Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi paid a visit to Beijing at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to review the relations between the two countries and discuss the regional developments. In the ministerial negotiations, the two sides praised the progress in the implementation of a comprehensive cooperation agreement between Iran and China, reiterating their countries’ determination to carry out the agreement and exchange governance experiences in the political, diplomatic, parliamentary, defense, security, law enforcement, judicial, economic and trade fields. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the two sides also discussed the situation in West Asia, stressing that the Middle East belongs only to its people, is not a playing field for the big countries, and should not fall victim to the plots and geopolitical clashes of outsiders. They also agreed that the international community should respect the national sovereignty, security, stability, unity and territorial integrity of all Middle East countries, pay heed to the logical demands of the Middle East nations, respect their independent decisions, and push to strengthen peace and stability in the Middle East. The way for the establishment of stability and clam in the Middle East is commitment to the principle of political solutions on the basis of international law without foreign interference, the Iranian and Chinese ministers emphasized. The two sides also voiced support for the enhancement of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the continuation of dialogue and consultations among the regional countries. Iran and China also agreed that the settlement of the Palestine crisis requires respect for and restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian nation and ending occupation. They described an immediate establishment of ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of military forces from Gaza, and the delivery of humanitarian aids as the main priority at present. Stressing the need for the serious and effective implementation of a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the Iranian and Chinese ministers also called for the fight against terrorism and extremism in Syria, domestic reconciliation, and delivery of humanitarian supplies to the Arab country.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democrats and Republicans agreed on at least one thing before November’s election: California would play a central role in determining control of the U.S. House. Indeed it did. Democrat Adam Gray's come-from-behind victory over Republican Rep. John Duarte in a Central Valley farm-belt district Tuesday — the final House contest decided this year — gave Democrats their third pick-up of a GOP-held seat in the state, a small victory in a tough year for Democrats nationally. While Democratic wins narrowed the gap in the House, Republicans held their ground in two other toss-up contests that helped the GOP defend its fragile majority in Washington. Republicans won 220 House seats this election cycle , with Democrats holding 215 seats. Despite falling short of a majority, Democrats stressed that the party will gain seats next year, leaving the chamber even more closely divided. “Netting three seats was a very big deal,” Rep. Pete Aguilar, the third-ranking Democrat in the chamber, who lives in Redlands, east of Los Angeles, said in Washington. Democratic enthusiasm was tempered, however, by turnout figures that lagged the 2020 presidential election in the heavily Democratic state, even with Kamala Harris leading the Democratic ticket in her home state. Also, Republicans made incremental gains in the state Legislature. Voters overwhelmingly endorsed a ballot proposal that makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders again and increases penalties for some drug charges amid frustration over retail crimes, a proposal opposed by some Democrats. The election showed Democrats will need to pay closer attention to issues like crime and the cost of living, even in a state where the party holds every statewide office and dominates the Legislature and congressional delegation, Claremont McKenna College political scientist Jack Pitney said. In the House, Democrats “were hoping that California would push them over the top to gain a majority. But their gains elsewhere were not strong enough,” Pitney added, pointing to GOP wins in North Carolina. Gray won by a margin of less than 200 votes, with election officials reporting Tuesday all ballots had been counted. Duarte captured the seat in 2022 when he defeated Gray by one of the closest margins in the country, 564 votes. He was often listed among the most vulnerable House Republicans given that narrow margin of victory in a district with a Democratic tilt — about 11 points over registered Republicans. Gray said in a statement: “We always knew that this race would be as close as they come, and we’re expecting a photo finish this year, too.” In other Democratic House gains, first-time candidate Derek Tran ousted Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in a Southern California district anchored in Orange County, while Democrat George Whitesides toppled Republican Rep. Mike Garcia is a district north of Los Angeles. In a district east of Los Angeles, Republican Rep. Ken Calvert again held off Democrat Will Rollins in a repeat of their 2022 contest. And Republican Rep. David Valadao kept his grip on a farm-belt seat, despite its heavy Democratic registration edge. The outcome will leave Republicans with nine of the state's 52 U.S. House seats next year. Although California is often seen as a liberal monolith, a string of House districts has proved volatile in recent elections, spotlighting their importance to both parties. Democrats snatched seven seats from Republicans in 2018, then Republicans seized four from Democrats in 2020. In the 2022 elections, Republicans gained one seat, from 11 to 12, while Democrats dropped to 40 seats from 42, after California lost a House seat in reapportionment after the 2020 census. Overall, the state dropped to 52 districts from 53. The state played a pivotal role in securing the gavel for Republicans in 2022 and installing Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield as speaker .Canada 'Freedom Convoy' leader found guilty over trucker protest role
