As we enter the year 2024, the rental market continues to be a topic of interest and concern for many individuals seeking affordable housing options. While some cities have seen steady increases in rental prices over the past few years, others have experienced unexpected declines in rent costs. In this article, we will take a closer look at several cities where rental prices have dropped, providing insights into the reasons behind these declines and what this means for both renters and landlords.
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The UEFA Champions League Round 6 fixtures are set to take place tomorrow, December 11th, featuring some exciting matchups. In particular, the clashes between Real Madrid and Atalanta, as well as Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen, promise to be thrilling encounters that fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating.AS THE last Budget before Singapore’s next general election (GE), Budget 2025 could tip towards addressing immediate challenges such as the cost of living, said political watchers. The speech on Feb 18 may thus include generous handouts and social transfers, though the government will still address long-term challenges such as economic transformation, they added. The next GE, to be held by Nov 23, 2025, will be the first in which Prime Minister Lawrence Wong leads the ruling People’s Action Party.Qatar tribune dpa Tbilisi Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as Georgian president in a ceremony in parliament in Tbilisi on Sunday, despite weeks of protests and the refusal of his predecessor, Salome Zourabichvili, to stand aside. Kavelashvili, a 53-year-old former national footballer turned far-right politician, took his oath on the bible and the Georgian constitution, swearing to serve the country’s interests in the presence of Orthodox Church clerics. Protesters holding up red cards in reference to Kavelashvili’s footballing career gathered outside the parliamentary buildings following the swearing-in ceremony. They accused political leaders of turning Georgia into a Russian lackey. Police reported detaining six protesters amid scuffles outside parliament. Earlier, Zourabichvili told supporters that, while she was leaving the presidential palace, she was taking her legitimacy with her. A pro-Western leader who backs Georgia’s accession to the European Union, she has called for fresh elections, dismissing Kavelashvili’s election by an electoral college on December 14. “This parody, which is currently being played out in parliament, is a genuine parody that the country has not deserved,” Zourabichvili said. Many of her supporters had hoped that she would stay on in the palace and continue to oppose Kavelashvili’s inauguration to the largely ceremonial post. The ruling Georgian Dream party, which emerged victorious in disputed elections on October 26 and which nominated Kavelashvili, had threatened Zourabichvili with prison if she refused to leave the presidential residence in the centre of Tbilisi. Large demonstrations have been taking place for weeks, with protesters demanding return to the country’s EU accession process, after Georgian Dream suspended talks to 2028. They have also called for the October elections to be repeated. Kavelashvili has sat in parliament for the national conservative Georgian Dream since 2016. He previously played as a striker for Manchester United in England and for various Swiss clubs, while also being a regular on the national team over the decade up to 2002. He was chosen as president by a new process based on an electoral college, made up of members of parliament and local and regional representatives. Copy 30/12/2024 10
Share Tweet Share Share Email Lightchain AI is rapidly gaining traction among Polkadot (DOT) holders, many of whom remain bearish amidst ongoing market challenges. Outshining Binance Coin (BNB) in yearly gains, Lightchain A I has positioned itself as a top contender in the crypto market. Its focus on real-world utility, sustainable growth, and decentralized innovation has captured the attention of investors seeking opportunities beyond traditional blockchain projects. With the Lightchain AI Presale attracting significant interest, this groundbreaking platform is redefining investment potential, making it a strong choice for those looking to capitalize on its impressive growth trajectory. Lightchain AI- Dominating the Market with Unprecedented Growth Lightchain AI is rapidly emerging as a strong contender to take the lead over meme coins like Shiba Inu and Dogecoin. Unlike these tokens, which rely heavily on community-driven hype and celebrity endorsements, Lightchain AI offers tangible utility and advanced technology that resonate with serious investors. Lightchain AI is quickly becoming a strong part in the crypto market, mixing smart machines with block chain tech. Its new traits, like Proof of Intellect (PoI) agreement way and the Smart Machine Virtual Device (AIVM), are gaining big notice. Righ͏t now, in its early sale stage, Lightchain AI tokens cost $0.004 which gives a easy start for first buyers. Experts think big growth is coming, with some saying the token might hit $10, which shows a possible rise of more than 400,000%. This hopeful view comes from Lightchain