T he lethality of lone-wolf terrorism has reached an all-time high across the world. Isolated individuals using fully automatic firearms, with high-capacity magazines are committing brutal murder with the aim of terrorising others.”Lone-wolf” terrorism is the term used to describe someone who acts alone in a terrorist attack without the help or encouragement of a terrorist organisation. Lone-wolf attacks have evolved as the new face of terrorism and bring unique challenges for counter-terrorism police agencies. Data from the latest Global Terrorism Index shows a rise of individual, unaffiliated terrorist attackers in the West. More incidents are being committed at the hands of lone wolf terrorist attackers in Western nations. Global conflict and terrorist activity are on the rise. The evolution of online extremist culture and the rise of lone actors emerges amid globalisation and technological advancements. The term “lone wolf” was popularised in the late 1990s by white supremacists Tom Metzger and Alex Curtis as part of an encouragement to fellow racists, to act alone in committing violent crimes. Other terms that have been used to describe similar forms of political violence include “leaderless resistance’.Lone-wolf terrorists tend tocreate their own ideologies that combine personal frustrations and aversion with political, social or religious grievances. The above-mentioned definition of lone wolf terrorists comprises a wide spectrum of violent extremists. Among them we can identify religious zealots, environmental and animal rights extremists, white supremacists and jihadists. Even at the level of the ideological or religious background there is much variety. Perhaps one of the most puzzling and unpredictable forms of terrorism is provided by violent acts committed by a single individual. These so-called lone wolves are a nightmare for the police and intelligence community as they are extremely difficult to detect and to defend against. Compared to group terrorism or network-sponsored terrorists, ‘lone operators’ have a critical advantage in avoiding identification. It is extremely difficult to single out potential lone wolves before they strike, even with the help of the most sophisticated intelligence gathering tools. Lone wolves inspire copycat behaviour,become role models for other alienated youngsters and invite band wagon attacks. Although lone wolves might have the disadvantage of lacking the means, skills,and “professional” support of terrorist groups, some of them have proven to be very lethal. Infamous examples from the United States,Israel and Europe include Baruch Goldstein,an American-born Israeli citizen who was responsible for the death of 29 Muslims praying in the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron; the Austrian Franz Fuchs, who used letter bombs to kill 4 and injure 15 people. Former US Army major Nidal Malik Hasan, who engaged in a mass shooting at Fort Hood in which 13 people died and 30 were wounded;and the American mathematician Theodore Kaczynski, also known as the “Una Bomber”, engaged in a mail bombing spree that killed three and wounded 23. In addition, there have been several lone wolves who assassinated political leaders- such as Yigal Amir, the assassin of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin; Volkert van der Graaf, who killed the Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn;and Mijailo Mijailovic, who is responsible forthe death of the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Anna Lindh. These “disturbed” individuals and their violent acts exemplify the many differences in targets and modus operandi (MO),as well the varieties in the political or ideological background of the perpetrators.it is very hard to predict from which disenfranchised, alienated orfrustrated environment they stem. They display a variety of backgrounds with a wide spectrum of ideologies and motivations. Another commonality among lone wolves is that –they often distribute their ideas or manifestos to the outside world, in some cases even prior to the actual attack. Ted Kaczynski published his own manifesto and wrote letters to local newspapers. Today, the Internet allows anyone to post his or her extremist ideology on the Web. Fortunately for the police, there are some operational constrains for the lone wolf, in executing a“successful” attack. Like any terrorist, they are hindered by the terrorist attack cycle. Because they are working alone, they have to conduct each step of the cycle by themselves. This means that they are vulnerable to detection at several different junctures as they plan their attacks, the most critical of which is the surveillance stage of the operation. Mind mix Anders Breivik targeted a youth camp in Oslo, Norway unleashing a horrendous terror attack, and killed 77 people. This was one of the first prominent lone-wolf terrorist attacks. Breivik justified his act to his quest to ‘save European culture’ from Islam. His act was later supported on social media platform by far-right individuals. Radicalisation plays a critical role in the making of a lone-wolf terrorist. This process mostly happens online through social media platforms, encrypted chat rooms on the dark-net and propaganda on instant messaging apps.The basis of radicalisation emanates from multiple sources. One of them is the sense of injustice the lone-wolf terror suspect’s encounter, together with a loss of faith in the social fabric and their rage at the system for failing to make amends for the wrongs that have been done. We know there are many factors that drive people to engage in terrorism, yet we still don’t understand when or why some factors matter more than others. We know that extremism flourishes in times of instability and conflict.Attracting a wide audience has always been a core goal of terrorism, but