The big calls we got right... and the ones that were very, very wrong: AFL predictions revisitedMartin scores 17, Southeast Missouri State beats Westminster (MO) 88-39Xiaomi 14T Launch in Berlin Sparks Anticipation for SA Fans!
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump, making the announcement on his Truth Social account, said, “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80-year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of those as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more before Biden leaves office in less than two months. The U.S. has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. Trump has criticized the billions the Biden administration has spent in supporting Ukraine and has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is designed to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Trump's proposed national security adviser , U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg featured in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Plan A works perfectly for West Virginia in upset of No. 3 Gonzaga
Storm dumps record rain and heavy snow on Northern California. Many in Seattle still without power
Dublin ‘still has its challenges’ a year on from riot, says Minister for Justice
NoneFALLS CHURCH, Va., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation NOC announced today that its board of directors has authorized an additional $3 billion for the repurchase of the company's common stock, increasing the outstanding authorized amount to approximately $4.2 billion. Share repurchases will take place from time to time, subject to market conditions and management's discretion, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers' toughest problems, our employees define possible every day. Note: Statements in this press release contain or may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "will," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "plan," "project," "forecast," "believe," "estimate," "guidance," "outlook," "trends," "goals" and similar expressions generally identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this release, except as required by applicable law. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and inherently involve a wide range of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. A discussion of these risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact: Todd Ernst 703-280-4535 todd.ernst@ngc.com newsbureau@ngc.com This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Johnson scores 33 as Tennessee Tech knocks off NAIA-member Milligan 95-75
Rodgers says he'll enjoy the rest of the Jets' season and 'let the future take care of itself'
Egypt’s Minister of State for Military Production, Mohamed Salah El-Din Mostafa, presided over a series of general assembly meetings for the ministry’s affiliated companies and units. Spanning three days, these meetings focused on reviewing financial statements for the fiscal year 2023/2024 and evaluating the performance of the associated entities. The discussions revealed impressive financial achievements, with revenue growth reaching 144% for FY 2023/2024, representing a 44% increase compared to the previous fiscal year. Key performance indicators reviewed included revenues from activities, net sales, completed production, finished goods inventory, employee statistics, wages, raw material usage, and overall financial summaries. Minister Mostafa stressed the importance of optimizing the technological capabilities, material resources, and human capital of these companies to further enhance performance and productivity. He urged company chairpersons to align their efforts, emphasizing collaboration, integration, and adherence to governance principles to ensure efficient management of the Ministry’s assets. Cost optimization and proactive measures against potential encroachments were highlighted as priorities. Accelerating the development of ongoing projects was another focus, with a call to adhere strictly to project timelines to maximize returns and bolster contributions to the national economy. The minister also underscored the importance of meeting contract obligations promptly while maintaining the high quality expected of the Ministry of Military Production. Acknowledging the global economic challenges stemming from rising energy and food prices, along with disrupted supply chains, Mostafa noted their impact on economic recovery efforts. However, he emphasized the Egyptian government’s commitment to stabilizing labour markets, mitigating adverse effects, and supporting affected sectors and citizens. As part of its strategic goals, the Ministry of Military Production is advancing the localization of advanced manufacturing technologies within its affiliated companies. This effort aims to increase local components in products, conserve foreign currency, and reduce reliance on imports, reinforcing the Ministry’s position as a key contributor to the national economy.
