Social Photos Don't miss out on the headlines from Social Photos. Followed categories will be added to My News. University of Melbourne graduates from the faculty of Veterinary School, Engineering, Information Technology and PhD students took centre stage to receive their degrees on Friday. Check out the picture gallery below and see if you were featured. Lau Freeman, Zita Lam (Master of Information Systems) and Fatemeh Mirjalili at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Will Vinnicombe (Master of Civil Engineering), Maggie Grigg (Master of Environmental Engineering), Sophie O’Connor (Master of Environment) and Ben Pompe (Master of Civil Engineering) at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Sophie O’Connor (Master of Environment), Ben Pompe (Master of Civil Engineering) Will Vinnicombe (Master of Civil Engineering), Jessica Ratcliff (Master of Civil Engineering), Maggie Grigg (Master of Environmental Engineering) and Michael Belbruno (Master of Civil Engineering) at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Master of Civil Engineering graduates: Marcus Petricca, Marcel Moran, Scott Baker, Jun Rae Cho and Nipuna Athukorala at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Victoria Pitliangas (Master of Civil Engineering) at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Li Amy and Charlotte Tao (Master of Information Systems) at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Dr Natalie (Doctor of Medicine) at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Dr Nathan Taylor (PhD in Infrastructure Engineering) and John Baird at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Noor and Akash Singh (Master of Computer Science) at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Zachary Lee (Master of Mechatronics) at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Dana Edwards and Hugo Groot (Master of Civil Engineering) at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Yuying Chen (Master of Information Technology) at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Tommy Kanda, Jo Chong (Master of Information Technology) and Qien Foo at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Shaik Arifuddin, Setender Nandal (Master of Information Technology) and Sunil Sonawane at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Lionel Maizels (Master of Mechanical Engineering) and Tracey Mitchell at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Melissa Hua and Rubab Batool (Master of Information Systems) at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Joseph Kamau, Linda Kamau (Master of Information Technology) Esther Kamau, Anne Ugi at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Apaar Gulati (Master of Information Systems) and Sameer Kapoor (Master of Information Systems) at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Lakshika Deshapriya, Dr Pamoda Herath (PhD in Mechanical Engineering) and Tharana Prabuddhika at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Szymon Kardas, Alec Miller (Master of Information Technology) and Zi En Tan at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Pratic Dugar and Shriya Gupta (Master of Information Systems) at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Graduates at the University of Melbourne graduations held at the Royal Exhibition Building on Friday, December 13, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Social Photos 100+ faces at the Phillip Island Xmas Carols by the Bay Families gathered for a festive experience at the Phillip Island Christmas Carols by the Bay. CHECK OUT THE PICTURES. Read more Leader PICTURES: Iconic Scottish festival returns to Daylesford A huge crowd flocked to Daylesford for the annual Highland Gathering, celebrating Victoria’s Scottish community. Check back here to see if you feature in our gallery. Read moreAs part of the agency’s efforts to enable broader use of space, NASA has released its final goals and objectives for low Earth orbit, defining the long-term approach toward advancing microgravity science, technology, and exploration for the benefit of all. Developed with input from a wide range of stakeholders, NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy will guide the agency toward the next generation of continuous human presence in orbit, enable greater economic growth, and maintain international partnerships. “As we near the retirement of the International Space Station in 2030, these objectives are a pivotal next step in solidifying U.S. leadership in space,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. “Our consultation with industry, academia, and international partners has helped refine a visionary roadmap for our future in low Earth orbit, which will be enabled by a continuous human presence. Together, we are ensuring that the benefits of exploring space continue to grow – advancing science, innovation, and opportunities for all, while preparing for humanity’s next giant leap of exploring the Moon, Mars and beyond.” In early 2024, NASA initiated a planning process that included drafting an initial set of goals and objectives for the low Earth orbit microgravity environment and seeking feedback from its workforce, government partners, industry, academia, international space agencies, and the public. The agency reviewed more than 1,800 comments and hosted two workshops , resulting in essential adjustments to the goals and objectives to better align with its partners. The final framework includes 13 goals and 44 objectives across seven key areas: commercial low Earth orbit infrastructure, operations, science, research and technology development for exploration, international cooperation, workforce development and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engagement, and public engagement. The agency’s efforts in low Earth orbit are integral to its broader ambitions for deep space exploration. The microgravity environment in low Earth orbit provides a cost-effective, easily accessible proving ground for technologies and research necessary for human missions to explore the solar system. With most of the journey to Moon and Mars occurring in microgravity, the objectives give the opportunity to continue vital human research, test future exploration systems, and retain the critical skills needed to operate in the microgravity environment. “These finalized objectives represent a clear path forward as NASA transitions from the International Space