vip 7777 The Beltway Buzz is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business. Congressional Update. Like many Americans, our nation’s lawmakers are heading home this weekend for Thanksgiving. During these last two weeks—which represent the start of the brief post-election “lame duck” session—the U.S. Senate has confirmed several nominees to lifetime appointments on the federal bench. (Multiple Republicans—including Vice President-elect J.D. Vance—simply didn’t show up for these votes, which helped Democrats get their nominees through.) So when the U.S. Congress returns for the week beginning December 2, 2024, for a scheduled three-week run, the Buzz will be monitoring two major unfinished issues: a potential reconfirmation vote on the nomination of Lauren McFerran for a new term on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and a continuation of government funding, which is currently set to expire on December 20, 2024. Federal Court Strikes Down Overtime Rule. Late last week, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas struck down the overtime regulation that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) finalized in April 2024 . Just as in 2017, when the same court invalidated a similar overtime regulation finalized by the Obama administration, the court determined that the rule’s dramatic increase to the salary threshold improperly eviscerated Congress’s intent in creating the executive, administrative, and professional (EAP) exemption: “The Department simply does not have the authority to effectively displace the duties test with such a predominant salary-level test.” The court wrote that this analysis also applies to the rule’s increase to the highly compensated employee level. Finally, regarding the automatic increase to the salary level every three years, the court ruled that Congress never authorized the DOL “to use indexing as a means to place on autopilot its obligation to define and delimit the EAP Exemption” and it also “violates the notice-and-comment rulemaking requirements of the [Administrative Procedure Act.]” The court invalidated the rule in its entirety, including the increase to the salary threshold that became effective on July 1, 2024. Keith E. Kopplin and Zachary V. Zagger have the details . Port Negotiations Stall. As the Buzz previously discussed , a pre-holiday season strike at ports along the East Coast and Gulf Coast was avoided when the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and an employer group agreed to a six-year wage increase while continuing to negotiate for a new contract. Now these negotiations have broken down over disagreements about automation and technology at the ports. The ILA claims that they “embrace technologies that improve safety and efficiency, but only when a human being remains at the helm,” while the employer group has stated that they “are not seeking technology that would eliminate jobs” but instead want to “improve worker safety, increase efficiency in a way that protects and grows jobs, keeps supply chains strong, and increases capacity that will financially benefit American businesses and workers alike.” The existing contract expires on January 15, 2025, at which time the union could go on strike. House Committee Advances Anti-DEI Act. This week, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability advanced the Dismantle DEI Act of 2024 (S.4516), which would eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-related programs throughout the federal government. The bill also would prohibit federal contractors from using federal money to maintain DEI officers and programs, and it would prohibit federal contract performance in locations that are “subject to, or required to comply with, a prohibited diversity, equity or inclusion practice.” Back in June of this year, the Buzz noted that the bill “could receive attention if the Republicans gain control of Congress following the November 2024 elections.” The Buzz stands by this statement and maintains that the bill represents a sign of things to come in 2025. Employers can expect significant scrutiny of their DEI programs, whether from the White House via the federal contracting procurement process, agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) pursuing “reverse discrimination” allegations, or legislation—such as this bill—and investigations in Congress. OSHA Developments. Two of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) regulatory proposals took significant steps forward recently: Infectious Diseases . OSHA’s proposed rule “to protect employees from exposure to pathogens that can cause significant infectious disease” has advanced to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review. This means that a proposal might be issued before the end of the Biden administration, though the incoming Trump administration will obviously determine the proposal’s fate. Personal Protective Equipment in Construction . Also at OIRA is OSHA’s final rule relating to personal protective equipment (PPE) in construction. This stage of OIRA review is the last step in the rulemaking process prior to finalization. The final rule is expected to focus on ensuring that PPE fits properly on smaller workers, particularly women. At this point, it is not clear whether any final rule will be promulgated before the end of the current administration or how the new administration may react. A Round of A-Paws for Congress. This week, the Senate passed the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act . The bill, which passed the House earlier this year and now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk, honors the contributions of military K-9s and other service dogs. The bill instructs the secretary of the treasury to mint commemorative coins that will be legal tender but sold for a premium, with the “profits” going to a service dog organization. So, while the Buzz often pokes fun at members of Congress for chasing their tails, this week’s effort by members of the Senate demonstrates that bipartisanship is still paws-ible. And even though it has likely been a ruff few weeks for senators who lost reelection, they can be proud that passage of the bill was a mastiff accomplishment. The Buzz will be on hiatus next week but will return on December 6, 2024.

So ends one of the wildest weeks in recent memory for the Nebraska football program. The one-week overlap of high school recruiting, transfer portal entries, coaching changes and bowl game decisions meant there were highs and lows for Nebraska fans to go through — but the program’s leader wasn’t bothered by the departures and changes that hit the Huskers. “If we have good players and we have good coaches, then people are gonna come try to get them,” Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule said on Wednesday. “If no one’s trying to take our players, it means we’re in trouble.” With news to break down in each of those areas, let’s drop into coverage: 1. Coaching changes Nebraska’s defensive coaching staff will look much different in 2025 compared to 2024, but Rhule is hopeful that the defense itself won’t change much. People are also reading... Paige Hubl, former Nebraska volleyball player and Lincoln Southeast coach, dies at age 34 'It could be very special': Why signs point to strong match between Nebraska, Pinstripe Bowl Scott Frost signs five-year contract to become UCF's head coach for second time Man found dead in north Lincoln, police say Lincoln Southwest vs. East boys basketball game briefly suspended due to 'unsafe environment' 'Straight up theft': Lincoln craft fair organizer under fire after canceling event Andi's Ascent: She didn't want to play volleyball. Now Andi Jackson is the sport's next best thing Wisconsin officer grabbing Donovan Raiola's arm a 'misunderstanding,' UW police say 140 layoffs hit Lincoln immigration services center; more likely Tony White leaves Nebraska for Florida State defensive coordinator job Taco restaurant started by brothers in Grand Island expands to Lincoln Lincoln Public Schools chief Gausman announces plans to retire Nebraska volleyball aces first test, sweeps Florida A&M in first round of NCAA Tournament 'Not what we want to do': Nebraska's Matt Rhule talks pregame handshake snub with Iowa Matt Rhule, Luke Fickell both downplay postgame encounter between Fickell, Donovan Raiola Defensive coordinator Tony White is off to Florida State and has taken defensive line coach Terrance Knighton with him , a major blow to a Nebraska defense that ranked inside the top 20 nationally each of the last two seasons. Knighton was one of Rhule’s best hires for his initial Nebraska coaching staff. The defensive line, presumed to be a question mark in 2023, instead became a strength of the team. Players like Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher reached new heights under Knighton’s coaching, while several young Huskers also made an impact up front. There’s plenty of returning talent in the defensive line room even after some roster turnover, but NU’s next defensive line coach will have big expectations to continue Knighton’s good work at the position. As for White, he implemented his 3-3-5 scheme to great success a year ago, but Nebraska lined up slightly differently this fall with a four-man rush utilized far more often than in 2023. He’ll be a good fit at Florida State, while Nebraska has turned to John Butler in the interim to lead its defense. There’s no doubting Butler’s pedigree as a former NFL defensive mind, and his influence showed up in the way the Nebraska defense operated this season. Whether it’s Butler