One of the hottest, if not the hottest, weight classes in boxing is the junior middleweight division. Names like Terence Crawford , Vergil Ortiz Jr., Serhii Bohachuk , Israil Madrimov, Sebastian Fundora, and more make for some intriguing matchups in 2025. One name that can easily be inserted into that group is 27-year-old Charles Conwell (20-0, 13 KOs). The Cleveland, OH native hasn’t had a career to date that matched his potential, but now, under Golden Boy, he has the opportunity to raise his profile and fight for a title soon. With Conwell filling the co-main slot on Saturday night against Gerardo Vergara (20-0, 13 KOs), he is ready to show the world that his time is now, and the rest of the division should beware. Charles Conwell Fulfills A Dream Earlier Than Anticipated The story of Conwell is an interesting one. He’s been a pro since 2017, and while being with promoter Lou Dibella, his career had quite a few “starts & stops,” as he described it, due to boxing politics and opponents seeing a fight against him as too much of a risk with no reward. Despite these challenges, Conwell didn’t allow them to affect his character. He stayed focused, knowing his day would come. While navigating through those hurdles, Conwell took the time to do something outside of the ring that he had only dreamed of doing but much later in life: opening a boxing gym. Initially, Conwell saw it as a great opportunity to work out at all times of the day and night without any restrictions. However, he soon realized the positive impact it could have on the kids in the area. This realization motivated him even more to complete the project and open the gym. Conwell opened Team T.U.F.F Combat & Fitness in East Cleveland, OH, in September. It’s a dream come true for the junior middleweight contender, and he hopes it can restore boxing in an area where it once had a strong presence. A post shared by Team T.U.F.F (@team_t.u.f.f) “This year, I did something big, and that was to open up my own gym. I’m excited about that. I teamed up with my family and friends, and we created something for the kids from the inner city. We partnered up with a mental health agency, so everything is going real well for me outside of the ring. “It was always a goal of mine to have my own gym, and it came true, so that is one of the things I am excited to talk about outside of the ring. It’s located in East Cleveland, OH, in an underserved community. There used to be boxing there. They shut the gym down there a while back, so I felt it was a perfect opportunity for me to bring boxing back to that neighborhood.” Conwell Signs Up For A “Golden” Opportunity In February, Conwell signed a promotional deal with Golden Boy and wasted no time showing his potential, scoring TKO & KO victories in April and August respectively. Saturday’s fight on DAZN will be his third bout this year, marking the first time he has fought three times in a year since 2020. As many boxing fans know, activity matters, and Conwell staying busy can only mean that the junior middleweight division needs to keep an eye out as he will soon be knocking on the door of a title shot. “As mentioned, I haven’t been this active since 2020, and it’s 2024, so I’m excited,” said Conwell with an innocent smile. “I feel like this is what I needed, especially coming off of long layoffs and a start/stop career. The consistency of staying active in the ring just makes you better, more comfortable in the ring, and a better overall fighter. I’m going into the prime of my career, so it’s time to catch up.” Adding A New S&C Coach For A Foreign Opponent Since signing with Golden Boy , Conwell has brought on Lorenzo Buckingham as his Strength & Conditioning Coach to further hone his skills as he approaches higher levels of opponents. Conwell described the addition of Buckingham as something that has gone “real smooth,” and he is pleased with how his body is responding to the training. Conwell must be sharp as his opponent, Vergara, is from Argentina and will be making his US debut. With 13 of his 20 wins being by stoppage, Conwell is not taking Vergara lightly. He understands the threat his opponent poses, even with limited footage available. “You just have to prepare for everything,” said a confident Conwell. “I’ve gone on YouTube and seen he is a southpaw and a real tough guy that is coming to win so that right there is enough motivation for me to get up every morning and be the best I can be. I work on everything with no stone unturned. I’m just trying to perform better than I did last time. This is the biggest fight of my career, as big things are on the horizon for me. This is my world title shot for me! I’m locked in and ready.” With so much riding on this fight, what should fans in attendance and watching on DAZN expect from the junior middleweight contender looking to secure a big fight in 2025? “You are going to see my hand raised and a win in dominant fashion. For me to get the big fights, I need to have another statement win and finish out the year strong. I’m ready to show there are levels to this game and that I’m ready for what’s next.” This article first appeared on Fights Around The World and was syndicated with permission.
