Unai Emery knows Champions League top-eight spot is possible for Aston VillaNone
PACS Investors Have Opportunity to Lead PACS Group Inc. Securities Fraud LawsuitRoss Barkley’s 85th-minute goal gave them victory in Germany after goals from John McGinn and Jhon Duran early in each half were cancelled out by Lois Openda and Christoph Baumgartner. That sent them up to third in the new league phase of the competition ahead of Wednesday’s games and with matches against Monaco and Celtic to come, Villa have an excellent chance of finishing in the top eight. Job done... in the end 😅 #RBLAVL #UCL pic.twitter.com/PRD1Hi1Q3A — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 10, 2024 That would mean they would avoid a play-off round to make it through to the last 16 and Emery says that is the target. “Today was key. Juventus at home, we were thinking more to win but in the end we accepted the draw because it was important for a point to be more or less in the top 24,” he told Amazon Prime. “Today was a match we were thinking at the beginning was key to be a contender to be in the top eight with the last two matches to be played. “It is going to be difficult and we have to get some more points but we now have the possibility to achieve this option. “We are going to enjoy and try to get top eight but we have to be happy because we are in the top 24 and maybe even the top 16. “We weren’t contenders in the beginning to get there but now we have to accept it.” Leipzig, who are flying high near the top of the Bundesliga, are out after losing all six matches. They did pose a threat to Villa, who inflicted some of their own problems on themselves, notably a rare gaffe from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for Openda’s equaliser. But Emery was happy with his side’s performance. “I try to enjoy and always we want to improve and sometimes it is hard but today the team were performing well, playing seriously and I was enjoying it,” he added. “We tried to overcome the mistakes we made and we did. More or less we were playing consistently. One mistake and they score but then we played very well. “Champions League is very difficult and we have to expect that every team playing at home are feeling strong. We played with consistency and domination.”
Stock market today: Wall Street slips to a rare back-to-back lossSAN FRANCISCO: OpenAI has released the latest version of its highly anticipated Sora video generator to the public, stepping into an increasingly crowded field of AI tools that has raised concerns about disruption to creative industries. The company behind ChatGPT said its latest version, dubbed Sora Turbo, offers significant speed improvements over the February preview model and can create high-definition videos lasting up to 22 seconds. While tech giants Google and Meta have also announced similar video tools, none have yet met the huge expectations set for AI since the launch of ChatGPT two years ago. In a launch demonstration, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the video technology’s early stage but insisted that “it’s going to get a lot, lot better.” The service will be available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers, though notably absent from European and British markets for now. “We’re going to try our hardest to be able to launch there,” Altman said in a livestream. Basic subscribers can generate up to 50 videos monthly at standard definition, with options to create content in various aspect ratios and incorporate existing media. OpenAI has implemented safeguards against misuse, including verification metadata and visible watermarks. The company is temporarily restricting the generation of videos featuring real people while it strengthens anti-deepfake measures. Despite the launch, Sora still faces technical challenges. Early reviews note inconsistent realism and difficulties with complex sequences. An OpenAI employee tempered expectations in the announcement livestream: “If you come into Sora with the expectation that you’ll just be able to click a button and generate a feature film, I think you’re coming in with the wrong expectation.” — AFP
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NEW YORK , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Celsius Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CELH) between February 29, 2024 and September 4, 2024 , both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 21, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. So what: If you purchased Celsius common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the Celsius class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31677 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 21 , 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Celsius materially oversold inventory to PepsiCo, Inc. ("Pepsi") far in excess of demand, and faced a looming sales cliff during which Pepsi would significantly reduce its purchases of Celsius products; (2) as Pepsi drew down significant amounts of inventory overstock, Celsius' sales would materially decline in future periods, hurting Celsius' financial performance and outlook; (3) Celsius' sales rate to Pepsi was unsustainable and created a misleading impression of Celsius' financial performance and outlook; (4) as a result, Celsius' business metrics and financial prospects were not as strong as indicated in defendants' Class Period statements; and (5) consequently, defendants' statements regarding Celsius' outlook and expected financial performance were false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Celsius class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31677 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/celh-investors-have-opportunity-to-lead-celsius-holdings-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit-302327947.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. Stay Informed: Subscribe to Our Newsletter TodayLindsay Corporation Stock Hits 52-Week High at $135.17
