by Neville Ladduwahetty It has been reported that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is due to visit India during the latter part of December. He and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to have talks on grant assistance projects from India, debt restructuring, people centric digitisation (identity cards, for instance), finality of the Economic and Technological Co-operation Agreement (ECTA), housing projects from India, solar electrification of religious places, agricultural development, defence cooperation, infrastructure development in the North and collaboration in human resource development. President Dissanayake is expected to raise with Premier Modi the issue of Indian fishermen fishing in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters” ( Sunday Times , December 1, 2024). It is clear from the foregoing report that the scale and scope of India’s agenda overwhelmingly outweighs Sri Lanka’s agenda that is limited to a single issue, namely, “Indian fishermen fishing in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters”. Notwithstanding this serious imbalance, Sri Lanka could gain considerable mileage by expanding the scope of this single issue in its agenda to two issues that would make a significant impact not only to Sri Lanka’s security and its national interests but also to the wellbeing of the Sri Lankan fishing community. The two issues are as follows: 1 Reparations for the damages inflicted on Sri Lanka’s marine resources by bottom trawling and the loss of revenue and wellbeing to Sri Lanka and its fishing community over decades. 2 The need to revisit existing maritime boundaries agreed to between India and Sri Lanka, which are based on historical practices and instead, establish fresh Maritime Boundaries based on International law recognized by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) relating to International Boundaries. These two issues are interlinked because it is the determination of the international boundary, based on International Law, that becomes the basis to establish claims for Reparations. Therefore, it is only by establishing the location of the International Boundary, based on a judgment by the ICJ, that lawful assessment of the claim for Reparations could be established. THE BACKGROUND One of the issues that was of significant concern to Sri Lanka and India in the early 1970s was the “ownership” of the island of Katchativu since it was pivotal to the establishment of the maritime boundary between the two countries. This issue was resolved with the signing of the 1974 Agreement by the Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka and India and revised in 1976. However, since these Agreements are based on traditional practices of citizens in both countries and, therefore, had “no legal resolution of ownership” (MDD Peiris, November 24, 2024) , at the operational level, adherence to the obligations in the Agreements are fluid. Consequently, the ceding of Katchativu by India to Sri Lanka as per the Agreements is considered by India to be an act of treachery; even Prime Minister Modi is of a similar view. As long as such perspectives persist at the highest level in India, attempting to resolve these contentious issues through dialogue is a futile exercise even if the highest level is committed to policies such as “Neighbourhood First”. Therefore, the only option for Sri Lanka and India, as members of the UN Charter, is to jointly or separately refer the matter to the ICJ for a legal resolution of all issues involved, if there is to any justice under the policy of “Neighbourhood First”, for it to mean what it states and not India First in the neighbourhood. REPARATIONS for VIOLATING SOVEREIGN RIGHTS According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Article 56) the exploring, exploiting, conserving and managing living and non-living natural resources of a Coastal State within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a sovereign right. Despite this, thousands of trawlers from India enter Sri Lanka’s EEZ and not only exploit its resources but also destroy marine resources by resorting to bottom trawling, evidence of which abound. In a United Nations-Nippon Foundation of Japan Fellowship Programme of 2016, Aruna Maheepala claims: “There are over 5,000 mechanised trawlers in Tamil Nadu and nearly 2,500 of them enter Sri Lankan waters on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and often coming at 500 m of the shoreline (emphasis added) ... More than 50,000 marine fishers live in the Northern fisheries districts (Jaffna, Kiliinochchi, Mannar, Mulative), which is around one fourth of the marine fishers of the country. Before the commencement of the war (1982) around 40% of the fish production of the country came from Northern fishery districts (except Killinochchi). However, the contribution of the fish production in the Northern fishery district drastically dropped to 5% in the peak period of the war (2008) and gradually increased after 2009. Furthermore, livelihoods of Sri Lankan fishers’ have been drastically affected as a result of the Indian poaching”. News 1st reported on 14 April 2021: “Indian fishing vessels illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters pillage around Rs, 900 billion worth of valuable marine resources in the Northern seas of Sri Lanka” (Northern Province Fisheries Asso. Chief, M.V. Subramanium). “Assessing reparation of environmental damage by the ICJ”, (Questions on International Law, QIL) cites the case of compensation for environmental damage in Nicaragua/Costa Rica, the ICJ’s Judgment was: “To shed light on the case, the Court sought support in international law and decisions of arbitral tribunals. In 1927, the ICJ already underlined in its judgment related to the Factory of Chorzów that a breach involves an obligation to make a reparation ‘in an adequate form’. The Court recalled that it had in a previous judgment, in 2015, assigned sovereignty over the area to Costa Rica, and Nicaragua’s activities were, therefore, in breach of that sovereignty. As such, the obligation for Nicaragua to make reparation was no longer to be disputed. Reparation in the form of compensation, as applied in the present case, was determined by the judgment in 2015. Before addressing the issue of compensation in itself, the Court deemed it appropriate to follow a two-fold approach. The Court first determined the existence and extent of the damage to environmental goods and services caused by Nicaragua’s wrongful activities, and then went on to assess the existence of a direct and certain causal link between such damage and Nicaragua’s activities. This section will successively examine the Court’s analysis of the points of contention, its choice of method, and the assessment of the damage as established by the Court”. BASIS for MARITIME BOUNDARIES in INTERNATIONAL LAW A meeting was held in 1921, between the Colonial Governments of India and Ceylon “in order to avoid over-exploitation of maritime resources and the possibility of competition between the fishermen of India and Sri Lanka in the same waters for their catch, the colonial Governments of Madras and Colombo agreed to delimit the waters in the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Bay. The two parties met in Colombo on October 24, 1921. The Indian team was led by Mr. C. W. E. Cotton and the team representing the government of Ceylon was headed by Hon. B. Horsburg”. “Both parties accepted the principle of equidistant and the median line could be the guiding factor”. However, since at Kachchathivu the principle of equidistant “would considerably narrow the area of operations for the Indian fishermen”, the Ceylon delegation proposed a line that was three miles west of the island “so that there would be an equitable apportionment in the fisheries domain for both Sri Lanka and India”. The proposal by the Ceylon delegation was based on the fact that “Sri Lanka’s sovereignty over Kachchathivu was never in question, was beyond any doubt and was not a matter for negotiation. He (Hon. B. Horsburg) quoted from the correspondence that the Survey