Station to a new era of commercial space stations,” said Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station and acting director of commercial spaceflight. “Low Earth orbit will remain a hub for scientific discovery, technological advancement, and international cooperation, while making strategic investments in a commercial space ecosystem that benefits not just NASA, but the entire space community.” The low Earth orbit microgravity goals and objectives, combined with significant stakeholder engagement, drive NASA’s need to maintain an unbroken, continuous heartbeat of humans in the commercial low Earth orbit destinations era. NASA requires long-duration flights to mitigate risk for future trips to the Red Planet. To ensure reliable access to and use of low Earth orbit, a diversity of providers operating on a regular cadence is essential. The objectives will also guide the development of requirements for future commercial space stations that will support NASA’s missions, while reducing risk for human missions to Mars, preserving operational skills, advancing critical scientific research, and sustaining engagement with international and commercial partners. “Collaboration and consultation remain a cornerstone of our low Earth orbit strategy,” said John Keefe, director of cross-agency strategy integration at NASA. “The objectives we’ve established will help NASA craft a work plan that ensures NASA is positioned to meet current and future needs and prioritizes the development of critical capabilities for low Earth orbit.” The low Earth orbit microgravity goals and objectives are available online at: https://go.nasa.gov/3DsMtNI -end- Amber Jacobson Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 amber.c.jacobson@nasa.gov

Mullen returns to sideline as UNLV's head coach

‘China Corner’ established at ISSI: CPEC expansion assured, says Fatemi Tariq Fatemi says there is something fascinating about Pakistan-China ties that has puzzled scholars for years Ambassador Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (Foreign Affairs). — APP/File ISLAMABAD: Beijing has assured that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will not only continue to move forward, but will also be expanded. This was reaffirmed by the Chinese leadership during their latest meetings with the visiting prime minister. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); Ambassador Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (Foreign Affairs), stated this on Thursday with reference to the meetings between the Prime Minister and the Chinese leadership after attending the meetings. Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘China Corner’ at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), China Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC), he explained that there is something fascinating about the Pakistan-China relationship that has puzzled scholars of international relations abroad for years. Despite significant differences between the people and philosophies of the two countries, their relationship has continued to strengthen. Pakistan was among the first to recognise China and advocate for Chinese membership in the UN, he noted. Tariq Fatemi emphasised that through CPEC, Pakistan has been fortunate to be the first symphony in the Chinese orchestra of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Recognizing the cooperation between the two countries is beneficial not only for them but for the entire region. Pakistan’s Ambassador for China, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, and Shi Yuanqiang, the deputy head of mission at the Chinese embassy, attended the ceremony as guests of honor. This is the first ‘China Corner’ established in a think-tank in Pakistan. In his welcome address, former Foreign Secretary and chief of the ISSI, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, highlighted that ISSI has been a vital hub for research on China in Pakistan, with multiple institutional collaborations with Chinese think tanks and universities. The ISSI is also a dialogue partner for the Pakistan-China Think Tank Forum with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) as part of the Joint Working Group of CPEC on International Cooperation. He informed that the ‘China Corner’ has a collection of over 600 physical and 5000 electronic books, journals, newspapers, and monographs related to China studies, available for scholars to utilise. He stressed that since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Pakistan-China relationship has progressed into an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, becoming an indispensable factor of stability in the region and beyond. It encompasses diplomatic, political, economic, security, defense, technological, educational, cultural, and people-to-people domains. Ambassador Khalil Hashmi stated that the Pakistan-China relationship has moved beyond traditional inter-state relations to become a comprehensive and unique partnership built on mutual trust, mutual support, and mutual respect as its foundational principles. The establishment of the ‘China Corner’ at ISSI is not only about studying China but also about building bridges and creating synergy between the two countries to collaborate effectively. It has great potential as a space where ideas can flourish and support the future of the Pakistan-China bilateral relationship. He encouraged students, scholars, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to make full use of this platform. Shi Yuanqiang said that Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and iron-clad friends. The friendship between the two countries has endured the test of time and is as solid as a rock and as stable as Mount Tai. The importance of the bilateral relationship is recognized by the highest levels of leadership in both countries, and China is prepared to work with Pakistan to build a Pakistan-China community of shared future. Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director of CPSC, stated in his inaugural remarks that the ‘China Corner’ will provide comprehensive access to information and resources about China’s governance model, economic policies, and diplomatic strategies. This repository will be a resource for fostering knowledge, dialogue, and collaboration, demonstrating a commitment to understanding China’s development narrative and leveraging this understanding for shared progress and prosperity.