The Boston Bruins hope to continue their winning start to Joe Sacco's tenure as interim coach as they begin a stretch of three games in four nights around Thanksgiving on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks. Sacco has emphasized shoring things up defensively and his team has delivered, allowing a combined 42 shots on goal across only their second set of back-to-back regulation wins all season on Thursday against Utah (1-0 score) and Saturday in Detroit (2-1). There are positive offensive signs as well. Captain Brad Marchand netted the latter game-winner in the third period against the Red Wings, which was Boston's first at 5-on-5 in a three-game span. The first goal in Detroit came from Justin Brazeau and the second power-play unit. "We need contributions from everybody right now," Sacco said. Entering a busy stretch that continues Wednesday with a visit to the New York Islanders, Marchand likes the team's current direction. "We seem to be a little bit more comfortable right now. Effort seems higher," he said. "I like the way we closed the last couple of games, being tight, playing very well defensively." After giving up 12 goals in his previous two starts, Jeremy Swayman -- who signed an eight-year, $66 million contract last month -- returned to the net following Joonas Korpisalo's shutout of Utah and stopped 19 of 20 shots in Detroit. The beginning of the season has been a struggle for Swayman (3.30 goals-against average, .887 save percentage), but the coach affirmed that "he's still (the Bruins') guy" following their latest victory. "I am happy for his response," Sacco said. "I'm sure that he's starting to feel better about himself. It's only a matter of time before ‘Sway' starts to find his groove consistently." Meanwhile, Korpisalo has gone 3-0-1 in November. The Canucks have gone just 3-4-0 since beginning this month on a three-game win streak, but they arrive in Boston for the second of a six-game trip after beating Ottawa 4-3 Saturday. It was their seventh victory in eight road games this season. It was a key team win after center J.T. Miller was added to Vancouver's list of absentees due to an indefinite personal leave last Wednesday and defenseman Quinn Hughes was ejected in the first period for a major boarding penalty. "That's a lot to throw at the team, and I thought we handled it well," coach Rick Tocchet said. "I'm proud of the guys. We hung in there and grinded out the win. ... In an 82-game schedule, you're going to go through a lot of adversity and it's about the way you handle it." Brock Boeser (upper-body injury) has missed the previous seven games, but returned to practice Monday in a regular jersey. In the absence of aforementioned stars, the top line of Jake DeBrusk, Elias Pettersson and Kiefer Sherwood stepped up for a combined seven points against the Senators. DeBrusk scored two of the trio's three goals and added an assist. A Bruin for his first seven NHL seasons, DeBrusk scored his first three goals of the season in consecutive games before entering Saturday on a six-game drought. The winger will look to ride the momentum into his first game in Boston since moving to Vancouver as a free agent in July. "I think it's more so my game is kind of building," DeBrusk said. "I knew I was going to break through." The Canucks also recalled Max Sasson from AHL affiliate Abbotsford for his first NHL game on Saturday. He recorded an assist. "I really liked his game," Tocchet said. "To just get called up out of the blue, he seized the moment." --Field Level MediaNewly minted Victorian Liberal leader Brad Battin has declined to reveal whether he personally supports nuclear power as the party at a federal level pushes to have it part of Australia's energy mix. In an interview with Sky News Australia's Kenny Heatley on Monday morning three days after ousting John Pesutto from the state party leadership, Mr Battin was grilled on his stance on nuclear power, including whether he backed a plant in Victoria's La Traobe Valley. The federal coalition in June revealed the Loy Yang power station in the La Trobe Valley was one of seven proposed sites nationwide for its zero-emissions nuclear power plants. Mr Battin said he first wanted to consult with the party room before making public his nuclear position. "I've only been in this role for a few days. The most important part of anything I want to do is making sure the team is involved in those discussions," he said. Pressed to reveal his personal opinion on nuclear power, Mr Battin said: "As I said, I've got to take that back through the party room. "If I make a personal call right now, all that is, (it) becomes policy for the party. So I'm going to go through the process of working within that team. "Our primary focus here in Victoria is ensuring gas stays on and that we can have power and reliable energy here in the state. "Whatever that is in the future, will be a discussion for the party room, and I'll have that discussion with (federal opposition leader) Peter Dutton as well." Mr Battin