Department and the Department of Public Works in Colombo had exchanged with the counterparts in India, in which the sovereignty of Sri Lanka over Kachchativu had been taken for granted by the Indian authorities... After discussion the delimitation line was fixed three miles west of Kachchativu” (Jayasinghe, p. 14,15). Agreement between the two parties is reflected in the letter from the head of the Indian delegation, C. W. E. Cotton, in which he states: ” ... we unanimously decided that the delimitation of the new jurisdiction for fishing purposes could be decided independently of the question of territoriality. The delimitation line was accordingly fixed, with our concurrence three miles west of Kachchativu and the Ceylon representatives thereupon agreed to a more orderly alignment south of the island than they had originally proposed...” (Ibid, p. 130). What is relevant from all of the above is that regardless of the basis for establishing a boundary under colonial rule, such boundaries morph into territorial boundaries of independent states under the “Doctrine of UTI POSSIDETIS”. DOCTRINE of UTI POSSIDETIS Black’s Law Dictionary has defined the legal Doctrine of “Uti possidetis juris” as “the doctrine that old administrative boundaries will become international boundaries when a political subdivision achieves independence (Hansal & Allison, “The Colonial Legacy and Border Stability”, p. 2; quoting Garner 1999). The principle behind this doctrine dates back to Roman times. The principle first emerged in the modern sense with the decolonization of Latin America when each former Spanish colony agreed to accept territories that were “presumed to be possessed by its colonial predecessors” (Ibid) . The same doctrine was accepted by former colonies in the African continent. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has “argued for its relevance across the world” (Ibid). “This principle was stated most directly in the ICJ’s 1986 decision in the Frontier Dispute/Burkina Faso Republic of Mali case. The ICJ had been asked to settle the location of a disputed segment of the border between Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which had been part of French West Africa before independence. In their judgment over the merits of this Frontier Dispute case the ICJ emphasized the legal principle of uti possidetis juris”: “The ICJ judgment in the Mali-Burkina Faso Dispute case also argued that the principle of uti possidetis should apply in any decolonization situation regardless of the legal or political status of the entities on each side of the border”: “The territorial boundaries which have to be respected may also derive from international frontiers which previously divided a colony of one State from a colony of another, or indeed a colonial territory from the territory of another independent State...There is no doubt that the obligation to respect pre-existing international frontiers in the event of State succession derives from a general rule of international law, whether or not the rule is expressed in the formula of uti possidetis” (ICJ 1986, Ibid). Based on the ICJ Judgment, the Maritime Boundary between India and Sri Lanka should be what existed during Colonial times and continue as the International Maritime Boundary when India and Sri Lanka gained independence. The fact that Sri Lanka failed to use the provision of Uti Possidetis has cost Sri Lanka’s economy dearly and continues to do so in terms of treasure and human suffering. CONCLUSION The issue of Indian fishermen fishing in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters was resolved in 1921, when the Colonial Government of India and then Ceylon unanimously agreed on what the Maritime Boundary was to be. Accordingly, the island of Kachchativu was to be part of Sri Lanka’s sovereign territory as it had been before Ceylon was colonized. Following independence of both countries, the boundaries that were recognized while under colonial rule should have been recognised as the boundaries of independent India and Sri Lanka in keeping with the internationally recognized doctrine of UTI POSSIDETIS cited above. Instead of staking Sri Lanka’s claim on the principle that colonial boundaries transform into international boundaries upon gaining independence, Sri Lanka opted to base their claim on traditional and historical practices and agreements were signed by the Prime Ministers of India and Sri Lanka.in 1974 and revised in 1976. The opportunity to stake Sri Lanka’s claim on the basis of international law was lost, perhaps due to unfamiliarity with related legal provisions. While sovereign countries are free to forge agreements between themselves, their durability is dependent on varying personal political agendas of political actors in each country. Consequently, what is acceptable today may be unacceptable tomorrow. Since these agreements are not based on international law, Indian political leaders, such as Prime Minister Modi, refuse to accept them. These perspectives have emboldened Indian fishermen to violate Maritime Boundaries and destroy marine resources by resorting to bottom trawling. Furthermore, the numerous discussions between the two governments have failed to resolve substantive issues and have resulted ONLY in the India government’s focus being on the release of arrested Indian fishermen and their vessels. Therefore, since the issue of maritime boundaries has a direct bearing on illegal entry into Sri Lanka’s sovereign territory and destruction of marine resources, the ONLY durable way to resolve this contentious issue is to seek the assistance of the ICJ to rule on a legal determination as to the location of maritime boundaries based on the principle of UTI POSSIDETIS, on which depends claims for reparations for damages to maritime resources inflicted over decades. In this regard, Sri Lanka should be encouraged by the ICJ determination in the case of Nicaragua and Costa Rica in 2015 cited above. The opportunity presented by the forthcoming visit of President Dissanayake to India should NOT be missed by the new government because all previous governments and their advisors have failed to address this all-important issue, either because of their timidity or ignorance of relevant International Laws. If Dissanayake fails to inform India that Sri Lanka has no option but to seek the assistance of the ICJ to resolve the issue of maritime boundaries, Sri Lanka will have to accept the bitter prospect of the plunder of its resources and the sovereign rights of the People and the Nation forever.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers knew the assignment coming out of the bye and with their 28-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Raymond James Stadium, coupled with the Atlanta Falcons getting blown out by the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay has the division lead. Entering the bye on a four-game losing streak, Tampa Bay managed to get healthy and has now rattled off three straight wins to overtake the Falcons for the division lead. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.Surat Businessman Attacks Family, Then Attempts Suicide; Wife and Minor Son Murdered, Parents InjuredIn a dramatic turn of events, Colonel Kim Hyun-tae admitted to implementing orders that led his special forces to block South Korean lawmakers from casting a crucial vote in parliament. The commanders followed directives to uphold martial law, as instructed by the now-arrested former defense minister. The political landscape in South Korea has been rocked following President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration and subsequent withdrawal of martial law. Despite surviving an impeachment vote, Yoon's presidency hangs in the balance as a constitutional crisis looms over the nation. Defense force interventions were met with resistance by parliamentary staff, raising questions about adherence to constitutional mandates. The ongoing investigations could lead to significant shifts in the country's governance, with the opposition party vowing to challenge the President's authority once again. (With inputs from agencies.)
