Pardon who? Hunter Biden case renews ethical debate over use and limits of peculiar presidential power
The first reactions to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 are in, and it sounds like the third entry in the series ups the ante for the blue blur in a major way. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is directed by Jeff Fowler and stars Ben Schwartz as the titular hedgehog. The cast also features Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Tails, Idris Elba as Knuckles, and Keanu Reeves as Shadow. Actors appearing in live action roles include James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, and Jim Carrey in a dual role as both Dr. Robotnik and his grandfather Gerald. "sonic 3 rules. it’s the closest Hollywood has made to a dragon ball movie. there was plenty for a longtime fan to clap and cheer for, which i did in a mostly empty theater, and outside of a few expected cringe jokes, this was a hilarious story," Washington Post's Gene Park writes on Twitter. "#SonicMovie3 begs the question: What if Ben Schwartz made me cry as a blue guy who has to go fast? Just as action-packed and as fun as the first two films, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 really ups the anti and reminds us why we love these movies. Go TEAM SONIC!" says Rachel Leishman of The Mary Sue. "It’s not often that each movie gets better in a trilogy, but #SonicMovie3 is the best of the bunch. There’s action-packed goofiness a plenty thanks to Jim Carrey pulling double duty, but what I didn’t expect was a surprisingly moving performance from Keanu Reeves and a third act that might make Sonic fans a little weepy-eyed. Also - there are two big post credits scenes so AVOID SPOILERS. It’s clear [Fowler] and crew have a great affinity for the Blue Blur and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon," according to Chris Killian of ComicBook.com. "I’ve seen Sonic 3 and I was surprised that my favorite emotional arc was actually with Dr. Robotnik (!!) The cast is as wonderful and goofy as ever and I teared up when I heard [SPOILER]. Also, you are NOT prepared for the mid-credits scene," Jeffrey Vega of IGN says. "Surprising no one... #SonicMovie3 is the best Sonic yet! It's also the best video game adaptation to date. With electrifying action, truly touching moments, and Jim Carrey doing what he does best, Sonic 3 marks a wonderfully chaotic end to the year. What an utter blast!" says James Lister of Get Your Comic On. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hits theaters on December 20 in the US and December 21 in the UK. For now, check out our guides to all the movie release dates and upcoming video game movies you need to know about.Ghanaians have overwhelmingly voted for President-Elect John Dramani Mahama, entrusting him with the critical task of fixing the country’s ailing economy and restoring confidence in the business community. Many believe this is not just a political mandate but a divine calling for him to make a significant impact on Ghana’s future. However, achieving this vision will require the support of individuals with integrity, competence, and a genuine commitment to national service. One key issue that has sparked concern among party insiders and the public is the alleged conduct and ambitions of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam. Reports indicate that Dr. Forson harbored ambitions of becoming the running mate to Mr. Mahama during the 2024 elections. Allegedly, this ambition led him to undermine the contributions of Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, accusing her of not adding value to the 2020 ticket and disrespecting her during the Assin North by-election. The allegations do not end there. It is rumored that Dr. Forson’s ultimate goal is to become Finance Minister under President Mahama’s administration. This position, according to sources, would allegedly be used to amass personal wealth ahead of a potential bid to become the party’s flagbearer after John Mahama’s tenure. Such ambitions, if true, could tarnish the hard-earned reputation of the President-Elect and derail efforts to rebuild the economy. Concerns about Dr. Forson’s suitability for the role are further fuelled by questions surrounding his financial history. In 2007, before becoming an MP, Dr. Forson reportedly filed for bankruptcy. Today, his wealth raises questions about its sources, with some asking whether this transformation has come at the expense of the nation. There are also longstanding allegations of incompetence and corruption associated with Dr. Forson. Many believe that his appointment as Finance Minister could undermine public and investor confidence in Ghana’s economic governance. The business community, whose trust is vital to Ghana’s economic recovery, may hesitate to engage with a ministry led by someone perceived as controversial. Ato Forson is incompetent and has academic credibility issues which must be questioned. The qualifications he listed include; MSc. Taxation (Tax and Public Policy) 2020; PhD (Finance) 2020. Additionally, Forson’s academic achievements have drawn skepticism. Between 2018 and 2020, he reportedly obtained Chartered Accountant certification, an MSc in Taxation, and a PhD in Finance. Observers question how he managed to balance these pursuits alongside his duties as an MP and businessman, raising doubts about their authenticity. The stakes are high as President-Elect Mahama prepares to form his government. Ghanaians are looking to him to deliver on his promise of restoring hope and reviving the economy. To achieve this, the Finance Ministry must be entrusted to an individual who is not only competent but also respected and beyond reproach. The choice of leadership will send a strong signal to both Ghanaians and the international community about the seriousness of this administration’s commitment to accountability and progress. It is crucial that the President-Elect remains vigilant and ensures that all appointments reflect the expectations of the people. Ghanaians have placed their faith in him to lead a government of integrity, and the right team will be essential to realizing this vision. By Sani Mohammed