AI’s use in real life situations across different fields like health care, money matters and moving stuff placing it as a changing power in the block chain area. Polkadot Holders Transition Amidst Bearish Sentiment Polkadot (DOT) has recently faced significant bearish pressure, with its price declining by nearly 10% within a 24-hour period, reaching approximately $9.49. This downturn has been accompanied by a surge in trading volume, indicating increased selling activity. Additionally, key technical indicators, such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI), have trended towards oversold territory, reflecting heightened selling pressure. The bearish sentiment is further evidenced by a decline in social dominance and weighted sentiment metrics, suggesting waning investor interest. Despite these challenges, Polkadot’s ecosystem continues to develop, with over 40 parachains secured by Q1 2023, potentially increasing demand for DOT tokens. Yearly Gains- How Lightchain AI Outperformed BNB Lightchain AI (LCAI) has demonstrated remarkable growth, outperforming established cryptocurrencies like Binance Coin (BNB). Currently in its presale phase, LCAI tokens are priced at $0.004, offering early investors a potentially lucrative entry point. Analysts project significant appreciation, with some forecasts suggesting a potential increase of up to 7,000% as the platform gains traction. In contrast, BNB has experienced modest growth, with its price currently at $693.86, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.86% from the previous close. This disparity highlights Lightchain AI’s potential to deliver substantial returns, driven by its innovative integration of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, positioning it as a formidable competitor in the cryptocurrency market. So, do not miss out on this opportunity to join the Lightchain AI community and capitalize on its impressive growth potential. With a focus on real-world utility, sustainable growth, and decentralized innovation, Lightchain AI is set to redefine the future of blockchain technology. Invest in Lightchain AI today and join the revolution! To know more about Lightchain AI Presale kindly use the below links: https://lightchain.ai https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf https://x.com/LightchainAI https://t.me/LightchainProtocol Related Items: Lightchain , press release Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Lightchain AI Aiming For $20 by 2030 Attracting Investors From Solana (SOL) and Mantle (MNT) Investors Expect Dogecoin (DOGE) and PEPE To Consolidate but the Lightchain AI Rocket Is Set To Continue Lightchain AI Dominates ICO Market With Record-Breaking Rise, Beats Cardano and Avalanche CommentsWord Count: 461 wordsChelsea's midfield orchestrator, Jorginho, will also be facing a contract renewal next year. The Italian's composure on the ball and passing range have been instrumental in the Blues' success.
Harassment on public transport can take many forms, including verbal harassment, unwanted advances, groping, indecent exposure, and even physical assault. These behaviors not only violate the rights and dignity of passengers but also create a hostile environment that can have lasting psychological effects on victims. Despite the severity of these behaviors, there is often a lack of clarity and consistency in how they are defined and addressed by transportation authorities.
USC RB Woody Marks exits in first half vs. Notre Dame
The top are solid investments to generate steady passive income for decades. Thankfully, several with businesses have rewarded their shareholders with consistent dividend payouts, making them reliable bets. Among the high-quality investments, I’ll focus on one magnificent dividend stock, which is down about 13% year to date. While it has underperformed the benchmark index, its fundamentals remain solid. It continues to enhance its shareholder value through higher distributions and offers a high yield. Further, it will likely increase its dividend at a healthy pace. Among the dependable options, Canadian communication giant ( ) is a compelling stock to buy and hold forever. Its impressive dividend payment and growth history, sustainable payouts, and attractive yield make it a top stock for passive-income investors. Telus recently announced a 7% increase in its dividend. This marks the 27th hike since the launch of its multi-year dividend-growth program in 2011. Moreover, Telus has a stellar track record of returning value to shareholders, with over $26 billion distributed since 2004, including more than $21 billion in dividends. Currently, Telus stock offers a quarterly dividend of $0.402, reflecting a high and sustainable yield of 8.2%. Telus stock has lagged the broader market due to heightened competitive activity and macro headwinds. Despite these headwinds, the company has demonstrated resilience by consistently expanding its earnings and growing its subscriber base. Telus has maintained an impressively low churn rate, reflecting its ability to retain customers in a competitive market. These strengths enable the company to generate higher cash flows and enhance shareholder value. The company’s ongoing investments in spectrum acquisitions and capital expenditures for network