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Two Oregon men on a search for Sasquatch were found dead of probable exposure in a Washington state park, authorities said. Family members reported the pair missing around 1 a.m. Wednesday after they failed to return home as planned on Christmas Eve, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday. A “ grueling, three-day search over difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions” ensued, involving more than 60 volunteers and including “canine, drone and ground-searching teams,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. Searchers first located the men’s vehicle at the southern border of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, where the bodies of the 59- and 37-year-old men were ultimately found in dense woods; their names were not immediately released. The forest comprises more than 1.3 million acres and is about 150 miles northeast of Portland. “Both deaths appear to be due to exposure, based on weather conditions and ill-preparedness,” the sheriff’s office noted. The “exceptional volunteers” who left their own Christmas celebrations for the search “fought through freezing temperatures, snow, high water levels, heavy rain, downfall, and heavily wooded terrain,” the sheriff said. “Their exhaustive search efforts resulted in bringing family members home to their loved ones.” Participating agencies included search and rescue teams from several counties, as well as numerous nonprofit organizations and a U.S. Coast Guard crew who “flew in inclement weather” to deploy infrared technology, the sheriff’s office said, sending “deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the loved ones lost in this tragic incident.” The legend of the Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot, dates back to ancient times, as Indigenous Peoples had their own legends of a towering, fur-covered, ape-like creature who strode upright through the woods of the Pacific Northwest, according to the environmental organization Oregon Wild. Though there is no proof of its existence, “there are a lot of people out there who are confident that some sort of ape-man roams through the depths of North America’s most remote forests and devote their lives to finding them,” Oregon Wild’s website notes. With News Wire Services
CELH Investors Have Opportunity to Lead Celsius Holdings, Inc. Securities Fraud LawsuitPresident-elect Trump was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for a second time on Thursday and he celebrated by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Trump, who was previously honored by Time after his 2016 White House victory, called the second win “a tremendous honor.” “Time Magazine, getting this honor for the second time, I think I like it better this time actually,” he said before ringing the bell on Wall Street. Trump signaled the importance he places on the NYSE appearance by enlisting Vice President-elect JD Vance, First Lady Melania Trump and his daughter, Ivanka, to join him. He name-checked some of the Wall Street heavyweights in his incoming administration, including Treasury Secretary-nominee Scott Bessent along with his new pledge the federal government will issue expedited permits, including environmental approvals, for projects and construction worth more than $1 billion. “I think we’re going to have a tremendous run. We have to straighten out some problems, some big problems in the world,” he said. Time editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs said Trump was someone who “for better or for worse, had the most influence on the news in 2024.” “This is someone who made an historic comeback, who reshaped the American presidency and who’s reordering American politics,” Jacobs said. “It’s hard to argue with the fact that the person who’s moving into the Oval Office is the most influential person in news.” Trump is one of 13 people, mostly American presidents, to win the honor twice since it was launched in 1927. Former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is the only one to be named person of the year three times. Other 2024 finalists included billionaire Elon Musk, Vice President Kamala Harris, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Britain’s Princess Kate. Pop star Taylor Swift won last year. In an interview with Time that was published Thursday, Trump said his historic White House comeback reflected the deep anger among Americans over the direction of the nation. “We hit the nerve of the country,” Trump said. “The country was angry.” Trump also re-upped his plan to pardon most of his extremist supporters who were convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. It’s going to start in the first hour,” he said of the pardons. “Maybe the first nine minutes.” The incoming president also discussed his plans for mass deportations and argued he would have the authority to use the military to assist, although legal experts dispute that claim. “I’ll only do what the law allows,” he said. “But