NoneGermany has pledged to tighten its law to make it easier to prosecute people-smugglers enabling small-boat crossings to Britain, as the two countries signed a new deal aimed at tackling immigration crime. Berlin confirmed plans to reform its legal framework make it a clear criminal offence to “facilitate the smuggling of migrants to the UK” as part of the agreement, the Home Office said. The Home Office said the move would give German prosecutors more tools to tackle the supply and storage of dangerous small boats. Both countries will also commit to exchange information that may help to remove migrant-smuggling content from social media platforms and tackle end-to-end routes of criminal smuggling networks as part of the deal. It comes ahead of the UK and Germany hosting the so-called Calais Group in London , which sees ministers and police from the two countries, alongside France, Belgium and the Netherlands, gather to discuss migration in Europe. Delegates are expected to agree a detailed plan to tackle people-smuggling gangs in 2025 at the meeting on Tuesday. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For too long organised criminal gangs have been exploiting vulnerable people, undermining border security in the UK and across Europe while putting thousands of lives at risk. “We are clear that this cannot go on. “Germany is already a key partner in our efforts to crack down on migrant smuggling, but there is always more we can do together. “Our new joint action plan with deliver a strengthened partnership with Germany, boosting our respective border security as we work to fix the foundations, and ultimately saving lives.” Nancy Faeser, German federal minister of the interior said: “We are now stepping up our joint action to fight the brutal activities of international smugglers. “This is at the core of our joint action plan that we have agreed in London. “I am very grateful to my British counterpart Yvette Cooper that we were able to reach this important agreement. “It will help us end the inhumane activities of criminal migrant smuggling organisations. “By cramming people into inflatable boats under threats of violence and sending them across the Channel, these organisations put human lives at risk. “Many of these crimes are planned in Germany. “Together, we are now countering this unscrupulous business with even more resolve. “This includes maintaining a high investigative pressure, exchanging information between our security authorities as best as possible, and persistently investigating financial flows to identify the criminals operating behind the scenes.”
The Coach Tregs Classic didn’t go the way the College of the Redwoods men’s basketball team had in mind. The tournament got pushed back a full day because of the 7.0 earthquake on Thursday. After Thursday’s quake, it felt like the Earth was again shaking for the Corsairs, with the team losing the tournament’s first two games of the Coach Tregs Classic. The two home losses are the first two home losses since December 2021, with CR going 21-0 at home the past two seasons. CR entered the tournament as the No. 14 team in the state according to the California Community College Men’s Basketball Coaches Association’s poll earlier this month, but that’s now likely to drop with the back-to-back losses. The Corsairs began the tournament with a 83-75 loss to Mendocino College, it was the third time this season that the two schools have faced off and it was the first time that the Corsairs didn’t leave with a win. CR won the first matchup 79-61 and barely won the second one 68-67 to win the Ed Boyle Invitational and Mendocino came back with an edge, coming from behind late to win 83-75. “Mendocino came with supreme toughness and were in it for the long haul competitively,” Corsairs head coach Ryan Bisio said. “Credit to them for their follow-through in seeing the game out. They were connected in their purpose. A well-deserved victory.” Sophomore guard Mason Mottashed led CR with 18 points while sophomore forward Brandon Lucas added 14, with the Corsairs hitting nine threes in the loss. Bisio and the Corsairs were hoping for a bounce-back performance on Saturday against Southwestern Oregon but instead CR delivered one of their worst starts imaginable, falling behind 18-1 in the first half. “I think there’s trace amounts of the really bitter disappointment from last night that crept in,” Bisio said on Saturday after the loss. “We just got out-coached and out-played. We just simply didn’t see it coming, the way they were going to attack us early.” CR eventually began to dust themselves off after the dreadful start, with freshman guard Marcos Rosales providing a spark off the bench for the Corsairs, with two early threes and then beating the first-half buzzer with a layup. “I’m really happy for him, we’ve been wanting him to be more aggressive to shoot the three and hopefully tonight affirms to him that he does have that ability,” Bisio said of Rosales, who finished with 19 points. “He needs to be really hunting shots when he’s out on the floor. I think it makes us more dangerous, not only just from a threat level but he changes the spacing for other people on the floor when he approaches the game that way.” The Corsairs trailed 39-29 at halftime but Rosales’ hot shooting carried over into the second half as he drilled two more threes to keep pace with the Lakers. “Our offensive malaise this whole weekend has been very disappointing for all of us,” Bisio said. “There’s just not a shortage of issues that we need to address.” A bucket by Mottashed got CR within five points but the Lakers went on a run themselves to push the lead back to 16. CR refused to roll over. Freshman guard Isai Sow hit a three to bring the Corsairs back within five points with two minutes to play. The lowest CR got the Lakers’ lead was three points but as soon as the Corsairs did that, the Lakers went down the court and got an and-one. Lucas then slipped and