New York state government to monitor its use of AI under a new law
JAILED brutes are attacking warders 250 times a year, shocking figures reveal. Ministers have been accused of letting prison violence “spiral out of control” as stats showed staff endured 2,562 assaults by inmates in a decade. Advertisement 3 There were 26 incidents involving Scots prison officers being attacked Glasgow’s tough Barlinnie nick Credit: PA 3 Liam Kerr has urged Nats to 'prioritise' jail workers Credit: Alamy In a swipe over Nats spending cuts , Scottish Tory shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr has urged Nats to “prioritise” jail workers — warning they could quit amid fears for their safety . Mr Kerr said: “The SNP have let violence against prison staff spiral out of control. “Cuts mean hard-working officers have been left at the mercy of violence and threats from inmates. “Resources should be clearly targeted so that staff get the extra support they desperately need. Advertisement READ MORE SCOTTISH NEWS 'DISGUSTING' Festive fly-tippers slammed for dumping mountains of rubbish at Scots Asda ON TRIAL Scots stripper who performs as cop accused of sex attack on woman at hen party “Otherwise, there is a real risk many more experienced staff may choose to leave the service and leave them even more overstretched. “Instead of short-changing our justice system, the SNP must finally prioritise the safety of our prison staff.” Cuts mean hard-working officers have been left at the mercy of violence and threats from inmates Liam Kerr Scottish Tory shadow justice secretary The warning came weeks after it emerged that 177 Scots prison officers were attacked in 2023-24, including 26 incidents at Glasgow’s tough Barlinnie nick. We also told how drones are increasingly being used to smuggle drugs and weapons to cons. Advertisement Most read in The Scottish Sun 'DISGUSTING' Festive fly-tippers slammed for dumping mountains of rubbish at Scots Asda Gossip KEEP CAM Celtic hero Cameron Carter-Vickers 'emerges as shock target for European giants' FOOTIE SHOCK Footage emerges of Hibs star in vow about 'Jambo b*******' before derby win CHASE ARREST Fourth man nicked at airport over death of Scots mum who died after car chase Scottish Prison Service chief executive Teresa Medhurst has called for more funding amid a rising jail population as well as the increasing cost of social care and security . Almost 400 short-term prisoners are due to be released in February under controversial plans by SNP ministers to ease overcrowding at nicks nationwide . Moment Brit arrested 'for romping with partner on table in Thai hotel lobby' It follows the emergency early release of 477 offenders in June and July. But dozens were put back behind bars within weeks after reoffending. Advertisement Ministers said more than £880million will go to support frontline staff and improve the prisons estate. A Scottish Government spokesman insisted: “Any attacks on prison staff are completely unacceptable. Any attacks on prison staff are completely unacceptable. Everyone should be able to live and work safely in prisons A Scottish Government spokesman “Everyone should be able to live and work safely in prisons. "We are investing £881.1million in 2025-2026. Advertisement “This will help to meet costs linked to the rising prison population and enable the Scottish Prison Service to continue to deliver a safe and secure prison system.” A Scottish Prison Service spokesman last night said bosses take a “zero-tolerance approach” to violence. Read more on the Scottish Sun SNOW WAY Weather maps show heavy snow for Scotland in DAYS – with -2C New Year’s chill NO CRIME Orange Order slam cops after Celtic activist was cleared over 'sectarian rants' He added: “All alleged incidents are reported to Police Scotland . “We take consistent and robust action against those in our care who perpetrate violence, and offer support to those affected by it, including our staff.” Advertisement 3 Ministers have been accused of letting prison violence 'spiral out of control' Credit: PAAaron Judge wins second AL MVP in 3 seasons. Shohei Ohtani expected to win NL honour
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Former Arizona Coyotes Paul Bissonnette assaulted outside Scottsdale restaurant SundayThe Agenda revolves around job-creation, education and health care improvements, poverty reduction, and ensuring opportunities for success for all Nigerians. The eight key priority areas as outlined by the president are: Reform the economy to deliver sustained, inclusive growth; strengthen national security for peace and prosperity; boost agriculture to achieve food security, and unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development. Others are: Enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth; focus on education, health, and social investment as essential pillars of development; accelerate diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing & innovation, and Improve governance for effective service delivery. In a chat with this reporter, a Senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in the 2023 elections, Abubakar Abdullahi, sympathised with Nigerians over the current economic hardships occasioned by what he called “unavoidable government policy choices.” He urged Nigerians to be resolute “in these trying moments,” adding that President Tinubu was committed to building a strong and proud country that works for the good of all citizens. He said, “Like