was asked again whether he could confirm on Sky News Australia whether he was in favour of nuclear power, with energy shaping up as a key battleground in next year's federal election which could be decided by Victoria . "Right now, on this program, I have spoken to Peter exactly how this sits with us and I've got to take it through that party room," he said. "We can't expect a new leader to come out and then put out policies. Even when you say it's a personal opinion, that becomes policy in the media. "I have to actually work within my team. If I'm going to unite them, having those discussions in the media prior to speaking to them would be disrespectful." In June, Mr Pesutto said the Victorian Liberals "have no plans for nuclear as a state opposition". Mr Battin said he spoke briefly with the federal opposition leader after winning the state party leadership on Friday in what was his third attempt at the job, with pair set to meet up in early January. "It's really important that when we sit down we work out what is in the best interests. He has a focus for Australia, I have a focus for Victoria," he said. "So we'll be sitting down with him and talking about what the expectations are with the things that are the most important to our areas, understanding too that a lot of our decisions will have to go back through our shadow cabinet and party room. And Peter's well and truly aware of that." He said he also spoke briefly with Mr Pesutto in the party room after Friday's leadership decision and later sent a message to his predecessor. "I sent him a text and said let's catch up this week sometime. I think he needed that weekend off to have a bit of time with his family as well," Mr Battin said. "It's been a tough time for John, he's a very respected person from the party, he's been there for 30 years. And he deserves the respect from all of us to give him that little bit of a break right now." Mr Battin said his shadow cabinet would be unveiled within the first 10 days of the new year, with Sam Groth already locked in as the deputy leader.
Kohl's names Michaels CEO Ashley Buchanan to assume top jobNone
Action hero Gerard Butler's latest character role may share his bearded look, but the similarities between the two end there. The Scot plays Santa Claus in a new TV animation, The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland. But while St Nick is off taking care of Christmas business, Butler is looking forward to a good old festive fight - with his family. The Paisley-born actor will be in Scotland for the holidays, something he tries to do as much as possible. "I almost always come back. It's an important time to check in", says the 55-year-old who now lives in Los Angeles. He believes a "good Scottish Christmas" involves seeing family and friends - then "picking up on fights where they've been left a year ago", which can lead to a few smashed glasses. Butler is best-known for gritty action-packed roles in 300 (2006), Olympus has Fallen (2013) and Kandahar (2023) but thinks finally playing the man in the big red suit is a dream role. He says he can retire happy. "I've finally conquered it," he says. "I'm playing Santa." The film is a mash-up of Clement Clarke Moore's 'Twas The Night Before Christmas poem and Lewis Carroll's Novel, Alice in Wonderland. It follows Santa and his reindeer into the world of Wonderland as they work to boost the Queen of Hearts' Christmas spirit with the help of Alice and the Mad Hatter. Butler says the film "goes bonkers". "We're going down a rabbit hole and stuff is gonna get pretty crazy". Butler says his version of St. Nick is a bit of an idiot who just loves being Santa. "It's awesome to make those kind of movies that you can imagine families sitting watching together at Christmas time," says Butler. "I do think it could become a little Christmas classic". The animation sees Butler return to his singing roots - first showcased in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of The Opera film in 2004. He said he didn't want to overthink it and to jump straight into a sound booth. "The second I read this script, I could just hear my voice and see those little moments. I almost wanted to step in and do it straight away," "That Scottish accent really lends itself to a dotey, kind of bombastic, fun Santa. It just seemed to work well," says Butler. The Sky Original film is based on the bestselling book of the same name written by Carys Bexington illustrated by Kate Hindley. Butler's Scottish Santa is joined by other famous voices including Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke as the Queen of Hearts and Bridgerton's Simone Ashley as Alice. The film will be available on Sky Cinema for UK audiences on 13 December.Ministry of Defence launches Defence Digitalisation Compass{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-11-25T21:35:39+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-11-25T21:35:39+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-11-26T12:28:04+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22110/news/rwanda/officials-root-for-positive-parenting-to-tackle-gbv-in-families", "headline": "Officials root for positive parenting to tackle GBV in families", "description": "Raising children with love, respect, and discipline has been recommended by officials at the National Child Development Agency (NCDA) as a key way to...