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Australian sailor Matt Wearn will ponder his Olympic future during a 12-month spell from his dual gold-medal winning class. Wearn was Australia’s joint flag bearer at the closing ceremony of this year’s Paris Games after becoming the first man to successfully defend an Olympic dinghy title. But the 29-year-old is taking time away from the dinghy while deciding if he has motivation to return to the class for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Wearn will pursue professional opportunities and other aspects of the sport in a plan supported by his coach Rafa Trujillo. “Rafa and I discussed the plan before the (Paris) Games as we felt it was critical to the lead-in,” Wearn said. “We decided it was important to take at least 12 months away from the ILCA (dinghy). “This time will allow me to explore different aspects of sailing, delve into the professional side of the sport and figure out if the drive and hunger for LA are still there.” Wearn’s Paris Olympic triumph in the dinghy, previously known as the laser class, followed recovery from a bad bout of long COVID-19 two years ago. The illness was combined with the shorter three-year turnaround between his gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympics of 2021 and the Paris Games. “With everything compressed into the three years between Tokyo and Paris, I haven’t had proper time off in a while,” he said. “It has been tough but having a holiday with my wife Emma and just stepping away to let everything sink in has been super nice. “At times it still hits me, especially when people introduce me at events now as a two-time Olympic gold medallist. “It sort of gives me goosebumps and makes me realise what I’ve achieved.” Wearn, who recently was inducted into the Australian sailing Hall of Fame and also nominated for the world sailor of the year, will dabble with other sailing disciplines. “I’m getting into foiling ... and continuing to get out on the wing foil, I can stay out for half an hour or three hours, that’s the nice bit at the moment, just enjoying it and learning something new,” he said. “Obviously, coming from the ILCA I don’t have too much exposure to foiling and that’s the way the sport is going. It has been that steep learning curve and I’m enjoying that challenge. “I’m also teaming up with John Bertrand for the Etchell Worlds in January (in Melbourne) which could be a stepping stone into professional sailing overseas such as TP52 or RC44 racing. “Enjoying being a normal person over the Christmas period with family, not having a jet off to events. “(I am) going to take it easy and enjoy being at home for once in summer, which will be a refreshing change from the usual hectic schedule.”
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Fortnite Remix Finale offers exclusive look at most-anticipated addition in Chapter 6Google’s annual report of most-searched personalities, news, events, and movies for 2024 has revealed global interests, with notable focus on elections and prominent figures. The data, however, does not distinguish whether the searches stemmed from positive or negative sentiments. Elections topped the charts, with US presidential elections leading the way. Alongside, prominent individuals, films, and sports drew significant attention. Among the most-searched personalities, one notable figure hailed from the Muslim world. According to Al Jazeera, , the newly elected US president, was the most-searched person globally. His legal challenges, controversies, and eventual triumph in the US presidential race kept him at the centre of discussions worldwide. In second place was , whose absence from royal duties due to health concerns sparked global interest in her well-being and royal responsibilities. , the Democratic candidate in the US elections, ranked third. Her high-stakes rivalry with Trump, marked by heated campaign debates, drew massive attention. Trump’s decision to skip some debates further added to her visibility. Coming fourth was , an Algerian athlete and Olympic gold medallist in the women’s welterweight boxing event. Her remarkable achievement ignited global acclaim, but debates surrounding her gender brought her under greater scrutiny, highlighting issues of representation in sports. These rankings offer a glimpse into the stories and figures that captured the world's interest over the past year, from politics to sports and beyond. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see ourBlue Jays predicted to sign 4-time All-Star to blockbuster $225 million deal | Sporting News
In an interview with Fortune in 2013, legendary investor Warren Buffett shared his insights on avoiding speculative investing and adopting a disciplined, long-term approach. What Happened: Buffett, known for his value investing philosophy, highlighted the importance of understanding the productive potential of assets rather than making impulsive decisions based on market noise. During the interview , Buffett compared evaluating stocks to assessing tangible investments like farms or apartment buildings. For a farm, he advises calculating expected crop yields and determining their value. Similarly, for an apartment building, rental income should be weighed against taxes and expenses to estimate the expected return. In both cases, the focus should be on paying a fair price for the asset's productive potential. “You always want to look at the productive ability of the assets you're buying, whether it's a farm, an apartment house, or a company. The company is represented by a stock. If you always get your money's worth, you'll do very well,” Buffett said. Also Read: Warren Buffett’s Timeless Advice: ‘If You’re Gonna Do Dumb Things Because Your Stock Goes Down, You Shouldn’t Own A Stock At All’ “If you buy a