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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The devastating landslides that wiped away three villages in Wayanad, Congress' thumping victory in the Lok Sabha polls and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's maiden electoral victory were the significant events that shaped the Kerala's socio-political scenario in 2024. The revelations of sexual abuse and harassment in the Malayalam film industry, brought to light by the Justice Hema Committee report, also stirred up the political pot due to the delay in disclosing the panel's findings, which followed allegations of rape against some key actors, including ruling CPI(M) MLA and actor M Mukesh. On 30 July, massive landslides occurred in the Chooralmala and Mundakkai regions of Wayanad, triggered by torrential rains, resulting in over 200 deaths, numerous injuries, and thousands being left homeless. It is considered one of the worst natural disasters in Kerala's history. Hundreds were left buried under the debris and many had to be pulled out by rescue agencies, which included the Army. Some of the most heart-wrenching scenes, such as the phone conversations of many who cried and pleaded for rescue, emerged. They were either trapped in their homes or could not leave the place where they were left stranded. The calamity again brought into sharp focus the urgent need for better disaster management and preparedness in the southern state, which is being increasingly exposed to extreme weather events as climate change unfolds. But rehabilitation efforts lag behind, leaving the lives of survivors in disarray. The state government has claimed the delay was caused by the central government's lapse in providing funds. It has moved the court, questioning the union government's alleged discriminatory approach. In a relief to the state government, another hurdle in implementing rehabilitation efforts was addressed thanks to the Kerala High Court's intervention, which ruled it can acquire land from two private estates to build a model township for survivors of the landslide, dismissing the companies' petitions that challenged the government's decision. Kerala's political front threw up a few surprises as the ruling LDF saw electoral setbacks. In the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress-led United Democratic Front opposition defeated the CPI(M)-headed Left Democratic Front (LDF). The UDF bagged 18 Lok Sabha seats, most of them with a thumping margin, while the Left could win only one seat. However, the BJP had a lot to cheer as the Lotus finally bloomed in the southern state. The saffron party won its first ever LS seat in Kerala, with the voters of Thrissur giving the thumbs up for actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi. He scripted history by defeating both the LDF and the UDF in a triangular contest. Analysts say this change in political fortunes reflects the possible shifting of voter preference in the southern state. Kerala also saw Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's maiden electoral foray this year, after she triumphed in the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll in November with a thumping margin of over four lakh votes. She surpassed her brother Rahul Gandhi's victory margin recorded a few months earlier. The by-election was caused by the resignation of Rahul from the hill constituency as he had also won from Raebareli seat in Uttar Pradesh. In the Malayalam cinema world, a new script of shocking revelations unfolded, as the Justice Hema Committee report on sexual abuse made headlines. The executive committee of the actors' union Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), was dissolved as allegations of sexual assault and misconduct grew amid complaints from women against its members. Many actors, including Mukesh, Siddhique, and Edavela Babu had to face probe by a Special investigation team of Kerala police constituted to look into such allegations. Kerala lost one of its literary legends, MT Vasudevan Nair, on December 25. Popularly addressed as MT by his admirers, he was famous for taking Malayalam storytelling to remarkable heights and weaving narratives that captured human life's complex emotions in addition to the essence of the rural landscape of Kerala. MT was a renowned writer, screenwriter, and filmmaker who significantly influenced the cultural imagination of Kerala and left a lasting impact that extended far beyond to become one of India's most beloved literary figures.SVG GFX Conference Heads to NYC on Feb. 20 to Spotlight Sports Graphics Tech and Creative Innovation
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New Year's Eve Ball Drop 2024 Live Streaming From New York's Times Square: Know Date, Timing and Where To Watch Live Telecast of Times Square Ball Drop CelebrationsGuided Tour Technology Market Overview and Leading Players: Listen Technologies, SOOLAI, Williams Sound, Mipro, Okayo, Sennheiser, HAYACO, MEDER CommTech GmbH 12-09-2024 09:37 PM CET | Tourism, Cars, Traffic Press release from: STATS N DATA Guided Tour Technology Market The Guided Tour Technology Market is experiencing a significant transformation, driven by the increasing demand for immersive and interactive experiences in tourism. With the global tourism industry bouncing back from recent challenges, guided tour technologies are becoming indispensable for enhancing visitor engagement and improving overall satisfaction. These technologies encompass various applications, from audio guides to advanced wireless systems, catering to both indoor and outdoor tourism experiences. Recent developments within the market reflect a surge in technological advancements. Companies are increasingly investing in innovative solutions that leverage the power of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and mobile applications to provide tailored experiences for users. Strategic collaborations between technology firms and tourism operators are also playing a crucial role in propelling market growth. As of December 2024, the trends indicate a robust growth trajectory, with stakeholders keen on integrating state-of-the-art technologies to meet changing consumer preferences. You can access a sample PDF report here: https://www.statsndata.org/download-sample.php?id=270295 Key Growth Drivers and Trends Several factors are driving the demand for guided tour technology. The push for sustainability in tourism has led to a rise in interest for solutions that minimize environmental impact while enhancing the visitor experience. As consumers become more aware of their choices, the demand for eco-friendly, efficient technologies is on the rise. Digitization is another critical driver, as more travelers rely on digital tools for planning and experiencing their journeys. Key trends shaping the future of the guided tour technology market include: - AI Integration: Artificial intelligence is being utilized to offer personalized experiences, with systems learning user preferences and adapting content accordingly. - Product Customization: Consumers increasingly seek unique experiences; hence, customizable tour solutions are gaining popularity. - Emerging Technologies: The incorporation of virtual reality and augmented reality is revolutionizing how tours are conducted, providing rich, immersive experiences. Market Segmentation The Guided Tour Technology Market can be segmented into various categories to understand its dynamics better. The segmentation is as follows: - Segment by Type - Wired Tour Guide System: This traditional system involves wired headsets and transmitters, primarily used in indoor settings. - Wireless Tour Guide System: These systems offer greater flexibility and mobility, enabling