As the performance drew to a close, Cai Guoqiang took the stage once again to address the audience, expressing his gratitude for their understanding and support amidst the unexpected turn of events. He reminded everyone of the importance of embracing imperfections and learning from mistakes, highlighting the resilience and adaptability required in the world of art and beyond.SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple is pumping more artificial intelligence into the latest iPhones during the holiday shopping season with a free software update that includes a feature that enables users to create customized emojis within a matter of seconds. The Wednesday release of the iPhone’s upgraded operating system, iOS 18.2, extends Apple’s expansion into AI months after rivals such as Samsung and Google began implanting the revolutionary technology on their devices. The update builds upon another one that came out in late October to usher in the AI era for Apple and the iPhone, as well as for the iPad and Mac. The latest round of AI tricks includes “Genmojis,” Apple’s description for emojis that iPhone users will be able to ask the technology to create and then share. Apple says it is placing some limits its AI’s emoji artistry to prevent the distribution of violent or hateful imagery. Other features include an “Image Playground” for a variety of AI-styled illustrations, writing tools and options for summarizing emails. The technology won’t work on iPhones that Apple made before 2023 because it requires a special processor that isn’t in older models. The AI will work on the iPhone 16 line-up that came out in September and the premium iPhone 15 models released last year. That exclusivity is expected to propel a cycle of iPhone upgrades during the current holiday shopping season into next year, driving up Apple’s profit even higher from the $94 billion that the Cupertino, California, company pocketed in its last fiscal year ending in September. That expectation is the main reason Apple’s stock price has climbed by about 30% so far this year to push the company’s market value closer to the $4 trillion threshold for the first time. Apple is broadening the AI suite’s appeal by including English versions tailored for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. that are included in the latest software update. Although the iPhone’s AI is similar to many of the features that have already been available from other companies, Apple is taking a slightly different approach to the technology in an effort to stand out from the rest of pack. It is emphasizing its ongoing commitment to protecting iPhone users’ privacy by processing most of its AI on the device itself or corralling it in a secured data center. Users seeking more AI wizardry than the device or the special data center can handle will have the option to reach out to the popular ChatGPT technology made by OpenAI, which has forged a partnership with Apple.
In the southern city of Nanning, a city management officer was surrounded and slapped by a man, and the incident quickly escalated into a confrontation. The provocative behavior of the man attracted a crowd of onlookers and led to a violent altercation.
The story so far: For a brief while on December 3, South Korea, a country with a history of military rule, had fleeting visions of its past, as President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed emergency martial law . This would have curbed the activities of political parties, brought the media under the ambit of law, and required protesting workers to resume duties. What followed the declaration? Yielding to pressure, Mr. Yoon repealed the law within six hours after lawmakers braved Army troops to vote 190-0 against it at the 300-member strong Parliament. This included 18 members of Mr. Yoon’s People’s Power Party (PPP). The opposition filed an impeachment motion against the President. But on Saturday, lawmakers from the PPP staged a walkout when the National Assembly met to discuss impeaching the President, and therefore, the motion failed. What is the history of the law? South Korea’s constitution states that martial law can be imposed to “cope with a military necessity, or to maintain the public safety and order, by mobilisation of the military forces in time of war, armed conflict or similar national emergency.” The law can be repealed if overturned by a majority in the National Assembly. Between the end of the Second World War and South Korea’s transition to democracy in 1987, martial law has been imposed 16 times. Park Chung-hee, who came to power in 1961 through a military coup, had imposed martial law multiple times during his 17-year reign. Major General Chun Doo-hwan, who came after Park, oversaw one of the darkest chapters in the history of martial law when troops cracked down on a pro-democracy uprising in the city of Gwangju, killing at least 200 people in 1980. What led to the decision? At the time of Mr. Yoon’s ascension to the President’s chair in 2022 (with a razor-thin majority of 0.8 percentage-points), the National Assembly was already dominated by the opposition Democratic Party. A victory for them in this year’s parliamentary elections landed Mr. Yoon in a precarious position, making him the first South Korean leader in decades without a majority in the National Assembly. This led to constant