or an external hire who leads the Nebraska defense next season, continuity on that side of the ball is the expectation. “The defense isn’t going to change, but the offense is going to be better,” Rhule said. That optimism is underscored by the return of Dana Holgorsen as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator. Having brought in his own wide receivers coach, Daikiel Shorts Jr., Holgorsen will begin transforming the Nebraska offense this spring after the team’s bowl game. 2. Most impactful 2025 commits Nebraska signed a 20-player recruiting class on Wednesday that is loaded with talent across the board. While recruits can still sign with teams in February, expect Nebraska to be finished along the recruiting trail — and that means it’s time to take stock of the players in its 2025 recruiting class. Here are five of those signees who should impact the long-term future of the Husker football team. First up is linebacker Dawson Merritt. The highest-ranked signee in NU’s 2025 class was an Alabama commit for a reason, and it’s because the pass-rushing potential he shows. Set to be an off-ball linebacker and hybrid edge rusher at Nebraska, Merritt is the type of player who can make an impact early in his collegiate career. If he reaches his long-term potential, Merritt should be an NFL prospect when he leaves Nebraska. Nebraska also landed a top playmaking prospect in wide receiver Cortez Mills. Another wide receiver recruit, Isaiah Mozee, will provide an impact — but Mills is the all-around prospect who could dominate targets in a year or two’s time. The fast, athletic pass-catcher knows how to run himself open against coverage and excels at winning in one-on-one situations. Quarterback Dylan Raiola will like playing with Mills. In the secondary, cornerback Bryson Webber should be a starter down the road. His status as a former wide receiver gives him the ball skills Nebraska is after the spot, and Webber’s long, athletic frame will help him against opposing wide receivers. He may not be a day-one starter at cornerback, but Webber will make the position his own in the years which follow. Another explosive playmaker on offense is running back Jamarion Parker. Having signed alongside Bishop Neumann’s Conor Booth, Parker could be the lightning to Booth’s thunder as a one-two running back punch in the years which follow. A big-play threat and tough runner, Parker is an all-around talent who Nebraska and Holgorsen will find a way to utilize. The final pick is linebacker Christian Jones. Hard-nosed, athletic inside linebackers are hard to come by, but Jones is one of the rare few who could have a future at the position. He’s a top athlete who could push for playing time early in his career. For those interested, here are the five players I identified from NU’s 2024 class one year ago: Dylan Raiola, Carter Nelson, Willis McGahee IV, Mario Buford and Grant Brix. While Jacory Barney Jr. is a notable miss from that list, all but Brix played in at least 10 games and had an impact as freshmen. 3. Transfers in, transfers out Nebraska’s transfer portal entrants have begun trickling out, and there will be many more which follow as a result of the 105-player roster limit teams must abide with next season. Many of the toughest departures to stomach have come on defense, where a veteran-heavy group will look much different in terms of its personnel next season. Defensive lineman Jimari Butler, a two-year starter at the position, has decided to move on. So have linebackers Mikai Gbayor and Stefon Thompson — who might’ve been starters next season — and rising young defenders Princewill Umanmielen, James Williams and Kai Wallin. Williams, Wallin and Umanmielen were all impactful defenders for Nebraska this fall, but their status as pass-rushing specialists still left room for improvement as all-around defenders. Butler and Gbayor, however, would’ve been pegged as no-doubt veteran starters, so their choice to move on will impact NU’s defensive strength. No entry was more surprising than that of running back Emmett Johnson, a player who emerged as NU’s top rusher late in the 2024 season. The up-and-down nature of Johnson’s Nebraska career — he showed flashes down the stretch in 2023 and was hardly utilized this fall prior to Holgorsen taking over — may have impacted his decision to seek out a new opportunity. Nebraska’s transfer portal targets will become clearer in the coming days, but one player has already stated his interest in the Huskers. Fresno State linebacker Phoenix Jackson, a multi-year starter at the position, announced on social media that Auburn, Indiana, Nebraska and SMU are the four teams he’s considering transferring to. 4. Bowl game practices Prior to learning its bowl opponent, Nebraska had a light week of practice before things get intense later this month. The Huskers practiced on Tuesday and Thursday last week with its veterans sitting out as younger players got reps in front of their coaches instead. Rhule said he expects Nebraska to practice from Tuesday to Thursday this week, with another day on Saturday during which the Huskers could bring transfer portal visitors to campus. “Being in bowl practice right now is exactly what this team needs, exactly what we need moving forward,” Rhule said. “I saw guys practice (Tuesday) and look like I haven’t seen them look all year.” 5. Scott Frost to UCF After his firing at Nebraska, former head coach Scott Frost didn’t need to rush into his next coaching job, instead waiting for a situation and school that made sense for him. While it didn’t work out in Lincoln, there’s no denying the success Frost had at UCF. The in-state talent around the school and Frost’s offense made for a great fit, even if he only had two seasons to show it. The Knights are no longer in the AAC, though, instead having moved to a new-look Big 12 which has the makings of a difficult conference. It’s a good fit for Frost, but there’ll still be an element of pressure for him to deliver results and show that he can rebuild the program once again.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Niamh Kennedy has praised the heroics efforts of her hometown people after the devastating floods which struck Killybegs overnight. Parts of the town were left submerged under water after a local river overflowed during Storm Bert. At least 16 homes and a number of business on Bridge Street were left under several feet of water. Among the businesses hit was the popular local Bridge Street Community Shop which lost a lot of stock as a result of the rising waters. However, an amazing response from both the emergency services and local volunteers saw an amazing clean-up operation get underway. The Bridge Street Community Shop was one of the premises worst hit. This evening, although battered and bruised, Killybegs has fought back. Councillor Kennedy thanked all those who helped in any way following the freak flooding. She posted “Clean up started after the devastating flooding, sandbags, skips delivered, emptied and delivered again. “Generators and dehumidifiers are in place, people needing accommodation sorted and community welfare assistance for the Bridge Street residents in urgent need will be available tomorrow from 12 to 2pm at Henry Kees office on the corner. “The business community will be assisted as soon as possible. “Thanks so much to our Killybegs and Glencolmcille fire officers and to our coast guard who were here to help all day. “To the roads staff of Donegal county council who delivered the skips, the sandbags, helped with the generators and cleared any debris, to the community who helped each other today THANK YOU.” Director of Emergency Services, Garry Martin, was also at the scene of today’s floods. He praised all those who responded to the call to assist at the scene. The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme will be available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by Storm Bert.NEW YORK (AP) — Police don't know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack , not a random one. They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 a.m. Wednesday as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company’s annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson’s body bore the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics . The fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Over the weekend, police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his backpack there Friday. They didn’t immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analyzed. Early Sunday afternoon, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or on the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned. The bag’s apparent manufacturer did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press. Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isn’t as quick as it looks like on TV . Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson’s family and coworkers and the shooter’s randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face. Retracing the gunman’s steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven’t been able to ID him using facial recognition — possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask.David Smick’s documentary , executive produced and narrated by Michael Douglas, explores the causes and consequences of America’s income inequality. Those consequences include anger and division, but Smick and Douglas are hopeful that the country will come together to resolve its differences, and the film reflects that hope. “I predict 70% of the country, maybe 80%, hasn’t lost its mind,” Smick said. “The others I’m not going after, but I’m just not mentioning them. I just said I’m going to go and do something for that 70% or that 80% and speak to them. [Cable news] can go back and forth with the other 20% to 30% because I do think most people know that we have a history of pulling together, and we have to go back to that.” opened in August. After the in November, Douglas predicts not catastrophe but rather a period of thoughtful reconnection. “Everybody’s going to kind of think things over again and realize all of the issues that we can agree upon rather than those few that separate us,” he said at Deadline’s Contenders Documentary event. “Hopefully, I like to think that things are going to calm down and become more civil again. I think it’s crucial for our country.” In the film, Smick highlights the stock market growth that paid off well for corporations and investors. However, the disparity between those payoffs and conditions for people collecting paychecks proved stark. Smick said over 40 years, the stock market enjoyed a “5,000% increase and yet at the same time, wages went up during that same period, adjusting for inflation, 15%. So I sat around and said. ‘We’re wondering why everyone hates each other, why there’s such division, why people just have no belief in the future, and it’s that.’” Smick’s previous film, , premiered on Starz during the pandemic. That film is about the growing anger and hate in U.S. politics and society, but Smick regretted he did not focus more on economic factors. “It had mentioned some, but it didn’t address this,” Smick said. “It’s so tied to status and loss of status that has really destroyed the hope in the American dream.” The subject appealed to Douglas, who starred in Oliver Stone’s two movies. He also felt that Smick presented a balanced, objective perspective as a registered Independent. “Many people were sort of disenchanted at what was going on out there in the world,” Douglas said. “I saw for the first time kind of an answer, a clarity as to what the hell this is all about and what has happened. That goes back down to economic issues, the huge disparity that exists in this country.” Through that objectivity, Douglas said Smick succeeded in “not picking one side but talking to both of us on both sides and try to embrace and come back from the edge. Check back Monday for the panel video. 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TriMas Packaging Unveils New State-of-the-Art Facility in Haining, China

Bengaluru: Following a statement from the higher education minister on seats falling vacant in top engineering colleges , resulting in suspicions of seat blocking, Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology issued a press statement dismissing the allegations as baseless. "Our institution is not involved in seat blocking, and the allegation made against it is totally false and baseless. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025: Who went where and for how much IPL 2025: Complete list of players of each franchise In academic year 2024-25, 192 seats went vacant following the final round of KEA allotment after the last date for admission... Our institution has no role in the decision of students not accepting admissions or surrendering seats, and the institution cannot compel students to take admission and take up the course," said a press statement. Minister MC Sudhakar had named six colleges in a press conference on Nov 8, saying a high number of computer science seats were going vacant in the last round of counselling, resulting in seats going into the management pool.BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 25, 2024-- TriMas (NASDAQ: TRS) today announced the launch of its new, state-of-the-art, 225,000 square foot facility for its TriMas Packaging group in Haining, China. This milestone follows last year’s decision to rationalize two manufacturing facilities into one new facility. TriMas exited both its Hangzhou, China, and older Haining, China facilities, consolidating them into a single, new facility in Haining with advanced capabilities to better serve customers across China and the wider Asian markets. The highly automated facility is equipped with advanced injection molding and assembly capabilities, autonomous robots including Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), robotic auto palletizing and a specialized Warehouse Management System (WMS). These innovations streamline material handling processes, reduce labor expenses, minimize safety risks and support the Company’s sustainability goals through energy-efficient systems and waste reduction practices. Additionally, the facility features a cutting-edge quality lab, a 100,000-level clean room and QS certification, ensuring compliance with stringent food safety standards in China. “We are excited to introduce our new state-of-the-art facility in Haining, which reflects our commitment to operational excellence, innovation, sustainability and delivering high-quality packaging solutions for our customers,” said Thomas Amato, TriMas President and Chief Executive Officer. “With this addition, we are proud to now have advanced flagship locations in the United States, Mexico, and China, strategically positioning us for continued growth across these key regions. We extend our thanks to our TriMas Packaging team who contributed to the successful launch of this cutting-edge facility in Haining.” The Haining facility manufactures dispensing and airless lotion pumps, foaming pumps, caps and closures, primarily for the beauty and personal care markets. It also produces e-commerce lotion pumps to meet the growing demand in the online retail sector. View the video to see the new Haining facility : TriMas Packaging: Haining, China Facility About TriMas Packaging TriMas Packaging serves its global customers with its market-leading brands, consisting of Rieke ®, Affaba & FerrariTM, Rapak ®, TaplastTM, Plastic Srl and Aarts Packaging. TriMas Packaging designs and manufactures a comprehensive array of dispensing, closure and flexible packaging solutions for a broad range of end markets including the beauty and personal care, food and beverage, home care, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical, and industrial and agricultural markets. With approximately 2,200 dedicated employees and 26 locations worldwide, TriMas Packaging’s innovative solutions and services are designed to enhance customers’ ability to dispense, transport and store their products safely and securely in an ever-changing marketplace. For more information, please visit www.trimaspackaging.com . About TriMas TriMas manufactures a diverse set of products primarily for the consumer products, aerospace and industrial markets through its TriMas Packaging, TriMas Aerospace and Specialty Products groups. Our approximately 3,400 dedicated employees in 13 countries provide customers with a wide range of innovative and quality product solutions through our market-leading businesses. Our TriMas family of businesses has strong brand names in the markets served, and operates under a common set of values and strategic priorities under the TriMas Business Model. TriMas is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “TRS,” and is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. For more information, please visit www.trimas.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125337341/en/ CONTACT: Sherry Lauderback VP, Investor Relations & Communications (248) 631-5506 sherry.lauderback@trimas.com KEYWORD: MICHIGAN CHINA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MACHINERY PACKAGING ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGY ONLINE RETAIL COSMETICS MANUFACTURING RETAIL SOURCE: TriMas Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/25/2024 01:00 PM/DISC: 11/25/2024 01:00 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125337341/en

NoneBest Black Friday Thunderbolt dock dealsNoneThe Advocate By Onikepo Braithwaite Onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com Arrest of Simon Ekpa: Joyful News The news of the arrest of Simon Ekpa in Finland, the self-acclaimed leader of IPOB after the extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya in 2021, and some of his cohorts, has been music to my ears and that of a great multitude. It was long overdue. When, from the comfort of his home in Finland, warmly ensconced in his white and gold embroidered bathrobe, Simon Ekpa ordered a one-week sit at home in the South East in July 2023, I condemned him and his terrorist activities on this page. In fact, I said that he should be arrested in Finland, and extradited to Nigeria to face criminal charges ranging from treasonable offences to terrorism, amongst others. Little did I know, that the issue of extradition wasn’t quite clear cut. How Ekpa will be brought to justice, at least, for the crimes he is alleged to have committed in Nigeria, is another matter; because, based on the laws of Finland which apply to Finnish citizens for crimes committed outside Finland – and Ekpa is said to be a Finnish Citizen – see the definition of Finnish Citizen is Section 6(2) & (3) of The Criminal Code of Finland (CCF) , and the fact that Nigeria doesn’t have an Extradition Treaty with Finland (see the First Schedule (Section 1(5)) of the Extradition Act 2004 (EA)) , it’s rather unlikely that we will be seeing Simon Ekpa in Nigeria anytime soon. The extraordinary rendition style used to bring Nnamdi Kanu back home is also out of the question, since Ekpa is already in the custody of law enforcement in Finland. Nigerians were already suffering from untold