None( MENAFN - Jordan Times) ABIDJAN - If you are looking for an argument in West Africa, try asking which country serves the best jollof. While Senegalese can claim to have invented the popular rice-based dish, Nigerians, Ghanaians and others across the region will fiercely defend their own recipes as the tastiest. But one thing is not in dispute: Much of the rice now used in jollof is grown not by West African farmers, but in India, Thailand and Vietnam. Rice has been cultivated in Africa for more than 3,000 years, and it is now grown by more than 35 million farmers in 40 countries across the region. After maize, it is Africa's most important food staple. Yet, Asian rice accounts for over 40 per cent of consumption in the region, making Africa the world's largest import market for the grain. Though the Senegal River Valley was one of the world's earliest rice centers, Senegal's farmers now struggle to compete in the country's urban centres against imports from India. This development is symptomatic of a wider loss of food self-reliance in Africa, owing to population growth, urbanisation, and an expanding middle class's increased demand for food. While smallholder farming and rural livelihoods still account for over half of employment on the continent, African farmers have been pushed out of local markets, and the region's overall food import bill has risen from $7.9 billion in 1993-95 to $43.6 billion in 2018-20. No region faces a more severe food-security crisis. One in five Africans, some 260 million people, most of them in rural areas, are going hungry. Progress toward the United Nations' goal of achieving“zero hunger” by 2030 stalled in 2014 and, following the supply-chain disruptions triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has gone into reverse. Sharply rising food import bills are amplifying inflation in a region where food accounts for over 40 per cent of the average consumption basket. Millions of people are being pushed into poverty. Just as COVID-19 underscored Africa's urgent need for greater vaccine self-reliance, the war in Ukraine has exposed the vulnerability that comes with dependence on food imports. That vulnerability is the product of a failed development model. Successive generations of political leaders have paid lip service to food self-reliance, while opening the flood gates for imports of“cheap foods”, many of which are heavily subsidised and considered integral to industrialisation. The systematic neglect of smallholder agriculture has created a vicious cycle, weakening urban-rural linkages, trapping farmers in poverty, and leaving urban populations dependent on volatile world markets. Building a self-reliant food system capable of providing healthy, affordable diets to all will take nothing less than a transformation of agriculture. Current yields are too low either to meet the region's growing demand for food or to support more resilient rural livelihoods. In Bangladesh, a hectare of farmland produces an average of five tons of rice per harvest, which is more than double the level in Nigeria. Similarly, yields for maize, the main food staple in eastern and southern Africa, are less than half the average for Southeast Asia. Moreover, the yield gap between Africa and Asia has widened over the last 20 years. Climate change is compounding the problem. We are already witnessing more protracted and intense droughts, less predictable rainfall, floods, and the climate-related spread of pests, like the plague of desert locusts that devastated crops in eastern Africa in 2019. Dependence on rain-fed farming systems is a risk multiplier for Africa. Modeling reported by the International Panel on Climate Change points to potential yield losses in the range of 10-30 per cent for food staples like maize, sorghum and millet. Many of the policies and technologies needed to close Africa's yield gap and address climate threats are well-known. CGIAR, the world's largest global agricultural research organisation, has developed high-yield, climate-resilient and pest-resistant seeds tailored for agro-ecological conditions across Africa. More than two million smallholder farmers are already growing drought-resistant maize varieties, raising their yields by 20-30 per cent. The African Rice Center has produced more than 80 new rice varieties. These include early-maturing seeds which provide a source of food with higher protein content than standard varieties in the pre-harvest hunger period. Yields are comparable to those in Asia. Evaluations find that farmers, many of them women, adopting these seeds are, in some cases, doubling their income. In Senegal, novel rice varieties are slowly clawing back market share from imported rice, creating new value-chains and rural jobs, and displacing imports used in jollof. But new seed technologies can realise their full potential only if they are part of an integrated response. Farmers also need access to affordable capital, fertiliser and productive infrastructure like irrigation, energy and extension services. As matters stand, Africa's farmers, notably women, are poorly served in all these areas. And while the African Union's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, initiated in 2003, provides a plan of action, it has an abysmal delivery record. Connecting the dots between food self-reliance and social protection can create win-win scenarios. As the School Meals Coalition points out, millions of African schoolchildren are unable to learn because of hunger. Providing them with nutritious food from local producers would simultaneously combat malnutrition, improve learning and create predictable markets for farmers, attracting the investment needed to raise productivity. The Kenyan government has already set a benchmark, pledging to provide universal school meals by 2030. At a food summit in Dakar, Senegal, earlier this year, African leaders pledged to build more self-sufficient, resilient and equitable food systems, and to restore“food sovereignty”. While Africa's farmers have heard such pledges before, let's hope that this time they will be implemented. Kevin Watkins, a former CEO of Save the Children UK, is a visiting professor at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at the London School of Economics. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2023. MENAFN02122024000028011005ID1108949050 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. 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NEW HAVEN, Connecticut — China's engineering prowess has been nothing short of extraordinary. From world-class infrastructure and eco-friendly cities to space systems and high-speed trains, China's impressive accumulation of state-of-the-art physical capital has played a dominant role in driving its economy. But China's physical engineering accomplishments on the supply side have not been transferable to social engineering efforts on the demand side, especially in stimulating consumer demand. The disconnect arises out of the modern Chinese political system, which emphasizes stability and control. While this focus has enabled the country to become the world's "ultimate producer," it has not been successful in uncovering the DNA of the Chinese consumer. Social engineering through government diktat stands in sharp contrast to the incentive-based, free-wheeling, individualistic spirit that shapes human behavior and consumption patterns in the West. With the household consumption share of Chinese gross domestic product (GDP) remaining below 40 percent, compared to around 65 percent in advanced economies, China has little to show for its long-standing rhetoric on consumer-led rebalancing. The American experience, as famously documented in John Kenneth Galbraith's "The Affluent Society," decodes the DNA of a consumer society. Key characteristics include upward mobility of income and wealth, open communication and dissemination of information, individualism and freedom of choice, diminished inequality of lifestyles, intergenerational wealth transfers, and, ultimately, the ability to elect political representatives. Western consumerism is very much an aspirational proposition. That raises a fundamental question: is China's political system incompatible with modern consumer culture? That question seems all the more pertinent in the face of China's newfound techno-authoritarianism, which seems at odds with the basic freedoms on which consumerism is based. Recent technological advances (especially in facial recognition and other forms of surveillance), in conjunction with a social credit system and tightened censorship, are all but antithetical to the consumer society as we know it in the West. Ultimately, it is far easier to mobilize the state's machinery to exert influence over producers than it is to allow basic freedoms to empower consumers. That goes back to the early days of the People's Republic when China's producers were under the strict control of the State Planning Commission. And it is true again today as the pendulum of Chinese economic power has swung back from the once-dynamic and entrepreneurial private sector toward state-owned enterprises. The tightening of government controls over Chinese society over the past decade is especially at odds with its goal of spurring consumption. In 2013, shortly after taking office, President Xi Jinping introduced a "mass line" education campaign to address four "bad habits" — formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism and extravagance — that he believed were key sources of social decay and corruption of the Communist Party of China. This effort, initially viewed as an offshoot of Xi's signature anti-corruption campaign, has since taken on a life of its own. Xi sharpened his focus on bad habits in 2021 when a regulatory crackdown on internet platform companies targeted not only Chinese entrepreneurs like Alibaba's Jack Ma but also the so-called lifestyle excesses associated with video games, online music, celebrity fan culture and private tutoring. Such state-directed social