guides to engage with participants without the constraints of wires. - Segment by Application - Indoor Tourism: This segment focuses on museums, art galleries, and historical sites where guided tours enhance the visitor experience. - Outdoor Travel: Catering to parks, heritage sites, and outdoor events, these technologies allow for interactive and informative outdoor experiences. Get 30% Discount On Full Report: https://www.statsndata.org/ask-for-discount.php?id=270295 Competitive Landscape The Guided Tour Technology Market is characterized by strong competition among various players, each contributing to the market's evolution. Key companies influencing the market landscape include: - Listen Technologies: Known for its innovative solutions in assistive listening, Listen Technologies is expanding its product line to include advanced guided tour systems. - SOOLAI: This company focuses on wireless audio solutions, enhancing communication between guides and participants. - Williams Sound: A leader in assistive listening devices, Williams Sound is integrating tour guide systems with advanced technology for improved user experiences. - Mipro: With a wide range of wireless communication solutions, Mipro is enhancing the guided tour experience through cutting-edge technology. - Okayo: Okayo specializes in compact and user-friendly tour guide systems, catering to both indoor and outdoor applications. - Sennheiser: Renowned for its audio technology, Sennheiser is applying its expertise to develop high-fidelity guided tour systems. - HAYACO: This company offers innovative solutions for guided tours, focusing on user engagement and advanced audio technology. - MEDER CommTech GmbH: Known for its sophisticated audio solutions, MEDER is contributing to the market with high-quality guided tour systems. - TAKSTAR: TAKSTAR provides affordable yet reliable tour guide systems, making technology accessible for various applications. - Globibo: Specializing in interpretation and translation services, Globibo is integrating guided tour technologies to enhance communication. - Beyerdynamic: This company is known for its professional audio equipment, offering high-quality solutions for guided tours. - Orpheo Group: Orpheo focuses on innovative audio guides, enhancing the visitor experience through technology-driven solutions. Each of these companies not only innovates but also collaborates with tour operators and destinations, thus shaping the market's future. Opportunities and Challenges As the guided tour technology market expands, numerous opportunities arise. Untapped regions, particularly in developing countries, present a vast potential for growth. As these regions enhance their tourism infrastructure, the demand for guided tour technologies is expected to rise. Furthermore, evolving consumer preferences toward personalized and interactive experiences create a fertile ground for innovation. However, the market also faces challenges such as regulatory constraints that can hinder the introduction of new technologies. Operational inefficiencies and a shortage of skilled talent may also pose hurdles for companies looking to expand and innovate. To navigate these challenges, businesses must invest in workforce development and advocate for favorable regulations that support technological advancements in tourism. Technological Advancements The Guided Tour Technology Market is witnessing a surge in technological innovations that are reshaping how guided tours are conducted. Cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and virtual tools are becoming integral to the market. AI algorithms are enhancing personalization, providing tour guides with insights into visitor preferences and behavior. IoT-driven systems are enabling real-time data collection and analysis, improving the overall efficiency of guided tours. Virtual tools are also gaining traction, allowing users to engage with content in immersive ways. Augmented reality applications provide tourists with enriched experiences, overlaying digital information onto physical environments. As these technologies continue to evolve, they will play a critical role in defining the future of guided tours. Research Methodology and Insights STATS N DATA employs a rigorous research methodology to ensure comprehensive and accurate market insights. The approach includes both top-down and bottom-up methodologies to assess market size and growth potential. Primary research involves interviews with industry experts and key stakeholders, while secondary research encompasses analysis of existing data and reports. Triangulation techniques are utilized to validate findings, ensuring that the insights presented are reliable and actionable. This thorough research process positions STATS N DATA as a trusted authority in the guided tour technology market, providing stakeholders with the information needed to make informed decisions. In conclusion, the Guided Tour Technology Market is on the brink of significant growth and transformation, driven by technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and a focus on sustainability. As the industry evolves, stakeholders must remain agile and innovative to harness the opportunities that lie ahead, ensuring a vibrant future for guided tours worldwide. For customization requests, please visit: https://www.statsndata.org/request-customization.php?id=270295 https://www.statsndata.org/report/guided-tour-technology-market-270295 John Jones Sales & Marketing Head | Stats N Data Phone: +1 (315) 642-4324 Email: sales@statsndata.org Website: www.statsndata.org STATS N DATA is a trusted provider of industry intelligence and market research, delivering actionable insights to businesses across diverse sectors. We specialize in helping organizations navigate complex markets with advanced analytics, detailed market segmentation, and strategic guidance. Our expertise spans industries including technology, healthcare, telecommunications, energy, food & beverages, and more. Committed to accuracy and innovation, we provide tailored reports that empower clients to make informed decisions, identify emerging opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth. Our team of skilled analysts leverages cutting-edge methodologies to ensure every report addresses the unique challenges of our clients. At STATS N DATA, we transform data into knowledge and insights into success. Partner with us to gain a competitive edge in today's fast-paced business environment. For more information, visit https://www.statsndata.org or contact us today at sales@statsndata.org This release was published on openPR.
