The province's premier and emerging curlers now have access to championship-quality training resources in the heart of Winnipeg. Curling Canada, CurlManitoba, Sport Manitoba, the Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba and the provincial government jointly announced the launch of the Regional Performance Hub & Development Centre at the Heather Curling Club, in Winnipeg's Norwood area, on Wednesday. Launching the centre is a key step toward meeting the training needs of Manitoba's National Team Program athletes, athletes with Curling Canada's NextGen program , and elite competitors, according to Curling Canada. The centre "is transforming how Manitoba curlers train and prepare for competition," with "championship-quality ice and all-day access to the facility" that will help curlers compete on the national and global stages, Curl Manitoba executive director Craig Baker said in a news release. Then Manitoba premier Brian Pallister pitched the idea of an international centre of excellence for curling in the province seven years ago. The Heather club has eight sheets of ice, two of which are now equipped with advanced tools, including video analysis, speed traps, smart brooms that provide performance data and championship-calibre stones. Competitive curlers Reid Carruthers, far left, and Karwacki, far right, surround national and provincial directors of high performance David Murdoch and Jill Officer at the Heather Curling Club on Wednesday. (Catherine Moreau/Radio-Canada) It marks a significant investment in the future of curling in the region, Curling Canada says, and some of the province's top curlers are big fans of the training area. "It's almost like an online booking system for the high-profile teams to come and use the ice, but the ice is ... championship-calibre, and that's one of the most important pieces," 2011 world men's champion Reid Carruthers said during an official launch event Wednesday for the facility, which has been in use since September. Carruthers, who skips his own team and coaches the Gimli-based team of four-time Canadian women's champion Kerri Einarson, says the amount of curl the stones get on the training ice mimics what his teams see at marquee national and international events. Carruthers applauds the creation of the high-performance training centre at the Heather Curling Club. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press) That generally requires more work from icemaker Greg Ewasko, who Carruthers says spends extra time texturing the stones and experiments with different levels of curl so that the speed of the ice is quick enough for curlers during their practice sessions. Carruthers estimates 12 to 15 teams in and around Manitoba have been using the facilities since the curling season started in the fall. "This is definitely a boost for the club and a boost for our province," he said. Krysten Karwacki echoed Carruthers's sentiments. She plays lead on Einarson's team, which is preparing for a bonspiel in Swift Current, Sask., next week. "I think having this new facility in Winnipeg is amazing — to have great ice that's consistent, great speed and really great curl," Karwacki said at Wednesday's launch event. "There's lots of different things that we can utilize, like the smart broom and the laser, and all of those things just really help us to become better athletes." The use of lasers to help see if her delivery of stones is consistently on target has been a big plus, she said. David Murdoch, a two-time men's world champion and an Olympic silver medallist who is also Curling Canada's director of high performance, says the new regional training model serves as what Curling Canada expects to be a blueprint for similar facilities in other member association regions across the country. Curling Canada high-performance director David Murdoch, seen here in a 2023 file photo, aims to strengthen the elite program across the country and provide a boost for emerging curlers. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press) With access to dedicated sheets of ice, training to maintain it and some additional equipment, that model can be implemented in facilities across the country, he said. Athletes need high-quality ice and advanced technology to train, but "Canadian curlers are disadvantaged simply because of geography and access to training," which often requires significant travel, Murdoch said in the release. He's optimistic about what the Heather club's training facility, and others across the country, will mean for the development of the sport. The centres align with Curling Canada's strategic vision of a nationwide network that makes use of existing facilities, while enhancing them to meet the training standards curlers need for success, the organization's news release said. Curling Canada did not how much it cost to launch the training facility, or what its annual operating costs will be.Bitcoin has surpassed the $100,000 mark as the post-election rally continues. What's next?
