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By MATTHEW BROWN and JACK DURA BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Donald Trump assigned Doug Burgum a singular mission in nominating the governor of oil-rich North Dakota to lead an agency that oversees a half-billion acres of federal land and vast areas offshore: “Drill baby drill.” That dictate from the president-elect’s announcement of Burgum for Secretary of Interior sets the stage for a reignition of the court battles over public lands and waters that helped define Trump’s first term, with environmentalists worried about climate change already pledging their opposition. Burgum is an ultra-wealthy software industry entrepreneur who grew up on his family’s farm. He represents a tame choice compared to other Trump Cabinet picks. Public lands experts said his experience as a popular two-term governor who aligns himself with conservationist Teddy Roosevelt suggests a willingness to collaborate, as opposed to dismantling from within the agency he is tasked with leading. That could help smooth his confirmation and clear the way for the incoming administration to move quickly to open more public lands to development and commercial use. “Burgum strikes me as a credible nominee who could do a credible job as Interior secretary,” said John Leshy, who served as Interior’s solicitor under former President Bill Clinton. “He’s not a right-wing radical on public lands,” added Leshy, professor emeritus at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. Frictions over lands The Interior Department manages about one-fifth of the country’s land with a mandate that spans from wildlife conservation and recreation to natural resource extraction and fulfilling treaty obligations with Native American tribes. Most of those lands are in the West, where frictions with private landowners and state officials are commonplace and have sometimes mushroomed into violent confrontations with right-wing groups that reject federal jurisdiction. Burgum if confirmed would be faced with a pending U.S. Supreme Court action from Utah that seeks to assert state power over Interior Department lands. North Dakota’s attorney general has supported the lawsuit, but Burgum’s office declined to say if he backs Utah’s claims. U.S. Justice Department attorneys on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reject Utah’s lawsuit. They said Utah in 1894 agreed to give up its right to the lands at issue when it became a state. Trump’s narrow focus on fossil fuels is a replay from his 2016 campaign — although minus coal mining, a collapsing industry that he failed to revive in his first term. Trump repeatedly hailed oil as “liquid gold” on the campaign trail this year and largely omitted any mention of coal. About 26% of U.S. oil comes from federal lands and offshore waters overseen by Interior. Production continues to hit record levels under President Joe Biden despite claims by Trump that the Democrat hindered drilling. But industry representatives and their Republican allies say volumes could be further boosted. They want Burgum and the Interior Department to ramp up oil and gas sales from federal lands, in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. The oil industry also hopes Trump’s government efficiency initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk can dramatically reduce environmental reviews. Biden’s administration reduced the frequency and size of lease sales, and it restored environmental rules that were weakened under Trump . The Democrat as a candidate in 2020 promised further restrictions on drilling to help combat global warming, but he struck a deal for the 2022 climate bill that requires offshore oil and gas sales to be held before renewable energy leases can be sold. “Oil and gas brings billions of dollars of revenue in, but you don’t get that if you don’t have leasing,” said Erik Milito with the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore industries including oil and wind. Trump has vowed to kill offshore wind energy projects. But Milito said he was hopeful that with Burgum in place it would be “green lights ahead for everything, not just oil and gas.” Conservation, drilling and grazing It is unclear if Burgum would revive some of the most controversial steps taken at the agency during Trump’s first term, including relocating senior officials out of Washington, D.C., dismantling parts of the Endangered Species Act and shrinking the size of two national monuments in Utah designated by former President Barack Obama. Officials under Biden spent much of the past four years reversing Trump’s moves. They restored the Utah monuments and rescinded numerous Trump regulations. Onshore oil and gas lease sales plummeted — from more than a million acres sold annually under Trump and other previous administrations, to just 91,712 acres (37,115 hectares) sold last year — while many wind and solar projects advanced. Developing energy leases takes years, and oil companies control millions of acres that remain untapped. Biden’s administration also elevated the importance of conservation in public lands decisions, adopting a rule putting it more on par with oil and gas development. They proposed withdrawing parcels of land in six states from potential future mining to protect a struggling bird species, the greater sage grouse. North Dakota is among Republican states that challenged the Biden administration’s public lands rule. The states said in a June lawsuit that officials acting to prevent climate change have turned laws meant to facilitate development into policies that obstruct drilling, livestock grazing and other uses. Oil production boomed over the past two decades in North Dakota thanks in large part to better drilling techniques. Burgum has been an industry champion and last year signed a repeal of the state’s oil tax trigger — a price-based tax hike industry leaders supported removing. Burgum’s office declined an interview request. In a statement after his nomination, Burgum echoed Trump’s call for U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. The 68-year-old governor also said the Interior post offered an opportunity to improve government relations with developers, tribes, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts “with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people.” Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s team is delaying transition agreements. What does it mean for security checks and governing? National Politics | Judge delays Trump hush money sentencing in order to decide where case should go now National Politics | Republicans scramble to fill JD Vance’s Ohio Senate seat National Politics | Fear of losing U.S. Space Command unites Colorado’s congressional delegation National Politics | Gaetz’s withdrawal highlights how incoming presidents often lose Cabinet nominees Under current Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the agency put greater emphasis on working collaboratively with tribes, including their own energy projects . Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe in New Mexico, also advanced an initiative to solve criminal cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and helped lead a nationwide reckoning over abuses at federal Indian boarding schools that culminated in a formal public apology from Biden. Burgum has worked with tribes in his state, including on oil development. Badlands Conservation Alliance director Shannon Straight in Bismarck, North Dakota, said Burgum has also been a big supporter of tourism in North Dakota and outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. Yet Straight said that hasn’t translated into additional protections for land in the state. “Theodore Roosevelt had a conservation ethic, and we talk and hold that up as a beautiful standard to live by,” he said. “We haven’t seen it as much on the ground. ... We need to recognize the landscape is only going to be as good as some additional protections.” Burgum has been a cheerleader of the planned Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. Brown reported from Billings, Montana.
