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Semona scores 15 as Stonehill takes down Lafayette 70-65

The defendant was 15 years of age when he and three of his peers set upon their victim Stock image A teenager who joined in meting out a form of rough justice to someone he believed had sexually assaulted a girl appeared before Wexford Circuit Court. The defendant was 15 years of age when he and three of his peers set upon their victim on the banks of the River Slaney in Enniscorthy. The accused – too young to have his name published – pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on a date in 2022. The court heard how, around that time, rumours were swirling around Enniscorthy after a girl complained that a male had put his hand up her skirt. She invited this male to meet her for a talk near the Country Walk, where her alleged molester found himself at the mercy of four youths. Two of the four, though not the accused, were wearing balaclavas as he was knocked into the river and repeatedly hit. During the course of the attack he was held under the water and he also received an eye injury when his head knocked off a beam under a bridge. The beating stopped after fishermen who happened to be in the area intervened. Garda Cristian Dorneanu confirmed that the defendant’s three accomplices were dealt with through the juvenile diversion scheme. However, the fourth member of the team was not eligible for the scheme and he was prosecuted through the courts for assault. His mother was in court to hear Judge James McCourt describe what happened as “a row among a bunch of unruly teenagers”. An order requiring the young man to carry out 20 hours of community service was handed down. The judge felt it would not serve the interests of society to put him behind bars.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association said two reporters were killed and several others were wounded in a gang attack on Tuesday on the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and they forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire in a vicious Christmas Eve attack. Robest Dimanche, a spokesman for the Online Media Collective, identified the dead journalists as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. Dimanche said an unspecified number of reporters had also been wounded in the attack, which he blamed on the Viv Ansanm coalition of gangs. Haiti’s interim president, Leslie Voltaire, said in an address to the nation that journalists and police were among the victims of the attack. He did not specify how many casualties there were, or give a breakdown for the dead or wounded. “I send my sympathies to the people who were victims, the national police and the journalists,” Voltaire said, pledging “this crime is not going to go unpunished.” A video posted online by the reporters trapped inside the hospital showed what appeared to be two lifeless bodies of men on stretchers, their clothes bloodied. One of the men had a lanyard with a press credential around his neck. Radio Télé Métronome initially reported that seven journalists and two police officers were wounded. Police and officials did not immediately respond to calls for information on the attack. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. They forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year during violence that also targeted the main international airport and Haiti’s two largest prisons. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire. Video posted online earlier showed reporters inside the building and at least three lying on the floor, apparently wounded. That video could also not be immediately verified. Johnson “Izo” André, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader and part of a gang known as Viv Ansanm, which that has taken control of much of Port-au-Prince , posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. The video said the gang coalition had not authorized the hospital’s reopening. Haiti has seen journalists targeted before. In 2023, two local journalists were killed in the space of a couple of weeks — radio reporter Dumesky Kersaint was fatally shot in mid-April that year, while journalist Ricot Jean was found dead later that month. In July, former Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, more widely known as the General Hospital, after authorities regained control of it from gangs. The hospital had been left ravaged and strewn with debris. Walls and nearby buildings were riddled with bullet holes, signaling fights between police and gangs. The hospital is across the street from the national palace, the scene of several battles in recent months. Gang attacks have pushed Haiti’s health system to the brink of collapse with looting, setting fires, and destroying medical institutions and pharmacies in the capital. The violence has created a surge in patients and a shortage of resources to treat them. Haiti’s health care system faces additional challenges during the rainy season, which is likely to increase the risk of water-borne diseases. Poor conditions in camps and makeshift settlements have heightened the risk of diseases like cholera, with over 84,000 suspected cases in the country, according to UNICEF. Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Patchwork Patchwork is a chill two-player puzzle game where you and your opponent compete to create the best quilt. The tactile experience and cozy results are relaxing on a chilly day. If you have more than two players, try Calico instead, where you’ll create quilts for cats. Carcassonne In Carcassonne, players compete to build Medieval cities and fields by laying tiles. The game takes a bit of strategy and luck, and it will generate some friendly competition among children and adults alike. The charming artwork also will transport you on a road trip from the comfort of your home. Everdell and Flamecraft For those looking for longer gameplay, Everdell will have you playing as cute forest creatures building new cities during a game that averages a little over an hour. Flamecraft is another delightfully whimsical game where players try to attract dragons to improve the reputation of their shops. Each of these games is simple to pick up and, with every playthrough offering something new, they’ll get you through the season. Everdell and Flamecraft can also be single-player games if you need a break from socialization. Puzzle and organization games If having everything in its place provides calm in the chaos, you’ll love Unpacking. This puzzle game, available on Switch, PC and Xbox, has you unpacking boxes and putting items away. Playing games like Unpacking can be a meditative experience. Other puzzle games like A Little to the Left and Spiritfarer blend stories into the gameplay. Farming, building and simulation games Maintaining a virtual farm or building a make-believe castle from your sofa can be a great stress reliever. Stardew Valley is a quintessential farming game surrounded by charming townspeople. Palia, a massively multiplayer online game, features farming, quests and community building with other players. It’s also free. For those with a Nintendo Switch, the Animal Crossing series has you interacting with other animal players in a peaceful village. With multiplayer modes, these games are great options for playing with friends and family from afar. For a single-player escape, try the recently released Tiny Glade on PC where you’ll build castles. This cozy game’s detailed artistry and conflict-free gameplay will bring hours of relaxation. Or build a world from tiles in Dorfromantik. The game can be entirely chill or provide a bit of strategy if you want to go for a high score. Relaxing card games A pack of cards is reliable entertainment at any gathering. From classics to innovative new card games, having a few in your collection can be worthwhile. Card games can range from simple to complex, a few minutes to a few hours and single-player to dozens of players. If you have a standard deck of playing cards, Blitz is a great option for any number of players. Also known as Thirty One, this game gives every player three cards and lets them trade out a card on each turn, trying to get a value of thirty-one. President is another simple social card game where players race to get rid of their cards in ascending order. Some people play it as a drinking game. For a two-player card game, try The Fox in the Forest. This trick-taking card game features cozy graphics, and its fast, simple gameplay is perfect for a winter date night. For two to four players, Arboretum has darling tree graphics on its cards. Players lay cards down with the goal of creating a beautiful garden.

President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday he would pick Kash Patel, the former chief of staff to to the acting secretary of defense during the first Trump administration, to serve as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation . "Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and “America First” fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People," Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social, arguing Patel would "bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI." Watch NBC Bay Area News 📺 Streaming free 24/7 Patel, who will have to earn Senate confirmation to become FBI director, has earned a reputation as the ultimate Trump loyalist who has called for a purge of perceived enemies in the Justice Department and intelligence agencies. A former public defender who rose to increasingly senior national security posts in the final year of Trump’s first term, Patel has promoted the falsehood that the 2020 election was “stolen” from Trump as well as baseless claims that federal bureaucrats in the “deep state” tried to overthrow the former president. Patel has called for replacing “anti-democratic” civil servants in law enforcement and intelligence with “patriots” who he says will work for the American people, and in his memoir described the current political moment as “a battle between the people and a corrupt ruling class." “The Deep State is an unelected cabal of tyrants who think they should determine who Americans can and cannot elect as president, who think they get to decide what the president can and cannot do, and who believe they have the right to choose what the American people can and cannot know,” Patel wrote in "Government Gangsters." Former intelligence officers, Democratic lawmakers and Western officials worry that a hard-line Trump loyalist like Patel could reshape the makeup and mission of the nation’s intelligence apparatus, stripping it of its apolitical outlook and skewing assessments to adhere to a White House agenda. And they fear a worst-case scenario in which the spy agencies could be turned into tools to target political opponents. During the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, Patel gained favor with Trump as a congressional staffer after drafting a memo that accused the FBI of making mistakes in how it obtained a warrant to conduct surveillance of a former Trump campaign volunteer. Many of the memo’s assertions were later disproved. An inspector general report found fault with the FBI’s surveillance during the Russia investigation, but also found no evidence that federal authorities had acted in a politically partisan way. Patel went on to serve in Trump’s White House National Security Council, briefly as an adviser to the acting director of national intelligence and as chief of staff to Defense Secretary Chris Miller at the end of Trump’s first term. During the closing months of Trump’s tenure, the former president proposed Patel to serve as the deputy CIA director or to take over the FBI. Then-CIA Director Gina Haspel, a career intelligence