Loneliness can occur when someone is feeling socially isolated, excluded, or misunderstood. It’s a serious public health concern and is something that many people experience daily, including healthcare workers, and their patients. Long-term loneliness can have an immense impact on physical and mental health, with some studies suggesting it can increase the likelihood of early death by as much as 26 percent . It is therefore important that healthcare workers and nurses across all settings can recognise the telltale signs of loneliness , both in their patients and co-workers, and that they are equipped with the knowledge and resources to offer the best support and treatment possible. To offer guidance, the patient safety and compliance experts at Radar Healthcare have compiled a list of effective ways healthcare professionals can combat loneliness within themselves and their peers. This information has been shared with Digital Journal . Larger break rooms for enhanced communication Offering healthcare workers a larger space for enhanced communication will allow those working unsociable and long hours together the space to communicate and unwind while having breaks from work. It is also beneficial if break rooms have access to windows that can be opened in order to let fresh air and sunlight in during long and overnight shifts. Supportive and comfortable spaces As well as providing larger break rooms, it is also important for healthcare workers to have additional spaces that contain access to comfortable furniture, relaxing lighting, or views of the outside world. These comfortable environments will provide more of a relaxing zone for healthcare workers to unwind and where healthcare professionals can provide emotional support to one another. Plants Studies have indicated that biophilic design (the presence of indoor plants) can improve concentration and productivity ( by up to 15 percent ), reduce stress levels, and boost your mood. This is why healthcare professionals should implement lots of greenery into their social spaces whilst at work in order to enhance their mood and reduce stress whilst taking a break from their busy and often long working hours. Outside eating areas It is important that healthcare professionals make the most of their breaks away from work in order to recharge and relax before continuing on in a stressful environment. One way healthcare workers can combat loneliness and improve their social interactions whilst in a working environment is to spend more time socialising outdoors. Eating a meal or having a picnic outside with co-workers is a beneficial way to take in the much-needed fresh air and also remove themselves from the normal work setting. Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.
Boost for FTSE as investors pile into UK shares: But £317m inflow may be temporary reprieve
Anthony Albanese splashed out $62,000 on flowers and a musical performance for world leaders at a summit in Melbourne earlier this year. Documents supplied to the federal opposition through freedom of information requests show the Prime Minister’s office spent $18,000 on the flowers and $44,000 for singer Jess Mauboy. The major event was a dinner at the 50-year ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit, which brought together 11 prime ministers, presidents and sultans in Melbourne in March. Australia is not a member of ASEAN, rather a “comprehensive strategic partner”. Opposition waste spokesman James Stevens said the floral expense was “remarkable and insulting” amid cost-of-living pressures. “Albo’s flower power has cost taxpayers more than $60,000 in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Stevens said in a statement. “Unfortunately, this is just another example of our Prime Minister enjoying himself at the taxpayer’s expense.” The Prime Minister’s office says the expenditure was in line with similar events, including the 2018 ASEAN conference. Mr Albanese’s office also said two-way trade between Australia and the ASEAN nations totalled $183.4bn last year. The documents show the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet spent $18,513 on floral arrangements for the leaders and spouses’ dinner at the conference, including a $7000 12m dining table centrepiece. ARIA-winner Mauboy was also paid $44,000 of taxpayer money to perform. “What an honour it was to perform at the reception for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 in Melbourne this week,” she posted on social media at the time. “Thank you so much for having me.” In a statement to The Daily Telegraph, the Prime Minister’s office said the summit was a “major event commemorating 50 years of our relations with ASEAN” and pointed to the economic value of Australian trade within ASEAN nations. “All procurement related to the summit was undertaken in accordance with Commonwealth procurement rules,” the statement read. “Expenditure on the summit was in line with similar-sized events, including the 2018 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Sydney.” Separate publicly available tender documents show hiring the National Gallery of Victoria cost more than $41,000, plus $13,600 for food and drinks.Porter, Middle Tennessee knock off Ohio 83-81 in OT