Former NFL player intentionally infected woman with incurable STD, lawsuit saysRomanian lawmakers narrowly approve new pro-European coalition during period of political turmoil
( MENAFN - GetNews) (Las Vegas, Nevada, United States) As per DelveInsight's assessment, globally, Knee Osteoarthritis pipeline constitutes 50+ key companies continuously working towards developing 60+ Knee Osteoarthritis treatment therapies, analysis of Clinical Trials, Therapies, Mechanism of Action, Route of Administration, and Developments analyzes DelveInsight. The Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline report embraces in-depth commercial and clinical assessment of the pipeline products from the pre-clinical developmental phase to the marketed phase. The report also covers a detailed description of the drug, including the mechanism of action of the drug, clinical studies, NDA approvals (if any), and product development activities comprising the technology, collaborations, mergers acquisition, funding, designations, and other product-related details. “Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Insight, 2024 " report by DelveInsight outlines comprehensive insights into the present clinical development scenario and growth prospects across the Knee Osteoarthritis Market. Some of the key takeaways from the Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Report: Companies across the globe are diligently working toward developing novel Knee Osteoarthritis treatment therapies with a considerable amount of success over the years. Knee Osteoarthritis companies working in the treatment market are Merck KGaA, Peptinov, LG Chem, Akan Bioscience, BioTissue,Inc., Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc., OliPass Corporation, Bone Therapeutics, Techfields Pharma, Biosplice Therapeutics, and others, are developing therapies for the Knee Osteoarthritis treatment Emerging Knee Osteoarthritis therapies in the different phases of clinical trials are- M6495, PPV 06, LG00034053, StroMel, TTAX03, EP-104IAR, OLP 1002, JTA-004, X 0002, Lorecivivint, and others are expected to have a significant impact on the Knee Osteoarthritis market in the coming years. In September 2024, Cytonics has announced the completion of subject enrollment for its Phase I clinical trial of CYT-108, a potential disease-modifying therapy for knee osteoarthritis (OA). CYT-108 is a recombinant variant of the alpha-2-macroglobulin blood serum protease inhibitor. The company initiated this Phase I trial in July, which is a first-in-human, multicenter, six-month, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of CYT-108 in patients with unilateral, mild-to-moderate primary OA of the knee. In June 2024, Enlivex Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq: ENLV) , a clinical-stage company focused on macrophage reprogramming immunotherapy, announced a positive interim data update from a Phase I/II investigator-initiated clinical trial of Allocetra in patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis who were candidates for knee replacement surgery. Knee Osteoarthritis Overview Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the protective cartilage in the knee joint wears down over time. This leads to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility. The condition is most common in older adults but can also affect younger individuals due to injury or genetic factors. Risk factors include age, obesity, previous knee injuries, and family history. Symptoms often worsen with activity and improve with rest. Treatment options include physical therapy, pain management with medications, lifestyle changes like weight loss, and in severe cases, surgical interventions such as knee replacement. Get a Free Sample PDF Report to know more about Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Therapeutic Assessment- Emerging Knee Osteoarthritis Drugs Under Different Phases of Clinical Development Include: M6495: Merck KGaA PPV 06: Peptinov LG00034053: LG Chem StroMel: Akan Bioscience TTAX03: BioTissue,Inc. EP-104IAR: Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. OLP 1002: OliPass Corporation JTA-004: Bone Therapeutics X 0002: Techfields Pharma Lorecivivint: Biosplice Therapeutics Knee Osteoarthritis Route of Administration Knee Osteoarthritis pipeline report provides the therapeutic assessment of the pipeline drugs by the Route of Administration. Products have been categorized under various ROAs, such as Oral Parenteral Intravenous Subcutaneous Topical Knee Osteoarthritis Molecule Type Knee Osteoarthritis Products have been categorized under various Molecule types, such as Monoclonal Antibody Peptides Polymer Small molecule Gene therapy Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Therapeutics Assessment Knee Osteoarthritis Assessment by Product Type Knee Osteoarthritis By Stage and Product Type Knee Osteoarthritis Assessment by Route of Administration Knee Osteoarthritis By Stage and Route of Administration Knee Osteoarthritis Assessment by Molecule Type Knee Osteoarthritis by Stage and Molecule Type DelveInsight's Knee Osteoarthritis Report covers around 40+ products under different phases of clinical development like Late-stage products (Phase III) Mid-stage products (Phase II) Early-stage product (Phase I) Pre-clinical and Discovery stage candidates Discontinued & Inactive candidates Route of Administration Further Knee Osteoarthritis product details are provided in the report. Download the Knee Osteoarthritis pipeline report to learn more about the emerging Knee Osteoarthritis therapies Some of the key companies in the Knee Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market include: Key companies developing therapies for Knee Osteoarthritis are - Eli Lilly and Company, Nature Cell Co. Ltd., Novo Nordisk A/S, Flexion Therapeutics, Inc., Grünenthal GmbH, Tissue Tech Inc., Kolon TissueGene, Inc., Bioventus LLC, Akan Biosciences, LLC, Genascence Corporation, Immunis, Inc., Novartis, Biosplice Therapeutics, Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., Novartis, Celltex Therapeutics Corporation, MiMedx Group, Inc., Rho, Inc., Techfields Pharma Co. Ltd, Saol Therapeutics Inc, Centrexion Therapeutics, Taiwan Liposome Company, MiMedx, Ampio Pharmaceuticals, ReNu, Medipost, and others. Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Analysis: The Knee Osteoarthritis pipeline report provides insights into The report provides detailed insights about companies that are developing therapies for the treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis with aggregate therapies developed by each company for the same. It accesses the Different therapeutic candidates segmented into early-stage, mid-stage, and late-stage of development for Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment. Knee Osteoarthritis key companies are involved in targeted therapeutics development with respective active and inactive (dormant or discontinued) projects. Knee Osteoarthritis Drugs under development based on the stage of development, route of administration, target receptor, monotherapy or combination therapy, a different mechanism of action, and molecular type. Detailed analysis of collaborations (company-company collaborations and company-academia collaborations), licensing agreement and financing details for future advancement of the Knee Osteoarthritis market. The report is built using data and information traced from the researcher's proprietary databases, company/university websites, clinical trial registries, conferences, SEC filings, investor presentations, and featured press releases from company/university websites and industry-specific third-party sources, etc. Download Sample PDF Report to know more about Knee Osteoarthritis drugs and therapies Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Market Drivers Increase in prevalence of Osteoarthritis, robust Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline are some of the important factors that are fueling the Knee Osteoarthritis Market. Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Market Barriers However, risk of adverse cardiovascular events associated with the use of NSAIDs in osteoarthritis treatment, high cost associated with the treatment and other factors are creating obstacles in the Knee Osteoarthritis Market growth. Scope of Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Drug Insight Coverage: Global Key Knee Osteoarthritis Companies: Merck KGaA, Peptinov, LG Chem, Akan Bioscience, BioTissue,Inc., Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc., OliPass Corporation, Bone Therapeutics, Techfields Pharma, Biosplice Therapeutics, and others Key Knee Osteoarthritis Therapies: M6495, PPV 06, LG00034053, StroMel, TTAX03, EP-104IAR, OLP 1002, JTA-004, X 0002, Lorecivivint, and others Knee Osteoarthritis Therapeutic Assessment: Knee Osteoarthritis current marketed and Knee Osteoarthritis emerging therapies Knee Osteoarthritis Market Dynamics: Knee Osteoarthritis market drivers and Knee Osteoarthritis market barriers Request for Sample PDF Report for Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Assessment and clinical trials Table of Contents 1. Knee Osteoarthritis Report Introduction 2. Knee Osteoarthritis Executive Summary 3. Knee Osteoarthritis Overview 4. Knee Osteoarthritis- Analytical Perspective In-depth Commercial Assessment 5. Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Therapeutics 6. Knee Osteoarthritis Late Stage Products (Phase II/III) 7. Knee Osteoarthritis Mid Stage Products (Phase II) 8. Knee Osteoarthritis Early Stage Products (Phase I) 9. Knee Osteoarthritis Preclinical Stage Products 10. Knee Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Assessment 11. Knee Osteoarthritis Inactive Products 12. Company-University Collaborations (Licensing/Partnering) Analysis 13. Knee Osteoarthritis Key Companies 14. Knee Osteoarthritis Key Products 15. Knee Osteoarthritis Unmet Needs 16 . Knee Osteoarthritis Market Drivers and Barriers 17. Knee Osteoarthritis Future Perspectives and Conclusion 18. Knee Osteoarthritis Analyst Views 19. Appendix 20. About DelveInsight About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports Pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. It also offers Healthcare Consulting Services, which benefits in market analysis to accelerate business growth and overcome challenges with a practical approach. MENAFN23122024003238003268ID1109025408 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. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.The number of US troops in Syria has regularly surged higher than the Pentagon has publicly disclosed since at least 2020, and in recent months increased to more than double the roughly 900 troops the US has long said are in Syria, multiple defense officials familiar with the matter told CNN. The Pentagon said last week that the additional troops beyond the 900 are “temporary.” But on Monday, Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, acknowledged that the numbers of forces in Syria “in general have increased over time as the threat has increased to baseline forces.” Ryder first revealed on Thursday that the number of troops in Syria is around 2,000, “significantly higher than what we’ve been briefing” in recent months and years. He also said that he only found out about the larger footprint there in recent days. The Army’s director of plans, operations, and training distributed the true number internally earlier this month, two officials told CNN. It is not clear when exactly the troop numbers reached their current peak, but the US surged additional assets and personnel to the Middle East following last year’s October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. On Monday, the Pentagon issued a new statement attempting to clarify the long-standing discrepancy about the number of troops in Syria. “In addition to the approximately 900 baseline troops, there are also approximately 1,100 U.S. military personnel in Syria that deploy for shorter durations as temporary enablers in support of force protection, transportation, maintenance, or other emerging operational requirements,” Ryder said. “The numbers of these additional temporary forces have fluctuated over the past several years based on mission needs but in general have increased over time as the threat has increased to baseline forces,” he added. Defense officials have long been reluctant to reveal the true troop numbers in Syria because it could risk angering neighboring partner countries, particularly Iraq, sources told CNN. When the Pentagon first acknowledged the larger troop presence, Ryder said there are “diplomatic and operational security considerations oftentimes with our deployments.” Syria isn’t the only country where the Pentagon has more troops deployed than it has previously said. In its statement Monday, the Pentagon acknowledged there may be more than 2,500 troops in Iraq, the baseline number the military has used for its military footprint in the country. But the Pentagon did not provide any additional details on how many more troops are in Iraq, only saying there are “some additional temporary enablers deployed on a rotational basis.” “However, due to operations security and diplomatic considerations, we do not have any more specifics to provide,” Ryder said in the statement. The vague reference to additional troops in Iraq leaves open the possibility of a significantly larger presence than was previously acknowledged, just as in Syria. The US military presence in Iraq is a sensitive issue for Iraqi officials, who have said publicly they want US troops out of the country. If the Iraqis saw the number of troops increasing in Syria, they’d fear the US was doing so in Iraq as well, officials explained, which it now appears may be the case. It is particularly delicate in the midst of negotiations about the future US military footprint in Iraq. For more than a year, Washington and Baghdad have engaged in a series of talks about the future of the US military presence in the country. In January, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani made the goal of the discussions clear when he said the aim was to “end the presence of the international coalition forces in Iraq permanently.” The US military footprint in Syria relies on support from US troops in Iraq, and a larger presence in the former could necessitate more troops in the latter. Defense officials insist the Pentagon has not misled the public about the core number of troops in Syria, which they have said since 2020 is around 900. Most of those are special operations forces, one defense official said, and the military rarely acknowledges changes to special operations troop levels. Officials say the additional 1,100 or so that have been stationed there in recent months are “temporary enabling” forces, primarily with the Army, that are meant to augment the core presence with logistical and defensive help. But those troops are typically replaced as soon as they finish their rotations, which are frequently three months or less, so the total number has consistently surged above 900 over the years, officials said. Concealing the true number of US troops in Syria dates to Donald Trump’s first administration. In 2020, the outgoing US envoy to Syria, Jim Jeffrey, acknowledged that his team routinely misled senior military leaders about troop levels there, which suggests it was not exclusively military officials keeping the number under wraps. “We were always playing shell games to not make clear to our leadership how many troops we had there,” Jeffrey told Defense One at the time . Trump in 2019 had agreed to keep roughly 200 to 400 US troops in Syria, but the actual number was “a lot more,” Jeffrey said. There are even more civilian contractors in the country. A report from the Congressional Research Service said there were more than 5,400 contractors in Iraq and Syria in the second quarter of 2024.MANILA, Philippines – Former senior government officials and groups of legal experts and leaders of the medical community are calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to correct the issues in the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). In