economic hardship, and one criminal, insensitive, bombastic element, Simon Ekpa, living safely and comfortably in faraway Finland, was forcing hardworking Nigerians who are desperately trying to eke out a daily living to survive, which if they don’t earn, their families may starve, to stay at home for a whole week! At the time, we saw a video of masked men destroying the wares of those who were brave enough to ignore the sit-at-home order and come out to sell their perishables like vegetables, which, if they didn’t sell immediately would simply rot in a day or two, resulting in losses, while others were physically assaulted for daring to do so. Offences While the right to self-determination is accepted as a basic human right – see Article 1(1) of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) adopted on 16/12/1966, it is undeniable that Ekpa and his IPOB or whatever group he superintends, crossed the line between the agitation for self-determination and criminality, a long time ago. Breaching the right of the people of the South East to personal liberty and freedom of movement, contrary to Sections 35(1) & 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitution) by prohibiting them from going about their legitimate concerns on Mondays, or for one week or any other time, while using violence and intimidation to make the people comply (false imprisonment); terrorism – terrorist acts including but not limited to, allegations of involvement in the bombing/destruction of Government facilities, allegations of murder, assault, infliction of grievous bodily harm, recruiting members to use violence to achieve the end of the secession of Biafra from Nigeria, military training of members, demanding the allegiance of members by oath taking and counselling them to unleash violence against the State, intimidation and overawe of the Government/South East Governors/State and the people, and funding terrorist activities – see the various terrorism offences in Part V of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 (TPPA). In Boro & Ors v Republic (1966) LPELR-25346 (SC) per Adetokunbo Adegboyega Ademola, JSC (later CJN) the Apex Court cited the definition of Professor Gledhill of the words ‘overawe’ and ‘intimidate’ thus: “To intimidate is to deter from some course of action by threats; to overawe is to put a person in such fear, that he hesitates to do what he has a mind to do”. The activities of Ekpa and his cohorts, fit like a glove into Professor Gledhill’s definition, as they put the people of the South East in such a state of fear, that majority of the people have stayed home every Monday since 2021 when the forced sit-at-home was declared; and also into the definition of Treason and Conspiracy to Commit Treason provided in Section 37 of the Criminal Code Act 1916 (CCA) (applicable in Southern Nigeria), which both carry the death sentence upon conviction. Also see Sections 15 & 46 of the EFCC Act 2004, amongst other laws; Enahoro v Queen (1965) LPELR-25238(SC) per Chukwunweike Idigbe, JSC on the offence of Treason in Section 37 of the CCA, and the prescribed punishment of death upon being found guilty of committing the offence. In Boro & Ors v Republic (Supra) , the activities of Boro and his associates were similar to that of Ekpa and his group, the only difference being that Boro was physically present in Nigeria. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the trial court, convicting the Appellants for treason and sentencing them to death. Also see the case of Abdulmumini v FRN (2017) LPELR-43726(SC) per Ejembi Eko, JSC on how the offence of conspiracy (to commit a terrorist act) can be inferred. Hurdles to Ekpa’s Extradition There are however, some hurdles to Ekpa being extradited to Nigeria, but, this doesn’t mean that he will escape justice. By virtue of Section 6(1) of the CCF, Finnish Law Applies to an offence committed outside of Finland by a Finnish Citizen, like Ekpa is alleged to have committed in Nigeria. It is therefore, unlikely that the Finnish Government would place a request for extradition from a Requesting State, particularly one that it doesn’t have an extradition treaty with, over and above her own laws. See Section 15 of the CCF. Undoubtedly, there are hefty allegations against Simon Ekpa and his IPOB group here in Nigeria, but, Finland is also not a Commonwealth Country that the EA applies to – see Section 2(1) of the EA. The fact that Ekpa has been arrested in Finland for spreading terrorist propaganda on social media, an offence which he is alleged to have committed in Lahti, Finland in 2021, though just a tip of the iceberg of the offences he is alleged to have committed in Nigeria, could also be an obstacle to his extradition, because not only is he already facing criminal charges in Finland, Finnish law applies to him for offences he may have committed outside the country. It appears to be an advantage for Ekpa, that he is a Finnish citizen, as an easy way to have sent Ekpa to face justice in Nigeria, would have been to have had him deported to Nigeria, had he not been a Finnish citizen. Also, prison in Finland would probably be a more palatable and comfortable experience than prison in Nigeria, as such countries take basic fundamental rights like humane treatment of prisoners/inmates more seriously than we do. Had there even been an extradition treaty between Nigeria and Finland, another hurdle for Nigeria in submitting her request to Finland to extradite Ekpa, would have been the death penalty which is not an option for punishment in Finland, as it was fully abolished there in 1972; and Nigeria would probably have had to take the death penalty off the table, as punishment for the crimes Ekpa would be charged for in Nigeria, for Finland to acede to such request. Life imprisonment is the only possible penalty for murder, treason, terrorism and the like in Finland. Undertaking that Ekpa would have a fair hearing, and his right to humane treatment devoid of torture etc, would be respected, may also have been a condition. See Sections 36(1) & 34(1)(a) of the Constitution. Again, treason and high treason are offences in Finland and Nigeria (dual criminality). See Sections 3 & 11 of the CCF on the offence of treason and high treason, and dual criminality respectively. Providing enough evidence of treason and other violent crimes like murder, assault, inflicting grievous bodily harm, to support an application for extradition, which are extraditable offences would help. It appears that, instead, all this information may have to be provided to the Finnish Government to prosecute Ekpa there. All Is Not Lost By virtue of Section 8 of the CCF, Finnish law applies to an offence committed outside Finland, which under Finnish law is an offence punishable with imprisonment of more than six months, if the country where the offence is committed, like Nigeria, requests that charges be brought against the offender like Ekpa in a Finnish court, or that the offender be extradited and the extradition request hasn’t been granted. This provision appears to apply to anyone, not necessarily only a Finnish citizen who is an offender. So, even if Ekpa cannot be extradited, the alternative is that he can be tried in Finland, not just for the offence he has been charged for there, but for those he is charged for in Nigeria. Additionally, part of the offences of conspiracy to commit treason and terrorism appear to have been committed in Finland, while possibly the funding of Terrorism in Nigeria may have happened there too, if funds were raised in Finland. The sum and substance of this is that, there must be a robust cooperation between Nigeria and Finland to bring Simon Ekpa to justice. Nigeria and Finland are signatories to the Rome Statute of 1/7/1998 making it “the duty of every State to exercise its criminal jurisdiction over those responsible for international crimes”. Section 7 of the CCF also recognises crimes defined as international crimes under the Rome Statute. The acts of aggression of Ekpa’s IPOB group, the suffering they inflicted on the people of the South East, allegedly killing, maiming and assaulting people, and destroying government facilities appear to be examples of war crimes which form international crimes under the Rome Statute and the CCF. Conclusion As long as Simon Ekpa is brought to justice, it doesn’t matter if it is achieved in Finland or Nigeria. The venue of the trial of all Ekpa’s offences, whether those committed in Finland or outside, appears more likely to be Finland, particularly as there is no Extradition Treaty between Nigeria and Finland, Finnish law applies to her citizens for crimes committed outside the country, the Rome Statute to which Nigeria and Finland are signatories, allows Finland to prosecute Ekpa for international crimes, and so does dual criminality. If Ekpa is tried and convicted for treason, terrorism etc in Finland, the maximum punishment he will get is life imprisonment. Unfortunately, life imprisonment doesn’t necessarily mean life in prison in Finland, as life imprisonment could be as short as 13 years imprisonment. But, still, punishing Simon Ekpa to the fullest extent of the law in Finland, will serve as a lesson to those who believe that because they are outside Nigeria, the law cannot catch up with them, since they are physically out of reach. Who knows if the Nigerian Government will be able to come to some sort of compromise with the Finnish Government, that if Simon Ekpa is convicted for treason and terrorism, the punishment of life imprisonment should mean life, since those offences carry the death penalty in Nigeria.

ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. He was 100 years old . The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday afternoon, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. The center said he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. “To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” Biden said in a statement. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.” Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. A moderate Democrat, Carter ran for president in 1976 as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter said. Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded that he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiate cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to eradicate guinea worm infections as one of many health initiatives. Swinging hammers into their 90s, the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased that he lived long enough to see biographers and historians revisit his presidency and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters tired of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief" and enrolling daughter, Amy, in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America's dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. Emphasizing human rights , he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise" speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter's diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. married fellow Plains native Rosalynn Smith in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and they soon turned their ambitions to politics . Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After a 2015 cancer diagnosis, Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” he said. “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Sanz is a former Associated Press reporter.

QUÉBEC — Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard tabled an economic update on Thursday with $2.1 billion in new spending over five years amid what he described as a stronger-than-expected recovery from last year's economic slowdown. Girard painted a positive picture of the province's finances despite a projected $11-billion deficit that remains unchanged from March's budget. "Quebec is progressing," he told reporters. "The return of inflation to a low and predictable level, combined with the reduction in interest rates, favours economic recovery in Quebec in 2024 and 2025." He said real GDP growth is expected to be 1.2 per cent in 2024, compared with the 0.6 per cent that was expected. However, spending is also up, with Girard pointing to expenses related to record-breaking flooding this summer and increased health and social services costs. The new spending he announced includes more than $250 million for the forestry sector and $1.2 billion for community development, including $880 million for public transit. The government is also setting aside $250 million to assist flood victims and rebuild infrastructure following post-Tropical Storm Debby, and $208 million to promote access to housing. Girard told reporters the government is still reviewing its spending as it moves toward its goal of balancing the budget by the 2029-30 fiscal year, with more details to be provided in next year's budget. As part of the review, the government decided that Quebecers between the ages of 60 and 64 will no longer be eligible for a tax credit that was introduced in 2012 to encourage older workers to stay in the workforce. Girard said Thursday the average age of retirement in Quebec has risen to 64.7 years in 2023 from just over 61 years in 2011. "For people between the ages of 60 and 64 years old, the historic gap that existed with Ontario has practically disappeared," he said. Nearly 200,000 60- to 64-year-olds are expected to lose out on an average of about $1,000 per year due to the changing eligibility. The government is also clawing back the amount of the credit for higher earners who are 65 and over, beginning at $56,500 in net revenue. Those who make over $81,500 will get no tax credit. These changes are expected to save the government about $200 million per year, said Girard, adding that "people expect us to review measures and eliminate those that are no longer justified." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024. — With files from Morgan Lowrie in Montreal Caroline Plante, The Canadian PressMINNEAPOLIS -- For the second time this year, a would-be Vikings blowout turned into a game they had to sweat out against their biggest rivals. But for the second time, they hung on for a two-point win. This one means they will play for the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs next Sunday. After taking 17-point leads twice, the Vikings had to get two first downs to run out the clock and hang on for a 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. But they finished their home schedule with their first sweep of the Packers since 2017 and won 14 games in a season for the first time since 1998. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that Brooke L. Rollins, the CEO of the America First Policy Institute and a senior aide during his first administration, was his choice to become Agriculture secretary. Rollins was director of the Domestic Policy Council in Trump’s first term, director of the Office of American Innovation, and a presidential assistant for strategic initiatives. She founded the pro-Trump America First Policy Institute think tank and America First Works, an advocacy group, four years ago. She’s a native of Texas and was a policy director for GOP Gov. Rick Perry, who was Trump’s first Energy secretary. “Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American Farmers, who are truly the backbone of our country,” Trump said in a statement posted to his Truth Social account. He said she is committed to “the restoration of Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns.” Trump’s pledge to slap tariffs on goods imports, particularly from China, are expected to bring retaliation that could cost U.S. agriculture billions of dollars in lost foreign sales — as happened in his first term. The Agriculture Department spent nearly $30 billion to compensate farmers for the losses until the U.S. reached a trade deal with China. Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, praised Rollins’ selection, saying that she has a good relationship with the Texas state farm bureau. “We’re encouraged by her statement that she’d ‘fight for America’s farmers and our nation’s agricultural communities,'” Duvall said in a statement. “Effective leadership at USDA is more important than ever as farmers and ranchers face a struggling agricultural economy.” Rollins was one of several leaders of think tanks and other groups who wrote to congressional leaders in September 2023 urging Congress to reject a supplemental funding request from President Joe Biden to aid Ukraine, provide disaster relief in the U.S., and to manage the Southwest border. Rollins and the others said Congress should deal with them through regular appropriations bills. If confirmed, Rollins would become the second woman to lead USDA; the first, Ann Veneman, served under President George W. Bush. Rollins would manage a sprawling agency that oversees over $200 billion a year in federal spending, with around 70 percent dedicated to nutrition programs, largely food stamps. Next year will be a pivotal one for USDA programs as lawmakers and the Trump administration attempt to hammer out a new multiyear farm bill; lawmakers ran out of time in the 118th Congress and are now prepping a one-year extension. On Friday night, Trump named Russ Vought as his prospective nominee for another stint as budget director . Vought has called for deep cuts in farm price supports and nutrition programs, including through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements for adults without disabilities.