Corteva Inc. stock falls Thursday, underperforms market
As it works to create one of the largest nature reserves in the United States, American Prairie has reached a new milestone with its latest land acquisition in north-central Montana. The nonprofit now has more than a half-million acres of private and public land leases it manages after buying 51,731 acres in Phillips County, the second-largest purchase in American Prairie’s 23-year history, the group announced in a press release. The property contains a critical corridor for wildlife migration, according to Alison Fox, CEO of American Prairie, including water frontage on the Missouri River, as well significant portions of Siparyann, Duval and Antelope creeks, and the southern half of the Bull Creek watershed. The land also includes ponds and reservoirs, and a high percentage of intact shortgrass prairie that provides habitat for deer, antelope and grassland birds. “This is outstanding habitat for wildlife and we’re thrilled at the prospect of helping to provide safe passage for more animals between areas that are already federally protected,” Fox said in a statement. The land – composed of 2,557 deeded acres and 49,174 leased acres – is situated in the foothills of the Little Rocky Mountains. It is north of the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument is to the east, and it is located just one mile off Highway 191. It is also close to American Prairie’s Mars Vista unit, allowing for the expansion of that property, which is home to the organization’s Antelope Creek Campground. This latest land purchase brings American Prairie’s total habitat base to 527,068 acres, which is comprised of 140,552 deeded acres and 386,516 leased public acres. American Prairie intends to share public access details, as it has done in the past, once the organization familiarizes itself with the property. "Providing public access is a cornerstone of the nonprofit’s mission and the majority of its private lands are open to the public for recreation," the group said. American Prairie’s lodging facilities include Antelope Creek campground, Buffalo Camp and the Myers Family Huts. “Not only does the addition of this property grow our overall footprint and our Mars Vista unit, it also means American Prairie will help steward an important area connecting the CMR and the Monument,” Fox said in a statement. As part of the land acquisition, American Prairie will be co-lessees on the Bureau of Land Management acres associated with this property and share the grazing privileges with two other entities. American Prairie currently leases out hundreds of thousands of acres – across 10 of its 12 management units – to more than a dozen local livestock producers who run approximately 9,000 head of cattle, the group said. “We look forward to working with our co-lessees to continue stewardship of this remarkable public resource,” Fox said. The group's presence in Montana has drawn fire from local and state officials who fear the loss of family ranches in the region. American Prairie's stocking of bison has also placed it in government officials' crosshairs as they've strived to impede the animals from grazing on leased federal lands.Why Are Semtech (SMTC) Shares Soaring Today
President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. While immigration officials have used the tech for years, an October letter from the Department of Homeland Security obtained exclusively by The Associated Press details how those tools — some of them powered by AI — help make life-altering decisions for immigrants, including whether they should be detained or surveilled. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency's supervision. The letter, sent by DHS Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Eric Hysen to the immigrant rights group Just Futures Law, revealed that the score calculates the potential risk that an immigrant — with a pending case — will fail to check in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The algorithm relies on several factors, he said, including an immigrant’s number of violations and length of time in the program, and whether the person has a travel document. Hysen wrote that ICE officers consider the score, among other information, when making decisions about an immigrant’s case. “The Hurricane Score does not make decisions on detention, deportation, or surveillance; instead, it is used to inform human decision-making,” Hysen wrote. Also included in the government’s tool kit is a mobile app called SmartLINK that uses facial matching and can track an immigrant’s specific location. Nearly 200,000 people without legal status who are in removal