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Stonehenge may have been built to unite the early people of Britain - long before there was a kingdom, a new study has suggested. Geological analysis has revealed the stones were brought to Salisbury Plain in from the far north, west and south of the island nearly 5,000 years ago. The effort to transport them hundreds of miles with only primitive tools must mean they had a unifying purpose, according to research published in the journal Archaeology International. Professor Mike Parker Pearson, lead researcher and an archaeologist at University College London, said: "The fact that all of its stones originated from distant regions, making it unique among over 900 stone circles in Britain, suggests that [Stonehenge] may have had a political as well as a religious purpose - as a monument of unification for the peoples of Britain, celebrating their eternal links with their ancestors and the cosmos." Recent research on the six-tonne altar stone, which lies within the circle, has given a new insight to the mysterious monument. A team from Aberystwyth University , not from west Wales, as had previously been thought. The finding could explain why the alter stone is laid horizontally, with similarities to the "recumbent" stone circles only found in that area of Scotland. "The similarities in architecture and material culture between the Stonehenge area and northern Scotland now make more sense," said Prof Parker Pearson. "It's helped to solve the puzzle of why these distant places had more in common than we might have once thought." It is believed ancient farmers from across the land gathered near for a feast over the winter solstice on 21 December, which marks the moment the days start to lengthen again. Heather Sebire, English Heritage senior properties curator, said ancient people were more interconnected than is often thought. "These people were just like us," she said. "Although they had different technologies, they probably had people who wanted to leave their community and communicate with other people. "We know they were trading. There were small items coming that distance, but obviously this [transporting a large stone] is different. "There is the whole issue over how they could have moved it all this way."

NoneNoneAUDI has unveiled its new logo with major changes a mere few days after Jaguar was slammed over the "woke" EV rebrand. The car brand has divided drivers through its launch of a new sub-brand which gets rid of the iconic four rings logo. The German premium vehicle manufacturer has announced a new partnership with SAIC - a Chinese motoring giant. This collaboration is to sell a separate range of Audi models within the market. The sub-brands first reveal shows the model featuring a brand new logo - not with four rings. China has the largest new car market worldwide with around 26 million models sold in 2023 - and Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi, has shared his excitement for the sub-brand. He said: "The automotive industry is undergoing the largest transformation in its history. "With our partnerships in China, we are playing a decisive role in this transformation." Audi are very familiar with the car market in China, having sold its cars there since 1988 after beginning a contract with First Automobile Works (FAW). Here they became the first company to import luxury cars to the brand. Now the new Audi sub-brand looks to sell unique models with its design to younger motorists. The company pointed out the additional driver-assistance technology in comparison to models in Europe as China is currently enforcing fewer restrictions on autonomous vehicles. But the new models are missing the iconic four ring logo that first popped up in 1932 and instead have 'Audi' written across the front. The rings were originally used by Auto Union and were to represent the four German car brands Audi, Chemnitz, DKW and Horch who were all in an alliance at the time. Users took to Reddit to express their thoughts on the new Audi look in China. One user said: "Honestly? This is hilarious. It's one of those things that make you believe the simulation is real and the creator is going for maximum silliness. "Next week: Mercedes launches 'MERCEDES'." Another commented: "China is a different market. There's an Audi A7 L there. I guess Audi China knows what it is doing. "In my opinion, it looks exactly like one of those new Chinese electric car brands without personality in their designs." Meanwhile a 'new' classic Jaguar has been unveiled with a roaring petrol engine - just days after the British firm's controversial re-brand ahead of its electric revolution. A monstrous version of Jag's iconic XJS model has been revealed for the first time, although the marque won't be the ones making it. Indeed, Berkshire-based car maker Tom Walkinshaw Racing, known as TWR, is the brains behind this very cool looking XJS Supercat. The limited-edition beast is a modernised take on the classic sports car, which Jaguar originally produced between 1975 and 1996. Widely considered one of the most famous Jags, some 115,413 XJS models rolled off production lines in that time - and today it's considered a mainstay at classic car shows. "Available to commission" now, the timing of the arrival of TWR's XJS Supercat couldn't have come at a more curious period in Jaguar's 102-year history, as the manufacturer is in the midst of one of motoring