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy asked MicroStrategy Inc MSTR Chairman Michael Saylor in a recent interview to explain Bitcoin BTC/USD to him in a way that he can understand. This was after Portnoy recently said he sold his Bitcoin after the Winklevoss twins confused him back in 2020. What Happened : When it comes to Bitcoin history and education, Saylor is one of the most popular names and one of the largest holders thanks to the balance sheet strategy of MicroStrategy, the software company he co-founded. "I want to know what I got wrong about Bitcoin," Portnoy asked Saylor during a recent interview. Saylor shared several sports metaphors to help explain Bitcoin and its future to Portnoy. "There's some games you can't play, but can watch," Saylor said. Saylor said there are some games you can't play, like if a team you watch in person wins a bunch, the season tickets might get more expensive. Some games you can play, but they might be rigged like casino games being in favor of the house, Saylor added. "Satoshi created a game that is rigged in favor of the individual. Satoshi gave us a game we can all win. Bitcoin is that game," Saylor said of the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. Saylor said with Bitcoin you could be winning the game over time. He then dropped an analogy of playing alongside two of the greatest NBA players of all time. "Wouldn't it be great if you had a basketball team, you had LeBron James, you had Michael Jordan , you had the digital version of them and they play forever. You can get on the court and play with them." Saylor said that James and Jordan might score 100 points and you might score only two, but you're "getting rich together." "Everyone gets to play. You don't just win the game, you get wealthy while you win the game." Read Also : Here’s How Much $100 In Bitcoin Could Be Worth In 2030 If Cathie Wood’s Price Target Is Reached Why It's Important : Portnoy recently said he bought $2 million worth of Bitcoin at $11,000 per coin, before selling the crypto after holding a discussion with Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. "I've been chasing it ever since. Dave is sad," Portnoy tweeted recently. Asking Saylor the question and listening to the sports analogies could help Portnoy and others understand the game of cryptocurrency. Saylor has a long-standing strategy of continuing to buy Bitcoin no matter the price. On Monday, it was revealed MicroStrategy purchased 21,550 Bitcoin for $2.1 billion in the first week of December. MicroStrategy now owns 423,650 Bitcoin worth an estimated $42 billion. "We have a simple strategy and our strategy is we just acquire Bitcoin, and we hold the Bitcoin," Saylor told Benzinga in a previous interview. Saylor said investors focus on scarce and desirable investments. "And of course we happen to think that Bitcoin is the highest-quality scarce desirable property." Saylor told Benzinga that Bitcoin is the "highest-quality, best asset in the world" at the time. "Everything else in the world is inferior to Bitcoin. So, if you give me $1 million and said what do you want to buy, I don't want to buy a sports tea, I don't want to buy a building, I don't want to buy a company ... all I want to buy is Bitcoin." Watch Benzinga's past interview with Saylor below. Read Next: Musk, Cuban, Or Saylor: Who’s The Biggest Crypto Influencer? Benzinga Readers Have An Overwhelming Favorite Photo: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.More empty promises from politicians is not the answer to what ails us today. The answer will come from our local communities, nonprofit leader Rich Harwood writes. 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Israel launches new strikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to ceasefire with Hezbollah(The Center Square) – Paula Scanlan is hopeful the narrative around gender ideology is shifting, especially as Republicans prepare for majorities in both chambers of the 119th Congress and a seat in the White House. “I am hopeful that with the majorities now that we will be able to get across the finish line,” Scanlan told The Center Square on Thursday, speaking of more legislation on the way to protect women's spaces. “Obviously, this goes beyond sports ... So ideally, I think that the biggest thing would be to federally pass something that says this is what a woman is.” Scanlan a day earlier was part of a panel where U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., announced that Republicans plan to soon introduce legislation to “protect children from transgender medical procedures.” A report from the advocacy group Do No Harm released four weeks before Election Day included documented evidence of such activity being performed on a 7-year-old . “We’ll be introducing the STOP Act soon,” said Marshall . “We are going to use the Commerce Act to punish people who perform any type of surgery, or who use any type of medications on minors.” STOP is an acronym for Safeguarding the Overall Protection of Minors. The panel said that the legislation is an important and necessary step to protect children. Scanlan and Marshall, a host with the American Principles Project, were on the panel alongside U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill.; Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project; and Sarah Parshall Perry, senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation. “We all know by now that so-called gender affirming care is anything but caring,” Tuberville said. “It is pure insanity and has caused irreversible damage to countless children. This isn’t about politics, this is about good and evil.” Scanlan is an ambassador for Independent Women's Voice and a former collegiate swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania. Swimming for the Quakers, she and teammates endured being not only on the same team but in the same locker room as a swimmer who for the first three years swam on the men's team. “I was a swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania and the administration, the university and the NCAA said , ‘Here's a man who wants to swim on your team, please accept him,’” she explained during the panel. “This entire situation really made all female athletes feel isolated and alone, and like they know where to go.” Scanlan said that it wasn’t just competing that isolated the female athletes. “Eighteen times per week, my teammates and I were forced to undress next to a 6-foot-4, fully-intact male,” Scanlan said. “As a female athlete, this was just something I couldn't even imagine. It was something I never imagined would happen to me when I went off to college.” The STOP Act is one of a few beginnings. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., has proposed legislation seeking to protect women’s spaces on all federal property nationwide. This would include bathrooms, locker rooms and prisons. Scanlan said this shows that public opinion is on the side of her and the panel. “This is really the first time we're seeing more of these people in power stepping up and actually doing the right thing and saying enough is enough” she said. “Now, we are looking at entire teams that are feeling empowered to be able to boycott ... or object to competing against males. It's widespread.” A notable case of that is San Jose State, where Blaire Fleming's participation has led to seven opponents forfeiting rather than playing a women's team that includes a man saying he is a woman. Tuberville and Marshall emphasized they believe the majority of Americans would agree with the proposed legislation. "The American people are sick of this nonsense," Tuberville said . "It’s time we restore some sanity and get common sense back in this country." Scanlan said that while she supports the national legislation Republicans are considering, it is important for states to also continue to pass legislation. “I always remind people who are really excited about having a presidency that we don't know what might happen in four years," she said. "So, of course, it's also important to codify this in states. We are going to continue our efforts. There's still a lot of work to be done, and I don't really see it as a win until we've finished this on the state level.”Tyrese Hunter tossed in a game-high 26 points to lead Memphis to a 99-97 upset victory over No. 2 UConn on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational in Lahaina, Hawaii. Hunter, who played at Iowa State and Texas before transferring to Memphis, made eight field goals with 7-of-10 3-point shooting. The Tigers (5-0) connected on 12 of their 22 3-point attempts in the win. UConn's Hassan Diarra made a free throw to cut the Memphis lead to 99-97 with 2.2 seconds left. He intentionally missed the second free throw and collected the loose ball, but his desperation shot was off the mark. It was 92-92 when UConn's Liam McNeeley was called for an offensive foul with 40.3 seconds left. UConn coach Dan Hurley received a technical for arguing the foul call, and PJ Carter made all four free throws to give the Tigers a four-point lead. Memphis, which squandered a 13-point lead with four minutes to play in regulation, received 22 points from PJ Haggerty, 19 from Colby Rogers and 14 from Dain Dainja. Memphis will play the winner of Monday night's game between Colorado and Michigan State in Tuesday's semifinals. UConn will face the loser of that contest. Tarris Reed Jr. had a team-high 22 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for UConn (4-1) before he fouled out with 3:18 to play. He made 10 of his 13 field goal attempts. Alex Karaban added 19 points for the Huskies. Jaylin Stewart scored a career-high 16 points, Diarra had 12 and McNeeley added 10. UConn trailed 82-79 after Diarra made two free throws with 24.2 seconds to play in regulation. The Huskies then forced a turnover and tied the game on a 3-pointer by Solo Ball with 1.2 on the clock. Although Memphis shot 56.5 percent from the field (13 for 23) and 50 percent from 3-point territory (5 for 10) in the first half, the game was tied 40-40 after 20 minutes. Neither team led by more than six points in the half. UConn received 29 points from its bench in the first half. Reed scored 15 of those points and Stewart supplied the other 14. --Field Level Media

