The president of Panama is pushing back on rhetoric from President-elect Donald Trump after days of social media posts threatening to take back control of the Panama Canal. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino spoke at a press conference Thursday in which he dismissed various assertions made by the president-elect about the canal, including the accusation that China is exerting influence over its traffic. “There is absolutely no Chinese interference or involvement in anything that has to do with the Panama Canal,” said Mulino. “There are no Chinese at the canal, no Chinese nor any other world power at the canal.” This week, Trump wished a Merry Christmas to the "wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal." It was the latest in a long series of criticisms made by Trump about the crucial maritime passage, which he believes is "ripping off" the United States with high shipping rates. “There is no discrimination against any warship, whether it be from the US or another country,” Mulino said at the Thursday press conference. “The canal is Panamanian and belongs to Panamanians, and there is no possibility of opening any kind of conversation around that reality." Trump announced Wednesday that he is appointing Miami-Dade Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera as the U.S. ambassador to Panama. In the announcement, the president-elect called Panama a "country that is ripping us off on the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams." He has even floated the idea of demanding "the Panama Canal be returned to [the U.S.], in full, quickly and without question" if shipping rates are not lowered. The Panama Canal was operated entirely by the U.S. government until 1977. Negotiations and treaty stipulations slowly ceded control to the Panamanian government until 1999, when full control was turned over. Trump's feud with Panamanian leaders is part of a larger trend within his foreign policy rhetoric . CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER In recent weeks, the president-elect has threatened to buy Greenland from the Kingdom of Denmark and negotiate a deal to make Canada the "51st state." These expansionist machinations have drawn criticism from Canadian leaders, and Greenland's military has bolstered security in a token gesture of defiance.By MICHAEL R. SISAK and JENNIFER PELTZ 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.” Related Articles National Politics | Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg National Politics | Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump’s suite at football game 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.WWE Interested in Working with Jake Paul
Steps to take that can help keep aging adults at home as long as possibleDespite his outward success and accolades, the young man had been grappling with mounting pressure and expectations. The cutthroat nature of the tech industry, coupled with the relentless pursuit of perfection and innovation, had taken a toll on his mental well-being. The constant demands to outperform his peers, the incessant drive to climb the corporate ladder, and the unrelenting scrutiny of his every move had created a breeding ground for resentment and frustration.
None
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Liam Payne's ex-girlfriend Sophia Smith has announced on social media that she is engaged. The influencer revealed the adorable moment her fiancé James Bridgwood asked for her hand in marriage over the Christmas period. Sophia, 30, dated Liam between 2013 and October 2015, after initially meeting at St. Peter's Collegiate School in Wolverhampton. As reported by the Mirror , Liam - who tragically died in October aged 31 - had asked Sophia out over 20 times before she agreed to date him. Sophia shared a clip of James popping the question in a spacious room in their home. They were surrounded by rose petals and a bottle of champagne as they relaxed in pyjamas, with their daughter, Angelina Grace, who she gave birth to in April 2023. Captioning the adorable upload, which was accompanied by Dan Berk's acoustic track, Anyone, Sophia said: "Yes a million times over. 25.12.24," alongside a read heart emoji. The star was seen emotional as she looked down at her ring while Angelina appeared blissfully unaware as she asked her parents to play with her dolls. Sophia, who has remained close to Liam's bandmates relatives and colleagues was flooded with celebratory messages. Lottie Tomlinson gushed: "Congratulations," alongside crying emojis and pink hearts. Lou Teasdale added: "Aw Soph," with a red heart. I'm A Celebrity star Maura Higgins typed: "Congratulations." One follower added: "Omggggggggg. Congratulations!!!!!!!" "Favourites forever can't stop watching this video," said a second. While a third went on to write: "Yayyyyy! So happy for you both! Congratulations." Over the course of their relationship, Sophia was often seen alongside Liam and attended One Direction's final concert tour with him. Following their split almost ten years ago, Liam told how he was "absolutely devastated". Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, he said: "In order to do right by somebody, sometimes it’s better not to do what your heart wants, but to do what's better for them." It was reported that the former couple, were discussing plans to marry one another before they called time on their romance . He told Attitude Magazine: "We have talked about marriage, but 22 seems a bit young for us. Sophia needs to go off and do what she wants to do. I don't want her to be one of those stay-at-home girlfriends who doesn't really do much." Her joyous news comes almost three months after Liam tragically died. The former One Direction singer tragically died aged just 31. He fell from the third floor of a hotel. An autopsy ruled that Liam had died instantly after his fall which caused "multiple traumatic injuries" and subsequently led to "internal and external haemorrhage." Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile , select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter .With a unique style and extraordinary charm, Li Yunrui's figure after taking off his coat is stunning and unforgettable. Li Yunrui, a talented and versatile individual, has captured the attention and admiration of many with his exceptional physique and charismatic presence.About the same time the #FreeLuigi memes featuring the mustachioed plumber from “Super Mario Brothers” mushroomed online, commenters shared memes showing Tony Soprano pronouncing Luigi Mangione , the man charged with murdering the UnitedHealthcare CEO in Manhattan , a hero. There were posts lionizing Mangione’s physique and appearance, the ones speculating about who could play him on “Saturday Night Live,” and the ones denouncing and even threatening people at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s for spotting him and calling police. It was all too much for Pennsylvania's governor, a rising Democrat who was nearly the vice presidential nominee this year. Josh Shapiro — dealing with a case somewhere else that happened to land in his lap — decried what he saw as growing support for “vigilante justice.” The curious case of Brian Thompson and Luigi Mangione captivated and polarized a media-saturated nation. It also offers a glimpse into how, in a connected world, so many different aspects of modern American life can be surreally linked — from public violence to politics, from health care to humor (or attempts at it) . It summons a question, too: How can so many people consider someone a hero when the rules that govern American society — the laws — are treating him as the complete opposite? Writings found in Mangione's possession hinted at a vague hatred of corporate greed and an expression of anger toward “parasitic” health insurance companies. Bullets recovered from the crime scene had the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose,” reflecting words used by insurance industry critics, written on them. A number of online posts combine an apparent disdain for health insurers — with no mention of the loss of life. “He took action against private health insurance corporations is what he did. he was a brave italian martyr. in this house, luigi mangione is a hero, end of story!” one anonymous person said in a post on X that has nearly 2 million views. On Monday, Shapiro took issue with comments like those. It was an extraordinary moment that he tumbled into simply because Mangione was apprehended in Pennsylvania. Shapiro's comments — pointed, impassioned and, inevitably, political — yanked the conversation unfolding on so many people's phone screens into real life. “We do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint,” the governor said. “In a civil society, we are all less safe when ideologues engage in vigilante justice.” But to hear some of his fellow citizens tell it, that's not the case at all. Like Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, D.B. Cooper and other notorious names from the American past, Mangione is being cast as someone to admire. Regina Bateson, an assistant political science professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, has studied vigilantism, the term to which Shapiro alluded. She doesn’t see this case as a good fit for the word, she says, because the victim wasn’t linked to any specific crime or offense. As she sees it, it's more akin to domestic terrorism. But Bateson views the threats against election workers , prosecutors and judges ticking up — plus the assassination attempts against President-elect Donald Trump this past summer — as possible signs that personal grievances or political agendas could erupt. “Americans are voicing more support for — or at least understanding of — political violence,” she said. Shapiro praised the police and the people of Blair County, who abided by a 9/11-era dictum of seeing something and saying something. The commenters have Mangione wrong, the governor said: “Hear me on this: He is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonald’s this morning." Even shy of supporting violence, there are many instances of people who vent over how health insurers deny claims. Tim Anderson's wife, Mary, dealt with UnitedHealthcare coverage denials before she died from Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2022. “The business model for insurance is don’t pay,” Anderson, 67, of Centerville, Ohio, told The Associated Press . The discourse around the killing and Mangione is more than just memes. Conversations about the interconnectedness of various parts of American life are unfolding online as well. One Reddit user said he was banned for three days for supporting Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted after testifying he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot two people in 2020 during protests. “Do you think people are getting banned for supporting Luigi?” the poster wondered. The comments cover a lot of ground. They include people saying the UnitedHealthcare slaying isn't a “right or left issue" and wondering what it would take to get knocked off the platform. “You probably just have to cross the line over into promoting violence,” one commenter wrote. “Not just laughing about how you don’t care about this guy.”