I will go up to the maximum level of what the law allows.” ___ ©2024 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) — Matt Morrissey threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Calwise Jr. that ended the scoring midway through the fourth quarter and Eastern Kentucky beat North Alabama 21-15 on Saturday for its fifth straight win. TJ Smith drove North Alabama to the EKU 45-yard line before he threw an interception to Mike Smith Jr. to end the game. Smith threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Dakota Warfield to give North Alabama a 15-14 lead with 10:37 to play. Story continues below video Morrissey completed 9 of 15 passes for 154 yards and added 60 yards on the ground with a touchdown run. Brayden Latham added 103 yards rushing on 19 carries that included a 2-yard score for Eastern Kentucky (8-4, 6-2 United Athletic Conference). Smith was 23-of-39 passing for 325 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for North Alabama (3-9, 2-5). Tanaka Scott had 109 yards receiving and a touchdown catch. ___ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here ___ AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Trump sends a message to senators with bid to make Lara Trump one of their colleagues: 'Get used to it'LAS VEGAS — With a restructuring at Andretti Global that pushed Michael Andretti into a smaller role, the chances of his organization landing a Formula 1 team have substantially increased. So much so that F1 and Formula One Management could have a decision to grant the General Motors-backed entry a spot as the 11th team on the grid in the coming weeks. Dan Towriss, now the majority owner of the Andretti organization, was at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Thursday scoping his chances of entering the top motorsports series in the world. So was the FBI, allegedly, as part of a Department of Justice investigation into why F1 denied the Andretti organization expansion into the series. F1 currently has 10 teams that field 20 cars and only one — the organization owned by California businessman Gene Haas — is an American team. Las Vegas marks the third race this season in the United States, more than any other country, as F1 has exploded in American popularity over the last five years. Even so, Andretti could not get approval from F1 to enter the series. But, the situation changed in September when Andretti scaled back his role with his namesake organization. Now with Towriss in charge, talks have amplified, even though it is not clear what the name of an Andretti-less F1 team would even be. Cadillac would do the engines — but says it won't be ready until 2028 — which means a 2026 Towriss-led F1 team would be GM branded but with a partner engine supplier. Most of the existing teams have been largely opposed to an 11th team entering F1, citing a dilution in prize money and the massive expenses they've already committed to the series. But, Andretti among others believed the teams' position was personal in that they simply didn't like Andretti, who ran 13 races in the 1993 season. His father, Mario, is the 1978 F1 world champion. The Andretti application had already been approved by the FIA, which is F1's ruling body, but later denied by F1 itself. F1 promised to revisit the issue once General Motors had an engine ready to compete. The existing 10 F1 teams have no actual vote or say in if the grid is expanded, which Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reiterated Thursday when The Associated Press asked why the sudden chance of acceptance in a potential 11th team. "We have an obligation, a statutory obligation as directors, to present the standpoint that is the best for our company and for our employees, and we've done that," Wolff said. "I think if a team can add to the championship, particularly if GM decides to come in as a team owner, that is a different story. "And as long as it is creative, that means we're growing the popularity of the sport, we're growing the revenue of the sport, then no team will be ever against it. So I'm putting my hope in there." Wolff has been eager to hear from Towriss directly on what the plans for the organization are now that Andretti has a smaller role. "No one from Andretti or Andretti Global or whatever the name will be has ever spoken to me a single sentence in presentation of what the creative part is," he said. "But they don't need to because the teams don't decide. It is the commercial rights holder, with the FIA, we have no say. If I want to be invited to a party and go to the party, I'm sitting down at the table and telling who I am and why I'm really good fun and sitting here and everybody will enjoy my presence. "That hasn't happened, but you know, that's now my personal point of view, not a professional, because there's nothing we can do, nothing we can say," Wolff continued. "And I don't know the people. I've obviously spoken to Mario. I didn't speak to his son. I didn't speak to any other people that are behind that. I don't know who they are. So I know GM, GM is great." Fred Vasseur, team principal at Ferrari, said he's not opposed to another team if it adds value to F1. "The discussion is between FIA, the team, and FOM. It's not our choice," he said. "For sure, as Toto said, that if it's good for the sport, good for the show, good for the business, and adds value on the sporting side, that we are all OK." Get local news delivered to your inbox!'AI textbooks' are coming to Korea. But is the country ready for