turned the ball over for the Corsairs which would seal their fate and earn their second-straight home loss after not having one in three years, falling 75-65. “We haven’t shown the adaptability that this program is known for historically,” Bisio said. “Ultimately, our competitive disposition has been the issue. We can inspire, we can motivate them but ultimately it’s a player’s game and they have to play with the requisite focus and toughness and simply more passion than we’ve exhibited this weekend.” CR didn’t leave the weekend without a win, beating Simpson University’s JV team 98-59 on Sunday to close out the tournament at 1-2, dropping CR to 8-3 on the season. The road doesn’t get any easier for the Corsairs, with the No. 1 team in the state, San Francisco City, coming to town on Friday. Dylan McNeill can be reached at 707-441-0526.While full details of the agreement will not be revealed until Friday, The Echo understands the jobs and livelihoods of the site’s 750 workers will be saved. The train-building factory, which this newspaper campaigned to bring to County Durham 13 years ago, had been facing an uncertain future due to an impending gap in its order book. Labour Party leader Keir Starmer and Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh visit the Hitachi plant in Newton Aycliffe in April. (Image: CHRIS BOOTH) The concerns prompted the re-launch of The Northern Echo's Keep Hitachi on Track campaign in March, and the plight of the manufacturer became a major issue in the run-up to the July General Election, with several senior Labour politicians including Sir Keir Starmer and then Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh giving their support. They claimed Hitachi’s future could be secured "with the stroke of a pen" by the Conservative government, but other than confirmation that talks were ongoing, no firm resolution appeared to be on the table. It had been feared that last week’s resignation of Ms Haigh as Transport Secretary could slow down any agreement, but after months of campaigning by this paper amidst uncertainty - we can say it isn't the end of the line for Hitachi. Labour Party leader Keir Starmer and Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh visit the Hitachi plant in Newton Aycliffe in April. (Image: CHRIS BOOTH) Writing exclusively for The Northern Echo, Sir Keir confirmed that a deal has now been sealed, with full details to be announced tomorrow (December 6). "In April, I visited the Hitachi manufacturing plant. I spoke to the workers there who were staring down the barrel of hundreds of devastating job losses,” said the Prime Minister. "And I promised them that, if we were elected, a Labour government would work with them to secure their jobs and the future of the industry. "It’s a promise I made not only to those workers but also to The Northern Echo, which has campaigned tirelessly. I meant that promise. "Today, my Labour government will announce a deal that will secure the future of Newton Aycliffe, uplift our industrial heartlands, and boost rail services for passengers across the UK." The re-launch of the Keep Hitachi On Track campaign in March 2024. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) He added: "The success of our industrial heartlands is the success of our nation. So we’re revitalising our railway industry. "Our trains used to be the envy of the world. We laid the tracks for others to follow. This government is going to return our railways to that golden era once more. "We’re treating those who build our infrastructure with respect and putting the passengers who use it first." Reacting to the news, Alan Strickland, Member of Parliament for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor said: “I'm incredibly proud of the campaign to secure the future of Hitachi Newton Aycliffe. “This has been my top priority, which I’ve been working tirelessly with our Labour Government and Labour Mayor to deliver. ”I’m delighted by the progress we’ve made and the difference this will make to my community. “Where the Conservatives failed to act, Keir Starmer and Labour have led the fight for jobs at Hitachi.” North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has also expressed her delight at the news - praising the "powerful North East voice" of The Northern Echo and its readers. The Northern Echo Keep Hitachi On Track Campaign. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) She said: "Immediately after the General Election I wrote to the Prime Minister with a set of asks to back North East workers and business. Hitachi was top of that list. "I’m pleased the Government has listened and recognises the importance of Hitachi to our region: not just the direct jobs, but the supply chains it supports and the massive potential to be a leader in the future of rail technology. "Today we can celebrate, and look to the future with optimism. We know there is still work to do but we are a powerful North East voice and steadfast behind us along the way: the Northern Echo and its loyal readers. "I’ll always fight for the North East, for our workers, for our industry – and to create more opportunity for people living here. How we helped get Hitachi Back on Track: Don’t miss out on our biggest sale of the year! Get a full year of the Northern Echo for only £25 or try 6 months for just £6. Support local journalism and stay informed about what matters most. The Hitachi Factory, Newton Aycliffe. (Image: Hitachi) "Today shows the power of what we can achieve together united behind our shared vision." Gavin Foster, editor of The Northern Echo, added: "This incoming announcement from the government is a relief to not just hundreds of workers at Hitachi but also for Newton Aycliffe and the rest of the North East. "Here at The Northern Echo, we have campaigned alongside MPs and senior officials tirelessly to Keep Hitachi on Track - it has truly been a long time coming and we are delighted to see this come to fruition.”
