"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.Reactions have trailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first presidential media chat, which took place on Monday, at his residence in Bourdillon, Ikoyi lagos. The president highlighted why some of his reforms are necessary for the development of Nigeria, including the removal of Fuel Subsidy, which says he has no regret in removing. The president also described recent stampede that has claimed the lives of over 70 Nigerians, as a grave error by the organisers, adding that he has been sharing palliatives in his Lagos residence for 25 years without an incident. In Delta State, Renowned Philanthropist, Tony Elumelu Donated 1800 bags of rice to the people of Onicha-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state, his hometown to celebrate Christmas, Recipients of the donation, including the Ede of Onicha Uku, Steve Osakwe expressed gratitude for the gesture, and reflected on the immense contributions of the renowned banker towards the development of his community, Nigeria, African and world at large. In Kaduna State now, the state Governor Uba Sani, attended the Christmas Carol organised by the Kaduna chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, and urged residents to live in peace, love and unity for the overall progress and development of the state. The Governor who is Muslim, is attending the Christmas Carol for the second year since he assumed office, he said attended the carol to celebrate with Christians because when he took the oath of office, he promised to treat everyone equally, irrespective of their religious, tribal, or political affiliations, the governor also advised residents of the state to shun ethnic and religious antics. In Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday launched the first-ever Lagos Shopping Festival, a 72-hour non-stop shopping and entertainment experience, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan. The festival, running from December 23 to 25, is described by organizers as Africa’s largest of its kind, blending commerce with creativity and entertainment. During the event, the Governor thrilled the crowd dancing to Wasiu Ayinde’s Marshals hit song ‘E Yonu Simi’. A video showing a heartwarming moment where high life musician Flavour visited his alma mater, Igbariam Primary School in Enugu on Monday has made rounds on social media. The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday directed the Nigerian police to either arraign Olamide Thomas, the activist who cursed at Seyi Tinubu, Son of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, within 48 hours or release her unconditionally, declaring her prolonged detention a violation of her fundamental rights. Olamide, who is a nurse, was arrested for calling for the death of Seyi Tinubu on Social Media. She was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on cyberbullying, She was among the protesters arrested by the police on October 20th, during the rally to commemorate the fourth anniversary of #EndSARS at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos. The activist was also accused of insulting the inspector general of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi in a Facebook video recorded after her arrest. In Rivers State, a video has surfaced online showing four police officers assaulting a young man for allegedly wearing camouflage-style trousers. Some Nigerians on social media have tackled the minister of works Dave Umahi over his projection that all federal roads wil be motarable, this Christmas! Umahi spoke back in October, in Akure, the Ondo state Capital, during a town hall meeting organised by the ministry of works. In the United Kingdom, Super Eagles Midfielder, Alex Iwobi has opened a temporary shop where poor families can get free food for Christmas! The shop, which is called Alexpress, is located in Canning Town in East London, where the footballer was raised. In an interview with the BBC, Iwobi said his parents are his role models, and inspired him to be selfless since he was young man. Follow us on:
Wishing For A Christmas Truce In UkraineColorado adds record insurance coverage for Sanders and Hunter with both playing in Alamo BowlNext stop Georgia? Alabama RB Justice Haynes in portal
On December 6, Ukrainian maritime drones, armed seemingly with machine guns, engaged Russian helicopter gunships and patrol boats, turning the tables on the attackers. This unexpected defense highlights the evolving nature of warfare, with unmanned systems and AI taking center stage. According to Ukraine's security service, the SBU, these robotic vessels managed to fend off the Russian units, potentially causing casualties. The engagement underscores the increasing reliance on high-tech weaponry as both Ukraine and other nations invest heavily in such technologies. Western and Ukrainian efforts continue to integrate advanced technologies in defense strategies, altering the future of conflicts. This is particularly evident in Ukraine, where both traditional and state-of-the-art warfare systems are being deployed against Russian forces. (With inputs from agencies.)