The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has revealed many Americans’ fury and frustrations with their health insurance coverage. They have taken to social media to relay their stories, even as others have said they like their coverage . CNN would like to talk to readers about their experiences using their health insurance, both good and bad, for a future story.Phipps Bend TCAT students put together 550 Christmas meal boxes
EC chief proposes to restore Syria through donor conference mechanism
'The left failed': MAGA allies fist pump and declare 'huge win' after DOJ decisionJaipur: The illegal encroachment of the vegetable market on Sahakar Marg in Lalkothi, is increasing day by day, making it difficult for the public to walk on road. Despite several attempts by the administration to remove the encroachers, they return due to the lack of a permanent solution. Various departments seem to be shirking their responsibilities in this matter. Priyavrat Charan, DC of Malviya Nagar Zone, said, "I am not aware of this issue as I have recently taken charge. I will conduct an inspection soon and necessary action will be taken." Deputy mayor Puneet Karnawat said, "We have tried several times to remove these encroachers, but they come back repeatedly. It is easier for them to earn here, which is why they return. However, strict action will be taken soon after Rising Rajasthan Summit." JDA's DIG Kailash Bishnoi held the municipal corporation responsible for the encroachment and said, "It is JMC's responsibility to resolve this issue. We can only assist them." A few days ago, JMC held a meeting on this issue, where a proposal was made to provide an alternative location for the illegal vegetable market. However, due to the Rising Rajasthan Summit, this proposal has been put on hold for now. Residents and passersby have expressed that due to encroachment on the road, both vehicles and pedestrians face great difficulty. People are urging the administration to find an immediate and permanent solution to prevent this problem from reoccurring. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
Train collides with fire truck in Florida; 3 firefighters and several passengers hurtWASHINGTON , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridge Defense, a defense-technology company, has made a strategic investment in Federated IT, a trusted provider of mission-critical services to the U.S. government. Founded in 2002, Federated IT has built a reputation as a trusted partner to the U.S. Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense. With expertise optimizing cloud computing, data center operations and migration, enterprise architecture, scientific research and analyses, and cybersecurity solutions, Federated IT consistently delivers technically excellent, secure, and reliable solutions that empower national security clients to achieve their objectives. "This investment represents a pivotal step in Bridge Defense's mission to create the next-generation systems integrator," said Jack Kilcoyne , co-founder of Bridge Defense. "We will combine the critical services Federated IT provides with in-house software development capabilities to build a hybrid organization capable of delivering exceptional services and developing innovative solutions that address our customers' most pressing challenges." Kyle von Bucholz , CEO of Federated IT, added: "For over 20 years, Federated IT has focused on solving our clients' most complex challenges with integrity and technical excellence. Partnering with Bridge Defense will enable us to take that commitment to the next level by leveraging cutting-edge development capabilities and delivering an even greater impact for the federal agencies we serve." About Bridge Defense Bridge Defense is focused on delivering mission-critical services and innovative software solutions to national security customers. A hybrid systems integrator, Bridge Defense combines excellence in technical services with native development capabilities to deliver comprehensive and transformative solutions to address the rapidly evolving needs of national security customers. Bridge Defense is led by a team of Special Operations veterans with deep expertise in technology and government services. The company is headquartered in the Northeast, with a growing presence in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit Bridge-Defense.com . About Federated IT Federated IT is a leading provider of mission-critical IT and cybersecurity services to the U.S. government. Federated IT enables defense, national security, and federal law enforcement clients to expand, improve, and strengthen critical IT infrastructure and mission system capabilities within the Tier Ill - IV Enterprise IT Operations and Cyber Security domains. Federated IT's project portfolio includes the customization and delivery of optimized cloud computing, data center operations and migration, enterprise architecture, scientific research and analyses, and cybersecurity solutions. Federated IT is headquartered in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit FederatedIT.com . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bridge-defense-announces-strategic-investment-in-federated-it-302314581.html SOURCE Bridge DefenseA WOMAN who has lived in a tent for the past five years has lifted the lid on what life is really like in the great outdoors - including the incredible amount of money she saves with her alternative lifestyle. Manders Barnett considers herself to be an outside dweller, spending her days salvaging roadkill to eat and make clothes from, growing vegetables and foraging plants for medicine. The 33-year-old’s quirky way of life saves her a whopping $17,000 (£13,350) a year, with her outgoings totalling just $500 a month (£392). While she says trolls online “judge” her for living in an alternative way and not having a house, she loves spending as much of her time outside as possible – and claims it isn’t cold even in the winter. “I live full-time in my 10x12-foot wall tent,” Manders, who sells homemade goods on Etsy, told What's The Jam . “It’s well-insulated, and with a fire in the woodstove it maintains a cosy temperature. “I say I live outside because I consider it to be more inside than outside. “However, 90% of my day is spent fully outdoors. “I've learned many sustainable skills like hide tanning, basketry, hunting, knitting, foraging, and clothes-making. “I get to work for myself as a content creator and a crafter, make my own schedule, and generally spend more quality time with the landscape around me to try to understand it better - none of which I would be able to do if I had stayed in the city working all of my free time away.” Manders currently lives on private land with permission from the landowners, and a big draw of her lifestyle means she has fewer outgoings. She added: “I still have bills but my expenses are far lower than they were when I had an apartment, utilities, and car payments. “I used to pay $1,200 a month in rent and utilities when living in an apartment. “I also had car payments and renters insurance as well as a large phone bill each month, totalling over $2,000 each month. “I used to have yearly expenses of about $23,000. “Today with no rent, bills for electricity, or car payments my annual expenses come to around $6,000, saving me $17,000 a year. I do salvage deer roadkill for food and other animal roadkill for clothing “My current bills are a cheap phone plan, gas for my car, food costs and hay for my horses. “My income to pay for this current lifestyle comes from my Etsy Store, social media and odd jobs I do for locals.” Manders learnt many of her current skills from her ex-partner, who she originally lived with in a canvas tarp in the summer, and a tipi in the winter, from 2019-2021. Since splitting, she has ventured out on her own with her trusty Davis wall tent, where she remains today. Food is a key part of her sustainable life, with Manders foraging, growing her own food, hunting and eating roadkill. When she does need to shop, she chooses local farm stands and locally-owned farm shops. She said: “I'm self-sufficient in many ways living this way. “I avoid processed foods at all costs. CAR LIVING is on the up as people struggle to deal with the cost of living crisis, and others are seeking a nomadic existence. Here’s all we know about the rules on car life in the UK. In the UK, you are legally allowed to live in your car— just so long as you follow a few rules. The only requirement is that your car has passed its MOT and is entirely road-legal. If legally parked, there aren’t rules against sleeping or living in a car. The trend of car or van living has taken off in the United States, where some have been forced to leave rented accommodation after landlords put up the rent. Others have opted to live in their vehicle in pursuit of a free, nomadic lifestyle , where they can travel all over the country. There are certain circumstances in which it’s not legal to sleep in a car in the UK. Firstly, you must be in a safe parking spot, not in violation of any parking restrictions. Certain car parks, lay-bys, and national parks and forests have restrictions on overnight parking, which means you can’t sleep there in a vehicle. If restrictions are broken, you could be fined or even have your vehicle towed. Secondly, you must not be above the legal drink-drive limit or under the influence of any drugs, if you intend to sleep in your car. If over the limit, you could be charged with being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle in a public place, even if you’re not driving. The ban on sleeping in your car when you're drunk comes under the Road Traffic Act 1988. The rule says you can be found guilty of an offence if in charge of a vehicle on a road or public place “after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit.” “I do salvage deer roadkill for food and other animal roadkill for clothing. “I have a garden and grow simple vegetables in it like peppers, tomatoes and squash. “Sometimes, when I'm able, I hunt for meat – mostly deer. “One deer will usually have enough meat to last me a year and I can the meat to preserve it since I don't have access to a chest freezer. The negativity doesn't bother me as much as it used to, as being on social media tends to come with criticism no matter what you do “But I do shop at local farm stands and locally owned farm stores for food – I always try to support local farmers and ethically sourced foods.” Her roadkill proves handy in other ways. She said: “I tan buckskin and fur pelts and turn the skins into bags, clothes, and other items. “I try to use as much of the animal as possible. “I love to make my own clothes and accessories through knitting, card weaving and hide tanning. “Usually if I need a tool, I will try to make it so I don't have to buy it. “I've made a couple outfits from deer hides and fur pelts, as well as knitted warmer things like headbands and scarves. “In the winter I need firewood but instead of buying it I will go cut it myself with a permit on public land. “Another way I'm self-sufficient is my foraging skills. “I know a lot about wild native plants and can gather food and medicine throughout the year, as well as planting back some of those plants, to create a positive impact from my foraging activities.” Manders documents her way of life on TikTok , where she has racked up over 200,000 followers – but viewers are often critical of her. She explained: “Strangers on social media tend to have a variety of reactions however; some are enamoured with my lifestyle and others display hostility claiming I'm a fake. Houseboats can be cheaper than buying a home on dry land but doesn't come without risks. You may be able to get a special type of mortgage for a boat, but it can be more difficult than getting a traditional home