farm, you look at the farm and say, "I expect to get so many bushels per acre of corn or soybeans." Then you figure out how much that will be worth and you figure out what the price should be. If you buy an apartment house, you should look at what the rentals will be, what the taxes and expenses will be, and then decide how much income you'll have. You pay a fair price for that,” Buffett added. However, when it comes to stocks, Buffett warned against buying based on hearsay or speculative advice. He encouraged investors to prioritize the long-term productive ability of assets over short-term price movements. "The biggest mistake people make is listening to a lot of other people and buying something because they think it's going to go up next week or next month, for whatever reason people give you. You should understand what you buy," he said. He emphasized that understanding the intrinsic value of a company, which a stock represents, is key to successful investing. “With stocks, their neighbor whispers something to them and then run out and spend money that it took them years to earn,” Buffett said. Why It Matters: This advice aligns with Buffett's broader philosophy of value investing, which has guided his decades-long track record of outperforming the market. His focus on fundamentals serves as a reminder that patience and careful evaluation remain the cornerstones of sound investing. Read Next Warren Buffett’s Career Advice: ‘Don’t Think About Money, Take The Job That You Would Take If You Didn’t Need The Job’ This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Daily Post Nigeria Adamawa ta mu ce a 2027 – APC Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Hausa Adamawa ta mu ce a 2027 – APC Published on December 23, 2024 By Nana Ismail Jam’iyyar APC ta dauki babban mataki domin warware sabani tsakanin mambobinta a Jihar Adamawa. Kwamitin sulhu da hedikwatar jam’iyyar ta kasa ta kafa ya gana da shugabannin jam’iyyar a Jihar Adamawa a ranar Litinin a matsayin mataki na farko don samar da hadin kai a cikin jam’iyyar. APC, wacce ta samar da Gwamnan Jihar Adamawa a 2015, ta kasa dawowa kan mulki a 2019 kuma ta sake faduwa a 2023. Kwamitin ya fara ganawarsa da shugabannin jam’iyyar da yammacin Litinin, inda ya ce ya kamata su dauki nasarar 2027 a matsayin wani abu da za a iya cimmawa kuma dole ne su yi aiki don samun nasarar. Kwamitin, wanda Sanata Mohammed Mana ya jagoranta, wanda ya wakilci Mazabar Adamawa ta Arewa daga 2007-2011, ya kunshi Isa Baba a matsayin Sakatare da kuma tsofaffin sanatoci Abubakar Halilu Girei, Bello Tukur, da Binta Garba, tare da Mrs. Bridget Zidon, Martins Babale, da Yusuf Yakub a matsayin mambobi. A jawabinsa na bude taro a ofishin jam’iyyar na jiha a Yola, shugaban kwamitin, Muhammed Mana, ya ce APC jam’iyya ce ta talakawa, kuma sulhu zai bai wa jam’iyyar damar kara karfi da kuma kwace mulki daga jam’iyyar PDP mai mulki a jiha. Ya yaba wa Mai Baiwa Shugaban Kasa Shawara Kan Tsaro, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, wanda shi ne shugaban jam’iyyar a jihar, bisa kokarinsa na tabbatar da cewa an sulhunta mambobin jam’iyyar. Related Topics: APC Jihar Adamawa Nuhu Ribadu Don't Miss Yan jima kadan Tinubu zai tattauna da ‘yan jarida kai tsaye You may like 2027: APC vows to retake Adamawa as reconciliation committee meets state, LG executives Edo Lawmaker, Sunday Ojiezele dumps PDP for APC Food stampedes: Tinubu, APC govt pushing Nigerians to their deaths – PDP Edo Poll Tribunal: Ighodalo, PDP, Okpebholo, APC, INEC to call 290 witnesses Ibadan Stampede: You’re playing politics – APC secretary attacks Peter Obi Kotu ta soke zaben APC a Ribas Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdNEW YORK, Dec. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Hasbro, Inc. HAS between February 7, 2022 and October 25, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 13, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Hasbro common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Hasbro class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31157 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 13, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements that represented the quality of inventory and the appropriateness of the levels of inventories carried by Hasbro and its retailers compared to customer demand. In truth, however, Hasbro had a significant buildup of inventory that it was struggling to manage and which far exceeded customer demand. As a result, defendants' statements about Hasbro's inventory, and what inventory levels reflected regarding demand, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Hasbro class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31157 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Disturbing allegations reveal that a public high school teacher in Queens developed a spooky "escape room" which he allegedly used to sexually molest a female student. Investigators said that when his wife and two children were away, Scott Biski, a music teacher at Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences High School, encouraged the girl to have intercourse at his house, which he called "the bat cave." According to the Special Commissioner of Investigation for city schools, Biski, 50, started "grooming" the student when she was 14 years old, a sophomore, and it ended when she was a senior in "a sexual relationship." “I now understand that these weird hugs, embraces were actually just groping,” the ex-student, now 25-year-old, told investigators. “He was touching me for sexual pleasure without my consent.” Biski set up "old desks and makeshift dividers" in his office and music classroom, allowing students to hang out in his "escape room." According to the New York Post, the allegations also stated that Biski tried to kiss the student there after touching her breasts, but the girl pulled away and "promptly" left. He would also ask the girl to play board games with other children at his house. According to the report, she once showed up to discover that she was the only student there. Biski allegedly lavished the