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Australian bikie gangs are establishing chapters in Pacific countries and partnering with global criminal groups like the Sinaloa Cartel and the Calabrian mafia in what the international watchdog has warned is an alarming escalation of cocaine imports to the lucrative Australian market. Bikies are also setting up legitimate businesses in countries including Fiji and Tonga to facilitate a greater flow of drugs from the Americas, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has warned. The Comancheros have set up a chapter in Tonga. Credit: Tonga Police A new report paints a troubling picture of the march of organised crime on the region. Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga and the Cook Islands – none of which have traditionally seen large drug shipments – experienced an increase in consignments bound for Australia, the report from the global watchdog says. Last month, the Colombian Navy seized 225 tonnes of cocaine bound for Australia and discovered a new trans-Pacific trafficking route from South America to Australia. “We have discovered routes such as Australia and Guyana to open up through the Atlantic to Africa and connect to Europe,” Vice Admiral Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón said at the time. Australia and New Zealand have the world’s highest prices for cocaine outside Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, which punish drug dealing with beheading. To saturate the market, high-profile Australian bikie gangs are “increasingly engaging with Pacific regional syndicates”, according to the UN. The Comancheros established a chapter in Tonga, named the Kingdom Chapter, in January last year after gang member Eneasi Taumoefolau, 43, was deported from Australia. “All the deportation has done is enable this group to enliven itself here,” Tongan Police Commissioner Shane McLennan told the ABC in August when Taumoefolau was among 17 people arrested in a major drug sting. Some of Australia’s 38 bikie gangs have also established chapters in Fiji, the UN says, and are collaborating with the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, the Italian ’Ndrangheta and Asian organised crime syndicates “to smuggle substantial loads of methamphetamine and cocaine into Oceania”. Australian organised crime figures have also established legitimate businesses in the Pacific to hide drug smuggling beneath a corporate structure, the UN says. Going into business provides access to the local political and commercial elite. It also provides physical storage for drugs that are to be on-sent to Australia. Attempts to smuggle cocaine into Australia via a mother-daughter ship came unstuck during the pandemic, when a panicked crew saw a plane overhead and set fire to a boat allegedly containing 500 kilograms of cocaine. Credit: NSW Police “Cocaine is shipped by bulk [to] islands where it can be stockpiled before making its onward journey by cruiser, small craft or fishing vessel,” said the report. Would-be drug importers have increasingly used yachts to smuggle drugs between Fiji and its neighbours , as well as air cargo, air passenger couriers, and concealments inside shipments as diverse as water bottles and beauty products. Loading “Vessel-to-vessel” transfers , in which drug syndicates pay crews to move their bounty from a large freighter to a smaller boat, have become common, the report says. One example is ex-Sydneysider Vaso Ulic’s alleged attempts to smuggle 2.5 tonnes of cocaine into Sydney during the pandemic. The region’s isolation – once considered a hindrance – now provides groups with opportunities to operate in less-patrolled waters. Papua New Guinea has also emerged as a hotspot for transnational drug dealing, with organised crime syndicates using so-called “black ops” flights – unregistered light planes – from remote airstrips around the country to move drugs into Australia. Crime gangs also use the free movement of small vessels through the Torres Strait to import drugs, the report warned. The UN’s Benedikt Hofmann said more collaboration between regional law enforcement was crucial. “Small island states, with their limited capacity, cannot face these challenges alone,” he said. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Crime Police AFP Law For subscribers Sally Rawsthorne is a crime reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in National Loading
Tina Knowles is coming to her daughter Beyoncé’s defense after online trolls criticized her NFL halftime show performance on Christmas Day. Knowles clapped back at critics by reposting a message about her famous daughter on her Instagram Friday. In the screenshot, user @iamkrisiman praised Beyoncé and wrote that “no matter how undeniably talented you are, people will always, ALWAYS, always have some negative ish to say.” Knowles cosigned the post in a lengthy caption. “It is mind-boggling to me that you would take your precious Christmas day and watch a performance of someone you hate and you don’t think has talent so that you can go talk ish about it later,” she wrote. “Obviously you are so obsessed with them, addicted to them, and secretly admire them,” she added. According to