them? Published: 30 Dec. 2024, 07:00 LEE SOO-JUNG [email protected] A person tests the prototype of an AI textbook at an edtech fair held in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, in September. [YONHAP] “AI textbooks” aren't physical textbooks — they're tablet apps — but they aim to be something even better. They include real-time practice questions and can analyze intonation and pronunciation as a learner speaks. An integrated model assesses each user's level of comprehension and tailors questions and explanations appropriately. Instructors can view each student's practice performance, assessed level and correct answer ratio. It's a textbook, but smarter — and personalized. At least, that's the Korean Ministry of Education's pitch. On Dec.2, the ministry unveiled authorized AI textbooks from private publishers, which are expected to be introduced over the upcoming four years — from 2025 to 2028 — to Korean classrooms. Elementary students to high schoolers, nationwide, will be learning from AI textbooks across English, math, social studies, sciences, history and technology. Incorporating AI into public and mandatory education will offer more personalized learning experiences, said the ministry, with each student provided a device of their own. However, on Thursday, the ministry's grand AI transition ran into a hurdle when the National Assembly demoted the AI textbooks to supplementary materials. The passage of an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, led by the opposition Democratic Party — even stripped AI textbooks of their "textbook" title, relegating them to "subsidiary references." However, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho said that introducing AI textbooks would be the "starting point of reducing educational imbalances," helping tackle the polarization of knowledge. He also said the selective use of AI textbooks could worsen the educational gap between AI textbook learners and those not having a chance to use them. In late November, Education Minister Lee also said AI textbooks would “awaken classrooms” and motivate students to study eagerly, preventing them from dropping out. However, such an awakening is unlikely to happen without resistance, nor will it come cheap. Scholars, students and teachers, despite the ministry's effort to incorporate contemporary technology in classrooms, have been less than enthusiastic. Due to the parliamentary measure, the AI textbooks' downgraded status could prevent the ministry from funding AI textbook distribution and upgrading classroom IT systems. While textbooks are mandatory at schools nationwide and funded by the state, using subsidiary materials is at the discretion of school principals. The parliamentary National Assembly Research Service calculated that subscription fees paid to textbook publishers would total between 1.9 trillion won ($1.3 billion) and 6.6 trillion won over four years. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education was set to earmark 203.7 billion won into system improvement and subscription costs. ━ An incomplete endeavor An employee of an AI textbook publisher demonstrates the program at the Sejong government complex on Monday. Left monitor shows the display for students and the right monitor shows students' academic progress. [NEWS1] Does AI add that much to a traditional textbook? Experts aren't so sure. Joo Jeong-heun, a senior researcher at the Seoul Education Research and Information Institute, believes the technology is not yet comprehensive enough to help students apply their knowledge. AI is “competent in delivering factual information but has limits in encouraging actual usage of learned knowledge in real life,” Joo told the Korea JoongAng Daily. “Digital educational content and AI lack intuitive thoughts, which are catalysts prompting people to apply learned knowledge in actual experiences,” Joo said. Joo said educational policymakers should evaluate how an AI textbook effectively triggers the transfer of learning rather than treating it as a tool for improving students’ grades. Fourth graders at Seoul Sinseong Elementary School participate in an English class using AI last May. Then-Seoul education superintendent Cho Hee-yeon also attended the class. [NEWS1] Prof. Kim Bong-jae from Seoul National University of Education’s AI value judgment design center said current AI textbooks do not encompass complex developmental characteristics, which are deeply related to emotional development and value judgment. “AI technology simply translates students’ behaviors and responses only into intellectual ability,” Kim said. “Only human teachers are capable of understanding the process and variables that influence student’s answer choices and reflecting those behavioral and psychological elements into the curriculum.” Prof. Kim believes AI textbooks in elementary schools would be “inappropriate” as the students undergo the most significant emotional and social developments during those years. He said using AI textbooks in middle and high schools would be “acceptable,” as those students are mature enough to handle the technology. Teachers try out prototypes of AI textbooks at an educational conference in Daegu in August. [YONHAP] But even high school faculty are skeptical about bringing AI textbooks into classrooms because of their potential to create more work for teachers. A total of 49 percent of 1,656 teachers in Gyeonggi answered that an AI learning tool dubbed High-Learning — developed by the provincial