Struggling Nissan in talks for massive merger with Honda that could bring huge technology change for driversIt’s official: Justin Trudeau has finally given up on being the prime minister of Canada. There have been plenty of previous warning signs. During the NAFTA renegotiations, for instance, Trudeau pressed the United States and Mexico to include progressive concepts like gender rights and Indigenous rights, which have nothing to do with free trade. His ignorance of the nuances of the job was on full display in 2021, when he said, “You’ll forgive me if I don’t think about monetary policy.” And his decision to go surfing in Tofino, B.C., during the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in 2021 showed his complete disinterest in national leadership. What Trudeau recently said about U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, the U.S. election and feminism proves that he’s shifted from a lame-duck to a dead-duck prime minister. On Tuesday evening, Trudeau spoke at an event hosted by the Equal Voice Foundation, a “registered charity dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics,” according to its website. He clearly decided that this was the perfect venue to spout off several buckets of drivel about Trump and the U.S. election to a largely like-minded audience. “Just a few weeks ago, the United States voted for a second time to not elect its first woman president,” he said at the Equal Voice Gala Marking International Human Rights Day in Ottawa. “Everywhere, women’s rights and women’s progress is under attack. Overtly, and subtly. But I want you to know that I am, and always will be, a proud feminist. You will always have an ally in me and in my government.” These lines perfectly define Trudeau’s nine years as prime minister: divisive and delusional. Let’s start with his decision to keep calling himself a feminist. That’s pretty rich, all things considered. Two former senior cabinet ministers, Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott, would likely disagree based on their experiences in pushing back against the prime minister during the SNC-Lavalin affair. Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Trudeau’s former parliamentary secretary, would also likely disagree based on the “hostility” and “anger” she reportedly faced in private conversations with him. Ruth Ellen Brosseau, a former NDP MP who he bumped into during a May 2016 parliamentary session, in what came to be known as “Elbowgate,” might like a word, too. Meanwhile, over half of eligible American voters didn’t decide not to elect its first female president. They decided that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris was a lousy choice who lacked the political knowledge, policy understanding and horse sense to lead the country. Trump may have his faults, but as I wrote in these pages recently, he’s a “far more competent political leader on his worst day than Harris would ever be on her best.” Also, when has Canada ever elected a female prime minister? The only woman to hold the position, Kim Campbell, was chosen by delegates at the Progressive Conservative leadership convention in 1993. It appears that Trudeau has a selective memory — or no memory at all. Returning to Trump, it’s fair to say that Trudeau’s comment was his mealymouthed way of countering the president-elect’s recent trolling efforts. This goes back to their Nov. 29 dinner meeting at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Trudeau reportedly told Trump that his proposed 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods would destroy Canada’s economy. Trump then jokingly said that Canada could become the 51st state, with Trudeau serving as its governor. Trump continued to tease Trudeau in the days that followed. There was the widely viewed Dec. 3 meme that Trump posted to Truth Social of an AI-generated image of him standing on a mountain next to a Canadian flag, with the words, “Oh Canada!” On Tuesday, he called Trudeau “governor” and Canada a “great state.” Trudeau’s decision to push back by lamenting the results of the U.S. election may have given him some pleasure in private, but it was an extraordinarily stupid move to make in public. Trump, like most world leaders, knows this prime minister is weak and ineffective. He didn’t have much respect for Trudeau to begin with, and this indirect jab probably eliminated what little he had left. In the midst of difficult discussions about forthcoming tariffs that could potentially hurt both countries’ economies, it is beyond comprehension that the prime minister would choose to poke the presidential bear. That’s not the way to save us from Trump, which Trudeau claims only he can accomplish. No one is suggesting the prime minister should lay down and give in to every demand that Trump makes. Then again, Trump makes some fair points about this government’s lack of commitment to border security and national defence. This is the perfect opportunity to implement much-needed reforms. If Canadian goods end up getting hit with a 25 per cent tariffs, it will be due to Trudeau’s decision to have seemingly given up on being our leader. What a disgrace. National Post
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier announced Wednesday that he would return to the Tigers for his senior season. "I'm fully committed to bringing this university a championship," Nussmeier said in a video posted to social media . "My teammates, coaches, and the fans will get the absolute best out of me every single day until we complete that goal." Editor's Picks Bowl season preview: Storylines to know and players to watch from each matchup Kiper's new 2025 Big Board: Ranking the top 25 NFL draft prospects, plus position reports After backing up Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels in 2022 and 2023, Nussmeier took over as the Tigers' starting quarterback this season and threw for 3,739 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Nussmeier, the son of Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier, is ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.'s No. 7-ranked draft-eligible quarterback and was a potential first-round pick. LSU went 8-4 during the regular season and will play Baylor in the Texas Bowl on New Year's Eve.
NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urged a judge again Friday to throw out his hush money conviction, balking at the prosecution’s suggestion of preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies. They called the idea “absurd.” The Manhattan district attorney's office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. They include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won't include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn't sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday their position that the only acceptable option is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. The immunity statute requires dropping the case, not merely limiting sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump" who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend the jury’s verdict, which came when he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges even as he leads that nation’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his May 30 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. John Fetterman used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of President Joe Biden’s pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel Jack Smith has ended his two federal cases , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.Activating your credit card? Don’t skip the mobile wallet step
NiSource Inc. stock underperforms Friday when compared to competitorsDOVER, Del. (AP) — A Delaware judge has reaffirmed her ruling that Tesla must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick on Monday denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. McCormick also rejected an equally unprecedented and massive fee request by plaintiff attorneys , who argued that they were entitled to legal fees in the form of Tesla stock valued at more than $5 billion. The judge said the attorneys were entitled to a fee award of $345 million. The rulings came in a lawsuit filed by a Tesla stockholder who challenged Musk’s 2018 compensation package. McCormick concluded in January that Musk engineered the landmark pay package in sham negotiations with directors who were not independent. The compensation package initially carried a potential maximum value of about $56 billion, but that sum has fluctuated over the years based on Tesla’s stock price. Following the court ruling, Tesla shareholders met in June and ratified Musk’s 2018 pay package for a second time, again by an overwhelming margin. Defense attorneys then argued that the second vote makes clear that Tesla shareholders, with full knowledge of the flaws in the 2018 process that McCormick pointed out, were adamant that Musk is entitled to the pay package. They asked the judge to vacate her order directing Tesla to rescind the pay package. McCormick, who seemed skeptical of the defense arguments during an August hearing, said in Monday’s ruling that those arguments were fatally flawed. “The large and talented group of defense firms got creative with the ratification argument, but their unprecedented theories go against multiple strains of settled law,” McCormick wrote in a 103-page opinion. The judge noted, among other things, that a stockholder vote standing alone cannot ratify a conflicted-controller transaction. “Even if a stockholder vote could have a ratifying effect, it could not do so here due to multiple, material misstatements in the proxy statement,” she added. Meanwhile, McCormick found that the $5.6 billion fee request by the shareholder’s attorneys, which at one time approached $7 billion based on Tesla’s trading price, went too far. “In a case about excessive compensation, that was a bold ask,” McCormick wrote. Attorneys for the Tesla shareholder argue that their work resulted in the “massive” benefit of returning shares to Tesla that otherwise would have gone to Musk and diluted the stock held by other Tesla investors. They value that benefit at $51.4 billion, using the difference between the stock price at the time of McCormick’s January ruling and the strike price of some 304 million stock options granted to Musk. While finding that the methodology used to calculate the fee request was sound, the judge noted that the Delaware’s Supreme Court has noted that fee award guidelines “must yield to the greater policy concern of preventing windfalls to counsel.” “The fee award here must yield in this way, because $5.6 billion is a windfall no matter the methodology used to justify it,” McCormick wrote. A fee award of $345 million, she said, was “an appropriate sum to reward a total victory.” The fee award amounts to almost exactly half the current record $688 million in legal fees awarded in 2008 in litigation stemming from the collapse of Enron.Wheatley honored as 'Distinguished Worldwide Humanitarian' for 2024
QB Josh Allen and coach Sean McDermott deserve credit in Bills latest AFC East-clinching season