upgrades have significantly improved its capacity, reliability, and coverage. These advancements allow Telus to attract new customers and connected device subscribers, driving revenue growth. Telus’s mobile network revenue remains strong. This trend could be sustained, driven by its growing mobile phone subscriber base and the higher adoption of its Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. As the telecommunications industry transitions to 5G, mobile data consumption is surging, a trend expected to persist in the coming years. Telus has positioned itself to capitalize on this growth by investing in technologies like wireless small cells integrated with its TELUS PureFibre network. These upgrades enhance the coverage and capacity of its 5G network, ensuring Telus remains at the forefront to benefit from this trend. Beyond traditional telecommunications, Telus has diversified its offerings to include a portfolio of integrated digital customer experience solutions. These services span digital IT solutions, such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automation as well as trust and safety services, AI data solutions, and front-end digital design consulting. This comprehensive approach positions it well to capitalize on opportunities stemming from ongoing digital transformation. Additionally, Telus will likely benefit from the rapid growth of its connected device subscriber base, bolstered by its expanding IoT product portfolio. In summary, Telus is a reliable dividend stock offering a compelling yield. Its strong subscriber base, investments in technology and network infrastructure, and focus on delivering profitable growth position it well to pay and increase its dividend in the coming years.Lukman, a versatile player known for his speed, agility, and technical skills, has been a standout performer in recent matches. His ability to create goal-scoring opportunities and influence the flow of the game has not gone unnoticed by scouts and coaches alike. At just [X years old], Lukman has already shown immense potential and room for growth, making him an attractive prospect for clubs looking to strengthen their squad.5. Using charcoal or gas grills indoors: Grilling indoors, whether with charcoal or gas, can release dangerous levels of carbon monoxide into the air. Always use grills outdoors in a well-ventilated area to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide indoors. Never bring a grill inside for any reason.
Veteran Wall Street investor Ed Yardeni is doubling down on one of the Street's most optimistic forecasts, projecting the S&P 500 to hit 7,000 by the end of 2025. In a Friday newsletter, Yardeni reinforced his bullish outlook, positioning himself at the forefront of high-stakes predictions for the index's 2025 gains. “We’ve been bullish on the stock market since October 2022. We remain bullish, targeting 7000 on the S&P 500 by the end of next year. That puts us near the head of the pack,” he said. Oppenheimer sets its sights on an even loftier 7,100, while major investment bank firms, including Goldman Sachs , JPMorgan, and Morgan Stanley , hover around 6,500. But will the market's stars align or are we looking at overly rosy predictions? Top 10 Wall Street’s 2025 Year-End S&P 500 Predictions Oppenheimer 7,100 Wells Fargo 7,007 Yardeni Research 7,000 Deutsche Bank 7,000 Societe Generale 6,750 BMO 6,700 HSBC 6,700 Bank of America 6,666 Scotiabank 6,650 Barclays 6,660 Yardeni's Roaring 2020s Scenario Yardeni's optimism stems from a “Roaring 2020s” scenario fueled by productivity gains, GDP growth of 3.0%-3.5%, and inflation cooling near 2.5%. Earlier in November, he issued a bold prediction: the S&P 500 – as tracked by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY – could climb to 10,000 by the end of the decade , buoyed by Donald Trump ‘s return to the presidency. "We believe Trump 2.0 represents a major regime change that’s bullish for the economy and stocks," Yardeni said. Hr also anticipated a significant boost to corporate profit margins, driven by the proposed reduction in the corporate tax rate from 21% to 15%, coupled with tax breaks on individual income from tips, overtime and Social Security. While much of the recent earnings growth has been dominated by the tech sector's "Magnificent 7," Yardeni foresees a broader rally on the horizon. "We expect to see a broadening of the companies and industries for which analysts raise their sights in 2025," he said. Earnings: The Backbone Of The Rally Yardeni forecasts operating earnings per share (EPS) for the S&P 500 to hit $285 in 2025 – an 18.8% year-over-year jump, far above the Street’s consensus of $270. “We're leading the pack on EPS outlook," Yardeni stated, attributing the growth to a record profit margin of 13.9% and rising revenues per share, which are projected to climb 5.1% to $2,050. Wall Street analysts expect robust earnings growth of 14.3% for 2025, up from the estimated 10% for 2024. Sector Winners And Losers: Tech Takes Retains The Crown Tech continues to dominate, with the Information Technology sector predicted to post EPS growth of 21.7% in 2025, up from 20.4% in 2024, according to consensus estimates. Analysts also expect a rebound in Health Care, with EPS growth accelerating from 5.0% this year to 20.1% in 2025. Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology are key drivers, with EPS expected to soar 33.1% and 30.9%, respectively. The Materials sector is gearing up for a strong rebound, expected to shift from an 8.2% EPS decline in 2024 to an impressive 18.3% growth in 2025. Similarly, Industrials are set to thrive, fueled by Boeing's return to profitability and surging growth in key industries such as Copper, projected to rise by 37.6%, Commodity Chemicals by 33.1% and Construction Materials by 24.8%. Read now: 5 Semiconductor Stocks Wall Street Analysts Predict Could Soar In 2025 Image generated using AI Via Midjourney © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.The Three Major Indices Opened Higher, ChiNext Index Surged by 4.88%, A-shares Soared Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani re-elected president of the AIMPLB
‘I just don’t see it’: Aussie void we can no longer ignore as legends expose ticking timebomb - Fox Sports
The emotional and physical toll of being deceived and abandoned in such a manner cannot be understated. The sense of betrayal and helplessness experienced by the elderly participants is not only deeply upsetting but also raises serious concerns about their safety and well-being. It is imperative that action be taken to protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to these exploitative practices."Usa kangamwa chezuro nehope!" so goes the Shona adage, warning of the dangers of a selective memory. Zimbabweans have a very selective memory, they see only what they want to see and ignore the rest. Harare's Mayor, Jacob Mafume, went town and back again in praising Mnangagwa and his so-called Second Republic achievements, New Parliament Building, the world class International Airport, Mbudzi Interchange, etc. What the Mayor forgot to say is rot and decay not just in Harare but in the whole country. Did the nation really need a new glamorous Parliament Building when all the country top five referral hospitals are in a dilapidated state after decades of neglect and under investment? It is ironic that the drivers who collected the SADC Heads of State from the airport to the new Parliament Building where the August Summit was held, were instructed to follow a predetermined route. The regime was so fastidious because all the other roads have potholes and the regime did not want the visitors to see that! The greatest disappointment of the Second Republic is the failure to deliver any meaningful political rights including the right to free, fair and credible elections. After the November 2017 military coup, Mnangagwa promised to hold free, fair and credible elections. He went on to blatantly rig the 2018 and then 2023 elections. The other day the Minister of Finance, Professor Mthuli Ncube, had to abandon his national budget presentation when the whole complex lost power supply. Everyone, including Mnangagwa, was forced to leave. Even here, the citadel of the ruling elite, was not spaced the nation wide ZESA black out. During the 2008 to 2013 Zimbabwe had the golden opportunity to implement the democratic reforms and dismantle the Zanu PF one-party dictatorship once and for all. Alas! Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends was distracted by the trinkets of high office, the E-Class Mercedes Benz limos, the generous salaries and allowances, the US$4 million mansion for Save himself, etc. And, with their snouts in the feeding trough, they completely forgot about implementing the reforms. Zimbabwe is a pariah state, ruled by corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical thugs who have been in power these last 44 years only because they rig elections. And as long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state there will be no meaningful economic recovery, the rot and decay that started soon after independence in 1980 will continue. The millions of Harare residents faced with daily trial and tribulation of no water, no electricity, sewage overflowing into the street, collapsed health and education services, etc. have no such illusions. They know this is the epitome of hell on earth, they have lived, seen and known it everyday for 44 years and counting. Mnangagwa and his Second Republic has delivered no change other than change of name. Mnangagwa is reclaiming Harare's pre-independence "Sunshine city" glory, says Mayor Mafume! No one can be that blind and stupid, he is just one more opposition leader singing for his supper! There will be no transformative change in Zimbabwe without first restoring the people's fundamental right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country. None! "Seek ye first the political kingdom and all things shall be added unto you," said Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first post independence President. He was right!‘We didn’t have a good day’: Greens set to suffer significant election losses
