as everyone is, to make sure that we get it right and that there’s safeguards in place. “I’ve been trying to talk to as many organisations as possible. I’ve read everything that’s come into my inbox. I’ve tried to interrogate the proposals as much as possible that Kim and others put forward. And so now, for the first time, I’ve come to the view that, yes, I’ll support an assisted dying bill. I think the safeguards that Kim has put forward are pretty strong. But again, if there are other improvements that could be made, I’m open minded to looking at those. But as a matter of principle, I now think we need to move forward on it.” As it is a free vote, there are figures from the political left and right on both sides. Former Tory cabinet ministers and are among the leading advocates for a . It is also an issue that has divided politicians who have almost always agreed. McDonnell will be voting in the opposite division lobby to some of his oldest political fellow travellers on the left, including . Jeremy Corbyn has also previously indicated he will oppose assisted dying. “I haven’t spoken to either Jeremy or Diane,” he said. “I will do, but it’s not left or right. It’s a very individual position. And again, it’s only in this recent period, in the last few months, that I’ve come to the conclusion that, actually, I can’t any longer deny people that right.” Other MPs said that they and many of their colleagues had a clear instinct on the issue but wanted to show they were willing to consider all sides before casting their vote. “There are some people who feel that you’re denying them a fundamental human right versus other people who think you’re allowing people to kill themselves ,” said a Tory MP. “You get quite strong, visceral opinions from constituents.”Hyderabad: The Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy has clarified that the proposed Pharma City will not be established in Kodangal. Instead, the government is focusing on creating an ‘Industrial Corridor’ aimed at providing job opportunities to the youth and women in the Kodangal assembly constituency. Addressing concerns regarding the project, CM Revanth Reddy questioned, “Why would I trouble the people of my own constituency?” He reaffirmed that the initiative aims to benefit the local community. The chief minister further assured that only pollution-free industries would be set up within the industrial corridor, addressing environmental concerns. He also stated that the government would consider enhancing compensation for land acquisition in the area. In 2023, the Telangana High Court annulled the notification for the acquisition of farmers’ lands intended for the proposed Pharma City. Despite this ruling, the farmers reported that authorities were not updating their land details in the revenue records, which hindered their access to agricultural inputs, credit support, and full ownership rights. The petitioners expressed their concerns about being deprived of these essential resources. The Hyderabad Pharma City was envisioned as a significant pharmaceutical industrial park, covering 19,333 acres across the Kandukur, Yacharam, and Kadthal mandals of Rangareddy district. The project was expected to attract substantial investment, estimated at USD 9.7 billion, and create approximately 560,000 jobs. However, it has faced considerable opposition from local farmers and environmental activists, who are concerned about the potential impact on the surrounding ecosystem, which has already been affected by existing pharmaceutical factories in Hyderabad.