Zelenskiy Huddles With European Leaders In Brussels Ahead Of Trump's ReturnTULISA Contostavlos’ ex and N-Dubz bandmate Fazer says she should be an “inspiration to Britain’s women” over her Bell’s palsy battle. The singer , 36, has had cosmetic surgery for the condition, which causes facial paralysis . 3 I'm A Celeb's Tulisa Contostavlos has had cosmetic surgery for her Bell’s palsy condition Credit: Eroteme 3 Tulisa's ex Fazer says she should be an 'inspiration to Britain’s women' over her health battle Credit: Getty Some I’m A Celeb viewers have made vile jibes about her appearance — causing a backlash from the star’s pals. Fazer , 37, told The Sun of his admiration for her courage. He said: “It was heartbreaking to see. “At one point, T won FHM’s Sexiest Woman. READ MORE IN TV UNHAPPY CAMPER Moment Ant admits being 'unprofessional' after bullying claims BIG BOTHER Big Brother star leaves house to find son in jail on axe & drug charges “You’ve got to think, from that to having Bell’s palsy and trying to fix it ... it’s a lot. “It’s a lot for any female. “That’s why I feel like the public should be behind T and say, you know what, she’s one of our own, and she’s been through it. "She is a f*****g fighter and praise to her. Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 FAMILIAR FACE Maura Higgins breaks her silence on awkwardly sharing a camp with ex’s dad SILENT TREATMENT Here’s why I'm A Celeb won’t get money’s worth out of £1.5m Coleen GUT PUNCH I'm A Celeb's Dean in swipe at Ant in awkward moment as he quits another trial sussed out I’m A Celeb fans work out ‘real reason’ Dean broke major show rule “I wish her the best in life.” He believes either her or Coleen Rooney will go on to be crowned the show’s winner this year. I'm A Celeb's 'secret feud' reignites as fuming Tulisa takes a swipe at campmate 3 Some I’m A Celeb viewers have made vile jibes about her appearance Credit: ITV But despite his backing he will still vote for her to do some Bushtucker Trials once she loses the camp leader title. He said: “You think I don’t want to see her eat something wild or have to go through a mad situation? “I’d love to see it!” 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."
Hunter tenants have laid bare the harsh reality of trying to rent after alarming statistics revealed the lack of affordable homes in the region. Login or signup to continue reading The Herald reported this week that no suburbs in the Hunter were considered affordable to rent on the average wage, according to new data from the National Shelter-SGS Economics and Planning Rental Affordability Index. Ella Rose said she considers herself lucky having secured a one-bedroom apartment in Adamstown for $330 a week. But the 24-year-old has been given a 90-day eviction notice, and the median rent price of a one-bedroom apartment in Newcastle is $565. She is looking to team-up with a friend and secure a two-bedroom rental. The National Shelter-SGS Economics and Planning data was based on the average regional salary of $89,977, which as a part-time worker and full-time student, Ms Rose does not earn. "It has been really disheartening," she said. "And I think a lot of people my age are feeling that. "I've got a lot of friends who've had to move out of rentals or even back in with parents because of cost." Her first rental from 2021 was $320 a week, and the same house is now being rented for $500. On top of the cost, Ms Rose said the competition for rentals is another challenge, especially with a dog. She estimates she has applied for more than 200 rentals in the past three years. "Last year I had to couch surf for three months between family and friends while I was looking for a rental," she said. The thought of buying a house is even further out of reach for Ms Rose. Her family bought a home in Mayfield for $220,000 in 2006, sold it for $508,000 in 2020 and it is now estimated to be worth $840,000. 'When I was growing up as a kid, math was my best subject," she said. "So, I kind of planned how much I would have to save and what kind of age I would be hoping to get a mortgage but the amount that has gone up is crazy. "My only friends who I know who have been able to get mortgages, it's because they've lived at home the whole time and then tried to get a house know without renting or their parents help them get that mortgage." Mir Asad Ali is also working part-time and renting a room in a four-bedroom share house in Fletcher. He recently moved from Muswellbrook and when he began looking for a two-bedroom rental to share with a friend, the prices were around $700 to $800 a week. "It was really, really expensive," Mr Ali said. "I lived in Sydney and it makes sense there, but when it comes to regional and rural areas it's shocking at how quickly the prices went up." Mr Ali is originally from Pakistan, where his wife still lives. He hopes for her to move over, but does not think he will be able to afford a private rental. "I was so depressed looking at the prices," he said. "I don't want her to have to live in a share house. And also if you don't have a reference, there's a high chance your application will get rejected "Living in a shared house, we have a mutual agreement but it's not with a real estate agent so there's no reference." National Shelter is urging the NSW government to provide more social housing to accommodate low-income people, and restore the social housing safety net to 5 per