bickering, with the President vetoing Bills and accusing the opposition of filing 22 impeachment motions against his administration officials. Coupled with the latest argument over a Budget Bill, the stand-off culminated in Mr. Yoon declaring martial law to stop “shameless pro-North anti-state forces that plunder the freedom and happiness of our people”, terming the Assembly a “monster that destroys the liberal democratic system”. What has been Mr. Yoon’s track-record? A prosecutor by profession, Mr. Yoon came to power succeeding Moon Jae-in from the Democratic Party. During his career, the 63-year-old has handled several high-profile cases, including the investigation and conviction of former President Park Geun-hye. In comparison to Mr. Moon, who struck a conciliatory tone with North Korea by meeting its leader Kim Jong-un, the Conservative Mr. Yoon has adopted a hawkish approach. He called for increased military drills and economic sanctions on Pyongyang, in moves perceived as an overture to bolster ties with the U.S. On the domestic front, increasing home prices and rising unemployment have kept his administration busy. The country is home to an ageing population and has the world’s lowest birthrate. The government’s efficacy was first put to test on October 29, 2022, at the Halloween weekend stampede where 159 people were killed at a popular nightlife district in Seoul. The authorities’ response to the incident came under sharp criticism. The second challenge came in the form of the doctors’ protest which began in February 2024, when the government decided to admit more medical students to address staff shortages. The medical workers wanted the government to address their harsh working conditions and dismal pay before recruiting more students. Another blot on Mr. Yoon’s career was the bribery charges levelled against his wife, Kim Keon Hee, who was caught on camera receiving a $2,200 Dior pouch as a gif. These factors, clubbed with his anti-feminist policies and attacks against the media for spreading ‘fake news’, led the President’s approval points to drop to a 17% last month. What has been the aftermath? While Mr. Yoon apologised, senior aides to Mr. Yoon offered to resign en masse . Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is believed to have recommended martial law to Mr. Yoon, resigned from his post. The opposition’s impeachment motion had the backing of citizens and labour unions who have gone on strike in Seoul. Allies of Mr. Yoon such as the leader of his PPP party, Han Dong-hoon, termed the martial law imposition wrong and suggested withdrawing President Yoon’s constitutional powers. However, lawmakers from the PPP staged a walkout during the discussion on the impeachment motion. The National Assembly is empowered to impeach the President if more than two-thirds of the members support the motion. The opposition currently holds 192 seats in the 300-strong Parliament while Mr. Yoon’s party has 108 members. The opposition needed eight members of the PPP to break ranks and join its cause for impeachment to come through. Under South Korean constitutional law, if a President is removed from office, his powers are suspended until the Constitutional Court makes a final decision. Once his or her termination is confirmed, the election for a new President must be held in 60 days. Published - December 08, 2024 02:40 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit The Hindu Explains / South Korea
Title: Student's Phone Falls into Drain, Firefighter's DIY Tool Saves the DayGuang Zhiou Appointed as the Secretary of the Party Group of the Ministry of Natural Resources: A New Chapter in Environmental Governance
On the 9th of this month, the international oil price experienced a significant increase, catching the attention of both investors and consumers worldwide. The surge in oil prices was unexpected and has raised concerns about the global economic impact. Let's delve deeper into the reasons behind this sudden spike and its potential ramifications.Please enable JavaScript to read this content. To some, Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy Hassan Joho is an unprincipled man who changes like a chameleon to blend and survive with the prevailing political environment. His ardent supporters, however, believe Joho is a man who is unafraid to make tough decisions and stands even if it offends the status quo. Like the famous phrase that there are no permanent enemies in politics, history writers would spare a chapter for Joho, if the last few months of his relationship with Kenya Kwanza administration is anything to read from. Joho, alias Sultan, has made a 180-degree turn; from a fierce critic of President William Ruto to an ardent supporter ready to defend Kenya Kwanza with all his political might. Critics say Joho is following in the footsteps of past prominent leaders from the Coast, a region whose history is rich with cases of sycophantic elites who would say anything to please presidents. In the 1980s and 90s, there was Kanu stalwart, the late Shariff Nassir of mpende msipende clarion, later adopted by former Kwale Senator the late Boy Juma Boy. Joho and his supporters described his brand of politics as pragmatic. They say Joho is a flexible leader who prioritizes outcomes or benefits for his people over ideology. Crying more CS Joho claims to be a