an open letter to Marcos and the country’s legislators published on Saturday, December 28, former senior government officials and leaders of the International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov) said they were “deeply troubled by the gross misallocations” in the government’s proposed 2025 budget. “We are concerned that line-item vetos will not be enough to rectify the problematic priorities embedded in next year’s budget,” the letter read. “We therefore urgently appeal to President Marcos and our legislators to revamp the proposed budget and restore the funds that have been unjustly removed from vital sectors such as health, education, agriculture, social protection, and climate change adaptability.” Among those that received criticism from the public were the lawmakers’ decision to cut the budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) and their move to completely cut government subsidy for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). (FACT CHECK: PhilHealth member benefits to continue despite zero subsidy in 2025 ) The chief executive was supposed to sign the GAA last December 20 but postponed it to “allow more time for a rigorous and exhaustive review.” The President said he expects to restore the budget to the “ same shape ” proposed by his government. Marcos is now expected to sign the budget on Monday, December 30. Must Read [In This Economy] Why the 2025 budget is a big ‘f*ck you’ to the Filipino people Review unprogrammed appropriations, pork barrel The letter — which was signed by former Department of Budget and Management secretary Florencio Abad and former DepEd secretary Edilberto de Jesus, among others — also called on Marcos to review the budget of big-ticket infrastructure projects. Instead of getting budget allocations, lawmakers have listed the projects under the unprogrammed appropriations. This essentially means that these projects do not have a direct funding source. (READ: The unprogrammed funds issue in the Marcos admin’s 2024 budget, simplified ) “This will lead to undue delays in the construction and completion of such projects — to the detriment of Filipinos,” the letter read. “By contrast, the substantial allocations for several infrastructure items (specifically in the Department of Public Works and Highways) are unmistakably pork barrel in nature, prioritized at the expense of critical essential services, and are particularly alarming.” Must Read [In This Economy] Breaking down Marcos’ 2025 budget dilemma The former officials and leaders pointed out that this would lead to corruption and “political favoritism.” Recalling the state’s obligation Meanwhile, Abad, along with former PhilHealth officials Alexander Padilla and Antonio Jamon Jr., University of the Philippines College of Law professor Dante Gatmaytan, National Academy of Science and Technology’s Dr. Antonio Dans, Action for Economic Reforms president Jessica Reyes-Cantos, and Philippine Medical Association president Hector Santos Jr., also wrote to Marcos — this time, appealing for the chief executive to review the zero subsidy allocation for the state insurer. Lawmakers have defended the move , with some pointing out that PhilHealth also failed to efficiently make the most out of its resources. The state insurer was faced with many controversies this year because of its idle funds — the Department of Finance earlier this year had also ordered PhilHealth to remit almost P90 billion worth of excess funds, putting its management in the spotlight. (READ: Supreme Court issues TRO vs further transfer of PhilHealth funds ) Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who also chairs the PhilHealth board of directors, said that the insurer will continue to provide services in 2025 despite not getting subsidies from the government. However, the groups have pointed out that the government subsidy was supposed to cover the premiums of indirect contributors — the indigent, senior citizens, and persons with disability. They also noted that the move was unconstitutional under the Universal Health Care Act. “We would also like to emphasize that it is a matter of fairness, Mr. President, that the government’s share in PhilHealth’s premiums for all indirect contributors be appropriated to PhilHealth as mandated by law,” the other letter read. “The government should not leave the burden of funding PhilHealth to direct contributors (the workers and self-paying members) and the employers that shoulder part of their workers’ premiums.” – Rappler.com
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President Bola Tinubu has defended his decision to remove the fuel subsidy, calling it a crucial move that was necessary to address Nigeria's economic challenges. PAY ATTENTION: Follow our WhatsApp channel to never miss out on the news that matters to you! Speaking during a presidential media chat on Monday evening, Tinubu expressed no regrets about the subsidy removal, emphasizing that it was a tough but necessary step to take. Tinubu implemented the subsidy removal on his first day in office as president of Nigeria . This decision has been a subject of debate, with some critics arguing that it has led to increased fuel prices and hardship for Nigerians. However, Tinubu has maintained that the removal of the subsidy was essential to free up resources for critical infrastructure investments. The President acknowledged that the removal of the fuel subsidy has caused short-term difficulties, including an increase in fuel prices. Currently, gas is selling at around N1,300 ($0.8) per liter. However, Tinubu defended the action, stating that it was designed to free up budgetary resources for critical investments in infrastructure and social services. Read also Breaking: Tinubu fires back at critics of tax reforms bills, says "no going back" Tinubu's administration has faced criticism for the timing and implementation of the subsidy removal. However, the President has emphasized that his administration is focused on making tough but necessary decisions to stabilize the economy . He has also stressed that the challenges faced by Nigeria, including high inflation and infrastructure deficits, present opportunities for growth and development. Despite the controversy surrounding the subsidy removal, Tinubu remains committed to his economic vision for Nigeria. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! Source: Legit.ngCramer names oil and natural gas stocks set to do well under Trump
Copy link Copied Copy link Copied Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Already a subscriber? Login Tim Reed and Andy Gray’s Potentia Capital almost blew it out of the water with Micromine in 2022, when Nasdaq-listed Aspen Technology’s $900 million bid valued the mining software player at 9.4-times money. But 16 months after the deal collapsed , Potentia’s founders don’t seem to have made any efforts to nail down what could shape up as a marquee exit. Why’s that? Copy link Copied Copy link Copied Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Already a subscriber? Login Introducing your Newsfeed Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams met with President-elect Donald Trump's incoming “border czar” on Thursday, with the Democratic mayor expressing an enthusiasm to work with the incoming administration to pursue violent criminals in the city while Trump promises mass deportations. The mayor's meeting with Tom Homan, who will oversee the southern and northern borders and be responsible for deportation efforts in the Trump administration, came as Adams has welcomed parts of the president-elect's hardline immigration platform. Adams told reporters at a brief news conference that he and Homan agreed on pursuing people who commit violent crimes in the city but did not disclose additional details or future plans. “We’re not going to be a safe haven for those who commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants and longstanding New Yorkers,” he said. “That was my conversation today with the border czar, to figure out how to go after those