Santa Claus has no need to worry about recent mystery drone sightings over New Jersey, a US Air Force general said Tuesday, as an annual tradition of "tracking" Saint Nick swung into action. General Gregory Guillot's reassurances came as the joint US-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that Santa and his reindeer were making stops in Russia and Iran after visiting countries further east including Japan, North Korea and Indonesia. Santa's journey this year comes after weeks of mysterious sightings of alleged drones in the US state of New Jersey, sparking worldwide curiosity even as many of the reported incidents were debunked. "Of course we are concerned about drones and anything else in the air," NORAD commander Guillot told Fox News. "But I don't foresee any difficulty at all with drones for Santa this year." NORAD's Santa tracker dates to 1955, when a Colorado newspaper advertisement printed a phone number to connect children with Santa -- but mistakenly directed them to the hotline for the joint military nerve center. The director of operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, answered the phone and quickly realized the child calling had the wrong number. "But (he) didn't want to upset him. So he started talking to the young child and passed along information" on Santa's location, Canadian Air Force Major-General William Radiff, NORAD's current director of operations, told AFP on Tuesday. "And then afterwards, he talked to the rest of the staff there and said, 'please, we're going to get phone calls today... Let's start doing this.'" The interest has gone global. Last year NORAD's modernized Santa tracker website noradsanta.org -- which includes a 3D map displaying Santa's movements in real time and a ticker showing how many presents have been delivered -- had 20.6 million visits, and more than 400,000 calls were made to the toll-free number, according to Radiff. "We get calls from all across the world and they really want to know where Santa is," he said. When not spreading holiday cheer, NORAD conducts aerospace and maritime control and warning operations -- including monitoring for missile launches from North Korea, something perhaps on Santa's mind as he guided his reindeer-hauled sleigh over Pyongyang. Radiff, embracing the Christmas spirit, said NORAD's infrared-capable satellites could monitor Santa's progress in part because "Rudolph's nose gives off the same signature, so we use that to track him around the world." NORAD "always does a fantastic job helping us keep tabs on Santa's navigational heading and bearing in the skies above," astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second person to ever walk on the Moon, said on social media. Last Christmas, US President Joe Biden joined in the fun at NORAD, taking calls from children. As of midday Tuesday US time, some 2.5 billion presents had been delivered, according to NORAD. bur/nro
Stories that caught our eye: December 6 to 13Gov. Jared Polis digitally reached across the aisle last month by for Health and Human Services Secretary by President-elect Donald Trump. As an advocate who seeks bipartisan paths to advance public health policy, I welcomed the willingness to build a bridge with the incoming administration. However, when you ask Colorado voters of all political stripes, he was building a bridge to a dangerous place. When the governor posted that RFK Jr. “helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make Americans healthy again,” it reminded me of the oddest moment I’ve experienced at the Colorado state Capitol. In 2020, I was testifying in support of legislation to improve immunization rates among school-aged children. The bill was a modest compromise made with the governor and others, after a version from 2019 that included immunization mandates was defeated at the governor’s behest. Nonetheless, the chamber was swarmed with anti-vaccine activists who had been mobilized by figures including Kennedy. As I stood after finishing my testimony, an unwelcome chin was perched on my right shoulder from behind. It belonged to an opponent of the bill, who whispered in my ear, “sweet dreams ...” There was nothing problematic about the governor’s description of his successful partnership with Kennedy in defeating our bipartisan bill – that was accurate. The problem is that many of Kennedy’s views are well outside both the scientific consensus and bipartisan mainstream, and the health of Americans may suffer as a result. In Colorado, that’s already happening. Child immunization rates in our state are falling, putting kids at needless risk for illnesses that we had nearly driven into oblivion. In the 2022-23 school year, Colorado ranked 45th in the nation in kindergarten coverage rates for measles, at 86.8%, below the 92-94% community immunity threshold. Meanwhile, Coloradans support even stronger action than what’s currently being applied to protect children, as about three-quarters of voters believe that “before being able to send their children to schools and childcare centers, parents should