political disciple of ODM leader Raila Odinga, who has in the past joined his fierce opponents. He says, like Raila, he would be ready to build bridges. In the past few days, Joho’s maxim kama mbaya, ni mbaya. Kama ni noma ni noma (If it is bad, so be it. If it is chaos, so be it) in defence of Ruto has sparked debate on online platforms. He said government operatives will strongly respond to what is alleged. “We have mouths like you. You are on social media, but we are on the ground,” he said. In what the so-called online warriors have described as crying more than the bereaved, Joho said unpatriotic Kenyans were tarnishing Ruto and his government’s image overseas. He appeared irked by a section of Kenyans when he claimed that those loudest on social media attacking Ruto were using Wi-Fi provided by the government. Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter Joho mocked those cyberbullying or “greeting” via MPesa, challenging those sending him a shilling to increase the amount to Sh100. “I will come for you,” Joho told the online users. On Friday, Joho appeared to tone down, hinting that his outburst was because of the embarrassment he was subjected to in New York by investors who read only bad things about Kenya in the online space. He said it was important for every Kenyan to realize that they have a contribution to make in wooing investors into the country, saying that there was a need for all citizens to market the country positively. “Let us be responsible. It is our country, we cannot have another Kenya. One year wasted is far too long for future generations,” he said. Joho has used his docket to traverse the country and propagate Ruto’s agenda, defend the broad-based government, and attack former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for allegedly propagating tribalism. “You grow onions here, do you ask what tribe your buyers belong to or do you just take their money?” he charged. Joho’s praise of Ruto and his government is a stark difference from barely two years ago when he vowed not to support what he said was a “stone age wheelbarrow” ideology. “This is the only country where someone takes to social media anatengeza kaburi na kuombea viongozi mabaya, you will not remove this government using social media,” Joho said in part. In July 2024, after the Gen Z protests, Joho came out with guns blazing harshly criticizing Ruto and his government. He claimed in his life, he had never seen a liar, corrupt, and tribal person like Ruto. During the presidential campaign, in May 2022, Joho also branded Ruto as the most corrupt and dishonest person he had ever seen. “Maisha yangu tangu nizaliwe sijawahi ona mtu muongo, mfisadi, baradhuli...kama William Samoei Ruto,” he said in part. In November 2021, Joho harshly responded to claims of engaging Ruto ahead of the 2022 general election. He said he had nothing to discuss with the then DP. “I don’t even dream of engaging with DP Ruto. What will I discuss with him? What will he give me? A wheelbarrow? I played with a wheelbarrow a long time ago as a child,” he said. During his vetting, Joho was asked to explain how he would engage with President Ruto who he had harshly criticized in the past but noted that “only a fool does not change his mind.” “I have been a big critic of this government. Now, I have an opportunity to create a difference. I will do exactly that,” Joho responded. Critics say Joho’s political modus operandi presents him as unprincipled and guided by selfish interests due to his family business empire’s run-ins with the State agencies after Ruto rose to power. During the vetting for the Cabinet post, Joho disclosed that he is worth Sh2.36 billion spreading in the shipping and logistics business, property, valuables, cash in banks, and shareholding in the family business. His family’s business empire came under threat after State agencies like Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) cancelled leases and contracts worth billions of shillings linked to the port of Mombasa. Joho family’s Autoports Terminal Limited (APTL) and Kenya Railways Corporation (KR) deal for the transportation of cargo by the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) came under sharp focus. In the special audit report dated August 10, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) said the contractual agreement was not transparent and could expose the government and taxpayers to litigation risks. The report said KR could be losing revenue due to the government as a result of irregular leasing of the Nairobi Freight Terminal (NFT) to M/s Autoports Freight Terminal Limited. Joho’s family has also lost the battle to develop the second grain bulk handling terminal at the port of Mombasa after KPA decided to review all land leases at the port. The family empire seeks to develop the grain handling terminal at the port at Sh5.9 billion. Audit trail Currently, Portside and KPA are locked in a legal battle after the latter suspended the 20-year lease granted to the firm on June 30, 2022. KPA leased Shed Five, which is 100,000 square feet, and Shed Six which is 70,000 square feet, in a deal that was to start from July 1, 2022. Meanwhile, Autoports’ deal to transport South Sudan cargo by SGR from the port and handle it at the NFT leased from KR was also questioned with State agencies pushing for its cancellation. The