Jerry RaydenbowBill Clinton, the former US president who has faced a series of health issues over the years, was admitted to hospital Monday in Washington after developing a fever, his office said. "President Clinton was admitted to Georgetown University Medical Center this afternoon for testing and observation after developing a fever," the 78-year-old's deputy chief of staff Angel Urena said on social media platform X, adding Clinton "remains in good spirits." Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
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Declining attention spans in schoolsA series of sectoral meetings concluded in Caracas on Thursday (November 28), with a declaration calling for the establishment of a global anti-fascist movement to coordinate responses to the acceleration of aggressive imperial actions against the international progressive movement. Some 1,200 delegates from 76 countries gathered in Caracas for the final of a series of meetings that saw youth, students, women, parliamentarians and representatives of governments, political forces and social movements discuss how peace-loving and anti-war movements everywhere should respond to the increasing levels of repression by right-wing fascist, Zionist, colonialist and racist forces globally. From Palestine to Iran, Zimbabwe to Sudan, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Dominica, Jamaica and Saint Lucia, delegates made cases for solidarity, cooperation and assistance to draw attention to and support for their respective struggles in The Americas, Africa, Asia, The Arab World, Europe, The Pacific and The Caribbean. Sharing information about their respective struggles and creating new friends and allies, delegates discussed for two days (November 27 and 28) how best to consolidate their efforts to continue sharing experiences and unite their struggles in a common front against the international imperial order. Just days earlier, youth and students from across Latin America and the Caribbean joined counterparts from across the world, including social movements and global political forces, at the same venue in Caracas, where they were addressed by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Thursday’s closing conference was addressed by the Executive Secretary of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) Jorge Areazza and President of Venezuela’s National Assembly Jorge Rodriguez. The closing session was also addressed by Dr Aeandro Javier Rusconi, ALBA’s International relations secretary and Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to Venezuela and ALBA, Peter Lansiquot. Areazza traced the developments leading to the formation of ALBA, which followed efforts by the USA to establish a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) that was loudly and strongly opposed by then Venezuela President Hugo Chavez. ALBA was created 20 years ago, but Areazza pointed out that it was the joining by the independent nations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) that made the significant difference that allowed ALBA “to transform from an Alternative to an Alliance, unlike any other regional grouping.” He pointed out that “no other regional integration movement does what the Latin American and Caribbean alliance is doing through ALBA, as it’s founded on the bases of provision of health, education and energy for the peoples of Our Americas and The Caribbean.” The ALBA official was referring to university scholarships given to tens of thousands of Caribbean and Latin American students to study in Cuba and Venezuela, health care through such movements as the ongoing ‘Miracle’ (‘Milagro’) eye care programme by Cuba and Venezuela that’s treated scores of thousands of Latin American and Caribbean citizens, as well as the PetroCaribe project that combined energy assistance to Caribbean and Latin American nations with creation of a Free Trade Area and Zone of Peace. He traced the formation of ALBA to the early and determined historical efforts of Simon Bolivar, Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro, who he described as having been “born before their time” and said the formation of the alternative alliance paved the way towards creation of an international anti-fascist alliance through national chapters across the region and the world. National Assembly President Rodriguez delivered greetings from President Maduro and the leadership of the government and ruling Venezuela Socialist Unity Party (PSUV) and thanked the global progressive movement for its support during the July 28 presidential elections that saw President Maduro returned a third time since Chavez’s death in 2013. He hit back at those who describe Venezuela’s robust approach to defence of its sovereignty as ‘extremist’, saying: “We are extreme because we will always fight fascism to death... and because being wishy-washy against fascism is like trying to treat cancer with aspirins.” Rodriguez explained that in response to the recent passage of US law to further strengthen the crippling sanctions against Venezuela, the South American nation’s parliament will soon pass a “Simon Bolivar Law for Defence of the Sovereignty of our Homeland and People” that will be “without restrictions against any country or entity that imposes sanctions against Venezuela.” He said Caracas “cannot remain indifferent to criminal attacks on Palestine by Israel and/or faced with barbarism and murder through invasions of other nations by those that also promote invasion of Venezuela.” The National Assembly president said, “We have no alternative but to continue struggling” and called on the global anti-fascist movement to “remain united and working for continuing progress, because we shall overcome.” Saint Lucia’s Ambassador Lansiquot addressed the closing ceremony – in Spanish – reporting on the progress of continuing efforts to establish national and regional chapters of the international anti-fascist movement in Saint Lucia and other CARICOM and OECS nations. The conference ended with the adoption of a 20-point Final Declaration that outlined the many objectives and intentions associated with the establishment of the international anti-fascist movement with Venezuela as its operational headquarters, from solidarity with ongoing struggles in various parts of the world to establishment of national, regional and international structures to ensure its smooth functioning. The declaration also reaffirmed the support of social movements and progressive political forces for the creation of a Palestinian State, opposed the use of NATO weapons in Ukraine, promised creation of a Think Tank to monitor the forces promoting fascism worldwide and of an Executive Secretariat of the International Anti-fascist Movement, also in Caracas. The declaration called for a meeting of international and regional intellectuals to develop a Caracas Anti-fascist Forum and the establishment of a body of jurists to provide legal bases for the activities of the global movement. It called for the creation of national chapters in each of the 76 nations represented by delegates attending the international conference in Caracas. The conference ended with a Caribbean and Latin American cultural performance.
