Costa Rica's digital identity reflects its international growthWestern governors said they were taking a wait-and-see attitude Monday when asked about their response to President-elect Donald Trump’s promises of an immigration crackdown. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said the “devil’s in the details” when it comes to the state’s role in Trump’s plans to enact a mass deportation program, and whether Nevada would use its National Guard to carry out the program. “It’s too soon to opine on the nebulous or the unknown,” he said during a news conference at the winter meeting of the Western Governors’ Association in Las Vegas. “A lot of things I know get promised during campaigns and then the practicality of implementing those comes to bear.” On the campaign trail, Trump and his vice president, JD Vance, promised the “largest deportation of criminals” in U.S. history, though the logistical plans for how it will get accomplished are murky. Lombardo said during a 2022 debate , when he was running for governor, that he would not send National Guard troops to the southern border. New Mexico Gov. and Western Governors’ Association Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham said the western governors have learned to adapt to every federal administration, and each state has different priorities. “Our Constitution is very clear about privacy,” she said. “It’s very clear about what we can and cannot do, and what we believe is the federal government’s responsibility and their limitations by the Constitution.” Lujan Grisham said the association works together to continue to build and protect the states’ economies. “We will do everything we believe is right that supports and protects the citizens and residents of our states in a way that makes the most sense for our states, and they may be different state to state,” she said.
ASHLEY Cain has been lambasted for being too flash as he "showed off" his huge new car and house on social media. Former footballer and reality TV star Ashley , who appeared on Ex on The Beach and the Challenge as well as Celebrity SAS, is worth an estimated £3 million. He posted a photo of himself beside a new luxury car, saying: "Christmas Eve with sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and cousins... A night filled with smiles, so much love, and even a few tears. And in the quietest moments, a special cuddle from heaven. "+ a sauna, an ice bath, a haircut, and an early present from me to me - because who doesn’t need a practical family wagon. Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas - God bless!" But many took to Instagram to leave negative comments. One fumed: "He loves himself, his car, his house and his kids ... in that order." Another Instagram user seethed: "Wtf your house and car got to.do with Christmas eve. Seriously!!!! "You see, he made sure he took a picture of his big house and the car." Another lamented, "Ashley, I have followed you because of your unwavering support for children's causes, to grieve alongside you and to cheer you on as you continue to speak about Azaylia's legacy, and now your little boys, but your material possessions, A.K.A. your car and house, are irrelevant to your post. I get it; you're proud of your car, but dude, be for real. You can enjoy the good things you have without being THAT guy." A third added: " Social media is just a place to show off these days. Why can’t or why don’t people want to keep their life personal. It’s so embarrassing! The car, the house, even the bag had to be put on his back for the pics! Cringe." Ashley has raised thousands in memory of his baby daughter Azaylia, who died from a rare form of leukaemia . He also set up Azaylia Foundation's Childhood Cancer PhD Scholarship Programme. Since Azaylia's death, Ashley has gone on to have more children, Atlas and Aliyas, who are pictured in the photos he posted. Some social media users commented on why Ashley had not posted any graveside photos this year, as he has done in previous years. One Instagram user commented: "Why is there no pictures him at Azaliyas resting place?" Another said: "Not one pic of him at his daughter's resting place like before now he has his boys to worried about showing them off house and cars his daughter like to have saf as his mother so glad she had no more kids with him she’s far to good for him rip sweet angel." After all the negative comments, fans showed some support and wished him a happy Christmas: One fan said: "Please ignore all the negative comments, enjoy your time with family." A second said: "Your love for your children is EVERYTHING! Merry Christmas to you all." Another said: "Wishing you and your beautiful family a very Merry Christmas and a special Christmas prayer for Azaliya in Heaven may she forever watch over her family."
Oregon started signing day behind Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten recruiting rankings and was poised to finish Wednesday on top. The Ducks flipped five-star cornerback Na'eem Offord from the Buckeyes and four-star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele from California — additions that pushed them to No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in the Big Ten in the 247Sports Composite rankings. A Big Ten-high four five-stars signed with the Ducks. Ohio State's class, ranked fifth in the country, is highlighted by a pair of national top-five prospects in quarterback Tavien St. Clair and cornerback Devin Sanchez. Michigan's class was rated third best in the Big Ten and seventh best in the nation. Quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 national recruit, was scheduled to sign his letter of intent with the Wolverines on Wednesday evening. Two other Big Ten teams were ranked in the top 20, No. 13 Southern California and No. 17 Penn State. Oregon closed with a flourish with Offord and Sagapolutele flipping on signing day and four-star linebacker Gavin Nix switching from Miami on Tuesday. The Ducks signed some of the nation's top prospects at wide receiver and cornerback. Dakorien Moore is the No. 1 receiver and Dallas Wilson is No. 4. Offord is the No. 2 corner, Brandon Finney is No. 5 and Dorian Brew is No. 8. They also signed a second quarterback, the four-star Akili Smith Jr., whose father was the Ducks' quarterback in 1997-98 and an NFL first-round draft pick. Five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet was USC's top signee, and the Trojans beat out Ohio State and Oregon for five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart. Penn State landed the No. 4 offensive lineman in the country in Malachi Goodman. Among eight four-star defensive players to sign was linebacker LaVar Arrington Jr., whose father was a 1998 All-American for the Nittany Lions and No. 2 overall draft pick in 2000. Nebraska signed four-star linebackers in Dawson Merritt and Christian Jones and got a pleasant signing-day surprise when four-star wide receiver Cortez Mills flipped from Oklahoma. Iose Epenesa, the No. 14 national prospect and No. 3 defensive lineman, continues his family's tradition at Iowa. The edge rusher from Edwardsville, Illinois, is the brother of former Iowa star AJ Epenesa. Another brother, Eric, is a walk-on linebacker for the Hawkeyes. Their father, Eppy, played at Iowa in the 1990s. ... Indiana's breakthrough season produced a minimal bump in the recruiting rankings. The Hoosiers, who signed 21 players, went from No. 16 last year to No. 13 in the Big Ten. . ... Maryland signed four four stars, including the nation's No. 5 quarterback prospect in 6-foot-4, 215-pound Malik Washington. ... Michigan State didn't sign a four-star recruit for the first time since at least 2009. ... Purdue, three days after the firing of Ryan Walters and coming off one of the worst seasons in program history, signed just six players. Michigan's NIL collective reportedly offered Underwood an eight-figure financial package and Tom Brady provided a strong nudge to get him to flip from LSU two weeks ago. Underwood is from Belleville, Michigan, less than a half-hour drive from Ann Arbor, and he has said playing close to home also was a factor. Underwood is the first No. 1 national prospect to land at Michigan since defensive end Rashan Gary in 2016. An Ohio State stocking cap sat alongside Auburn and Oregon ballcaps on a table at Offord's signing ceremony at Parker High in Birmingham, Alabama. He picked up the Auburn cap and put it on for a split-second, then flipped it into the crowd and put on the Oregon cap. With three of the top eight cornerback prospects and four-star safety Trey McNutt expected to sign, the Ducks would have the highest-rated group of defensive backs. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballIowa transfer portal tracker: Which Hawkeyes have entered the portal since it opened Monday?