audit highlighted irregularities in KR, as a procuring entity, entering into a contract with M/s Autoports on terms that were not approved by the board. It said that the procedure followed to have a contractual agreement between KR and M/s Autoports Freight Terminal Limited was not transparent and lacked the requisite documents with a clear audit trail as opposed to the similar agreement between KR and M/s Grain Bulk Handlers Limited (GBHL). Mombasa lawyer Abubakar Yusuf says Joho would do everything to ensure the success of Ruto because it would guarantee him a post in post-2027 polls. “What Joho is doing is nothing new in politics. Ruto and Raila Odinga attacked each other and have closed ranks. Raila and Uhuru fought fiercely and in 2018 they had a handshake,” Yusuf said. Coast Human Rights Coordinator Julius Ogogoh says Joho had the right to support whoever he wants, but as a public officer, he cannot threaten those with divergent opinions.The live broadcast, which took place on a popular streaming platform, started off with Xiaohua announcing that she wanted to try a new hairstyle on Xiangzuo. As she carefully divided his hair into small sections and deftly twisted them into mini rolls, Xiangzuo sat patiently, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Xiaohua then added small braids to each roll, creating a whimsical and charming look that perfectly complemented Xiangzuo's playful personality.
President-elect Donald Trump nominated many leading healthcare experts who opposed coronavirus-era lockdowns, focused on ending chronic illness, and want to overhaul America’s healthcare bureaucracies. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Trump in mid-November nominated former third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy to lead the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department. If confirmed, Kennedy would have purview over many critical healthcare regulatory agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and more. Trump has promised to let Kennedy “go wild” with healthcare policy over food after the third-party candidate dropped out and endorsed Trump’s bid to become the 47th president. Kennedy would likely have sway at HHS to enact his “Make America Healthy Again,” or MAHA, agenda. This would include ending what he believes is the regulatory capture plaguing agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the hands of the pharmaceutical industry. He wrote in October: Dr. Marty Makary for Food and Drug Administration Commissioner On Friday, Trump nominated Makary, a Johns Hopkins transplant surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns, to lead the FDA. “He will work under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to, among other things, properly evaluate harmful chemicals poisoning our Nation’s food supply and drugs and biologics being given to our Nation’s youth so that we can finally address the Childhood Chronic Disease Epidemic,” Trump said in a statement. Makary became famous during the coronavirus pandemic as an experienced medical expert willing to challenge the medical establishment’s orthodox stance on policies pushing lockdowns and other strict pandemic-era measures. The transplant surgeon frequently questioned the efficacy of lockdowns and enforcing mask-wearing for children. He has opposed the vaccine mandates and questioned the utility of booster coronavirus vaccines. Makary argued that many Americans likely became immune to the coronavirus through “herd immunity” by April 2021, which would reduce the threat that the virus posed to the country. “One reason public health officials may be afraid to acknowledge the effectiveness of natural immunity is that they fear it will lead some to choose getting the infection over vaccination. That’s a legitimate concern. But we can encourage all Americans to get vaccinated while still being honest about the data,” Makary wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Post . Makary, like Kennedy, has often criticized America’s food supply, believing it makes Americans sicker and unhealthy. “We’ve got a poisoned food supply. We’ve got pesticides. We’ve got ultra-processed foods and all sorts of things that have been in the blind spots in modern medicine,” Makary said in September. If confirmed by the Senate, Makary would seek to overhaul the FDA’s “erratic” bureaucracy, stating that the agenda was often too eager to approve opioids and too cautious to approve antiviral pills to treat the coronavirus. He also called for a ban on cell phones in schools and questioned prescribing anti-anxiety and anti-obesity medications for children. “For too long, FDA leaders have acted like a crusty librarian who gets annoyed when someone wants to borrow a book. But then give preference to people they like,” the FDA nominee said in a 2021 op-ed for Fox News. “What he is really focused on is this concept that we can’t keep drugging our nation’s children,” Makary said of Kennedy. Dr. and former Rep. Dave Weldon (F-FL) to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “In addition to being a Medical Doctor for 40 years, and an Army Veteran, Dave has been a respected conservative leader on fiscal and social issues, and served on the Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, working for Accountability on HHS and CDC Policy and Budgeting,” Trump