Moreover, the amenities and services provided by Disney parks make them an attractive option for those seeking a comfortable and convenient location to study. With reliable Wi-Fi, ample seating areas, and a variety of food and beverage options, students and young professionals can easily settle in for a productive day of work without having to worry about distractions or discomfort. Additionally, the presence of designated quiet zones and study-friendly facilities further enhances the appeal of Disney parks as a conducive studying environment.
However, legal experts have raised concerns over the blogger's claims, pointing out that impersonating a fictional character and creating false narratives could potentially infringe on intellectual property rights and mislead the public. In response to the growing controversy, a prominent lawyer has stated that such actions may constitute a violation of the law and could lead to legal consequences for the blogger.
Dolphins take 6-3 lead over Browns into halftimeAs of Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is officially wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity — a stunning position for the leader of one of the nations closest to the U.S., which positions itself as a champion of international humanitarian law to protect against such crimes. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has unveiled arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes during Israel’s ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip, charging the two men with enforcing starvation and killing innocent people during “a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza.” On Thursday, the court also issued a warrant for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes for Mohammed Deif, a commander of Hamas, the Gaza-based Palestinian militant group whose gruesome Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel sparked the Israeli campaign. (Israel claims to have killed Deif, but Hamas has not confirmed his death as it has for its other leaders.) A White House spokesperson condemned the ICC for targeting the Israelis — without commenting on the court’s decision regarding Deif, whom the Biden administration placed under sanctions in September. Accusing the court of “troubling process errors” and overstepping its jurisdiction, the spokesperson said the administration is preparing “next steps.” Israel also rejected the charges and blasted the ICC. But Thursday’s move made clear that regardless of Washington’s actions, the global conversation around the Gaza war is headed in a direction that will increase pressure on the U.S. and Israel, which heavily relies on American diplomatic and military support. President Joe Biden has so far declined to reduce U.S. backing for Israel even as international observers, U.S. lawmakers and watchdog groups have said its conduct violates American and international law. Neither has President-elect Donald Trump suggested he would withhold assistance to Israel once he takes office in January. Legal experts told HuffPost the warrants will boost international scrutiny of Israeli actions enabled by the U.S. and whether the two countries have fulfilled their promises to respect global standards for shielding civilians during wartime. While Israel is extremely unlikely to surrender Netanyahu and Gallant, meaning there’s a slim chance they’ll face trials, “the arrest warrants will not go away,” said Adil Haque, a Rutgers University professor. “Every ICC member has to arrest [the Israelis] if they visit, and at a political level this will compromise their ability to have public contacts with them,” he continued. “Warrants are one more reminder to U.S. officials that they have been aiding and abetting men credibly accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.” The U.S. and Israel are not members of the ICC, but 124 of the world’s countries — the majority — are . After the warrants were issued, officials in several European countries and Canada said they would respect the ICC order, suggesting they would arrest Netanyahu and Gallant (though some ICC member countries have previously failed to execute ICC warrants). The deputy prime minister of Belgium, Petra de Sutter, argued the continent’s reaction could extend to challenging the European Union’s association agreement with Israel, which involves a lucrative free trade deal. The warrants could “stiffen the spine of national authorities in other countries to pursue their own prosecutions related to Gaza,” said Brian Finucane, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group think tank. Citing the principle of “universal jurisdiction,” under which governments can pursue suspects for major international crimes regardless of their nationality or where the incidents occurred, Finucane said: “Israeli officials will face possible criminal exposure in third states for years to come.” Such prosecutions could include legal action against “those aiding and abetting actions in Gaza,” he continued — a circle that could include American officials who have overseen weapons transfers to Israel while knowing about its pattern of alleged war crimes. “Warrants are one more reminder to U.S. officials that they have been aiding and abetting men credibly accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity,” said Finucane, who previously worked as a lawyer at the State Department. The ICC’s Thursday statement highlighted ties between American leverage and Israeli policy choices, implicitly suggesting the U.S. could have done more to prevent civilian harm. Israel’s decisions on humanitarian aid for Gaza “were often conditional,” the statement reads. “They were not made to [fulfill] Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law... In fact, they were a response to the pressure of the international community or requests by the United States of America. In any event, the increases in humanitarian assistance were not sufficient to improve the population’s access to essential goods.” Meanwhile, the ICC development shows the weakness of the argument that Israel’s domestic legal system can handle claims of atrocities or violations of international law. Israel’s government has previously told the ICC its “robust” judiciary can “rigorously” probe misconduct. That assertion evidently “did not really convince” the court’s judges as they weighed the ICC prosecutor’s request for warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, Suzie Navot, an Israeli constitutional law professor, wrote on X . She noted that the Israeli government has not set up a state commission of inquiry into the Gaza war — which would have far-reaching investigative powers — despite the Israeli attorney general’s advice to do so. Whether Israel pursues internal accountability for possible war crimes is a major factor in the question of whether it can legally receive support from countries like the U.S., which prohibits aid to nations engaging in major human rights abuses, and whether Israel should face consequences like international sanctions for its conduct. Thursday’s announcement that ICC judges see “reasonable grounds” to believe Netanyahu and Gallant “bear criminal responsibility” for “ongoing” crimes, including enforcing mass starvation among Palestinians and intentionally killing civilians, comes amid other international evaluations of Israeli conduct. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is still considering South Africa’s case accusing Israel of perpetrating a genocide in Gaza. Its proceedings are expected to continue for years to come, ensuring continued high-profile discussions of Israeli decisions blessed by the U.S. Officials and experts working on distinct global legal proceedings often lean on each other’s conclusions and analyses as they reach their own judgments. Haque noted that the ICC judges suggested Israeli leaders had “created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza,” which is in line with the definition of genocide — “though genocide requires a different mental state of specific intent.” And the parties to the Geneva Conventions — which govern much of international law — plan to hold a conference on the Middle East in March. The confab could weigh in on whether Israel is occupying Gaza under international law, which would mean the Israeli government bears special responsibility in caring for its population. The ICJ said in July that Israel is occupying the Palestinian region. “I assume the vast majority of the Conference will agree,” Haque told HuffPost, saying “a strong conference statement would still be useful.” For the U.S., mounting and ongoing inquiries into the Gaza war will likely fuel strategic complexities for years. Those could include charges that America is selective in its commitment to international law — given its ardent opposition to the ICC’s first-ever warrants for figures allied with the West — as well as tensions in important foreign relationships and embarrassing findings about U.S. culpability in horrifying aspects of the Gaza war. Condemnations or revelations from abroad could strengthen domestic frustrations against overwhelming U.S. support for Israel, which has become a major issue in national politics. Developments in the ICJ case, further warrants over the U.S.-backed Israeli offensive in Gaza or other events could inspire new public anger and fresh battles in Congress that build on already unprecedented votes challenging the U.S.-Israeli relationship. In 2023, Biden cheered the court’s issuance of a warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over war crimes during his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Biden administration then decided to support the ICC in its investigation of Russian activity. Now, Haque said, “the U.S. is in an untenable position, supporting the warrant for Putin but opposing the warrant for Netanyahu.” “But perhaps Trump will oppose both,” he added. The incoming president has expressed admiration for Putin and accused Biden’s team of unwisely provoking him. Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down. Would you help us keep our news free for all? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. Differing approaches to the court could drive a split between the U.S. and Europe — traditional friends already likely to be at odds under a second Trump presidency over matters like trade, Ukraine and climate policy. “The E.U. should prepare for a U.S. attack on the ICC,” Anthony Dworkin, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, argued in a Thursday post . Europe must “resist any US pressure to cut its own ties and support for the court.” Related From Our Partner
GETTING from A to B on public transport, roads, walking and cycling were the top three issues raised in consultation for a 10-year blueprint for the future of Lake Macquarie. Login or signup to continue reading With 90 suburbs wrapped around the jewel in the crown of the city, locals have limited access to regular public transport services to where they want to go. Community members have clearly told the council they want better-quality roads built to keep up with development and fix bottlenecks. They also want to be able to walk and cycle safely to the local shops. The draft 10-year Community Strategic Plan will go before the council on Monday, put together with the help of feedback from residents who took part in online surveys, forums, pop-up sessions and a community summit between June last year and August 2024. In the document, Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said the council will strive to develop lively local and strategic centres, balancing new growth with environmental preservation and the relaxed lifestyle the community loves. "We also want to prioritise attracting visitation and investment by ensuring we remain an exciting place to do business and a unique tourism destination," he said. "We will do this by partnering with a range of organisations, community groups and other levels of government. "The community has told us that employment, housing, access to open and community spaces as well as environmental protection are at the forefront in their minds." Access to open and community spaces ranked highly, and community support and safety were both in the top 15 most mentioned themes during public engagement. The plan outlines where the council is now and identifies key challenges and risks for the city over the next decade. Those challenges include a growing population , forecast to go from 220,000 in 2024 to 244,000 in 2035 and 260,000 in 2046. The council will need to plan for infrastructure to support housing, education, health and transport needs. While community members recognised the city needs to embrace development, they said they want it to be appropriate and not at the expense of the environment or lifestyle. The community is also ageing, with a median age 10 per cent higher than the NSW average, and the council expects the trend will drive demand in health services and infrastructure. The city's economy is moving away from mining and manufacturing to services and knowledge-based industries. Social and business services are projected to grow to 52 per cent of jobs by 2035. According to the council, the jobs of the future will require an increasingly skilled workforce with growing opportunities in the circular economy , adaptive reuse of former mining land and renewable energy. In the document, Lake Macquarie council chief executive Morven Cameron said the forward-thinking plan provides a clear blueprint to deliver for the community. "The plan reflects a significant amount of community engagement, and it outlines the position we are in today and key issues which we will need to