Despite Mary Lou McDonald’s confidence around shaping a coalition without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail – the two parties that have dominated the landscape of Irish politics for a century – the pathway to government for Sinn Fein still appears challenging. With counting following Friday’s election still in the relatively early stages – after an exit poll that showed the main three parties effectively neck-and-neck – there is some way to go before the final picture emerges and the options for government formation crystalise. Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris, has dismissed talk of a Sinn Fein surge and said he was “cautiously optimistic” about where his party will stand after all the votes are counted. Meanwhile, Ireland’s deputy premier and Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin, insisted his party has a “very clear route back to government” as he predicted seat gains. The counting process could last days because of Ireland’s complex system of proportional representation with a single transferable vote (PR-STV), where candidates are ranked by preference. The early indications have turned the focus to the tricky arithmetic of government formation, as the country’s several smaller parties and many independents potentially jockey for a place in government. Ms McDonald told reporters at the RDS count centre in Dublin that she would be “very, very actively pursuing” the potential to form a government with other parties on the left of the political spectrum. The smaller, left-leaning parties in Ireland include the Social Democrats, the Irish Labour Party, the Green Party and People Before Profit-Solidarity. Ms McDonald said her party had delivered an “incredible performance” in the election. “I think it’s fair to say that we have now confirmed that we have broken the political mould here in this state,” she said. “Two party politics is now gone. It’s consigned to the dustbin of history and that, in itself, is very significant.” She added: “I am looking to bring about a government of change, and I’m going to go and look at all formulations. “If you want my bottom line, the idea of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for another five years, in our strong opinion, is not a good outcome for Irish society. “Obviously, I want to talk to other parties of the left and those that we share very significant policy objectives with. So I’m going to do that first and just hear their mind, hear their thinking. But be very clear, we will be very, very actively pursuing entrance into government.” In Friday night’s exit poll, Sinn Fein was predicted to take 21.1% of first-preference votes, narrowly ahead of outgoing coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail at 21% and 19.5% respectively. Prior to the election, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael both ruled out entering government with Sinn Fein. Fine Gael leader Mr Harris rejected suggestions Sinn Fein had broken new ground. He told reporters in his count centre in Greystones, Co Wicklow: “Certainly we haven’t seen a Sinn Fein surge or anything like it. “I mean, it looks likely, on the figures that we’ve seen now, fewer people, many fewer people would have voted Sinn Fein in this election than the last one. “In fact, I think they’re down by around 5% and actually the parties, particularly the two parties, the two larger parties in government, are likely to receive significant support from the electorate. So definitely, politics in Ireland has gotten much more fragmented.” He said it was too early to tell what the next government would look like. “I think anybody who makes any suggestion about who is going to be the largest party or the construct of the next government, they’re a braver person than I am,” he said. “Our electoral system dictates that there’ll be many, many transfers that will go on for hours, if not days, before we know the final computations at all. “But what I am very confident about is that my party will have a very significant role to play in the years ahead, and I’m cautiously optimistic and excited.” Fianna Fail’s Mr Martin told reporters at a count centre in Cork he was confident that the numbers exist to form a government with parties that shared his political viewpoint. Mr Martin said it “remains to be seen” whether he would return to the role of Taoiseach – a position he held between 2020 and 2022 – but he expressed confidence his party would outperform the exit poll prediction. “It’s a bit too early yet to call the exact type of government that will be formed or the composition of the next government,” he said. “But I think there are, there will be a sufficiency of seats, it seems to me, that aligns with the core principles that I articulated at the outset of this campaign and throughout the campaign, around the pro-enterprise economy, around a positively pro-European position, a government that will strongly push for home ownership and around parties that are transparently democratic in how they conduct their affairs.” Asked if it would be in a coalition with Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Social Democrats, he said that would be “racing a bit too far ahead”. The final result may dictate that if Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are to return to government, they may need more than one junior partner, or potentially the buy-in of several independent TDs. Mr Martin said it was unclear how quickly a government can be formed, as he predicted his party would gain new seats. “It will be challenging. This is not easy,” he added. The junior partner in the outgoing government – the Green Party – looks set