history’s most outrageous rebrands. This month, they began the first phase of their transition by putting a stop to all of their current models being sold in dealerships , with only the F-Pace to be carried over into 2025. This is because the firm is fully committed to going all-electric by next year, with a handful of brand new models to be released - including a four-door GT that's to be fully unveiled in concept form next week. They then sent ripples through the motoring world when they released a new logo along with a bizarre teaser video that received backlash on social media. By Jacob Jaffa, Motors Reporter What is being investigated? The FCA announced in January that it would investigate allegations of "widespread misconduct" related to discretionary commission agreements (DCAs) on car loans. When you buy a car on finance, you are effectively loaned the value of the car while you pay it off. These loans have interest payments charged on top of them and are often organised on behalf of lenders by brokers - usually the finance arm of a dealership . These brokers earn money in the form of commission - a percentage of the interest payments on the loan. DCAs allowed brokers to, to a certain extent, increase the interest rate on a loan, which in turn increased the amount of commission they received. The practice was banned by the FCA in 2021. Who is eligible for compensation? The FCA estimates that around 40% of car deals may have been affected before 2021. There are two criteria you must meet to have a chance at receiving compensation. First, you must be complaining in relation to a finance deal on a motor vehicle (including cars, vans, motorbikes and motorhomes) that was agreed before January 28 2021. Second, you must have bought the vehicle through a mechanism like Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Hire Purchase (HP), which make up the majority of finance deals and mean you own the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Drivers who leased a car through something like a Personal Contract Hire, where you give the car back at the end of the lease, are not eligible.

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is alone at the top. Crosby broke Mario Lemieux's franchise record for most assists in team history during a 3-2 win against the New York Islanders on Sunday. “I want to congratulate Sid on setting the team's assist record,” Lemieux said in a statement released by the team. “He's an amazing player and we're so fortunate to have him in Pittsburgh. I look forward to even more great things from him.” Crosby was behind the net in the second period when he sent a backhand feed to Michael Bunting, who buried a power-play goal behind Marcus Hogberg at 1:36, putting the Penguins ahead 2-0. After the goal was announced, play briefly stopped as Crosby received a standing ovation and waved his glove to acknowledge the hometown crowd. “As the years go on, I think you appreciate those kinds of things a little bit more,” said Crosby, who said he plans to give the puck to his father. “It's not why you play by any means, but to get (the record) and to get that kind of reception, it means a lot.” Crosby now has 1,034 assists, good for 12th in NHL history. Only three players — Ray Bourque, Wayne Gretzky and Steve Yzerman — have more assists with a single team. The 37-year-old Crosby has played 1,310 regular-season games. Lemieux played 915. “I have a lot of appreciation for what the guys have done on that list, especially Mario and what he means to the city and the organization,” Crosby said. “All the guys who have played prior to me, it's just really nice to be part of that company.” Crosby scored a goal and added three assists to tie the record during a 7-3 home win Monday against Philadelphia. Crosby thought he broke the mark during a road loss on Saturday against the Islanders, but the assist was taken away. “It was a little weird the way it went down,” Crosby admitted. Lemieux, who finished his Hall of Fame career with 1,723 points, led Pittsburgh to its first two Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992 as a player. Lemieux owned the team when Crosby captioned the Penguins to championships in 2009, 2016 and 2017. “The accomplishment, the milestone he's reached, this is just one more,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “It's more evidence of an amazing career. He's one of the best players to ever play.” AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhlTrump transition says Cabinet picks, appointees were targeted by bomb threats, swatting attacks

Public broadcasters in Zimbabwe could soon be required to air at least 75% local content across their channels, while licensed sports channels will need to dedicate half their airtime to local sports, under proposed amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act. The Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill, gazetted on Friday, also mandates that social media broadcasters covering national events register with the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ). Additionally, motor vehicle insurance providers will be prohibited from selling policies to individuals without valid ZBC radio licenses. Key Provisions The amendments aim to align the Broadcasting Services Act with the Constitution and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act while fostering media diversity, boosting local content production, and