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22110/news/rwanda/officials-root-for-positive-parenting-to-tackle-gbv-in-families" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/11/26/64873.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/11/26/64873.jpg" }, "articleBody": "Raising children with love, respect, and discipline has been recommended by officials at the National Child Development Agency (NCDA) as a key way to reduce the risk of violence and discrimination in families and society. During the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Monday, November 25, Gilbert Munyemana, NCDA’s Deputy Director General, pointed at the role of positive parenting for GBV-free families, noting that it is essential for nurturing mental health, emotional well-being, and decision-making skills in children. “It lays the foundation for a confident, disciplined, and independent generation. By creating a safe, supportive environment, free from all forms of violence, positive parenting helps children reach their full potential,” he said. Recognising that some parents may, unfortunately, feel inclined to raise their children the way they were raised, he highlighted that parents should make an effort to give their children better treatment so that they have better livelihoods. “Our children have the potential to become even better than we were, provided we offer them opportunities and allow them to grow in safe, supportive, and healthy environments. By doing so, we can break the cycle of violence and create a brighter future for the next generation,” he said. ALSO READ: The pervasive reality of gender- based violence in Rwanda, globally Reverien Interayamahanga, a social researcher, speaking at the same event, said it is crucial to prevent the parents’ separation effect from children, because it can have long-lasting negative effects on the children’s emotional and mental well-being. “Over time, cases of parental separation, whether through court decisions or personal disputes, often result in one parent undermining the other by portraying them in a negative light to the child. This can lead to significant emotional confusion and distress for the child, who may begin to view the other parent in an unfavourable light or even feel abandoned,” he said. “Such circumstances can create deep emotional scars, where children either reject the concept of family altogether or grow up feeling unloved by the parent they are distanced from. The psychological impact can lead to feelings of betrayal, resentment, and insecurity, affecting the child's ability to form healthy relationships in the future,” he added. Regardless of the parents’ relationship status, Interayamahanga said, it is essential to create supportive environments where both parents remain involved in their child's life. “Maintaining a positive co-parenting dynamic, we can help children develop a healthy sense of identity and foster a more inclusive, supportive family structure,” he said. Immacule Uwamariya, the Headmistress of Saint Bernard de Kansi, said children who experience family issues often carry the emotional and psychological burden of those situations into school. “The challenges they face at home, whether it is conflict, neglect, or exposure to violence, can deeply affect their mental state and behaviour. This emotional strain can make it difficult for children to concentrate, engage with their studies, or develop healthy relationships with peers,” she said. “As a result, these children may struggle academically, and their performance may suffer, not because of a lack of potential but because the unresolved issues at home are hindering their ability to thrive in a school environment,” she added. ALSO READ: Addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence in Rwanda The say’s conversations shed light on the four main parenting styles and their effects on children, calling upon parents to use the most effective one. The styles that were highlighted include authoritative parenting which is characterised by high levels of warmth and responsiveness combined with clear, consistent rules and expectations. “This form of parenting enables children with a higher self-esteem and self-discipline, better social skills and emotional regulation, strong academic performance and problem-solving abilities and a sense of security and trust in relationships because children thrive in an environment where they feel heard and supported, yet understanding the boundaries,” said Munyemana. The authoritarian parenting style involves strict rules and high demands, with little warmth or flexibility. Parents expect obedience and may use punishment rather than discussion