Kayode Tokede Foreign and domestic portfolios investors transactions in the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited stood at N4.9 trillion in 11 months, nearly 52 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY)increase from N3.23 trillion reported in 11 months of 2023. The latest ‘domestic & foreign portfolio participation in equity trading’ in 11 months of 2024 showed that foreign portfolio investors are showing stronger appetite for local assets with Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) transactions at N785.28 billion as against N362.75 billion in corresponding 11 months of 2023. Official trading report at the weekend showed that FPI’s transactions in 11 months have reduced domestic investors dominance of the stock market, contributing 15.98 per cent against 84.02 per cent contribution by domestic investors. According to the report, FPI inflow in 11 months of 2024 nearly tripled, as most foreign investors continue to benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reforms in the foreign exchange market and cheap prices of most blue-chip companies quoted on the NGX. The report by NGX showed that FPI inflow stood at N370.15 billion in 11 months of 2024 from N157.32 billion in 11 months of 2023. On the other hand, foreign portfolio outflows, the sell side of the transactions, increased to N415.13 billion, about 102.09per cent increase over N205.43 billion reported in 11 months of 2023. However, the weak FPI inflows and decreased domestic demand plummets total transactions at the NGX in November 2024 to N442.34 billion from N502.73 billion reported in October 2024. The report, however, disclosed that domestic transactions totalled N4.13 trillion within the 11months period, 43.77 per cent above N2.87 trillion recorded in the comparable period of 2023. The FPI report, coordinated by the NGX, included transactions from nearly all custodians and capital market operators and it is widely regarded as a credible measure of foreign portfolio trend. The November 2024 performance set a new record above the market’s third quarter performance. Total transactions at the stock market had risen to N3.97 trillion in the first nine months of this year, the highest third quarter turnover according to available official records of the market. The third quarter 2024 performance represented a new record against the market’s turnover in third quarter 2023, when the market had set a high of N2.71 trillion. The closest records were in 2018 and 2014 when the market recorded N2.01 trillion and N2.04 trillion respectively. In terms of performance of the market over the last decade, the report disclosed that, “Over a 17 year period, domestic transactions decreased by 10.94per cent from N3.556 trillion in 2007 to N3.167 trillion in 2023; whilst foreign transactions also decreased by 33.28 per cent from N616 billion to N411 billion over the same period. “Total domestic transactions accounted for about 89per cent of the total transactions carried out in 2023, whilst foreign transactions accounted for about 11per cent of the total transactions in the same period. The transaction data for 2024 shows that total domestic transactions are circa N4.128 trillion, whilst total foreign transactions are circa N785.28 billion.” Meanwhile, capital market analysts have attributed the upbeat at the stock market to the increasing attractiveness of the Nigerian market to foreign investors, ongoing economic reforms, resilient earnings by Nigerian companies, exchange rate differential, ongoing banking recapitalisation and the reform in the oil sector. The Managing Director, HighCap Securities, Mr David Adonri, stated that the banking sector has contributed substantially to the growing turnover at the stock market. Adonri said, “The recapitalisation of banks is orchestrating demand for their shares even in the secondary market. Highly capitalised stocks in the petroleum sector have also been upbeat. Finally, investors have also reacted positively to the big interim dividends declared by banks.” A report by Afrinvest West Africa had indicated that FPIs in the Nigerian market could reach N1.1 trillion by the end of 2024 as foreign investors continued to increase their stakes on Nigerian securities. Analysts at Afrinvest West Africa stated that at the current run rate, the size of foreign participation at the stock market should reach N1.1 trillion by year-end, translating to a 267.8 per cent increase on 2023. Afrinvest estimated that total FPIs, including equities, money, and bond markets, could swell fourfold to $5.2 billion in 2024 in a base case scenario. The analysts noted that even when adjusted at exchange rate of N1,510.10 per dollar, the current run rate should deliver about $728.4 million participation size on the NGX, representing a 60.9 per cent increase over the 2023 actual that was converted at an exchange rate of N907.10 per dollar. “This marked improvement underscores the gradual return of foreign portfolio investors to Nigeria – a development we believe is largely connected to the ongoing reforms by the CBN,” Afrinvest stated. The report highlighted a strong and positive correlation between FPI inflow data reported by the NBS in dollars and foreign investor participation statistics reported by the NGX in naira. Afrinvest noted that the correlation was not a surprise given that equity is one of the three investment portfolio areas into which FPIs are deployed. The report pointed out that although FPIs are less reliable in building sustainable foreign exchange buffers due to their characteristic nature of flight to safety, the recent dynamics if sustained hold positive for stabilising the exchange rate in the short to medium term.Was Netanyahu Treated for Prostate Cancer?NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Alyssa Ustby and Lexi Donarski scored 14 points apiece, and Ustby added 14 rebounds to lead No. 16 North Carolina to a 53-36 victory over Villanova in a semifinal game at the Women's Battle 4 Atlantis on Sunday. The Tar Heels (5-1) play Indiana in the championship game on Monday. The Hoosiers upset No. 18 Baylor 73-65 in Sunday's first semifinal. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Market participants on Wall Street in the holiday-shortened week ahead will have a lot of significant economic data to watch for. Among the economic reports, the week will see third quarter gross domestic product (GDP) numbers, the personal income and Personal Consumption Expenditures price index data, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, for October. Investors will also closely watch the Federal Reserve’s minutes of November monetary policy committee meeting to be unveiled later in the week. Economic calendar On November 26 (Tuesday), minutes of Federal Reserve’s FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) meeting held in November will be released. Separate reports on S&P Case-Shiller home price index (20 cities) for September, consumer confidence for November, and new home sales for October will also be released on the same day. On November 27 (Wednesday), separate reports on durable-goods orders for October, gross domestic product(first revision) third quarter (Q3), Chicago Business Barometer (PMI) for November, and personal income (nominal) for October, personal spending (nominal) for October, Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) index for October, and pending home sales for October will be released. Earnings Following companies are due to report third quarter earnings in the week ahead — Agilent Technologies, Zoom Video Communications, Woodward, Bath & Body Works, Semtech, Analog Devices, Dell Technologies, CrowdStrike Holdings, Guess?, Manchester United, Workday, Autodesk, Patterson Companies, Zuora, Frontline, and MINISO Group Holding. Markets last week US stock indices closed higher on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 426.16 points, or 0.97 per cent, to 44,296.51, the S&P 500 gained 20.63 points, or 0.35 per cent, to 5,969.34 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 31.23 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 19,003.65. For the week, the S&P 500 gained 1.68 per cent, the Nasdaq rose 1.73 per cent, and the Dow climbed 1.96 per cent. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41 per cent from 4.42 per cent. In the crypto market, bitcoin hovered around $99,000.On Nov. 22nd, Winnipeg City Council’s Standing Policy Committee of Water, Waste and the Environment met to discuss a report on tools and mechanisms for phasing out natural gas use. The report represents one of the first major asks of Winnipeg’s Climate Action and Resilience Committee, a citizen group designed to help Winnipeg achieve its goal of net zero by 2050. The intention of the report was to direct the public service to begin investigating the City of Winnipeg’s capacity for climate resilience through jurisdiction, grant programs, by-laws, zoning and permitting and land use planning. During the meeting, many individuals came forward to show their widespread support for this first step in climate action. This support was seen in several delegations, including representatives from Seniors for Climate Manitoba, BizforClimate and Stand.earth, as well as 18 testimonies submitted to the City. “Please take a moment to ask yourself what you want for future generations,” Pat Wally of Seniors for Climate Manitoba says. “Today, you can start making additions [to climate action] by commissioning this.” Further speakers brought research demonstrating precedence set by other cities in Canada, such as Montreal and Toronto, who have already implemented measures to phase out natural gas. Others said that phasing out was not enough and that the City should be looking at phasing in new technologies such as geothermal. However, the final committee decision was not to approve this preliminary step, but to receive it as information - sending it back for revision. Messaging played a large role in the council member’s justification for not approving the report. Although the report was to investigate possible options, Coun. Evan Duncan felt the report “was not communicated that way”. Rather the council said much of the responses the City received from the public implied the City was in the process of going off natural gas. “Going away from natural gas may not be a doable thing in this climate,” Coun. Shawn Dobson says. “Perhaps in the future we should go off natural gas, but that may be in a century.” Both Dobson and Duncan referred to instances where attempting to move towards energy efficiency had been shot down by different levels of government .“Maybe if we had an adequate electrical supply then maybe we could be talking about that, but I don’t think we have an adequate electrical supply ... that would be up to Hydro to determine if we have enough for that,” Coun. Dobson says. “I feel our best choice right now is to work with the other two levels of government to reduce our use of [natural gas].” While members of the public service said that Manitoba Hydro has committed to increasing the province’s energy supply in line with net zero goals, Committee Chair Coun. Evan Duncan expressed that he is “not confident” in Hydro’s ability to meet the energy needs required for phasing out natural gas. Near the end of the discussion, a frustrated Councillor Brian Mayes maligned the City’s tendency towards big promises without much intention or capacity for action. “We make these grandiose commitments, we undoubtedly voted for climate action, we undoubtedly voted for the CEIR (Community Energy Investment Roadmap),” Coun. Mayes says. “It’s just theatre at some point if we don’t do any action ... what’s the action here?
US expected to send £1 billion in weapons to Ukraine before Trump takes office
Reuters 12:37 JST, December 30, 2024 TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei share average retreated from the previous session’s five-month high on Monday, the last trading day in 2024, as investors locked in profits on a market set to be up a fifth for the year. The Nikkei had fallen 0.75% to 39,979.68 by the midday break, after opening 0.11% higher. It ended at a five-month closing high on Friday after a three-session winning streak. The index is up 19.5% so far this year, putting it just behind Pakistan and Taiwan for the year. The broader Topix was down 0.42% to 2,789.98. “Investors sold stocks today because they could not find clear reasons for the Nikkei to cross the 40,000 levels,” said Fumio Matsumoto, chief strategist at Okasan Securities. “But that does not mean investors are pessimistic about the market in the coming year. They may just want to avoid risks during the market close in Japan for the new year, which is longer than usual.” The Japanese markets will reopen on Jan. 6 after closing for the new year holidays from the next session. Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest fell 3.83% to drag the Nikkei the most. Nissan Motor slipped 5.64% to become the biggest percentage loser on the Nikkei. Nissan’s shares surged nearly 40% this month as merger talks between the automaker and peer Honda Motor surfaced. Makino Milling Machine’s shares were untraded and were set to a daily limit of ¥10,750 after a surprise unsolicited takeover bid by Japanese manufacturing giant Nidec . Takehiko Masuzawa, trading head at Phillip Securities Japan, said the Nikkei rose last week as investors bought back stocks to cover their short positions ahead of the long market holiday.An Israeli airstrike flattened a multistory building in central Gaza, killing at least 25 people and wounding dozens more, according to Palestinian medical officials, after strikes Thursday across the Gaza Strip killed at least 28 others. The latest deadly strike hit the urban Nuseirat refugee camp just hours after U.S. President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters in Jerusalem that the recent ceasefire in Lebanon has helped clear the way for a potential deal to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the deadly strike in Nuseirat. Israel says it is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza . The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine in some of the hardest-hit parts of the territory. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 others were taken hostage. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here's the latest: DAMASCUS, Syria — Mohammad Salim Alkhateb, an official with the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces — an internationally backed group of the opposition in exile — said his group wants to see a transitional government formed via a United Nations-backed process in the wake of Bashar Assad ouster. It is not yet clear if Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group now in control of Syria, will pursue such a process. The insurgents have said an interim government headed by Mohammad al-Bashir, who is also the head of the “salvation government” of HTS in its former stronghold in northern Syria, will oversee the country until March but have not made clear how the transition to a new, fully empowered government would take place. “The transitional governing body should be formed in Geneva to have international legitimacy,” said Alkhateb, who is now in Damascus. “The transitional governing body, whatever its form, whether it is the ‘salvation government’ or any other, what matters is that it has international recognition.” Alkhateb said that the unexpectedly rapid fall of Damascus and departure of Assad after opposition forces launched their offensive had created confusion and a governance vacuum. A day before the insurgents pushed into Damascus, diplomats from countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Iran and Russia met in Qatar to discuss the situation in Syria. Alkhateb said that they had discussed a scenario in which the rebels would halt their advance, keeping the territory they had captured so far in the north — including Syria’s largest city, Aleppo — and the opposition and Assad’s government would go to Geneva for talks on a political settlement to the conflict. However, he noted, “there were no Syrians in that meeting.” Assad fled to Russia before the rebel forces arrived in Damascus but has not officially announced his resignation, which is “why we are living in a vacuum rather than a political transition,” Alkhateb said. He added that creating a professional army should be a priority of the transitional government. “We do not want a civilian who was trained during the revolution to carry military weapons to become the military,” he said. Israel bombed