the New York Post, Knowles’ post came after some social media users called Beyoncé “overrated.” Fans and celebrities in the comments of Knowles’ response seemed to love her mama bear energy. “Period!!! Ms. T,” singer LeToya Luckett wrote. “All. Of. This!!!!!!” Oscar winner Octavia Spencer added. A post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinaknowles) Elon Musk appeared to borrow a line from the 2008 film Tropic Thunder in an ongoing social media fight about H1B visas. Musk hit back against MAGA’s top players in a series of X posts, alleging that H1B visas are the reason why he, “and hundreds of other companies that made America strong,” are in the country. To a skeptical X user, Musk blasted: “Take a big step back and F--- YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.” Although some were shocked by Musk’s sudden escalation—with former Trump strategist Steve Bannon calling him a “toddler”—others noticed that the disparaging remark was similar to a line in Tropic Thunder . Character Les Grossman, played by Tom Cruise, says in the film: “First, take a big step back, and literally, F--- YOUR OWN FACE ... I don’t know what kind of pan-pacific bulls--t power play you’re trying to pull here, but Asia, Jack, is my territory. So whatever you’re thinking, you’d better think again.” In response to Musk’s comment, the X user tweeted, “Bro was just memeing. I wouldn’t take it too seriously.” Nothing beats the classics pic.twitter.com/MRSdXifhH5 Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Boxing Week sales are still in full swing, folks! As an avid J.Crew fan , I can honestly say that the brand’s discount-laden factory store (the brand’s online outlet) is a great way to get high-quality wardrobe staples without the big price tag. J.Crew Factory always offers discounts up to 40 percent off J.Crew, but for a limited time, you can unlock even more savings from already discounted items. Right now, J.Crew Factory is offering 70 percent off clearance items with the code SALE70 at checkout. Now’s the time to invest in evergreen staples like jeans and office-friendly blazers while they’re half off, or grab a few outwear essentials to round out your cold-weather lineup. The sale also includes tons of denim for just $50, pure cotton crewneck T-shirts for $20, and even new arrivals like NYE frocks and cashmere items. And the sale is not just for women; the gents’ and kids’ sections are equally full of additional savings. Charles Shyer, the writer-director best known for directing the 1991 Steve Martin comedy Father of the Bride has died at 83. According to Deadline, Shyer died Friday and no cause of death was given by his family in a statement. “His loss leaves an unfillable hole in our lives, but his legacy lives on through his children and the five decades of wonderful work he’s left behind. We honor the extraordinary life he led and know there will never be another quite like him,” his family told the outlet. In addition to directing, Shyer gained notoriety for his screenwriting and nabbed an Oscar nomination in 1981 for co-writing the Goldie Hawn-led military comedy Private Benjamin alongside Harvey Miller, and fellow writer-director Nancy Meyers. Meyers and Shyer married in 1980 before calling it quits in 1999. They share two daughters. Other notable films co-written by Shyer include Jumpin’ Jack Flash , The Parent Trap , and Baby Boom , which he also directed. His most recent credit behind the camera was co-writing and directing the 2023 Netflix Holiday film Best. Christmas. Ever. A Norwegian chess champion left mid-tournament after refusing to change his outfit for judges. Magnus Carlsen, a five-time World Chess Champion, was competing in New York’s Fide World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships on Friday when he was asked to change. According to The Telegraph , Carlsen was first fined $200 for the wardrobe rule break before being told he would have to leave if he didn’t change. “I said, ‘I’ll change tomorrow if that’s OK.’ I didn’t even realize it today, but they said, ‘Well you have to change now.’ At that point it became a bit of a matter of principle for me,” Carlsen told chess outlet Take Take Take in an interview. “Honestly, I am too old at this point to care too much. If this is what they want to do,” he added. As for why he wore the jeans in the first place, Carlsen said he had little time to change before the tournament as he was coming from a meeting. The grandmaster made light of the debacle on X where he tweeted a photo of the now notorious jeans. “OOTD,” he captioned the snap. OOTD pic.twitter.com/9reOP6zuJv Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. If you’re looking to revamp your at-home fitness lineup ahead of 2025 and don’t have hours to commit to exercising each day, allow us to introduce you to the CAROL Bike . The science-backed and AI-powered fitness bike is engineered to give you maximum results in the shortest time possible—and by the shortest time, we mean as little as five minutes. In fact, according to the brand, the CAROL bike is “proven to deliver double the health and fitness benefits in 90 percent less time compared to regular cardio.” Free Returns | Free Shipping Not only