BALTIMORE — One of Baltimore’s most prominent families was thrust into the spotlight this week, when a son of the clan, Luigi Mangione, was arrested by Pennsylvania police and charged in the Dec. 4 fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Locally active in philanthropy, both via individual donations and through the Mangione Family Foundation, the Mangiones gave millions to Baltimore’s various institutions and nonprofits, including more than $1 million to the Greater Baltimore Medical Center and more to the American Citizens for Italian Matters, Baltimore Opera Company and others. Loyola University, which counts Mangione alumni among their ranks, has an aquatic center named after the family, and GBMC previously had a high-risk obstetrics unit, since closed, that bore their name. Their story is a uniquely American one: The Mangiones went from deep poverty to massive wealth in just three generations, with one cousin, Nino Mangione, now a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates. Despite an eventually deep portfolio of development properties and government contracting for 20 years, the family patriarch, Nicholas Mangione Sr. , said he still faced prejudice for his background when he attempted to buy land to build the Turf Valley Golf and Country Club, now the Turf Valley Resort, in Ellicott City. “Tongues started wagging,” Mangione told The Baltimore Sun in 1995. “People (were) wondering where an unknown Italian could get the money for a $5 million project. In those days, there were no Italians in real visible positions (in Howard County).” Mangione said the implication was that he must have backing from the mob, so he countered sharply. “People thought I needed money from the Mafia to buy this place. They asked me what family I belonged to,” he said. “I told them, ‘I belong to the Mangione family. The Mangione family of Baltimore County.’” The family is now defending its name again. On Monday, members released a statement on social media expressing dismay at Luigi Mangione’s arrest, saying they were stunned by the news. “We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved,” the family wrote . “We are devastated by this news.” The family did not respond to a request for comment via a family attorney or their foundation. From poverty to philanthropic elite How they went from the Depression-era streets of the city’s Little Italy to its philanthropic elite is straight out of a Horatio Alger novel. Nicholas Sr. was born in Baltimore’s Little Italy, and spent his first eight years in a one-room apartment with an outdoor privy, according to a 2008 Sun article. He earlier told The Sun his Italian immigrant father, Louis, could neither read nor write, and worked in the city water department until he died of pneumonia. Today, the Mangione family is a sprawling one, with a business empire to match: Nicholas Sr., made the beginning of the family’s fortunes in the post-World War II years as a bricklayer and contractor . He built up his business holdings throughout the following decades, with his wife, Mary , growing their family to include five sons, five daughters, and 37 grandchildren, including Luigi. The family’s holdings range from construction to commercial real estate to local radio station WCBM-AM and a majority stake in Lorien Health Services, which operates multiple assisted living facilities in Maryland. Aside from the Turf Valley Resort, with its 10,000-square-foot ballroom, 220-room hotel, and 85-seat amphitheater, the Mangiones also own the Hayfields Country Club in Cockeysville and a slew of companies registered in Maryland . Its family foundation had net assets of $4.4M as of its 2022 tax filing , the most recent on record. The Mangione Family Foundation’s stated focus is supporting, “Organizations for any of the following purposes: religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition (as long as it doesn’t provide athletic facilities or equipment), or the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.” Politically active across the aisle Politically, the Mangiones have been active across the aisle. Luigi Mangione’s parents, Louis and Kathleen Mangione donated $35,935 to state and local politicians from 2005 through 2023, according to data from the State Board of Elections. Half went to Nino Mangione ’s campaign account for his state delegate races from 2018 through 2023. Other donations went to Howard County executives Calvin Ball and Ken Ulman, both Democrats, and Allan Kittleman, a Republican, along with additional high-profile candidates of both parties, including former Govs. Martin O’Malley and Robert L. Ehrlich, and former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon. Large family The immense number of Mangiones also was briefly confusing for Baltimoreans on Monday. Aside from Nicholas Sr. and Mary Mangione’s 10 children and 37 grandchildren, city counts at least two other Mangione families, who were briefly inundated with phone calls from the media and queries from former schoolmates and acquaintances. One of Luigi Mangione’s two sisters is a physician at the University of Texas Southwestern, according to her LinkedIn profile. Another sister is a visual artist. Neither sister responded to requests for comment. His mother, Kathleen, comes from a family that owns a funeral home, the Charles S. Zannino Funeral Home in Highlandtown, the Baltimore Fishbowl reported , and now runs a travel agency, KZM Boutique Travel, which had removed its website as of Tuesday evening. His father, Louis was groomed to help take