individuals who are repeatedly committing crimes in our city.” Homan said the two connected as career law enforcement officers and that he came away from the meeting with “a whole new outlook on the mayor.” “I’ve called him out this past year, many times, about being more of a politician than a police officer. I was wrong,” Homan said during an interview with Dr. Phil McGraw on his Merit TV network. “He came through today as a police officer and a mayor that cares about the safety and security of his city.” The meeting marked Adams' latest and most definitive step toward collaborating with the Trump administration, a development that has startled critics in one of the country's most liberal cities. In the weeks since Trump’s election win, Adams has mused about potentially scaling back the city’s so-called sanctuary policies and coordinating with the incoming administration on immigration. He has also said migrants accused of crimes shouldn’t have due process rights under the Constitution, though he eventually walked back those comments. The mayor further stunned Democrats when he sidestepped questions last week on whether he would consider changing parties to become a Republican, telling journalists that he was part of the “American party.” Adams later clarified that he would remain a Democrat. For Adams, a centrist Democrat known for quarreling with the city's progressive left, the recent comments on immigration follow frustration with the Biden administration over its immigration policies and a surge of international migrants in the city. He has maintained his positions have not changed and argues he's trying to protect New Yorkers, pointing to the law-and-order platform he has staked out throughout his political career and while running for mayor. At his news conference Thursday, Adams reiterated his commitment to New York’s generous social safety net. “We’re going to tell those who are here, who are law-abiding, to continue to utilize the services that are open to the city, the services that they have a right to utilize, educating their children, health care, public protection,” he said. “But we will not be the safe haven for those who commit violent acts.” While the education of all children present in the U.S. is already guaranteed by a Supreme Court ruling, New York also offers social services like healthcare and emergency shelter to low-income residents, including those in the country illegally. City and state grants also provide significant access to lawyers, which is not guaranteed in the immigration court as they are in the criminal court. Still, Adams’ recent rhetoric has been seen by some critics as an attempt to cozy up to Trump, who could potentially offer a presidential pardon in his federal corruption case. Adams has been charged with accepting luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. He has pleaded not guilty. Homan, who was Trump’s former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, also met this week with Republicans in Illinois, where he called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, to start negotiations over how Trump's mass deportation plans, according to local media. While meeting with Adams, Homan said, “We traded ideas, we traded, strategies. He told me what he liked and didn’t like about immigration policies. ... There’s things we don’t agree on, but we agree on the most important things.” Separately, New York City officials this week announced continued efforts to shrink a huge emergency shelter system for migrants because of a steady decline in new arrivals. Among planned shelter closures is a massive tent complex built on a federally owned former airport in Brooklyn, which advocates warned could be a prime target for Trump's mass deportation plan. Elsewhere, Republican governors and lawmakers in some states are rolling out proposals that could help Trump carry out his promised deportations. Izaguirre reported from Albany, New York."Will serve America very well...": Indian diaspora group denounces 'racist' attacks on Trump's appointee Sriram KrishnanSandeep Kumar Mishra's Poem Ashes and Echoes to Shine in a Netherlands Exhibition Celebrating Human Rights 12-23-2024 09:24 PM CET | Media & Telecommunications Press release from: ABNewswire In a remarkable moment for literature and human rights advocacy, Sandeep Kumar Mishra's evocative poem Ashes and Echoes will soon grace a travelling exhibition throughout the Netherlands, thanks to Utrecht University's groundbreaking initiative. The poem was shortlisted in the university's prestigious Poems for Human Rights international competition, a celebration of poetic creativity and social justice. Sandeep's powerful verse, which weaves vivid imagery with a resonant human rights message, has captivated the jury and secured its place among the six exceptional poems chosen from a sea of global entries. The competition received submissions spanning diverse poetic traditions, making the final selection a challenging but rewarding task for the panel of distinguished judges. The jury, comprising luminaries such as Geert Buelens, Antoine Buyse, Hanneke van Eijken, and others, commended the shortlisted poems for their depth, originality, and ability to inspire. " Ashes and Echoes stood out for its rich symbolism and profound impact," the jury noted. "Its haunting reflections on human rights violations resonate deeply in today's world." Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/99812fe64533f4ac6874148cca12d130.png A Showcase of Global Talent The competition will celebrate two ex aequo winners-one poem in English and one in Dutch-alongside four commendable works. The shortlisted poets include Marieke Vreeken ( Human Treaty ), Vicky Breemen ( Universe Declaration ), Sandeep Kumar Mishra ( Ashes and Echoes ), Safiya Lall Mohamed ( True Colours ), Alessandra Spadaro ( It Rains Bombs ) and Elyse Touron - van der Roer ( Wie Schrijft Dan Nog - Ongehoord Soedan ) The three winning poets will receive cash prizes, supported by the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights, the Freudenthal Institute, and Institutions for Open Societies. They will also perform their works during Impact Night 2024: Human Rights, for Present and Future Generations on Human Rights Day in December and at the Faculty Club in February 2025. An Exhibition across Utrecht and Beyond Ashes and Echoes , along with the other shortlisted poems, will be showcased in a travelling exhibition across the city of Utrecht. The exhibition schedule and places includes Janskerkhof 3, Utrecht: December 10-17, 2024, University Library City Centre, Drift 27: Mid-December 2024 to mid-January 2025 and Bibliotheek Neude, Neude 11: January 30 - February 5, 2025 The exhibition aims to amplify the voices of poets who have transformed human rights advocacy into a poignant art form. Utrecht University's efforts reflect a commitment to fostering dialogue on human rights issues through creativity. Global Recognition for Sandeep Kumar Mishra Sandeep's triumph extends beyond the exhibition. His poem will also be featured on the competition's website and in an anthology that promises to share these powerful works with a global audience. This recognition solidifies his position as a compelling literary voice and a fierce advocate for human rights. When asked about the honor, Sandeep expressed gratitude: "It's a privilege to have my poem included in such an important initiative. Poetry has the power to bridge divides, and I hope Ashes and Echoes resonates with audiences, inspiring empathy and action." As the world prepares to celebrate Human Rights Day, Sandeep Kumar Mishra's Ashes and Echoes stands as a beacon of creativity and compassion, reminding us of the enduring power of words to ignite change. Media Contact Company Name: Sandeep Kumar Mishra Contact Person: Sandeep Kumar Mishra Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=sandeep-kumar-mishras-poem-ashes-and-echoes-to-shine-in-a-netherlands-exhibition-celebrating-human-rights ] Country: India Website: https://www.sandeepkumarmishra.com/ This release was published on openPR.