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Biden gives life in prison to 37 of 40 federal death row inmates before Trump can resume executionsEven with access to blockbuster obesity drugs, some people don't lose weightI decided not to study abroad in college because I wanted to stay with my boyfriend on campus. It was my sliding doors moment.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday as he pushed to win enough votes for confirmation. He said he will not back down after allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Collins said after the hourlong meeting that she questioned Hegseth about the allegations amid reports of drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. She said she had a “good, substantive” discussion with Hegseth and “covered a wide range of topics,” including sexual assault in the military, Ukraine and NATO. But she said she would wait until a hearing, and notably a background check, to make a decision. “I asked virtually every question under the sun,” Collins told reporters as she left her office after the meeting. "I pressed him both on his position on military issues as well as the allegations against him, so I don’t think there was anything that we did not cover.” The meeting with Collins was closely watched as she is seen as more likely than most of her Republican Senate colleagues to vote against some of Trump’s Cabinet picks. She and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow moderate Republican, did not shy from opposing Trump in his first term when they wanted to do so and sometimes supported President Joe Biden’s nominees for the judicial and executive branches. And Hegseth, an infantry combat veteran and former “Fox & Friends” weekend host, is working to gain as many votes as he can as some senators have expressed concerns about his personal history and lack of management experience. “I’m certainly not going to assume anything about where the senator stands,” Hegseth said as he left Collins’ office. “This is a process that we respect and appreciate. And we hope, in time, overall, when we get through that committee and to the floor that we can earn her support.” Hegseth met with Murkowski on Tuesday. He has also been meeting repeatedly with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a military veteran who has said she is a survivor of sexual assault and has spent time in the Senate working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. On Monday, Ernst said after a meeting with him that he had committed to selecting a senior official to prioritize those goals. Republicans will have a 53-49 majority next year, meaning Trump cannot lose more than three votes on any of his nominees. It is so far unclear whether Hegseth will have enough support, but Trump has stepped up his pressure on senators in the last week. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” Trump posted on his social media platform last week. On Thursday, Hegseth plans to meet with a Democrat — Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman. Fetterman confirmed the meeting to The Associated Press but did not say whether he was considering supporting Hegseth or what he planned to discuss. Associated Press writer Ali Swenson contributed to this report.
Mikaela Shiffrin suffers abrasion on hip during crash on final run of World Cup giant slalomBill Clinton, the former US president who has faced a series of health issues over the years, was admitted to hospital Monday in Washington after developing a fever, his office said. "President Clinton was admitted to Georgetown University Medical Center this afternoon for testing and observation after developing a fever," the 78-year-old's deputy chief of staff Angel Urena said on social media platform X, adding Clinton "remains in good spirits." Clinton was previously hospitalized for five nights in October 2021 due to a blood infection. In 2004, at age 58, he underwent a quadruple bypass operation after doctors found signs of extensive heart disease. He had stents implanted in his coronary artery six years later. The health scare motivated him to make lifestyle changes, including adopting a vegetarian diet, and he has since spoken publicly about his efforts. Clinton's health last made headlines in November 2022 when he tested positive for Covid-19. He said at the time that his symptoms were "mild" and he was "grateful to be vaccinated and boosted." Clinton, who led the United States for two presidential terms from 1993-2001, is the second-youngest living US president, after 63-year-old Barack Obama. He was born mere months after fellow former US president George W. Bush and President-elect Donald Trump. Though his prosperous time in office was marred by scandals, he has enjoyed a second life in the two decades after his presidency, which has seen him venture into numerous diplomatic and humanitarian causes. bur-jgc/aha
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Ever wanted to bring your dog with you aboard a cruise ship? Do you have a business focused on dogs and their families? If you answered yes to either question, you’ll be excited to learn that what’s being called the first-ever dog-friendly cruise is being planned aboard Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander out of the Port of Tampa in November 2025. And business opportunities await. Cruise ships famously don’t allow dogs other than service animals. Organizers of this cruise anticipate selecting from a long line of hopefuls. A “waitlist for all dog parents who have dreamt of bringing their furry friends along for their vacations will open soon,” a news release says. Organizers are calling for 250 dogs, “their owners and their closest humans” to become “inaugural ambassadors” for the cruise, which they promise will offer “unique experiences and activities including gifts and samples from top vendors, dog shows and trainings, guest speakers, costume contests, parades, and more.” The event is being staged by two organizations — Cruise Tails and Expedia Cruises of West Orlando. The website cruisetails.com seeks sponsors and investors in hopes of turning the cruise into a recurring event. Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are available for companies seeking brand visibility “across a passionate pet-loving audience,” the site says. And participants must sign photo waivers, the website says, adding, “We anticipate the fun will be all over social media and even in the press. In fact, the 250 chosen will undoubtedly be asked by sponsors to try products and post about them.” Cruise Tails was formed by Steve Matzke, a Bradenton-based entrepreneur listed on LinkedIn as beginning his career this month as an “independent consultant.” Matzke spent four years prior to that as senior director of external relations for the American Accounting Association, and 12 years before that as director of faculty and university initiatives for the American Institute of CPAs, his LinkedIn profile shows. Expedia Cruises of West Orlando was founded in 2019 by Dawn von Graff, an avid traveler who has taken more than 75 cruises and visited more than 80 countries, and her husband. She owned a computer networking firm, worked as an international tour manager, and was a top salesperson for Marriott before forming Expedia Cruises of West Orlando as a full-service travel agency. Details including dates, prices and itineraries have not yet been released. According to the website, organizers hope to select the inaugural 250 dogs based partly on how the dogs perform in a “video talent singing contest” as well as “a variety of criteria” to be announced “over the next few weeks.” The bigger the dog’s entourage, the better chance it will have to be chosen, the website says. “Preference will be given to dogs in a group which includes one dog cabin traveling with two or more associated cabins of friends or family without dogs,” it says. A spokeswoman for Margaritaville at Sea says the organizers are chartering the Islander, and the cruise will not be available for booking to the general public. Each dog will have “private relief stations” on their cabin balconies, and when dogs don’t make it to the relief station, each will have its own “pet butler” to ensure “their cabin and the boat remain in top condition,” a Cruise Tails spokeswoman said. Participants must agree to follow protocols on board, including keeping their dogs in permitted areas and making sure they are up to date with appropriate vaccinations. Dogs will not be allowed in dining areas, the ship’s casino, pool decks, lounges or music venues, according to the news release. Organizers will also be looking for workers and vendors. “We’re going to need dog walkers, pet butlers, and so much more,” the website says. And “if you have a proven skill like pet massage, grooming and pet walking or if you make custom dog costumes, have a unique dog product you would like to promote or are a well-known dog expert, we would love to chat with you.” Calls for pet handlers and vendors will be posted “in the next few months,” the site says. Whether the event turns into the profitable industry that its organizers hope for will undoubtedly depend on how the first one unfolds. A spokeswoman did not immediately have answers to such questions of what will happen to dogs that get aggressive with humans or other dogs? Will owners be required to purchase additional insurance to cover any possibilities? Will food be provided and how will feedings be handled? Contributors on Reddit.com posted mixed reactions to the announcement on Monday. “Cruises are already floating petri dishes. This doesn’t seem like a very good idea,” said one. “Now all decks are poop decks,” said another. A couple of posters worried about dogs going overboard. One said, “sounds awesome if you like dogs,” while another chimed in, “Better than a gorilla-friendly cruise, I suppose.” Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com.
President Joe Biden on Monday vetoed a once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal district judgeships, saying “hurried action” by the House left important questions unanswered about the life-tenured positions. The legislation would have spread the establishment of the new trial court judgeships over more than a decade to give three presidential administrations and six Congresses the chance to appoint the new judges. The bipartisan effort was carefully designed so that lawmakers would not knowingly give an advantage to either political party in shaping the federal judiciary. The Democratic-controlled Senate passed the measure unanimously in August. But the Republican-led House brought it to the floor only after Republican Donald Trump was reelected to a second term in November, adding the veneer of political gamesmanship to the process. The White House had said at the time that Biden would veto the bill. “The House of Representative's hurried action fails to resolve key questions in the legislation, especially regarding how the new judgeships are allocated, and neither the House of Representatives nor the Senate explored fully how the work of senior status judges and magistrate judges affects the need for new judgeships,” the president said in a statement. “The efficient and effective administration of justice requires that these questions about need and allocation be further studied and answered before we create permanent judgeships for life-tenured judges,” Biden said. He said the bill would also have created new judgeships in states where senators have not filled existing judicial vacancies and that those efforts "suggest that concerns about judicial economy and caseload are not the true motivating force behind passage of this bill now. “Therefore, I am vetoing this bill,” Biden said, essentially dooming the legislation for the current Congress. Overturning Biden's veto would require a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, and the House vote fell well short of that margin. Organizations representing judges and attorneys had urged Congress to vote for the bill. They argued that the lack of new federal judgeships had contributed to profound delays in the resolution of cases and serious concerns about access to justice. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., reacted swiftly, calling the veto a “misguided decision” and “another example of why Americans are counting down the days until President Biden leaves the White House.” He alluded to a full pardon that Biden recently granted his son Hunter on federal gun and tax charges. “The President is more enthusiastic about using his office to provide relief to his family members who received due process than he is about giving relief to the millions of regular Americans who are waiting years for their due process," Young said. "Biden’s legacy will be ‘pardons for me, no justice for thee.’” —-- Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
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