is it a huge time-saver, but the CAROL Bike is also designed to be personalized to the rider’s individual fitness levels, goals, and preferences, making the workouts easy to follow, time-efficient, and super effective. CAROL’s AI and Reduced Exertion HIIT (REHIT) technology optimizes the workout to your ability and fitness level, so every second matters. The personalized, optimal resistance levels are automatically adjusted as you work out—at exactly the right time—making the most efficient workouts easy to follow. “ CAROL Bike is designed to maximize training efficiency, with the shortest, most effective workouts, backed by science. And new rider-inspired features that give riders more flexibility to exercise their way,” says Ulrich Dempfle, CEO & Co-Founder at CAROL. You can try the CAROL Bike for yourself risk-free for 100 days, and the brand offers free shipping (7-10 business days) in the U.S. Gossip Girl star Chanel Maya Banks , who made headlines last month after denying her family’s claims that she had gone missing, has filed a restraining order against her mother and cousin. The 36-year-old submitted the request in Los Angeles on Thursday, alleging her mom, Lutchmin Judy Kumar, and cousin, Danielle Singh have harassed her, TMZ reported. The actor also claimed that her mother and cousin were working to destroy her credibility. In October, Banks’ family reported her missing. She denied the claims in a post days later. Banks wrote in the restraining order filing that Kumar and Singh broke into her apartment in November while she was gone and attacked her husband. She also alleged that an Apple AirTag was put on her car to track her. After the attack, she alleged that her mother and cousin accused her husband of murder and said that Banks should be in a psychiatric hold. Sources told TMZ that they’re happy she is safe and are “moving on with their lives.” R&B singer Ne-Yo announced Friday that a popular professional boxer under his management has died at age 35. In a joint statement posted by the Grammy-winner and the boxer’s family, Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, announced “the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives.” Hailing from Puerto Rico, Bamba became one of the first boxing talents to sign to Ne-Yo’s management company in 2024. Bamba won all of his bouts in 2024 by knock out and recently claimed WBA’s secondary “gold” cruiserweight title after knocking out Rogelio Medina. “He was a fierce yet confident competitor with an unrelenting ambition to achieve greatness. But more than anything, he was a tremendous individual who inspired many with his exceptional drive and determination,” the statement added. Bamba was the No. 12 ranked contender by the WBA and seemed set on fighting in more high profile matches—challenging boxer Jake Paul to “holla at us” in one post. Paul shared his condolences on X, writing, “RIP Paul Bamba.” RIP Paul Bamba https://t.co/ovu7egrGHn Argentine-born British actress Olivia Hussey, known primarily for her role as Juliet in director Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet , and as final girl Jess Bradford in the 1974 slasher Black Christmas , died Friday. She was 73. Friend and filmmaker Marc Huestis confirmed the news to the San Francisco Chronicle . A post on Hussey’s Instagram profile informed fans: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Olivia Hussey Eisley, who went peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones. Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her.” Hussey was born in Buenos Aires to opera singer Andrés Osuna and Joy Hussey, a legal secretary from England. Hussey studied drama at London’s Italia Conti Academy, and was a professional actress by the time she was 13. She was 16 when she starred opposite Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet —roles that earned each a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer. Hussey later appeared in the films Death on the Nile, Virus, and the 1990 horror miniseries It , based on the Stephen King novel. A Democratic Florida state representative announced she is defecting from her party and joining the Republicans because the Democrats are too open to “extreme progressive voices.” Hillary Cassel, who is Jewish, said in a statement on X that she was “increasingly troubled by the Democratic Party’s failure to unequivocally support Israel” in its war with Hamas. “I’m constantly troubled by the inability of the current Democratic Party to relate to everyday Floridians,” she added. “I can no longer remain in a party that doesn’t represent my values. I know I won’t always agree on every detail with every Republican, but I do know that I will always have input, collaboration, and respect.” Cassel first won office in Florida’s 101st district in 2022, beating out her Republican opponent by seven points, according to Ballotpedia. She won re-election two months ago, running unopposed. Earlier this month, another Democrat in Florida’s house, Susan Valdes, announced that she would join the Republicans because she felt “ignored” by her party, according to the Tallahassee Democrat . Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. 