The Dallas Cowboys ruled out right guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs with injuries on Saturday, one day prior to a road game against the Washington Commanders. Martin has been dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries and didn't practice at all this week before initially being listed as doubtful to play on Friday. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texans. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Diggs has been dealing with groin and knee injuries. He was listed as questionable on Friday before being downgraded Saturday. Diggs, 26, has 37 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games this season. The two-time Pro Bowl pick led the NFL with 11 picks in 2021 and has 20 in 57 games. The Cowboys elected not to activate receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) for the game. He returned to practice earlier this week and he was listed as questionable on Friday. Dallas activated offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe) and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) off injured reserve Saturday, placed safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) on IR and released defensive end KJ Henry. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) was previously ruled out. Tight end Princeton Fant was elevated from the practice squad to replace him. Cornerback Kemon Hall also was elevated from the practice squad. --Field Level MediaHyderabad : In a major crackdown on the ganja peddling rackets in the city, Hyderabad police apprehended four ganja suppliers, two transporters and a peddler in Kachiguda, seizing 114 kg of contraband from their possession. The arrested have been identified as Balji Govind, 34, Adigarla Prakash Kumar, 23, Malasala Mohan Rao, 44, Rajana Durga Hari Prasad, 20, Kodi Ramana,24, Lalam Gangadhar, 20, and Yethula Gangadhar, 19. All are natives of Anakapalle district of Andhra Pradesh. According to the police, the racket consisted of an interconnected nexus from Andhra, was headed by Balji Govind, who had direct contacts with ganja cultivators in the Chitrakonda Forest area of the Odhisa-Andhra Pradesh Border. He, along with Prakash Kumar and Mohan Rao used to source the contraband from the cultivators at the rate of Rs 1,500 per kg and would sell it to Durga Hari Prasad for Rs 5,000 per kg. As the next node of the supply chain, Durga Hari Prasad would sell the contraband to Kodi Ramana for Rs 10,000 per kg, who had employed two men on a commission basis to transport the ganja to Hyderabad and give it to the peddlers in the city. In Hyderabad, two peddlers, identified as Balaji and Kumari, would sell the drug in the streets to retail consumers in smaller packets, earning Rs 25,000 per kg. Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (HNEW) urged the citizens of Hyderabad to report any incidents of sale and usage of any drugs in the city to the HNEW team at +918712661601 .Moreover, the implications of AI modification on historical figures extend beyond just legal and ethical considerations. They also raise questions about the preservation of cultural heritage and the impact of modern technology on traditional narratives. While AI technology offers new possibilities for storytelling and interpretation, it also challenges us to reconsider how we engage with history and the ways in which we preserve and present it to future generations.
In response to the criticism, the school has invited parents to visit the school premises and inspect the production process of the uniforms to address any concerns they may have about the quality and materials used. The administration has also committed to providing transparent information on the sourcing and manufacturing of the uniforms to ensure accountability and trust among the school community.Best Buy Canada's epic Boxing Day sale arrived early — 13 best deals on laptops, TVs, vacuums & more up to $600 offThe new trailer showcases Aizen in all his glory, exuding an aura of elegance and danger as he makes his grand entrance. Dressed in his signature attire, with his trademark glasses and serene smile, Aizen's presence is enough to send chills down the spines of both fans and foes alike. The animation captures his essence perfectly, from his graceful movements to the subtle hints of his sinister intentions that lie beneath the surface.
"The Chinese people are so miserable," read a social media post in the wake of yet another mass killing in the country earlier this year. The same user also warned: "There will only be more and more copycat attacks." "This tragedy reflects the darkness within society," wrote another. Such bleak assessments, following a spate of deadly incidents in China during 2024, have led to questions about what is driving people to murder strangers en masse to "take revenge on society" . Attacks like this are still rare given China's huge population, and are not new, says David Schak, associate professor at Griffith University in Australia. But they seem to come in waves, often as copycat attempts at garnering attention. This year has been especially distressing. From 2019 to 2023, police recorded three to five cases each year, where perpetrators attacked pedestrians or strangers. In 2024, that number jumped to 19. In 2019, three people were killed and 28 injured in such incidents; in 2023, 16 dead and 40 injured and in 2024, 63 people killed and 166 injured. November was especially bloody. On the 11th of that month, a 62-year-old man ploughed a car into people exercising outside a stadium in the city of Zhuhai, killing at least 35. Police said that the driver had been unhappy with his divorce settlement. He was sentenced to death this week. Days later, in Changde city, a man drove into a crowd of children and parents outside a primary school, injuring 30 of them. The authorities said he was angry over financial losses and family problems. That same week, a 21-year-old who couldn't graduate after failing his exams, went on a stabbing rampage on his campus in Wuxi city, killing eight and injuring 17. In September, a 37-year-old man raced through a Shanghai shopping centre, stabbing people as he went . In June, four American instructors were attacked at a park by a 55-year-old man wielding a knife. And there were two separate attacks on Japanese citizens, including