NoneFox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich reports on possible replacements for Trump’s SecDef pick Pete Hegseth as some lawmakers send mixed messages about his fate on 'Special Report.' President-elect Donald Trump’s allies are expected to ramp up criticisms against Republican Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst as she stalls on offering support to Trump’s secretary of defense pick, Pete Hegseth. "It's really this simple: If you oppose President Trump's nominees, you oppose the Trump agenda and there will be a political price to pay for that. We are well aware that there are certain establishment Senators trying to tank the President's nominees to make him look weak and damage him politically, and we're just not going to allow that to happen," a top Trump ally told Fox News Digital. Trump nominated Hegseth, a former National Guard officer, as secretary of defense last month , saying "with Pete at the helm, America's enemies are on notice — Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down." Hegseth was a host on "Fox & Friends Weekend" before Trump's nomination. Hegseth has since been on Capitol Hill meeting with Republican senators to rally support as he battles allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing. CONSERVATIVE GROUP COMPILES LIST OF 'WOKE' SENIOR OFFICERS THEY WANT PETE HEGSETH TO FIRE WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 17: Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) speaks to reporters following a closed-door lunch meeting with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol October 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke on a range of issues including the United States support for Israel following the Hamas terrorist attacks. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) ( Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Ernst sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will hold the secretary of defense nominee’s confirmation hearing, and met with Hegseth last week. Ernst, however, has withheld committing to voting in favor of Hegseth. "Pete Hegseth and I will continue our constructive conversations as we move forward together in this process. We plan to meet again next week. At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our warfighters at a fair hearing," Ernst said last week after meeting with Hegseth. Hegseth added in his own comment on the meeting with Ernst, that he had a "substantive conversation with Senator Ernst, I appreciate her sincere commitment to defense policy, and I look forward to meeting with her again next week." DOZENS OF PROMINENT VETERANS SIGN ONTO LETTER SUPPORTING 'OUTSTANDING' HEGSETH NOMINATION AMID CONTROVERSIES Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be defense secretary, is joined by his wife Jennifer Rauchet, as they walk through the basement of the Capitol, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Reports surfaced last week alleging Trump had lost faith in his nominee as Democrats slammed the choice and some Republicans, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham, remarked the allegations against Hegseth were "disturbing." Trump bucked the claims last week when he doubled down on his support of Hegseth in a Truth Social post, while Vice President-elect JD Vance also said the Trump team is "not abandoning this nomination." "Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday. "He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!" Ernst is a retired Iowa National Guard lieutenant colonel, and spoke before the Reagan National Defense Forum on Saturday where she addressed her advocacy for survivors of military sexual assault. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) talks to reporters following the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon in the U.S. Capitol on February 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) "I am a survivor of sexual assault, so I have worked very heavily on sexual assault measures within the military, so I’d like to hear a little more about that, and I’d like to hear about the role of women in our great United States military," Ernst said, according to Politico. PETE HEGSETH SAYS HE WILL BE 'STANDING RIGHT HERE IN THIS FIGHT' AFTER MEETING WITH SENATORS She added that she was "excited" to meet with Hegseth, "but there will be a very thorough vetting before he moves forward." Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of defense, speaks with reporters following a meeting with senators on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) Hegseth will head back to Capitol Hill this week to rally support for his nomination as conservatives and Trump supporters intensify their criticisms against Ernst and other colleagues who have stalled on supporting Hegseth despite voting to confirm Biden nominees nearly four years ago. "If you’re a GOP Senator who voted for Lloyd Austin, but criticize @PeteHegseth, then maybe you’re in the wrong political party!" Don Trump Jr. wrote on X. "Joni Ernst sucked as a Senator long before this . The rest of the country is just now finding that out. However, defeating an incumbent US Senator takes high name ID, connections, and funding potential," talk show host Steve Deace wrote on X. "I'm one of the few people in Iowa with all three. I don't want to be a Senator, but I am willing to primary her for the good of the cause if I'm assured I have Trump's support going in. Or I am willing to throw my support and network behind someone else President Trump prefers to primary Joni Ernst instead." A conservative nonprofit, Building America’s Future, told the Daily Caller it is spending half a million dollars in ads supporting Hegseth as SecDef, while calling on voters to rally their respective senators to support the nominee. "America needs a Defense Secretary who knows what it means to fight, and understands the price of freedom. Pete Hegseth is a patriot, a decorated combat veteran and a warrior who will stop at nothing to keep America safe," the ad says. "The Deep State is trying to stop his nomination, but Pete isn’t backing down. Call your senator today and urge them to confirm Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense," the ad continues. PETE HEGSETH RAMPS UP PENTAGON PITCH WITH BACK-TO-BACK MEETINGS ON CAPITOL HILL Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena on August 23, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The rally, held in partnership with Turning Point PAC and Turning Point Action, comes come two weeks after Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Harris held a rally at the same location. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Ernst has previously found herself at odds with the Republican Party and Trump, including in comments both during the first Trump administration and over the summer where she spoke favorably of transgender individuals serving in the military. Under the Trump administration in 2018, the 45th president officially authorized the Pentagon to ban transgender individuals from joining the military, with limited exceptions, after making the pledge to do so in 2017. Fox News Digital reached out to Ernst's press office on Sunday but did not immediately receive a response. Fox News Digital's Brie Stimson contributed to this report.