attracting investment in the broadcasting sector. Local Content and Public Broadcasting Public broadcasters with multiple channels must ensure 75% local content on all platforms. Licensed sports channels will dedicate 50% of their airtime to local sports, balancing commercial viability with promoting national identity. Subscription broadcasters must include up to three public broadcaster channels in their programming. Radio Licenses and Motor Insurance Insurers will be prohibited from selling motor insurance to motorists without a valid ZBC radio license. Fees collected from radio licenses are critical to supporting the public broadcaster's operations, including national event coverage and local content production. Motorists may opt out by signing a declaration stating their vehicles are not equipped with radios. Ownership and Regulation The Bill limits foreign ownership of broadcasting licenses to 40%, ensuring majority local ownership while encouraging foreign investment in the capital-intensive industry. The role of BAZ will shift from controlling to regulating and managing broadcasting service bands, aligning with international standards such as the African Charter on Broadcasting and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Modernizing the Framework The amendments address emerging broadcasting platforms and technological advancements, ensuring that the legal framework keeps pace with industry changes. New regulatory powers will address gaps in areas like migration to digital platforms, language quotas, and the commissioning of independent productions. Social media broadcasters covering national events must register with BAZ, ensuring regulatory oversight in the digital age. Governance Reforms The BAZ board will be reduced from 12 to seven members, with a focus on gender balance. Board terms will be shortened to four years, and vacancies must be filled within three months instead of six. Promoting Cultural Identity The proposed legislation ensures local cultural representation by requiring broadcasters to reflect all languages spoken within their service areas. Government's Perspective Addressing journalists, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr. Jenfan Muswere emphasized the importance of generating revenue for the public broadcaster, mandated to cover national events and programs of public interest. "The public broadcaster plays a unique role that differs from commercial stations, which are not legally required to air national events," he said. If enacted, the amendments will strengthen Zimbabwe's broadcasting industry by fostering local content, enhancing media diversity, and modernizing regulations to reflect technological trends. The reforms are a step toward balancing commercial interests with cultural preservation and public service broadcasting.Is This Stock Hiding a Goldmine? Find Out Why Investors Are Buzzing

Vice-Chairman of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) Mubarak bin Feraish Mubarak al-Salem stressed that the anniversary of Qatar National Day carries deep connotations and great meanings for the Qatari people and everyone living on this land because it represents the starting point of the modern state at the hands of the founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, who established sovereignty and independence and preserved the unity of the country in the face of challenges. The CMC Vice-Chairman said that it is day to take pride in national identity and rooted history, and to renew pride in the journey of the wise leadership that has moved Qatar from its beginnings to horizons of progress and prosperity. He added that this day also represents a symbol of national unity and cohesion among the Qatari people and reflects the State's commitment to its prosperous future through its ambitious vision that aims to develop various sectors, such as education, economy, and sports. Qatar, inspired by the founder's approach, continued its journey towards strengthening national sovereignty and developing the economy through sound policies and efficient national institutions, al-Salem pointed out. He explained that Qatar National Vision 2030 contributed to diversifying the economy through developing sectors such as education, health, technology, and renewable energy, in addition to investing in infrastructure and strengthening national identity through education and culture, which contributed to building a generation capable of facing the challenges of the future. At the international level, the vice-chairman highlighted that Qatar adopted wise diplomatic policies that have strengthened its position as a supporter of peace and stability. He also noted the country's remarkable achievements, including the significant development in infrastructure, its success in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and its continued support for scientific research and humanitarian aid to less developed countries, reflecting its commitment to sustainable development and strengthening its international standing. Concluding his remarks to QNA, Vice-Chairman Al Salem said that this year's celebration coincides with Qatar entering a new phase of development and progress within the framework of the National Development Strategy (2024-2030), which aims to make comprehensive and sustainable development. This strategy focuses on enhancing economic diversification away from dependence on oil developing sectors such as technology, education, renewable energy, infrastructure, and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, in addition to enhancing the quality of healthcare and building human capital, with the aim of achieving economic and environmental sustainability and building an advanced society characterised by prosperity and global competitiveness. (QNA) Related Story QND celebrates national unity, honours rich cultural heritage: Russian envoy ‘Celebrating National Day solidifies sense of belonging’Aston Villa’s disallowed goal would have counted in England – Unai Emery