proceedings are enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program, under which certain immigrants can live in the U.S. while their immigration cases are pending. In exchange, SmartLINK and GPS trackers used by ICE rigorously surveil them and their movements. The phone application draws on facial matching technology and geolocation data, which has been used before to find and arrest those using the app. Just Futures Law wrote to Hysen earlier this year, questioning the fairness of using an algorithm to assess whether someone is a flight risk and raising concerns over how much data SmartLINK collects. Such AI systems, which score or screen people, are used widely but remain largely unregulated even though some have been found to discriminate on race, gender or other protected traits. DHS said in an email that it is committed to ensuring that its use of AI is transparent and safeguards privacy and civil rights while avoiding biases. The agency said it is working to implement the Biden administration’s requirements on using AI , but Hysen said in his letter that security officials may waive those requirements for certain uses. Trump has publicly vowed to repeal Biden's AI policy when he returns to the White House in January. “DHS uses AI to assist our personnel in their work, but DHS does not use the outputs of AI systems as the sole basis for any law enforcement action or denial of benefits,” a spokesperson for DHS told the AP. Trump has not revealed how he plans to carry out his promised deportation of an estimated 11 million people living in the country illegally. Although he has proposed invoking wartime powers, as well as military involvement, the plan would face major logistical challenges — such as where to keep those who have been detained and how to find people spread across the country — that AI-powered surveillance tools could potentially address. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump, did not answer questions about how they plan to use DHS’ tech, but said in a statement that “President Trump will marshal every federal and state power necessary to institute the largest deportation operation” in American history. Over 100 civil society groups sent a letter on Friday urging the Office of Management and Budget to require DHS to comply with the Biden administration’s guidelines. OMB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Just Futures Law’s executive director, Paromita Shah, said if immigrants are scored as flight risks, they are more likely to remain in detention, "limiting their ability to prepare a defense in their case in immigration court, which is already difficult enough as it is.” SmartLINK, part of the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program, is run by BI Inc., a subsidiary of the private prison company The GEO Group. The GEO Group also contracts with ICE to run detention centers. ICE is tight-lipped about how it uses SmartLINK’s location feature to find and arrest immigrants. Still, public records show that during Trump’s first term in 2018, Manassas, Virginia-based employees of BI Inc. relayed immigrants’ GPS locations to federal authorities, who then arrested over 40 people. In a report last year to address privacy issues and concerns, DHS said that the mobile app includes security features that “prohibit access to information on the participant’s mobile device, with the exception of location data points when the app is open.” But the report notes that there remains a risk that data collected from people "may be misused for unauthorized persistent monitoring.” Such information could also be stored in other ICE and DHS databases and used for other DHS mission purposes, the report said. On investor calls earlier this month, private prison companies were clear-eyed about the opportunities ahead. The GEO Group’s executive chairman George Christopher Zoley said that he expects the incoming Trump administration to “take a much more aggressive approach regarding border security as well as interior enforcement and to request additional funding from Congress to achieve these goals.” “In GEO’s ISAP program, we can scale up from the present 182,500 participants to several hundreds of thousands, or even millions of participants,” Zoley said. That same day, the head of another private prison company told investors he would be watching closely to see how the new administration may change immigrant monitoring programs. “It’s an opportunity for multiple vendors to engage ICE about the program going forward and think about creative and innovative solutions to not only get better outcomes, but also scale up the program as necessary,” Damon Hininger, CEO of the private prison company CoreCivic Inc. said on an earnings call. GEO did not respond to requests for comment. In a statement, CoreCivic said that it has played “a valued but limited role in America’s immigration system” for both Democrats and Republicans for over 40 years.
