
The suspicions were further heightened when discrepancies were found in the details provided by the villagers regarding their farming methods, seed sources, and cultivation techniques. It was revealed that the seeds used for planting were not suitable for the local climate and soil conditions, casting doubt on the villagers' claims of natural and sustainable agricultural practices.
Why Boomers and Gen X Need At least One Close Friend to Stay HealthyEditorial: Operation Holiday sets out to help those in need
Growth will be back on track by March: Piyush GoyalThe Israeli government justified the operation as a necessary measure to protect Israeli citizens from potential threats emanating from Syrian territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the incursion was a defensive action aimed at safeguarding Israel's security interests in the region. The IDF's move into Syrian territory was framed as a preemptive strike to neutralize any potential threats before they could materialize.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Tyler McGhie had 27 points in UC San Diego's 72-67 win against La Salle on Thursday. McGhie also added seven rebounds for the Tritons (3-2). Nordin Kapic scored 18 points and added 10 rebounds. Hayden Gray had 14 points and shot 4 for 8 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) and 3 of 6 from the free-throw line. The Explorers (4-1) were led by Corey McKeithan, who recorded 21 points. Jahlil White added 13 points and seven rebounds. The second half featured five lead changes and was tied five times before UC San Diego secured the victory. Kapic scored 13 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated WASHINGTON (AP) — Wholesale costs in the United States picked up sharply last month, signaling that price pressures are still evident in the economy even though inflation has tumbled from the peak levels it hit more than two years ago. The producer price index — which tracks inflation before it reaches consumers — rose 0.4% last month from October, up from 0.3% the month before. Measured from 12 months earlier, wholesale prices climbed 3% in November, the sharpest year-over-year rise since February 2023. Higher food prices helped fuel the November wholesale inflation reading, which was higher than economists had expected. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. From a 10-year-old to a Muppet to a president-elect, NYSE bell-ringers range from famous to obscure The first guest invited to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange in 1956 wasn’t a company executive, a politician or a well-known celebrity. It was a 10-year-old boy, Leonard Ross, who received the honor by winning a television quiz show.Since then, business titans, political giants and global film stars have all been among those ringing the opening bell at the NYSE. Ronald Reagan rang the bell as president in 1985. Billionaire businessman and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. - have also rung the bell. The list includes famous Muppets: Miss Piggy was once a bell ringer. Trump is named Time's Person of the Year and rings the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange after being recognized by Time magazine as its person of the year. The honors Thursday for the businessman-turned-politician are a measure of Trump’s remarkable comeback from an ostracized former president who refused to accept his election loss four years ago to a president-elect who won the White House decisively in November. At the stock exchange, Trump was accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Trump grinned as people chanted “USA” before he opened the trading day and raised his fist. Ontario to restrict electricity exports to US and bar American-made alcohol if Trump tariffs applied TORONTO (AP) — A senior official in Canada’s most populous province says that Ontario could bar American-made alcohol and restrict electricity to three U.S. states if President-elect Donald Trump imposes sweeping tariffs on all Canadian products. The states are Michigan, New York and Minnesota. An official in Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government said Thursday that it's contemplating restricting Ontario's liquor control board from buying American-made alcohol. Ontario is also considering restricting exports of Canadian critical minerals required for electric vehicle batteries. ECB cuts rates a quarter point amid concerns of tepid growth, impact of Trump trade policies FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank is cutting interest rates by a quarter percentage point amid signs of weakening growth and concern about the impact of political chaos in France and the possibility of new U.S. import tariffs. The bank’s rate-setting committee made the decision Thursday at its skyscraper headquarters in Frankfurt to lower the benchmark rate from 3.25% to 3%. Lower rates should support growth amid signs that the post-pandemic recovery is slowing in the 20 countries that use the euro currency and concerns that U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump might impose new tariffs, or import taxes, on goods imported to the US after he is inaugurated Jan. 20. YouTube TV is hiking its monthly price, again. Here's what to know NEW YORK (AP) — Are you a YouTube TV subscriber? Your monthly bills are about to get more expensive again. YouTube has announced that it’s upping the price of its streaming service’s base plan by $10 — citing rising content costs and other investments. The new $82.99 per month price tag will go into effect starting Jan. 13 for existing subscribers, and immediately for new customers who sign up going forward. YouTube TV has rolled out a series of price hikes over the years. When launched back in 2017, the going price of its streaming package was $35 a month. By 2019, that fee rose to $50 — and has climbed higher and higher since. Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor The head of the Federal Aviation Administration says he will step down next month to let President-elect Donald Trump name his choice to lead the agency. Mike Whitaker announced his pending resignation in a message to FAA employees on Thursday. Since taking the helm at the FAA in October 2023, Whitaker has dealt with challenges that include a surge in close calls between planes, a shortage of air traffic controllers and antiquated equipment. He has led a tougher enforcement policy against Boeing since a panel blew off a jetliner in January. The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees NEW YORK (AP) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Thursday it's capping overdraft fees at $5 with a rule set to take effect in October 2025, if it isn't overturned by Congress or altered under a Trump administration. President Joe Biden had called the fees, which can be as high as $35, “exploitative,” while the banking industry has lobbied extensively to keep the existing fee structures in place.JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday named his pick for St. Louis County’s prosecuting attorney, another maneuver in the standoff between the state and county chiefs. Parson, a Republican, picked county assistant prosecuting attorney Melissa Price Smith, a Democrat, to complete the term of current top prosecutor Wesley Bell after he resigns next month to take his newly elected seat in Congress. “I am so grateful for this appointment, and I want to thank Gov. Parson for putting his faith in me,” Price Smith told the Post-Dispatch Thursday afternoon. “I so look forward to continuing the work I’ve been doing in partnership with law enforcement.” She would be the first woman to serve as county prosecuting attorney. The governor’s announcement comes just days after St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, a Democrat, announced his own replacement for Bell, who plans to step down Jan. 2. Price Smith, 56, has worked as a St. Louis County prosecutor since 2008, according to the Post-Dispatch’s public pay database . She leads the sexual assault and child abuse team. Parson and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, both Republicans, sued Page and the county late last month, asking a judge to stop the county executive from naming the county’s next top law enforcement official. Bailey argued the governor has the power to appoint prosecuting attorneys under the Missouri Constitution. St. Louis County lawyers disagreed. They argued the county charter allows Page to nominate a replacement. Missouri counties with their own charters, including St. Louis County, have such power under the state Constitution, the attorneys said. St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann, a Republican, appointed Joseph McCulloch as prosecuting attorney last year after Tim Lohmar resigned. “The (St. Louis County) charter clearly states that the county executive is authorized to appoint the prosecuting attorney when a vacancy occurs,” said Page spokesman Doug Moore in a statement Thursday. “We are confident the courts will agree.” Last week, Page named former federal prosecutor Cort VanOstran, a Democrat, as his pick to fill the remainder of Bell’s term, which ends in January 2027. Price Smith said Thursday she applied and interviewed for the job with Page’s and Parson’s offices, both. “I am confident the law is on the governor’s side, and I’m confident the courts will make the right decision,” Price Smith said. Parson said St. Louis County needs an experienced prosecutor “who demands and upholds law and order.” “Melissa is committed to the rule of law, and we are confident that she will deliver, as demonstrated by her distinguished career putting criminals behind bars, including child abusers, perpetrators of sexual assault and violent offenders,” Parson said in a statement. Price Smith is the daughter of Margie and Herschel Price , a St. Louis businessman and Playboy Club owner. Margie Price was working as a Playboy bunny at a club on Lindell Boulevard when she met her husband in the 1960s. She later owned and operated a club on South Lindbergh Boulevard that closed in the mid-80s. Price Smith grew up in Creve Coeur, attended a strict ballet school, and said her parents raised her and her sister to be “very strong and independent.” She earned a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. In her 20s, Price Smith put her ballet skills to work in Las Vegas as a dancer with her twin sister in the Siegfried and Roy show. Back at home, they became cheerleaders for the St. Louis Cardinals’ Team Fredbird. But Price Smith said she wanted to “make a difference.” She decided to go to law school, and earned her degree from St. Louis University. Price Smith’s first job was at the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office under former Circuit Attorney Dee Joyce-Hayes. She then practiced civil litigation for seven years before going to work for St. Louis County. Until earlier this year, Smith’s sister, Teresa Price Bomkamp, was also an assistant prosecuting attorney in St. Louis County. Prior to Bomkamp retiring, the sisters worked together on sexual and child abuse crimes. Price Smith said the first thing she would do as prosecuting attorney is an internal audit to find ways to “make our trial teams more effective with the resources we have.” She wants to make sure police know they have a partner in the prosecuting attorney’s office. And she also wants to focus on recruitment and retention. She supports higher pay, but wants to recruit people “who want to do this kind of work.” “The people in this office never went into prosecution to make a lot of money,” Price Smith said. Price Smith made $110,000 last year as a senior attorney in Bell’s office. A hearing in Bailey’s case has been set for 9 a.m. Dec. 18 in St. Louis County Circuit Court. Joe Holleman of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
Furthermore, China's commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection is becoming increasingly prominent. The government's efforts to reduce pollution, promote clean energy sources, and enhance environmental regulations are driving the transition towards a greener economy. This focus on sustainability not only benefits the environment but also creates new economic opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and waste management.