Fmr LLC boosted its position in Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. ( NASDAQ:NTLA – Free Report ) by 5.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,339,522 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 111,104 shares during the quarter. Fmr LLC owned approximately 2.30% of Intellia Therapeutics worth $48,077,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Intellia Therapeutics by 22.1% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 2,604 shares of the company’s stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 472 shares in the last quarter. Elmwood Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Intellia Therapeutics by 0.9% during the third quarter. Elmwood Wealth Management Inc. now owns 67,774 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,393,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Intellia Therapeutics by 27.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 3,674 shares of the company’s stock valued at $77,000 after purchasing an additional 794 shares during the last quarter. KBC Group NV boosted its position in shares of Intellia Therapeutics by 37.3% in the 3rd quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 3,753 shares of the company’s stock worth $77,000 after purchasing an additional 1,020 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Axxcess Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Intellia Therapeutics by 5.4% during the 3rd quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 20,215 shares of the company’s stock worth $415,000 after buying an additional 1,044 shares during the last quarter. 88.77% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Insider Buying and Selling at Intellia Therapeutics In related news, CAO Michael P. Dube sold 2,012 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.01, for a total transaction of $38,248.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 47,012 shares in the company, valued at $893,698.12. This represents a 4.10 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Insiders own 3.20% of the company’s stock. Intellia Therapeutics Stock Up 7.8 % Intellia Therapeutics ( NASDAQ:NTLA – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 7th. The company reported ($1.34) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($1.37) by $0.03. The business had revenue of $9.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.28 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($1.38) earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 24.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. will post -5.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Citigroup lowered their price target on Intellia Therapeutics from $25.00 to $19.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $90.00 target price on shares of Intellia Therapeutics in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on shares of Intellia Therapeutics from $80.00 to $64.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 11th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Intellia Therapeutics from $76.00 to $55.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Chardan Capital lifted their price target on Intellia Therapeutics from $88.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $54.94. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on NTLA About Intellia Therapeutics ( Free Report ) Intellia Therapeutics, Inc, a genome editing company, focuses on the development of curative therapeutics. The company's in vivo programs include NTLA-2001, which is in Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis; NTLA-2002 for the treatment of hereditary angioedema; and NTLA-3001 for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency associated lung disease. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Intellia Therapeutics 3 Grocery Stocks That Are Proving They Are Still Essential Fast-Growing Companies That Are Still Undervalued Canadian Penny Stocks: Can They Make You Rich? Top Cybersecurity Stock Picks for 2025 How to Most Effectively Use the MarketBeat Earnings Screener Archer or Joby: Which Aviation Company Might Rise Fastest? Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NTLA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. ( NASDAQ:NTLA – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Intellia Therapeutics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Intellia Therapeutics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Oregon started signing day behind Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten recruiting rankings and was poised to finish Wednesday on top. The Ducks flipped five-star cornerback Na'eem Offord from the Buckeyes and four-star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele from California — additions that pushed them to No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in the Big Ten in the 247Sports Composite rankings. A Big Ten-high four five-stars signed with the Ducks. Ohio State's class, ranked fifth in the country, is highlighted by a pair of national top-five prospects in quarterback Tavien St. Clair and cornerback Devin Sanchez. Michigan's class was rated third best in the Big Ten and seventh best in the nation. Quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 national recruit, was scheduled to sign his letter of intent with the Wolverines on Wednesday evening. Two other Big Ten teams were ranked in the top 20, No. 13 Southern California and No. 17 Penn State. Oregon closed with a flourish with Offord and Sagapolutele flipping on signing day and four-star linebacker Gavin Nix switching from Miami on Tuesday. The Ducks signed some of the nation's top prospects at wide receiver and cornerback. Dakorien Moore is the No. 1 receiver and Dallas Wilson is No. 4. Offord is the No. 2 corner, Brandon Finney is No. 5 and Dorian Brew is No. 8. They also signed a second quarterback, the four-star Akili Smith Jr., whose father was the Ducks' quarterback in 1997-98 and an NFL first-round draft pick. Five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet was USC's top signee, and the Trojans beat out Ohio State and Oregon for five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart. Penn State landed the No. 4 offensive lineman in the country in Malachi Goodman. Among eight four-star defensive players to sign was linebacker LaVar Arrington Jr., whose father was a 1998 All-American for the Nittany Lions and No. 2 overall draft pick in 2000. Nebraska signed four-star linebackers in Dawson Merritt and Christian Jones and got a pleasant signing-day surprise when four-star wide receiver Cortez Mills flipped from Oklahoma. Iose Epenesa, the No. 14 national prospect and No. 3 defensive lineman, continues his family's tradition at Iowa. The edge rusher from Edwardsville, Illinois, is the brother of former Iowa star AJ Epenesa. Another brother, Eric, is a walk-on linebacker for the Hawkeyes. Their father, Eppy, played at Iowa in the 1990s. ... Indiana's breakthrough season produced a minimal bump in the recruiting rankings. The Hoosiers, who signed 21 players, went from No. 16 last year to No. 13 in the Big Ten. . ... Maryland signed four four stars, including the nation's No. 5 quarterback prospect in 6-foot-4, 215-pound Malik Washington. ... Michigan State didn't sign a four-star recruit for the first time since at least 2009. ... Purdue, three days after the firing of Ryan Walters and coming off one of the worst seasons in program history, signed just six players. Michigan's NIL collective reportedly offered Underwood an eight-figure financial package and Tom Brady provided a strong nudge to get him to flip from LSU two weeks ago. Underwood is from Belleville, Michigan, less than a half-hour drive from Ann Arbor, and he has said playing close to home also was a factor. Underwood is the first No. 1 national prospect to land at Michigan since defensive end Rashan Gary in 2016. An Ohio State stocking cap sat alongside Auburn and Oregon ballcaps on a table at Offord's signing ceremony at Parker High in Birmingham, Alabama. He picked up the Auburn cap and put it on for a split-second, then flipped it into the crowd and put on the Oregon cap. With three of the top eight cornerback prospects and four-star safety Trey McNutt expected to sign, the Ducks would have the highest-rated group of defensive backs. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballSnow unlikely for Thanksgiving, but plenty of rain ahead, according to NWS"The Chinese people are so miserable," read a social media post in the wake of yet another mass killing in the country earlier this year. The same user also warned: "There will only be more and more copycat attacks." "This tragedy reflects the darkness within society," wrote another. Such bleak assessments, following a spate of deadly incidents in China during 2024, have led to questions about what is driving people to murder strangers en masse to "take revenge on society" . Attacks like this are still rare given China's huge population, and are not new, says David Schak, associate professor at Griffith University in Australia. But they seem to come in waves, often as copycat attempts at garnering attention. This year has been especially distressing. From 2019 to 2023, police recorded three to five cases each year, where perpetrators attacked pedestrians or strangers. In 2024, that number jumped to 19. In 2019, three people were killed and 28 injured in such incidents; in 2023, 16 dead and 40 injured and in 2024, 63 people killed and 166 injured. November was especially bloody. On the 11th of that month, a 62-year-old man ploughed a car into people exercising outside a stadium in the city of Zhuhai, killing at least 35. Police said that the driver had been unhappy with his divorce settlement. He was sentenced to death this week. Days later, in Changde city, a man drove into a crowd of children and parents outside a primary school, injuring 30 of them. The authorities said he was angry over financial losses and family problems. That same week, a 21-year-old who couldn't graduate after failing his exams, went on a stabbing rampage on his campus in Wuxi city, killing eight and injuring 17. In September, a 37-year-old man raced through a Shanghai shopping centre, stabbing people as he went . In June, four American instructors were attacked at a park by a 55-year-old man wielding a knife. And there were two separate attacks on Japanese citizens, including one in which a 10-year-old boy was stabbed to death outside his school. The perpetrators have largely targeted "random people" to show their "displeasure with society", Prof Schak says. In a country with vast surveillance capabilities, where women rarely hesitate to walk alone at night, these killings have sparked understandable unease. So what has prompted so many mass attacks in China this year? A major source of pressure in China right now is the sluggish economy. It is no secret that the country has been struggling with high youth unemployment, massive debt and a real estate crisis which has consumed the life savings of many families, sometimes with nothing to show for it. On the outskirts of most major cities there are entire housing estates where construction has stopped because indebted developers cannot afford to complete them. In 2022, the BBC interviewed people camping in the concrete shells of their own unfinished apartments , without running water, electricity and windows because they had nowhere else to stay. "Optimism certainly does seem to have faded," says George Magnus, a research associate at Oxford University's China Centre. "Let's use the word trapped, just for the moment. I think China has become trapped in a sort of cycle of repression. Social repression and economic repression, on the one hand, and a kind of faltering economic development model on the other." Studies appear to point to a significant change in attitudes, with a measurable increase in pessimism among Chinese people about their personal prospects. A significant US-China joint analysis, which for years had recorded them saying that inequality in society could often be attributed to a lack of effort or ability, found in its most recent survey that people were now blaming an "unfair economic system" . "The question is who do people really blame?" Mr Magnus asks. "And the next step from that is that the system is unfair to me, and I can't break through. I can't change my circumstances." In countries with a healthy media, if you felt you had been fired from your job unfairly or that your home had been demolished by corrupt builders backed by local officials, you might turn to journalists for your story to be heard. But that is rarely an option in China, where the press is controlled by the Communist Party and unlikely to run stories which reflect badly on any level of the government. Then there are the courts – also run by and for the party – which are slow and inefficient. Much was made on social media here of the Zhuhai attacker's alleged motive: that he did not achieve what he believed was a fair divorce settlement in court. Experts say other outlets for venting frustrations have also narrowed or been shut down altogether. Chinese people often air their grievances online, says Lynette Ong, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, who has carried out significant research on how the Chinese state responds to push back from its people. "[They] will go on to the internet and scold the government... just to vent their anger. Or they may organise a small protest which the police would often allow if it's small-scale," she explains. "But this sort of dissent, small dissent, has been closed off in the last couple of years." There are plenty of examples of this: Increased internet censorship, which blocks words or expressions that are deemed controversial or critical; crackdowns on cheeky Halloween costumes that make fun of officialdom; or when plain-clothed men, who appeared to have been mobilised by local officials, beat up protesters in Henan province outside banks which had frozen their accounts. As for dealing with people's mental and emotional responses to these stresses, this too has been found wanting. Specialists say that China's counselling services are vastly inadequate, leaving no outlet for those who feel isolated, alone and depressed in modern Chinese society. "Counselling can help build up emotional resilience," says Professor Silvia Kwok from Hong Kong's City University, adding that China needs to increase its mental health services, especially for at-risk groups who have experienced trauma or those with mental illness. "People need to find different strategies or constructive ways to deal with their emotions... making them less likely to react violently in moments of intense emotional stress." Taken together, these factors suggest the lid is tightening on Chinese society, creating a pressure cooker-like situation. "There are not a lot of people going around mass killing. But still the tensions do seem to be building, and it doesn't look like there is any way it is going to ease up in the near future," Mr Magnus says. What should worry the Communist Party is the commentary from the general public blaming those in power for this. Take this remark for example: "If the government truly acts fairly and justly, there would not be so much anger and grievance in Chinese society... the government's efforts have focused on creating a superficial sense of harmony. While it may appear that they care about disadvantaged people, their actions have instead caused the greatest injustices." While violent attacks have been rising in many countries, according to Professor Ong, the difference in China is that officials have had little experience dealing with them. "I think the authorities are very alarmed because they've not seen it before, and their instinct is to crack down." When China's leader Xi Jinping spoke about the Zhuhai attack, he seemed to acknowledge pressure was building in society. He urged officials across the country to "learn hard lessons from the incident, address risks at their roots, resolve conflicts and disputes early and take proactive measures to prevent extreme crime". But, so far, the lessons learnt seem to have led to a push for quicker police response times using greater surveillance, rather than considering any changes to the way China is run. "China is moving into a new phase, a new phase that we have not seen since the late 70s," Prof Ong says, referring to the time when the country began opening to the world again, unleashing enormous change. "We need to brace for unexpected events, such as a lot of random attacks and pockets of protest and social instability emerging."
