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Abortions are up in the US. It's a complicated picture as women turn to pills, travelNoneTallinn (Estonia), Dec 28 (AP) Belarus' authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 20 more people that rights activists describe as political prisoners, a statement on the president's website said on Saturday. The announcement came amid persistent oppression in the run-up to presidential elections next month that are likely to extend Lukashenko's decades-long rule. Also Read | Earthquake in UAE: Light Quake of Magnitude 2.2 on Richter Scale Hits Falaj Al Mualla. Belarusian officials did not provide the names of those released, but the statement posted on the website of the president said that all of them had been convicted of “crimes of an extremist nature". The statement said the group included 11 women and 14 of those pardoned suffered from chronic illnesses. Also Read | Azerbaijan Airline Plane Crash: Russian President Vladimir Putin Apologises to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev After Fatal Flight 8432 Crash. “All of those released repented for their actions and appealed to the head of state to be pardoned,” the presidential administration said in a statement, using wording familiar from a series of previous group pardons in the past six months. Saturday's announcement marks the eighth such pardon by Lukashenko since the summer of 2024. In all, 207 political prisoners have been freed, according to Belarus' oldest and most established human rights group, Viasna. Most were jailed following mass anti-government protests in 2020, when Lukashenko secured his sixth term in a vote widely condemned as fraudulent. According to Viasna, over 1,250 political prisoners remain behind bars. No prominent opposition figures, many of whom have not been heard from for months on end, have been released. They include Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Viasna founder Ales Bialiatski; Siarhei Tsikhanouski, who planned to challenge Lukashenko at the ballot box in 2020 but was jailed before the vote; and Viktar Babaryka, who was also imprisoned after gaining popularity before the election. The mass pardons come amid a new wave of repression, said Viasna activist Pavel Sapelka, as Minsk prepares to hold new presidential elections in January 2025 that are likely to hand Lukashenko a seventh term in office. “Lukashenko is sending contradictory signals (to the West), pardoning some but jailing twice as many political prisoners in their place,” Sapelka said. “Repression is intensifying and authorities are trying to root out any signs of dissent before the January elections.” Belarusian authorities engineer harsh conditions for political prisoners, denying them meetings with lawyers and relatives, and depriving them of medical care. At least seven political prisoners have died behind bars since 2020, according to Viasna. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for more than 30 years, is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies, allowing Russia to use his country's territory to send troops into Ukraine in February 2022 and to deploy some of its tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dream Of Making Okpoama A Tourism Destination On Course – SylvaProminent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills despite opposition from some northern elites and Islamic clerics. Speaking Tuesday during an interview, Gumi said the tax reforms are beneficial to Nigerians and could drive positive economic change if properly implemented. His stance comes at a time when notable northern figures, including some governors, traditional rulers, and Islamic clerics like Sheikh Adam Dokoro, Sheikh Bello Yabo, Sheikh Mansur Sokoto, Sheikh Sambo Rigachiku, Sheikh Salisu Zaria, and Sheikh Isa Pantami, have expressed reservations about the bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly. Gumi stated that after carefully reviewing the draft documents, he found the reforms generally favourable, although he highlighted the need to address concerns surrounding the Value Added Tax (VAT) component. “I believe the contentious VAT issue is the only part that needs to be reviewed, otherwise it is a good package for all,” he said. President Tinubu had argued that the four Tax Reform Bills aim to simplify tax administration, reduce the burden on low-income earners, and eliminate issues like double taxation. He also stated that the reforms would foster a fairer tax system, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil revenue and support local economic growth. While Gumi acknowledged the concerns raised by critics, he urged all stakeholders to focus on the broader benefits the reforms could bring to the country.