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THINGS you don’t expect to see of a Friday morning in Wales: Rob Brydon “raw-dogging” a red pepper, James Corden being serenaded by a trumpet and Ruth Jones sipping a warm, fake white wine. But, on Barry Island, anything goes. 6 Clemmie Moodie on set with James Corden and Ruth Jones Credit: Supplied 6 The Gavin and Stacey cast line up for the show's last instalment Credit: BBC 6 Nessa, Smithy and Gavin in a scene from the final show Credit: BBC Ahead of its hugely anticipated Christmas Day return, I have been invited down for an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at Gavin & Stacey. Millions of viewers are expected to tune in to the last show of the cult BBC One comedy drama, a series that made household names of its ridiculously talented writers, James and Ruth. “We’ve thrown absolutely everything at this to try to make it be as satisfactory as it can be for a big audience,” James says. “We started writing 20 years ago and it’s nuts, inconceivable, that it means more to people now than it did 20 years ago. READ MORE ON GAVIN AND STACEY TURN THE PAGE Gavin and Stacey's Joanna Page reveals new role worlds away from BBC comedy WHAT'S OCCURING? Gavin and Stacey’s Joanna Page lands new TV gig days before final episode “I still feel pressure — there’s pressure all the time because you don’t want to let anybody down. “I think it’s the closest you could get to being called up to the England team in terms of something meaning a lot to a lot of people. “You are representing your country right now in a sense, you know? “And so, it’s a lot . . . but we’ve really tried our absolute best.” Most read in News TV A GOOD SPORT BBC star QUITS show after seven years - admitting morning alarms ‘are brutal’ SCREEN TIME STV reveals Hogmanay lineup including Lorraine Kelly and Still Game OFF THE AIR 'Gutted to hear this', fans cry as BBC Scotland series axed after 19 years BRAVE STAR Hollyoaks’ Ali Bastian issues health update to fans amid breast cancer battle Thrillingly though, I have been cast as an extra. But, alas, a stringent NDA code-named “Toffee” means I am not allowed to give away any spoilers or, should I stumble upon a major plot twist, reveal it. I take my role very seriously: Sitting in a beer garden, nursing a zero per cent wine opposite Ruth. I’m in the background (very background) of “scene 32”. Hotel changes name to 'What's Occur-Inn' for last Gavin and Stacey episode Coquettishly, I keep flicking my hair, smiling and laughing unnecessarily, and generally trying to steal the scene. This could be my big break. “I wouldn’t over-think it,” a cameraman later tells me. “We’ll be lucky if we get your shoulder in.” Oh. Still, I am sort of, if you squint, part of Gavin & Stacey folklore now and soon get “papped” by the 100 or so watching fans monitoring uber-Stan account Barrybados — an Instagram fanzine tracking the cast and crew’s every moment. Earlier in the week, 500 of them had gathered on Barry’s Trinity Street, chanting “Oggy, Oggy, Oggy!” on their last day of filming there. Barry Island has done more for Welsh tourism than any PR agency ever could. Genuine chemistry There is also a Premier League football twist to this episode, with one club such a fan of the show, they gifted the cast first team replica shirts (“Toffee” forbids me from saying anything else). For the 0.2 per cent of the population who haven’t seen the show, let’s recap. Gavin & Stacey, centred around the lives of two families: One in Billericay, Essex, the other in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, with Mat Horne and Joanna Page playing the title characters. James, 46, and Ruth, 58, star as Smithy and Nessa, the pair’s best friends, who have a love/hate relationship. Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb star as Gavin’s parents, Pam and Mick, Melanie Walters plays Stacey’s mother Gwen, and Rob Brydon plays Stacey’s uncle Bryn. Imbued with warmth, gentle humour and characters with genuine chemistry, what started life as a BBC Three show quickly garnered a word-of-mouth following, eventually reaching BBC One primetime. 6 Smithy, Pam and Bryn enjoy one last dance Credit: BBC 6 Joanna Page plays Stacey, one of the title characters Credit: BBC The last episode, on December 25, 2019, was the most viewed non-sporting event of the decade, and was left on a cliff-hanger when Nessa proposed to Smithy in the street. Of course, on screen, Ruth is loud-mouthed, larger-than-life and heavily tattooed. Frankly, she is not someone you’d want to bump into on a cold, dark night in winter. Off it, she is softly spoken, incredibly warm and down to earth. Although she is not filming on the day I’m there, she is busy behind the camera, directing proceedings between takes. Her average day sees her arrive on set at 6.30am and spend an hour and a half in make-up, which largely consists of getting her giant Welsh dragon tattoo inked on. Between takes, a team of make-up artists, watching from a small marquee, rush on to set to touch up hair and make-up. Nessa is a chain smoker — so Ruth, a non-smoker, is given honey and rose petal herbal cigarettes to puff away on. Filming finishes around 7pm, and includes an hour’s break for lunch in trailers on an industrial estate nearby. These are long days. I’m blessed with the fact that Nessa is a very static character Ruth Jones Says Ruth, sipping from her pretend drink: “I’m quite old now and I’m quite tired, and the days are pretty full-on. In series one, Nessa was wearing boots, like I am now. But they had a heel, quite a high heel on them, and quite a narrow stiletto heel. “I look at them and think, ‘How the hell did I ever wear these?’. “And now, 17 years later, I’m just having to get my orthotics, so I’ve got a much lower heel. “But also I’m blessed with the fact that Nessa is a very static character. There’s a sort-of bovine elegance to her, I feel, and she moves with great authority, but she doesn’t move fast. “So that’s quite good for me.” You see? Ruth: Very, very funny on and off screen. It is also her birthday, and mid-afternoon the cast interrupt an indoor pub scene for James to present her with a giant cake. Rob gives her some flowers and everyone sings a raucous version of Happy Birthday. Ruth gives a brilliant speech, thanking everyone for being “so wonderful”, and ending it: “Right, let’s all go out tonight and have an orgy later!” “God,” quips Rob, nodding pointedly at me. Fiercely loyal “That’s just what the BBC needs — to be embroiled in yet another sex scandal.” At this point, Rob casually picks up a red pepper and starts loudly and methodically munching on it, stalk and all. “You’ll doubtless be fascinated to hear I also like celery,” he adds, looking at my notebook. It’s clear the cast are good pals. After chatting to James over a canteen aubergine gratin (he has to wash his fork and give it to me when I drop mine down the back of his sofa) the cast gather round as someone plays a mini trumpet. Ruth and James met 25 years ago on the set of ITV drama Fat Friends and have remained, well, real friends ever since. Like any nice baby, Gavin & Stacey was conceived in the Crowne Plaza in Leeds, James reveals (Blue Plaque incoming). They wrote their first episode in a London hotel near Selfridges, on the morning of a This Morning appearance to promote Fat Friends. Ruth, awarded an MBE for services to entertainment in 2014, has enjoyed roles on stage and TV, including Stella, ever since. She has also become a Sunday Times best-selling author and is about to publish her fourth novel. She remains modest, though, insisting she is rarely recognised in real life. “There’s usually places that are more Nessa receptive than others: Marks and Spencer Culverhouse Cross is quite a specific one,” she says. Because I’m not on social media at all, I can’t contact people the normal way really Ruth Jones Her best mate, meanwhile, has gone on to have a meteoric rise to fame, culminating in award-winning roles in Broadway and on the West End, as well as his own smash-hit chat show Stateside, where he attracted the great and good of Hollywood. And Prince Harry. Indeed, the finale is getting the Hollywood treatment. It is made by production company Fulwell 73, the firm behind James’ chat show and some of the world’s starriest movies, music videos and documentaries, and Tidy, Ruth’s own company. Despite rumours that James and co-star Mat don’t get on — the pair were once best friends — it is clear there is no animosity whatsoever. They laugh between takes and are staying in the same five-star Cardiff hotel during my time in Wales . Certainly, Ruth and James’ friendship is stronger than ever. Ruth, being brilliant, is fiercely loyal to her best mate and she has even been known to contact people who have been unkind. She explains: “Honestly, because I’m not on social media at all, I can’t contact people the normal way really. But I have written to people — one a Guardian writer — who was mean about James. I won’t have it.” 