engineering suggests that the Chinese authorities have little tolerance for the sense of possibility and optimism embedded in the DNA of Western consumer societies. Another example of this mismatch between ambition and regulatory mindset can be found in China's repeated attempts to address the demographic headwinds behind a shrinking labor force, which is set to decline through the end of this century, owing to the legacy of the now-abandoned one-child family-planning policy. The Chinese government recently announced measures to boost birth rates, including improved support for childbirth, expanded childcare capacity and other efforts to build a "birth-friendly" society. Yet this is only the latest in a series of actions following the adoption of a two-child policy in 2015 and a three-child policy in 2021. Despite these efforts, China's fertility rate remains far below the replacement rate of 2.1 live births per child-bearing woman. Polling data point to two reasons: concerns over sharply rising child-rearing expenses and deeply entrenched small-family cultural norms. This latter point underscores the behavioral aspects of the problem — namely, that a generation of younger Chinese have grown accustomed to one-child families. This very human resistance to the government's attempted coercion of family-planning practices is not dissimilar to Beijing's strategy to push for increased consumer demand. The key to unlocking China's consumer potential is to convert fear into confidence, a transition that requires nothing short of a fundamental shift in the mindset framing households' decision-making. But this is precisely where the government has been stymied. Incentivizing human behavior is radically different from requiring state-directed banks to boost lending for infrastructure projects or state-owned enterprises to invest in property. Admittedly, I am providing a Western perspective on a Chinese problem, and experience has taught me that such problems need to be examined from China's own perspective. Even so, increasing consumption goes to the very essence of the human experience: can there ever be a flourishing consumer culture with Chinese characteristics that contradicts the aspirational ethos underpinning Western societies? The ultimate solution to China's chronic underconsumption problem may well hinge on these deep considerations of human behavior. A recent meeting of China's Central Economic Work Conference hinted at yet another big consumption stimulus to come. But if Chinese authorities remain steadfast in tightening control over social norms and the human spirit, then all the stimulus in the world — from trade-in campaigns to social-safety-net reforms — could be for naught. Stephen S. Roach is a faculty member at Yale University and former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia. He is also the author of "Unbalanced: The Codependency of America and China" (Yale University Press, 2014) and "Accidental Conflict: America, China and the Clash of False Narratives" (Yale University Press, 2022). Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2024 www.project-syndicate.org
Cardinal Health Inc. stock rises Monday, still underperforms marketNicholas Hoult got a surprise package after the film Nosferatu wrapped. The movie based off the 1922 film of the same name stars Nicholas as Thomas Hutter, Lily-Rose Depp as his wife Ellen Hutter, and Bill Skarsgard as Count Orlok, the titular vampire. It's a loose adaptation of Bram Stroker's Dracula, just with the names changed. During an interview promoting the film , Lily-Rose and Nicholas sat down with Elle and read each other questions. She asked him what he took from set, and the Man of Steel actor had an interesting answer. New Superman trailer teases multiple easter eggs for superfans - From Krypto to iconic villain Seven must see Christmas Netflix movies to watch this holiday season "I have Count Orlok’s prosthetic penis framed at home," he admitted, "There’s a scene where Bill Skarsgard is slurping my blood, and Robert Eggers [the director] asked afterward, ‘How was that for you?’ And I said, ‘I could feel his prosthetic penis on my leg.’ And then, as a wrap gift, Rob got it framed, and he sent it to my house.” The actor added that the gift got a bit damaged during transit and the frame broke. So he took it to a local frame shop where, at first, the worker didn't bat an eye. "He kind of didn’t even blink the first time," Nicholas described, "Then, when I went back to pick it up, I think he’d clocked like how weird it was that I was framing potentially this vampire penis, and he was like, ‘Is this some kind of collector’s piece?’ And I was like, ‘Hm, you could say that.'” The film, which hits theaters on Christmas, has also been promoted by Lily-Rose and Nicholas in other places. The two actors appeared on a recent episode of Jeopardy! to read clues relating to Cinematic Vampires. Fans of the game show were a bit tired of seeing movies promoted on the show as guest actors read a catagory's clues. "These upcoming movie ad categories are really tiring tbh," one fan wrote on X, formally known as Twitter. Another wrote: "And, per usual, the length of the clues means we don't finish DJ and this time left a lot of cash on the board! I like Hoult, but both he and Depp appeared to be really miserable about reading these clues aloud, like someone was torturing them and forcing them to do it under duress. No offense intended to the players, but this was a dud of a game." Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sport and entertainment stories. DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.Key details to know about the arrest of a suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO
Former President Jimmy Carter works at a Habitat for Humanity building site Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, in Memphis, Tenn. Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have volunteered a week of their time annually to Habitat for Humanity since 1984, events dubbed "Carter work projects" that draw thousands of volunteers and take months of planning. Editor's note: Interviews for this story were conducted in February 2023, shortly after former President Jimmy Carter entered hospice care. This story will be updated. While the nation mourned former president Jimmy Carter after his death on Sunday, many had spent time reflecting on his legacy over the months since he entered hospice care in February 2023. In Central Illinois and beyond, the 100-year-old former peanut farmer was remembered as much for his personal likability and humanitarian work as for his tumultuous single term as the 39th president. Here's how some say he will be remembered. Work with Habitat for Humanity Carter first became involved in Habitat for Humanity in 1984, when he and wife Rosalynn worked with their local Habitat organization in Americus, Georgia, according to information from the national Habitat organization. The couple traveled across the globe working on habitat projects, working alongside more than 100,000 volunteers on 4,390 homes in 14 countries. Former President Jimmy Carter talks to the media as they pause from building a Habitat for Humanity house in Violet, La., Monday, May 21, 2007. They were working on the 1,000th Habitat for Humanity house in the Gulf Coast region since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. “We may be able to count the number of Carter work projects and the number of families served by those builds, but we cannot truly quantify the immense impact the Carters have had on Habitat homeowners, staff, volunteers and donors. We will continue to honor President Carter’s legacy through our service to our community,” said Tyler Wiggs, Habitat McLean County’s office manager, in a press release. Carter's legacy will live on, in part through the work done by Habitat organizations across the country, said Jolene Aldus, now executive director for Habitat for Humanity of McLean County. "There's no doubt that President Carter was well liked and loved by many Americans," said Aldus, who was the organization's director of development at the time of the interview in 2023. Carter's influence also helps local Habitat organizations gain a foothold in smaller communities, she said. Popularity increased post-presidency Former President Jimmy Carter appears on ABC-TV's "Good Morning America", Oct. 5, 1983. Carter is often known as a more popular former president than he was a president, two Illinois State University political science professors said. "He more or less invented the modern sense of the post-presidency," said Professor Lane Crothers . That includes Carter's work in the 1990s with the Carter Center in monitoring elections during a period of new democracies emerging during decolonization. Since the 1990s, a lot of the public focus on Carter has shifted to his personal journey as the longest-lived former president, Crothers said. Carter's presidency was difficult for situations outside of his control, Crothers said. Carter inherited a period of high inflation and unemployment and his presidency saw foreign events like the Iranian Revolution and energy crisis. The Democratic Party was also splitting, with Carter being the last Democrat to sweep the Southern states. Former President Jimmy Carter speaks during the reopening ceremony for the newly resigned Carter Presidential Library Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009 in Atlanta. Carter was also celebrating his 85th birthday. Any president, even a perfect one, would have found that those situations challenging, Crothers said. Yet Carter was also seen as indecisive and uncomfortable with the "wheeling and dealing" of politics. Still, Carter left behind some strong legacies from his presidency, said Associate Professor Kerri Milita . She pointed to examples like the beginning of the handover of the Panama Canal and the Camp David Accords. These help return the U.S. to a role as a international diplomatic broker. "He really impacted the international role of the U.S. going forward," Milita said. President Jimmy Carter waves as staff hold up sign proclaiming "We Love you Mr. President" in Washington, Nov. 5, 1980, as the president walks to helicopter for a trip to Camp David, Md. Carter was also the first president to be elected using public funding under the model created in 1974. His campaign reflected who he was as a person, Milita said, something that carried through his presidency. "Carter was one and the same, the president was the man," she said. His campaign as a whole was unlike a lot of others in that Carter did not shy away from making his positions known, Milita said. Ambiguity can be an asset ahead of elections because it makes the candidate's positions harder to attack. "Carter went against the grain on that, and a lot his rhetoric was very clear," she said. While he lost his reelection bid in a landslide to Illinois-born, Eureka College graduate Ronald Reagan, Carter's post presidency has put him in the good graces of many in the state and beyond. "I'm not aware of anyone that has anything bad to say about it," Milita said. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter delivers a lecture on the eradication of the Guinea worm, at the House of Lords in London, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016. Jimmy Carter is shown at age 6, with his sister, Gloria, 4, in 1931 in Plains, Georgia. (AP Photo) This is a 1932 photo of Jimmy Carter at age 7 in Plains, Ga. (AP Photo) Lt. Jimmy Carter peers at instruments on submarine USS K-1 in a 1952 photo. Directly in front of Carter, smoking a cigar, is Don Dickson. He had forgotten he ever served with Carter until he came upon the photo during Christmas, 1977. A friend got it to the White House where Carter wrote: "To my friend Donald Dickson - Jimmy Carter, USS K-1 to White House." (AP Photo) FILE - In this Sept. 15, 1966 file photo, then Georgia State Sen. Jimmy Carter hugs his wife, Rosalynn, at his Atlanta campaign headquarters. Jimmy Carter, winner in Georgia's runoff primary in the Democratic Party to determine the party's candidate for the November election for governor, 1970. (AP Photo) Former State Sen. Jimmy Carter listens to applause at the Capitol in Atlanta on April 3, 1970, after announcing his candidacy or governor. In background, his wife Rosalyn holds two-year-old daughter Amy who joined in the applause. Carter, 45, of Plains, Ga., finished third in the 1966 Democratic Primary behind Gov. Lester Maddox and Ellis Arnall. (AP Photo/Charles Kelly) Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn clutch the microphones as he claims victory in a runoff election at campaign headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, September 24, 1970. Carter beat former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders for the nomination and will face Republican candidate Hal Suit, veteran television newsman, in the general election Nov. 3, 1970. (AP Photo/Charles Kelly) Former state Sen. Jimmy Carter breaks into a broad smile after early returns gave him a lead of almost 2-1 in the Democratic runoff against former Gov. Carl Sanders, Sept. 23, 1970, in Atlanta, Ga. The winner will meet the Republic Hal Suit for the governorship of Georgia on the Nov. 3 general election. (AP Photo/Charles Kelly) Governor-elect Jimmy Carter and his daughter Amy, 3, walk about the grounds by the fountain at the Governor's Mansion in Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 10, 1971, as they get to know the place where they will live for the next four years. Carter will be sworn in as governor of Georgia Tuesday. (AP Photo) Judge Robert H. Jordan administers the oath of office to Gov. Jimmy Carter during ceremonies at the state capitol in Atlanta. Ga., Jan. 12, 1971. Next to the judge is former Gov. Lester Maddox, who will take over as lieutenant governer of Georgia. (AP Photo) Jimmy Carter of Georgia, seen here Feb. 6, 1971, already described as a symbol of a new breed of moderate southern politician, says that the race question has ceased to be a major issue "between or among candidates" running for office in the old confederacy. (AP Photo) Jimmy Carter, Governor of Georgia, is shown at his desk in Atlanta, on February 19, 1971. (AP Photo) Georgia's Gov. Jimmy Carter reaches for pen February 25, 1972 to sign a Georgia Senate House resolution opposing forced busing to achieve integration in the classrooms of the United States. Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter joins a half-dozen Rockettes in a high kick, September 21, 1973, at Radio City Music Hall in New York, while visiting backstage before an afternoon performance. Carter is in New York to induce the film industry to make pictures in his state. (AP Photo/stf) Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter, right, and Delaware Gov. Sherman Tribbitt say hello to Atlanta Braves Hank Aaron, left, following a rain canceled game with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Sept. 27, 1973, Atlanta, Ga. The cancellation slowed Aaron’s opportunity to tie or break Babe Ruth’s home run record. (AP Photo) Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter spoke to 18,000 messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention on Thursday, June 13, 1974 in Dallas, Texas. He urged Baptists to use their personal and political influence to return the nation to ideals of stronger commitment and higher ethics. He said "there is no natural division between a man's Christian life and his political life." (AP Photo/Greg Smith) Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter tells a gathering, Saturday, Oct. 5, 1974 at the National Press Club in Washington about his ideas concerning energy conservation. (AP Photo) In this Thursday, Aug. 14, 1975 file photo, former Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter announces in Washington that he qualified for federal matching funds to help finance his campaign for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination. Former Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter, right, drew about 5,000 people to Youngstown's Federal Plaza in Youngstown, Ohio, in his quest for support in Tuesday's Ohio Democratic primary, June 7, 1976. The presidential hopeful waded into the crowd, shaking hands and signing autographs. Carter, speaking to the largest crowd to assemble during his Ohio campaign, said 1976 would be a Democratic year because of the Watergate aftermath and other national ills. (AP Photo) In this Monday, Aug. 23, 1976 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Jimmy Carter gives an informal press conference in Los Angeles during a campaign tour through the West and Midwest. On Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015. (AP Photo) Democratic Presidential nominee Jimmy Carter, left, eats some freshly roasted barbecue chicken with his brother Billy Carter at Billy's gas station, Sept 11, 1976, Plains, Ga. The nominee had returned the night before from a week of campaigning, and planned to hold an impromptu press conference at the gas station. (AP Photo/Jeff Taylor) Democratic presidential nominee, Jimmy Carter, is all smiles as he talks with his brother Billy at the Carter Family Peanut warehouse, September 18, 1976. (AP Photo) Jimmy Carter stands in a large mound of peanuts at the Carter Peanut Warehouse in Plains, Ga., September 22, 1976. The Democratic party presidential nominee took an early morning walk through the warehouse to inspect some of the harvest. (AP Photo) FILE - In this Oct. 6, 1976 file photo with his wife Rosalynn Carter looking on at center, Democratic presidential candidate Jimmy Carter, center left, shakes hands with President Gerald Ford at the conclusion of their debate at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater in San Francisco, Calif. (AP Photo, File) Jimmy Carter, Democratic candidate for president, is joined by his daughter, Amy, as he waves from the rostrum at Fort Worth Convention Center, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 1, 1976. Carter and his family have been campaigning Texas, making a last minute bid for the state's 26 electoral votes. The others are not identified. (AP Photo) U.S. President-elect Jimmy Carter waves to supporters as he is surrounded by family members at a hotel in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 3, 1976. Carter won the presidential election by 297 electoral votes to 241 for Ford. Standing next to him is his wife, Rosalynn, and their daughter Amy Lynn, far right. The others are unidentified. (AP Photo) President-elect Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn wipe tears from their eyes after returning to their home town in Plains, Ga., Nov. 3, 1976. The Carter family was greeted by local residents after returning from Atlanta. (AP Photo) President-elect Jimmy Carter leans over to shake hands with some of the people riding the "Peanut Special" to Washington D.C., Jan. 19, 1977. They will travel all night, arriving in Washington in time for Carter's inauguration as President tomorrow. (AP Photo) Jimmy Carter takes the oath of office as the nation's 39th president during inauguration ceremonies in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 1977. Carter's wife, Rosalynn, holds the Bible used in the first inauguration by George Washington as U.S. Chief Justice Warren Burger administers the oath. Looking on at left are, Happy Rockefeller, Betty Ford, Joan Mondale, Amy Carter, and outgoing President Gerald Ford. Behind Carter is Vice President Walter Mondale. At far right is former Vice President Nelson Rockefeller. (AP Photo) Rosalynn Carter, left, looks up at her husband Jimmy Carter as he takes the oath of office as the 39th President of the United States at the Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 20, 1977, Washington, D.C. Mrs. Carter held a family Bible for her husband. (AP Photo) Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter walk down Pennsylvania Avenue after Carter was sworn in as the nations 39th President, Jan. 20, 1977, Washington, D.C. (AP