Arcane season 2 wrapped up with the release of act 3 yesterday, and it also confirmed a major fan theory that players of League of Legends had. If you've not finished the show yet, I'd advise you stop reading, as there are major spoilers for episode 7 and beyond coming up. Arcane is based on the popular MOBA League of Legends. The show has taken a lot of creative liberties, changing up the lore whenever it likes so as to not confuse newcomers. While this may not be ideal for die-hard fans of the game, they should be very... Issy van der VeldeFour members of the " Magnificent Seven " have outperformed the benchmark S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) year to date. Tesla ( TSLA 5.34% ) and Amazon ( AMZN 2.94% ) are included in that number, with shares advancing 57% and 49%, respectively. But the billionaire hedge fund managers below bought one and sold the other in the third quarter. Louis Bacon of Moore Capital Management bought 25,000 shares of Tesla, increasing his position by 19%. Meanwhile, he sold 616,475 shares of Amazon, reducing his stake by 76%. Tesla rose to his 13th-largest holding, while Amazon fell to his 16th-largest. Ken Griffin of Citadel Advisors bought 1.1 million shares of Tesla, increasing his position by nearly 400%. Meanwhile, he sold 7.2 million shares of Amazon, reducing his stake by 94%. Amazon had been his largest holding, excluding options and index funds. Dan Loeb of Third Point bought 400,000 shares of Tesla, starting a new position. He also sold 1.4 million shares of Amazon, reducing his stake by 27%. Amazon had been his largest holding, but it now ranks second. Investors can learn a lot by tracking trades made by accomplished fund managers, but it's important to keep things in perspective. The trades above were made in the third quarter, which ended two months ago. Here's what investors need to know about Tesla and Amazon as we head into 2025. Tesla: The stock some billionaires were buying Tesla is the leading manufacturer of battery electric vehicles , though its market share fell about 3 points in the past year amid increased competition and a challenging economic environment. During that period, the company reported disappointing financial results in several consecutive quarters as price cuts meant to boost demand cut into margins. Tesla began to regain some momentum in the third quarter. Deliveries increased 6% after falling 5% in the prior quarter. In turn, revenue increased 8% to $25 billion, operating margin expanded 3 percentage points, and non-GAAP earnings increased 9% to $0.72 per diluted share. The company also said it will introduce more affordable vehicle models next year, and CEO Elon Musk believes deliveries could jump 20% to 30% in 2025. However, Tesla's largest opportunity lies in artificial intelligence (AI) software and services. The company plans to release an unsupervised version of its full self-driving (FSD) software in California and Texas next year. It will also launch an autonomous ride-hailing service in those markets. Additionally, Tesla is in talks to license its FSD software to other automakers. Elon Musk says gross margin could top 70% as autonomous driving technology becomes a larger source of revenue. But he believes the humanoid robot Optimus will be the company's most valuable product. On the third-quarter earnings call , he told analysts, "I feel confident in saying that we have the most advanced humanoid robot by a long shot." Looking ahead, Wall Street estimates Tesla's adjusted earnings will increase by 28% over the next year, which makes the current valuation of 160 times adjusted earnings look absurd. But that consensus estimate fails to account for revenue increases and margin expansion that autonomous driving technology may bring in a few years, and the market is absolutely pricing in those possibilities, at least to some degree. That puts investors in a tricky position: If Tesla fails to achieve its goals surrounding FSD and autonomous ride-sharing, the stock will likely crash. But if Tesla does accomplish those goals, it could revolutionize the mobility and transportation industries. That same logic applies to its ambitions in robotics. Personally, I think young investors (i.e., those with a long time horizon) who are comfortable with volatility should have some exposure to Tesla. While the stock is undeniably expensive, anyone who meets those criteria should consider buying a tiny position today. But I also think better opportunities will present themselves in the future, so shareholders should be prepared to buy the stock on dips. Amazon: The stock some billionaires were selling Amazon has a strong position in e-commerce , digital advertising, and cloud computing . Specifically, it operates the largest online marketplace in North America and Western Europe as measured by sales. It is the third-largest adtech company worldwide. And Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the largest public cloud. The company is leaning into artificial intelligence across all three segments to increase revenue and improve efficiency, especially in its cloud computing business. In the last 18 months, AWS released nearly twice as many machine learning and generative AI features as the other leading public clouds combined, according to CEO Andy Jassy. He also said AI revenue was growing at a triple-digit pace. Amazon reported solid financial results in the third quarter, beating estimates on the top and bottom lines. Revenue increased 11% to $159 billion due to particularly strong sales growth in advertising and cloud services. Meanwhile, its operating margin expanded more than 3 percentage points, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) earnings jumped 52% to $1.43 per diluted share. Importantly, according to eMarketer, Amazon is expected to gain share in e-commerce and digital advertising in the next two years. Additionally, AWS is ideally positioned to benefit as demand for AI infrastructure and platform services increases, given it has nearly as much market share as Microsoft Azure and Alphabet 's Google Cloud combined. With that in mind, Wall Street expects Amazon's earnings to increase 26% over the next year. That seems like a reasonable estimate, considering the tailwinds behind the business, and it makes the current valuation of 49 times earnings look tolerable. Those numbers give a price/earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio of 1.9, which is neither cheap nor outrageously expensive. Despite several billionaires selling Amazon shares, patient investors should feel confident buying a small position today. I think most Wall Street analysts would agree with that statement. Among the 70 analysts who follow Amazon, 94% have a buy rating on the stock.Jarrod Bowen held Antonio’s number nine shirt aloft after scoring the winner in support of the Hammers striker, who is recovering after a horror car crash on Saturday. Boss Julen Lopetegui said: “He is not in his best moment but he kept his humour. It was a special moment for us. “I think we have a lot of reason to win matches but this was one reason more. He’s alive so we are happy.” MA9 ❤️ — West Ham United (@WestHam) West Ham players wore ‘Antonio 9′ shirts while warming up and walking out before kick-off. The shirts will be signed by the players, including Antonio, and auctioned off with the proceeds going to the NHS and Air Ambulances UK. Tomas Soucek headed West Ham into the lead and held up nine fingers to a TV camera. The Czech midfielder told Sky Sports: “He’s been here since I came here. He is really my favourite. I said it would be tough for me to play without him. "He was here since I came and he's really my favourite" Tomáš Souček on dedicating his goal to Michail Antonio ❤️ — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) “I was so scared what was going to happen. It was a really tough week for him, his family and us.” Matt Doherty equalised for Wolves, and boss Gary O’Neil felt they should have had two penalties for fouls on Goncalo