Minerva Neurosciences stock hits 52-week low at $2.07Share pledging, where corporate insiders uses shares as collateral for personal loans, has been at the heart of several high-profile corporate scandals in recent years. One of the most notorious cases was the 2002 WorldCom accounting fraud scandal . From 1999 to 2002, the U.S.-based telecom company inflated profits to maintain its stock price. The scandal was largely driven by the former CEO Bernard Ebbers’ attempts to avoid costly margin calls on his pledged shares. A similar scenario unfolded in China when Leshi Internet Information and Technology and its founder, Jia Yueting, were fined US$73.6 million for financial fraud committed from 2007 to 2016. Yueting had pledged 97 per cent of his shares to secure funding for his U.S.-backed company, Faraday Future. To look deeper at this issue, my co-researchers and I analyzed 3,401 Chinese firms from 2003 to 2020 , since Chinese controlling shareholders predominately pledge their shares. Our research found a trouble connection between share pledging by controlling shareholders and the likelihood of corporate misconduct. Our research found that when controlling shareholders engage in pledging, it increases the probability of corporate misconduct. This relationship held true across various types of misconduct and persisted regardless of the severity of penalties imposed. Share pledging Corporate insiders frequently pledge their shares as collateral to secure loans for personal investments and other private benefits. In the U.S., 19 per cent of S&P 1500 firms had insider share pledging , and the average pledging ratio reached 37 per cent in 2012. A notable example is Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, who pledged 58 per cent of his Tesla shares in 2023 as collateral to secure personal loans . The trend extends to other developed markets like Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Kingdom. In western Europe, pledging is common in a number of countries, including Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain, and among others. In developing markets like India and Taiwan, between 35 and 50 per cent of publicly listed firms have controlling shareholders who pledge shares. In China, 66 per cent of controlling shareholders pledged their shares between 2003 and 2017, with the value of insider share-pledged loans surging from RMB$26.22 billion (Chinese Yuan) in 2003 to RMB$2.9 trillion in 2017. Controlling shareholders , which typically hold at least 50 per cent of voting shares, have significant power over firms. Minority shareholders, on the other hand, receive poor legal protection under concentrated corporate ownership. Concentrated ownership is prevalent in developing markets , particularly in East Asia where more than two-thirds of corporations have only a single large shareholder . Impacts of deregulation A pivotal shift occurred on May 24, 2013, when the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, along with the China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation, introduced new measures that allowed securities companies to offer funding for share pledgers through the stock exchange trading system. Before this, share pledging was limited to banks and trusts operating in the over-the-counter market. Securities companies made pledging more accessible by offering lower interest rates, fewer restrictions on loan usage and faster approvals. While the deregulation did not target misconduct by securities firms, it created a unique environment for analyzing the causal link between share pledging by controlling shareholders and corporate misconduct. This is what our research looked at. We found that firms located in Chinese provinces with more securities firms (treatment firms) were expected to have greater access to share pledging compared to firms in provinces with fewer securities firms (control firms). Our results confirmed that firms with pledging controlling shareholders were more likely to engage in misconduct following the 2013 deregulation. Prior to 2013, treated and control firms showed no significant differences. However, from 2015 onward, firms in provinces with more securities firms demonstrate an increased likelihood of misconduct compared to firms in provinces with fewer securities firms. This relationship was primarily driven by factors such as financial constraints, stock price inflation, avoidance of margin calls (demands from a broker to fund one’s margin account), and expropriation under weak corporate governance. Factors like political connections, share repurchases and increased bank monitoring didn’t contribute to the link between share pledging and corporate misconduct. Building better financial systems Although our study is based on data from China, its findings offer critical insights for countries beyond its borders. The findings are particularly relevant for countries in Asia, western Europe, and Latin America where controlling shareholders play a dominant role in corporate structures . The study’s conclusions also hold significance for North America, where financial institutions like pension funds and mutual funds invest portions of their portfolios in emerging markets. For instance, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan has strong momentum in Asia and continues to invest in markets in China . The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board reported that 9.8 per cent of its total fund was invested in China in March 2024. These institutions should consider governance risks associated with share pledging when developing their investment strategies. For regulators, our study underscores the importance of monitoring the growing influence of share pledging