A man accused of king hitting a victim outside the Manchester Arms Hotel last year will front the Bendigo Magistrates' Court next year. or signup to continue reading The then 28-year-old is alleged to have punched a man, knocking him unconscious, after a night of drinking at the Long Gully establishment in the early hours of October 29, 2023. The court heard the accused and the victim were allegedly spotted on CCTV chatting inside the hotel late on the night of October 28. A separate outside CCTV camera filmed a man - whom police will allege is the accused - walk away from the hotel and return shortly afterwards. This hooded man is then seen on CCTV footage approaching the victim from behind and striking the right side of their jaw and "immediately" knocking them unconscious. The victim was standing by the taxi rank at the front of the hotel when they were attacked. The 51-year-old victim fell from the edge of the curb and onto the tarmac and suffered swelling to the jaw and shoulder and grazes to the legs. The attacker was allegedly heard to have said "don't worry about the dog" by witnesses of the king hit before leaving the scene. The court heard the accused attended the Bendigo police station in November and was shown all segments of the CCTV footage and was interviewed regarding the incident. The accused allegedly identified himself in the footage inside the hotel but denied he carried out the attack captured on camera. When asked who he thought was the hooded attacker, the accused allegedly replied "no idea, but by the looks (the victim) must have deserved it". The accused also told police he suffered from memory issues after a 2019 car accident and had no recollection of the night in question. Defence lawyer Damon Pica said they would be disputing the identification of the person who carried out the alleged king hit. Mr Pica said that outside some statements given to police, no formal or admissible evidence had been given which would successfully identify the accused. The defence was also seeking to get access to the body-worn cameras of the responding police on the night of the alleged assault. Mr Pica said there may also be issues around the admissibility of some of the information the accused gave in his November interview with police. For the upcoming hearing, police will be calling four civilian witnesses and the informant. The accused is expected back in court on March 4, 2025 for a special mention. The special mention will ensure both prosecution and defence have the required evidence and witness statements for a hearing at a later date. WA boy in Bendigo, happy to be in Central Victoria. WA boy in Bendigo, happy to be in Central Victoria. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!Kim Teng, who escaped Killing Fields, started Continental Liquors, dies at 75
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da-kuk Introduction The stock of Palantir Technologies ( NASDAQ: PLTR ), one of the more exciting and innovative software platform vendors around, has been on a tear in 2024; while other software and services stocks have done well enough to keep pace with the Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.Songs to Get Through the Winter Holidays
Stocks drifted higher on Wall Street in midday trading Thursday, as gains in tech companies and retailers helped boost the market. The S&P 500 rose less than 0.1%. The benchmark index is coming off a three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 19 points, or 0.1%, as of 12:32 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was up less than 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened after the Christmas holiday. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.9%, Intel was up 0.7% and Apple gained 0.4%. While tech stocks overall were in the green, some heavyweights were a drag on the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.2%. Meta Platforms fell 0.9%, Amazon was down 0.5%, and Netflix gave up 1.4%. Health care stocks also helped lift the market. CVS Health rose 1.9% and Walgreens Boots Alliance rose 3.3% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 2.9%, Best Buy was up 2.1% and Dollar Tree gained 2.2%. U.S.-listed shares in Honda and Nissan rose 4.1% and 15.8%, respectively. The Japanese automakers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. Traders got a labor market update. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week , though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labor Department reported. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.61% from 4.59% late Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar. Still, U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. The last five trading days of each year, plus the first two in the new year, have brought an average gain of 1.3% since 1950. So far this month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its gains since President-elect Donald Trump’s win on Election Day, which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Even so, the U.S. market remains on pace to deliver strong returns for 2024. The benchmark S&P 500 is up roughly 26% so far this year and remains near its most recent all-time high it set earlier this month — its latest of 57 record highs this year. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to next week, including updates on pending home sales and home prices, a report on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity. AP Business Writers Elaine Kurtenbach and Matt Ott contributed.