loan and have higher rates of interest. You won't pay stamp duty when buying a boat to live on, and you can move to a different location whenever you want without having to sell up. You might even be able to live in a location where you wouldn't be able to afford a bricks and mortar house. But space can be more limited, and the value of houseboats can generally go down over time, like a car or motorbike. A licence which you need from the canal and river trust can cost anywhere between £510 and £1,100 a year depending on the size of the boat. There are likely to be ongoing costs for maintenance and mooring as well as fuel, a boat safety certificate and, of course, insurance. There’s always something that needs to be done on a boat – from engine servicing to treating rust spots, not to mention emptying the toilet and filling the water tank. Energy bills could be higher on the boat than a home as they are generally harder to insulate. If your boat is moored permanently, it will typically be in the lowest tax band, with single occupants benefiting from a 25% reduction. However, if you’re happy to move every two weeks as a ‘continuous cruiser,’ you won’t have to pay this “The negativity doesn't bother me as much as it used to, as being on social media tends to come with criticism no matter what you do. “I think the only downside [to my lifestyle] is having very few people to relate my perspectives to. “Living this way for years transforms a person both emotionally and psychologically that deviates from the “normal” modality of thinking. “At times I feel distanced from the frivolous concerns of domesticated society which brings about a sense of futility when it comes to my own efforts. “Because I can't relate to most others, they can't relate to me, and that results in discord because I constantly speak out against the complacency for the destruction of ecosystems. “But the best part of living this way has always been the ability to deepen my relationship with nature as well as practice individual autonomy and independence.”
VALENCIA, Calif., Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AVITA Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCEL, ASX: AVH), a commercial-stage regenerative medicine company focused on first-in-class devices for wound care management and skin restoration, today announced that Jim Corbett, Chief Executive Officer, will present at the at the Piper Sandler 36th Annual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. A live webcast of the fireside chat will be accessible under the Events & Presentations section of the Company's website at https://ir.avitamedical.com . A replay of the webcast will be available following the conclusion of the event. About AVITA Medical, Inc. AVITA Medical® is a commercial-stage regenerative medicine company transforming the standard of care in wound care management and skin restoration with innovative devices. At the forefront of our platform is the RECELL® System, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of thermal burn wounds and full-thickness skin defects, and for repigmentation of stable depigmented vitiligo lesions. RECELL harnesses the regenerative properties of a patient’s own skin to create Spray-On SkinTM Cells, delivering a transformative solution at the point-of-care. This breakthrough technology serves as the catalyst for a new treatment paradigm enabling improved clinical outcomes. In the United States, AVITA Medical also holds the exclusive rights to market, sell, and distribute PermeaDerm®, a biosynthetic wound matrix, and CohealyxTM, an AVITA Medical-branded collagen-based dermal matrix. In international markets, the RECELL System is approved to promote skin healing in a wide range of applications including burns, full-thickness skin defects, and vitiligo. The RECELL System is TGA-registered in Australia, has received CE mark approval in Europe, and has PMDA approval in Japan. To learn more, visit www.avitamedical.com . Authorized for release by the Chief Financial Officer of AVITA Medical, Inc. Investor & Media Contact: Jessica Ekeberg Phone +1-661-904-9269 investor@avitamedical.com media@avitamedical.comHewlett Packard Enterprise Co. stock underperforms Monday when compared to competitors despite daily gains
PTT Oil and Retail Business Charts Path to Global Leadership with Sustainability at the CoreAmericaFest Poll: JD Vance Runaway Frontrunner for 2028 Presidential PickThe Agenda revolves around job-creation, education and health care improvements, poverty reduction, and ensuring opportunities for success for all Nigerians. The eight key priority areas as outlined by the president are: Reform the economy to deliver sustained, inclusive growth; strengthen national security for peace and prosperity; boost agriculture to achieve food security, and unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development. Others are: Enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth; focus on education, health, and social investment as essential pillars of development; accelerate diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing & innovation, and Improve governance for effective service delivery. In a chat with this reporter, a Senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in the 2023 elections, Abubakar Abdullahi, sympathised with Nigerians over the current economic hardships occasioned by what he called “unavoidable government policy choices.” He urged Nigerians to be resolute “in these trying moments,” adding that President Tinubu was committed to building a strong and proud country that works for the good of all citizens. He said, “Like several other nations, we are currently grappling with diverse challenges, but we remain resolute in our inalienable destiny to build a strong and proud country that works for the good of all citizens irrespective of status, tribe, religion and creed. “Let me assure you that this administration is committed to