be required to have them vaccinated for contagious diseases,” per a survey conducted this month by a bipartisan polling team for the organization I run, Healthier Colorado. President Eisenhower said, “every parent and every child should be grateful” when polio was essentially eradicated during his presidency over six decades ago. Now, even that vaccine is under attack by Kennedy, drawing the ire of polio survivor and Republican Senator Mitch McConnell. This adds to a string of dangerous and disproven positions taken by RFK, Jr., including the false linkage between vaccines and autism. We must not go back to proliferating the diseases of yesteryear, and a bipartisan majority of voters are pointing the way forward on health issues at the state and federal level. Here in Colorado, we have experienced the nation’s largest net decline in Medicaid enrollment since the pandemic, with more than half of that decline resulting from state bureaucratic failings. People who qualify for Medicaid are being excluded from coverage, leaving them without access to health care, and putting health providers into a financial bind with an increase in uninsured patients. Fortunately, 78% of Colorado voters, including over 68% of Republicans, are in favor of investing taxpayer dollars to fix this problem. Colorado can benefit from a strong working relationship with the Trump administration in selected areas, and Governor Polis is wise to pursue one. However, Coloradans reject Kennedy’s fringe views on vaccines, and a plurality believes that “doctors and scientists” have “too little” influence over public health policy. This isn’t an elitist view, it’s common sense – only 28% percent of Coloradans with a high school education or less think that doctors and scientists have “too much” influence. Poll after poll shows that Polis is on the right track with his successful effort to save people money on health care. Moreover, this month’s poll showed alignment with the sentiment expressed by the governor and Kennedy about the influence of the pharmaceutical and processed foods industries, as about 7 in 10 Colorado voters agree. On these and other issues, we can take a pragmatic approach that moves us forward, not backward, so we can improve people’s well-being and save lives.AP News Summary at 3:42 p.m. EST
NBA already knows its LeBron James and Steph Curry successors ahead of Christmas Day gamesDear Eric: When my only son and his wife got married and had kids, I was informed that Christmas Day would just be for them to celebrate. I said OK. For decades, I have given my son and his family (wife and two kids) really nice gifts for Christmas. We are talking about hundreds of dollars. For a while, I would receive a small gift, such as a bottle of homemade vanilla, a rose-scented tin of salve made by a friend of the wife or a coffee cup or some such as a gift from the family. Same with my birthday. I have never received a gift from the grandkids. Last year, I let them know I would no longer be “exchanging” gifts with the parents but gifts to the grandkids (who are now teenagers with jobs) will continue. That year, I got them electronics and hoodies. I got nothing from anyone. Not even an acknowledgement from the kids. I have always had to deliver the gifts or call to see if they received them. This year, it is only going to be a Christmas card. Am I being overly sensitive? — Empty Stocking Dear Stocking: No, you are not being overly sensitive. Every family has their own traditions and needs. And no one is obligated to give — or accept — a gift. But it sure does make me sad that your desire to make this holiday special isn’t being reciprocated. Part of it may be a misalignment of expectations. You’ve given generously, into the hundreds of dollars. I’m curious if your son and daughter-in-law have different values or wants around gifting that are either not being expressed or not being heard. They should tell you clearly. Similarly, when you decided to stop giving gifts to the adults, I’m curious if your expectations were that your son would realize that you weren’t getting what you wanted and make a change. It’s worth talking it through a little more but try to focus on the want behind the want. I suspect that what you’re craving is connection — and perhaps an invitation to the family Christmas. It makes sense that you’d try to show your love from a distance through gift-giving and it makes sense that it would hurt not to have it reciprocated. But perhaps the tradition of gifts is getting in the way on both sides. If you’d like to be invited or would like to find an alternate way of celebrating and being together, that’s a great gift to ask for. Dear Eric: I was riding my bicycle when, unbeknownst to me, my wallet fell out of my pocket. My driver’s license, credit cards and about $200 in cash were in the wallet. Later that day I received a telephone call from a cyclist who found my wallet on his ride and told me that I could come over to pick it up. What, if any, reward would be appropriate? I gave a $30 bottle of wine. — Grateful Cyclist Dear Cyclist: How lucky that your path crossed with such a good fellow citizen! Etiquette experts agree that the amount of a reward in situations like this is really up to you. So, the bottle of wine you gave works. My only suggestion, however, would be that, if this ever happens again (fingers crossed your wallet stays in your pocket from now on), you check with the recipient to make sure that they drink wine. It’s the thought that counts, but you don’t want your grateful efforts to put someone else in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation. Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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(AP) — Googly eyes have been appearing on sculptures around the central Oregon city of Bend, delighting many residents and sparking a viral sensation covered widely by news outlets and featured on a popular late-night talk show. On social media, the city shared photos of googly eyes on installations in the middle of roundabouts that make up its so-called “Roundabout Art Route.” One photo shows googly eyes placed on a sculpture of two deer, while another shows them attached to a sphere. It’s not yet known who has been putting them on the sculptures. “While the googly eyes placed on the various art pieces around town might give you a chuckle, it costs money to remove them with care to not damage the art,” the city said in its posts. The Facebook post received hundreds of comments, with many users saying they liked the googly eyes. “My daughter and I went past the flaming chicken today and shared the biggest laugh,” one user said, using a nickname for the “Phoenix Rising” sculpture. “We love the googly eyes. This town is getting to be so stuffy. Let’s have fun!” Another Facebook user wrote: “I think the googly eyes on the deer specifically are a great look, and they should stay that way.” Others said the city should focus on addressing more important issues, such as homelessness, instead of spending time and money on removing the googly eyes. Over the years, the city’s sculptures have been adorned with other seasonal decorations, including Santa hats, wreaths, leis. The city doesn’t remove those, and views the googly eyes differently because of the adhesive, Bend’s communications director, Rene Mitchell, told The Associated Press. “We really encourage our community to engage with the art and have fun. We just need to make sure that we can protect it and that it doesn’t get damaged,” she said. The post and its comments were covered by news outlets, and even made it on a segment of CBS’s “The Late Show with .” The city regrets that its post was misunderstood, Mitchell said. “There was no intent to be heavy-handed, and we certainly understand maybe how that was taken,” she said. “We own this large collection of public art and really want to bring awareness to the community that applying adhesives does harm the art. So as stewards of the collection, we wanted to share that on social media.” The city has so far spent $1,500 on removing googly eyes from seven of the eight sculptures impacted, Mitchell said, and has started treating some of the art pieces, which are made of different types of metal such as bronze and steel. The “Phoenix Rising” sculpture might need to be repainted entirely, she said. For some, the googly eyes — like the other holiday objects — provide a welcome boost of seasonal cheer. “I look forward to seeing the creativity of whoever it is that decorates the roundabouts during the holidays,” one social media commenter said. “Brings a smile to everyone to see silliness.”
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As tensions continue between India and Bangladesh, with Bangladeshi media trying its best to push the false narrative that India is about to attack Bangladesh, it is important to understand that beneath the veneer of the anti-India rhetoric that Bangladesh is trying to rake up, there is a sinister plot that is gradually taking shape, which may create a 30- year long headache for India. India does face a massive threat of beginning of a long drawn asymmetric war, terrorism in other words, that may emanate from Bangladesh, and which may severely threaten India’s tranquility in the whole of Eastern side. India’s enemy is not the people of Bangladesh. After all, thousands of personnel of Indian Armed Forces, sacrificed their lives for creation of Bangladesh as a sovereign nation. However, India’s concerns are about those who are hatching a dangerous conspiracy to turn Bangladesh into another Pakistan, for launching major terror attacks on India from the eastern side, to choke India’s chicken neck corridor, and plotting to annex the Northeastern states of India. It must be remembered that the illegal infiltration that happens in India from Bangladesh, is not by default, but potentially by design to deliberately alter demography in areas adjoining the international border, and then use that as a ground to push more infiltrators into other parts of India. If one looks at how crores of illegal infiltrators have entered India, this