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Roadblocks in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad risk widespread fuel shortages amid ongoing political unrest ISLAMABAD: Road closures enforced by the government to impede the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) march toward Islamabad have severely disrupted the fuel supply chain, raising the specter of shortages in major cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi. Petroleum Dealers Association Secretary Khawaja Atif warned that petrol stocks in Lahore and other parts of Punjab are running critically low. “There is a possibility of a fuel shortage across Punjab. While some petrol pumps in Lahore still have supplies, reserves are rapidly depleting,” Atif stated. Lahore consumes over five million liters of petroleum products daily, while Punjab’s total daily demand exceeds 50 million liters. Atif emphasized that continued roadblocks could have dire consequences and urged the government to reopen routes to ensure fuel supplies are replenished. In Rawalpindi, Petroleum Dealers Association North President Chaudhry Zafar Elahi highlighted a worsening situation. “Most petrol pumps in the city have minimal reserves, as supply has been disrupted for three consecutive days,” he said, adding that fuel shortages could extend to essential services like police and public transport if the blockade persists. Meanwhile, in Islamabad, fuel supplies at petrol pumps remain stable due to reduced traffic caused by the ongoing protest. However, District President of Petroleum Dealers Association Raja Waseem cautioned that an increase in demand could create issues. “No new supplies are being delivered to pumps from the Islamabad depot due to road closures,” he noted. The Oil Tanker Contractors Association also reported halted fuel deliveries to key regions, including Gujranwala, Sialkot, Jhelum, and Kharian, with thousands of tankers stranded due to the blocked highways. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has assured citizens that steps are being taken to restore normalcy. “We are in contact with all stakeholders to improve the fuel supply situation,” read an OGRA statement. The Ministry of Energy has instructed district administrations in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore to implement plans for uninterrupted fuel supply. Additionally, the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has urged Punjab’s administration to provide safe routes for oil tankers to ensure delivery. In a letter to the Punjab Chief Secretary and law enforcement agencies, the OCAC highlighted the severity of the situation, warning that prolonged delays could lead to widespread fuel shortages across the province. With roadblocks paralyzing fuel distribution and threatening essential services, swift government action is essential to avert a deepening crisis. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );An Israeli drone strike on a hospital compound in northern Gaza on Thursday killed a 16-year-old boy in a wheelchair and wounded at least 12 other people, including medical staff, the Gaza Health Ministry and the hospital director said. Kamal Adwan Hospital is one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the northernmost part of Gaza , where Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Earlier Thursday, the human rights group Amnesty International accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip during its war with Hamas, saying it has sought to deliberately destroy Palestinians by mounting deadly attacks, demolishing vital infrastructure and preventing the delivery of food, medicine and other aid. Israel says it goes to great lengths to avoid harming civilians as it battles Hamas. Israel's war against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced 90% of the population of 2.3 million, often multiple times. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel in October 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage . Israel’s blistering retaliatory offensive has killed at least 44,500 Palestinians , more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were combatants. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Here's the Latest: Attack near US base in eastern Syria may have wounded 3 service members, Pentagon says WASHINGTON -- Three U.S. service members were being evaluated for potential traumatic brain injuries following an attack near a base in eastern Syria this week, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Thursday. Ryder said U.S. Central Command is still evaluating who was behind the attack near Mission Support Site Euphrates, which prompted the U.S. to conduct counter strikes on Tuesday. At the time, the Pentagon said rockets and mortars had landed in the vicinity of the base. The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria to conduct missions to counter the Islamic Stage group. By Lolita Baldor Hezbollah says it will help pay to rebuild homes destroyed in war with Israel BEIRUT — Hezbollah chief Naim Kassem said in a televised speech on Friday that the Lebanese militant group will provide financial assistance to families whose homes were completely destroyed during the recent war with Israel. In addition to being an armed group, Hezbollah is also a political party and provides extensive social services. In his second speech since the ceasefire that ended the war between Hezbollah and Israel on Nov. 27, Kassem reiterated that the U.N. Resolution 1701 “is not a new agreement,” adding that it stipulates that “Israel must withdraw from all Lebanese territories.” “The agreement is limited to the area south of the Litani River and nothing else,” Kassem said. He also accused Israel of committing over 60 violations of the ceasefire . Seated against the backdrop of a banner