Photo) FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 20, 1977 file photo, President Jimmy Carter waves to the crowd while walking with his wife, Rosalynn, and their daughter, Amy, along Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House following his inauguration in Washington. (AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis) In this Jan. 24, 1977 file photo, President Jimmy Carter is interviewed in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. In this file photo dated May 1977, U.S. President Jimmy Carter, right, and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II with French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, at Buckingham Palace in London. In this Feb. 20, 1978, file photo, President Jimmy Carter listens to Sen. Joseph R. Biden, D-Del., as they wait to speak at fund raising reception at Padua Academy in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma, File) President Jimmy Carter tucks his thumbs into his jeans and laughs as he prepares to head down the Salmon River in Idaho August 1978 for a three day rubber raft float. (AP Photo) United States President Jimmy Carter, on a visit to West Germany in 1978, rides with Chancellor Helmut Schmidt during a review of United States Forces at a base near Frankfurt. (AP Photo) Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, left, U.S. President Jimmy Carter, center, and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin clasp hands on the north lawn of the White House after signing the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel on March 26, 1979. (AP Photo/ Bob Daugherty) President Jimmy Carter, left, and Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev, right, sign the documents of the SALT II Treaty in the Vienna Imperial Hofburg Palace, Monday, June 18, 1979, Vienna, Austria. President Jimmy Carter leans across the roof of his car to shake hands along the parade route through Bardstown, Ky., Tuesday afternoon, July 31, 1979. The president climbed on top of the car as the parade moved toward the high school gym, where a town meeting was held. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty) In this April 25, 1980 file photo, President Jimmy Carter prepares to make a national television address from the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, on the failed mission to rescue the Iran hostages. President Jimmy Carter applauds as Sen. Edward Kennedy waves to cheering crowds of the Democratic National Convention in New York's Madison Square Garden, Aug. 14, 1980. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty) President Jimmy Carter raises a clenched fist during his address to the Democratic Convention, August 15, 1980, in New York's Madison Square Garden where he accepted his party's nomination to face Republican Ronald Reagan in the general election. (AP Photo/stf) Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy greets President Jimmy Carter after he landed at Boston's Logan Airport, Aug. 21, 1980. President Carter is in Boston to address the American Legion Convention being held in Boston. (AP Photo) President Jimmy Carter, left, and Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas enjoy a chuckle during a rally for Carter in Texarkana, Texas, Oct. 22, 1980. Texarkana was the last stop for Carter on a three-city one-day campaign swing through Texas. (AP Photo/John Duricka) In this Oct. 28, 1980 file photo, President Jimmy Carter shakes hands with Republican Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan after debating in the Cleveland Music Hall in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Madeline Drexler, File) Former US President Jimmy Carter, who had negotiated for the hostages release right up to the last hours of his Presidency, lifts his arm to the crowd, while putting his other hand around the shoulders of a former hostage in Iran, believed to be Bruce Laingen, at US AIR Force Hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany, Wednesday, January 21, 1981. Former Pres. Jimmy Carter, center, is joined by his wife Rosalynn and his brother Billy Carter during session of the Democratic National Convention, Tuesday, July 19, 1988, Atlanta, Ga. Billy had been recently diagnosed with cancer. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty) Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter speaks to newsmen as PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, right, looks on after the two men met in Paris Wednesday, April 4, 1990. Carter said he felt some leaders did not represent the region's yearning for peace. (AP Photo/Pierre Gieizes) Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, center, introduces his wife Rosalynn, right, to Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Jiang Zemin, April 14, 1991 in Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark Avery) Former President Jimmy Carter gestures at a United Nations news conference in New York, April 23, 1993 about the world conference on Human Rights to be held by the United Nations in Vienna June 14-25. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) Former Presidents George Bush, left, and Jimmy Carter, right, stand with President Clinton and wave to volunteers during a kick-off rally for the President's Volunteer Summit at Marcus Foster Stadium in Philladelphia, PA., Sunday morning April 27, 1997. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) President Bill Clinton presents former President Jimmy Carter, right, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony at the Carter Center in Atlanta Monday, Aug. 9, 1999. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter adjusts his glasses during a press conference in Managua, Nicaragua, Thursday, July 6, 2006. The former president and 2002 Nobel Peace Prize winner is heading a delegation from the democracy-promoting Carter Center, based at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, to observe preparations for Nicaragua's Nov. 5 presidential election. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix) In this Friday, Dec. 8, 2006 file photo, former President Jimmy Carter signs copies of his book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ric Feld) Former President George H.W. Bush, left, watches as Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton chat during a dedication ceremony for the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 31, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) Former President Jimmy Carter poses for a portrait during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Former President Jimmy Carter poses on the red carpet for the documentary film, "Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains" during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Former President Jimmy Carter, right, and his wife Rosalynn wave to the audience at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Former President Jimmy Carter, right, and former first lady Rosalynn Carter are seen on stage at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Former President Jimmy Carter waves to the crowd as he goes on stage at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008.(AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Former President Jimmy Carter, right, is seen with Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) President-elect Barack Obama is welcomed by President George W. Bush for a meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, with former presidents, from left, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) In this photo taken Saturday, May 29, 2010, former South Africa president Nelson Mandela, right, reacts with former US president Jimmy Carter, during a reunion with The Elders, three years after he launched the group, in Johannesburg, South Africa. (AP Photo/Jeff Moore, Pool) Former US President Jimmy Carter, center, one of the delegates of the Elders group of retired prominent world figures, holds a Palestinian child during a visit to the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Menahem Kahana, Pool) Former President Jimmy Carter, 86, leads Habitat for Humanity volunteers to help build and repair houses in Washington's Ivy City neighborhood, Monday, Oct. 4, 2010. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 22, 2010 file photo, former president of Ireland, Mary Robinson, background right, looks at former U.S. president, Jimmy Carter, center, while visiting a weekly protest in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. The protest was organized by groups supporting Palestinians evicted from their homes in east Jerusalem by Israeli authorities. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, his wife, Rosalynn, and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan conclude a visit to a polling center the southern capital of Juba Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Pete Muller) Former President Jimmy Carter signs his name in the guest book at the Jewish Community center in Havana, Cuba, Monday March 28, 2011. Carter arrived in Cuba to discuss economic policies and ways to improve Washington-Havana relations, which are even more tense than usual over the imprisonment of Alan Gross, a U.S. contractor, on the island. C (AP Photo/Adalberto Roque, Pool) Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter pauses during an interview as he and his wife Rosalynn visit a Habitat for Humanity project in Leogane, Haiti, Monday Nov. 7, 2011. The Carters joined volunteers from around the world to build 100 homes in partnership with earthquake-affected families in Haiti during a week-long Habitat for Humanity housing project. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, sits prior to a meeting with Israel's President Shimon Peres at the President's residence in Jerusalem, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. Peres met two of 'The Elders', a group composed of eminent global leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter watches baseball players work out before Game 2 of the National League Division Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) Former President Jimmy Carter speaks during a forum at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014. Among other topics, Carter discussed his new book, "A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power." (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) President Jimmy Carter, left, and Rosalynn Carter arrive at the 2015 MusiCares Person of the Year event at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) In this July 10, 2015, file photo, former President Jimmy Carter is seen in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) In a Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015 file photo, former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown, in Plains, Ga. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) Former President Jimmy Carter answers questions during a news conference at a Habitat for Humanity building site Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, in Memphis, Tenn. Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have volunteered a week of their time annually to Habitat for Humanity since 1984, events dubbed "Carter work projects" that draw thousands of volunteers and take months of planning. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Former President Bill Clinton, left, and former president Jimmy Carter shake hands after speaking at a Clinton Global Initiative meeting Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter holds a morning devotion in Memphis, Tenn., on Monday, Aug. 22, 2016, before he and his wife Rosalynn help build a home for Habitat for Humanity. (AP Photo/Alex Sanz) Former president Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter arrive during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) In this Feb. 8, 2017, file photo, former President Jimmy Carter speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for a solar panel project on farmland he owns in his hometown of Plains, Ga. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) Former President George W. Bush, center, speaks as fellow former Presidents from right, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter look on during a hurricanes relief concert in College Station, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017. All five living former U.S. presidents joined to support a Texas concert raising money for relief efforts from Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria's devastation in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (AP Photo/LM Otero) Former President Jimmy Carter, 93, sits for an interview about his new book "Faith: A Journey For All" which will debut at no. 7 on the New York Times best sellers list, pictured before a book signing Wednesday, April 11, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis) Former President Jimmy Carter speaks as Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams listens during a news conference to announce Abrams' rural health care plan Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in Plains, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter are seen ahead of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Former President Jimmy Carter takes questions submitted by students during an annual Carter Town Hall held at Emory University Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis) Democratic presidential candidate former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, left, meets with former President Jimmy Carter, center, at Buffalo Cafe in Plains, Ga., Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Former President Jimmy Carter reacts as his wife Rosalynn Carter speaks during a reception to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary on July 10, 2021, in Plains, Ga. In this Nov. 3, 2019, file photo, former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga. Former President Jimmy Carter, arrives to attend a tribute service for his wife and former first lady Rosalynn Carter, at Glenn Memorial Church, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Former President Jimmy Carter arrives for the funeral service for his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter at Maranatha Baptist Church, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, in Plains, Ga. The former first lady died on Nov. 19. She was 96. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) A sign wishing former President Jimmy Carter a happy 100th birthday sits on the North Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) FILE - Former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church, in Plains, Ga., Nov. 3, 2019. Well-wishes and fond remembrances for the former president continued to roll in Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, a day after he entered hospice care at his home in Georgia. (AP Photo/John Amis, File) Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter:@connorkwood Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Higher Education Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Government Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
NoneStormont minister Maurice Morrow told an official he would not raise the issue with the Northern Ireland Executive, despite similar measures being considered in England and Wales. A file on planning arrangements for the jubilee celebrations reveals a series of civil service correspondences on how Northern Ireland would mark the occasion. It includes a letter sent on January 11 2001 from an official in the Office of the First Minister/Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to the Department of Social Development, advising that a committee had been set up in London to consider a programme of celebrations. The correspondence says: “One of the issues the committee is currently considering is the possibility of deregulating liquor licensing laws during the golden jubilee celebrations on the same lines as the arrangements made for the millennium. “It is felt that the golden jubilee bank holiday on Monday 3 June 2002 is likely to be an occasion on which many public houses and similar licensed premises would wish to stay open beyond normal closing time.” The letter said a paper had been prepared on the issue of extending opening hours. It adds: “You will note that paragraph seven of the paper indicates that the devolved administrations ‘would need to consider deregulation separately within their own jurisdictions’. “I thought that you would wish to be aware that this issue is receiving active consideration for England and Wales and to consider whether anything needs to be done for Northern Ireland.” Some months later a “progress report” was sent between officials in OFMDFM, which again raised the issue of licensing laws. It says: “I spoke to Gordon Gibson, DSD, about Terry Smith’s letter of 12 January 2001 about licensing laws: the matter was put to their minister Maurice Morrow (DUP) who indicated that he would not be asking the NIE (Northern Ireland Executive) to approve any change to current licensing laws in NI to allow for either 24 hour opening (as at the millennium) nor a blanket approval for extended opening hours as is being considered in GB. “In both cases, primary legislation would be required here and would necessitate consultation and the minister has ruled out any consultation process.” The correspondence says individual licensees could still apply for an extension to opening hours on an ad hoc basis, adding “there the matter rests”. It goes on: “DSD await further pronouncements from the Home Office and Gibson and I have agreed to notify each other of any developments we become aware of and he will copy me to any (existing) relevant papers. “Ministers may well come under pressure in due course for a relaxation and/or parity with GB.” The document concludes “That’s it so far...making haste slowly?” Emails sent between officials in the department the same month said that lord lieutenants in Northern Ireland had been approached about local events to mark the jubilee. One message says: “Lord lieutenants have not shown any enthusiasm for encouraging GJ celebrations at a local level. “Lady Carswell in particular believes that it would be difficult for LLs to encourage such activities without appearing political.”Key details to know about the arrest of a suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO
A DUP minister rebuffed a suggestion that there could be an extension of pub opening hours in Northern Ireland to celebrate the golden jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2002, declassified files show. Stormont minister Maurice Morrow told an official he would not raise the issue with the Northern Ireland Executive, despite similar measures being considered in England and Wales. A file on planning arrangements for the jubilee celebrations reveals a series of civil service correspondences on how Northern Ireland would mark the occasion. It includes a letter sent on January 11 2001 from an official in the Office of the First Minister/Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to the Department of Social Development, advising that a committee had been set up in London to consider a programme of celebrations. The correspondence says: “One of the issues the committee is currently considering is the possibility of deregulating liquor licensing laws during the golden jubilee celebrations on the same lines as the arrangements made for the millennium. “It is felt that the golden jubilee bank holiday on Monday 3 June 2002 is likely to be an occasion on which many public houses and similar licensed premises would wish to stay open beyond normal closing time.” The letter said a paper had been prepared on the issue of extending opening hours. It adds: “You will note that paragraph seven of the paper indicates that the devolved administrations ‘would need to consider deregulation separately within their own jurisdictions’. “I thought that you would wish to be aware that this issue is receiving active consideration