several other nations, we are currently grappling with diverse challenges, but we remain resolute in our inalienable destiny to build a strong and proud country that works for the good of all citizens irrespective of status, tribe, religion and creed. “Let me assure you that this administration is committed to its promise of working sacrificially to deliver the dividends of democracy to every Nigerian citizen. This government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very much aware of and deeply sympathises with all Nigerians over the economic conditions we are passing through. “These have been occasioned by unavoidable policy choices, including the removal of fuel subsidies, that his administration has had to make. “Notwithstanding the daunting challenges, ceaseless efforts are being made to cushion the immediate impact and to create new opportunities on the short, medium and long-term basis, through diligent implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda. “These policies and programmes are being implemented for long-term solutions to these problems and I assure us all that in no distant time, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the trajectory of our socio-economic development would soar higher in the positive territory.” The Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, highlighted some accomplishments of the Tinubu administration which, according to him, have positively impacted Nigerians. He said President Tinubu followed through with his promises on easing transportation difficulties Nigerians experienced with the establishment of the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) and the launch of the first phase of buses, powered by hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). According to him, this is work in progress because the Presidential Initiative is designed to expand across all geo-political zones of the country. He said, “The government has also commissioned the first retrofitted CNG train head for the Abuja-Kaduna track. This is intended to cut the cost of travel by up to fifty percent when fully operational. In order to encourage conversion to CNG-powered land transportation, the government has also commenced the distribution of CNG conversion kits at no cost to Nigerians. “The benefits of the CNG transport system to Nigerians are huge reduction in costs. The Presidential Initiative on CNG marked its first year of implementation recently, with the number of vehicle conversion centers in the country rising from fewer than 10 to more than 120. “The goal is to make CNG a fuel of choice for private and commercial transportation in Nigeria, bringing down costs by as much as 50 to 60 percent. We are already seeing enthusiastic uptake of the initiative, and the government is supporting this by way of fiscal incentives and subsidised conversions.” Speaking on the policies of President Tinubu on education, an associate professor of Development Communication, Bright Etekamba, said on so many fronts, the outgoing year has brought significant policy and legislative milestones that are helping to cement the very foundations of the president’s grand vision for Nigeria. He said, “Take the examples of the Students Loan Fund and the Consumer Credit Corporation, two institutions targeted at putting more resources in the pockets of the Nigerian people, empowering them to turn their dreams into opportunities. “With the Students Loan Fund, we are seeing, for the first time in decades, Nigerian students at tertiary level, getting targeted federal assistance to pursue their academic ambitions, through long-term loans (and stipends) that are designed to not be burdensome in any way. In less than one year, more than 300, 000 Nigerian students have already benefitted. “The Nigerian Students Loan Fund initiative of the Tinubu administration has disbursed the sum of N2.5 billion to over 22,120 beneficiaries across the nation’s higher institutions. This is a welcome relief for parents and an opportunity to access education by indigent students. “The young people of Nigeria now have a clearer path to sustainable tertiary education through the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act 2024, which has established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Complementing this is the new Consumer Credit Corporation, established to guarantee access to low-cost and flexible consumer credit.” On the rising prices of food items, a member of the Presidential Initiative on Livestock Reform, Danasebe Maiyaki, said the government has reduced tariffs on importation of certain categories of food in order to crash prices. “One of the major issues facing Nigerians is rising food prices. To bolster food security, availability and ensure affordability of food, the government has removed tariffs on the importation of certain categories of food. In addition, the government has distributed fertilizers, farm inputs and other critical items to boost dry season food production,” he said. He praised President Tinubu’s establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development as a game-changing move to unlock the sector’s vast potential and maximise its value-chains. “Most recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took a bold and transformative step by establishing and operationalising a dedicated Ministry for Livestock Development. This strategic move underscores the administration’s recognition of the immense potential