hundreds of military sites in Syria this week in a wave of airstrikes that destroyed “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the wave of airstrikes in neighboring Syria was necessary to keep the weapons from being used against Israel following the Syrian government’s stunning collapse . WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Karine Jean-Peirre says Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria for 12 years, “is a top priority for this president.” During a briefing with reporters on Thursday, Jean-Pierre said of Tice, “There is no indication that he is not alive. There’s also no indication about his location or condition.” “What our goal is, is to bring him home. And so, we hope certainly that he is alive and, as we have stated many times before, we are talking through this with the Turks and we want to do everything we can to bring him home,” she said. BEIRUT — Amnesty International said Thursday that four Israeli airstrikes between September and October that killed at least 49 civilians in Lebanon “must be investigated as war crimes.” The rights organization said in a new report that the four strikes targeted homes in the Bekaa Valley, northern and eastern Lebanon, and municipal offices in the south. “These four attacks are emblematic of Israel’s shocking disregard for civilian lives in Lebanon and their willingness to flout international law,” said Amnesty International’s Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns. The rights group said this report was part of its ongoing investigation into violations of the laws of war in Lebanon. Amnesty International investigated four Israeli airstrikes, including one on Sept. 29 in al-Ain that killed all nine members of the same family. On Oct. 21, a strike in Baalbek city in eastern Lebanon killed six members of the same family. Another on Oct. 14 in the village of Aitou in northern Lebanon killed 23 displaced people, including a 5-month-old baby. A fragment from the attack site in Aitou was identified by an Amnesty weapons expert as likely part of a Mk-80 series aerial bomb, weighing at least 500 pounds. These munitions are primarily supplied to Israel by the United States, Amnesty said. The fourth strike Amnesty investigated was the strike that hit the municipal headquarters in Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, on Oct. 16, killing 11 civilians including the mayor. “The air strike took place without warning, just as the municipality’s crisis unit was meeting to coordinate deliveries of aid, including food, water and medicine, to residents and internally displaced people who had fled bombardment in other parts of southern Lebanon,” Amnesty said. The rights group said it interviewed survivors and witnesses, examined evidence, and found no military targets near the sites of the four strikes. The Israeli military gave no warnings and did not respond to Amnesty’s inquiries, the group said. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli airstrike hit the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing at least 25 Palestinians and wounding dozens more, Palestinian medics said, just hours after President Joe Biden’s national security adviser raised hopes about a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. Photos from the scene of the blast that circulated on social media showed a completely collapsed building with people walking through its mangled and charred remains, smoke rising from piles of belongings strewn over the rubble. Officials at two hospitals in the Gaza Strip, al-Awda Hospital in the north and al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, reported they received a combined total of 25 bodies from an Israeli strike on a multistory residential building in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp. Palestinian medics also reported that over 40 people, most of them children, were receiving treatment at the two hospitals. The al-Aqsa Hospital said that the Israeli attack also damaged several nearby houses in Nuseirat. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the deadly strike. Israel is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza . The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. Israel’s war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames U.N. agencies for not distributing it. The U.N. says Israeli restrictions, and the breakdown of law and order after Israel repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, make it extremely difficult to operate in the territory. UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. food agency is trying to deal with massive needs in Syria not only from escalating war-related food insecurity and an upsurge in displaced people fleeing Lebanon but also the dramatically new environment following the ouster of Bashar Assad, a senior U.N. official says. “It’s a triple crisis and the needs are going to be massive,” said Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Program, in an interview with The Associated Press late Wednesday. The WFP estimated that 3 million people in Syria were “acutely food insecure” and very hungry. However, that estimate was made before the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon pushed many Syrian refugees back to their home country, plus the instability caused by the overthrow of Assad. Due to funding cuts, the WFP had been targeting only 2 million of those people, he said. Because WFP has been working in Syria during the 13-year civil war, he said, it has pre-positioned food in the country. It has 500 staff in seven offices nationwide and has operated across conflict lines, across borders, and with all different parties, he said. Skau said Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group now in control of Syria, has promised to provide security for WFP warehouses. Humanitarian aid supplies had been looted at U.N. warehouses in the disorder after Assad fell. “We’re not really up and running in Damascus because of the continued kind of uncertainty there,” he said. WFP initially thought of relocating non-essential staff but the situation in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, has been “quite calm and orderly," he said. In the short term, Skau said, “what we’re seeing is that markets are disrupted, the value of the currency dropped dramatically, food prices are going up, transport lines don’t work,” and it’s unclear who will stamp required papers for imports and exports. This means that a bigger humanitarian response is needed initially, he said, but in the next phase, the U,N. will be looking at contributing to Syria’s recovery, and ultimately the country will need reconstruction. Skau said he expects a new funding appeal for Syria and urged donors to be generous. JERUSALEM — President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters in Jerusalem on Thursday that Israel’s ceasefire in Lebanon has helped clear the way for another deal to end the war in Gaza. He plans to travel next to Qatar and Egypt — key mediators in the ceasefire talks — as the Biden administration makes a final push on negotiations before Donald Trump is inaugurated. Sullivan said “Hamas’ posture at the negotiating table did adapt” after Israel decimated the leadership of its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon and reached a ceasefire there. “We believe it puts us in a position to close this negotiation,” he said. Sullivan dismissed speculation that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was waiting for Trump to take office to finalize a deal. He the U.S. believes there are three American hostages still alive in Gaza, but it’s hard to know for sure. He also said “the balance of power in the Middle East has changed