is precisely the process, albeit along with an entire ecosystem out there, to facilitate the illegals get Aadhar ID Card, Voter ID Card, and Ration Card, so that they can then claim them to be legal inhabitants of India. Unfortunately, this has continued in India for far too long with impunity, and with grave consequences for future. In the recent past, former Member of Parliament Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, from Congress Party, who has won several elections from the Berhampore constituency in the district of Murshidabad in West Bengal, has warned about the severe threat that may emanate from Bangladesh for the districts of Murshidabad, Malda and Dinajpur, owing to them being Muslim majority districts, and which may be claimed by Bangladesh as part of ‘Extended Bangladesh’. This may seem preposterous today, but its potential possibility cannot be ruled out given the fact that many in Bangladesh, from the elite intellectuals to the members of Islamist groups, believe that partition of Bangladesh has been ‘incomplete’ and that many parts of India in the eastern side, including West Bengal, Northeast, perhaps even Bihar and Jharkhand are theirs, as per them. Even though Bangladesh cannot become a military threat to India, there is a strong possibility that in those districts, as warned by Adhir Chowdhury, Bangladesh based terror organizations, may resort to terror attacks, and create a Kashmir kind of situation. That possibility cannot be ruled out even for those parts of Assam which has a significant Bengali speaking Muslim population, and may be similarly claimed by certain radical extremist elements in Bangladesh, as theirs’s. On the December 16 this year, even as the Independence Day celebrations in Bangladesh remained muted, Mahfuz Alam, considered to be one of the most powerful persons in the Yunus run interim government, and the ‘mastermind’ of the 2024 Student Protests in Bangladesh that led to ouster of Sheikh Hasina, made a Facebook post where he claimed that Bangladesh must expand geographically to be ‘truly victorious, independent and liberated’. The Facebook post of his, which he later deleted, showed map of Eastern parts of India, including West Bengal and Northeast India. He also stated that work on the same ‘has just begun’! Mahfuz Alam is no ordinary Bangladeshi, but a top Advisor in the Yunus Government. He is a hardline Islamist, and thus what he stated, in fact resonates considerably with the apprehension that has been stated by Adhir Chowdhury about threat to Malda, Murshidabad and Dinajpur. Not only Yunus Government remained silent on the whole issue, an indication of complicity, what is of bigger concern is the manner in which Yunus Government has given a free run to the hardline Islamist groups inside Bangladesh. Yunus facilitated release of many such extremists from jail, who pose a direct threat to security, safety and sovereignty of India. Jashimuddin Rahmani is one such example. The hardline Islamist cleric, who heads the terror outfit Ansarullah Bangla Tiger (ABT), has given direct threats to India, warned about closing Siliguri Corridor, disintegrate India, join hands with separatists to wage terrorism in Punjab, Kashmir, and Northeast. Also, under Yunus Government, those convicted and sentenced to death in the 10-truck arms haul case in Chittagong, that were allegedly meant to be shipped to insurgent groups operating in Northeast India, were acquitted, which includes former State Minister for Home Affairs, Lutfozzaman Babar. The death sentence of Paresh Barua, military commander of ULFA, was also commuted to life sentence. Also, the decision by Yunus Government to ease the visa requirements, including doing away with security clearances for visiting Pakistanis, stinks of an ominous agenda to give ISI a free run in Bangladesh, and prepare the ground for major anti-India operations including terror attacks, rioting, pushing of illegal currencies, targeting of critical infrastructures, and infiltrating more Bangladeshis illegally into India to further change the demography. If one looks at the post of Mahfuz Alam, threats of Jashimuddin Rahmani, actions of Yunus Government, and the planned manner in which anti-India sentiments are being cultivated, then one is compelled to believe that the apprehensions of Adhir Chowdhury are genuine, and India has to completely recalibrate its Bangladesh policy, especially from the perspective of border management. It is also clear that Pakistan being on the verge of implosion, Kashmir issue being almost settled by Modi Government, and Western Deep State elements having failed to remove Modi Government from power, the Bangladesh plot was hatched, not for creating a better Bangladesh, but to create a major security challenge for India in the times to come, so that India cannot have an unhindered growth prospect forever. Against this backdrop, it is pertinent to consider what steps India must take to secure its eastern borders. In essence, for far too long, India’s security planners have been Pakistan centric. Threats