girl with expensive presents, including his favorite childhood book, a flute that was only meant to be loaned to students, new clothes, and money, including $200 for Ugg boots. He texted the teenager around 700 times, including 82 times when they were in school, according to the SCI.The girl informed authorities that Biski instructed her to store his number under a false name, "Arthur Dent," "so as not to arouse suspicion." A different student informed SCI that he thought the alias was that of "Harvey Dent," a villain from Batman whose alter persona was "Two-Face." According to court records and the SCI investigation, Biski made the student touch his erection while groping and kissing her in his school office and telling her, "That's how you make me feel." In addition to giving the girl coveted solos and "outstanding" college reference letters, Biski assigned her to play lead flute in the school band, according to the student.She claimed that he engaged in these activities as a component of his grooming routine. She informed police that after she graduated, Biski would reportedly "pester" her into visiting his home to have sex when his wife and two children were away.The twisted texts kepts also continued. “No Halloween celebration?,” She was in her first year of college when he texted her, "No slut outfit?" “No ‘I’m little red riding hood the whore.'” In another instance he texted, “I have risked everything for you. My job. My home. My kids. Everything.” The student informed detectives that she viewed Biski as a "father figure" and was "disgusted" by his actions. However, the student claimed that the sexual contact was consensual and that it happened after she turned 17, therefore the NYPD closed a criminal case against Biski. The SCI accused the teacher of engaging in "egregious, manipulative, and predatory" behavior.Biski was fired by the city Department of Education after the student came forward in June 2022, but according to documents, he continued to get $99,578 in fiscal year 2024 while working for the city until last year. A DOE spokesperson stated that he has "irrevocably resigned."SCI not only suggested that Biski be fired, but it also urged DOE to change school policies about teachers texting children using private phone numbers. The SCI has advised DOE to prohibit staff from reaching students on social media and on their cell phones. It has discovered at least 89 instances in the last five years of DOE staff members engaging in inappropriate text and online discussions with pupils. The 25-year-old former pupil sued Biski last year, accusing him of sexual assault and harassment. Biski sued the DOE in June after it refused to give him legal counsel.
Gov. Brad Little announced Monday he has sent Idaho State Police troopers to Texas, according to a press release . This is the fourth time ISP has been deployed at the U.S.-Mexico border. “In Idaho and across the country, reports of human trafficking are on the rise,” Little said in the release. “Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are seizing record amounts of fentanyl, meth, and other dangerous drugs. In too many cases, this illegal activity can be traced right back to cartels and other bad actors taking advantage of our lawless southern border.” The 13 troopers sent are part of the ISP Domestic Highway Enforcement team, a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force to identify, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations. The troopers left Sunday and will be deployed until mid-December. The release states the troopers will assist the Texas Department of Public Safety in intercepting drug and human traffickers, learning the “latest tactics being used by Mexico drug cartels to smuggle drugs, weapons, and people into America.” “The troopers we deploy to Texas come back with better knowledge to stop these perpetrators in our state,” Little said in the release. “As they have done before, our troopers will debrief and train their law enforcement colleagues around the state so we can protect Idahoans from these deadly, dangerous threats.” This follows actions by Little since 2021 addressing a southern border “crisis.” Little has claimed Idaho faces a drug threat from the border and has often criticized the Biden administration. In 2021, Little sent specialized ISP troopers to Arizona to assist with drug interdiction. In May of 2023, Little sent two teams of Idaho State Police troopers to the Texas border to assist in efforts to “secure the border.” In April of 2024, Little sent another two teams of state troopers to Texas to assist with and learn tactics to deter human trafficking. Little is also a member of the American Governors’ Border Strike Force and created “Operation Esto Perpetua.” The state initiative made a new citizen’s action group to combat drug trafficking and human trafficking, according to the governor’s office. The Legislature approved $250,000 for Operation Esto Perpetua and directed another $1 million to purchase additional roadside testing equipment and start a new media campaign to educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl, according to a 2022 press release . Former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador denied that Mexico produced or consumed fentanyl. In 2023, he called it a problem of U.S. “social decay,” according to reporting by the Associated Press . U.S. President-elect Donald Trump recently threatened a 25% tariff on all goods from Mexico if the country doesn’t stop drug trafficking and illegal immigration across the border. Current Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she was willing to engage in talks on the issues, but said the flow of drugs across the border “is a problem of public health and consumption in your country’s society,” according to reporting by the Associated Press . While much of the fentanyl in the U.S. is from Mexico, a 2023 report from the U.S. Sentencing Commission indicated 86.4% of people sentenced for fentanyl trafficking were American citizens.Zelenskiy Accuses Slovak PM Of Wanting To 'Help Putin' Through Gas Payments