significantly” since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, especially with the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a key ally of Hezbollah and Iran. “We are now faced with a dramatically reshaped Middle East in which Israel is stronger, Iran is weaker, its proxies decimated, and a ceasefire that is new and will be lasting in Lebanon that ensures Israel’s security over the long term,” he said. KHIAM, Lebanon — An Israeli strike killed at least one person Thursday in the Lebanese border town of Khiam, the Health Ministry said, less than a day after Israeli troops handed the hilltop village back to the Lebanese army in coordination with U.N. peacekeepers, Khiam is the first Lebanese town Israel has pull out of since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants began two weeks ago, and marks an important test of the fragile truce . Lebanon's Health Ministry and state news agency did not provide details on who was killed, and did not report airstrikes elsewhere on Thursday. The Israeli military said the airstrike in Khiam targeted Hezbollah fighters. Lebanese troops deployed in the northern section of the town on Thursday morning and were coordinating with U.N. peacekeepers to finalize Israel’s withdrawal before fully entering into other neighborhoods. An Associated Press reporter who visited Khiam on Thursday observed widespread destruction, with most houses reduced to rubble. Entire neighborhoods were flattened, with collapsed walls and debris scattered across the streets. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, sharply criticized Israel for striking the town less than 24 hours after the Lebanese army returned, saying it was “a violation of the pledges made by the parties that sponsored the ceasefire agreement, who must act to curb Israeli aggression.” The truce was brokered by the U.S. and France. Israel has previously said the ceasefire deal allows it to use military force against perceived violations. Near-daily attacks by Israel during the ceasefire, mostly in southern Lebanon, have killed at least 29 people and wounded 27 others. Khiam, which sits on a ridge less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the border with Israel, saw some of the most intense fighting during the war. The Lebanese army was clearing debris and reopening roads in the northern section of the town. Civilian access to other areas remained challenging as the army clears roads and works alongside the U.N. peacekeepers to ensure the area is free of unexploded ordnance. AQABA, Jordan -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is urging the many players in Syria to avoid taking any steps that could lead to further violence. Blinken spoke to reporters in Jordan on Thursday shortly after meeting King Abdullah II as he opened a trip in the region to discuss Syria's future after former President Bashar Assad's ouster. Blinken will next visit Turkey, a NATO ally and a main backer of Syrian rebel groups. Blinken called this “a time of both real promise but also peril for Syria and for its neighbors.” He said he was focused on coordinating efforts in the region “to support the Syrian people as they transition away from Assad’s brutal dictatorship” and establish a government that isn’t dominated by one religion or ethnic group or outside power. Blinken was asked about Israel’s incursion into a buffer zone that had been demilitarized for the past half century. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the move is temporary and defensive, but also indicated Israel will remain in the area for a long time. Blinken declined to say whether the U.S. supports the move, but said the U.S. would be speaking to Israel and other partners in the region. “I think, across the board, when it comes to any actors who have real interests in Syria, it’s also really important at this time that, we all try to make sure that we’re not sparking any additional conflicts,” he said. ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, arrived in Damascus on Thursday, according to Turkish media reports. Kalin was seen arriving at the Umayyad Mosque to pray, surrounded by a large crowd, according to video shown on Turkish television. The visit is highly symbolic. Turkish officials, who supported the opposition against Syria’s government, had predicted at the start of the civil war in 2011 that President Bashar Assad’s government would fall, allowing them to pray at the Umayyad Mosque. JERUSALEM — Paraguay reopened its embassy in Jerusalem Thursday, becoming one of a small handful of nations to recognize the city as Israel’s capital and marking a diplomatic victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel’s international isolation has increased as the war in Gaza drags on, and Paraguay was the first country to move its embassy to Jerusalem since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that kickstarted the war. The United States, Honduras, Guatemala, Kosovo, and Papua New Guinea are among the few countries with Jerusalem embassies. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in 1967 but it wasn’t recognized by the international community, and most countries run their embassies out of Tel Aviv. Spirits were high at the ceremony marking the embassy’s inauguration Thursday, with Netanyahu and Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar lavishing praise on Paraguayan President Santiago Pena. “My good friend Santiago,” said Netanyahu, addressing Pena. “We’re a small nation. You’re a small nation. We suffered horrible things but we overcame the odds of history...we can win and we are winning.” Paraguay had an embassy in Jerusalem in 2018, under Former President Horacio Cartes. That embassy was moved back to Tel Aviv by Cartes’ successor, Mario Abdo Benitez, prompting Israel to close its embassy in Asuncion. Saar said Israel and Paraguay shared a “friendship based not only on interests but also values and principles.” He and the Paraguayan foreign minister, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, signed a series of bilateral agreements and Saar said he would soon visit Asunción with a delegation from the Israeli private sector. “Israel is going to win and the countries we are standing next to Israel, we are going to win," Pena said. AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is renewing calls for Syria’s new leadership to respect women and minority rights, prevent extremists from gaining new footholds in the country and keeping suspected chemical weapons stocks secure as he makes his first visit to the Mideast since the weekend ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad . Making his 12th trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war erupted lasted year but amid fresh concerns about security following the upheaval in Syria, Blinken emphasized Thursday to Jordan’s King Abdullah II U.S. “support for an inclusive transition that can lead to an accountable and representative Syrian government chosen by the Syrian people,” the State Department said. Blinken also repeated the importance the outgoing Biden administration puts on respect for human rights and international law, the protection of civilians and stopping terrorist groups from reconstituting. Blinken met with the monarch and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Aqaba before traveling to Turkey for talks with Turkish officials on the situation in Syria and the urgency of securing a long-elusive deal to release hostages and end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian territory since October 2023. Abdullah told Blinken that “the first step to reach comprehensive regional calm is to end the Israeli war on Gaza." GENEVA — The U.N. envoy for Syria is calling on authorities to save evidence from detention