said his Friday announcement. The president-elect added, “Dave also served in a leading role in Government Oversight and Reform Committee Hearings, addressing issues within HHS and CDC. Dave has successfully worked with the CDC to enact a ban on patents for human embryos.” Weldon, a physician who served in Congress for 14 years from 1995 to 2009, often raised concerns about potential risks with vaccines, similar to Kennedy. During his tenure in office, he introduced legislation to move oversight of vaccine safety from the CDC to an independent agency within HHS. He notably raised issues about the alleged independence of the government’s vaccine safety review process and suggested that the mercury-based preservative once commonly used in vaccines, thimerosal, was linked to autism. Weldon served on the Labor and HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, focusing largely on accountability, which may give Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) task force more options to remove waste and inefficient bureaucracy. Trump taps Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a Fox News contributor who serves the medical director at CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. “Dr. Nesheiwat is a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health. She is committed to ensuring that Americans have access to affordable, quality healthcare, and believes in empowering individuals to take charge of their health to live longer, healthier lives,” Trump said in a statement on Friday. Nesheiwat, like the other Trump healthcare nominees, criticized the CDC’s guidance on coronavirus vaccine mandates, arguing that, especially for children, the risks associated with the vaccine may outweigh the benefits. She has also attacked the government coronavirus mandates during the pandemic. The surgeon general nominee also slammed the American Academy of Pediatrics’ push to treat children with gender dysphoria with puberty blockers, calling it “unethical” in August 2022. Dr. Mehmet Oz was nominated for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) On Tuesday, Trump nominated Oz to lead CMS, an agency that has more than a $1 trillion budget and can influence drug price negotiations medication coverage, the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and much more. Oz has criticized the CDC’s recommendations that young people get booster coronavirus vaccine shots. The CMS nominee will play a part in the next drug price negotiations, which was created through the Inflation Reduction Act. Oz has strongly backed Medicare Advantage, an increasingly popular option for seniors. This runs in strong contrast to the Biden-Harris administration, which cut Medicare Advantage while claiming that a potential future Trump administration would cut entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security. Oz would also work to reform Obamacare to the extent President-elect Trump wants to reform President Barack Obama’s landmark legislation. Make America Healthy Again Many of Trump’s picks serve as part of Trump’s mission to end chronic disease, handle issues surrounding America’s food supply, and combat bloated and potentially captured bureaucracies. Trump said in his statement announcing Robert F. Kennedy as his HHS nominee: The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. He added, “Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!” Sean Moran is a policy reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on X @SeanMoran3 .“President’s visit to China to boost bilateral trade, expedite FTA signing”Zelensky insists on a 'just peace' at Trump Paris meeting
Two students wounded and gunman dead after shooting at Northern California elementary school
Title: Ant Group Needs More Confidence and Combat Power with the Arrival of Jack Ma and the Change of CEONEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. People are also reading... Trump, Musk can learn from North Carolina, Raleigh writer says Statesville native Tomlin leads Delaware State to MEAC volleyball title, NCAA berth Top vote-getter Houpe: Why am I not chairman of Iredell board of commissioners? Letter to the editor: Charging kids to play baseball at Jennings Park is poor idea Iredell-Statesville Schools closed Tuesday due to snow, ice Iredell-Statesville Schools nutrition department receives award 'The Message' religious sect sprouts destructive groups across globe North Dakota man brings shed-building expertise to Troutman 4 pounds of marijuana, gun seized by Mooresville police officers Tiny, 4 more dogs seeking homes at Iredell County Animal Services New school chairman rules 2 fellow board members out of order in Iredell Lake Norman residents voice concerns with Marshall Steam Station changes 3 Eagle Scouts and 1 grateful Iredell County resident Women report widespread misogyny in churches tied to religious group 'The Message' Iredell County woman celebrates $100,000 scratch-off win The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
In a recent news event that has captured public attention, a man participated in a self-discipline challenge for a cash prize, only to end up losing a significant amount of money in the process. This legal dispute surrounding the challenge has sparked controversy and raised questions about personal responsibility and the limits of competition.