reading “reconstruction campaign,” Kassem announced that Hezbollah, with support from Iran, will provide financial aid to families whose homes were completely destroyed during the war. Those in Beirut and its southern suburbs will receive $14,000, while families outside the capital will receive $12,000, covering annual rent and compensation for furniture, he said. For partially damaged homes, specialized committees will assess the damages, Kassem said. Commenting on Syria and the stunning offensive by jihadi insurgents in recent days, Kassem said Hezbollah “will stand alongside Syria to stop the aggression.” “The aggression against Syria is sponsored by America and Israel,” Kassem said. He did not specify whether Hezbollah would send fighters to Syria to join forces with the Syrian army. Biden administration says genocide accusations against Israel are ‘unfounded’ WASHINGTON — The Biden administration says it believes accusations by Amnesty International that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza are “unfounded” although it says human rights groups play a “vital role” in speaking to the consequences of the conflict. Deputy State Department spokesman Vedant Patel declined to comment Thursday about specifics in the report, saying he would “let Amnesty International speak to the details about it.” But, he said the administration continues to disagree with its conclusion, as it has with previous similar reports from other organizations. “As you’ve heard us say previously, we disagree with the conclusions of such a report,” Patel told reporters in Washington. “We have said previously and continue to find that the allegations of genocide are unfounded. But there continues to be a vital role that civil society organizations like Amnesty International and human rights groups and NGOs play in providing information and analysis as it relates to Gaza and what’s going on.” At the same time, he said the administration’s concern about the situation in Gaza also remains unchanged and urged Israel to do more to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza. “We continue to stress at every turn that there is a moral and strategic priority for Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and that is something we’re going to continue to raise with partners in the region and directly with Israel,” Patel said. An Israeli drone strikes a hospital in northern Gaza, killing a teen in a wheelchair and wounding at least 12 CAIRO — An Israeli drone strike on a hospital compound in northern Gaza killed a 16-year-old boy in a wheelchair and wounded at least 12 other people, including medical staff, the Gaza Health Ministry and the hospital director said. Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya said an Israeli drone deliberately targeted patients and staff at the entrance to the reception and emergency area of Kamal Adwan Hospital, killing Mahmoud Abu al-Aish, a patient being taken in a wheelchair to the radiology department. Abu Safiya spoke in a video he posted on social media, standing inside the hospital as doctors operated on a wounded man behind him, calling it, “The injured treating the injured.” Abu Safiya was wounded in his thigh and back by an Israeli drone strike on the hospital last month. Israel says it goes to great lengths to avoid harming civilians as it battles Hamas. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been struck multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation in northern Gaza against Hamas militants. In October, Israeli forces raided the hospital, saying that militants were sheltering inside and arrested a number of people, including some staff. Hospital officials denied the claim. The United Nations humanitarian office estimates up to 75,000 people remain in the northern towns of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya and the Jabaliya refugee camp. The area has been almost completely sealed off from humanitarian aid for two months and experts have warned that a famine may have set in . A medical relief team from the U.N. World Health Organization was able to reach Kamal Adwan Hospital on Monday, delivering 10,000 liters of fuel (2,640 gallons), blood supplies, essential medical items and food. The U.N. press office also said Baby formula shortage in Gaza leaves Palestinian mothers struggling to feed infants, Health Ministry says DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinian mothers in Gaza are struggling to secure baby formula for their newborn children and are forced to resort to alternatives that aren't the best options for infants. The Health Ministry in Gaza reported Thursday a shortage in baby formula amid a lack of aid entering the besieged territory and high prices due to scarcity. If found in the market, one box of baby formula could cost up to $50, according to an Associated Press journalist. Ahmed al-Farra, director of the child and maternity department at Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, said in the video statement posted by the Health Ministry that Israeli forces have been denying the entry of baby formula to the Gaza Strip for around three months. He explained that some women in Gaza can’t breastfeed their babies due to their own malnutrition or illness and must resort to giving infants starch or dissolved herbs instead, which pose a health risk. One mother said in a video posted by the Health Ministry that she was feeding her baby crushed biscuits, ground rice, and Cerelac brand baby formula if available. Medical professionals often recommend waiting to feed a child solid foods until at least the age of six months. The amount of aid entering Gaza plunged in October, and hunger is widespread across the territory, even in central Gaza where aid groups have more access. Humanitarian organizations say Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of