The proponent of the proposed national commission for the co-ordination and control of the proliferation against small arms, ammunitions and light weapons in Nigeria, NATCOM, Dr. Baba Mohammed, has congratulated Christian faithful and Nigerians on the celebration of this year’s Christmas. Dr. Mohammed in a press statement issued in Abuja said, “it is a celebration of God’s love and mercy to mankind.” The NATCOM bill proponent Dr. Mohammed who is also the Madaki of Ankpa, noted that the celebration of Christmas, is not merely a fanfare but an admonition to the people to have forbearance and show compassion in every situation. The Madakin Ankpa in the spirit of the Christmas celebration called on governments at all levels to be deliberate in initiating measures that will ease the economic hardship, insecurity and other social vices that confront Nigerians. He however, sued for calm, patience and tolerance on the part of citizens especially in the face of the Tinubu led government to put Nigeria in its pride of place. The NATCOM bill proponent specially felicitated with president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his Vice, Kashim Shettima, the leadership of the national assembly and the secretary to the government of the federation Senator George Akume on the occasion of Christmas. The rest are the chief of staff to the president RT. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the national security adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the chief of defence staff, General Christopher Musa and other service chiefs, expressing confidence that Nigeria shall be great again under president Tinubu. It will be recalled that the NATCOM bill proposed by Dr. Baba Mohammed is in line with ECOWAS convention 2006 and to which Nigeria is a signatory. He therefore wishes Christians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
ATLANTA (AP) — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington . As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race , held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating residents’ pets , he didn't just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.2025 Carnival To Be Held From June 11–16Moore’s Law at 60: get the Intel on the next few decades
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WASHINGTON — Matt Gaetz withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer. The announcement caps a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth , who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators in an effort to win their support, said in a statement. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he added. Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” He did not immediately announce a new selection. Last week, he named personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible contender, Matt Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. The withdrawal, just a week after the pick was announced, averts what was shaping up to be a pitched confirmation fight that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to support Trump’s Cabinet picks. The selection of the fierce Trump ally over well-regarded veteran lawyers whose names had circulated as possible contenders stirred concern for the Justice Department's independence at a time when Trump has openly threatened to seek retribution against political adversaries. It underscored the premium Trump places on personal loyalty and reflected the president-elect's desire to have a disruptor lead a Justice Department that for years investigated and ultimately indicted him. In the Senate, deeply skeptical lawmakers sought more information about Justice Department and congressional investigations into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls, which Gaetz has denied. Meanwhile, Justice Department lawyers were taken aback by the pick of a partisan lawmaker with limited legal experience who has echoed Trump's claims of a weaponized criminal justice system. As Gaetz sought to lock down Senate support, concern over the sex trafficking allegations showed no signs of abating. In recent days, an attorney for two women said his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Leppard has said that his client testified she didn’t think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, stopped their relationship when he found out and did not resume it until after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18. "They’re grateful for the opportunity to move forward with their lives,” Leppard said Thursday of his clients. “They’re hoping that this brings final closure for all the parties involved.” Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department’s investigation ended last year with no charges against him. Gaetz’s political future is uncertain. He had abruptly resigned his congressional seat upon being selected as attorney general, a move seen as a way to shut down the ethics investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He did win reelection in November for the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, 2025, but he said in his resignation letter last week to House Speaker Mike Johnson that he did not intend to take the oath of office. He transmitted a similar letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as the state launched a special election process to fill the vacancy. Republicans on the House Ethics Committee declined this week to release the panel's findings, over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter. As word of Gaetz's decision spread across the Capitol, Republican senators seemed divided. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, called it a “positive move." Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” Others said they had hoped Gaetz could have overhauled the department. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close ally of Trump, said he was “disappointed. I like Matt and I think he would have changed the way DOJ is run.” Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said he hoped that Trump will pick someone “equally as tenacious and equally as committed to rooting out and eliminating bias and politicization at the DOJ.” Gaetz is not the only Trump pick facing congressional scrutiny over past allegations. A detailed investigative police report made public Wednesday shows that a woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth, the former Fox News host now tapped to lead the Pentagon, after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared,” Hegseth told reporters Thursday at the Capitol, where he was meeting with senators to build support for his nomination. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report.