to enforce rules. “This, on the other hand, lowers self-esteem and increases fear of failure in children, difficulty in social situations and making independent decisions and higher likelihood of anxiety, depression, or rebellion because lack of warmth and overly strict rules can hinder a child’s emotional development and creativity.” Permissive parenting, also highlighted at the event, is a style where parents are warm and nurturing but set few boundaries or rules. They avoid confrontation and may prioritise being their child’s friend over being a disciplinarian. “This may develop strong self-esteem but lack discipline and responsibility, difficulty respecting authority or dealing with frustration and increased risk of behavioural problems and poor academic performance,” said Munyemana. Under the neglectful parenting style, parents are detached and provide little warmth, guidance, or attention. Basic needs may be met, but emotional engagement is lacking. “This causes low self-esteem and difficulty forming healthy relationships, poor academic performance and emotional regulation and increased risk of substance abuse, mental health issues, and delinquency,” he said. “Children in such environments often feel unsupported, leading to insecurity and low self-worth,” he added. The campaign, which will run until December 10, aims to create a safer, more inclusive society through dialogue, community engagements, and policy reviews.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shallon Mwiza" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }The Social Democrats made mistakes in how the controversy involving Eoin Hayes was handled and the party has taken a knock as a result, its acting leader has admitted. Cian O'Callaghan said that how events unfolded on Tuesday were completely unacceptable and had left him feeling "very angry". He said: Embarrassed would be an understatement in terms of how I feel about it. The Social Democrats is to hold a full review after Mr Hayes was suspended from the party for providing untrue statements to the media about when he divested of shares in a US software company which has ties to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). Mr Hayes had repeatedly claimed at a press conference on Tuesday that he had fully divested his shares in Palantir, where he had worked from 2015 to 2017, before he had entered into politics. However, he issued a statement hours later stating "this was not true". Prior to this, the party had asked Mr Hayes for information about the shares, according to Mr O'Callaghan, but as acting leader he himself had not put the question to the new TD. The information Mr O'Callaghan said he was given was that the shares were sold before entering politics but there was no specific date provided. Mr O'Callaghan confirmed that it was only after Tuesday's press conference that Mr Hayes was asked for more detail on when the shares in Palantir were sold despite questions first being raised a week earlier. "We got the dates and at that point it was clear that the information given to us was not correct," said Mr O'Callaghan, who is acting leader of the party while Holly Cairns is on maternity leave. Mr O'Callaghan spoke to Ms Cairns about the matter and said she is "extremely disappointed" and shares the party's concerns. He said: I do think it is a situation for us that has affected our standing and I think we have a lot of work to do on this now in the future. There was no offer made by Mr Hayes to resign from the Social Democrats or the Dáil after he clarified that he had not sold his shares until one month after he had been elected to Dublin City Council, according to Mr O'Callaghan. Following his suspension, Mr Hayes said that he would take his seat in the Dáil next week as an independent but hoped to regain the trust of the Social Democrats. Asked whether there was a route for Mr Hayes to return to the party fold, Mr O'Callaghan said the process is not at the point in terms of knowing what will happen in the future. Mr Hayes' profile has been removed from the Social Democrats website. Gary Gannon, who had contacted Mr Hayes on Wednesday as part of a welfare check, confirmed that the newly elected TD intends to refund part of a large donation made to his election campaign. Mr Gannon faced questions regarding comments he made on a podcast where he criticised journalists who had been raising concerns about Mr Hayes' Palantir shares. Speaking to the Echo Chamber podcast, which was recorded last week before Mr Hayes admitted when he sold the €200,000 worth of shares, Mr Gannon claimed that "a couple of journalists" were putting "front pages out" because they were interested in government special advisor jobs. Mr Gannon apologised for the comments calling them "grossly silly" and said he had let the Social Democrats down and it does not reflect the views of his party. He told reporters that the comments were made in the days coming out of a "heavy general election" and he was "tired, I wasn't being my best self".