2025 is quickly approaching, and there’s no better way to celebrate the new year than with 2024’s cocktail du jour—the espresso martini. It’s the perfect way to toast 2025 with sophistication, flavor, and an energy boost. Think you can’t make the buzzy beverage at home because you’re not a bartender? Think again. You can create this beloved cocktail effortlessly with just a cocktail shaker, fresh espresso, vodka, coffee beans, and Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur . It all starts in the land Down Under—Australia. Mr Black sources its ingredients, including 100 percent specialty-grade Arabica coffee, from local farmers and cooperatives. The liqueur is then slowly brewed with purified cold water to preserve its delicate, complex flavors. The result? A bittersweet masterpiece with bold flavor, balanced sweetness, and a lasting coffee kick. Its rich, coffee-forward taste is a crowd-pleaser, and the sleek bottle design adds a touch of elegance to any bar cart. Making an espresso martini is simple. Combine Mr Black , vodka, and freshly brewed espresso in a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until cold. Then, strain the mixture into a martini glass and finish with three coffee beans as a garnish. Skip the champagne toast this year and ensure you stay awake for the countdown to 2025 with a Mr Black espresso martini. Legendary sportscaster Greg Gumbel has died at age 78, his family confirmed in a statement Friday, according to CBS News . “He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer,” they wrote. “Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity.” The veteran CBS Sports journalist, who spent more than 50 years in broadcasting, approached his job with the same regard, according to his colleagues who nicknamed him “Gumby” for his grace in front of the camera and behind the scenes. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” added the post, authored by his wife Marcy and daughter Michelle. “Greg’s memory will forever be treasured by his family, dearest friends, colleagues and all who loved him.” No further details were given about his diagnosis. Gumbel is the older brother of fellow sportscaster and NBC host Bryant Gumbel, who is nicknamed “Never Stumble Gumbel.” Yet another billionaire is clambering to get into President-elect Donald Trump’s hyper-rich inner circle, the MAGA chief has claimed. Trump, who will take the hot seat on Jan. 20, 2025, has seen his popularity surge among Silicon Valley types after he was endorsed by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk . The number two, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos , soon made a beeline for the big man too, after he was spotted dining with Musk and Trump at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month. Now Bill Gates wants a slice, according to Trump. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the former CEO of Microsoft— whom Forbes says is the 16th richest in the world— personally asked for an audience with him. In a somewhat incoherent post, he said: “Where are you? When are you coming to the ‘Center of the Universe,’ Mar-a-Lago. Bill Gates asked to come, tonight. We miss you and x! New Year’s Eve is going to be AMAZING!!! DJT.”New app to provide seamless access to loans for people with disabilities
As a result of these factors, oil prices have been on a downward trajectory in recent weeks, with some analysts predicting that December could see oil prices hit a new low. The prospect of a further decline in oil prices has prompted speculation among investors and industry experts, with many closely monitoring market developments for any signs of when the downward trend may reverse.The impact of the Israeli airstrikes on the ground in Syria is still unclear, with reports of casualties and damage to infrastructure coming in from various sources. The Syrian government has condemned the airstrikes as a violation of its sovereignty and has vowed to respond to any further attacks.Nokia Corporation Stock Exchange Release 9 December 2024 at 22:30 EET Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 09.12.2024 Espoo, Finland - On 9 December 2024 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows: On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia's Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million. Total cost of transactions executed on 9 December 2024 was EUR 3,645,000. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 210,777,220 treasury shares. Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement. On behalf of Nokia Corporation BofA Securities Europe SA About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today - and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. Inquiries: Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: [email protected] Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications Nokia Investor Relations Phone: +358 40 803 4080 Email: [email protected] Attachment Daily Report 2024-12-09Oracle Announces Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Financial Results
Phreesia Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results
De La Rosa scores 27 points as Columbia tops Fairfield 85-72
Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it?