law and order make it difficult to deliver assistance. Israel has said it is working to increase the flow of aid. Israeli rights groups demand end to ‘forcible transfer’ of Palestinians out of northern Gaza JERUSALEM — Israeli rights groups are calling on the government to stop the “forcible transfer” of Palestinians out of northern Gaza and for the displaced to be allowed to return home. A joint letter from five well-known groups says “this forcible transfer is being undertaken through direct attacks on the civilian population, threats of such attacks, and the creation of inhumane living conditions.” The letter was issued by Gisha, Adalah, HaMoked, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and Physicians for Human Rights – Israel, groups based in Israel that advocate for Palestinian rights. Tens of thousands have fled Gaza’s northernmost governorate since Israel launched a military operation there in early October against Hamas militants. The United Nations humanitarian office estimates up to 75,000 people remain in the northern towns of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya and the Jabaliya refugee camp. The area has been almost completely sealed off from humanitarian aid for two months and experts have warned that a famine may have set in . Israel has ordered repeated mass evacuations since the start of the war. Around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people have fled, often several times . Hundreds of thousands are packed into sprawling tent camps along the coast, an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone where Israel has also carried out repeated strikes against what it says are militant targets. Moshe Yaalon, a former top Israeli general and defense minister, said last week that Israel was engaged in “ethnic cleansing” and other war crimes in northern Gaza. Amnesty International on Wednesday said Israel was committing genocide in Gaza . Israel has adamantly denied the allegations, saying it goes to great lengths to avoid harming civilians as it battles Hamas, which ignited the war with its Oct. 7, 2023 attack into Israel. Amnesty International accuses Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip CAIRO — Amnesty International accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip during its war with Hamas, saying it has sought to deliberately destroy Palestinians by mounting deadly attacks, demolishing vital infrastructure and preventing the delivery of food, medicine and other aid. The human rights group released a report Thursday in the Middle East that said such actions could not be justified by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel, which ignited the war, or the presence of militants in civilian areas. Amnesty said the United States and other allies of Israel could be complicit in genocide, and called on them to halt arms shipments. “Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this is genocide. It must stop now,” Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said in the report. Israel, which was founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust, has adamantly rejected genocide allegations against it as an antisemitic “blood libel.” It is challenging such allegations at the International Court of Justice , and it has rejected the International Criminal Court’s accusations that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister committed war crimes in Gaza. “The deplorable and fanatical organization Amnesty International has once again produced a fabricated report that is entirely false and based on lies,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Israel accused Hamas , which has vowed to annihilate Israel, of carrying out a genocidal massacre in the attack that triggered the war, and said it is defending itself in accordance with international law.
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Police release new photos as they search for the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO NEW YORK (AP) — Two law enforcement officials say a masked gunman who stalked and killed the leader of one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies on a Manhattan sidewalk used ammunition emblazoned with the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose." The official were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke Thursday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Police also released photos of a person they say is wanted for questioning in the ambush the day before of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The words on the ammunition may have been a reference to tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying claims. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are bringing Trump's DOGE to Capitol Hill WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s DOGE time at the U.S. Capitol. Billionaire Elon Musk and fellow business titan Vivek Ramaswamy arrived on Capitol Hill for meetings with lawmakers. The two are heading up President-elect Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, with its plans to “dismantle” the federal government. Trump tapped the duo to come up with ways for firing federal workers, cutting government programs and slashing federal regulations — all part of Trump's agenda for a second-term at the White House. House Speaker Mike Johnson said there's going to be “a lot of change” in Washington. Hegseth faces senators' concerns not only about his behavior but also his views on women in combat WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth has spent the week on Capitol Hill trying to reassure Republican senators that he is fit to lead President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Defense in the wake of high-profile allegations about excessive drinking and sexual