centers that were a hub of “unimaginable barbarity” that Syrians have faced for many years and cooperate with international investigators looking into such crimes. Geir Pederson referred to new images from the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital, Damascus, after President Bashar Assad fled Syria as armed groups stormed in to overthrow his government over the weekend. “The images from Saydnaya and other detention facilities starkly underscore the unimaginable barbarity Syrians have endured and reported for years,” Pedersen said in a statement. Documentation and testimonies “only scratch the surface of the carceral system’s horrors,” he added. Pedersen urged authorities to cooperate with U.N. bodies like an independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria, which was created in 2011, and an independent group known as the IIIM that was set up five years later to also compile evidence of crimes. ROME — Leaders of the Group of 7 industrialized nations offered their full support for an inclusive political transition in Syria and invited all parties to preserve the country’s territorial integrity. In a message released by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s office, the leaders said they were ready to support a transition that “leads to a credible government, inclusive and not sectarian, that guarantees respect for the state of law, universal human rights, including rights for women, (and) the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities.” The leaders also underlined the importance that ousted President Bashar Assad’s government is held responsible for crimes, citing “decades of atrocities.” They said they would also cooperate with groups working to prohibit chemical weapons “to secure, declare and destroy” remaining chemical arms in Syria. Italy currently holds the rotating presidency of the G-7, which also includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the United States. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military says it struck Hamas militants in two locations in the southern Gaza Strip who planned to hijack aid convoys. Palestinian Health officials had earlier said that the two strikes killed 15 men who were part of local committees established to secure aid deliveries. The committees have been organized in cooperation with the Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza. It was not possible to independently confirm either account of the strikes, which occurred overnight into Thursday. Israel has long accused Hamas of hijacking humanitarian aid deliveries, while U.N. officials have said there is no systemic diversion of aid . U.N. agencies and aid groups say deliveries are held up by Israeli restrictions on the entry of aid and movement within Gaza, as well as the breakdown of law and order more than 14 months into the war between Israel and Hamas. Israel has repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, which maintained internal security before the war. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza, said a U.N. convoy of 70 trucks carrying humanitarian aid in southern Gaza “was involved in a serious incident,” resulting in just one of the trucks reaching its destination. It did not provide further details on the incident but said the same route had been used successfully two days earlier. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has caused vast destruction and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, leaving the territory heavily reliant on international food aid. DAMASCUS, Syria — An American who turned up in Syria on Thursday says he was detained after crossing into the country by foot on a Christian pilgrimage seven months ago. Travis Timmerman appears to have been among thousands of people released from the country’s notorious prisons after rebels reached Damascus over the weekend, overthrowing President Bashar Assad and ending his family’s 54-year rule. As video emerged online of Timmerman on Thursday, he was initially mistaken by some for Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing in Syria 12 years ago. In the video, Timmerman could be seen lying on a mattress under a blanket in what appeared to be a private house. A group of men in the video said he was being treated well and would be safely returned home. The Biden administration is working to bring Timmerman home, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Aqaba, Jordan, without offering details, citing privacy. Timmerman later gave an interview with the Al-Arabiya TV network, saying he had illegally crossed into Syria on foot from the eastern Lebanese town of Zahle seven months ago, before being detained. He said he was treated well in detention but could hear other men being tortured. AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Jordan on his 12th visit to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year and his first since the weekend ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad that has sparked new fears of instability in a region wracked by three conflicts despite a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Blinken was meeting in Aqaba with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday before traveling to Turkey for talks with Turkish officials on Friday. The meetings will focus largely on Syria but also touch on long-elusive hopes for a deal to end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian territory since October 2023. Blinken is the latest senior U.S. official to visit the Middle East in the five days since Assad was deposed as the Biden administration navigates more volatility in the region in its last few weeks in office and as President-elect Donald Trump has said the U.S. should stay out of the Syrian conflict. Other include national security adviser Jake Sullivan and a top military commander who traveled there as the U.S. and Israel have launched airstrikes to prevent the Islamic State militant group from reconstituting and prevent materiel and suspected chemical weapons stocks from falling into militant hands. Blinken “will discuss the need for the transition process and new government in Syria to respect the rights of minorities, facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance, prevent Syria from being used as a base of terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbors, and ensure that chemical weapons stockpiles are secured and safely destroyed,” the State Department said. The U.S. would be willing to recognize and fully support a new Syrian government that met those criteria. U.S. officials say they are not actively reviewing the foreign terrorist organization designation of the main Syrian rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, known as HTS, which was once an al-Qaida affiliate, but stressed they are not barred from speaking to its members. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces will remain in a Syrian buffer zone until a new force on the other side of the border can guarantee security. After the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Israeli forces pushed into a buffer zone that had been established after the 1973 Mideast war. The military says it has seized additional strategic points nearby. Israeli officials have said the move is temporary, but Netanyahu’s conditions could take months or even years to fulfill as Syria charts its post-Assad future, raising the prospect of an open-ended Israeli presence in the country. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement Thursday that Assad’s overthrow by jihadi rebels created a vacuum on the border. “Israel will not permit jihadi groups to fill that vacuum and threaten Israeli communities on the Golan Heights with October 7th style attacks,” it said, referring to Hamas’ 2023 attack out of Gaza, which ignited the war there. “That is why Israeli forces entered the buffer zone and took control of strategic sites near Israel’s border.” The statement added that “this deployment is temporary until a force that is committed to the 1974 agreement can be established and security on our border can be guaranteed.” The buffer zone is adjacent to the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed. The international community, except for the United States, views the Golan as occupied Syrian territory. JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said Thursday that the attacker who fatally shot a 12-year-old Israeli boy in the occupied West Bank overnight turned himself in to authorities. The attacker opened fire on a bus near the Israeli settlement of Beitar Illit, critically wounding the boy, who hospital authorities pronounced dead in the early morning. Three others were wounded in the attack, paramedics said. The shooting took place just outside Jerusalem in an area near major Israeli settlements. JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Indonesian government has evacuated 37 citizens from Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government, officials said Thursday. The evacuees were taken by land from Damascus to Beirut, where they boarded three commercial flights to Jakarta, said Judha Nugraha, director of citizen protection at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The Indonesian Embassy in Damascus said all 1,162 Indonesian citizens in Syria were safe. Indonesian Ambassador to Syria Wajid Fauzi said the situation in Syria has gradually returned to normal. “I can say that 98% of people’s lives are back to normal, shops are open, public transportation has started running,” Fauzi said, adding that most Indonesian nationals living in Syria had chosen to stay. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinian medical officials say Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 28 people in the Gaza Strip, including seven children and a woman. One of the strikes overnight and into Thursday flattened a house in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, where the casualties were taken. An Associated Press reporter saw the bodies at the hospital’s morgue. Two other strikes killed 15 men who were part of local committees established to secure aid convoys . The committees were set up by displaced Palestinians in coordination with the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. The Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis received the bodies and an AP reporter counted them. The hospital said eight were killed in a strike near the southern border town of Rafah and seven others in a strike 30 minutes later near Khan Younis. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames U.N. agencies for not distributing it. The U.N. says Israeli restrictions, and the breakdown of law and order after Israel repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, make it extremely difficult to operate in the territory. UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban . The votes in the 193-nation world body were 158-9 with 13 abstentions to demand a ceasefire now and 159-9 with 11 abstentions to support the agency known as UNRWA. The votes culminated two days of speeches overwhelmingly calling for an end to the 14-month war between Israel and the militant Hamas group . General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they reflect world opinion. There are no vetoes in the assembly. Israel and its close ally, the United States, were in a tiny minority speaking and voting against the resolutions.
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The Yomiuri Shimbun 2:00 JST, November 25, 2024 Ruling and opposition parties are set to begin negotiations on revising the Political Funds Control Law as early as this week, but wide gaps remain over the issue of political donations from companies and organizations. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is calling for maintaining the donations, while the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan wants them abolished. Due to such significant policy differences, the parties may prioritize bringing about what they can agree on — such as getting rid of the political activity funds that are given to individual lawmakers by parties — and shelve the issue of donations from companies and organizations. “I have doubts about the [LDP’s] stance of not putting the matter on the table,” said CDPJ President Yoshihiko Noda at a press conference on Friday. Noda was criticizing the LDP for not including the abolition of donations from companies and organizations in its draft proposal for political reform. The CDPJ is seeking to halt donations from companies and organizations as a pillar of its political reform effforts. Party Secretary General Junya Ogawa has called such contributions a “hotbed for corruption.” Japan Innovation Party Secretary General Fumitake Fujita also expressed his willingness to discuss stopping such donations. “The CDPJ is keen on this point, so we believe we should move forward on it,” Fujita said at a news conference on Thursday. However, the LDP insists that donations from companies and organizations should be maintained, on the grounds of a 1970 Supreme Court ruling involving political contributions from Yawata Iron & Steel Co. The judgement stated that a private firm is generally free to make political donations. In a news conference on Tuesday, LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama said that his party is not trying to prevent companies from voluntarily making donations as part of their contributions to society. There were no calls to halt such donations at a general meeting of the party’s political reform headquarters on Thursday. Tetsuo Saito, leader of the LDP’s junior coalition partner Komeito, said at a news conference on Nov. 16 that his party would not suffer even if donations from companies and organizations were abolished, because Komeito does not receive any. But Saito went on to say that it would be better to discuss the issue through an envisaged third-party organ. “If it is discussed among politicians, it will develop into debates involving tense political battles,” he said. Yuichiro Tamaki, head of the Democratic Party for the People, said that he does not oppose the abolition of such donations if “it is agreed upon by all the party members.” But he also showed some understanding toward maintaining the system. “It’s worth considering setting an upper limit,” Tamaki said at a press conference on Nov. 12. Currently, the total amount of donations per year is limited to ¥7.5 million to ¥100 million, depending on companies’ capital stock and other conditions. Tamaki is apparently thinking about lowering the upper limit. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who also serves as LDP president, hopes to see swift action at least in the areas where parties would be able to agree, such as the abolition of political activity funds. Ishiba thinks it would be difficult to bridge the gap among parties concerning donations from companies and organizations, and has reportedly told close aides that it would be “impossible within the year” for the parties to agree on the issue. Within the CDPJ, some members are taking a hardline position, saying that negotiations will break down if no progress is made on stopping donations from companies and organizations. However, one veteran member said, “We need to achieve results in some areas that can be reformed.” There seems to be a war of nerves going on between ruling and opposition parties.
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