for England and Wales and to consider whether anything needs to be done for Northern Ireland.” Some months later a “progress report” was sent between officials in OFMDFM, which again raised the issue of licensing laws. It says: “I spoke to Gordon Gibson, DSD, about Terry Smith’s letter of 12 January 2001 about licensing laws: the matter was put to their minister Maurice Morrow (DUP) who indicated that he would not be asking the NIE (Northern Ireland Executive) to approve any change to current licensing laws in NI to allow for either 24 hour opening (as at the millennium) nor a blanket approval for extended opening hours as is being considered in GB. “In both cases, primary legislation would be required here and would necessitate consultation and the minister has ruled out any consultation process.” The correspondence says individual licensees could still apply for an extension to opening hours on an ad hoc basis, adding “there the matter rests”. It goes on: “DSD await further pronouncements from the Home Office and Gibson and I have agreed to notify each other of any developments we become aware of and he will copy me to any (existing) relevant papers. “Ministers may well come under pressure in due course for a relaxation and/or parity with GB.” The document concludes “That’s it so far...making haste slowly?” Emails sent between officials in the department the same month said that lord lieutenants in Northern Ireland had been approached about local events to mark the jubilee. One message says: “Lord lieutenants have not shown any enthusiasm for encouraging GJ celebrations at a local level. “Lady Carswell in particular believes that it would be difficult for LLs to encourage such activities without appearing political.” We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Revealed: What your Spotify Wrapped results say about your PERSONALITY - you might be a psychopath...The annual "Best of What's New" Honors 50 groundbreaking products across 10 categories NEW YORK , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Popular Science is proud to announce its annual Best of What's New Awards , the most innovative and groundbreaking products that debuted the past year. Now in its 37th year, the Best of What's New Awards spans 10 essential categories: Gadgets , Entertainment , Aerospace , Personal Care , Auto , Engineering , Sports & Outdoors , Home , Emergency Services , and Health . "Since 1988, Popular Science has honored the innovations changing our world with the Best of What's New Awards. We're thrilled to celebrate the year's groundbreaking ideas that are improving our everyday lives and shaping our futures. From pioneering medical procedures to sustainable engineering solutions, and from advancements in space exploration to jaw-dropping gadgets, this year's list truly represents the Best of What's New in 2024." Each winner represents a significant technological advancement in its field and provides a service that makes our lives safer, better, or more accessible. From mosquito protection technology to the first spacewalk by a private agency and a smart hairdryer that optimizes scalp and hair health to a transparent OLED TV, this year's list highlights a dynamic and exciting collection of products and services. CATEGORY WINNERS Aerospace : Joby Aviation's Hydrogen-powered VTOL taxi Auto : Lincoln's Nautilus Emergency Services & Defense : Google Research's FireSat wildfire detection system Engineering : Electrified Thermal Solutions Joule Hive Entertainment : Zildjian Alchem-E Electronic drums Gadgets : Apple's Vision Pro (Innovation of the Year) Health : Guardant Health's Shield Home : General Electric's Indoor Smoker Personal Care : Oura Ring 4 Sports & Outdoors : Saga's HoloBike Other winners include : Olaplex's Bond ShaperTM Curl Rebuilding Treatment; Sony's A9 Mark III, Weber's Slate griddle; Ecoflow's Delta Pro 3; New York University and FDNY's C2SMARTER Digital Twin AI model; Samsung's Glare-free OLED; Limelight Steele's Limelight laser furnace; NASA/Lockheed Martin's X-59 Quiet Supersonic Jet; Ford's Superbelt; and Patagonia's M10 Collection. More information about the 2024 Best of What's New Awards can be found on popsci.com . ABOUT POPULAR SCIENCE Established in 1872, Popular Science is one of America's oldest and most trusted science brands. Popular Science has a legacy of bringing readers groundbreaking innovations and discoveries, demystifying the world, and examining everything from the marvels of deep space to the secret lives of everyday staples. Popular Science makes science and tech engaging, approachable, and inclusive to keep readers, listeners, and viewers plugged into and excited about the world around them. Popular Science is part of Recurrent Ventures, a privately held media company that includes brands such as Futurism , The Drive , Outdoor Life , and Task & Purpose . ABOUT BEST OF WHAT'S NEW Every year since 1988, the editors of Popular Science have reviewed thousands of products in search of the top innovations—breakthrough products and technologies that represent significant advancements in their categories. Best of What's New Awards are presented to five products and technologies in 10 categories: Aerospace, Automotive, Engineering, Entertainment, Gadgets, Health, Home, Personal Care, Sports & Outdoors, and Emergency Services. SOURCE Popular Science
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Is it real? How AI is warping reality and opening up financial fraudOTTAWA - First Nations leaders are split over next steps after a landmark $47.8-billion child welfare reform deal with Canada was struck down, prompting differing legal opinions from both sides. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! OTTAWA - First Nations leaders are split over next steps after a landmark $47.8-billion child welfare reform deal with Canada was struck down, prompting differing legal opinions from both sides. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? OTTAWA – First Nations leaders are split over next steps after a landmark $47.8-billion child welfare reform deal with Canada was struck down, prompting differing legal opinions from both sides. The Assembly of First Nations and a board member of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society have received competing legal opinions on potential ways forward. Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict says the chiefs he represents are still hoping the agreement that chiefs outside the province voted down two months ago is not moot. Chiefs in Ontario are interveners in the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal case that led to its realization. Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict attends the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly in Montreal, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi He added there are also concerns that some of the elements in the new negotiation mandate outlined by chiefs in an October assembly go beyond the current governance structure of the Assembly of First Nations. “There will have to be action by the Assembly of First Nations in the very near future to advance these positions, but you also need willing partners,” Benedict said. “We’re still considering what our options are.” Those options are also being debated in legal reviews commissioned by the Assembly of First Nations and a board member of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, which are both parties to the human rights case, along with Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Khelsilem, a chairperson from the Squamish Nation who penned a resolution that defeated the deal in October, critiqued the stance of Ontario First Nations by saying they negotiated a “bad agreement” for First Nations outside the province and now that chiefs want to go back to the table for a better deal, they want to split from the process entirely. “It potentially undermines the collective unity of First Nations to achieve something that is going to benefit all of us,” he said. The $47.8-billion agreement was struck in July after decades of advocacy and litigation from First Nations and experts, seeking to redress discrimination against First Nations children who were torn from their families and placed in foster care. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal said Canada’s underfunding was discriminatory because it meant kids living on reserve were given fewer services than those living off reserves, and tasked Canada with reaching an agreement with First Nations to reform the system. The agreement was meant to cover 10 years of funding for First Nations to take control of their own child welfare services from the federal government. Chiefs and service providers critiqued the deal for months, saying it didn’t go far enough to ensure an end to the discrimination. They have also blasted the federal government for what they say is its failure to consult with First Nations in negotiations, and for the exclusion of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, which helped launched the initial human rights complaint. In October at a special chiefs assembly in Calgary, the deal was struck down through two resolutions. The Assembly of First Nations sought a legal review of those resolutions by Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP — a firm where the former national chief of the organization, Perry Bellegarde, works as a special adviser. In the legal review from Fasken, it appears as though the assembly asked for direction on how to get “rid” of two resolutions used to vote down the deal, with an employee of the firm saying they can review the resolutions together if they want them both gone, or they can “leave room for compromise” with one of the resolutions. In a statement, the Assembly of First Nations said the review was conducted to assess the legal, technical and operational aspects of the resolutions to ensure their “effective implementation.” “The opinions formed by external counsel are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of