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University of Michigan will no longer use diversity statements in faculty hiring, promotion, tenure
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan gave athletic director Warde Manuel a five-year contract extension Thursday on the heels of the Wolverines' upset over rival Ohio State and a strong start to the basketball season. Manuel, who has held the position since 2016, signed through June 30, 2030, the school announced. Manuel is also chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee. “During Warde’s tenure as director, Athletics has put a structure in place where our student-athletes compete for Big Ten and national championships, excel in the classroom, and proudly graduate with their University of Michigan degrees,” university President Santa J. Ono said in the announcement. Michigan had a disappointing football season, finishing 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten), but a 13-10 win over then-No. 2 Ohio State took some pressure off of the program. The Buckeyes were favored by 21 points, the widest point spread for the rivalry since 1978, according to ESPN Stats and Info. The Wolverines won the national championship last year in their final season led by coach Jim Harbaugh, whose tenure at the school involved multiple NCAA investigations for recruiting and sign-stealing allegations. Manuel supported Harbaugh through those processes. In basketball, the women's team made its season debut (No. 23) in the AP Top 25 this week. The men are 7-1 a season after firing coach Juwan Howard, who lost a school-record 24 games in 2023-24 as Michigan plummeted to a last-place finish in the Big Ten for the first time since 1967. Michigan has won 52 Big Ten championships since 2020. “Every day, I am thankful to work at this great institution and to represent Michigan Athletics," Manuel said in a statement. "I especially want to thank the student-athletes, coaches and staff who compete for each of our teams and who have helped us achieve unparalleled success athletically and academically. I am excited to continue giving back to a university that has provided me with so much over my career.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 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
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The unique desert governance model of Kubuqi Desert has been widely recognized internationally and has become a global benchmark for environmental governance 12-03-2024 10:32 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Website Servicer Co.,Ltd Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program is one of the major ecological projects to deal with desertification in the world. Since its inception in 1978, the project has achieved huge ecological, economic and social benefits, building a "Great Green Wall" in northern China to resist sand storms, preserve soil and water, protect agriculture and promote animal husbandry. This project is not only a strong proof of China's effectiveness in combating desertification, but also a model for the global fight against desertification and climate change. Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program aims to bring sustainable economic and ecological benefits to local communities through environmental protection, improve the global environment, and create a greener future for future generations. Tucked away in the expansive northern reaches of China, lies a desert that defies all expectations. Here, the sands carry the echoes of ancient tales, and the winds etch their stories upon the land. This is Kubuqi - a vast stretch of arid terrain nestled close to the "Zigzag Bend" of Yellow River.In northern China, the Kubuqi Desert stretches near the Yellow River's first bend, a once desolate wasteland that seemed to extend endlessly across the horizon.For years, it was a symbol of environmental decay.The herders faced extreme difficulties in traveling. There was no water, no electricity, life was tough, and the economy was underdeveloped. The environment at that time was particularly harsh, and meals often consisted of sand mixed with rice. But over the past 35 years, something remarkable has unfolded here.One third of the land has been greened. Its vegetation coverage has grown from 3% to more than a half. Vast swathes of desert have been turned into a thriving, fertile ground.At the heart of this success is a visionary partnership between the government, private sector and the local people.The government provided the policy support and funding, enabling the creation of a sustainable and economic model with wide-ranging benefits. While private enterprises like Elion Group introduced advanced technologies, commercializing them and enabling local farmers to benefit from these green transformations.This efficient planting method, pioneered by the local community, allows a tree to be planted in 10 seconds, significantly reducing planting time.Together, over 100 other desert ecological technologies, such as sand-binding plants, efficient irrigation systems, windbreaks, big data, and drone-based desert control, play a pivotal role in driving the success of desertification management in Kubuqi. New roads cut through the sands, unlocking fresh opportunities for trade, transportation, and investment, and a rejuvenated economy for the local population. The landscape that was once desolate is now a testament to the resilience of nature-and of human effort.China has outlined an ambitious vision to restore over 70% of the Kubuqi Desert by 2030, marking a groundbreaking achievement in desert reclamation.Recognized worldwide, Kubuqi has become a leading example of successful environmental transformation.This decades-long journey of dedication was made possible through the persistence of individuals and the power of teamwork. As the sun sets over Kubuqi, it shines on a story of possibility-a reminder that even the harshest landscapes can be revitalized. And it shows us how desertification can be reversed, one step at a time. Youtube Link https://youtu.be/9qK7jOQafmQ Media Contact Company Name: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Contact Person: Wang Jihong Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=the-unique-desert-governance-model-of-kubuqi-desert-has-been-widely-recognized-internationally-and-has-become-a-global-benchmark-for-environmental-governance ] State: Beijing Country: China Website: https://www.forestry.gov.cn/c/sbj/sbgcjb/514501.jhtml This release was published on openPR.NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction , arguing that continuing the case would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.“ In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that anything short of immediate dismissal would undermine the transition of power, as well as the “overwhelming national mandate” granted to Trump by voters last month. They also cited President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “President Biden asserted that his son was ‘selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,’ and ‘treated differently,’” Trump’s legal team wrote. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, they claimed, had engaged in the type of political theater “that President Biden condemned.” Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but have indicated a willingness to delay the sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in 2029. In their filing Monday, Trump’s attorneys dismissed the idea of holding off sentencing until Trump is out of office as a “ridiculous suggestion.” Following Trump’s election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. He says they did not and denies any wrongdoing. The defense filing was signed by Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who represented Trump during the trial and have since been selected by the president-elect to fill senior roles at the Justice Department. Taking a swipe at Bragg and New York City, as Trump often did throughout the trial, the filing argues that dismissal would also benefit the public by giving him and “the numerous prosecutors assigned to this case a renewed opportunity to put an end to deteriorating conditions in the City and to protect its residents from violent crime.” Clearing Trump, the lawyers added, would also allow him to “to devote all of his energy to protecting the Nation.” Merchan hasn’t yet set a timetable for a decision. He could decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option. An outright dismissal of the New York case would further lift a legal cloud that at one point carried the prospect of derailing Trump’s political future. Last week, special counsel Jack Smith told courts that he was withdrawing both federal cases against Trump — one charging him with hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate, the other with scheming to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost — citing longstanding Justice Department policy that shields a president from indictment while in office. The hush money case was the only one of Trump’s four criminal indictments to go to trial, resulting in a historic verdict that made him the first former president to be convicted of a crime. Prosecutors had cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump’s company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses — concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged. Trump has said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work. A month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct. Trump’s lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made during his first term. Prosecutors disagreed and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trump’s punishments would range from a fine to probation to up to four years in prison — but it’s unlikely he’d spend any time behind bars for a first-time conviction involving charges in the lowest tier of felonies. Because it is a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself once he returns to office.
ST THOMAS, Jamaica — Tension between lawmen and political supporters in the Morant Bay Division remains inflamed as election day comes to an end. An officer of the Jamaica Constabulary Force was again seen arguing loudly with green-clad Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters late Friday. The ongoing issue between the JLP and People’s National Party (PNP) supporters and police is reportedly fuelled by a disagreement over where people are allowed to congregate. Heated words were exchanged between some supporters and police with other voters forced to step in to urge calm. READ : JLP supporters clash with police in Morant Bay Voting ended at 5:00 pm across all divisions and counting is expected to begin soon. — Alicia Dunkley-WillisBandu’s Blockbusters for Dec 29, 2024
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Tesla chief and tech billionaire Elon Musk has taken a savage swipe at the Albanese government over its new social media age limit bill. The legislation, introduced on Thursday, seeks to block children under 16 from accessing social media platforms including Musk-owned X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Social media giants could face penalties up to $49.5 million if they breach the laws, which aim to better protect the wellbeing of young Australians online. Musk delivered his blunt assessment of the legislation on Thursday as he reshared a post on X by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. "Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the internet by all Australians," the billionaire responded to the post, which has since amassed more than 17 million views. Musk has also been outspoken in his criticism of Labor's online misinformation and disinformation bill in recent months, previously labelling the Albanese government as "fascists". Under the bill, introduced in September, social media companies could be fined up to five per cent of their global revenue if they fail to adequately crack down on misinformation and disinformation on their platforms. Asked about Musk's remarks on Friday, independent MP Zali Steggall claimed the X owner was "looking after his own interests". "I’m not a fan of Elon Musk so in some ways I would say he’s looking after his own interests," Ms Steggall told Sky News Australia host Kenny Heatley. "He’s obviously a multibillionaire trying to preserve his business that I think at the moment is going downhill with a lot of people leaving X for platforms like Bluesky." Under the proposed age limit measures, it will be illegal for children under 16 to access social media platforms unless they meet specific age verification criteria. However, social media platforms will cop any penalties should underage users bypass the restrictions. Ms Steggall said she was concerned the new legislation was a "band aid approach" from the government, claiming the social media ban could have negative impacts for children. "It’s a knee-jerk reaction to very traumatic incidents but many experts an organisations say it will not fix the problem," the independent MP said. "What I would like to see the government be focusing is actually more on legislation that introduces a duty of care and puts responsibility on platforms. "My concern about the ban is it will also have negative impacts on young people who do find their tribe online and access resources that are useful to them. "So we need to find a balance between making sure we protect them from the damaging content and look at the algorithms." Children under the age of 16 are still able to use YouTube, WhatsApp, Messenger Kids, Google Classroom and Kids Helpline under the new bill. Introducing the social media age limit bill on Thursday, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the government was committed to keeping young Australians safe online. "Social media has a social responsibility. We know they can and should do better to address harms on their platforms," Ms Rowland in parliament. "The online safety amendment social media minimum age bill 2024 will amend the online safety act 2021 by introducing a minimum age of 16. "The bill puts the onus on social media platforms, not parents or young people, to take reasonable steps to ensure fundamental protections are in place. "This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them."