Winnipeg to implement new homelessness plan in 2025MIAMI — The sense of dread proved all too real Tuesday, with the Miami Heat announcing that guard Dru Smith sustained a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon in Monday night’s victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Having recently emerged as a prime rotation component in his comeback from his season-ending knee injury a year ago, Smith was helped off the court with 8:18 left in Monday night’s second quarter, a collective shudder enveloping Kaseya Center. For his coach and teammates, this was more than a player on a two-way contract going down. It was seeing it happen again. Last November, Smith shredded his right knee on a misstep off a ledge on the Cleveland Cavaliers court. Then came Monday, with Smith still wearing a protective brace on his right knee. “You don’t want to see anybody get hurt,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “But we all have such incredible deep respect for his journey, what he’s had to overcome. I’ve been in the building all those times the last year, when nobody else was here and he was doing all the extensive treatment and rehab around the clock. He just has incredible fortitude. So you end up absolutely rooting for guys like Dru.” The non-contact injury came with the Heat facing a Sunday deadline to sign another player to a standard contract, required to get back to 14 under standard deals within 14 days of the recent trade of center Thomas Bryant to the Indiana Pacers. That spot was expected to go to Smith, which still could be the case. Such an elevation would more than double Smith’s salary from his two-way deal. The loss of Smith further exacerbates the Heat’s lack of depth at point guard. Among outside options are elevating undrafted rookie guard Isaiah Stevens from the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, or outside available free agents such as Dennis Smith Jr. or Elfrid Payton. For now, according to a source, the Heat later this week will upgrade two-way forward Keshad Johnson to a standard contract and then add another two-way player, likely Stevens. As of now, it appears Dru Smith will remain under Heat two-way contract. Johnson eventually could be flipped back to a Heat two-way deal. But personnel machinations hardly were on the mind in the wake of Smith, who turns 27 on Dec. 30, going down. “All we can do is pray for him,” center Bam Adebayo said. “But it’s definitely a gut punch because he’s sitting next to me on the plane and we have conversations a lot. We really talk about basketball and really reflect on just how grateful we are to have the life that we live. “So to have a guy that’s that pure have an injury, we pray for him and hope the best for him.” Since going undrafted out of Missouri in 2021, Smith has had several stints with the Heat and the team’s G League affiliate, including a season-ending knee injury in 2022 while with the Skyforce. Through it all, he earned this season’s two-way deal and persevered to a degree that teammate Jimmy Butler lobbied for Smith’s elevation into the first unit. Recently, Smith arguably had been at the top of his NBA game. And then came Monday night. “I feel like it’s been the last week and a half, two weeks, he’s really been playing well,” guard Tyler Herro said. “But all the work he put in to come back from the knee injury last year and where he was at before tonight, it’s just really unfortunate to see him go down. “He’s one of my favorite teammates, one of my favorite players to play with. So it’s really heartbreaking. So it’s unfortunate.” ©2024 South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Visit sun-sentinel.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.ABC of AKD’s plans to handle the ‘Economy Stupid’
A peculiar Vancouver home listing shared on social media has garnered attention thanks to some interesting details and digitally decorated pictures. Located in East Vancouver’s Collingwood neighbourhood, the home is up for sale for a decent amount compared to its assessed value. The home, located at 5530 College Street, is for sale for $1,599,000, thanks to a price drop from the original asking price of $1,999,000. It was most recently assessed for $1,835,600 and features six bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 1,819 sq ft of space. The listing begins with a splash, with a simple: “WOW!!!” “Investors, developers, money printing machine!” It adds that the home, which received some upgrades in 2020, is in a five-star location “of the Heart of East Vancouver” and is “very solid and livable.” We’ve never seen a listing quite like this one from Royal Pacific Realty. The magic of the listing is when you look at the pictures. Most have a dream-like filter over them, and most are digitally decorated with flowers and other goodies. The real estate watcher who shared the listing on X asked, “ ?” A picture of one of the bedrooms has a bow on a chair next to a bed that reads, “bad hot girl.” The home has been up for sale since November 2022, and the price has changed numerous times. The listing also promises a bonus for fast transaction completion. The listing says, “Only one chance in your lifetime,” adding, “Action now if you are smart buyer.” Some who responded to the social media post about the listing actually liked it, with one X user saying, “That’s awesome!” Others found it strange, with one X user saying, “This is sure something.” Share your thoughts about this peculiar listing in the comments.AOC Monitors Announces 2024 Black Friday Cyber Monday Holiday DealsSporting the NFL’s second-best record at 9-2, the Bills enjoyed a well-deserved bye week after handing the Chiefs their first loss of the season in Week 11. With a big game against the 49ers this coming Sunday back at Orchard Park, it’s no surprise to find Buffalo firmly inside the Top 5 in this week’s Power Rankings around the league, with some experts ranking Sean McDermott’s side as high as No. 2 behind the Lions. Sporting News – 2nd “The Bills enjoyed a bye week but couldn't make up any more ground on the Chiefs after Josh Allen came through big time with big support from the defense in Week 12.” - Vinnie Iyer NFL.com - 2nd “Buffalo got to sit back on its Week 12 bye with a 9-2 record, having won six straight, culminating with a big win over Kansas City. Part of the Bills' bye-week viewing likely included the Chiefs' struggles to put the Panthers away, which had to make the week of rest even better. Buffalo all but has the AFC East wrapped up, and it still has a puncher's chance to wrestle away the AFC's top seed from Kansas City, thanks to the head-to-head win and a stretch run that is far easier than the Chiefs'. Buffalo will come out of the bye with a home game against the suddenly sinking 5-6 49ers. There also are games left against the Rams, Jets and Patriots (twice), as well as a showdown against the Lions in Detroit that could serve as a Super Bowl sneak peek. All told, the Bills are in great shape, and they appear to be getting a little healthier, too.” - Eric Edholm ESPN – 4th “Currently riding a six-game winning streak, the Bills' FPI rankings reflect just how well this team is performing despite dealing with injuries and changes on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Josh Allen and the offense are second in points margin per game (9.6), and the team leads the league in turnover margin (14). There are still some areas to monitor, as reflected in Tyler Bass being 25th in field goal percentage (86.4%) and missing four extra point attempts so far.” - Alaina Getzenberg Pro Football Talk – 2nd “It’s the annual Chris Berman Super Bowl prediction from pretty much every year of the 1990s, when the 49ers come to town. The Bills could be getting them at the perfect time.” - Mike Florio
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half the weight of a typical lithium-ion battery. Netherlands-based VC Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam led the round. It's an extension on CarbonX's €10mn capital injection announced in February, capping off the funding round at a cosy €14mn. Graphite is the go-to material for lithium-ion battery anodes, which is the negative electrode responsible for storing and releasing electrons during the charging and discharging process. Its found in batteries that power everything from EVs to smartphones. The EU imports almost 100% of its graphite from China, which recently imposed restrictions on exports of the carbon-based material amid rising political tensions between Bejing and the West. "A resilient battery supply chain is crucial for global electrification," said CarbonX's co-founder Rutger van Raalten. "Yet, we don't see sufficient alternatives for locally sourcing critical raw materials such as graphite." CarbonX wants to offer European and American battery makers a way to source a... Siôn GeschwindtSmall businesses need the right kind of incentives to succeed