within the livestock sector, often referred to as an untapped gold mine. “Food security is at the core of the nation’s national security, survival, stability and sovereignty; it is in realisation of this that President Tinubu, upon assumption of office, renamed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. “The current administration is committed to tackling the multifaceted challenges hindering self-sufficiency in food production, leveraging the nation’s vast arable land, favorable climate, and youthful population. “Nigeria, blessed with vast arable land, favourable climatic conditions, and a youthful population, has the potential to be a global agricultural powerhouse. Yet, we face significant challenges in attaining affordability and self-sufficiency in food production. This on-going challenge is what has informed the special attention that the president is paying to this very important sector, which happens to be the biggest employer of labour in the country,” he said. He highlighted that early in his administration, President Tinubu launched three critical agricultural interventions – declaring a State of Emergency on food insecurity; initiating a food security and sustainability intervention project, and cracking down on hoarders, smugglers, and saboteurs to ensure affordability, availability, and accessibility of essential commodities. “Nigeria’s path to food security is not insurmountable, particularly through our collective resolve; we can transform our nation into a land of abundance, where no Nigerian goes to bed hungry,” he said further. Speaking on the socio-economic front, a political economist, Dr. Njamenze Orbih, hailed the president for his giant strides despite the global economic recession. He said, “Undoubtedly, one of the significant setbacks to rural socio-economic development in Nigeria has been the absence of direct fiscal control by elected local government administrations. “In a landmark move, President Tinubu has taken a decisive step toward implementing local government autonomy by getting a verdict from the Supreme Court. This action demonstrates his administration’s commitment to a deep-rooted restructuring of the country, enhancing governance and development at the grassroots level, and promoting effectiveness and accountability in local governance. “In addition, a lot of work is going towards ensuring macroeconomic stability, stabilising the foreign exchange regime, reforming the tax system to make it more efficient, and less burdensome on Nigerians, repositioning our oil and gas sector to attract new investment, and prioritising the diversification and expansion of government revenues. “Under the visionary leadership of President Tinubu, we have initiated transformative policies and reforms aimed at correcting the missteps of the past and repositioning Nigeria as an economic superpower in the near future. “Despite the global economic headwinds and the transitional pains accompanying some of the reforms, the president has remained focused in his efforts towards reviving our economy and returning the country to the path of prosperity and sustainable growth.” Likewise, an IT expert and chief executive officer of Falcon Eye Network, Reni Tyioda, said initiative by the present administration to create jobs for youth in the digital economy sector is yielding results. He said, “The federal government has set up the structures to create three million jobs for the Nigerian youth through the 3Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme. The initiative, being driven by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Technology, is an incubator for the education and skills desired to enhance the capacity and value of the youths in national security intelligence. “The 3MTT Programme is an affirmation of President Tinubu’s vision of factoring youth development into the overall national development strategy. To lay a formidable framework towards achieving this, the administration is also prioritising the economic security of Nigerian youths, towards building a more secure and prosperous country.” Meanwhile, a foremost entrepreneur and president of the Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has commended President Tinubu for the positive impact of the Naira for crude swap deal on the Nigerian economy, which has led to reduction in prices of petroleum products in the country. To provide succour to Nigerians, Dangote recently reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N970 to N899.50 at its Refinery loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers. “To ensure that this price reduction gets to the end consumer, we have signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre” he said. In his statement, he called on other oil marketers such as the NNPC Retail and all other marketers “to work with us to ensure that Nigerians enjoy high-quality petrol at discounted prices.” “The Dangote Refinery is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. We will therefore continue to work with various value-chain players to deliver high quality petrol at cheaper prices. Our aim is for all Nigerians to have ready access to high quality petroleum products that are good for their vehicles, good for their health, and good for their pockets,” the statement read in part. Dangote thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support and the government for creating an enabling environment for the domestic refining industry. Similarly, travellers