and its potential to exacerbate corporate misconduct. Weak governance structures can allow controlling shareholders to exploit the system, and strengthened oversight and tailored regulations are needed to alleviate these risks. Institutional and retail investors can likewise benefit from the study’s findings, using them to make investment decisions from the perspective of corporate governance. As markets become increasingly integrated, the importance of assessing governance risks associated with share pledging grows. Our research serves as a vital resource for policymakers and regulators who want to maintain ethical, robust financial systems.French president Macron has last say on his resignation, says far-right leader Le PenAlbion goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen is facing another lay-off. The Dutchman on loan to Sturm Graz has been booked in for a follow-up knee procedure. Previously ever present, he missed the Champions League clash against Girona and will remain absent until play resumes after the winter break. Scherpen missed the second half of last season, when he was also loan at Sturm. The Graz club’s sporting director Michael Parensen said: “After Kjell Scherpen's knee surgery last year, it was always planned to carry out a minimally invasive procedure for minor corrections. WOULD EVEN FERGUSON LOAN MAKE SENSE? “In consultation with Kjell's home club Brighton , we will now bring forward this date - originally scheduled for the beginning of December - to ensure that Kjell is fully available to us again in January.” Scherpen, 23, is under contract with Albion until 2027. He is one of an array of goalkeepers on the books with James Beadle (Sheffield Wednesday), Carl Rushworth (Hull) and Tom McGill (MK Dons) all out on loan in the EFL. Midfielder Malick Yalcouye, also on loan to Sturm from the Seagulls, impressed again as Girona were beaten 1-0 to secure the Austrian league leaders’ first points of the Champions League campaign. Sturm are currently five point clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Stock market today: Tech stocks and AI pull Wall Street to more records《TAIPEI TIMES》 US making Taiwan contingency plans
Alexis Mac Allister and substitute Cody Gakpo got the goals as Liverpool beat Champions League holders Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield to make it five wins from as many games in the league phase for Arne Slot’s men. The Reds took the lead when Mac Allister played a one-two with Conor Bradley and slotted past Thibaut Courtois seven minutes into the second half. Real had the chance to equalise with a penalty just past the hour, but Kylian Mbappe saw his strike saved by Caoimhin Kelleher. There was then an unsuccessful spot-kick from the hosts as Mohamed Salah missed from 12 yards, before Gakpo popped up with a 76th-minute header from Andy Robertson’s cross as the Merseysiders recorded a first win over Real in 15 years and gained some revenge for their defeats in the 2018 and 2022 finals. While Liverpool top the table, Carlo Ancelotti’s Real are down in 24th place – the final play-offs berth – with just six points from their five matches. Aston Villa are outside the top eight on goal difference after a 0-0 draw with Juventus in which Morgan Rogers had a stoppage-time finish for the hosts ruled out for a foul, with Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez having earlier made a fantastic save to deny Francisco Conceicao. Celtic, lying 20th, drew 1-1 at home with Club Brugge thanks to a curling Daizen Maeda strike that cancelled out a remarkable own goal by Cameron Carter-Vickers, who passed back without looking to send the ball into the net. Borussia Dortmund moved into the top eight with 3-0 win at Dinamo Zagreb, where Jamie Gittens, Ramy Bensebaini and Serhou Guirassy got on the scoresheet. Monaco dropped to eighth after suffering their first loss of the league phase, 3-2 at home to Benfica. Despite having Wilfried Singo sent off just prior to the hour mark, the French side took the lead for a second time via Soungoutou Magassa in the 67th minute, only for late goals from Arthur Cabral and Zeki Amdouni to give Benfica all three points. Lille, in 12th, have the same amount of points as Monaco and Villa thanks to a 2-1 win at Bologna, with Ngal’Ayel Mukau notching a brace. PSV Eindhoven, now 18th, produced a dramatic late turnaround to beat 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 at home. The visitors led 2-0 through Danylo Sikan and Oleksandr Zubkov before having Pedrinho sent off in the 69th minute, and PSV then hit back with three goals in the closing stages, Malik Tilman scoring in the 87th and 90th and Ricardo Pepi then notching the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Red Star Belgrade registered their first win of the league phase by thrashing Stuttgart 5-1, as did Sturm Graz, beating Girona 1-0.Radical Jaguar rebrand and new logo sparks ire online NEW YORK (AP) — A promotional video for a rebrand of British luxury car brand Jaguar is being criticized online for showing models in brightly colored outfits — and no car. The rebrand, which includes a new logo, is slated to launch Dec. 2 during Miami Art Week, when the company will unveil a new electric model. But Jaguar Land Rover, a unit of India’s Tata Motors Ltd., has been promoting it online. The Jaguar brand is in the middle of a transition to going all-electric. “Copy Nothing,” marketing materials read. “We’re here to delete the ordinary. To go bold. To copy nothing.” Trump has promised again to release the last JFK files. But experts say don’t expect big revelations DALLAS (AP) — The nation is set to mark 61 years since President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade passed through downtown Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Even after over six decades, conspiracy theories about what happened that day still swirl and the desire to follow every thread of information hasn’t waned. President-elect Donald Trump made promises over the summer that if reelected he would declassify the remaining records. At this point, only a few thousand of millions of pages of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released. And those who have studied what's been released so far say that the public shouldn’t anticipate any earth-shattering revelations even if the remaining files are declassified. Bitcoin is at the doorstep of $100,000 as post-election rally rolls on NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is jumping again, rising above $98,000 for the first time Thursday. The cryptocurrency has been shattering records almost daily since the U.S. presidential election, and has rocketed more than 40% higher in just two weeks. It's now at the doorstep of $100,000. Cryptocurrencies and related investments like crypto exchange-traded funds have rallied because the incoming Trump administration is expected to be more “crypto-friendly.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. NFL issues security alert to teams and the players' union following recent burglaries The NFL has issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union following recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted. Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets. Penn State wins trademark case over retailer's use of vintage logos, images PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Penn State has won a closely watched trademark fight over an online retailer’s use of its vintage logos and images. A Pennsylvania jury awarded Penn State $28,000 in damages earlier this week over products made and sold by the firms Vintage Brand and Sportswear Inc. Penn State accused them of selling “counterfeit” clothing and accessories. The defendants said their website makes clear they are not affiliated with Penn State. At least a dozen other schools have sued the defendants on similar grounds, but the Pennsylvania case was the first to go to trial. Has a waltz written by composer Frederic Chopin been discovered in an NYC museum? NEW YORK (AP) — A previously unknown musical work written by composer Frederic Chopin appears to have been found in a library in New York City. The Morgan Library & Museum says the untitled and unsigned piece is the first new manuscript of the Romantic era virtuoso to be discovered in nearly a century. Robinson McClellan, the museum’s curator, says he stumbled across the work in May while going through a collection brought to the Manhattan museum years earlier. He worked with outside experts to verify the document's authenticity. But there’s debate whether the waltz is an original Chopin work or merely one written in his hand. Volcano on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula erupts for the 7th time in a year GRINDAVIK, Iceland (AP) — A volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland is spewing lava from a fissure in its seventh eruption since December. Iceland's seismic monitors said the eruption started with little warning late Wednesday and created a long fissure but looked to be smaller than eruptions in August and May. Around 50 houses were evacuated after the Civil Protection agency issued the alert, along with guests at the famous Blue Lagoon resort, according to the national broadcaster. The repeated eruptions over the past year have caused damage to the town of Grindavík and forced people to relocate. Australian teen and British woman who drank tainted alcohol in Laos have died, bringing toll to 5 VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — An Australian teenager and a British woman have died after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos in what Australia’s prime minister said was every parent’s nightmare. Officials earlier said an American and two Danish tourists also had died following reports that multiple people had been sickened in town popular with backpackers. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones had died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng, Laos, for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend, also 19, remains hospitalized in Thailand. Later Thursday, Britain said a British woman also died and the media in the U.K. identified her as 28-year-old Simone White. US ahead in AI innovation, easily surpassing China in Stanford's new ranking The U.S. leads the world in developing artificial intelligence technology, surpassing China in research and other important measures of AI innovation, according to a newly released Stanford University index. There’s no surefire way to rank global AI leadership but Stanford researchers have made an attempt by measuring the “vibrancy” of the AI industry across a variety of dimensions, from how much research and investment is happening to how responsibly the technology is being pursued to prevent harm. Following the U.S. and China were the United Kingdom, India and the United Arab Emirates. Pop star Ed Sheeran helps favorite soccer team sign player before getting on stage with Taylor Swift It turns out British pop star Ed Sheeran is also good at recruiting soccer players. Sheeran is a minority shareholder at English soccer team Ipswich Town and it needed his help over the summer to get a player to join the club. Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton tells a Soccerex industry event in Miami: “Ed jumped on a Zoom call with him at the training ground, just before he stepped on stage with Taylor Swift. Hopefully that was a key part in getting the player across the line.” Ashton didn’t disclose the player in question, saying only: “He’s certainly scoring a few goals.”