today globalisation and technological advancements have dramatically changed the way that terrorists socialise ideas, form (virtual) communities, and inspire action. Social media has played a pivotal role in the rise and success of lone wolf actors. The increase in “salad bar ideology” has experts scrambling to create new terrorism typologies.The terms broadly refer to idiosyncratic patterns of radicalisation. What we’re seeing is violent extremists who display an amalgamation of different disparate beliefs, interests and grievances. Lone wolf terrorists are more educated and socially isolated than group-based actors. Lone wolves also engage in less precursor activities than group actors, but are willing to travel greater distances to prepare for and execute attacks.Some lone wolfterrorists could be diagnosed with various forms of psychopathology. Also, lone wolfterrorism is often preceded by a personal event linked to the upcoming terrorist act –something that has made the “act” personal. Strong reciprocity and group identification are other factors that could contribute to a person becoming a lone wolf terrorist (although the act is individual choice). These individuals are less likely to trust others to do their job properly. Research on lone wolves points out that they typically withdraw from mainstreamsociety. They all suffered from varying degrees of social ineptitude and are often anti-social thinkers. The debate on how to fight lone wolf terrorism is far from decided and remains to be reconciled with popular principles of freedom – as is the case with any exchange of those principles for security reasons. It could be rewarding to study and compare the nature of ‘potential triggers’ or catalyst events in the radicalisation processes of lone wolves. Are they located in the private domain, are they provided by political developments? Or are triggers even cunningly mastered by “entrepreneurs of violence” who call upon their anonymous followers to become active. Police agencies must try to pick up red flags, and hopefully monitor people who display “lone wolf” tendencies. This is a dormant but dangerous threat, globally. (The writer is author of Target Secured- Police Special Task Force)
Hail Flutie: BC celebrates 40th anniversary of Miracle in MiamiSharon Rose Corneil(BPT) - The new year is a good time to reset. From a fresh start on lifestyle choices, hobbies or pursuits, to the less exciting — but no less important — aspects of life, like memberships, contracts and even health insurance. Health insurance deductibles reset in the new year, so it's a good idea to keep that in mind as you plan for healthcare expenses. Any changes made to your health insurance plan during open enrollment go into effect as well. "Even if you spent hours researching your health plan before making a selection, there's always a possibility for the occasional surprise once coverage kicks in, which is why it's important to assess your healthcare coverage and address any gaps before January 1," said Doug Armstrong, Vice President of Health Products and Services at AARP Services, Inc. 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Benefits include same-day/next-day appointments where available, convenient locations, a dedicated care team and a 24/7 patient support line. AARP membership is not required to visit an Oak Street Health location. 4. Protect your smile Optimal dental care includes daily brushing and flossing and a visit to the dentist every six months. During your visit, the dentist can monitor for and treat any issues, such as cavities or gum disease. However, not all plans include dental insurance, which means you might end up paying out of pocket for your cleaning and other procedures. To avoid that, take a look at your coverage. If needed, explore information on dental insurance options that offer individual or family coverage for the most common dental procedures. Dental insurance generally pays for regular check-ups, so many people who purchase protection will benefit from it immediately. 5. Clarify your hearing coverage Hearing loss is a common age-related ailment. According to the National Institute on Aging , one-third of older adults have hearing loss, and the chance of developing hearing loss increases with age. Hearing aids can be an enormous help, improving socialization, boosting confidence and even helping to increase balance. However, many insurance plans do not include coverage for hearing aids. AARP ® Hearing SolutionsTM provided by UnitedHealthcare ® Hearing provides savings on hearing aids and hearing care . Members can save an average of $2,000 per pair on prescription hearing aids and 15% on accessories — no insurance needed. Plus receive a hearing exam and consultation at no cost and personalized support through a large nationwide network of hearing providers. 6. Consider physical therapy Often, the only times that people consider whether their health insurance covers physical therapy is if they already participate in it or after the doctor has prescribed it. As we age, though, physical therapy can be a useful tool in improving balance or recovering from an injury or procedure to help you remain active. Fortunately, the question of coverage or finding an in-network location doesn't have to derail you. AARP ® Physical Therapy At HomeTM by Luna accepts most insurances and Medicare and is available to members and non-members alike. Plus, Luna's experts come to you, so you can receive quality care from the comfort of your home. If you're creating an end-of-year to-do list, consider adding an assessment of your healthcare coverage. After all, the best time to realize you have a gap in coverage is before you need it. To learn more about AARP member benefits, visit aarp.org/benefits . AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.