over the family’s business empire, according to a 2003 Washington Post article . ©2024 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Rudenko Andrey Yurevich / Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1976, Russian-Philippine friendship has gone through a test of endurance, including changes in the domestic and international political and economic spheres following the collapse of the USSR. Amid the ongoing global transformation associated with the changing balance of power in the international arena, primarily due to the increasing role of the Global South and Eastern countries, the Philippines remains an important and promising partner of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region. We believe that realizing the significant potential of our bilateral cooperation lies in the context of a multipolar world order, to which Russia and the Philippines, as an influential member of ASEAN, are making their tangible contributions. The convergence or proximity of the two countries’ approaches to the key challenges of our times, their adherence to international law, first and foremost to the principle of the sovereign equality of states, and their recognition of cultural and civilizational diversity and traditional values form the basis for bilateral cooperation. Throughout their history, Russian-Philippine relations have been an example of mutually beneficial cooperation and mutual respect. As early as 1817, the first Russian consulate was opened in Manila on the initiative of Peter Dobel, subject of the Russian Empire, with the aim of expanding trade. Throughout the 21st century, the Filipinos welcomed Russian travellers and sailors, including Vasily Golovnin, Fiodor Litke, Nikolay Miklukho-Maklaiand Ivan Goncharov, who were keen to study the traditions, culture and customs of the locals and then introduced “Perlas ng Silangan” to the Russian public. At the height of the Russo-Japanese War, Manila became a refuge for the Russian cruiser “Aurora” and its crew, who had been badly injured in the Battle of Tsushima. The stay of almost 6,000 Russian refugees from China on the archipelago in 1949-1951 is a little-known chapter in the history of the two countries. Tubabao Island became their home for several years. Local people have kept memories of the stay of “White Russians,” as they used to call them, including Archbishop John of Shanghai (declared a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church). In the second half of the twentieth century, cooperation between our countries took a new turn. In 1975, the USSR was visited by A. Melchor Jr., Executive Secretary of the President of the Philippines. This was the starting point for the establishment of diplomatic relations on June 2, 1976. It is noteworthy that this landmark political decision was taken by the father of the current President of the country, Ferdinand Marcos. Even back then, the Philippine leadership acknowledged that differences in socio-political systems were not an obstacle to successful and effective cooperation. The two countries signed their first trade agreement, which gave a new impetus to economic ties, cultural cooperation, tourism and scientific exchanges. Such an independent approach to bilateral relations, where mutual interests come to the fore, is still very much in demand today. Regrettably, nowadays some countries are striving hard to maintain global geopolitical dominance through the so-called “rules-based order” and artificially “cancel” those parts of the world that do not support such a unipolar vision. Attempts are being made to isolate Russia, punish it for its sovereign political decisions aimed at ensuring its own security, and blame it for all the problems of the world. We therefore appreciate the constructive attitude of the present administration, headed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which demonstrates the continuity of the policy of maintaining friendly relations with our country. Russian and Philippine lawmakers fruitfully cooperate at international parliamentary forums. In November 2023, the leaders of the two countries’ parliaments met on the sidelines of the 31st session of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in Manila. Parliamentary friendship groups operate within the legislative bodies of both countries. Trade and economic cooperation is of great importance, although it faces serious challenges, mainly related to the illegal economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and its allies, which is hampering bank settlements and disrupting supply chains. However, as practice shows, obstacles in trade and economic relations are surmountable. On October 4-5, 2023, the 3rd meeting of the Russia-Philippines Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was successfully held in Manila. We consider transport, space, information and communication technologies, etc. to be promising areas. As of 2023, bilateral trade turnover reached US$633.4 million. It is worth recalling that earlier our countries had joined efforts in the fight against Covid-19, during the difficult period of the pandemic. In 2021, 20 million doses of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V were delivered to the Philippines under a signed contract. Russian companies are interested in establishing cooperation with Philippine partners in the field of peaceful nuclear energy, including its non-energy applications. Agricultural cooperation is intensifying. Since 2021, the office of the agricultural attaché has been functioning within the Russian Embassy in the Philippines. In June 2023, a Russian delegation headed by Sergey Levin, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, visited Manila as part of a business mission of Russian companies exporting agricultural products. The establishment of direct flights between Russia and the Philippines would have a positive impact on the development of mutual business and tourist exchanges. This is evidenced by the existing direct flights to Southeast Asian nations, i.e. Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. The conditions are in place for the Philippines to engage with the Eurasian Economic Union, a single market of 180 million consumers. Recent years have seen an active development of interregional contacts. The city of Cebu maintains twinning relations with Vladimir, in 2022 an agreement on cooperation with Vladivostok was signed. In 2024 the province of Cebu concluded an agreement on cooperation in trade and economy, science and technology, and the humanitarian area with St. Petersburg. Moscow has cooperation programs in place with Manila and Cebu. The rich cultural heritage of the two countries provides a basis for expanding humanitarian exchanges, including increasing cooperation in the fields of education and tourism. Russian universities that hold leading positions in the world rankings offer Filipino students training, including free of charge, in such areas as Information Systems and Technologies, Applied Computer Science, Nuclear Energy, Medicine, Linguistics, etc. Russian audiences have repeatedly had the opportunity to get acquainted with the Philippine ballet thanks to Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, founder and CEO of Ballet Manila, who is a graduate of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. In turn, in 2023, as part of the Days of Moscow in Manila, the Filipino audience warmly welcomed a gala concert by artists of the Moscow State Academic Dance Theatre Gzhel at the Aliw Theatre. Friendly visits by Russian ships of the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet to Philippine harbors contribute to maintaining defense contacts. From 2021 to 2024, six such visits have been organized. Philippine officials annually participate in international meetings of High-Ranking Officials Responsible for Security Matters held by the Security Council of the Russian Federation. The importance of the Asia-Pacific region cannot be overestimated. We note with regret that the security and cooperation architecture, created around ASEAN over recent decades, is under threat. Under the slogan of a “free and open Indo-Pacific region,” the United States and their allies are pursuing a confrontational course aimed at “bloc containment.” The Euro-Atlanticists deliberately heat up the situation around Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula, aggravate territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and use heightened tensions in the region to pump it up with arms, including strategic weapons. Russia opposes the militarization of the region and the “creeping expansion” of NATO into Southeast Asia. Such narrow-bloc organizations as the Indo-Pacific Four (Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand), the AUKUS military alliance with a nuclear component (the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia) are fully involved in this scenario. We note attempts to pull other ASEAN countries into similar narrow-bloc entities, with the aim of forming new “trios” and “quartets.” We are convinced that the future of the Asia-Pacific region can be based only on a constructive agenda, the main items of which include maintaining peace and stability, developing mutually beneficial and multifaceted cooperation, and creating a regional architecture on a collective basis that would ensure equal and indivisible security for all. In cooperating with its regional partners, Russia is guided by long-term national interests and contemporary realities. To this end, we are actively using the potential of the Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership and the opportunities of our participation in the EAS and ARF, the SCO, BRICS, APEC and other multilateral organizations and forums. Moscow highly appreciates that the current Philippine leadership, in a difficult geopolitical situation, adheres to a balanced, pragmatic line in international affairs and strives to develop pragmatic relations with Russia. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that Russian-Philippine cooperation has great potential for further successful development and translation into mutually beneficial projects. Together we can make a significant contribution to overcoming global challenges and ensuring stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region. Rudenko Andrey Yurevich was born in Moscow in 1962. 1985: Graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (now MGIMO University). Diplomatic rank: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary since October 2020. 1985: Joined the diplomatic service and held various posts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at the ministry’s missions abroad. 2011-2016: Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the OSCE, Austria. March 2016: Director of the Second CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) Department of the Ministry, member of the Foreign Ministry Collegium. September 2019—present: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. He is fluent in English and Chinese.