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TikTok will soon block anyone under 18 years old from using filters on the social media platform that dramatically alter their facial features, according to a press release. Filters that alter a person’s appearance in ways like giving fuller lips or larger eyes will no longer be accessible to minors but funny filters that add things like bunny ears will reportedly be acceptable. The change will be rolled out globally in the next few weeks, according to a TikTok press release, and stems from concerns about the mental health of minors on the internet. Kids who’ve used facial “beauty” features can report feelings of depression and anxiety about their appearance and there’s growing concern about how social media may be altering the mental health of kids around the world. Questions emailed to TikTok about which filters specifically will be limited to adults did not receive a response, but the Guardian reports a filter like Bold Glamour will be unavailable to kids. The filter was introduced in early 2023 and became controversial for creating unrealistic beauty standards, according to NPR . Filters that only apply makeup but don’t make what look like structural changes to a person’s face will still be allowed for teens, according to the news outlet. The announcement is part of a crackdown on kids under the age of 13 using social media, which TikTok says it’s trying to stop. The 1-billion-user social media platform has a minimum age requirement of 13, which is pretty standard in the U.S. for similar tech. The company has also announced a plan to utilize artificial intelligence to make sure kids under 13 aren’t using TikTok. “This technology will help detect accounts that may belong to someone under 13 so that a specially trained moderator can review the account and remove it if they believe someone doesn’t meet our minimum age,” TikTok said in a statement . “Like today, people will be able to appeal if they think we’ve made a mistake.” The changes come as the fate of TikTok still remains unclear in the U.S., as former and future president Donald Trump prepares to take office on Jan. 20, 2025. Trump had previously railed against TikTok’s parent company ByteDance for being based in China, even going so far as to sign an executive order to force the company to divest or be banned in the U.S. But that order was challenged in court and dropped by the Biden administration before a new law banning the site was passed. Now, nobody knows what will happen since Trump himself has pulled a 180 and now supports TikTok being allowed to operate in the country. Trump insists it’s all about competition with social media platforms like Facebook, but there’s reasonable speculation it might have more to do with a Republican megadonor having a huge stake in ByteDance. It looks like we’ll find out soon.Fran Lebowitz, the iconic American author and social critic, is known for her sharp wit, incisive commentary, and ability to navigate the complexities of human nature and modern society. Though Lebowitz herself is a writer of note, she has often shared her literary tastes and recommended books that have shaped her worldview. Here are five books recommended by Fran Lebowitz that are worth reading for their depth, humour, and cultural significance. 1. The Portable Dorothy Parker by Dorothy Parker Dorothy Parker is celebrated for her sharp, sardonic wit and her biting observations on life, love, and society. The Portable Dorothy Parker is a compilation of her most beloved works, including poetry, short stories, and essays. This collection showcases Parker's distinctive voice, blending humor with heartbreak, often centered around the complexity of human relationships and the absurdities of life. Lebowitz has frequently praised Parker for her boldness and ability to confront the dark sides of human nature with humor. As a writer who also blends wit with critique, Lebowitz aligns herself with Parker's style. The mix of dark humor and genuine emotional depth in Parker's work resonates with Lebowitz's own literary sensibilities, making this a must-read for fans of acerbic, insightful commentary. 2. The Diaries of Dawn Powell: 1931-1965 by Dawn Powell The Diaries of Dawn Powell is a revealing collection of entries spanning over three decades, offering an intimate look at the life of one of America's great literary figures. Powell, known for her novels and plays, recorded her thoughts on writing, love, friendships, and her experiences in New York City. The diaries are filled with sharp observations, humor, and candid reflections on the people and events that shaped her life. Fran Lebowitz has often expressed admiration for writers who are able to candidly reflect on their lives and the world around them. In Powell's diaries, she finds a similar blend of sharp observation and personal honesty that Lebowitz herself strives for in her own writing. Powell's wit and social insight, paired with her introspective exploration of the artist’s life, appeal to Lebowitz’s sensibility as a writer who values truth-telling, even when it is uncomfortable. 3. Queer Street by James McCourt Queer Street by James McCourt is a novel that delves into the complexities of identity, desire, and social expectations. Set in New York City, the book explores the lives of a group of eccentric, artistic characters who navigate the challenges of living in a world that doesn't quite understand them. McCourt's writing is both deeply literary and outrageously humorous, offering a critique of societal norms while celebrating individuality. Lebowitz has long been an advocate for individuality and nonconformity, values that are central to McCourt's novel. The book's exploration of sexual identity and societal judgment resonates with Lebowitz's own views on societal norms and the importance of embracing uniqueness. McCourt’s narrative, filled with humor and tenderness, aligns with Lebowitz’s own style of critiquing societal structures with wit and insight. 