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Aziaha James had 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists, Devyn Quigley scored a career-high 20 points and made four 3-pointers and NC State beat Coastal Carolina 89-68 on Thursday. NC State had its lead trimmed to 54-46 midway through the third quarter before James scored five straight points to begin a 13-2 run that ended in a 19-point lead. Quigley took over in the fourth, making three 3-pointers and scoring 15 points. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest sports news delivered right to your inbox six days a week.GameStop's GME.N shares jumped on Thursday after a cryptic post from meme stock influencer Keith Gill, who shot to notoriety after his online personas and bullish bets on the video game retailer sparked a trading frenzy among mom-and-pop investors. Gill posted a picture of a Time magazine cover with a computer screen on social media platform X. Following his post, GameStop's shares spiked, being last up 13% in late afternoon trading. Known as "Roaring Kitty" on YouTube and "DeepF***ingValue" on Reddit's RDDT.N popular WallStreetBets, Gill was a key figure in the so-called "Reddit rally", in which GameStop stock surged 1,600% at one point in Jan. 2021, crushing hedge funds that had bet against the videogame retailer. On Thursday, about 300,000 GameStop options contracts had changed hands by 2:14 p.m. (1914 GMT), at about 1.5 times the usual pace, according to data from options analytics firm Trade Alert. Meme stocks: Dogecoin soars on Trump's presidency win. Here's why that's not just a fad. Invest wisely: Best online brokers The stock's 30-day implied volatility — how much traders expect the shares to move around over the short term — jumped to a 3-week high of 132%, up from 93% in the previous session, data showed. Contracts betting on the shares finishing above $30 by Friday were the most actively traded options, with some 32,000 of them traded by late afternoon. Gill resurfaced on social media earlier in 2024, after a three-year hiatus leading to a deluge of excited messages from his followers, many of whom have likened the social media phenomenon to a David who took on Wall Street's Goliaths and won. The meme stock rally in 2021 was set off by Gill's posts on WallStreetBets subreddit about the gains he had made on his investments in the highly shorted firm. The rally spread to other highly shorted stocks including AMC AMC.N as Reddit users banded together to squeeze bearish hedge funds, costing them billions in losses and drawing scrutiny from U.S. regulators. The entire episode inspired Craig Gillespie's 2023 movie "Dumb Money". Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru and Saqib Iqbal Ahmed in New York; Editing by Alan BaronaDiversity statements will no longer be used in University of Michigan faculty hiring, promotion and tenure, a move applauded by critics who have called the practice "litmus tests" that limit diversity of thought while diversity advocates said the process was "preordained" and dishonest. Provost Laurie McCauley announced the decision Thursday based on a recommendation from a UM faculty working group to end diversity statements. But the recommendation is "deceptive," coming after the regents rejected a previous recommendation to keep the diversity statements, a faculty leader said. Diversity statements are documents written by faculty job candidates that let applicants explain to a search committee the distinct experiences they would bring to the university along with their commitment to diversity. The statements help search committees identify applicants "who have professional skills, experience and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance campus diversity and equity efforts," according to a University of California at San Diego statement referenced by UM's Center for Research on Learning & Teaching. McCauley's announcement came hours before the Board of Regents is scheduled to meet and a protest is planned beforehand at UM President Santa Ono's house. Many in the UM community are concerned the regents may dismantle a multimillion dollar diversity, equity and inclusion effort built after the school was at the center of a decade-long national debate around affirmative action in higher education, and DEI programs have been under attack across the nation.. "Diversity, equity and inclusion are three of our core values at the university," McCauley said in the University Record, an internal UM publication for faculty and staff, in announcing the end of diversity statements. "Our collective efforts in this area have produced important strides in opening opportunities for all people. As we pursue this challenging and complex work, we will continuously refine our approach.” But there is more that happened in this process, UM Faculty Senate Chair Rebekah