to Eastern India, including the issues of demographic shift, and that this may emerge as a potential risk to India’s sovereignty, may not have been prioritized as a challenge for long. But now, the eastern parts of India, faces as much of grave threat as the western or northern borders face. India’s porous and open borders, with both Bangladesh and Nepal are major threats. They have been misused by India’s adversaries for far too long. India needs to immediately fence the Indo-Nepal Border, and completely sanitize Indo-Bangladesh border. While some ambitious work is being executed by Government of India to fence the Indo-Myanmar border, and certain most sensitive areas of Indo-Bangladesh border is also being fenced, issue is that the fencing has to happen on a war footing, and not be segregated as a decade long mission. If it is witnessed that land acquisition for fencing is becoming a problem, then Central Government must invoke emergency clauses to acquire land for fencing work, especially along the porous borders of West Bengal. As things stand today, along with measures for electronic surveillance in the porous areas, through application of technology, Government must on a priority basis massively expand the manpower of BSF. Given the emerging threat along the eastern borders, BSF may need 25-30 more battalions to completely sanitize the eastern borders. This is as important as making big ticket acquisitions like purchase of fighter jets, production of ballistic missiles or warships. It is extremely crucial for Government of India to change the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for BSF along the Indo-Bangladesh border. India needs to implement the same SOPs that are there for BSF while guarding the Indo-Pakistan border. The policy of use of non-lethal weapons must be changed. Any person whosoever, is trying to sneak into this side illegally must be treated as a ‘threat’ and dealt in the same manner in which intruders from across the border are treated along the Indo-Pakistan border. The threat from Bangladesh is for real and thus this change is a must. Government of India must create severe deterrence to prevent illegal infiltration. Any person caught while illegally crossing the border must be incarcerated with punishment which is not less than 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Further, those who are found to be in possession of fake Aadhar Card or Ration Card, must be severely punished. In fact, India needs a new set of laws to severely penalize the entire ecosystem that provides fake identity cards to illegal infiltrators. Unless these measures are taken, tackling the emerging threat from Bangladesh would not be an easy task to deal with. The present architecture needs major upgrade.Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here . Playoff berths, draft positioning and more are up for grabs in Week 17. There’s going to be plenty of football on television this holiday week with the NFL playing games on five out of six days, starting with a doubleheader on Christmas Day featuring four of the AFC’s top five teams. Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs visit Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. Then, two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens take on C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. The Bears host the Seahawks on Thursday night and there are three games on Saturday, making Sunday’s schedule light at nine games. The Lions-49ers wrap up the weekend on Monday night. Pro Picks goes for another winning week. Line: Chargers minus 4 The Chargers would clinch a wild-card spot with a victory over the Patriots, who battled hard against the Bills. Los Angeles is 9-2 against the spread as favorites. Justin Herbert is 9-0 ATS in the Eastern time zone in his career. The Patriots have lost eight straight home games in December. BEST BET: CHARGERS: 23-16 Line: Bengals minus 3 Joe Burrow and the Bengals have to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. They’re favorites for the 12th time this season despite a losing record. The Broncos would clinch a wild-card berth with a win. They’re 11-4 ATS. UPSET SPECIAL: BRONCOS: 23-22 Line: Chiefs minus 3 The Chiefs can set a franchise record for wins in the regular season and wrap up the No. 1 seed along with home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs as they continue their quest for a third straight Super Bowl title. Kansas City got another playmaker when wide receiver Marquise Brown made his season debut. Mahomes is 3-0 with 14 touchdowns and no interceptions in his career vs. Pittsburgh. The scuffling Steelers are trying to snap a two-game losing streak after missing an opportunity to clinch the AFC North. Wide receiver George Pickens should return from a hamstring injury and he’ll open up the passing game for Wilson and the offense. CHIEFS: 24-20 Line: Ravens minus 5 1/2 The Ravens have won five in a row over the Texans, including 34-10 in a divisional playoff game last season. Baltimore can move into first place in the AFC North