the AFN,” said Andrew Bisson, the chief executive officer, who added it’s not unusual for the organization to seek such reviews. Bisson did not address the language used by a Fasken employee to “get rid” of resolutions, but said “the legal and technical reviews were conducted in good faith, not to undermine the chiefs’ direction. The chiefs have provided clear direction, and the AFN is committed to following that direction.” The legal reviews from Fasken, dated Nov. 15, argue that the October resolutions on child welfare require a significant review of who voted for them, along with changes to the organization’s charter should they be implemented. Resolution 60 called for a rejection of the final settlement agreement, and for the establishment of a Children’s Chiefs Commission that will be representative of all regions and negotiate long-term reforms. It also called for the AFN’s executive committee to “unconditionally include” the Caring Society in negotiations. Fasken said that commission is contrary to the AFN’s charter, and the law, because the AFN’s executive committee doesn’t have the power to create one, and that the executive committee “alone” has the authority to execute mandates on behalf of the assembly. It adds there are no accountability measures for the new negotiation body, and that it will represent regions that are not participants in the AFN. Resolution 61, which built upon resolution 60, is similarly against the charter for the same reasons, the review says. As such, it says, the resolutions can’t be implemented. The firm also wrote that there were alleged conflicts of interest during the October vote, saying “numerous proxies were also employees, shareholders, directors, agents or otherwise had a vested interest” in the First Nations child and family service agencies whose interests were the subject of the resolutions. Chief Joe Miskokomon of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation in southwestern Ontario called that “political deception.” In response to that review, a board member of the Caring Society, which has been a vocal critic of the July deal, sought their own. The review penned by Aird Berlis for Mary Teegee and dated Dec. 2 stated it was “inappropriate for the AFN to seek, and not disclose, legal opinions which are then cited to attempt to second-guess decisions already made by the First Nations in Assembly.” It also states that while the AFN’s vice-president of strategic policy and integration, Amber Potts, raised concerns with the movers and seconders of the resolutions, the entirety of the legal opinion the assembly sought was not shared with them. Teegee’s review challenges that of the AFN’s by saying the resolutions are consistent with the AFN’s charter, and that nothing restricts First Nations in assembly from expressing their sovereign will by delegating authority to another entity. “AFN’s role and purpose at all times is to effect the sovereign will of First Nations, however it is expressed, on ‘any matter’ that they see fit,” the review from Aird Berlis reads. “It is too late to attempt to question the resolutions. They are now final.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement
Rudy Giuliani has appeared in a bizarre Christmas ad trying to sell his own brand of coffee. The former New York City mayor appeared dressed as Santa Claus in a bizarre holiday advertisement for his coffee company. The ad shows a woman sitting on Santa's lap alongside two elves amid a snowy night backdrop. Giuliani says,“Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas! What would you like for Christmas, darling?” “Rudy Coffee!” the woman replied. If you can't see the video, click here . What a woman Mrs Santa Clause is! All she wants for Christmas is high quality coffee at https://t.co/6lMTrKbwMP pic.twitter.com/af749MGneD A stunned Santa Claus asked, “Not diamonds? Not a necklace?” Then, the elves had the woman packs of Rudy Coffee while Santa cheered. DON'T MISS... Full list of Rudy Giuliani's luxury items he must hand over to election workers Screaming Giuliani vows to hunt down Trump assassins - 'I did it with the mafia' Trump 'motorboating Rudy Giuliani in drag' resurfaces after Vance pics “Give her all the coffee she wants!” Giuliani said. “Give her all the coffee she wants! Ho, ho, ho!”Archer Aviation's ( ACHR -23.72% ) electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles are still grounded, but the stock was taking flight last month as enthusiasm for the new short-distance transportation technology mounted. According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence , the stock finished last month up 204%. A surge in the second half of the month came after Needham initiated coverage on the stock with a buy rating after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a new set of rules in October, clearing the way for the new vehicles to take flight. As you can see from the chart below, the stock went parabolic shortly after the Needham note came out, soaring nearly every session after Nov. 18. ACHR data by YCharts. Archer gains altitude Archer Aviation is still a development-stage company without revenue, but it's hopeful its vehicles will begin flying commercially as soon as late 2025. Archer's eVTOL vehicles resemble advanced helicopters but have advantages, including being electric, being less noisy than helicopters, and having multiple engines, which means they don't have a single point of failure, unlike conventional helicopters. Interest in the stock has been building as it moves closer to commercialization, but shares soared on high volume following the Needham note, which seemed to spark the rally. The stock jumped 16.3% on the bullish endorsement. Needham gave the stock a buy rating and a price target of $11, noting that industry momentum had reached a tipping point. Analyst Chris Pierce also said its $6 billion order book thanks to customers like United Airlines gave it confidence in the stock, and it saw a path to $3 billion in annual revenue. Archer stock gained in nearly every session in November since the Needham note came out as investors jumped on the bandwagon. What's next for Archer Aviation eVTOL stocks have soared since the FAA released new special regulations to integrate eVTOL aircraft safely into the aviation system, essentially giving them government clearance. However, the recent rally in the stock may have reached its ceiling as Archer shares plunged on Dec. 1 even though there was no news on the stock. Instead, investors took the opportunity to pocket profits, and the selling could also signal fears of a bubble in the stock as it's unclear how close it is to commercialization or what the underlying demand for eVTOL transportation is. Investors should expect continued volatility in the stock as shares are likely to move in response to updates on its progress toward commercialization.Stormont minister Maurice Morrow told an official he would not raise the issue with the Northern Ireland Executive, despite similar measures being considered in England and Wales. A file on planning arrangements for the jubilee celebrations reveals a series of civil service correspondences on how Northern Ireland would mark the occasion. It includes a letter sent on January 11 2001 from an official in the Office of the First Minister/Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to the Department of Social Development, advising that a committee had been set up in London to consider a programme of celebrations. The correspondence says: “One of the issues the committee is currently considering is the possibility of deregulating liquor licensing laws during the golden jubilee celebrations on the same lines as the arrangements made for the millennium. “It is felt that the golden jubilee bank holiday on Monday 3 June 2002 is likely to be an occasion on which many public houses and similar licensed premises would wish to stay open beyond normal closing time.” The letter said a paper had been prepared on the issue of extending opening hours. It adds: “You will note that paragraph seven of the paper indicates that the devolved administrations ‘would need to consider deregulation separately within their own jurisdictions’. “I thought that you would wish to be aware that this issue is receiving active consideration for England and Wales and to consider whether anything needs to be done for Northern Ireland.” Some months later a “progress report” was sent between officials in OFMDFM, which again raised the issue of licensing laws. It says: “I spoke to Gordon Gibson, DSD, about Terry Smith’s letter of 12 January 2001 about licensing laws: the matter was put to their minister Maurice Morrow (DUP) who indicated that he would not be asking the NIE (Northern Ireland Executive) to approve any change to current licensing laws in NI to allow for either 24 hour opening (as at the millennium) nor a blanket approval for extended opening hours as is being considered in GB. “In both cases, primary legislation would be required here and would necessitate consultation and the minister has ruled out any consultation process.” The correspondence says individual licensees could still apply for an extension to opening hours on an ad hoc basis, adding “there the matter rests”. It goes on: “DSD await further pronouncements from the Home Office and Gibson and I have agreed to notify each other of any developments we become aware of and he will copy me to any (existing) relevant papers. “Ministers may well come under pressure in due course for a relaxation and/or parity with GB.” The document concludes “That’s it so far...making haste slowly?” Emails sent between officials in the department the same month said that lord lieutenants in Northern Ireland had been approached about local events to mark the jubilee. One message says: “Lord lieutenants have not shown any enthusiasm for encouraging GJ celebrations at a local level. “Lady Carswell in particular believes that it would be difficult for LLs to encourage such activities without appearing political.”