India is poised to achieve new heights in foodgrain production in 2025, driven by favorable monsoon, though significant challenges persist in pulses and oilseeds production as the country's agricultural sector shows signs of robust recovery. The Agriculture Ministry's initial projections paint an optimistic picture, with kharif (summer) foodgrain production estimated at a record 164.7 million tonnes for the 2024-25 crop year ending June 2025. Winter crop planting has maintained steady progress, with wheat sown across 29.31 million hectares as of mid-December 2024, while total rabi (winter) crops cover 55.88 million hectares. 'We had a good kharif crop because of normal rainfall,' Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi told PTI. 'Overall, the crop prospect for the whole year looks promising,' he added, though cautioning against potential heat waves in February-March that could affect the winter wheat harvest. The agricultural sector is projected to bounce back strongly, with growth projections of 3.5-4% in 2024-25, up from 1.4% in the previous fiscal year. Agri-economist S Mahendra Dev attributes this improvement to 'good monsoon and rise in rural demand'. This growth comes despite localised floods and droughts affecting crops in parts of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Climate change-induced weather anomalies have particularly impacted onion and tomato yields in certain regions. However, the path ahead isn't without hurdles. To address the persistent challenge of self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds, the government will roll out the National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) in 2025, backed by a substantial budget of Rs 10,103 crore. The initiative aims to reduce import dependency through targeted interventions and increased support prices. The horticulture sector has shown remarkable progress, with record production of fruits and vegetables. The success is attributed to improved farming practices and technology adoption under various government schemes. The sector is witnessing increased technological adoption, with drones and AI-driven tools gaining traction. 'These innovations offer immense potential to enhance productivity,' said Ashish Dobhal, CEO of UPL Sustainable AgriSolutions. The government's flagship PM-KISAN scheme continues to provide crucial support, having disbursed over Rs 3.46 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmers since its 2018 launch. Seven new agricultural schemes announced in September 2024, with a combined outlay of Rs 13,966 crore, are set for full implementation in 2025. These initiatives span various aspects of agriculture, including digital transformation, crop science, livestock health, and natural resource management. However, farmer unrest remains a concern, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, where demands for legal MSP guarantees and other reforms persist. A parliamentary committee has suggested doubling the PM-KISAN support to Rs 12,000 per beneficiary and implementing universal crop insurance for small farmers. While farmer-producer organisations have expanded with 9,204 registrations, they continue to face challenges, including limited market access and weak managerial capacity, potentially affecting their long-term sustainability. Looking ahead, the agriculture ministry plans to conduct a benchmarking study comparing its crop insurance scheme PMFBY with similar programs globally, aiming to adopt best practices within the PMFBY ecosystem. While government schemes have shown varied levels of success, experts note that many require revision and targeted intervention to address specific challenges in the farm sector effectively. 'Only a few of the central schemes have been impactful, while the rest need a re-look,' Dev observed. The coming year will be crucial for India's agricultural sector as it balances traditional farming practices with technological innovation while addressing persistent challenges in food security and farmer welfare. The success of new initiatives and their implementation will likely determine the sector's trajectory toward sustainable growth and self-sufficiency in key crop categories. Key concerns remain regarding MSP implementation effectiveness and high input costs, particularly for fertilisers and pesticides. The sector's ability to address these challenges while maintaining production growth will be crucial for achieving its ambitious targets for 2025.