for a bruising set of results. Green leader Roderic O’Gorman is in a fight to hold onto his seat, as are a number of party colleagues, including Media Minister Catherine Martin. “It’s clear the Green Party has not had a good day,” he said. The early counting also suggested potential trouble for Fianna Fail in Wicklow, where the party’s only candidate in the constituency, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, is considered to have a battle ahead, with the risk of losing his seat. Meanwhile, there is significant focus on independent candidate Gerard Hutch who, on Saturday evening, was sitting in fourth place in the four-seat constituency of Dublin Central. Last spring, Mr Hutch was found not guilty by the non-jury Special Criminal Court of the murder of David Byrne, in one of the first deadly attacks of the Hutch-Kinahan gangland feud. Mr Byrne, 33, died after being shot six times at a crowded boxing weigh-in event at the Regency Hotel in February 2016. A Special Criminal Court judge described Mr Hutch, 61, as the patriarchal figurehead of the Hutch criminal organisation and said he had engaged in “serious criminal conduct”. The constituency will be closely watched as other hopefuls wait to see if transfers from eliminated candidates may eventually rule him out of contention. In the constituency of Louth, the much-criticised selection of John McGahon appeared not to have paid off for Fine Gael. The party’s campaign was beset by questioning over footage entering the public domain of the candidate engaged in a fight outside a pub in 2018. The Social Democrats have a strong chance of emerging as the largest of the smaller parties. The party’s leader, Holly Cairns, was already celebrating before a single vote was counted however, having announced the birth of her baby girl on polling day.Qatar tribune Dr Ramzy Baroud The story of the Israeli war on Gaza can be epitomized in the story of the Israeli war on Beit Lahia, a small Palestinian town in the northern part of the Strip. When Israel launched its ground operations in Gaza, Beit Lahia was already largely destroyed due to many days of relentless Israeli bombardment which killed thousands. Still, the border Gaza town resisted, leading to a hermetic Israeli siege, which was never lifted, even when the Israeli military redeployed out of much of northern Gaza in January 2024. Beit Lahia is largely an isolated town, a short distance away from the fence separating besieged Gaza from Israel. It is surrounded mostly by agricultural areas that make it nearly impossible to defend. Yet, a year of grisly Israeli war and genocide in Gaza did not end the fighting there. To the contrary, 2024 has ended where it started, with intense fighting on all fronts in Gaza, with Beit Lahia, a town that was supposedly ‘conquered’ earlier, still leading the fight. Beit Lahia is a microcosm of Israel’s failed war in the Strip, a bloody grind that has led nowhere, despite the massive destruction, the repeated ethnic cleansing of the population, the starvation and the genocide. Every day of Israel’s terrible war on the Palestinians serves as a reminder that there are no military solutions and that the Palestinian will cannot be broken, no matter the cost or the sacrifice. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, remains unconvinced. He entered the new year with more promises of ‘total victory’, and ended it as a wanted criminal by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The issuing of an arrest warrant for the Israeli leader was a reiteration of a similar position taken by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the start of 2024. The ICJ’s position, however, was hardly as strong as many had hoped or wanted to believe. The world’s highest court had, on 26 January, ordered Israel “to take action to prevent acts of genocide”, but stopped short of ordering Israel to halt its war. The Israeli objectives of the war remained unclear, although Israeli politicians provided clues as to what the war on Gaza was really all about. Last January, several Israeli ministers, including 12 from Netanyahu’s Likud party, took part in a conference calling for the resettlement of Gaza and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. “Without settlements, there is no security,” extremist Israeli minister of finance, Bezalel Smotrich, said. For that to happen, the Palestinian people themselves, not merely those fighting on the ground, had to be tamed, broken and defeated. Thus, the ‘flour massacres‘, a new Israeli war tactic that was centered around killing as many Palestinians as possible while waiting for the few aid trucks that were allowed to reach northern Gaza. On 29 February, more than 100 Gazans were killed while queueing for aid. They were mowed down by Israeli soldiers, as they desperately tried to lay their hands on a loaf of bread, baby milk or a bottle of water. This scene was repeated, again and again in the north, but also in other parts of the Gaza Strip throughout the year. The aim was to starve the Palestinians in the north so that they would be forced to flee to other parts of the Strip. Famine actualized as early as January, and many of those who tried to flee south were killed, anyway. From the early days of the war, Israel understood that to ethnically