officer, threatened to resign if Patel was installed and the attorney general at the time, William Barr, vehemently objected. Trump ended up dropping his plans. “Patel had virtually no experience that would qualify him to serve at the highest level of the world’s preeminent law enforcement agency,” Barr later wrote in his memoir. Patel and some other Trump loyalists suspected there was information hidden away in the intelligence community that could shed more light on bureaucratic plotting against Trump and in favor of Joe Biden, former officials said. “It was a fairly conspiratorial environment at that point,” said Marc Short, who served as chief of staff to then-Vice President Mike Pence. Patel has echoed Trump’s rhetoric labeling journalists as traitors and calling for “cleaning out” allegedly disloyal federal bureaucrats. In an interview last year with longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon, Patel vowed to go after “conspirators” who he claimed had abused their positions in government. “The one thing we learned in the Trump administration the first go-around is that we have to put in all-American patriots top to bottom,” Patel told Bannon. “And the one thing that we will do that they never will do is that we will follow the facts and the law and go to courts of law and correct these justices and lawyers who have been prosecuting these cases based on politics and actually issuing them as lawfare,” he said. “We will go out and find the conspirators, not just in government but in the media — yes, we’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections. Whether it’s criminally or civilly, we’re going to figure that out — but yeah, we’re putting you all on notice,” Patel said. Trump and his allies first started referring to a “deep state” soon after the 2016 election, viewing the investigation into Russia’s interference in the election — and its outreach to the Trump campaign — as an attempt to sabotage his presidency. Patel joined Trump on the 2024 campaign trail and has promoted his memoir, a film adaptation of the memoir and a line of children’s books featuring him as a “wizard” defending “King Donald.” He has touted his charity, the Kash Foundation, as a way of helping the needy and providing legal defense funds to whistleblowers and others. But the foundation has released few details of its finances. According to tax filings for 2023, revenue for the foundation increased to $1.3 million last year, compared with $182,000 in 2022, with much of the money coming from donations. The foundation listed expenses of $674,000, with about $425,000 spent on advertising and marketing. He also has appeared on Truth Social peddling “Warrior Essentials” anti-vaccine diet supplements, which are supposed to “reverse” the effects of Covid-19 vaccines. In his memoir, Patel recounts how after law school he dreamed of landing a job with a law firm and a “sky-high salary” but “nobody would hire me.” Instead, he became a public defender in Miami. Referring to his stint at the Justice Department after his work as a public defender, Patel has claimed he was the “lead prosecutor” for a federal case against a Libyan accused of taking part in the lethal 2012 attack on a U.S. compound in Benghazi. “I was the main Justice lead prosecutor for Benghazi,” Patel said in an interview on a YouTube channel hosted by a former Navy SEAL, Shawn Ryan. But in Justice Department announcements at the time, Patel was not listed as the lead prosecutor or as part of the legal team. At a 2016 proceeding in Houston for a case involving a Palestinian refugee who pleaded guilty to supporting ISIS, a federal judge, Lynn Hughes, dressed down Patel and kicked him out of the chambers, according to a court transcript . The judge repeatedly questioned why Patel had flown all the way from Central Asia to be present at the proceeding, as the judge said his presence was unnecessary. And he scolded Patel for failing to dress appropriately. “Act like a lawyer,” the judge said. He accused Patel of being a Washington bureaucrat who would interfere in a case where he was not needed. “‘You’re just one more nonessential employee from Washington.” In his memoir, Patel wrote that he had rushed back from Tajikistan and did not have a suit to wear to the courtroom, and that he chose not to talk back to the judge “who had it out for me” to avoid damaging the government’s terrorism case. This article first appeared on NBCNews.com . Read more from NBC News here:

Online child exploitation spiked in B.C. in recent years. Police worry it's here to stayTHIS country has a "fractured government," and if the people want a "redress of grievance, there is no urgent remedy," former president Rodrigo Duterte said on Nov. 26, adding that "only the military who can correct it." But his question on how long the military would be willing to support a drug-addicted commander-in-chief unsettled Malacañang. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. promptly rejected the call for the military to intervene in the country's current political situation. In brushing it aside, Brawner emphasized that the AFP's job is to protect the republic, its people, and the country's sovereignty and sovereign rights. He is absolutely correct! Meddling in politics is not part of the military's mandate. But some quarters see that something could be wrong with his planned removal of military personnel assigned to the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG). Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Affordable housing providers across the nation just caught a break in their uphill battle to stay afloat. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has introduced a critical update to its Operating Cost Adjustment Factors (OCAFs) under the Section 8 program. This tweak, announced via a Federal Register Notice , is the latest step in combating spiraling operational costs—particularly skyrocketing insurance premiums—and aims to protect the nation’s affordable housing stock while stabilizing rent for low-income families. The stakes? Huge. Insurance costs for HUD-assisted multifamily properties have nearly doubled in just the last five years, with even sharper increases in coastal regions. Rising expenses for energy, labor, and maintenance are only adding fuel to the fire, putting property managers in an impossible bind—cover higher costs or risk compromising the quality and availability of affordable housing. HUD’s action is set to help thousands of property owners avoid a no-win scenario while ensuring residents’ access to safe, quality homes. “Our new adjustment factors will help families and affordable housing providers keep up with increasing housing costs,” said HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman. “I’ve heard directly from property owners struggling to maintain affordable rents while keeping pace with skyrocketing operating expenses. This is an effort to turn the tide.” Here’s why this matters. HUD’s OCAFs establish the allowable yearly cost adjustments for multifamily housing projects with project-based assistance contracts under the Section 8 program. These factors vary by state and territory and are tailored to reflect changing market realities—higher energy costs, labor demands, and, most critically, explosion-like increases in insurance premiums. By ensuring these cost adjustments are more attuned to actual market conditions, HUD is giving housing providers the breathing room they desperately need to protect their operations without sacrificing affordability for tenants. For families dependent on Section 8 housing, this policy brings a rare sense of stability in an era of unpredictability. “The escalating cost of property expenses and insurance is a growing concern for families and affordable housing providers across the country,” said Julia R. Gordon, Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner. “The new OCAFs represent a significant policy response by HUD and the Biden-Harris Administration to address these ongoing challenges.” The role of insurance in affordable housing is often overlooked—until disaster strikes. Multifamily property owners are tasked with maintaining comprehensive insurance coverage, which safeguards properties and communities in the event of extreme weather or unexpected catastrophes. But as climate risks intensify and insurance premiums soar, the financial balancing act becomes untenable. Coastal areas have been hit particularly hard. Properties along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, already vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding, have seen insurance costs spike more than any other regions. This increase doesn’t just threaten operations; it jeopardizes the homes of countless families who have no alternatives. HUD has been ramping up efforts to address this crisis head-on. Earlier this year, the department revised multifamily insurance deductibles to ease the burden of wind and storm insurance premiums, providing crucial relief while maintaining adequate coverage requirements. HUD also convened an unprecedented summit in July 2024, bringing together insurance leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders to hammer out actionable solutions. This OCAF adjustment is just one part of HUD’s broader strategy to tackle rising housing costs head-on. A standout initiative is the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), launched in 2023 and now surpassing $1.1 billion in funding. This program supports energy-efficient and climate-resilient improvements to HUD-assisted properties, reducing damage from disasters and cutting operational costs over the long term. Stronger, greener housing isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity in today’s volatile climate. These updates also align with the Biden-Harris Administration’s affordable housing agenda, which prioritizes expanding the housing supply, reducing costs, and improving resilience, especially in underserved and disaster-prone communities. This OCAF overhaul builds upon decades of HUD policy under the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997. But unlike static rules of the past, this update reflects real-world challenges that property owners and managers now face. The new OCAFs go into effect for eligible properties with contract anniversary dates starting February 11, 2025. For many housing providers, these changes can’t come soon enough. They represent a necessary step forward in preserving not only individual housing contracts but the sustainability of the entire affordable housing ecosystem. And while this update is promising, it raises a key question for future discourse—how do we balance the rising costs of property operations with the urgent need to expand access to affordable housing? HUD’s bold moves show the agency is willing to meet the challenge head-on, but with insurance rates still climbing and the impacts of climate change intensifying, sustainable solutions will require coordinated effort across federal, state, and private sectors. For now, however, the update offers a clear signal to property owners, tenants, and advocates alike: HUD is listening. Affordable housing is not just a policy goal—it’s a promise. And this promise is being backed with updated tools and targeted action to ensure it remains within reach for millions. HUD’s message is unmistakable—affordable housing is too crucial to falter, and the federal government is prepared to do whatever it takes to stabilize this foundation for American families. The clock is ticking. For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN .

Japan Retail Trade (YoY) registered at 2.8% above expectations (1.7%) in NovemberSeven Secretary-Generals Of The GCC Since Its Establishment In 1981