education office — was “meritless,” according to a survey by the Gyeonggi Teachers Union in October. The AI-powered High-Learning program has been up and running since September of last year. The union told the Korea JoongAng Daily that AI-based educational content was inefficient in terms of time management. “Device distribution, itself, does not complete education,” said Kim Hee-jung, a teacher’s union spokesperson, who pointed out that the widespread use of AI textbooks puts a number of additional tasks on an instructor's plate, such as troubleshooting a fleet of tablets and ensuring that students are logged into the correct server. “Based on experience, if one or two students forget their ID and passwords, teachers have to help their log-in process, which normally takes up around 20 to 30 minutes during class hours.” ━ Schools unready Six graders from Daejeon Neuriul Elementary School receive new textbooks for the fall semester in August. [NEWS1] The teacher’s union representative also doubted the ministry’s belief that AI technology would narrow learning gaps among students, citing “extremely low digital literacy” among high schoolers. The teachers’ union said that leaving students to study on their own digital devices could “polarize educational achievements.” A 2024 survey by the National Youth Policy Institute indicated that 63.9 percent of some 2,261 high- and middle-schoolers nationwide know little to nothing about generative AI. “On average, five percent of students in each high school classroom are capable of using ChatGPT,” Kim from the Gyeonggi teachers’ union said. Her remarks echo those other critics of AI have been making across sectors as the technology explodes — that it only benefits those who already know how to use it while leaving the rest baffled. Plus, Kim Hee-jung worries, struggling students might just use the tablets to play online games. People who object to the introduction of AI textbooks hold a press conference in front of the government complex in central Seoul last month. [YONHAP] Teachers also expressed concern about “lack of time getting familiar with AI textbooks before the spring semester,” which starts in March. Considering faculty reshuffle and relocation, slated to be complete in mid-February, teachers will likely have only 10 to 15 days to practice content in the AI textbooks — designated by each school before their relocation. “Teachers are unsure of the effectiveness of teaching accompanied with AI textbooks when lessons are given to students in an underprepared situation,” said Min Jae-sik, a representative of the union of middle school teachers. Min also noted that AI textbooks have an attached manual for teachers, but not for students. “Because there is no manual available for students, teachers have to address questions raised by students or solve their technical difficulties one by one,” Min said. ━ The silver lining Despite the uncertainties surrounding the need for AI textbooks and her own awareness of the technology's limitations, Joo pointed to AI textbooks as having the potential to become a “great learning tool.” “There are parts where simple and repeated exercises are crucial, and using AI textbooks for such purposes would amplify students' learning.” Joo has faith that teachers will figure out the optimal timing and usage of AI textbooks as they are well aware of effective teaching methods per each academic lesson. “Teachers will use AI textbooks once they are proven to be effective and well-made.” Education Minister Lee also stressed that surveys after AI textbook pilot programs revealed a "high" level of satisfaction. Lee told lawmakers this month that post-use reviews are what really matter. AI textbook publishers are also confident that their products will gain the trust of students, parents and teachers. Visang Education, an authorized AI textbook publisher, told the newspaper that his company would make an effort to provide “customized solutions” to students by automatically analyzing data about their behavior and achievements in real time. “AI textbooks will help students digest academic lessons through a personalized curriculum regardless of one’s learning speed,” a Visang spokesperson said. The official believes that the wary public attitude derives from vague stereotypes of AI in the education sector. “Learning with AI textbooks,” the spokesperson insisted, “would be a totally different experience.” BY LEE SOO-JUNG [ [email protected] ] var admarutag = admarutag || {} admarutag.cmd = admarutag.cmd || [] admarutag.cmd.push(function () { admarutag.pageview('3bf9fc17-6e70-4776-9d65-ca3bb0c17cb7'); });
All 36 states have submitted their positions on State Police, with a majority agreeing on the need for state-controlled policing. The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, revealed this to State House Correspondents after the 147th meeting of the National Economic Council at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Thursday. He said, “Today, one of the discussions we had at the NEC meeting was the update on the creation of state police. As you are aware, there was a submission by states toward the establishment of state police. “36 states have submitted, minus FCT. FCT is not a state. They explained why they had not submitted it. But 36 states have all submitted their own position on state police. “From what is available, virtually most of the states are in agreement with the establishment of state police in Nigeria. I want to say here clearly that