Kurram bleeds Thursday’s massacre in Kurram should have made our rulers angry, it should have made them weep On Thursday, Kurram district saw one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in recent years when at least 42 people, including women and children, were martyred after assailants opened fire on passenger vehicles. Police said the convoy travelling from Parachinar to Peshawar was targeted in the attack, leaving multiple people injured in addition to the fatalities. This latest attack comes just days after other deadly attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and after an important meeting of the apex committee of the National Action Plan (NAP) was held recently. Kurram’s history of deadly and bloody sectarian clashes adds the possibility of a sectarian angle to this attack, which has yet to be ruled out. We have also seen violence in various areas of Kurram since July this year when clashes between rival tribes due to a land dispute left at least 60 dead and many injured. At that time, Adviser to KP Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif that the violence was due to a land dispute and thus should not be termed terrorism or sectarianism. However, many had pointed out that the sectarian angle could not be ruled out as there has been a history of sectarian violence in the Kurram district for over a decade. Thursday’s massacre in Kurram should have made our rulers angry, it should have made them weep. Our rulers should have gone to visit the families of those slain in the attack and those injured. From the prime minister to the federal interior minister to the KP chief minister and cabinet members, there should have been press conferences and urgent emergency meetings on the situation with the security forces. It should have made headlines. It should have been discussed in each and every talk show. Instead, the debate on electronic media was not in proportion to the enormity of the tragedy in Kurram. It is quite shocking that our rulers are busy fighting with each other over political issues when innocent blood is being spilled in terrorist attacks across the country. The power struggle between the PTI and the PDM parties can wait. Fighting terrorism should be our topmost priority. Everything else should be put on hold and a proper political consensus where all parties and institutions are on the same page should be forged so that the hydra of terrorism can be eliminated. We have seen sectarian clashes in the past, especially in the 80s and 90s. We don’t want a repeat of that deadly violence. We have also crushed terrorist outfits in the recent past but now we are seeing their resurgence. There are new terrorist outfits on the block as well. It is time for the institutions and politicians to put aside their differences and realise how critical it is to be united in the face of a common enemy who does not care whether you belong to one political party or another. It is time to eliminate terrorism from our soil once again. Politics can wait.
Big Ten Football Stadium Was Nearly Empty On Senior DaySyrian government forces withdraw from central city of Homs as insurgent offensive accelerates BEIRUT (AP) — A Syrian opposition war monitor and a pro-government media outlet say government forces have withdrawn from much of the central city of Homs. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. Losing Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Syria’s embattled leader, Bashar Assad. An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The five-year restoration is widely seen as a boost for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline, and brings a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. World leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers gathered on Saturday evening for the celebrations under the cathedral's soaring arches. The celebration was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastically-arranged meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. 2 Pearl Harbor survivors, ages 104 and 102, return to Hawaii to honor those killed in 1941 attack PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors returned to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. Both are over 100 years old. They joined active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for an observance hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music SAN DIEGO (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones’ legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character. Pierre found parallels between himself and his character while filming his leading role in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20. He took the reigns as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa’s origin story.