cleanse Palestinians, they must target all aspects of life in the Strip. This includes hospitals, bakeries, markets, electric grids, water stations, and the like. The Gaza hospitals, of course, received a large share of Israeli attacks. In March, once more, Israel attacked the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City with greater ferocity than before. When it finally withdrew, on April 1, the Israeli army destroyed the entire compound, leaving behind mass graves with hundreds of bodies, mostly medical staff, women and children. They even executed several patients. Aside from a few statements of concern by western leaders, little was done to bring the genocide to an end. Only when seven international aid workers with the charity, the World Central Kitchen, were killed by Israel, a global outcry followed, leading to the first and only Israeli apology in the entire war. Desperate to distract from its failure in Gaza, but also Lebanon, and keen on presenting the Israeli public with any kind of victory, the Israeli military began escalating its war beyond Gaza. This included the strike on the Iranian Embassy in Syria on 1 April. Despite repeated attempts, which included the assassination in Iran of the head of Hamas’s Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, on 31 July, an all-out regional war has not yet come to pass. Another escalation was taking place, this time not by Netanyahu but by millions of people around the world, demanding an end to the Israeli war. A focal point of the protests were student movements that spread across US campuses and, ultimately, worldwide. Instead of allowing free speech to flourish, however, America’s largest academic institutions resorted to the police, who violently shut down many of the protests, arresting hundreds of students, many of whom were not allowed to return to their colleges. Meanwhile, the US continued to block international efforts aimed at producing a ceasefire resolution at the United Nations Security Council. Ultimately, on 31 May, US President Joe Biden delivered a speech conveying what he termed an “Israeli proposal” to end the war. After some delay, Hamas accepted the proposal, but Israel rejected it. In his rejection, Netanyahu referred to Biden’s speech as “incorrect” and “incomplete”. Strangely, but also unsurprisingly, the White House blamed the Palestinians for the failed initiative. Losing faith in the American leadership, some European countries began changing their foreign policy doctrines on Palestine, with Ireland, Norway and Spain recognizing the State of Palestine on 28 May. The decisions were largely symbolic but indicated that western unity around Israel was faltering. Israel remained unfazed and, despite international warnings, invaded the Rafah area in southern Gaza on May 7, seizing control of the Philadelphi Corridor – a buffer zone between Gaza and the Egyptian border that extends for 14 kilometers. Netanyahu’s government insisted that only war can bring their captives back. There was very little success in that strategy, however. On June 8, Israel, with logistical support from the US and other western countries managed to rescue four of its captives held in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. To do so, Israel killed at least 276 Palestinians and wounded 800 more. In August, another heart-wrenching massacre took place, this time in the Al-Tabaeen school in Gaza City, where 93 people, mostly women and children, were murdered in a single Israeli strike. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, women and children were the main victims of the Israeli genocide, accounting for 70 per cent by 8 November. An earlier report by the Lancet Medical Journal said that if the war stopped in July, “186,000 or even more” Palestinians would have been killed. The war, however, went on. The rate of genocide in Gaza seemed to maintain the same killing ratio, despite the major regional developments including the mutual Iranian-Israeli tit-for-tat strikes and the major Israeli ground operation in Lebanon. In October, Israel returned to the policies of targeting or besieging hospitals, killing doctors and other medical staff, and targeting aid and civil defence workers. Still, Israel would not achieve any of its strategic goals of the war. Even the killing of Hamas’ leader, Yahya Sinwar, in battle on 16 Octoberwould not, in any way, alter the course of the war. Israel’s frustration grew by leaps and bounds throughout the year. Its desperate attempt to control the global narrative on the Gaza genocide largely failed. On 19 July, and after listening to the testimonies of over 50 countries, the ICJ issued a landmark ruling that “Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is illegal.” That ruling, which expressed international consensus on the matter, was translated on 17 September to a UN General Assembly resolution “demanding an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine within the next twelve months”. All of this effectively meant that Israel’s attempt at normalizing its occupation of Palestine, and its quest to illegally annex the West Bank was considered null and void by the international community. Israel, however, doubled down, taking its rage against West Bank Palestinians, who, too, were experiencing one of the worst Israeli pogroms in many years. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, by 21 November, at least 777 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023, while thousands more were wounded and over 11,700 arrested. To make matters worse, Smotrich called, on November 11, for the full annexation of the West Bank. The call was made soon after the election of Donald Trump as the next US President, an event that initially inspired optimism amongst Israeli leaders, but later concerns that Trump may not serve the role of the saviour for Israel after all. On 21 November, the ICC issued its historic ruling to arrest Netanyahu and his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The decision represented a measure of hope, however faint, that the world is finally ready to hold Israel accountable for its many crimes. 2025 could, indeed, represent that watershed moment. This remains to be seen. However, as far as Palestinians are concerned, even with the failure of the international community to stop the genocide and reign in Israel, their steadfastness, sumoud, will remain strong until freedom is finally attained. (Ramzy Baroud is a journalist and the Editor of the Palestine Chronicle. He is the author of five books.) Copy 30/12/2024 10
Furthermore, the potential for copyright infringement looms large in this scenario. The Gatling gun is a patented invention with a long history of intellectual property protection. By modifying the gun with AI technology, Cao Cao may be treading into legally murky waters, potentially infringing on the rights of the original patent holder or their descendants.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A fight broke out at midfield after Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday as Wolverines players attempted to plant their flag and were met by Buckeyes who confronted them. Police had to use pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves in the melee that overshadowed the rivalry game. Ohio State police said in a statement “multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray.” Ohio State police will investigate the fight, according to the statement. After the Ohio State players confronted their bitter rivals at midfield, defensive end Jack Sawyer grabbed the top of the Wolverines' flag and ripped it off the pole as the brawl moved toward the Michigan bench. Eventually, police officers rushed into the ugly scene. Ohio State coach Ryan Day said he understood the actions of his players. “There are some prideful guys on our team who weren't going to sit back and let that happen,” Day said. The two Ohio State players made available after the game brushed off questions about it. Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, who rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown, didn't like how the Buckeyes players involved themselves in the Wolverines' postgame celebration. He called it “classless.” “For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game," he said in an on-field interview with Fox Sports. “It’s just bad for the sport, bad for college football. But at the end of the day, you know some people got to — they got to learn how to lose, man. ... We had 60 minutes, we had four quarters, to do all that fighting.” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said everybody needs to do better. “So much emotions on both sides," he said. "Rivalry games get heated, especially this one. It’s the biggest one in the country, so we got to handle that better.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballUltimately, the question of how to address illegal immigration in the United States remains a complex and contentious issue, with no easy solutions in sight. As policymakers, advocates, and ordinary citizens continue to grapple with the challenges posed by unauthorized migration, the debate over immigration policy is likely to remain a central point of contention in American politics for years to come. Trump's renewed commitment to expelling millions of illegal immigrants serves as a testament to the enduring significance of this issue and the divergent viewpoints that shape the national discourse on immigration.UK Airports Under Travel Disruption Alert as Persistent Fog Leads to Widespread Flight Delays and Cancellations for Second Day
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Thrikkakara Congress MLA Uma Thomas is in serious condition after sustaining head and spinal injuries, reportedly after falling from a gallery at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here on Sunday evening. The severely bleeding MLA was rushed to a private hospital near the stadium by volunteers and others. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for Hospital sources told PTI that her condition is critical, and she has been placed on ventilator support . Medical personnel are closely monitoring her situation. She reportedly hit her head on the concrete ground after falling from the gallery, sources said. Uma Thomas had arrived at the stadium to attend a dance programme inaugurated by Culture Affairs Minister Saji Cherian , the sources added. Inputs from PTI (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
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