So ends one of the wildest weeks in recent memory for the Nebraska football program. The one-week overlap of high school recruiting, transfer portal entries, coaching changes and bowl game decisions meant there were highs and lows for Nebraska fans to go through — but the program’s leader wasn’t bothered by the departures and changes that hit the Huskers. “If we have good players and we have good coaches, then people are gonna come try to get them,” Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule said on Wednesday. “If no one’s trying to take our players, it means we’re in trouble.” With news to break down in each of those areas, let’s drop into coverage: Nebraska’s defensive coaching staff will look much different in 2025 compared to 2024, but Rhule is hopeful that the defense itself won’t change much. Defensive coordinator Tony White is off to Florida State and has taken defensive line coach Terrance Knighton with him, a major blow to a Nebraska defense that ranked inside the top 20 nationally each of the last two seasons. Knighton was one of Rhule’s best hires for his initial Nebraska coaching staff. The defensive line, presumed to be a question mark in 2023, instead became a strength of the team. Players like Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher reached new heights under Knighton’s coaching, while several young Huskers also made an impact up front. There’s plenty of returning talent in the defensive line room even after some roster turnover, but NU’s next defensive line coach will have big expectations to continue Knighton’s good work at the position. As for White, he implemented his 3-3-5 scheme to great success a year ago, but Nebraska lined up slightly differently this fall with a four-man rush utilized far more often than in 2023. He’ll be a good fit at Florida State, while Nebraska has turned to John Butler in the interim to lead its defense. There’s no doubting Butler’s pedigree as a former NFL defensive mind, and his influence showed up in the way the Nebraska defense operated this season. Whether it’s Butler or an external hire who leads the Nebraska defense next season, continuity on that side of the ball is the expectation. “The defense isn’t going to change, but the offense is going to be better,” Rhule said. That optimism is underscored by the return of Dana Holgorsen as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator. Having brought in his own wide receivers coach, Daikiel Shorts Jr., Holgorsen will begin transforming the Nebraska offense this spring after the team’s bowl game. Nebraska signed a 20-player recruiting class on Wednesday that is loaded with talent across the board. While recruits can still sign with teams in February, expect Nebraska to be finished along the recruiting trail — and that means it’s time to take stock of the players in its 2025 recruiting class. Here are five of those signees who should impact the long-term future of the Husker football team. First up is linebacker Dawson Merritt. The highest-ranked signee in NU’s 2025 class was an Alabama commit for a reason, and it’s because the pass-rushing potential he shows. Set to be an off-ball linebacker and hybrid edge rusher at Nebraska, Merritt is the type of player who can make an impact early in his collegiate career. If he reaches his long-term potential, Merritt should be an NFL prospect when he leaves Nebraska. Nebraska also landed a top playmaking prospect in wide receiver Cortez Mills. Another wide receiver recruit, Isaiah Mozee, will provide an impact — but Mills is the all-around prospect who could dominate targets in a year or two’s time. The fast, athletic pass-catcher knows how to run himself open against coverage and excels at winning in one-on-one situations. Quarterback Dylan Raiola will like playing with Mills. In the secondary, cornerback Bryson Webber should be a starter down the road. His status as a former wide receiver gives him the ball skills Nebraska is after the spot, and Webber’s long, athletic frame will help him against opposing wide receivers. He may not be a day-one starter at cornerback, but Webber will make the position his own in the years which follow. Another explosive playmaker on offense is running back Jamarion Parker. Having signed alongside Bishop Neumann’s Conor Booth, Parker could be the lightning to Booth’s thunder as a one-two running back punch in the years which follow. A big-play threat and tough runner, Parker is an all-around talent who Nebraska and Holgorsen will find a way to utilize. The final pick is linebacker Christian Jones. Hard-nosed, athletic inside linebackers are hard to come by, but Jones is one of the rare few who could have a future at the position. He’s a top athlete who could push for playing time early in his career. For those interested, here are the five players I identified from NU’s 2024 class one year ago: Dylan Raiola, Carter Nelson, Willis McGahee IV, Mario Buford and Grant Brix. While Jacory Barney Jr. is a notable miss from that list, all but Brix played in at least 10 games and had an impact as freshmen. Nebraska’s transfer portal entrants have begun trickling out, and there will be many more which follow as a result of the 105-player roster limit teams must abide with next season. Many of the toughest departures to stomach have come on defense, where a veteran-heavy group will look much different in terms of its personnel next season. Defensive lineman Jimari Butler, a two-year starter at the position, has decided to move on. So have linebackers Mikai Gbayor and Stefon Thompson — who might’ve been starters next season — and rising young defenders Princewill Umanmielen, James Williams and Kai Wallin. Williams, Wallin and Umanmielen were all impactful defenders for Nebraska this fall, but their status as pass-rushing specialists still left room for improvement as all-around defenders. Butler and Gbayor, however, would’ve been pegged as no-doubt veteran starters, so their choice to move on will impact NU’s defensive strength. No entry was more surprising than that of running back Emmett Johnson, a player who emerged as NU’s top rusher late in the 2024 season. The up-and-down nature of Johnson’s Nebraska career — he showed flashes down the stretch in 2023 and was hardly utilized this fall prior to Holgorsen taking over — may have impacted his decision to seek out a new opportunity. Nebraska’s transfer portal targets will become clearer in the coming days, but one player has already stated his interest in the Huskers. Fresno State linebacker Phoenix Jackson, a multi-year starter at the position, announced on social media that Auburn, Indiana, Nebraska and SMU are the four teams he’s considering transferring to. Prior to learning its bowl opponent, Nebraska had a light week of practice before things get intense later this month. The Huskers practiced on Tuesday and Thursday last week with its veterans sitting out as younger players got reps in front of their coaches instead. Rhule said he expects Nebraska to practice from Tuesday to Thursday this week, with another day on Saturday during which the Huskers could bring transfer portal visitors to campus. “Being in bowl practice right now is exactly what this team needs, exactly what we need moving forward,” Rhule said. “I saw guys practice (Tuesday) and look like I haven’t seen them look all year.” After his firing at Nebraska, former head coach Scott Frost didn’t need to rush into his next coaching job, instead waiting for a situation and school that made sense for him. While it didn’t work out in Lincoln, there’s no denying the success Frost had at UCF. The in-state talent around the school and Frost’s offense made for a great fit, even if he only had two seasons to show it. The Knights are no longer in the AAC, though, instead having moved to a new-look Big 12 which has the makings of a difficult conference. It’s a good fit for Frost, but there’ll still be an element of pressure for him to deliver results and show that he can rebuild the program once again. Get local news delivered to your inbox!From Humza Yousaf’s demise to Donald Trump’s return, 2024 was an unpredictable rollercoaster in politics

( MENAFN - Gulf Times) The deadliest air accident ever in South Korea killed 179 people yesterday, when an airliner belly-landed and skidded off the end of the runway, erupting in a fireball as it slammed into a wall at Muan International Airport. Jeju Air flight 7C2216, arriving from the Thai capital Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew on board, was trying to land shortly after 9am (0000 GMT) at the airport in the south of the country, South Korea's transport Ministry said. Two crew members survived and were being treated for injuries. The deadliest air accident on South Korean soil was also the worst involving a South Korean airline in nearly three decades, the transport ministry said. The twin-engine Boeing 737-800 was seen in local media video skidding down the runway with no visible landing gear before crashing into navigation equipment and a wall in an explosion of flames and debris. “Only the tail part retains a little bit of shape, and the rest of (the plane) looks almost impossible to recognise,” Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun told a press briefing. The two crew members, a man and a woman, were rescued from the tail section of the burning plane, Lee said. They were being treated at hospitals with medium to severe injuries, said the head of the local public health centre. Authorities combed nearby areas for bodies possibly thrown from the plane, Lee said. Investigators are examining bird strikes and weather conditions as possible factors, Lee said. Yonhap news agency cited airport authorities as saying that a bird strike may have caused the landing gear to malfunction. The crash was the worst for any South Korean airline since a 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam that killed more than 200 people, transportation ministry data showed. The previous worst on South Korean soil was an Air China crash that killed 129 in 2002. Experts said that the bird strike report and the way the aircraft attempted to land raised more questions than answers. “A bird strike is not unusual, problems with an undercarriage are not unusual,” said Airline News editor Geoffrey Thomas.