have thumbed up President Tinubu’s 50 per cent subsidised holiday transport services across the country. The initiative which was officially flagged off by the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali, is aimed at ensuring seamless travel for citizens for the festive season, covers both road and rail operations and is scheduled to run from December 24, 2024, to January 5, 2025. observed that travellers were seen at the Eagles Square in Abuja boarding the transport services to their various destinations after being officially flagged off by the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali. A traveller, Madam Juliet Okoli, boarding the transport service to Lagos state, said the initiative is commendable considering the economy cash crunch in the country. “I am happy that I can travel to Lagos at a cheaper rate to spend the Christmas celebration with my family and I urged the federal government to do more for Nigerians by reducing the fuel price to as low as N300 to N400,” she said. Another traveller, Joseph Akor, who couldn’t hold his excitement, commended the federal government for the transport service initiative and urged the transport unions to make it accessible for all Nigerians.LONDON -- Bukayo Saka will miss more than two months after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury, Mikel Arteta has says. Saka limped out of Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on December 21, the latest hammer blow of a season in which the Gunners have suffered a string of injuries to key players. None will be more profoundly felt than the absence of their leading chance creator, assist provider, ball progressor and shot taker. "He had a procedure, everything went well but unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks," said Arteta, who added when pressed for a timescale: "I said many weeks. I think it will be more than two months. I don't know exactly how much longer. I think it will depend on the scar tissue that starts to heel in the first week or so, the mobility of that. Let's see." Even if Arteta's assessment is slightly too conservative, an absence of just the two months would see Saka miss a further nine Premier League games at a time when Arsenal need a winning run to haul in Liverpool. He would also miss the remainder of the Champions League league phase games, the knockout round if Arsenal are required to play it and may even be a doubt for the round of 16. Saka was not the only forward missing from the Arsenal side that ran out 1-0 winners over Ipswich, Raheem Sterling missing from a second straight Premier League matchday squad with a knee injury. That, however, is progressing encouragingly for Arsenal. "The news with Raz I think is better," said Arteta. "We have to see this week how he evolves but we expected the injury to probably take longer than actually the way the knee is evolving in the last few days. Hopefully that's good because we need it." Sterling has struggled to impress since joining on loan from Chelsea on deadline day but given Saka's absence opportunities will doubtless come his way to turn the tide. Replacing Saka will surely be beyond a 30 year old who appears to be in decline but, robbed of one of the Premier League's best players, Arsenal are going to need all the hope they can get.
What 19 Analyst Ratings Have To Say About Exact Sciences
By MATTHEW BROWN and JACK DURA BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Donald Trump assigned Doug Burgum a singular mission in nominating the governor of oil-rich North Dakota to lead an agency that oversees a half-billion acres of federal land and vast areas offshore: “Drill baby drill.” That dictate from the president-elect’s announcement of Burgum for Secretary of Interior sets the stage for a reignition of the court battles over public lands and waters that helped define Trump’s first term, with environmentalists worried about climate change already pledging their opposition. Burgum is an ultra-wealthy software industry entrepreneur who grew up on his family’s farm. He represents a tame choice compared to other Trump Cabinet picks. Public lands experts said his experience as a popular two-term governor who aligns himself with conservationist Teddy Roosevelt suggests a willingness to collaborate, as opposed to dismantling from within the agency he is tasked with leading. That could help smooth his confirmation and clear the way for the incoming administration to move quickly to open more public lands to development and commercial use. “Burgum strikes me as a credible nominee who could do a credible job as Interior secretary,” said John Leshy, who served as Interior’s solicitor under former President Bill Clinton. “He’s not a right-wing radical on public lands,” added Leshy, professor emeritus at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. The Interior Department manages about one-fifth of the country’s land with a mandate that spans from wildlife conservation and recreation to natural resource extraction and fulfilling treaty obligations with Native American tribes. Most of those lands are in the West, where frictions with private landowners and state officials are commonplace and have sometimes mushroomed into violent confrontations with right-wing groups that reject federal jurisdiction. Burgum if confirmed would be faced with a pending U.S. Supreme Court action from Utah that seeks to assert state power over Interior Department lands. North Dakota’s