Guedes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, both of which were checked by VAR. But Bowen’s winner – O’Neil believed there was a foul in the build-up – condemned Wolves to a 10th defeat of the season and a third in a row. While under-pressure Lopetegui may have earned a stay of execution, O’Neil’s future as Wolves manager is now in serious doubt. “A lot of things went against us but ultimately we have not found a way to turn the game in our favour,” he said. “But the players showed they are still fighting for me, for the fans and the group. “Where does this leave me? In the same place I was. I’m aware of the noise. But if anyone expected this to be easy – I’m happy to be judged on results but it should be done in context. “Whenever this journey ends with Wolves I’ll be proud of it.” There was an acrimonious end to the match as captains Bowen and Mario Lemina scuffled after the final whistle, with the Wolves midfielder angrily shoving people including one of his own coaches, Shaun Derry. “I just went to shake his hand after the game,” Bowen said. “He didn’t want to shake my hand, two captains together just to say ‘well done’ after the game. “I know it’s difficult when you lose. I’ve been on the end of that situation.” O’Neil added: “Mario is calm now. He’s a passionate guy and something was said that upset him. “The instinct of the staff was to make sure he didn’t get into trouble, but he took some calming down.”
With SS United States set to be sunk, passengers remember the iconic ocean linerWASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm . But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. ___ Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
Tulare County: Growth in ag, transportation, retailPresident-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to delay the law that could ban TikTok until after his inauguration. In an amicus brief, Trump’s attorney D. John Sauer wrote that the future president wants the opportunity to find a solution to the problem “through political means.” The law requiring a ban or sale of TikTok is set to take effect on January 19, 2025 , just one day before Trump’s inauguration. The brief calls the ban date “unfortunately timed”and argues the incoming president should have more time to work on a deal with TikTok. TikTok’s legal team cited a similar concern in its requests for a delay of the ban. The brief also cites Trump’s “dealmaking” experience and his social media platform Truth Social. “President Trump alone possesses the consummate dealmaking expertise, the electoral mandate, and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform while addressing the national security concerns expressed by the Government–concerns which President Trump himself has acknowledged,” Sauer writes. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Trump’s stance on a TikTok is much different from the one he took in his first term, when he pursued a ban of the app in 2020 . He also floated the idea that Microsoft could “work out a deal, an appropriate deal, so the Treasury of the United States gets a lot of money” without explaining exactly how such a deal would work. President Trump reversed his opinion on a TikTok ban during his second campaign. He told CNBC’s Squawk Box in March that banning TikTok would “make Facebook bigger and I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people, along with a lot of the media.” The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the ban on January 10. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
A Goodreads user who appears to be Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old arrested Monday and named a person of interest in the slaying of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson , gave a 4-star rating to the manifesto of Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski . The review from January 2024 was written by a user with the profile name "Luigi (lnmangione)" and the same photo that Mangione used in other social media profiles . Kaczynski, convicted of a series of mail bombings between 1978 and 1995 that killed 3 and injured 23, was a "mathematics prodigy" begins the 8-paragraph review of the manifesto, “Industrial Society and Its Future." The review concludes with a 4-paragraph quote the reviewer said he'd found online that ends: "’Violence never solved anything’ is a statement uttered by cowards and predators." The review said Kaczynski’s manifesto examined "the question of 21st century quality of life.” “It’s easy to quickly and thoughtless write this off as the manifesto of a lunatic, in order to avoid facing some of the uncomfortable problems it identifies. But it's simply impossible to ignore how prescient many of his predictions about modern society turned out," the reviewer says. “He was a violent individual − rightfully imprisoned − who maimed innocent people," Mangione wrote. "While these actions tend to be characterized as those of a crazy luddite, however, they are more accurately seen as those of an extreme political revolutionary.” More: Who is Luigi Mangione, detained in UnitedHealthcare CEO's killing? Here's what we know The four-paragraph passage the reviewer says he found “online” includes the following: “When all other forms of communication fail, violence is necessary to survive. You may not like his methods, but to see things from his perspective, it's not terrorism, it's war and revolution." New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Monday that Mangione had been detained by police in Altoona, Pennsylvania, carrying a 3D-printed gun, a silencer, and documents indicating "some ill will toward corporate America." The unnamed writer quoted in Mangione's review of The Unabomber Manifesto had antipathy to spare. "Peaceful protest is outright ignored, economic protest isn't possible in the current system, so how long until we recognize that violence against those who lead us to such destruction is justified as self-defense,” the passage reads. "These companies don't care about you, or your kids, or your grandkids," the quote continued. "They have zero qualms about burning down the planet for a buck, so why should we have any qualms about burning them down to survive?” While New York Mayor Eric Adams called Mangione "a strong person of interest" in Thompson's death, he was not immediately charged in the slaying. A lawyer for Mangione could not be reached for comment.With technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. It was more Marta Magic. That goal last weekend helped propel the Orlando Pride into Saturday's National Women's Soccer League championship game against the Washington Spirit. Barbra Banda also scored in the Pride's 3-2 semifinal victory over the Kansas City Current . While Banda has had an incredible first season with the Pride, captain Marta has been the talisman that has helped lead the team in its remarkable turnaround this year. The last time the Pride were in the NWSL playoffs was in 2017 — Marta's first year with the club. But this season they nearly went undefeated, going 23 games without a loss to start the season before losing 2-0 to the Portland Thorns with just two regular-season games left. “I think because of the way that we did it, during this season, from beginning to now, it’s something very special that I’ve never had before with any other club that I’ve played for," Marta said. "Plus year by year, we see in America, strong competition. This is the best league in the world. And you never know what’s going to happen, and it’s hard to keep winning the games, being in the first place almost like the whole season. That’s why it’s really different and so special.” Marta’s goal was the latest gasp-inducing moment in a stellar career filled with them. Known by just her first name, the 38-year-old is a six-time FIFA world player of the year. "Let's see if tomorrow I can do something similar — or even better," Marta said on Friday. Her teammate Kylie Strom chimed in: “That was the greatest goal I've ever witnessed, hands