NoneNEW YORK — I’ll get you, my pretty! And your little pygmy hippo, too! Forgive us the shameless attempt to link the fantasy hit to the delightful . But, hear us out — there’s something the two have in common as the year draws to a close. Escapism. Whether we found it on the yellow brick road, or in videos from a Thailand zoo, or perhaps in , we gravitated toward fantasy and feel-good pop culture moments this year. There were new trends, as always. became a thing, as did And for some inexplicable reason, we became obsessed with celebrity lookalike contests. There were breakups — Bennifer is, again, — and reunions: Oasis, please try to stay together for the tour. Yet some things stayed, remarkably, the same: and kept on breaking records and making history. So, after a year where much changed but some things held steady, here’s our annual, very selective trip down pop culture memory lane: January It starts as from a beloved “Sesame Street” figure: “ is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” The answers hint at something deeper and more worrisome. “Not great, Elmo. Not great,” says one milder reply. Doing much better is the viral phenomenon called which makes its awards season debut at the But perhaps the comes from neither film: , first Indigenous winner of best actress in a drama for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” begins her remarks in the language of her tribe, Blackfeet Nation. February Valentine’s Day — a perfect time to settle into a sweet love saga via TikTok. Only that’s not quite what we get with “Who TF Did I Marry?,” ’s depressing, fascinating, 50-part account of her disastrous marriage with a man who lied about absolutely everything. Meanwhile, if you're looking for a single week that encapsulates peak , try this: she begins with the Grammys in Los Angeles (becoming the first artist to win album of the year four times AND announcing a new album), then heads to Tokyo for four tour dates, then jets back just in time for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas — where she shares a with boyfriend on the field of victory. March “What was I made for?” sings at channeling . And what was made for? Not entirely clear — but it's clear was made to play him. His singalong version of is one of the most entertaining Oscar musical moments in years. Still, Christopher Nolan's prevails, a rare case of the top prize going to a blockbuster studio film. Will it happen again in 2025? and sure hope so; as presenters, they make a sly reference to their upcoming juggernaut, Speaking of marketing, people are obsessed with that bizarre popcorn bucket. And carves her space in country music with “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” which will make her the first Black woman to top the Billboard country chart. April Tennis, anyone? The game’s been around for centuries, but it’s having a cultural moment right now, helped mightily by the sweaty romance triangle starring and (40-love? More like 40-sex.) Elsewhere, a new era dawns: At midnight, drops then drops another 15 songs two hours later. The fascinating and disturbing the story of a struggling comedian’s extended encounter with a stalker, debuts on Netflix. May It’s time — or as it's known in 2024, another early marketing moment for and make fashion waves on the carpet and then musical ones at dinner, with a soulful performance of “When You Believe.” If the “Wicked” tour is in full force, another one stops in its tracks: amid reports of both poor ticket sales and trouble in her marriage to . It’s been an eventful year for J.Lo, who's released an album and movie called — both reflections on her renewed love with Affleck. June Welcome to ! releases her , with its lime green cover, and launches a thousand memes. Collins Dictionary defines “brat,” as “characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.” At the celeb-heavy shows in London, we see shaking it off, which is either charming or cringe, you decide. Even better: and tux and performs for one night. At another stadium across the pond, infielder with his cheery number “OMG.” July Bonjour, it’s time! In Paris! An audacious opening ceremony along the Seine is punctuated by perched on the , singing her heart out — in the rain, too. over a scene critics feel mocks Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” (organizers say it does not). Olympic stars are born — including French swimming superstar , rugby player , and bespectacled “Pommel Horse Guy” gymnast who nets two bronze medals and comparisons to Clark Kent. Also capturing hearts: yep, born this month. Her name means “bouncy pork.” August This is them ... now: After two decades, two engagements and two weddings, J.Lo files for divorce. One union dissolves, another returns: a reunion tour. Everyone seems to want to get in on TikToker 's act — even the Back at the Olympics, in the new sport of breaking, we meet arguably neither demure nor mindful with her “kangaroo” move. Cute animal alert: perky pooch does in his Major League Baseball debut. September One of the year’s biggest breakout artists, withdraws from a music festival after speaking out about frightening fan interactions. And more on the price of fame: In an excruciating moment, the franchise’s first Asian American lead, is forced to sit through a painful viewing of her proposal to her chosen suitor, after tearfully explaining how he’d later dumped her over the phone. Tran is keeping busy though — she’s announced as part of the new “Dancing with the Stars” lineup. Also on the list: rugby player Maher, and Pommel Horse Guy! Also, , Online fandom, meanwhile, is shaken when and celebrity stan accounts post tearful farewells, revealing to many across the globe that their favorite accounts are run by Brazilians. October “Dune” Chalamets! “Wonka” Chalamets! Thousands gather in Manhattan for a lookalike contest, and things really get interesting when He doesn’t enter the contest, though, and with his mustache, he may not even have won. The trend continues with contests for and — in a very Washington version — Kennedy scion , who's been gathering a following with some interesting social media posts. Turning to basketball, who’s that dancing with ? Why it’s , the now-viral mascot. November does a pretty good laugh on “Saturday Night Live,” but you know who does it better? herself. The Democratic candidate three days before the U.S. presidential election, following in the footsteps of , and others. Elsewhere in television, Bravo announces that the Emmy-nominated reality show that has lived through countless scandals, is entirely recasting its 12th season — apart from namesake . As for , she doesn't have her own TV series yet, but our favorite pygmy hippo is generating . And THAT brings us back to ... December Director ’s emerald-hued fantasy remains very very popular, to quote one of its buzzy show tunes, dancing through life and defying gravity at the multiplex. Moviegoers and, in a veritable tidal wave, which beckons us back to the seas of Oceania. Once again, 2024 seems to be telling us: Give people some whimsy, a place to escape, maybe some catchy tunes — and no one knows how far they’ll go.
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