with a win and loss by Pittsburgh. But Jackson and Derrick Henry face a tough challenge against Houston’s defense. Stroud and the Texans are reeling after losing receiver Tank Dell to a devastating knee injury. RAVENS: 23-19 Line: Seahawks minus 3 1/2 The Seahawks have to win to maintain slim playoff hopes. The Bears have lost nine straight. Geno Smith and Jaxon Smith-Njigba should have a big day against Chicago’s pass defense. SEAHAWKS: 26-20 Line: Rams minus 6 A four-game winning streak has the Rams on the verge of securing the NFC West. Los Angeles aims to avenge a lopsided loss to Arizona in Week 2. The Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs and are reduced to playing spoiler. With Kyren Williams leading the rushing attack, the Rams don’t have to rely on Matthew Stafford’s passing as much. RAMS: 26-16 Line: Bills minus 10 The Bills will know going in if they have a shot at the AFC’s No. 1 seed. If the Chiefs beat the Steelers and lock it up, Buffalo’s main priority will be keeping Josh Allen and everyone healthy. Still, they can rest in Week 18. After a subpar effort against the Patriots, the Bills can’t take Aaron Rodgers and the Jets lightly. BILLS: 27-16 Line: Raiders minus 1 The Raiders already hurt their draft positioning by beating the Jaguars last week. Another win could further knock them down and negatively impact their quest for a franchise quarterback. But coach Antonio Pierce wants to win and the players don’t care about draft slots. The Saints can’t get to the end of the season fast enough. RAIDERS: 20-16 Line: Buccaneers minus 8 The Panthers have embraced the spoiler role and coach Dave Canales will try to derail his former team’s playoff hopes. Bryce Young keeps improving and Chuba Hubbard is having a career year. The Buccaneers would’ve lost to Carolina last month if Hubbard didn’t fumble in overtime. Baker Mayfield and a turnover-prone offense have to overcome a depleted defense that couldn’t stop Cooper Rush and the Cowboys. BUCCANEERS: 26-20 Line: Jaguars minus 1 The winner of this one really loses because it’ll be costly in the race for draft positioning. TITANS: 19-17 Line: Colts minus 8 The Giants have come too far to lose the No. 1 pick in the draft. The Colts are clinging to slim playoff hopes. Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson combined for 308 yards and four TDs against the Titans. They could have similar results against New York. COLTS: 27-16 Line: Eagles minus 9 1/2 The Cowboys are left to play for a winning record after being eliminated from the playoff race. The Eagles still need a win to secure the NFC East, but are almost locked into the No. 2 seed. If Jalen Hurts can’t play because of a concussion, Dallas has a shot against Kenny Pickett. Saquon Barkley is 268 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. He could have a big day facing the fifth-worst run defense in the NFL. EAGLES: 24-17 Line: Vikings minus 1 The Vikings are two wins away from the NFC’s No. 1 seed with Sam Darnold. Let that sink in. But those won’t be easy victories. Minnesota has to beat Green Bay and then Detroit on the road to win the NFC North and get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Vikings defeated the Packers 31-29 in Green Bay in September. They’re getting the Packers on short rest off a Monday night rout. The Vikings have been overlooked and underrated. This is a statement game. VIKINGS: 27-22 Line: Dolphins minus 6 1/2 Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins still have slim playoff changes and get an opportunity to win a game in cold weather. A loss helps the Browns hold onto a top-five pick in the draft. DOLPHINS: 25-16 Line: Commanders minus 4 The Falcons regained control of their NFC South hopes when the Buccaneers lost. Now, they have a tough test against the Commanders with Michael Penix Jr. making his second start facing off against Jayden Daniels in another matchup between rookie QBs. Daniels beat Caleb Williams and the Bears earlier this season on a Hail Mary. Washington clinches a playoff berth with a win or a loss by Tampa Bay. COMMANDERS: 24-23 Line: Lions minus 4 The Lions aim to avenge their loss in the NFC championship game, though this matchup lost its luster because the 49ers are eliminated from the playoff race. Detroit clinches the NFC’s No. 1 seed with a win if the Packers beat the Vikings. If Minnesota beats Green Bay, the Lions have to beat the Vikings in Week 18 to win the division and secure the top seed so the result against San Francisco won’t matter. In that case, Dan Campbell could choose to rest some of his starters in preparation for a winner-take-all regular-season finale. LIONS: 26-23 Last week: 12-4. Against spread: 8-7-1 Overall: Straight up: 168-72. Against spread: 131-105-4. Prime-time: Straight up: 39-14. Against spread: 29-23-1. Best Bet: Straight up: 9-7. Against spread: 8-8. Upset Special: Straight up: 9-7. Against spread: 9-7. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflIreland's election is over, but the country faces weeks of talks before there's a government