Jeffrey Fleishman | (TNS) Los Angeles Times The national furor in recent years around banning books on race and gender in public schools is intensifying as President-elect Donald Trump threatens to shut down the Department of Education, emboldening conservatives to end “wokeness” in classrooms. Battles over books in school libraries have become emblematic of the country’s larger culture wars over race, historical revisionism and gender identity. A new report by PEN America found book bans increased by nearly 200% during the 2023-24 school year, including titles on sexuality, substance abuse, depression and other issues students face in an age of accelerating technologies, climate change, toxic politics and fears about the future. Book censorship has shaken and divided school boards, pitted parents against parents, and led to threats against teachers and librarians . It is part of an agenda driven by conservative parental rights groups and politicians who promote charter schools and voucher systems that could weaken public education. The issue goes to the heart not only of what students are taught but how federal and state education policies will affect the nation’s politics after one of the most consequential elections in its history. “It’s not just about taking a book off a shelf,” said Tasslyn Magnusson, an author and teacher from Wisconsin who tracks book censorship across the U.S. “It’s about power and who controls public education. It’s about what kind of America we were and are. We’re trying to define what family is and what America means. That comes down to the stories we tell.” She said she feared Trump’s return to the White House would further incite those calling for book bans: “I don’t have lots of hope. It could get a lot worse.” Over the last year, PEN counted more than 10,000 book bans nationwide that targeted 4,231 unique titles. Most were books dealing with gender, sexuality, race and LGBTQ+ storylines. The most banned title was Jodi Picoult’s “Nineteen Minutes,” about a school shooting that included a short description of date rape. Florida and Iowa — both of which have strict regulations on what students can read — accounted for more than 8,200 bans in the 2023-24 school year. “This crisis is tragic for young people hungry to understand the world they live in and see their identities and experiences reflected in books,” Kasey Meehan, director of PEN’s Freedom to Read Program, said in a statement. “What students can read in schools provides the foundation for their lives.” Trump’s calls to close the Department of Education would need congressional approval, which appears unlikely. Although public schools are largely funded and governed by state and local institutions, the department helps pay to educate students with disabilities, provides about $18 billion in grants for K-12 schools in poor communities and oversees a civil rights branch to protect students from discrimination. But Trump’s election has inspired conservative parental groups, including Moms For Liberty and Parents Defending Education, to strengthen efforts to limit what they see as a liberal conspiracy to indoctrinate children with books and teachings that are perverse, amoral and pornographic. Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, has criticized schools that she says spend too much time on diversity and inclusion when only about one-third of U.S. children are reading at grade level: “We’re talking about public school libraries and content for kids,” Justice told NewsNation after Trump’s victory. “I think it’s very clear that there are certain things that are appropriate for kids, certain things that are appropriate for adults. We’re just getting back to commonsense America.” Trump’s threat to deny federal funding to schools that acknowledge transgender identities could affect curricula and the kinds of books school libraries stock. During his rally at Madison Square Garden in October, Trump — who has has accused schools of promoting sex change operations — said his administration would get “transgender insanity the hell out of our schools.” Vice President-elect JD Vance has accused Democrats of wanting to “put sexually explicit books in toddlers’ libraries.” Nicole Neily, president of Parents Defending Education, told Newsmax that she was excited about Trump’s calls to remake education and “clean up a lot of the mess” he has inherited from the Biden administration. Trump “has centered parental rights back in his platform, which is incredible. He has prioritized knowledge and skill, not identity politics,” she said. “American children deserve better, and it is time for change.” In nominating Linda McMahon to be his secretary of Education, Trump appears to be pushing for more conservative parental control over what is taught and read in classrooms. A former professional wrestling executive, McMahon chairs