one in which a 10-year-old boy was stabbed to death outside his school. The perpetrators have largely targeted "random people" to show their "displeasure with society", Prof Schak says. In a country with vast surveillance capabilities, where women rarely hesitate to walk alone at night, these killings have sparked understandable unease. So what has prompted so many mass attacks in China this year? A major source of pressure in China right now is the sluggish economy. It is no secret that the country has been struggling with high youth unemployment, massive debt and a real estate crisis which has consumed the life savings of many families, sometimes with nothing to show for it. On the outskirts of most major cities there are entire housing estates where construction has stopped because indebted developers cannot afford to complete them. In 2022, the BBC interviewed people camping in the concrete shells of their own unfinished apartments , without running water, electricity and windows because they had nowhere else to stay. "Optimism certainly does seem to have faded," says George Magnus, a research associate at Oxford University's China Centre. "Let's use the word trapped, just for the moment. I think China has become trapped in a sort of cycle of repression. Social repression and economic repression, on the one hand, and a kind of faltering economic development model on the other." Studies appear to point to a significant change in attitudes, with a measurable increase in pessimism among Chinese people about their personal prospects. A significant US-China joint analysis, which for years had recorded them saying that inequality in society could often be attributed to a lack of effort or ability, found in its most recent survey that people were now blaming an "unfair economic system" . "The question is who do people really blame?" Mr Magnus asks. "And the next step from that is that the system is unfair to me, and I can't break through. I can't change my circumstances." In countries with a healthy media, if you felt you had been fired from your job unfairly or that your home had been demolished by corrupt builders backed by local officials, you might turn to journalists for your story to be heard. But that is rarely an option in China, where the press is controlled by the Communist Party and unlikely to run stories which reflect badly on any level of the government. Then there are the courts – also run by and for the party – which are slow and inefficient. Much was made on social media here of the Zhuhai attacker's alleged motive: that he did not achieve what he believed was a fair divorce settlement in court. Experts say other outlets for venting frustrations have also narrowed or been shut down altogether. Chinese people often air their grievances online, says Lynette Ong, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, who has carried out significant research on how the Chinese state responds to push back from its people. "[They] will go on to the internet and scold the government... just to vent their anger. Or they may organise a small protest which the police would often allow if it's small-scale," she explains. "But this sort of dissent, small dissent, has been closed off in the last couple of years." There are plenty of examples of this: Increased internet censorship, which blocks words or expressions that are deemed controversial or critical; crackdowns on cheeky Halloween costumes that make fun of officialdom; or when plain-clothed men, who appeared to have been mobilised by local officials, beat up protesters in Henan province outside banks which had frozen their accounts. As for dealing with people's mental and emotional responses to these stresses, this too has been found wanting. Specialists say that China's counselling services are vastly inadequate, leaving no outlet for those who feel isolated, alone and depressed in modern Chinese society. "Counselling can help build up emotional resilience," says Professor Silvia Kwok from Hong Kong's City University, adding that China needs to increase its mental health services, especially for at-risk groups who have experienced trauma or those with mental illness. "People need to find different strategies or constructive ways to deal with their emotions... making them less likely to react violently in moments of intense emotional stress." Taken together, these factors suggest the lid is tightening on Chinese society, creating a pressure cooker-like situation. "There are not a lot of people going around mass killing. But still the tensions do seem to be building, and it doesn't look like there is any way it is going to ease up in the near future," Mr Magnus says. What should worry the Communist Party is the commentary from the general public blaming those in power for this. Take this remark for example: "If the government truly acts fairly and justly, there would not be so much anger and grievance in Chinese society... the government's efforts have focused on creating a superficial sense of harmony. While it may appear that they care about disadvantaged people, their actions have instead caused the greatest injustices." While violent attacks have been rising in many countries, according to Professor Ong, the difference in China is that officials have had little experience dealing with them. "I think the authorities are very alarmed because they've not seen it before, and their instinct is to crack down." When China's leader Xi Jinping spoke about the Zhuhai attack, he seemed to acknowledge pressure was building in society. He urged officials across the country to "learn hard lessons from the incident, address risks at their roots, resolve conflicts and disputes early and take proactive measures to prevent extreme crime". But, so far, the lessons learnt seem to have led to a push for quicker police response times using greater surveillance, rather than considering any changes to the way China is run. "China is moving into a new phase, a new phase that we have not seen since the late 70s," Prof Ong says, referring to the time when the country began opening to the world again, unleashing enormous change. "We need to brace for unexpected events, such as a lot of random attacks and pockets of protest and social instability emerging."Japan's GDP Growth on the Rise: Rate Hike Timing Approaching?