November 24 - Honest and critical yet hopeful and optimistic -- that's how the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are viewing their current predicament. The Panthers, who are set to host the Washington Capitals on Monday night in Sunrise, are 1-5-0 over their past six games. "We're struggling right now," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. "We have a structure we need to play, and we're not far off. But we have some execution challenges." Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk said Florida needs to impose its will on teams in much the way it was done in the drive for the 2024 Stanley Cup. "There shouldn't be any more waiting around," he said. "We have to commit to doing it, and it's not an easy style. It's hard to do for 82-plus games, but that's what makes us successful." On the positive side, the Panthers have center Sam Reinhart, whose 13-game points streak is the longest this season by any NHL player. It's also tied for the second-longest streak by a Panthers player, and it's just four games away from tying Mike Hoffman's franchise record, set in 2018-19. Reinhart has 11 goals and eight assists during this streak, and he's tied for the NHL lead with 16 goals this season. However, Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky allowed a season-high six goals on Saturday in a 7-4 loss to Colorado. For the season, Bobrovsky is 9-5-1 with a 3.18 goals-against average. That is not up to his standards, which include a 2.60 career GAA and a 2.37 GAA last season. Backup goalie Spencer Knight is 3-3-0 with a 2.72 GAA. Florida's first-round pick in 2019, Knight has made 64 NHL appearances in four years, including 55 starts, and he is 35-20-6 with a 2.89 GAA. But even with all of that, the Panthers are still in second place in the Atlantic Division with 25 points, and the Capitals -- despite two straight losses -- are in third in the Metropolitan Division with 27 points. The Capitals are coming off a 3-2 home loss on Saturday to the New Jersey Devils. "It's frustrating to lose back to back," Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren said. Lindgren is 5-5-0 with a 2.64 GAA. Co-starter Logan Thompson, acquired in a trade in June with Vegas, is 8-1-1 with a 2.58 GAA. Both are undrafted players making $1 million or less this season. Three of the higher-paid Capitals players are all on injured reserve -- forwards Alex Ovechkin (leg); Nicklas Backstrom (hip); and T.J. Oshie (back). Backstrom and Oshie haven't played this season, but Ovechkin has 15 goals and 10 assists in 18 games. Dylan Strome leads Washington in assists (22) and points (28). Last season, the Capitals ranked 31st in the NHL in goals by defensemen (20). This season, they already have 11 in 20 games thanks in part to the additions of Jakob Chychrun (five) and Matt Roy (one). Roy was given a six-year contract, and Chychrun was acquired in a trade with Ottawa. They join two-time All-Star John Carlson and former first-rounder Rasmus Sandin in a suddenly improved defense. Offensively, Washington, which ranked 28th in scoring last year, added forwards Pierre-Luc Dubois, Andrew Mangiapane, Brandon Duhaime and Taylor Raddysh. Those four have combined to score 13 goals so far this season, and Washington is tied for first in the NHL with 4.05 goals per game. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabIn a recent incident, a passenger onboard a flight operated by China Eastern Airlines experienced a medical emergency and was reported to have suffered from difficulty breathing, leading to concerns about the handling of the situation and the airline's response. The incident took place on a flight from Shanghai to Beijing, stirring up significant attention and raising questions about the preparedness of airlines to address medical emergencies mid-flight.The new LNP government claims Cross River Rail will cost more than $17 billion and not be ready until 2029. Labor had promised Cross River Rail would be delivered with a budget of $5.4 billion, with most construction finished by 2025 and passenger services starting in 2026. But the LNP says when finished, the tunnel must be independently certified by the National Safety Regulator, which would take at least two years, and also pointed the finger at lost workdays due to industrial action. The government says $5 billion was “hidden” and included integration works to connect the tunnel with the existing rail network, stabling to park the trains, a new signalling system, buses to carry passengers while stations and tracks were being built, and additional maintenance equipment. But opposition transport spokesman Bart Mellish accused Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg of “cooking the books”. “No government, business or person has included the cost of maintenance for the life of an asset when calculating the cost to build the project,” he said. “It’s also concerning that the new government isn’t committed to a 2026 opening of the project. “Also, adding the cost of buses to be used across the whole of south-east Queensland to the project is also laughable.” In a first for the state, Logan City Council has rolled out AI-powered surveillance systems at a town pool to safeguard against drowning. The technology at Gould Adams Park Aquatic Centre uses cameras focused on the pool to identify signs of struggle