the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-connected organization that has criticized schools for teaching “racially divisive” theories, notably about slavery and a perspective about the nation’s founding it views as anti-American. “Today’s contentious debates over using classrooms for political activism rather than teaching a complete and accurate account of American history have reinvigorated calls for greater parental and citizen involvement in the curriculum approval process,” the institute’s website says. Culturally divisive issues, including race and LGBTQ+ themes, cost school districts an estimated $3.2 billion during the 2023-24 school year, according to a recent study called “The Costs of Conflict.” The survey — published by the Institute for Democracy, Education and Access at UCLA — found that battles over books and teaching about sexuality and other topics led to increased expenses for legal fees, replacing administrators and teachers who quit, and security, including off-duty plainclothes police officers. “Are we really going to spend our tax dollars on these kinds of things?” asked Magnusson. “After Trump was elected, I saw a bunch of middle-class white ladies like me who were saying, ‘This isn’t America.’ But maybe it is America.” One school superintendent in a Western state told the study’s researchers that his staff was often consumed with correcting misinformation and fulfilling public record requests mainly from hard-line parental rights activists attempting to exploit cultural war issues to discredit the district. “Our staff are spending enormous amounts of time just doing stupid stuff,” the superintendent said. “The fiscal costs to the district are enormous, but [so are] the cultural costs of not standing up to the extremists. If someone doesn’t, then the students and employees lose. ... It’s the worst it’s ever been.” The survey found that 29% of 467 school superintendents interviewed reported that teachers and other staff quit their profession or left their districts “due to culturally divisive conflict.” Censoring books in school libraries grew out of opposition to COVID-19 restrictions. A number of conservative parental groups, including Moms for Liberty, which invited Trump to speak at its national convention in August, turned their attention to lobbying against “liberal indoctrination.” Their protests against what they criticized as progressive teaching on sexuality and race were focused on increasing conservative parental control over a public education system that was struggling at teaching children reading and math. That strategy has led to a national, right-wing effort that is “redefining government power to restrict access to information in our schools,” said Stephana Ferrell, co-founder of the Florida Freedom to Read Project. “This movement to protect the innocence of our children believes if children never read it in a book they won’t have to know about it and can go on to lead harmonious lives. But books teach us cautionary tales. They instruct us. You can’t protect innocence through ignorance.” School districts across the country have removed “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe and “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George Johnson, which are about gender identity and include graphic depictions of sex, along with titles by renowned writers such as Toni Morrison, Kurt Vonnegut, George Orwell, Maya Angelou and Flannery O’Connor. Related Articles National Politics | Trump promised mass deportations. Educators worry fear will keep immigrants’ kids from school National Politics | Trump team says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal brokered by Biden is actually Trump’s win National Politics | How Trump’s bet on voters electing him managed to silence some of his legal woes National Politics | After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff National Politics | Rudy Giuliani in a courtroom outburst accuses judge in assets case of being unfair, drawing a rebuke Surveys show that most Americans do not favor censorship. The Florida Freedom to Read Project and similar organizations around the country have called for thorough public reviews of challenged books to prevent one scene or passage from being taken out of context. Moderate and liberal parents groups over the last two years have also become more active in school board politics. They have supported school board candidates who have defeated those backed by Moms for Liberty in Texas, Florida and other states. “People say the pendulum will swing back,” said Ferrell. But, she said, conservatives want to “stop the pendulum from swinging back.” Picoult is accustomed to conservatives attempting to censor her. Her books have been banned in schools in more than 30 states. Published in 2007, “Nineteen Minutes” explores the lives of characters, including a girl who was raped, in a town leading up to a school shooting and its aftermath. “Having the most banned book in the country is not a badge of honor. It’s a call for alarm,” said Picoult, whose books have sold more than 40 million copies. “My book, and the 10,000 others that have been pulled off school library shelves this year, give kids a tool to deal with an increasingly divided and difficult world. These book banners aren’t helping children. They are harming them.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. 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