Buffalo Common Council votes to approve Scanlon's amended ARPA spending plan; $19.2M now being used to fill budget gaps
5. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - The prolific Polish striker has been a goal-scoring machine for Bayern Munich. As his contract approaches its end, Lewandowski has been the subject of transfer rumors linking him to top clubs across Europe.Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus elected new leadership to steer the caucus at a time of unease and uncertainty within the Democratic Party following disappointing losses in the November election. The unanimously elected team, unveiled at a Dec. 5 press conference, will be chaired by Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) as deputy chair and Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.) as whip. Many Democrats are still reeling after Republican wins on Nov. 5, handing the GOP control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. Attributing the losses to a rightward shift among working class Americans, Casar said he will focus on bringing those voters “back into the fold.” “For decades, working class people and the entire country associated the Democratic Party with standing up for working-class people,” Casar said. He said the shift began during the Tea Party era. “The Progressive Caucus is going to bring our ‘working people first’ reputation back to the Democrats,” Casar said. Exit polls conducted by NBC News found that President-elect Donald Trump was the preferred candidate among voters with a total family income of under $100,000. He also won 56 percent of voters without a college degree. Casar said “growing people’s paychecks” should be the priority for Democrats looking to sway voters. “I think that’s what it’s going to take for us to win elections, for us to hold every part of this country across geography, across race, across ideology, and to not stand for injustice and oppression,” he said. Casar will replace Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who has helped to steer the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the last six years, first as co-chair and then as chair. Under her leadership, the caucus expanded to include more than 100 members. “Despite our losses in November, we still see a clear path forward on offense,” Jayapal said, calling for renewed efforts to boost the minimum wage and enact universal childcare and affordable housing policies. “We have to have a laser focus on showing people clearly how their lives will be materially different when they wake up in the morning and think about their family’s future,” she said. On defense, the congresswoman said the caucus would “do what progressives have always done” and push back on the president-elect’s agenda, which she said would include efforts to cut Medicare and Social Security benefits. Trump has repeatedly pledged to protect Medicare and Social Security benefits. His proposed tax policies include making the tax cuts enacted under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent and exempting tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits from taxes. Another pillar of Trump’s platform was his promise to crack down on illegal immigration by launching “the largest deportation operation in American history.” On that issue, Casar acknowledged that Democrats will need to build a more compelling narrative “if we ever want to get to a comprehensive and humane immigration solution.”
Govt wants to keep cyberspace safe for all: ShafiqulManchester City equaled an unwanted league feat following their 4-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad on Saturday. City failed to halt their poor run after suffering a humiliating home defeat to Ante Postecoglou’s men. The defeat means City are the first reigning top-flight champions to lose five games in a row in all competitions since Chelsea in March 1956. It was a return to winning ways for Spurs who went into the tie on the back of two straight defeats against Galatasaray and Ipswich. James Maddison opened the scoring in the 13 minute before doubling the lead seven minutes later. In the 52nd minute Pedro Porro added the third while Brennan Johnson completed the rout in the 93rd minute. City must now shift attention to the UEFA Champions League where they will face Feyenoord. They will then return to domestic action with a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.