Modrak wrote on the University Record page under the announcement. After the regents called for diversity statements to be banned last summer, McCauley formed a faculty committee to review diversity statements in the spirit of shared governance that came up with a different recommendation, Modrak wrote. "My understanding is that the committee’s first report recommended that the use of diversity statements should be up to each unit, a recommendation that honors our decentralization, independence, and academic freedom," Modrak wrote. "The Regents rejected that report and central leadership didn’t support their own faculty committee. Sending a committee back to work to give a second report with preordained results is neither honest nor respectful of faculty expertise. The University Record’s erasure of the Regents’ autocratic hand in this process is also deceptive." Regents will not vote on the provost's action, but may discuss it during the meeting, said Regent Sarah Hubbard, one of two Republicans on the eight-member UM board. "I applaud the provost for ending the practice of requiring diversity statements," said Hubbard. "This policy change removes a barrier to diversity of thought on campus by eliminating the ideological litmus test." No action is expected during Thursday's meeting around other DEI issues, added Hubbard, who previously said the regents have been looking for a long time at the university's DEI efforts and want to realign funds closer to student scholarships. Any budget decisions wouldn't happen until next year when budgetary decisions get made, she said. Even so, hundreds of students, faculty and staff demonstrated on campus earlier this week to show support for the university's DEI programs, and others are planning to attend the protest organized by UM's Black Student Union before the regents meeting and show up to the official meeting. UM's decision to discontinue diversity statements came after the statements were also eliminated in May at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in June at Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences. In June, UM's provost charged the eight-member faculty working group to examine diversity statements, though the university did not have an institutional policy on the statements but units did have the discretion to ask for them. The working group recommended the end of the statements after reviewing other policies and surveying more than 2,000 faculty members. “Critics of diversity statements perceive them as expressions of personal identity traits, support of specific ideology or opinions on socially-relevant issues, and serve as a ‘litmus test’ of whether a faculty member’s views are politically acceptable,” the working group wrote in its report. “Thus, as currently enacted, diversity statements have the potential to limit viewpoints and reduce diversity of thought among faculty members.” The working group said it acknowledged the concerns. "But, well-written diversity statements do not necessarily require expression of one’s identity, and they need not express one's beliefs or stances on socially-charged issues," the working group wrote. "Instead, well-written diversity statements contain reflections of how identity has shaped a faculty member’s approach with their students, how they work with their colleagues, and how they interact with society. These are desirable features of current and future U-M faculty members, and this information should be considered when potential faculty are hired and current faculty are promoted." The work group also offered two other recommendations, including that the university "can and must" incorporate of content about DEI into teaching, research and service statements. "Through this incorporation, the problematic features of diversity statements can be eliminated, while the useful and necessary information that exists in diversity statements can be saved and placed where it more naturally belongs," the group wrote in its report. However, UM did not adopt those recommendations. UM's decision to discontinue diversity statements followed other steps the university has taken in recent months that supporters said will create an environment that expands diverse views on campus. They include the regents' controversial adoption last month of a policy on institutional neutrality that prohibits some officials from taking public stances on political and social issues not related to the internal governance of the university. Last month the Faculty Senate passed a resolution censuring the Board of Regents and accusing the regents of "increasingly exhibiting authoritarian tendencies, and silencing free speech. ©2024 The Detroit News. Visit detroitnews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Alan Halsall admits he’s gutted to lose his I’m A Celebrity ‘wife’ Tulisa after her shock eviction