“Bird strikes happen far more often, but typically they don't cause the loss of an airplane by themselves.” Under global aviation rules, South Korea will lead a civil investigation into the crash and automatically involve the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States where the plane was designed and built. The NTSB said later that it is leading a team of US investigators to help South Korea's aviation authority. Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration are taking part. Hours after the crash, family members gathered in the airport's arrival area, some crying and hugging as Red Cross volunteers handed out blankets. Many victims appeared to be residents of nearby areas returning from vacation, officials said. Families screamed and wept as a medic announced the names of victims identified by their fingerprints. Papers were circulated for families to write down their contact details. One relative stood at a microphone to ask for more information from authorities. “My older brother died and I don't know what's going on,” he said.“I don't know.” Another asked journalists not to film. “We are not monkeys in a zoo,” he said.“We are the bereaved families.” Mortuary vehicles lined up outside to take bodies away, and authorities said a temporary morgue had been established. The crash site smelled of aviation fuel and blood, according to Reuters witnesses. Workers in protective suits and masks combed the area while soldiers searched through bushes. The control tower issued a bird strike warning and shortly afterward the pilots declared mayday and then attempted to land from the opposite direction, a transport ministry official said. A passenger texted a relative to say a bird was stuck in the wing, the News1 agency reported. The person's final message was:“Should I say my last words?” The aircraft was manufactured in 2009, the transport ministry said. The Boeing model involved in the crash, a 737-800, is one of the world's most flown airliners with a generally strong safety record. It was developed well before the MAX variant involved in a recent Boeing safety crisis. Boeing said in an e-mailed statement:“We are in contact with Jeju Air regarding flight 2216 and stand ready to support them. We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew.” The two CFM56-7B26 engines were manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and France's Safran, the transport ministry said. A CFM spokesperson said:“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jeju Air flight 2216. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of those on board.” Jeju Air chief executive Kim E-bae has apologised for the accident, bowing deeply during a televised briefing. He said that the aircraft had no record of accidents and there were no early signs of malfunction. The airline will co-operate with investigators and make supporting the bereaved its top priority, Kim said. No abnormal conditions were reported when the aircraft left Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, said Kerati Kijmanawat, president of Airports of Thailand. The passengers included two Thai nationals and the rest are believed to be South Koreans, according to the transportation ministry. It was the first fatal flight for Jeju Air, a low-cost airline founded in 2005 that ranks behind only Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines in terms of the number of passengers in South Korea. The accident happened only three weeks after Jeju Air started regular flights from Muan to Bangkok and other Asian cities on December 8. Muan International is one of South Korea's smallest airports but it has become much busier in recent years. All domestic and international flights at the airport were cancelled after the accident, Yonhap reported. South Korean acting President Choi Sang-mok, named interim leader of the country on Friday in an ongoing political crisis, arrived at the scene of the accident and said that the government is putting all its resources into dealing with the crash. Two Thai women were on the plane, aged 22 and 45, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said. The Thai foreign ministry later confirmed both were among those killed. The embassy in Seoul is co-ordinating with the South Koreans and arranging for family members to travel from Thailand, the ministry said in a statement. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra sent condolences to the families of the dead and injured in a post on X, saying that she had instructed the foreign ministry to provide assistance. World leaders meanwhile sent condolences to South Korea. Chinese President Xi Jinping said that he was“shocked” to learn of the crash, in a message to South Korea's Acting President Choi. “I express our deep condolences to the victims, sincere sympathy for the victims' families, and wish those injured a speedy recovery,” he said, quoted by China's state broadcaster CCTV. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said that she was“heartbroken to see images of the plane crash in Muan”. “As your partner, Europe stands with you in this time of grief,” the European Commission president said. Pope Francis, who visited South Korea a decade ago, told worshippers at the Vatican that he joins“in prayer for the survivors and the dead”. “My thoughts are with the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic plane crash,” he said. France's foreign ministry said that Paris learnt“with great emotion the terrible toll” and sends condolences to the affected families. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the crash is“yet another blow to the nation's heart” after“a difficult period” – alluding to weeks of political turmoil in Seoul. “This is an incredible loss and pain” for the friends and families of those killed, he said. Tehran expressed its“condolences and sympathy to the government and people of the Republic of Korea and Thailand”, the departure point of the plane which had two Thai nationals on board. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei addressed“the families of the victims, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured of this tragic incident”. “We are shocked and saddened by the accident involving Jeju Air flight 7C2216,” the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents some 340 airlines that comprise 80% of air traffic, said in a statement.“Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and crew on the flight and their loved ones.” “We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash that occurred at Muan International Airport in our friend, the Republic of Korea,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a post on X. MENAFN29122024000067011011ID1109040161 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

The leader of Kurdish separatist group PKK said he’s ready to cooperate with the Turkish government in a bid to end a long-running conflict that’s claimed thousands of lives, according to a statement by the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party, or DEM, on Sunday. “Re-strengthening the Turkish-Kurdish fellowship has not only become a historical responsibility, but also of fateful importance and urgency for all peoples,” Abdullah Ocalan was cited as saying. “I am ready to take the necessary positive step and make the necessary call,” he said when a party delegation met him on Saturday at Imrali Island, where he’s been imprisoned since his capture in 1999. “I have the competence and determination to contribute positively to the new paradigm that Mr. Bahceli and Mr. Erdogan are empowering,” Ocalan said in the statement, referring to the leader of the ultra-nationalist MHP party Devlet Bahceli and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In October, Bahceli had called for Ocalan’s solitary confinement to be lifted and for him to be allowed to speak in parliament and urge the PKK to lay down arms. Erdogan supported his ally’s call. Bahceli’s remarks were seen as an unexpected shift, given his party’s historically hard-line stance against the Kurdish movement. One day after Bahceli’s call, PKK attacked Turkish state defense firm Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc., killing five people. PKK said at the time that the attack had been planned “a long time ago” and wasn’t connected to the recent “political agenda.” Although Ocalan no longer directs the PKK’s day-to-day operations, he’s still revered by the movement’s commanders. At the same time, any peace deal negotiated by him would mean little if the PKK refused to sign onto it. The Kurdish-backed militant group, which has been waging a war for autonomy in Turkey’s southeast since 1984, is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., Turkey and the European Union. Turkey regards the armed wing of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party of Syria, known as the People’s Protection Units or YPG, as an affiliate of PKK. YPG, which seeks autonomy for Syria’s Kurds, has shown a willingness to work with any power capable of advancing that goal. Syrian Kurds control a zone in Syria’s northeast. On Sunday, Turkey’s Industry and Technology Minister Fatih Kacir announced a new initiative aimed at revitalizing the country’s southeast, an area long affected by clashes with the PKK. The plan, to include $14 billion in investments over the next three years, focuses on agriculture in the region where the population is mostly Kurdish. The southeastern provinces, once a center of intense fighting between PKK and Turkish military, have struggled with underdevelopment and economic instability. ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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