cent of all housing stock by 2027, working towards a goal of 10 per cent of all housing by 2040. The organisation said urgent action was also needed to wind back the short term rental market. Shelter NSW principal policy officer Cathryn Callaghan said local councils had levers they could use to improve housing access, including affordable housing contribution schemes. Newcastle council has just placed its scheme on public exhibition. The scheme proposes to add affordable housing provisions to the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012, which will enable a condition of consent for new residential and mixed-use developments to make contributions towards affordable housing, where a new development is greater than 540 square metres or benefiting from zoning uplift. Contributions will be in the form of a financial subsidy, a dedication of land or completed dwellings to City of Newcastle and would be managed by a community housing provider and used to maintain, build, and develop affordable housing. Affordable housing is available to support very low to and moderate income households experiencing housing stress, which occurs where housing costs are greater than 30 per cent of gross household income after other basic living costs. Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020. 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The Prime Minister insisted the UK will back Ukraine “for as long as it takes” as he made a speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London, but for the first time acknowledged the conflict could move towards a negotiated end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has in recent weeks suggested he is open to a possible ceasefire with Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Kyiv and its European allies meanwhile fear the advent of Donald Trump’s return to the White House could result in American aid being halted. President-elect Trump has said he would prefer to move towards a peace deal, and has claimed he could end the conflict on “day one” of his time in power. As he attempts to strike up a good relationship with the incoming president, Sir Keir revealed he had told Mr Trump the UK “will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come”. In his speech at London’s Guildhall, the Prime Minister said there is “no question it is right we support Ukraine”, as the UK’s aid to Kyiv is “deeply in our self-interest”. Allowing Russia to win the war would mean “other autocrats would believe they can follow Putin’s example,” he warned. Sir Keir added: “So we must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defence for as long as it takes. “To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence, and right to choose their own future.” Mr Zelensky told Sky News over the weekend he would be open to speaking with Mr Putin, but branded the Russian president a “terrorist”. He also suggested Ukrainian territory under his control should be taken under the “Nato umbrella” to try to stop the “hot stage” of the war with Russia. In a banquet speech focused on foreign affairs, the Prime Minister said it was “plain wrong” to suggest the UK must choose between its allies, adding: “I reject it utterly. “(Clement) Attlee did not choose between allies. (Winston) Churchill did not choose. “The national interest demands that we work with both.” Sir Keir said the UK and the US were “intertwined” when it came to commerce, technology and security. The Prime Minister added: “That’s why, when President Trump graciously hosted me for dinner in Trump Tower, I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come.” He also repeated his commitment to “rebuild our ties with Europe” and insisted he was right to try to build closer links with China. “It is remarkable that until I met President Xi last month there had been no face-to-face meeting between British and Chinese leaders for six years,” the Prime Minister said. “We can’t simply look the other way. We need to engage. To co-operate, to compete and to challenge on growth, on security concerns, on climate as well as addressing our differences in a full and frank way on issues like Hong Kong, human rights, and sanctions on our parliamentarians,” he added. The Prime Minister said he wants Britain’s role in the world to be that of “a constant and responsible actor in turbulent times”. He added: “To be the soundest ally and to be determined, always, in everything we do. “Every exchange we have with other nations, every agreement we enter into to deliver for the British people and show, beyond doubt, that Britain is back.” Ahead of Sir Keir’s speech, Lord Mayor Alastair King urged the Prime Minister and his Government to loosen regulations on the City of London to help it maintain its competitive edge. In an echo of Sir Keir’s commitment to drive the UK’s economic growth, the Lord Mayor said: “The idealist will dream of growth, but the pragmatist understands that our most effective machinery to drive growth is here in the City, in the hands of some of the brightest and most committed people that you will find anywhere in the world.”
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