down." Appropriate. Earlier this year, FIFA announced that the best goal in women's soccer each year would earn the Marta Award. In a lighthearted moment the day before the title match, Marta was asked if she thought it was possible she might give the award to herself. “You guys need to decide, because who votes for the best goal in the year? It’s you. It’s the people in the public. So it should be really interesting, like Marta’s Award goes to Marta!” she said with a laugh. Marta has played in six World Cups for Brazil and played this summer in her sixth Olympics, winning a silver medal after falling in the final to the United States . She previously said this would be her final year with the national team. But since then Brazil was named the host of the 2027 Women's World Cup. "I had a conversation with my coach, the national team coach, and I was really clear about playing in 2027. I told him it’s not my goal anymore,” she said. “But I’m always available to help the national team. And if they think I still can do something during this preparation for the World Cup, yeah, I would be happy to help them." Marta's club career started in Brazil when she was just 16. She has also played in Sweden and in the U.S. professional women's leagues that came before the NWSL. With nine regular-season goals, Marta has had one of her best seasons since she joined the Pride. “I can never pick a side, I never pick favorites — but I love to see this for Marta," U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Marta is someone we all like, admire and are grateful for. And that goal was just like prime Marta at her best. And so grateful for and thankful for her that she got the opportunity with another game with her team.” The Pride went 18-2-6 this season, clinching the NWSL Shield for the first trophy in club history. Orlando also set a record with 60 regular-season points to finish atop the standings. “We are sitting top of the table, but I think there still are a lot of doubters. I think there’s people out there who say, maybe this was a one-off season,” Strom said. “But we’re here to prove them all wrong. So I think we do carry a bit of that underdog mentality still with us.” The second-seeded Spirit advanced to the title match at Kansas City's CPKC Stadium last weekend on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw against defending champions Gotham FC. The Spirit's roster includes Trinity Rodman, a standout forward who formed the so-called “Triple Espresso” trio with Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith for the United States at the Olympics. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerMarta's magic helped get the Pride to Saturday's NWSL title game against the Washington Spirit
With SS United States set to be sunk, passengers remember the iconic ocean linerBritain, Germany, France, Italy and several other European countries said Monday they would freeze all pending asylum requests from Syrians, a day after the ouster of president Bashar al-Assad. While Berlin and other governments said they were watching the fast-moving developments in the war-ravaged nation, Austria signalled it would soon deport refugees back to Syria. Far-right politicians elsewhere made similar demands, including in Germany — home to Europe’s largest Syrian community — at a time when immigration has become a hot-button issue across the continent. Alice Weidel, of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany, reacted with disdain to Sunday’s mass rallies by jubilant Syrians celebrating Assad’s downfall. “Anyone in Germany who celebrates ‘free Syria’ evidently no longer has any reason to flee,” she wrote on X. “They should return to Syria immediately.” World leaders and Syrians abroad watched in disbelief at the weekend as Islamist-led rebels swept into Damascus, ending Assad’s brutal rule while also sparking new uncertainty. A German foreign ministry spokesman pointed out that “the fact that the Assad regime has been ended is unfortunately no guarantee of peaceful developments” in the future. Germany has taken in almost one million Syrians, with most arriving in 2015-16 under ex-chancellor Angela Merkel. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said many Syrian refugees “now finally have hope of returning to their Syrian homeland” but cautioned that “the situation in Syria is currently very unclear”. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees had imposed a freeze on decisions for ongoing asylum procedures “until the situation is clearer”. She added that “concrete possibilities of return cannot yet be predicted and it would be unprofessional to speculate in such a volatile situation”. Rights group Amnesty International slammed Germany’s freeze on asylum decisions, stressing that for now “the human rights situation in the country is completely unclear”. The head of the UN refugee agency also cautioned that “patience and vigilance” were needed on the issue of refugee returns. – ‘Repatriation and deportation’ – In Austria, where about 100,000 Syrians live, conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed the interior ministry “to suspend all ongoing Syrian asylum applications and to review all asylum grants”. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner added he had “instructed the ministry to prepare an orderly repatriation and deportation programme to Syria”. “The political situation in Syria has changed fundamentally and, above all, rapidly in recent days,” the ministry said, adding it is “currently monitoring and analysing the new situation”. The French interior ministry said it too would put asylum requests from Syrians on hold, with authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway announcing similar moves. Britain’s interior ministry said it was taking the same measure “whilst we assess the current situation”. The Italian government said late Monday after a cabinet meeting that it too was suspending asylum request “in line with other European partners.” The leader of the far-right Sweden Democrats, a coalition partner in the government, said residence permits for Syrian refugees should now be “reviewed”. “Destructive Islamist forces are behind the change of power” in Syria, wrote their leader Jimmie Akesson on X. “I see that groups are happy about this development here in Sweden. You should see it as a good opportunity to go home.” In Greece, a government spokesman voiced hope that Assad’s fall will eventually allow “the safe return of Syrian refugees” to their country, but without announcing concrete measures. – ‘Populist and irresponsible’ – In Germany, the debate gained momentum as the country heads towards February elections. Achim Brotel, president of a grouping of German communes, called for border controls to stop fleeing Assad loyalists reaching Germany. The centre-right opposition CDU suggested that rejected Syrian asylum-seekers should now lose so-called subsidiary protection. “If the reason for protection no longer applies, then refugees will have to return to their home country,” CDU legislator Thorsten Frei told Welt TV. CDU MP Jens Spahn suggested that Berlin charter flights to Syria and offer 1,000 euros ($1,057) to “anyone who wants to return”. A member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats criticised the debate as “populist and irresponsible”. Greens party deputy Anton Hofreiter also said “it is completely unclear what will happen next in Syria” and deportation talk was “completely out of place”. Many Syrians in Germany have watched the events in their home country with great joy but prefer to wait and see before deciding whether to return. “We want to go back to Syria,” said Mahmoud Zaml, 25, who works in an Arabic pastry shop in Berlin, adding that he hopes to help “rebuild” his country. “But we have to wait a bit now,” he told AFP. “We have to see what happens and if it is really 100 percent safe, then we will go back to Syria.” burs-fz/rlp/phz/gv/giv With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.