Wordle today: Clues and hints for December 28 2024One of the key topics of discussion was the role of artificial intelligence in driving business growth and transformation. Renji's use of AI-powered solutions in areas such as data analysis, customer service, and product development has enabled the company to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and deliver customized experiences to their customers.
Throughout the season, Zheng Qinyu had displayed exceptional skill, determination, and resilience on the court. Her unparalleled performance in various tournaments, including her remarkable triumph at the Grand Slam, had solidified her position as one of the top contenders for the coveted title of WTA Player of the Year. Fans and analysts alike had high hopes for the young Chinese player, anticipating the moment when she would be crowned the undisputed queen of the court.OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship'
With artificial intelligence everywhere, everyone is talking about AI and its applicability. Artificial intelligence-driven predictive analytics is also making an advance in child welfare services and has shown efficiency in preventing child maltreatment cases. This development has been made possible by individuals like Premkumar Ganesan, Consulting Manager and Technology Leader, whose team's implementation of AI-powered early intervention systems has reduced the number of child maltreatment cases by 20 per cent for participating welfare programs. Ganesan, who has led several AI initiatives in the public sector, says that predictive analytics can not only detect risk factors earlier but also guide us to data-driven interventions that can significantly reduce harm to children. It does this by analyzing patterns across health, education, and social services data points to identify families at risk before a crisis occurs.” This technology goes beyond just prevention numbers. Child welfare agencies using these AI solutions have found that operational efficiency improved by 30 per cent, freeing social workers to spend their time working on high-priority cases and letting automated systems do the mundane tasks of data crunching. The result has been millions of dollars in cost savings for state governments, resulting largely from reduced long-term intervention costs. But, such systems are not easily implemented in the sensitive child welfare arena. The AI and ethics trend is now popular, says Ganesan, 'Ensuring data privacy and compliance while maintaining effective predictive capabilities was our primary concern.' Innovative solutions that uphold strict confidentiality standards while providing real-time analytics helped his team set the benchmark for privacy-conscious AI implementation in public services. Some of the other concerns were resistance to adaptability to AI, scalability of the predictive analytical system, and delivering real-time predictions from limited history. These were solved by holding demonstrations and workshops to showcase the benefits of AI, using cloud-based infrastructure and advanced machine learning models to help scale and develop innovative AI algorithms that can generate reliable predictions by focusing on behavioural patterns and early warning signals. The biggest challenge was integrating data between the different government agencies. Too often, traditional child welfare systems are siloed, with important information scattered throughout health, education, and social service departments. By building a unified platform that allows for seamless data sharing while adhering to security protocols, Ganesan's team was able to gather information to help deal with individual cases. The success of this initiative has inspired other state agencies to adopt AI-driven solutions in their public sector services. Under Ganesan's leadership, these implementations have helped Deloitte's public sector practice grow by 10% and improved decision-making accuracy by 25% in identifying at-risk families. Looking at the current trends, Ganesan envisions even more sophisticated applications of AI in child welfare. The evolution of technology could further decrease response times and perhaps improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families. With an impressive portfolio of published research on this topic, from recent work on AI-driven early interventions in child welfare services to the role of artificial intelligence in public health, Ganesan’s expertise in this field is strong. Throughout his experience, he has consistently pointed out, that technological innovation must be balanced with ethical considerations and human judgment. This AI-driven approach has implications that go well beyond child welfare. The same predictive analytics principles could also be used for other social services and change how public sector agencies provide support to populations in need. Ganesan notes that with government agencies becoming more and more digital, it is important to maintain a human-centred approach, with technology aiding human potential. This approach to child welfare shows how artificial intelligence can make a social impact. As these systems continue to evolve and improve, they will continue to serve the current and future of child protection services around the world.For more information and updates on the renovation project, patients are encouraged to visit the hospital's official website or contact the hospital administration for assistance.
Kathy's #Mailbag, Dec. 27, 2024In conclusion, the recent update on the property valuations of Li Gangren and Muani serves as a reminder of the ever-changing landscape of the Paris real estate market and the importance of staying agile and proactive in order to succeed in this thriving and competitive industry. As property values continue to fluctuate and investors continue to seek new opportunities, one thing remains certain – Paris remains a city of dreams and possibilities for those willing to take on the challenge and embrace the rewards of investing in one of the most dynamic and exciting real estate markets in the world.