The University French Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (UFTAN), on Sunday, expressed concern over the neglect of French language education in Nigerian universities, warning that the situation could have far-reaching negative consequences for the country. The association highlighted the insufficient number of French language teachers in Nigeria, describing it as a troubling trend that requires immediate attention. Speaking at the UFTAN conference in Abuja, the National President of UFTAN and a lecturer at the University of Abuja, Prof. Mufutau Tijani, called on the government and educational authorities to take deliberate steps to revitalize French language education in universities across the country. Prof. Tijani stressed that French is a critical language for Nigerians, offering opportunities in international relations, trade, and commerce. He noted that UFTAN is collaborating with the French Embassy in Nigeria through the Fresh Up Your Career (FAIR) program, which aims to improve the employability of French language students in Nigeria. He described the neglect of French language education as a severe oversight that demands urgent attention. He said: “The National Policy on Education recognizes French as Nigeria’s second official language and mandates its teaching at the lower secondary level, “Moreover, the teaching of French remains a priority for many universities, which are convinced of the importance of this language given the economic and diplomatic links that unite Nigeria with neighboring French-speaking countries. “While this statutory and socio-political framework should allow for the optimal development of the French language in schools and universities, many challenges remain to train young learners of French in the best possible way, and to make them competitive on the job market. He further lamented the lack of opportunities for students to practice French, adding that, “When students learn French, there are limited avenues to practice outside the classroom. Unlike other languages, French speakers are not readily available in the environment to facilitate conversational learning.” In her remarks, the Director of Center for Learning Resources at Covenant University, Ada Peter, proposed integrating French with other academic disciplines. She said: “For example, pairing French with international relations or digital humanities could make the language more attractive to students. However, the key is ensuring that the curriculum equips students with employable skills.” READ ALSO: Experts outline career, educational opportunities as French Week kicks off She also encouraged all departments of French in Nigerian universities to continue sending their students to the Nigeria French Language Village (NFLV) for the mandatory Language Immersion Programme (LIP). In his address, the coordinator of the Atualumikho Nanja project, Henry Feyi, highlighted efforts to train 150 French language teachers across five states, Enugu, Oyo, Lagos, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Feyi said: “We have enhanced their speaking skills and supported their enrollment in international certification exams, with excellent results. “The Atualumikho Nanja project also includes training for Francophone journalists to improve their reporting skills, in partnership with organizations like Radio France Internationale (RFI).” He noted that the project involves working with 10 public schools per state, totaling 50 schools, and aims to strengthen French language education at the grassroots level. He reiterated the urgent need to prioritize French language education, emphasizing its importance for Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic engagement. The association called on stakeholders to invest in programs that align with market demands and foster bilingual professionals capable of thriving in global contexts. The French Embassy convened members of the ANEUF association, alongside representatives from various institutional and educational organizations, to evaluate the progress of the project. Discussions centered on initial findings and the necessary actions to enhance the teaching and learning environment for French in Nigeria.THIS Storm Bert wreaked havoc on transport services and brought devastating flooding to towns across the region. In the early hours of Saturday (November 23) morning, Storm Bert hit South Wales, and several flood alerts were triggered. The M48 Severn bridge was closed in both directions due to the strong wind which had a knock-on effect of 50-minute delays on the M4. The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for wind and rain. However, it was not until Sunday that the full force of the storm was felt. Yellow warning of rain affecting Wales A yellow weather warning is a familiar sight for the Argus readers, but on Sunday the devastating floods showed the real impact of the storm. In the early hours of Sunday, the M48 once again closed in both directions due to strong winds. There were several flood warnings issued with 50 red warnings and 60 amber alerts from Natural Resource Wales. Throughout the day, residents across Gwent and Monmouthshire saw increasingly shocking images and video footage as rivers burst their banks. The flooding took place across the region including but not limited to Risca, Ebbw Vale, Abertillery, Newport, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Abersychan and Blackwood. It may have felt like the real question was where wasn’t flooding, as road closure after road closure was announced. A map of all the flood warnings across Wales showed the national emergency taking place, which was even addressed by the First Minister of