NoneA Fijian MP has sensationally been fired after an explicit video of her circulated online. MP Lynda Tabuya said the private video was meant for her husband, and called its circulation on social media a criminal invasion of privacy. Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced his decision to sack Ms. Tabuya as minister for women, children and social protection on Facebook, two days after local Fijian media first reported on the video. “I have decided to exercise the power conferred upon me. to dismiss her as a Minister, with immediate effect,” he said. “She will remain as a Member of Parliament.” Ms. Tabuya meanwhile told local media earlier this week “there is nothing scandalous or illegal or immoral about sharing private videos and images between two consenting adults who are in a relationship, in this case me and my husband.” The 52-year-old also said the people sharing the video had subjected her to online gender-based violence, a prevalent issue in Fiji involving the release of private images and videos without a person’s consent. Ms. Tabuya said she was working with authorities to find who distributed the video, that she had evidence of one person sharing it on email and that she would file a police complaint. “I warn anyone who is sharing the video through Messenger or email or any online platform that you are committing a crime and will be held accountable and face serious legal consequences,” she said. Mr. Rabuka said the government was not investigating how the video entered the public domain. “The fact is that this video has been made available. Who by and what for will have to be determined by subsequent questioning on her part and on the part of the law enforcement agencies if she reports the matter to them,” he said. Fiji Assistant Commissioner of Police Livai Driu told Fiji Television that the Cyber Crime Unit was investigating after Ms. Tabuya lodged a complaint in the capital city, Suva.
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to seven points after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle on Wednesday. Chelsea moved up to second by thrashing last-place Southampton 5-1, while Arsenal is third after a 2-0 win over Manchester United. Fourth-place Manchester City ended its seven-game winless run with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Liverpool’s result will give hope to its title rivals after Fabian Schar’s 90th-minute equalizer at St James’ Park. Arne Slot’s team had twice come back from a goal down to take the lead in the 83rd through Mohamed Salah’s second goal of the match. But the Merseyside club was denied an eighth-straight win in all competitions when Newcastle produced a fightback of its own. “I have mixed feelings, we were outstanding in the second half, but we were not good enough in the first half," Slot said. “Maybe 3-3 is what the game deserved.” Chelsea and Arsenal took advantage. Chelsea's third league win in a row puts it ahead of Arsenal on goal difference. City also reduced the gap and is nine points behind Liverpool after finally ending the worst run of results of Pep Guardiola’s managerial career. “We needed it. The club, the players, everyone needed to win,” Guardiola said. After wins over Real Madrid and City last week, Liverpool’s title credentials were given a stern test by Newcastle, which led at halftime through Alexander Isak and again in the second half through Anthony Gordon. Goals from Curtis Jones and Salah twice leveled the game before Salah looked to have sealed the win late on. Schar equalized after Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher misjudged a late free kick. It meant Liverpool dropped points for only the third time this season after drawing against Arsenal and losing to Forest. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said this week that his team was not in the title race, but the standings tell a different story. The London club is Liverpool’s closest challenger after its latest win against 10-man Southampton. Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho were all on target in the rout at St Mary’s Stadium. Southampton had briefly leveled the game through Joe Aribo, but Chelsea was already 3-1 up and in control when Jack Stephens was sent off before the break. Arsenal inflicted a first loss on new United head coach Ruben Amorim with a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. Two goals from second-half corners made the difference, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba finding the back of the net, but Arsenal still slipped to third, despite edging closer to Liverpool. Mikel Arteta's team finished runner-up in each of the last two seasons and looks primed to challenge again after making an unconvincing start to the campaign. “You get written off but we stuck together as a group," Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said. “You stick together and we’re starting to reap the rewards of that.” Making his first start since September, Kevin De Bruyne showed City exactly what it has been missing by scoring a goal and creating another as the four-time defending champion got back to winning ways. The Belgium playmaker provided the cross for Bernardo Silva to give City an eighth-minute lead against Forest at the Etihad Stadium. He produced a trademark finish to sweep the ball past goalkeeper Matz Sels in the 31st to put City on course for a first win in eight games. Jeremy Doku made it 3-0 in the 57th, but it was De Bruyne’s performance that stood out after seeing much of his season disrupted by a groin injury. He left the field in the 74th to an ovation from the home crowd. “It’s been a tough time but you have to accept the challenge and I think we did well today," De Bruyne said. "The Premier League is getting harder and harder. We have to improve as a team first and we’ll see in a couple of months where we are. Hopefully, we would have improved a bit and are a lot closer.” But victory could have come at a cost with concerns over the fitness of Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake, who both went off. “Nathan doesn’t look good. We (will) see tomorrow,” Guardiola said. “Manu is making the last two months struggle a lot.” A first win in six games for Everton moved Sean Dyche’s team further away from the relegation zone, while back-to-back losses for Wolverhampton left the club second from bottom of the standings. Ashley Young and Orel Mangala put Everton in control before two second-half own goals from Craig Dawson sealed a 4-0 win for the Merseyside club, which is five points clear of the bottom three. Aston Villa ended an even longer winless run by beating Brentford 3-1 to secure a first victory in nine games in all competitions. Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins from the penalty spot and Matty Cash were on target. James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerColts brace for battle with NFL-best Lions