address to achieve our long-term aspirations as a city," she said. "We are committed to ensuring our community finds it easy to be involved in the decision-making process and are given the chance to have their say." If the council votes in favour of the draft plan on Monday, it is expected to go on public exhibition for 62 days. Madeline Link is a born and bred Novocastrian who started her career as a journalist in the New England North West in 2016. She is an experienced council and court reporter, former deputy editor of the Northern Daily Leader and two-time Kennedy Award finalist. In unrelated incidents, she previously reported on country music in Australia's country music capital and was once flung across Lake Macquarie in a power boat at more than 100 kilometres per hour. Maddie now works at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on Newcastle council. To keep up with my stories, follow my X @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au. Madeline Link is a born and bred Novocastrian who started her career as a journalist in the New England North West in 2016. She is an experienced council and court reporter, former deputy editor of the Northern Daily Leader and two-time Kennedy Award finalist. In unrelated incidents, she previously reported on country music in Australia's country music capital and was once flung across Lake Macquarie in a power boat at more than 100 kilometres per hour. Maddie now works at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on Newcastle council. To keep up with my stories, follow my X @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. WEEKLY Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!By ROB GILLIES TORONTO (AP) — Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the United States should President-elect Donald Trump follow through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products, a senior official said Wednesday. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across southern and northern borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. A Canadian government official said Canada is preparing for every eventuality and has started thinking about what items to target with tariffs in retaliation. The official stressed no decision has been made. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Many of the U.S. products were chosen for their political rather than economic impact. For example, Canada imports $3 million worth of yogurt from the U.S. annually and most comes from one plant in Wisconsin, home state of then-House Speaker Paul Ryan. That product was hit with a 10% duty. Another product on the list was whiskey, which comes from Tennessee and Kentucky, the latter of which is the home state of then-Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell. Trump made the threat Monday while railing against an influx of illegal migrants, even though the numbers at Canadian border pale in comparison to the southern border. The U.S. Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone — and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian one between October 2023 and September 2024. Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are happy to work with the Trump administration to lower the numbers from Canada. The Canadians are also worried about a influx north of migrants if Trump follows through with his plan for mass deportations. Trump also railed about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border pale in comparison to the Mexican border. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Related Articles National Politics | Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia National Politics | Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be different National Politics | Trump transition says Cabinet picks, appointees were targeted by bomb threats, swatting attacks National Politics | Southwest states certify election results after the process led to controversy in previous years National Politics | Political stress: Can you stay engaged without sacrificing your mental health? Canadian officials argue their country is not the problem and that tariffs will have severe implications for both countries. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. “Canada is essential to the United States’ domestic energy supply,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said. Trump has pledged to cut American energy bills in half within 18 months, something that could be made harder if a 25% premium is added to Canadian oil imports. In 2023, Canadian oil accounted for almost two-thirds of total U.S. oil imports and about one-fifth of the U.S. oil supply. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is holding a emergency virtual meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of Canada’s provinces, who want Trudeau to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States that excludes Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.”
Everton striker Neal Maupay has sparked outrage among Toffees fans by taking a swipe at his parent club in a post on social media. Maupay also had a dig at Everton when he departed on loan to Marseille in the summer and his latest taunt has further angered the Premier League club’s supporters. The 28-year-old said on X after Sean Dyche’s side had lost 2-0 to Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on Sunday: “Whenever I’m having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile.” Whenever I’m having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile 🙂 — Neal Maupay (@nealmaupay_) December 29, 2024 Former boxer Tony Bellew was among the Toffees’ supporters who responded to Maupay, with the ex-world cruiserweight champion replying on X with: “P****!” Maupay endured a miserable spell at Everton, scoring just one league goal in 29 appearances after being signed by the Merseysiders for an undisclosed fee in 2022. He departed on a season-long loan to his former club Brentford for the 2023-24 season and left Goodison for a second time in August when Marseille signed him on loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent. After leaving Everton in the summer, Maupay outraged their fans by posting on social media a scene from the film Shawshank Redemption, famous for depicting the main character’s long fight for freedom.BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers demand 'justice' as Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec open semi-final
Looking ahead, the outlook for the A-share market remains positive, with the potential for further gains driven by supportive government policies, improving trade relations, strong corporate performance, and increasing foreign investment. However, it is essential for investors to remain cautious and vigilant, as market volatility and uncertainties continue to persist in the global economic landscape.