'Didn't sit right' We all need a Ruth in our corner. After Gavin & Stacey’s return was mooted earlier this year, there was talk of it being snapped up by Netflix. So how close was the Corporation to losing arguably the greatest jewel in its crown? James says: “Yeah, I think it felt like that probably was something that could have been there. This show is a very special thing, an extraordinary thing, and I’m just really excited for people to see it James Corden “But I also think it would be very harsh on the place that gave us its first chance, you know? “We did think for a moment, though not for very long, about possibly doing a film. “And then we just thought, I don’t know if these are characters you want to see on a big screen. “I think they are people that belong in the corner of your living room on Christmas Day. Read more on the Scottish Sun WARMING UP Scots set for 21C swing as temperature rise to bring an end to sub zero freeze HOT BUY Shoppers race to Primark for fleecy £14 hoodie will keep you cosy on frosty days “So, all that other stuff, the idea of taking it anywhere else, the idea of doing anything else, it didn’t sit right. “This show is a very special thing, an extraordinary thing, and I’m just really excited for people to see it.” 6 The Sun's Clemmie Moodie behind the scenes during filming Credit: Supplied
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Myanmar delegation attends 20th ASEAN-PAC meetingGolf Central analyzes what makes Nelly Korda's golf swing so "poetic" before looking back on her even-par CME Group Tour Championship Round 1, which saw her struggle on the greens. The Golf Central team breaks down Lydia Ko's first round at the CME Group Tour Championship and how it compared to her previous success in the event. Watch highlights from first-round action of the 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship, part of the DP World Tour. Rex Hoggard reports on Caitlin Clark's appearance at the RSM Classic pro-am, explaining what the star power of the WNBA phenom means for the event and golf as whole. Jeeno Thitikul sits down with Golf Central to discuss her Aon Risk Reward Challenge win, identifying the strongest part of her game and why she strives to inspire more Thai golfers to compete overseas. The Golf Central crew breaks down the 'evolution' of women's sports, particularly through the LPGA and how the CME Group Tour Championship is pushing women's golf to a new level. Amy Rogers reports on the anticipation leading up to the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship and the record $4M paid to the winner, as well as player reactions to the 2025 schedule. Wesley Bryan reflects on his play over the last few months, where he's recorded four top-25 finishes in five starts, before sharing why he's at ease no matter what happens at the RSM Classic. Trevor Immelman joins Golf Central to talk about playing at the PNC Championship with his son Jacob, Scottie Scheffler's year, the new PGA Tour rule proposals and whether Rory McIlroy will complete his career grand slam. Rafael Campos was emotional after everything came together for him to get his first PGA Tour win at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. There are 10 DP World Tour golfers who earned PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season on Sunday at the DP World Tour Championship, including Thriston Lawrence, Matteo Manassero, Tom McKibbin, Jesper Svensson and Paul Waring.
Russian State TV Reveals Assad's WhereaboutsCALGARY - Former NHL star Joe Thornton and Calgary Flames front office executive Brad Pascall are heading the management team for Canada’s Spengler Cup squad for a second straight year. Hockey Canada announced its 2024 Spengler Cup management group Tuesday, with Thornton and Pascall working as co-GMs and Hnat Domenichelli joining them as an assistant. Thornton made his international management debut at last year’s Spengler Cup, when Canada lost 4-3 to Czech squad HC Dynamo Pardubice in the semifinals. He ended his 25-year professional playing career after the 2021-22 NHL season and finished with 1,539 points in 1,714 games with Boston, San Jose, Toronto and Florida. His international career includes gold with Canada at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and a Spengler Cup title in 2004 while playing for the tournament host team, Switzerland’s HC Davos. Pascall is currently in his 11th season as assistant general manager of the Calgary Flames, and his second as vice-president of hockey operations. Domenichelli has served as general manager of HC Lugano in Switzerland since 2019. As a player, he had an 18-year professional career that included 922 games in the NHL, American Hockey League and Switzerland’s National League. The Spengler Cup runs Dec. 26-31 in Davos. The hosts are the defending champions. Canada and Davos are tied for the most Spengler Cup titles with 16, though Canada hasn’t won since 2019. The 2020 and 2021 tournaments were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024.
2 Top Artificial Intelligence Stocks to Buy in JanuaryCal didn’t face USC or UCLA this season in its first year away from the Pac-12, but the Bears will play in Southern California, after all. The Bears (6-6, 2-6 ACC) were selected Sunday to play in the LA Bowl against UNLV (10-3, 6-1 Mountain West) on Dec. 18. Kickoff at SoFi Stadium is set for 6 p.m. and the bowl will air on ESPN. In Justin Wilcox’s eighth year leading the program, Cal finished tied for 14th in the 17-team ACC after going 4-0 in non-conference play. The former Pac-12 teams kept the ties to the conference’s bowl games rather than taking on new affiliations in their new conferences, and Cal ended up with the shortest commute possible. The Bears will travel further than the Rebels, though, for a game that could help both teams recruit the Los Angeles area. Cal has never played in the LA Bowl, which only began in 2019. Cal will be the more rested team as UNLV played Friday night in the Mountain West championship game, losing 21-7 on the road to College Football Playoff-bound Boise State. The Golden Bears will look to bounce back from a regular-season finale in which they were blown out 38-6 by Southern Methodist , another team headed to the playoff. Sophomore quarterback Fernando Mendoza missed that game with an illness and should be available for the bowl game. Dual threat quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams will pose questions for the Bears defense through the air and on the ground after accounting for 26 total touchdowns in 10 games following the departure of starter Matthew Sluka in an NIL dispute. Mendoza may have a chance to pile up yardage as the Rebels are No. 105 nationally allowing 241.2 passing yards per game, but UNLV only allows 109.8 rush yards per game, good for 17th in the FBS, one spot behind the Bears. Perhaps surprisingly, the Bears have only played the Rebels once in the teams’ history, winning 20-14 in Berkeley in 2022 . Cal played in the Independence Bowl last year, losing 34-14 to Texas Tech . The last time the Bears made consecutive bowl appearances was 2018 and 2019 in Wilcox’s second and third seasons in Berkeley.