Wales herself. First Minister for Wales, Eluned Morgan, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said: "Diolch to emergency services and council staff working hard to keep us safe during this awful weather and flooding. "Follow advice from your council, emergency services and Natural Resource Wales." Diolch to emergency services and council staff working hard to keep us safe during this awful weather and flooding. Diolch i'r rhai sy'n gweithio'n galed i ddiogelu ni. Cymerwch ofal a dilynwch gyngor lleol - follow advice from your council, emergency services and . An important message was issued by Gwent Police asking the public to abide by the road closure and not attempt to drive through floodwater. It was in the early morning, that within minutes a rugby club in Crosskeys Newport was hit by flash flooding. Cross Keys RFC says it is ‘heartbroken’ after it was hit by the devastating flash flooding at around 7.20am. Colin Vernal, 74, who runs the social club, was cleaning inside before the flood hit the premises. “I was in there at twenty past seven cleaning the club and there was not a drop of water, but by half past it was a job managing to get out of there.” He described the sound of floodwater hitting the building as loud as a ‘bomb going off’. The club previously flooded in 2019 and raised over £140,000 to repair damage to the furniture and carpets. The club is 'devastated' and heartbroken by the damage and how much this flood will set them back. In the morning, a local resident in Abergavenny witnessed the road completely flooded and what appeared to be a landslide at the Hardwick Roundabout. When the River Usk burst its banks over Castle Meadows in Abergavenny, the water rushed into the surrounding fields and roads. It was not just the roads that were flooded, as images showed a children’s play area at the Boating Lake park and garden in Cwmbran flooded. The flooding throughout Newport disrupted local bus services and train lines between Abergavenny and Pontypool were completely blocked. At around 10.19am photographs and videos of significant flooding on roads and residential streets in Abersychan began to emerge. The M48 Severn Crossing may have reopened at around 11.20am as winds died down, but the flooding continued to wreak havoc in towns across the region. At around 12.50, the River Ebbw at Tredegar Park in Newport began to breach its banks and residents received calls warning them of potential imminent flooding. In the early afternoon, a street in The Hawthorns in Caerleon was completely flooded, reported a local resident. In a video shared with the Argus, water levels can be seen so high that a skip floated towards parked cars at the Blackwood Rugby Club. A fundraiser has been set up to try and raise money to save the rugby club in Blackwood and a fundraiser for the Cross Keys RFC will be set up in a day or so. In Newport, an ominous picture shared by Mark Powis showed the gravestones at St Woolos Cemetery flooded with water.CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 16, 2024-- ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of networked charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), and the Colorado Energy Office today announced the completion of six EV fast charging corridors across the state. In total, 33 DC fast charging sites offering more than 80 charging ports are now available to EV drivers along highways across Colorado. The initiative was made possible by $10 million in state funding and more than $2 million in contributions from private and local government partners. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216928854/en/ ChargePoint and the Colorado Energy Office announced the completion of six EV fast charging corridors, doubling the coverage of corridor DC fast charging across the state. (Photo: Business Wire) “This project is a testament to the leadership we're seeing across the country at a state level to accelerate the build out of a robust charging network for all EV drivers,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO at ChargePoint. “Public-private partnerships such as our relationship with the Colorado Energy Office continue to play a critical role in building out charging infrastructure. Together, we are ensuring drivers across the state are able to charge quickly at convenient locations.” According to the Colorado Energy Office, the project has doubled the coverage of corridor DC fast charging in Colorado. Before the start of this project in 2019, 40% of highway corridors were within 30 miles of a fast charger. Upon completion, up to nearly 80% are within 30 miles of a fast charger. Investments through programs such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program will continue being made, complementing the state’s efforts to deploy more charging infrastructure. Additionally, the Colorado Energy Office recently reported that Colorado is first in the nation for market share of new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, so the infrastructure is anticipated to be utilized heavily from day one. “Colorado is leading the nation in EV sales and making EV travel more affordable and convenient for everyone. Colorado's growing network of charging stations allows EV owners to travel with confidence knowing that there will be a place to get a quick charge at the store, going to and from work, or traveling across the state,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. “Our partnership with ChargePoint to install 33 fast chargers across the state was essential to help establish a foundation for Colorado’s public EV fast-charging network,” said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. “With convenient