most of us are in agreement with the establishment of State Police.” The Kaduna State Governor explained that the consensus stemmed from various security challenges across states. He highlighted the central issue of ungoverned spaces in Nigeria and the acute shortage of security personnel, including the police, army, and other relevant agencies, which are unable to cover all areas adequately. “That is why most of us agreed that the establishment of state police in Nigeria is the way forward toward addressing the problem of insecurity in our own country,” he stated. However, the Council deferred final discussions until January, when a detailed report from the NEC secretariat will be presented for deliberation. “But today, the Council decided to step down the discussion until the next council meeting because we need to come up with a report from the secretariat. After the report, there will be deliberation at the next NEC meeting, which will likely take place in January. “Not only that. There was also a resolution in the last NEC meeting, which today the secretariat agreed on, stating that there will be further stakeholder engagement after the panel and deliberation by the members of the NEC.” At its 146th meeting on November 21, the Council gave Adamawa, Kebbi, and Kwara States and the FCT one week (November 28) to submit their positions on the proposed creation of state police. “The Council mandated these remaining states and FCT to make their submissions within the next one week,” the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Duoye Diri, told State House Correspondents. Diri said the three states and the nation’s capital are the only entities yet to submit reports out of the 36 states. On February 15, 2024, the Federal Government, alongside the 36 states, began talks expected to culminate in the creation of state police. Related News NEC to review state police reports today Serial grid collapse: NEC panel to boost power generation in states FG, govs decide on state police next week This formed part of agreements reached at an emergency meeting between President Bola Tinubu and state governors at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. It followed the pockets of insecurity recorded nationwide, hikes in food price,s, and economic hardship. Addressing State House Correspondents afterward, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that the process was still in its infancy and would only take shape after more deliberations between stakeholders. “The Federal Government and the state governments are mulling the possibility of setting up state police,” said Idris, adding that “this is still going to be further discussed.” He explained, “A lot of work must be done in that direction. But if our government and the state governments agree to the necessity of having state police, this is a significant shift.” Two days earlier, the House of Representatives said it was considering a legislative bill titled, ‘A bill for an Act to alter the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to provide for the establishment of State Police and related matters.’ Following this agreement, the National Economic Council requested each state to submit detailed reports outlining their positions and plans for implementing state police. By March 2024, 16 states had submitted their reports, with the remaining 20 expected to do so by May. In April 2024, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum announced that the decisions of the remaining 20 governors were ready for submission to the NEC, indicating a unified commitment among the states to establish state police forces. Despite these, as of the last NEC meeting, the implementation of state police remains only in the planning stages as the FG and state authorities continue to haggle on the constitutional amendments required to empower states to establish and manage their police forces. Asked why the process has been slow-paced in the past nine months, the Bayelsa Governor argued that the Council is determined to hasten the process and get its members to submit their reports by November 28. “On the issue of state police today, when the decision was taken, even before it was, the three states in question, one of them [Adamawa] was represented by the Deputy Governor, had earlier made submissions that they presented their report. “So that was why NEC could not come out immediately to say ‘A or B,’ but rather give a timeline. And that timeline, as you can see, was very short: one week for them to go and do whatever they are doing so that decisions will be made by the next NEC meeting. And, from how they reacted, I’m sure that maybe we have some bureaucracy regarding the submission.” The debate for creating state police in Nigeria primarily stems from the centralised nature of the Nigerian Police Force, which many security pundits perceive as inadequate for addressing the unique security challenges across the country’s diverse regions. Proponents argue that the outfit would bring law enforcement closer to the communities they serve, enhance the effectiveness of policing, and allow for more localised control over security matters. However, opponents fear that state police could lead to the abuse of power, particularly in states with firm political control, potentially exacerbating regional tensions and undermining national unity.The Shale Giant Showdown: 2 Oil Stocks to Watch in 2025NEUPATH HEALTH ANNOUNCES ISSUANCE OF STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS