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NoneThe distraught family of a father-of-two has issued a desperate plea for information almost a week after he missed a flight to spend the Christmas period with his children. John Hardy, 37, was reported missing on December 18 when he missed his flight home from Benidorm, Spain , to spend the festive season with his sons, aged 13 and six, in Belfast. He reportedly been holidaying at a friend's home in Alicante and left to meet friends in the nearby holiday hotspot. He hasn't been seen or heard from since and his "worried sick" sister Courtney George is desperate for information. She said the unemployed Belfast man wouldn't usually go 48 hours without speaking to her, but it has now been nine days without a word from him. The pharmacy assistant, who had planned to welcome John for Christmas dinner, said: "All his kids want for Christmas is for him to come home". She has set up a GoFundMe account that has amassed more than £8,900 of donations, with the situation leaving her feeling like "setting her tree on fire and running away from this nightmare". Courtney, from Belfast, said: "I have to have Christmas for my own kids but I would happily set my tree on fire and run away from this nightmare. We've lost a family member recently and he was really upset and thought he needed a holiday. His youngest is very confused and the 13-year-old has seen everything on social media and is very distressed. They love their daddy." "All they want for Christmas is their dad to come home. I haven't eaten in five days and have been physically sick because it's been nine days without contact. My brother would never go two days without speaking to me. He was meant to be coming to my house for Christmas dinner and we had our plans made." "John is missing from Alicante to Benidorm so we need a search party out there to look for him. It's family time so nobody will be looking for our family when they want to spend it with their own. It's very urgent because places close and people go on holiday. We already know that we won't have John for Christmas." Mum-of-two Courtney says she can't believe the amazing support through the GoFundMe, to which people can donate here, from both Belfast and further afield. A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland received a report on Wednesday, 18th December that a 37-year-old man from Belfast, holidaying in Spain, was believed to be missing. Enquiries are ongoing in conjunction with our international policing partners." Join our Belfast Live breaking news service on WhatsApp Click this link or scan the QR code to receive breaking news and top stories from Belfast Live. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Ryan Day makes feelings clear on Ohio State brawl with Michigan after criticismNone

Building on unparalleled nuclear experience, James Owen to lead Fuse's strategy to build technology solutions for sustainable, clean, reliable energy SAN LEANDRO, Calif. , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fuse , a leading nuclear fusion company dedicated to accelerating the world's transition to fusion energy while safeguarding humankind, today announced the appointment of Los Alamos National Laboratory's (LANL) Chief Engineer for Nuclear Weapons, James Owen , as President of Fuse Federal, the company's wholly-owned subsidiary focused on U.S. government business. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

The election of Donald Trump for his second presidential term has led to widespread fears of an imminent authoritarian descent in the United States. Quite how that might play out remains speculative, for now at least. But evidence from Trump’s first term, as well as his campaign policies and cabinet nominations since the election, suggest those fears are not without foundation. Another way of looking at this, however, is that Trump’s return simply echoes realities within the international system’s other great powers – China, Russia and India have all displayed similar political pathologies for some time now. Due to their collective power and influence in determining the nature of the world order, Trump’s victory thus marks the amplification of a deeply autocratic era in global politics. The hallmarks of what we might call this nascent “Pax Autocratica ” can be seen in a variety of ways, as these four horsemen of authoritarianism charge ahead with their policies and plans. Strongman politics Donald Trump and his counterparts – China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India’s Narendra Modi – are all bombastic, divisive and confrontational leaders. They embody the archetype of strongman politics whereby power is focused on a single, would-be omnipotent individual. As well as sharing similar alpha-male psychological characteristics and developing cults of personality around themselves, they seek to rule for long periods. In 2018, Xi removed the presidential term limit from China’s constitution. In 2020, Putin amended the Russian constitution, allowing him to rule until 2036, leading to what’s been described as a “ politics of eternity ”. In power since 2014, Modi has won the past three elections in India. Accused of having a god complex , his success has rested on mainstreaming Hindu-first nationalism , capturing the legal system and rewriting Indian history . Trump, too, has flirted with ideas of a third term (impossible under current constitutional rules), saying, “ we just have to figure that out ”. Strongman politics: Donald Trump meets India’s Narendra Modi in New Delhi, 2020. Getty Images Constraining human rights Each of these leaders has overseen governments that have sought to narrow and constrain human rights. This includes limiting freedoms of speech and expression within Russian media, attacking journalists and protesters in India, and purging opponents in China. In all three countries, this involves using legal mechanisms to stifle dissent. Reports after Trump’s victory suggest he also wants to punish or suppress protest and dissent. The growing politicisation of the US Supreme Court matches similar trends in the other three countries. This has been likened to a shift away from the rule of law (which underpins a free and open society) towards “rule by law” (whereby the law becomes a tool of control). Globally, there have been warnings that reduced freedoms of speech, association and expression threaten the fundamental structures of civil society . The 2024 State of Civil Society Report by watchdog group Civicus estimates 72% of the world’s population now lives under authoritarian regimes. Attacking minorities The first Trump administration actively discriminated against minority ethnic groups, LGBTQ people, those with disabilities, and immigrants. Trump’s 2017 travel ban closed the US border to Muslims, while the planned deportation of up to 13 million illegal migrants was a mainstay of his 2024 campaign. In Russia, attacks against minorities and foreigners are commonplace, with racism in the country described as “ out of control ” by Amnesty International. Since 2014, violence and discrimination against India’s 200 million Muslims has significantly increased under Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Modi government’s actions actively discriminate against Muslim employment, education, justice and housing , especially in Kashmir and Assam. These chime with China’s actions in Xinjiang and Tibet where ethnic minorities are experiencing fundamental human rights violations . Beijing is also building a national social credit system designed to enhance public trust in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and create a society of “ compliant subjects ”. Social control: China’s Xi Jinping with Russia’s Vladimir Putin at the BRICS Leader’s Summit, October 22. Getty Images Weakened electoral systems While ostensibly democratic, there are glaring weaknesses in the US, Indian and Russian political and electoral systems, which undercut claims of electoral equality, fairness and plurality. While not as blatantly authoritarian as China (under the one-party rule of the CCP since 1949, and which consistently silences its opponents ), elections in Russia are essentially non-competitive and only a fac ̧ade of democracy . In the US, the gerrymandering of electoral regions , voter suppression , and vast corporate donations tilt the political landscape towards particular interests. Much the same is true of India, which has shifted towards a form of “ electoral autocracy ”, and is described now as only a “ partially free democracy ” by monitoring group Freedom House. These trends are exacerbated by India’s persistent intergenerational political dynasties and powerful political donors . Surveillance and security All of these authoritarian trends are underpinned by modern surveillance structures , directed inward towards a country’s own citizens as much as outwards, and enabled by Big Tech and now AI. What has been described as “ algorithmic authoritarianism ” takes different forms. The Chinese social credit system uses such technology to instil social control mainly through financial levers. India’s Central Monitoring System allows government agencies to monitor all mobile phone, landline and internet communications with minimal legal restraints . The pervasive reach of Russia’s capabilities has resulted in a “cyber gulag” of “total digital surveillance” . In the US, whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed the mass surveillance of telephone records in 2013, which was found to be illegal in 2020. Now, Trump’s alliance with Elon Musk has potential implications for his administration’s approach to AI and national security – including Musk continuing to use his social media platform to boost Trump’s political support. Trump’s return has normalised and supercharged authoritarianism internationally, making it the rule rather than the exception. America’s autocratic drift is now part of a broader global pattern, one that threatens democratic forces everywhere. Chris Ogden is affiliated with the Foreign Policy Centre (London) as a Senior Research Fellow.

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LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland finds that mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor assaulted a woman in a hotel. (CORRECTS: A previous APNewsAlert misstated the claim the jury found him liable for.).

Regina, Saskatchewan, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Conexus Credit Union is proud to announce the launch of the $100 million ‘Ag Grow Fund.’ This new fund is designed to help Saskatchewan ag producers save money and reinvest in their operations. Exclusive discounted interest rates, no application fees, and no age limit restrictions are some of the fund’s tailored benefits. “Conexus is dedicated to empowering ag producers to achieve what matters to them,” says Conexus Chief Growth Officer Garnett Volk. “We have designed this fund specifically for Saskatchewan producers and their operations.” “As your local credit union, we understand and value agriculture’s contribution to the health of our economy. We are committed to our members’ success and to helping grow Saskatchewan agriculture for a thriving province.” More highlights of the Ag Grow Fund include: Ag producers can learn more and book an appointment with a dedicated Conexus Ag Advisor The Ag Grow Fund is the latest Conexus initiative supporting the Saskatchewan agricultural sector, adding to Cultivator powered by Conexus’ AGTECH ACCELERATOR. The AGTECH ACCELERATOR sees Cultivator facilitate and accelerate growth in agtech by connecting farmers, founders, and funders. The program aims to bring the best agricultural innovations to Canada, ensuring Canadian farmers have access to cutting-edge technology to enhance their operations. Cultivator is currently recruiting Cohort 4 for the AGTECH ACCELERATOR. Learn more . Conexus members get into Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) for free again this year. Members can visit any before Nov. 29, 2024, to pick up a free multi-day pass. We’re a forward-thinking, Saskatchewan-based credit union committed to our members and their financial well-being. We’re a member-owned cooperative with more than 80 years of serving members and giving back to our community. Conexus’ purpose is to champion every member’s success for a thriving Saskatchewan.Taiwan backs expansion of AUKUS, strait ship transitsTrump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutionsOn Monday, Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda announced they have begun official negotiations to merge, which could catapult them to the world's third-largest carmaker by sales. During the same day, the company announced its share buyback plans by December 23 next year, which amounts to 24% of its issued shares. Shares of Japanese automaker Honda were on track for their best day in 16 years after it announced to buy back up to 1.1 trillion yen ($7 billion) of its shares on Monday amid merger talks with Nissan . Nissan and Honda said they had begun official negotiations to merge , which could catapult them to the world's third-largest carmaker by sales. Honda also announced to buy back 24% of its issued shares by Dec. 23 next year. Its shares were last up 15.51%, and would clock their best day since October 2008, if gains hold. Nissan shares fell over 1%. The Honda-Nissan deal would focus on sharing knowledge and resources, achieving economies of scale and creating synergies, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said . A holding company will be established as the parent organization for both Honda and Nissan, and will be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. "These two companies, they are operating in the same market, and they have very similar brand images, they have very similar products," Hakan Dogu, chairman of Alagan Mobility Solutions, told CNBC on Tuesday. "The new management has a big challenge to differentiate the product range and also extend the business," he added. Discussions are set to conclude in June 2025. Nissan's strategic partner, Mitsubishi, has been given the opportunity to join the new group and is expected to make a decision by the end of January 2025. Honda reported 1.382 trillion yen in operating profit for the full year to March 2024, versus Nissan's 568.7 billion yen. The automakers would have a combined value of nearly $54 billion, with Honda's market capitalization contributing the greater $43 billion share. Analysts suggested that the potential merger stems from Nissan's financial struggles and the restructuring of its long-standing partnership with France's Renault. In its latest quarterly report, Nissan announced plans to cut 9,000 jobs and reduce its global production capacity by 20%. —CNBC's Jenni Reid contributed to this report.

Pairings for the Isleta New Mexico Bowl were announced Sunday and one of the entrants is just two years removed from playing for the national championship. TCU, which lost to Georgia in the College Football Playoff title game following the 2022 regular season, has accepted a bid to face Louisiana on Jan. 28 at University Stadium in Albuquerque. The Horned Frogs (8-4) finished in a tie for fifth place in the Big 12, just a game shy of the four teams who tied for first. They won five of their last six games to finish 6-3 in their conference. TCU is coached by Sonny Dykes, but their head coaches from 1998 through 2021 had direct ties to the state of New Mexico. Dennis Franchione took over the Horned Frogs in 1998 after spending six years as the head coach at New Mexico. His successor, Gary Patterson, was the Lobos' defensive coordinator under Franchione and took over the Frogs in 2000 when Franchione was hired by Alabama. Finally, Jerry Kill was TCU's interim coach in 2021 after Patterson resigned before the end of the season. Kill went on to coach at New Mexico State through last season, leading the Aggies to the 2023 New Mexico Bowl — a 37-10 loss to Fresno State. Louisiana (10-3, 7-1 Sun Belt) won 10 games for the first time in three years and finished as the runner-up in the Sun Belt. It’s the program’s seventh straight trip to a bowl game. The Ragin’ Cajuns scored 30 or more points in nine of their 13 games. They will be the first team from the Sun Belt to play in the New Mexico Bowl. “We are incredibly excited about this matchup and can’t wait to welcome these two teams and their fan bases to New Mexico”, said Jeff Siembieda, executive director of the ESPN-owned Isleta New Mexico Bowl. “I think we have put together what should be a really good game. TCU, with a great fan base not only in Texas, but here in New Mexico, on a three-game winning streak and playing well, against ten-win Louisiana who earned a spot in the conference championship game with a very exciting brand of football.” This will be the first appearance for either team in the New Mexico Bowl, which dates back to 2006 when it was created to pair teams from the Mountain West against the Western Athletic Conference. The Mountain West did not have enough bowl-eligible teams to send an entrant to New Mexico; only five of its 12 teams won the requisite six games during the regular season. TCU is one of nine teams from the Big 12 in a postseason game. That includes conference champion Arizona State in the College Football Playoff and the unusual all-Big 12 matchup of Colorado and BYU in the Valero Alamo Bowl.

But the City boss has vowed to stay on and lift the club back to the top even if they are sent all the way down to the National League. Guardiola ended speculation over his immediate future this week by extending his contract, which had been due to expire at the end of the season, through to the summer of 2027. That has given the club some stability at a time of great uncertainty as they fight 115 charges related to alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations. City have denied all wrongdoing but their punishment if found guilty could be severe, with demotion even a possibility. Guardiola has strongly defended the club in the past and is happy to continue doing so. The Spaniard said: “I don’t enjoy it, I prefer not to be in that position, but once it’s there I love it because, when you believe in your club, and the people there – I believe what they say to me and the reasons why. “I cannot say yet because we’re awaiting the sentence in February or March – I don’t know when – but at the same time, I like it. “I read something about the situation and how you need to be relegated immediately. Seventy-five per cent of the clubs want it, because I know what they do behind the scenes and this sort of stuff. “I said when all the clubs accused us of doing something wrong, (and people asked) what happens if we are relegated, (I said) I will be here. “Next year, I don’t know the position of the Conference they are going to (put) us, (but) we are going to come up and come up and come back to the Premier League. I knew it then and I feel it now.” The immediate priority for Guardiola, who said his contract negotiations were completed in “just two hours”, is to arrest a run of four successive defeats in all competitions. Yet, ahead of their return to action against Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, the champions continue to grapple with a lengthy injury list. Mateo Kovacic is their latest casualty after sustaining a knock on international duty that could keep him out for up to a month. On the positive side, defenders Nathan Ake, John Stones and Manuel Akanji could feature and Jack Grealish is also closing in on a return after a month out. Much to Guardiola’s frustration, Grealish was called up by England for their recent Nations League games, although he later withdrew. Guardiola said: “I want the best for Jack and I want the best for Jack with the national team but the doctor said to me that he was not ready to play. “I know (England) want him but they have 200 players to select from and Jack was not fit. He had to recover from many things.” Kyle Walker played for England against both Greece and the Republic of Ireland despite limited game time since suffering injury in the October international break. Guardiola said: “If he is fit I like him to play in the national team. It is not a problem, don’t misunderstand me. “Kyle has a dream to make 100 caps for the national team. Do I want to cancel this dream? Absolutely not. “But if you are not fit, if you cannot play here, you cannot play for the national team. It is quite obvious.”