attorney general has supported the lawsuit, but Burgum’s office declined to say if he backs Utah’s claims. U.S. Justice Department attorneys on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reject Utah’s lawsuit. They said Utah in 1894 agreed to give up its right to the lands at issue when it became a state. Trump’s narrow focus on fossil fuels is a replay from his 2016 campaign — although minus coal mining, a collapsing industry that he failed to revive in his first term. Trump repeatedly hailed oil as “liquid gold” on the campaign trail this year and largely omitted any mention of coal. About 26% of U.S. oil comes from federal lands and offshore waters overseen by Interior. Production continues to hit record levels under President Joe Biden despite claims by Trump that the Democrat hindered drilling. But industry representatives and their Republican allies say volumes could be further boosted. They want Burgum and the Interior Department to ramp up oil and gas sales from federal lands, in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. The oil industry also hopes Trump’s government efficiency initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk can dramatically reduce environmental reviews. Biden’s administration reduced the frequency and size of lease sales, and it restored environmental rules that were weakened under Trump . The Democrat as a candidate in 2020 promised further restrictions on drilling to help combat global warming, but he struck a deal for the 2022 climate bill that requires offshore oil and gas sales to be held before renewable energy leases can be sold. “Oil and gas brings billions of dollars of revenue in, but you don’t get that if you don’t have leasing,” said Erik Milito with the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore industries including oil and wind. Trump has vowed to kill offshore wind energy projects. But Milito said he was hopeful that with Burgum in place it would be “green lights ahead for everything, not just oil and gas.” It is unclear if Burgum would revive some of the most controversial steps taken at the agency during Trump’s first term, including relocating senior officials out of Washington, D.C., dismantling parts of the Endangered Species Act and shrinking the size of two national monuments in Utah designated by former President Barack Obama. Officials under Biden spent much of the past four years reversing Trump’s moves. They restored the Utah monuments and rescinded numerous Trump regulations. Onshore oil and gas lease sales plummeted — from more than a million acres sold annually under Trump and other previous administrations, to just 91,712 acres (37,115 hectares) sold last year — while many wind and solar projects advanced. Developing energy leases takes years, and oil companies control millions of acres that remain untapped. Biden’s administration also elevated the importance of conservation in public lands decisions, adopting a rule putting it more on par with oil and gas development. They proposed withdrawing parcels of land in six states from potential future mining to protect a struggling bird species, the greater sage grouse. North Dakota is among Republican states that challenged the Biden administration’s public lands rule. The states said in a June lawsuit that officials acting to prevent climate change have turned laws meant to facilitate development into policies that obstruct drilling, livestock grazing and other uses. Oil production boomed over the past two decades in North Dakota thanks in large part to better drilling techniques. Burgum has been an industry champion and last year signed a repeal of the state’s oil tax trigger — a price-based tax hike industry leaders supported removing. Burgum’s office declined an interview request. In a statement after his nomination, Burgum echoed Trump’s call for U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. The 68-year-old governor also said the Interior post offered an opportunity to improve government relations with developers, tribes, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts “with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people.” Related Articles National Politics | Judge delays Trump hush money sentencing in order to decide where case should go now National Politics | Republicans scramble to fill JD Vance’s Ohio Senate seat National Politics | Where Virginia’s sexual assault bills to better protect students stand National Politics | Gaetz’s withdrawal highlights how incoming presidents often lose Cabinet nominees National Politics | What to know about Pam Bondi, Trump’s new pick for attorney general Under current Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the agency put greater emphasis on working collaboratively with tribes, including their own energy projects . Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe in New Mexico, also advanced an initiative to solve criminal cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and helped lead a nationwide reckoning over abuses at federal Indian boarding schools that culminated in a formal public apology from Biden. Burgum has worked with tribes in his state, including on oil development. Badlands Conservation Alliance director Shannon Straight in Bismarck, North Dakota, said Burgum has also been a big supporter of tourism in North Dakota and outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. Yet Straight said that hasn’t translated into additional protections for land in the state. “Theodore Roosevelt had a conservation ethic, and we talk and hold that up as a beautiful standard to live by,” he said. “We haven’t seen it as much on the ground. ... We need to recognize the landscape is only going to be as good as some additional protections.” Burgum has been a cheerleader of the planned Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. Brown reported from Billings, Montana. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws Meet the Fort Monroe Authority’s new CEO Meet the Fort Monroe Authority’s new CEO Court documents: 3-year-old grabbed dad’s gun off kitchen counter and accidentally shot himself Court documents: 3-year-old grabbed dad’s gun off kitchen counter and accidentally shot himself Army-Navy 2024: Navy specialty uniforms to honor Jolly Rogers aviation squadron Army-Navy 2024: Navy specialty uniforms to honor Jolly Rogers aviation squadron Here’s what development around the Virginia Beach Convention Center could look like Here’s what development around the Virginia Beach Convention Center could look like Newport News’ first Saladworks combines former doctor’s passions for health and business Newport News’ first Saladworks combines former doctor’s passions for health and business Bike shop in Midtown Row rebrands, coffee shops celebrate and more business news from the Historic Triangle Bike shop in Midtown Row rebrands, coffee shops celebrate and more business news from the Historic Triangle 2 injured after vehicle failed to stop at Suffolk railroad crossing, police say 2 injured after vehicle failed to stop at Suffolk railroad crossing, police say Entertainment venue Uptown Alley no longer coming to Williamsburg Entertainment venue Uptown Alley no longer coming to Williamsburg Virginia live election results Virginia live election results Trending Nationally Castle Rock school bus driver who left 40 kids at busy intersection “didn’t know what to do” A ‘horrific accident’: 2 deputies who died, 1 injured in Palm Beach County crash identified Illinois high court overturns Jussie Smollett’s convictions in allegedly staged hate crime San Diego toddler’s backyard snake bite bills totaled more than a quarter-million dollars Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws
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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media , leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law. The major parties backed the bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts. The legislation passed 102 to 13. If the bill becomes law this week, the platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the age restrictions before the penalties are enforced. Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan told Parliament the government had agreed to accept amendments in the Senate that would bolster privacy protections. Platforms would not be allowed to compel users to provide government-issued identity documents including passports or driver’s licenses. The platforms also could not demand digital identification through a government system. “Will it be perfect? No. But is any law perfect? No, it’s not. But if it helps, even if it helps in just the smallest of ways, it will make a huge difference to people’s lives,” Tehan told Parliament. RELATED COVERAGE North Carolina’s governor has vetoed a GOP bill that would weaken his successor and other Democrats Venezuela’s government will investigate opposition leader Machado for supporting US House bill Australia rejects Elon Musk’s claim that it plans to control access to the internet Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the Senate would debate the bill later Wednesday. The major parties’ support all but guarantees the legislation will pass in the Senate, where no party holds a majority of seats. Lawmakers who were not aligned with either the government or the opposition were most critical of the legislation during debate on Tuesday and Wednesday. Criticisms include that the legislation had been rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, would not work, would create privacy risks for users of all ages and would take away parents’ authority to decide what’s best for their children. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media reluctant to report harms they encountered and take away incentives for platforms to make online spaces safer. Independent lawmaker Zoe Daniel said the legislation would “make zero difference to the harms that are inherent to social media.” “The true object of this legislation is not to make social media safe by design, but to make parents and voters feel like the government is doing something about it,” Daniel told Parliament. “There is a reason why the government parades this legislation as world-leading, that’s because no other country wants to do it,” she added. T he platforms had asked for the vote on legislation to be delayed until at least June next year when a government-commissioned evaluation of age assurance technologies made its report on how the ban could been enforced. Melbourne resident Wayne Holdsworth, whose 17-year-old son Mac took his own life last year after falling victim to an online sextortion scam, described the bill as “absolutely essential for the safety of our children.” “It’s not the only thing that we need to do to protect them because education is the key, but to provide some immediate support for our children and parents to be able to manage this, it’s a great step,” the 65-year-old online safety campaigner told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “And in my opinion, it’s the greatest time in our country’s history,” he added, referring to the pending legal reform.