4. Instant Lives And More by Howard Moss, Drawings by Edward Gorey Instant Lives and More by Howard Moss is a quirky and delightful collection of short biographical sketches. Each entry is a snapshot of a famous figure, rendered in a humorous and slightly surreal light. Moss’s prose is accompanied by illustrations by the renowned Edward Gorey, adding a layer of whimsy and dark humour to the already playful text. Fran Lebowitz appreciates the intersection of wit and art, and Instant Lives and More embodies this perfectly. The book’s unique format—biographies paired with illustrations—offers a humorous, satirical perspective on famous individuals. The absurdities of celebrity and historical figures are portrayed in a way that Lebowitz would admire, as the book combines humor, cultural commentary, and artistry. She has expressed admiration for books that push the boundaries of conventional biography, and Moss’s playful approach to the genre is one that fits this preference. 5. Cheap Novelties by Ben Katchor Cheap Novelties by Ben Katchor is a graphic novel that blends elements of absurdity, nostalgia, and social commentary. Through a series of short comic strips, Katchor explores the ephemera of daily life, focusing on forgotten items, oddball characters, and strange occurrences in urban spaces. His illustrations are rich with detail, capturing the quirks of life in New York City with both humor and melancholy. Fran Lebowitz is known for her love of New York City and her sharp observations about life within it. Katchor’s work, which also reflects a deep love for the city and its peculiarities, would appeal to Lebowitz’s sensibilities. The book’s mix of visual storytelling and witty prose offers a fresh way of looking at everyday life—something that resonates with Lebowitz’s own exploration of the ordinary through humor and critique. The way Katchor highlights the overlooked and forgotten parts of urban life mirrors the way Lebowitz often finds absurdity in the most commonplace situations. 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WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump's pick for intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country's hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump's unusual nominees . But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump's America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. The president-elect announced other appointments Monday, including his lawyer Harmeet Dhillon for assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Justice Department and Mark Paoletta as the returning general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect's choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump's foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees' qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump's team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump's allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president's Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump's first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will "prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies" — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump's 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump's first inauguration during the country's bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it's important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family's five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It's one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
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Child abduction Wheel jam strike observed in Balochistan Chaman passenger train was canceled due to strike QUETTA: In protest against the failure to recover 10-year-old Musawar Khan, who was abducted from Quetta, a wheel jam strike was observed in Quetta and the rest of the province. As a result, traffic to and from other provinces was suspended. According to details, on November 15, 10-year-old Musawar Khan, the son of a local businessman, was abducted by unknown criminals. In protest against the failure to recover the child, his family, along with political parties, lawyers, traders, and students, have continued their sit-in at Ithehad Chowk in Quetta for the 10th day. Due to the call for a wheel jam strike by the protest committee, national highways were blocked at various locations, causing traffic disruptions to other provinces. This led to difficulties for travelers. According to railway authorities, the Chaman passenger train was canceled due to the strike. The hearing of this case in the Balochistan High Court was scheduled for Monday. However, due to the judge’s absence, the hearing was postponed until December 2. Defense lawyer Nazir Agha said that it has been eleven days since Musawar Khan was abducted, and he has yet to be recovered. He urged the police and other authorities to take necessary steps for the child’s safe return. The Balochistan Traders Association expressed its gratitude to the public, the trader community, transporters, and political parties for their support in the wheel jam strike.Buchanan scores 28 off the bench, Boise State downs South Dakota State 83-82AP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:19 p.m. EST