its promise of working sacrificially to deliver the dividends of democracy to every Nigerian citizen. This government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very much aware of and deeply sympathises with all Nigerians over the economic conditions we are passing through. “These have been occasioned by unavoidable policy choices, including the removal of fuel subsidies, that his administration has had to make. “Notwithstanding the daunting challenges, ceaseless efforts are being made to cushion the immediate impact and to create new opportunities on the short, medium and long-term basis, through diligent implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda. “These policies and programmes are being implemented for long-term solutions to these problems and I assure us all that in no distant time, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the trajectory of our socio-economic development would soar higher in the positive territory.” The Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, highlighted some accomplishments of the Tinubu administration which, according to him, have positively impacted Nigerians. He said President Tinubu followed through with his promises on easing transportation difficulties Nigerians experienced with the establishment of the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) and the launch of the first phase of buses, powered by hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). According to him, this is work in progress because the Presidential Initiative is designed to expand across all geo-political zones of the country. He said, “The government has also commissioned the first retrofitted CNG train head for the Abuja-Kaduna track. This is intended to cut the cost of travel by up to fifty percent when fully operational. In order to encourage conversion to CNG-powered land transportation, the government has also commenced the distribution of CNG conversion kits at no cost to Nigerians. “The benefits of the CNG transport system to Nigerians are huge reduction in costs. The Presidential Initiative on CNG marked its first year of implementation recently, with the number of vehicle conversion centers in the country rising from fewer than 10 to more than 120. “The goal is to make CNG a fuel of choice for private and commercial transportation in Nigeria, bringing down costs by as much as 50 to 60 percent. We are already seeing enthusiastic uptake of the initiative, and the government is supporting this by way of fiscal incentives and subsidised conversions.” Speaking on the policies of President Tinubu on education, an associate professor of Development Communication, Bright Etekamba, said on so many fronts, the outgoing year has brought significant policy and legislative milestones that are helping to cement the very foundations of the president’s grand vision for Nigeria. He said, “Take the examples of the Students Loan Fund and the Consumer Credit Corporation, two institutions targeted at putting more resources in the pockets of the Nigerian people, empowering them to turn their dreams into opportunities. “With the Students Loan Fund, we are seeing, for the first time in decades, Nigerian students at tertiary level, getting targeted federal assistance to pursue their academic ambitions, through long-term loans (and stipends) that are designed to not be burdensome in any way. In less than one year, more than 300, 000 Nigerian students have already benefitted. “The Nigerian Students Loan Fund initiative of the Tinubu administration has disbursed the sum of N2.5 billion to over 22,120 beneficiaries across the nation’s higher institutions. This is a welcome relief for parents and an opportunity to access education by indigent students. “The young people of Nigeria now have a clearer path to sustainable tertiary education through the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act 2024, which has established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Complementing this is the new Consumer Credit Corporation, established to guarantee access to low-cost and flexible consumer credit.” On the rising prices of food items, a member of the Presidential Initiative on Livestock Reform, Danasebe Maiyaki, said the government has reduced tariffs on importation of certain categories of food in order to crash prices. “One of the major issues facing Nigerians is rising food prices. To bolster food security, availability and ensure affordability of food, the government has removed tariffs on the importation of certain categories of food. In addition, the government has distributed fertilizers, farm inputs and other critical items to boost dry season food production,” he said. He praised President Tinubu’s establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development as a game-changing move to unlock the sector’s vast potential and maximise its value-chains. “Most recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took a bold and transformative step by establishing and operationalising a dedicated Ministry for Livestock Development. This strategic move underscores the administration’s recognition of the immense potential within the livestock sector, often referred to as an untapped gold mine. “Food security is at the core of the nation’s national security, survival, stability and sovereignty; it is in realisation of this that President Tinubu, upon assumption of office, renamed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. “The current administration is committed to tackling the multifaceted challenges hindering self-sufficiency in food production, leveraging the nation’s vast arable land, favorable climate, and youthful population. “Nigeria, blessed with vast arable land, favourable climatic conditions, and a youthful population, has the potential to be a global agricultural powerhouse. Yet, we face significant challenges in attaining affordability and self-sufficiency in food production. This on-going challenge is what has informed the special attention that the president is paying to this very important sector, which happens to be the biggest employer of labour in the country,” he said. He highlighted that early in his administration, President Tinubu launched three critical agricultural interventions – declaring a State of Emergency on food insecurity; initiating a food security and sustainability intervention project, and cracking down on hoarders, smugglers, and saboteurs to ensure affordability, availability, and accessibility of essential commodities. “Nigeria’s path to food security is not insurmountable, particularly through our collective resolve; we can transform our nation into a land of abundance, where no Nigerian goes to bed hungry,” he said further. Speaking on the socio-economic front, a political economist, Dr. Njamenze Orbih, hailed the president for his giant strides despite the global economic recession. He said, “Undoubtedly, one of the significant setbacks to rural socio-economic development in Nigeria has been the absence of direct fiscal control by elected local government administrations. “In a landmark move, President Tinubu has taken a decisive step toward implementing local government autonomy by getting a verdict from the Supreme Court. This action demonstrates his administration’s commitment to a deep-rooted restructuring of the country, enhancing governance and development at the grassroots level, and promoting effectiveness and accountability in local governance. “In addition, a lot of work is going towards ensuring macroeconomic stability, stabilising the foreign exchange regime, reforming the tax system to make it more efficient, and less burdensome on Nigerians, repositioning our oil and gas sector to attract new investment, and prioritising the diversification and expansion of government revenues. “Under the visionary leadership of President Tinubu, we have initiated transformative policies and reforms aimed at correcting the missteps of the past and repositioning Nigeria as an economic superpower in the near future. “Despite the global economic headwinds and the transitional pains accompanying some of the reforms, the president has remained focused in his efforts towards reviving our economy and returning the country to the path of prosperity and sustainable growth.” Likewise, an IT expert and chief executive officer of Falcon Eye Network, Reni Tyioda, said initiative by the present administration to create jobs for youth in the digital economy sector is yielding results. He said, “The federal government has set up the structures to create three million jobs for the Nigerian youth through the 3Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme. The initiative, being driven by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Technology, is an incubator for the education and skills desired to enhance the capacity and value of the youths in national security intelligence. “The 3MTT Programme is an affirmation of President Tinubu’s vision of factoring youth development into the overall national development strategy. To lay a formidable framework towards achieving this, the administration is also prioritising the economic security of Nigerian youths, towards building a more secure and prosperous country.” Meanwhile, a foremost entrepreneur and president of the Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has commended President Tinubu for the positive impact of the Naira for crude swap deal on the Nigerian economy, which has led to reduction in prices of petroleum products in the country. To provide succour to Nigerians, Dangote recently reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N970 to N899.50 at its Refinery loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers. “To ensure that this price reduction gets to the end consumer, we have signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre” he said. In his statement, he called on other oil marketers such as the NNPC Retail and all other marketers “to work with us to ensure that Nigerians enjoy high-quality petrol at discounted prices.” “The Dangote Refinery is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. We will therefore continue to work with various value-chain players to deliver high quality petrol at cheaper prices. Our aim is for all Nigerians to have ready access to high quality petroleum products that are good for their vehicles, good for their health, and good for their pockets,” the statement read in part. Dangote thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support and the government for creating an enabling environment for the domestic refining industry. Similarly, travellers have thumbed up President Tinubu’s 50 per cent subsidised holiday transport services across the country. The initiative which was officially flagged off by the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali, is aimed at ensuring seamless travel for citizens for the festive season, covers both road and rail operations and is scheduled to run from December 24, 2024, to January 5, 2025. observed that travellers were seen at the Eagles Square in Abuja boarding the transport services to their various destinations after being officially flagged off by the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali. A traveller, Madam Juliet Okoli, boarding the transport service to Lagos state, said the initiative is commendable considering the economy cash crunch in the country. “I am happy that I can travel to Lagos at a cheaper rate to spend the Christmas celebration with my family and I urged the federal government to do more for Nigerians by reducing the fuel price to as low as N300 to N400,” she said. Another traveller, Joseph Akor, who couldn’t hold his excitement, commended the federal government for the transport service initiative and urged the transport unions to make it accessible for all Nigerians.
EC chief proposes to restore Syria through donor conference mechanism
EC chief proposes to restore Syria through donor conference mechanismDEAN McCullough celebrated his best ever Bushtucker Trial result amid backlash from I'm A Celebrity fans. It was the sixth time the public had voted for the Radio One presenter - despite accusations he's faking his fears. 5 Radio One presenter Danni Diston Credit: Instagram/@dannidiston 5 Dean climbing up to the top of the beanstalk Credit: ITV 5 It was a heights-based challenge Credit: ITV 5 Dean celebrated his record number of stars Credit: ITV Host Ant McPartlin moaned on Unpacked: "Who's still voting for Dean? I don't get it" as frustrated campmates voiced they desperately want the public to stop voting for him to do trials. "I've got no fears left to face," insisted Dean as he embarked on Jack and the Scream Stalk during Monday night's episode. He went on to achieve his personal best score of 10 out of 12 stars. Now his BBC Radio One pal Danni Diston has defended Dean against allegations he was previously acting up for the cameras with his terrified screams. READ MORE ON I'M A CELEB LOOSE LIPS Danny Jones' weird sleep routine revealed by his wife - and what he'll miss jungle buddy Helen Flanagan reveals who she's rooting for in I'm A Celeb & it's NOT Alan Explaining why Dean is performing better than when he twice called out I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Danni exclusively told The Sun: "He's probably dealing with the fact that he's hungry himself. "Maybe that's giving him more adrenaline to get it done. "I think when you've done one trial, it's hard, then when you do two you get used to it and three and four and so on. "I think it helps when he's got someone there to really cheer him on. Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 team jane Jane Moore’s Loose Women co-stars reveal real reason for her I'm A Celeb outburst VARDY VERDICT Coleen Rooney smashed her first trial says Rebekah Vardy in I’m a Celeb diary camp exit? I’m A Celeb fans fear star has ‘gone missing’ as they ‘forget’ he’s on the show trouble brewing Shock moment I’m A Celeb feud is revealed as star ‘side eyes’ Dean "He's done so well when he's been with Coleen and when he was with Danny. "I think having an extra person with him clearly boosted his confidence. "He's getting better. He's definitely getting better. Him and Ant even had a handshake. "As Dean likes to say they're besties. He loves it." The heights trial included a large beanstalk and a castle with 12 stars up for grabs in 12 minutes. He started by climbing up the beanstalk, collecting stars as he went. I'm A Celebrity 2024 i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher. Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth." When he got to the top of the beanstalk, and to the highest point in the Trial, he had to collect and assemble the golden egg, before moving to the castle to collect the rest of the stars. Dean moaned: "I'm knackered lads. I hate heights. I'm so tired." As he made his way up the beanstalk, Dean had to put his hand in various hell holes containing the likes of green ants, cockroaches, giant mealworms and spiders to collect each star. Next up, he had to piece together the golden egg which constituted star number 5. Finally, he had to conquer the castle, where the remaining seven stars were up for grabs, with Dean needing to climb the castle wall to reach each of the hell holes. But as Dean grew higher up the castle wall and it began to tip, he grew tired and ran out of strength to hold on, meaning he let go of the hand hold - dramatically falling and losing out on the final two stars. However, it was still his highest number of stars so far - without rallying support from another campmate. Ant and Dec gave Dean a round of applause and the elated radio personality made his way back to camp to let them know the good news. Asked if Dean now deserves a break from doing more Bushtucker Trials, Danni said: "I think he he deserves a break, but also it is fun to watch him. "He's funny, he screams, and we love it so I'm kind of up for both. He probably wouldn't want me to say that, he'd probably say 'stop voting', but it's great telly." Read more on the Scottish Sun 'DISAPPOINTED' Harry Potter steam train blasted by passengers who 'dreaded' return journey COLD BEERS SPFL side spotted going for a PINT after their bus got stuck in the snow From January, Danni is moving to a new slot on BBC Radio One with her co-host Sam MacGregor. Sam and Danni, who previously held the Weekend Breakfast slot, will now host an afternoon show that runs from Friday to Sunday, 1-4pm. 5 Danni with her co-host Sam MacGregor Credit: BBC
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The Parliament of Zimbabwe had a busy year, passing five bills while still having at least 10 outstanding. This reflects its ongoing commitment to fulfilling its constitutional mandate to create laws that ensure peace, order, and good governance. Notably, this year marked the second anniversary of sessions held in the new Parliament building in Mount Hampden. This modern facility is spacious and equipped with advanced technology, a significant upgrade from the previous, more cramped quarters. Additionally, President Mnangagwa delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) and legislative agenda at this impressive six-storey structure, which symbolises the strengthening of bilateral relations with China, the building’s benefactor. This year has seen legislators actively engaging in debates, fulfilling their roles in legislation, oversight, and representation. One of the Bills that drew a lot of attention was the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Amendment Bill which seeks to demand better financial accountability of private voluntary organisations through tightening of financial accounting. It demands that PVOs remain solely within listed functions, while it will deal with criminals carrying out undesirable and harmful illegal activities under the name of charity in compliance with the Financial Action Task Force, which is the world’s police against money laundering by ensuring that charitable trusts are not misused as means for channelling funds to sponsor terrorism and other criminal activities or to launder the proceeds of criminal activities by buying properties in Zimbabwe and other countries. The Bill was sent back to Parliament last year after President Mnangagwa expressed reservations on some clauses he wanted cleaned up but it subsequently lapsed owing to the prorogation of the Parliamentary session before it was eventually dissolved to pave the way for general elections in August last year. One of the Bills that have sailed through is the Death Penalty Abolition Bill which seeks to abolish capital punishment in the legal statutes, a move that has been welcomed by human rights activists. The Bill was initially brought before Parliament by Dzivarasekwa Member of Parliament, Mr Edwin Mushoriwa as a Private Members Bill before the Executive, represented by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi took over in a show of convergence between legislators and the Executive on the need to remove capital punishment. The Bill sailed through Parliament and now awaits presidential assent before it has legal force and effect. Another law that has passed and now awaits Presidential assent is the Administration of Estates Act which seeks to confer some autonomy on the Master of the High Court by removing the office from the Judicial Service Commission. The Act has also rationalised some powers used to be conferred on the Master of the High Court. They include the powers to unilaterally dispose of assets of an estate or powers to remove an executor without going through the due process of approaching the court and arguing his or her way. The new measures are meant to enhance transparency and protection of widows, widowers and orphans in the exercise of their rights on deceased estates. Another Bill is the Persons with Disability Amendment Bill meant to advance the interests of people living with disability. The Person with Disabilities Bill seeks to provide for the alignment of the law over disabilities to the Constitution and reflects a human rights-based approach to disability, fundamental rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities. There is also the Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill, Medical Services Amendment Bill and Civil Aviation Amendment Bill that are still under consideration. The Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill that seeks to among other things make it mandatory for motorists to buy a radio license before buying a vehicle licence and insurance cover is also going through a public hearing through the relevant portfolio committee. The public hearings are part of the requirement by legislators to gather views from members of the public on a Bill in fulfilment of Constitutional requirements. Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere tabled the Bill in the National Assembly last Thursday where it was read for the First time. The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, which has been on the cards for more than six years, seeks among other issues, to reserve the small-scale mining sector for local people and build up the rights of a farmer ahead of a miner in a case where a mineral is found on actively farmed land. There has been a long wait on the Bill as stakeholders wait in anticipation that it will end the farmer and miner dispute, particularly on whose rights take precedence. The Medical Services Amendment Bill seeks to align the principal Act with the Constitution, especially in the Declaration of Rights where the right to health care for all citizens and permanent residents is entrenched along with the rights of children, rights of the elderly, rights of the disabled and rights of war veterans where medical services are a factor. The Insurance and Pension Commissions Amendment Bill, which seeks to revolutionalise the insurance sector, is also under consideration, as is the State Service Pension Fund. The State Services Pension Fund seeks to ensure that Members enjoy a decent standard of living in retirement by providing Pensions, gratuities, and other benefits as part of providing social security to retired civil servants. Other Bills include the Finance and Appropriation Bill currently under consideration which is meant to give legal force and effect to various fiscal policy measures that were introduced by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube. With all these Bills, one hopes they will be concluded soon so that they begin to have an impact on the National Development Strategy 1. Mukudzei Chingwere, Herald Reporter The flames of independence were kept ablaze by music before and during the protracted liberation struggle in high-density suburbs like Mbare, Highfield, Makokoba, Mpopoma, Mtapa and Sakubva, among others, President Mnangagwa has said. He was speaking at the presentation of gifts to Mbare Chimurenga Choir Groups on Boxing Day at State [...] Crime Reporter At least 77 people were killed while 401 others were injured in 1 211 road traffic accidents recorded countrywide between December 15 and yesterday. During the same period last year, 71 people were killed while 393 others were injured in 1 454 road accidents recorded. In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul [...] Gibson Nyikadzino, Herald Correspondent FRANCE is happy about the improving business and trade ties with Zimbabwe and will continue nurturing them to allow more cooperation between the two countries, French Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Paul-Bertrand Barets, has said. Ambassador Barets said relations between the two countries “can still be improved a lot and developed”, adding that [...]
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