Russian security officials say they foiled a plot by one of their own citizens to kill a high ranking officer and a pro-Russian war blogger. The Russian citizen was working with Ukraine’s military intelligence agency and planned to detonate a bomb hidden in a portable speaker, according to Russia’s Federal Security Service. The citizen got in contact with a Ukranian Defense Ministry officer over the messaging service Telegram, received instructions and then retrieved a bomb from a hiding place in Moscow, the FSB said. Russian officials did not name the official or blogger that were being targeted. Amid the nearly-three year war following Russia’s invasion, Ukraine has said the targeted killings of those it deems guilty of war crimes are legitimate, while Russia has called them “acts of terrorism.” Earlier this month, Ukraine’s intelligence service killed a Russian lieutenant it said promoted the use of banned chemical weapons. President-elect Trump’s designated Ukraine envoy, retired Lieutenant-General Keith Kellogg, said the attacks were “not really smart” and going “a little bit too far.” Separately, the Financial Times reported that a new Russian ballistic missile fired at Ukraine in November was developed using manufacturing equipment from Western companies, despite sanctions aimed at stopping the flow of such equipment to Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the missile was in response to Ukraine’s use of Western weapons to strike Russia and that it has “stock” of such weaponry, but the report indicates that the country is still heavily dependent on foreign technology. Moscow made significant gains on the front lines in 2024, but as the war drags into its third year, some Ukrainians still hold out hope for prisoner swaps, which have dropped sharply. There were only 10 prisoner exchanges this year, the lowest number since the invasion began and over 8,000 prisoners of war are thought to still be held in Russia, according to the BBC . Families and activists gathered in Kyiv on Christmas to call for the release of Ukrainian prisoners. “We hope for a Christmas miracle,” Tetiana, whose 24-year-old son Artem was captured almost three years ago, told the outlet. “My son’s release is my deepest wish.” With Post wires
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As a Carlinga Prize winner, Dr. Elena Chen remains committed to her mission of making science a source of joy and enlightenment for people around the world. Through her tireless efforts and innovative approaches to science communication, she continues to inspire others to explore the wonders of the natural world and embrace the power of scientific inquiry.Sosuke Aizen, also known as Ginjo Kogo, is a key antagonist in the Bleach series, known for his manipulative nature and his complex schemes that have tested the resolve of our heroes time and time again. In the new trailer, we see Aizen's sinister smile and his piercing gaze, hinting at the chaos and intrigue that his presence will bring to the storyline.In conclusion, the rapid growth of Dividend ETFs in terms of total scale and leading products breaking through the 20 billion RMB mark is a testament to the increasing popularity and success of these income-focused investment vehicles. As investors continue to embrace the benefits of Dividend ETFs, their role in providing steady income and long-term growth opportunities in investment portfolios is expected to become even more prominent in the future.