in the water, then sends real-time alerts on smart watches worn by lifeguards. Mayor Jon Raven said the alert system would give “greater peace of mind” to swimmers. “For those in our community who can’t swim or are not confident in the water – this could help save someone’s life,” he said. “While there’s no replacement for adequate supervision from parents, caregivers and lifeguards, this technology will be an extra layer of safety around pools.” The council said the cameras only detected generic behaviours, and could not capture facial or body imagery. It expected to continue rolling out the technology to other pools it managed across the next few years. Debate has kicked off in Queensland parliament over the government’s youth justice bill, with Labor trying – and failing – to have key parts delayed until early next year. Shadow attorney-general Meaghan Scanlon moved opposition amendments after the dinner break last night to address many stakeholders’ concerns about consultation lasting just days, and adverse outcomes. The amendments, voted down by the LNP and Katter’s Australian Party, would have returned more than a dozen clauses for “full and proper examination” by a committee. “While we acknowledge the outcome of the election and the policy that was taken to it by the LNP, that policy was in slogan and infancy form at best,” Scanlon said. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington accused Labor of simply trying to delay the laws and “laughing about victims ... about the people of Queensland who want to be safe in their homes over Christmas”. “All they want to do with this amendment is say to the people of Queensland, ‘Be afraid over Christmas. Be afraid on Boxing Day.’” Debate resumes today, with the bill set to pass by 5.30pm on Thursday with what Frecklington described as “technical amendments”, yet to be detailed, she would introduce to “strengthen and clarify the bill”. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has delivered an extended defence of his response to antisemitism, in the wake of the terror attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne on Friday, and the vandalism in Sydney this morning. Facing criticism from the Coalition, including Liberal senator Jane Hume’s accusation that he had “emboldened and enabled” antisemtic crimes”, the prime minister detailed his initial response to the Adass synagogue firebombing. [On Friday], I’d been briefed by the AFP. I’d rung in to ... ABC Melbourne and responded publicly. We put out a statement. I’d spoken to Josh Burns, I’d spoken to Mr Spiegelman. I’d spoken to other Jewish community leaders as well. I visited a synagogue in Perth. On Saturday evening, we received a request for additional security funding, because the $20 million we had provided was almost expended. On Sunday morning, less than 24 hours later, I responded with support for $32.5 million of additional funding.” He continued that on Monday the National Security Committee met, and the authorities formally declared the firebombing an act of terrorism. The AFP operation Avalite was then formed and announced at a press conference. Albanese also pointed to other responses including the “landmark” ban on the Nazi salute and hate symbols, and the appointment of Jillian Segal as the special envoy to combat antisemitism. “We criminalised doxxing, something that was called for, but which unfortunately, the opposition voted against,” Albanese said. “We now have legislation before the parliament to criminalise hate speech, including the urging or threatening, of course, or violence against other individuals or groups because of who they are and what their beliefs are.” Bringing the man believed to have seriously scalded a Brisbane baby with hot coffee to justice will likely be a “slow burn” after he escaped to an unknown country. The suspect reportedly came up behind a young mother at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner about midday on August 27, and tipped the contents of a Thermos on her nine-month-old boy before running away. Four days later – and just hours before investigators say they confirmed his identity – the man flew out of Sydney Airport to an unknown country. “That remains an active investigation, so you know that may well be a slow burn,” Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski told Brisbane Times yesterday. When asked for a rough time frame, he said it would be inappropriate to comment. “I can’t speculate on that. It’ll depend on the offender and our ability to identify, locate and bring him back to justice.” Labor Minister Clare O’Neil says reports that claimed the prime minister was heckled on his visit to the Adass synagogue in Melbourne on Tuesday were overblown. In an interview on Seven’s Sunrise , it was put to O’Neil that people yelled phrases at Anthony Albanese including “You’re late” and “Nice day for tennis,” referring to the tennis match Albanese played in Perth the day after the firebombing of the synagogue. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Adass Israel synagogue on Tuesday. Credit: Justin McManus “I’d just say I saw some of the reporting of that, I think, you know, some of those people weren’t even from that local community,” O’Neil said. “I was actually at the Adass synagogue a little bit later that afternoon speaking to members of the community. People were grateful that the prime minister was there, they were pleased to have him there and of course to see him make that commitment to help rebuild the synagogue there and to invest to try to rescue those sacred Torahs that have been damaged in the fire.” O’Neil said that while she was “sure there angry and upset people”, she did not think that was the “universal experience of having the PM there”. “The PM, in my view, has shown real leadership, he’s come to the synagogue, done the things people want a prime minister to do, he has made that commitment to rebuild the synagogue, has set up this task force to show we’re cracking down on any of this behaviour.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has responded to the antisemitic vandalism in Sydney’s east, the second time the suburb of Woollahra has been targeted in a month. Albanese said the incident was an “outrage” and “another antisemitic attack”. He said he would be briefed by the Australian Federal Police’s Operation Avalite, the task force that was assembled this week in response to the Adass Israel Synagogue terror attack in Melbourne on Friday. “I stand with the Jewish community and unequivocally condemn this attack. There is no place for hatred or antisemitism in our community.” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke also posted a statement to X, calling the attack an “abhorrent attempt to intimidate our Jewish community”. “It will not be successful,” Burke wrote. Don’t forget your umbrella today – the Bureau of Meteorology predicts more rain across Brisbane, this morning and this afternoon, following the downpour late yesterday, although it should be clearing by this evening. The top temperature isn’t expected to hit 30 degrees – warmer days are ahead, however. Here are the stories making the rounds beyond Brisbane this morning: The organisers of alternative music festival Good Things have been accused of ignoring allegations of sexual assault, harassment and anti-social behaviour – including men groping women, filming up girls’ skirts, and abusing those who turned down their advances. A group of Australian women who underwent hysterectomies after reporting severe side-effects from a permanent sterilisation device has lost a class action against pharmaceutical giant Bayer , with a judge noting that chronic pelvic pain was common for many women. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called out the influence of News Corp’s alleged bias, warning colleagues during a cabinet meeting that Rupert Murdoch’s media empire was openly working to back Opposition Leader Peter Dutton . ‘An insult to the intelligence of the American people’: The alleged shooter of a CEO in the US has broken his silence after his arrest. Tourists at the famous monkey forest in Bali have been crushed to death by falling branches . New York prosecutors have filed a murder charge against Luigi Mangione, 26. In the hours since his apprehension, his baffling journey from star student to murder suspect has begun to come into focus. Good morning, thanks for joining us for Brisbane Times’ live news blog. It’s Wednesday, December 11, and we’re expecting more rain today and a top temperature of 28 degrees. In this morning’s local headlines: A culture of discrimination in Queensland Police is making it harder to recruit and retain officers, according to a 236-page Queensland Human Rights Commission report which identified ingrained prejudice against female, Indigenous and minority officers. Premier David Crisafulli has moved to make good on his campaign promise there would be no changes to abortion laws under an LNP government: by stopping parliament from discussing the topic . What began as a trickle has become a flood, with Brisbane’s sunny climate, a vibrant hospitality scene and the looming Olympics luring Melbourne restaurateurs north . Dolphins forward Josh Kerr has declared Max Plath will go where Plath’s famous father could not, and help Queensland regain the State of Origin shield as early as the 2025 series.In recent news, reports have surfaced that the White House is actively exploring the possibility of granting pardons to individuals convicted of various crimes. This move comes as a part of President's commitment to criminal justice reform and ensuring fairness in the legal system. The White House is now taking steps to engage with the public and seek their input on potential pardons, marking a significant shift in how pardons are typically granted.
The decision by Russia to offer asylum to Assad is a bold move that is likely to provoke strong reactions from various stakeholders involved in the Syrian conflict. While Russia has been a key ally of the Assad regime throughout the civil war, the decision to grant him asylum demonstrates a firm commitment to supporting the former president despite international condemnation and calls for accountability for his role in the conflict.Mayor Adams’ forms new Charter Revision panel focused on housing crisis; City Council nervous of potential power grab19 out of 37 sewage treatment plants in Delhi not up to standard: DPCC report
The race for the Premier League title is heating up, with four teams currently in contention for the coveted trophy. While the competition is fierce, Manchester City is undoubtedly one of the frontrunners in this thrilling battle for domestic supremacy.