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her agency will need to start taking “extraordinary measures,” or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling , as early as January 14, in a letter sent to congressional leaders Friday afternoon. "Treasury expects to hit the statutory debt ceiling between January 14 and January 23," Yellen wrote in a letter addressed to House and Senate leadership, at which point extraordinary measures would be used to prevent the government from breaching the nation's debt ceiling — which has been suspended until Jan. 1, 2025. The department has in the past deployed what are known as “extraordinary measures” or accounting maneuvers to keep the government operating. But once those measures run out the government risks defaulting on its debt unless lawmakers and the president agree to lift the limit on the U.S. government’s ability to borrow. "I respectfully urge Congress to act to protect the full faith and credit of the United States," she said. The news comes after President Joe Biden signed a bill into law last week that averted a government shutdown but did not include President-elect Donald Trump’s core debt demand to raise or suspend the nation’s debt limit. The bill was approved by Congress only after fierce internal debate among Republicans over how to handle Trump's demand. “Anything else is a betrayal of our country,” Trump said in a statement. After a protracted debate in the summer of 2023 over how to fund the government, policymakers crafted the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which included suspending the nation's $31.4 trillion borrowing authority until Jan. 1, 2025. Notably however, Yellen said, on Jan. 2 the debt is projected to temporarily decrease due to a scheduled redemption of nonmarketable securities held by a federal trust fund associated with Medicare payments. As a result, “Treasury does not expect that it will be necessary to start taking extraordinary measures on January 2 to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations," she said. The federal debt currently stands at roughly $36 trillion — which ballooned across both Republican and Democratic administrations. And the spike in inflation after the coronavirus pandemic pushed up government borrowing costs such that debt service next year will exceed spending on national security. Republicans, who will have full control of the White House, House and Senate in the new year, have big plans to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts and other priorities but debate over how to pay for them. Fatima Hussein, The Associated PressStock market today: Dow drops over 300 points amid a tech stock rout
BEIJING (AP) — A court in China has sentenced a man to death for killing 35 people last month by driving into a crowd, in an attack that raised national concern about mass killings. Fan Weiqiu was venting his anger because he was unhappy with his divorce settlement, the court in the southern city of Zhuhai said in handing down the sentence on Friday. The victims were exercising at a sports center. Fan pleaded guilty to endangering public safety by dangerous means, a court statement said. Fan's “criminal motive was extremely despicable, the nature of the crime was extremely vile, the means of the crime were particularly cruel, and the consequences of the crime were particularly severe, resulting in great social harm,” the court said. The attack was one of several in China in late October and November and spurred Chinese leader Xi Jinping to order local governments to take steps to prevent future “extreme cases.” His order prompted vows from local leaders to examine personal disputes that could trigger aggression, from marital troubles to disagreements over inheritance. Fan's sentence was the second one handed down in quick succession just weeks after the recent attacks, much faster than court cases normally take in China. A court earlier this week gave a suspended death sentence with a two-year reprieve to a driver who injured 30 people when he drove into elementary school students and parents in Hunan province. Such sentences are usually commuted to life in prison. The court in the city of Changde said the driver was taking out his frustrations after losing money he had invested. Such attacks on crowds, with a vehicle or a knife, are not new in China, but the spate this fall and the high number of victims in the Zhuhai attack renewed the focus on the issue. The attackers are often taking out their anger and frustration over a personal matter in what are known as “revenge on society” crimes. Chinese authorities keep a tight lid on any reports about the attacks, censoring videos and eyewitness accounts posted on social media and releasing only basic information, often many hours afterward. The death toll in Zhuhai wasn't announced until 24 hours after the attack. In addition to the 35 people killed, another 43 were injured, police said. The driver, Fan, who was 62 years old, was found in his vehicle trying to stab himself with a knife, a police statement said. Police set up barricades the day after the attack and barred people from entering the sports complex. Members of the public left bouquets of flowers by an adjacent square instead.