access to charging along our major transportation routes Coloradans can now drive across the state in an electric vehicle, from the north to the south and the east to the west. We’re grateful for ChargePoint’s efforts to make this happen.” These charging sites enable fast, reliable charging strategically located along the state’s major highways, including Highway 40, I-70, Highway 50, Highway 550 and other key travel corridors. Locations range from convenience stores to local visitor centers to meet the needs and entertainment of drivers who are charging. Drivers can find the location of charging sites on the ChargePoint mobile app or website. A list of all new sites powered by ChargePoint Express Plus in Colorado can be found online at the Energy Office’s website: https://energyoffice.colorado.gov/transportation/grants-incentives/ev-fast-charging-corridors . ChargePoint and the ChargePoint logo are trademarks of ChargePoint, Inc. in the United States and in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. About ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. ChargePoint is creating a new fueling network to move people and goods on electricity. Since 2007, ChargePoint has been committed to making it easy for businesses and drivers to go electric with one of the largest EV charging networks and a comprehensive portfolio of charging solutions. The ChargePoint cloud subscription platform and software-defined charging hardware are designed to include options for every charging scenario from home and multifamily to workplace, parking, hospitality, retail and transport fleets of all types. Today, one ChargePoint account provides access to hundreds-of-thousands of places to charge in North America and Europe. For more information, visit the ChargePoint pressroom , the ChargePoint Investor Relations site , or contact the ChargePoint North American or European press offices or Investor Relations . CHPT-IR View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216928854/en/ CONTACT: ChargePoint John Paolo Canton Vice President, Communications JP.Canton@chargepoint.comAJ Gosselin Director, Corporate Communications AJ.Gosselin@chargepoint.com media@chargepoint.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA COLORADO UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: EV/ELECTRIC VEHICLES AUTOMOTIVE URBAN PLANNING CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY STATE/LOCAL UTILITIES GREEN TECHNOLOGY ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES/FUELS PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENT ENERGY SOURCE: ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/16/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/16/2024 04:04 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216928854/en

DETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don’t buckle up. Related Articles National News | TikTok asks the Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a US ban unless it’s sold National News | Luigi Mangione’s high-powered attorney is married to Diddy’s top lawyer National News | Survivors seek a reckoning as FBI investigates child sex abuse in little-known Christian sect National News | Trump migrant deportations could threaten states’ agricultural economies National News | Federal Reserve is likely to slow its rate cuts with inflation pressures still elevated The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren’t fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver’s seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don’t fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn’t be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver’s seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its five-star auto safety ratings to include driver assistance technologies and pedestrian protection. Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.Israel's military said yesterday it had killed two Hamas commanders, pressing its north Gaza offensive a day after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants over the offensive. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said an air strike on the territory's north killed five Hamas members including two company commanders "who participated in the October 7 massacre" last year. Medics said dozens were killed or missing after an overnight Israeli raid on Beit Lahia and nearby Jabalia, which are among the targets of a sweeping Israeli assault on north Gaza. A separate air attack targeted the Kamal Adwan Hospital – one of the few partially functioning medical facilities in the besieged territory's north. Residents claimed that Israeli soldiers yesterday set fire to residential buildings in Beit Lahiya to prevent families from returning to the area. Israeli gunboats have also fired at a fishing boat off the coast of Gaza City, killing one person and wounding another, report Al Jazeera online. Biden, in a statement later on Thursday responding to the ICC's arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, called them "outrageous", vowing to "always stand with Israel against threats to its security". China, which like Israel and the United States is not a member of the ICC, urged the court to "uphold an objective and just position". The Palestinian Authority and Hamas both welcomed the warrants, reports AFP. However, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said yesterday that Netanyahu would be detained if he arrives in Ireland. The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards yesterday described the arrest warrant as the "end and political death" of Israel, in a speech. More than 44,056 people have been killed in Gaza in more than 13 months of offensive.