assault. But senators in both parties have also expressed concern about another issue — Hegseth’s frequent comments that women should not serve in frontline military combat jobs. As he meets with senators for a fourth day Thursday, his professional views on women troops are coming under deeper scrutiny. Hegseth said this week that “we have amazing women who serve our military.” Pressed if they should serve in combat, Hegseth said they already do. Hamas official says Gaza ceasefire talks have resumed after weekslong hiatus ISTANBUL (AP) — A Hamas official says that after a weekslong hiatus international mediators have resumed negotiating with the militant group and Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza, and that he was hopeful a deal to end the 14-month war was within reach. Ceasefire negotiations were halted last month when Qatar suspended its talks with mediators from Egypt and the United States over frustration with a lack of progress between Israel and Hamas. But Bassem Naim, an official in Hamas’ political wing, said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press that there has been a “reactivation” of efforts to end the fighting, release hostages from Gaza and free Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Why the rebel capture of Syria's Hama, a city with a dark history, matters BEIRUT (AP) — One of the darkest moments in the modern history of the Arab world happened more than four decades ago, when then-Syrian President Hafez Assad launched what came to be known as the Hama Massacre. The slaughter was named for the Syrian city where 10,000 to 40,000 people were killed or disappeared in a government attack that began on Feb. 2, 1982, and lasted for nearly a month. Hama was turned into ruins. The memory of the assault and the monthlong siege on the city remains visceral in Syrian and Arab minds. Now Islamist insurgents have captured the city in a moment many Syrians have awaited for over 40 years. France's Macron vows to stay in office till end of term, says he'll name a new prime minister soon PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to stay in office until the end of his term in 2027 and announced that he will name a new prime minister within days. In his address to the nation on Thursday, Macron came out fighting, laying blame at the door of his opponents on the far right for bringing down the government of Michel Barnier. He said they chose “not to do but to undo” and that they “chose disorder.” The president also said the far right and the far left had united in what he called “an anti-Republican front.” He said he’ll name a new prime minister within days but gave no hints who that might be. 7.0 earthquake off Northern California prompts brief tsunami warning SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The National Weather Service has canceled its tsunami warning for the U.S. West Coast after there was a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. According to the U.S. Geological Survey on Thursday, at least 5.3 million people in California were under a tsunami warning after the earthquake struck. It was felt as far south as San Francisco, where residents felt a rolling motion for several seconds. It was followed by multiple smaller aftershocks. There were no immediate reports of major damage or injury. Yoon replaces the defense minister as South Korea's parliament moves to vote on their impeachments SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s president has replaced his defense minister as opposition parties moved to impeach both men over the stunning-but-brief imposition of martial law that brought armed troops into Seoul streets. Opposition parties are pushing for a vote on motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday evening. They hold 192 seats but need 200 votes for the motion to pass. Yoon’s office said he decided to replace Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun with Choi Byung Hyuk, a retired general who is South Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Kim earlier apologized and said he ordered troops to carry out duties related to martial law. The Foreign Ministry also worked to mitigate the backlash and concern over South Korea's democracy. The US government is closing a women's prison and other facilities after years of abuse and decay WASHINGTON (AP) — The Associated Press has learned that the federal Bureau of Prisons is permanently closing its “rape club” women’s prison in California and will idle six facilities in a sweeping realignment after years of abuse, decay and mismanagement. The agency informed employees and Congress on Thursday that it plans to shutter the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California, and its deactivate minimum-security prison camps in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Florida. Staff and inmates are being moved to other facilities. The closures come amid an AP investigation that has uncovered deep, previously unreported flaws within the Bureau of Prisons. From outsider to the Oval Office, bitcoin surges as a new administration embraces crypto NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin burst on the scene after trust had withered in the financial system and Washington’s ability to protect people from it. Now, it’s Washington’s embrace of bitcoin that’s sending it to records. Bitcoin briefly surged above $103,000 after President-elect Donald Trump said he will nominate Paul Atkins, who's seen as friendly to crypto, to be the Securities and Exchange Commission's next chair. The crypto industry, meanwhile, did its part to bring politicians friendly to digital currencies into Washington. It's a twist from bitcoin's early days, when it was lauded as a kind of electronic cash that wouldn’t be beholden to any government or financial institution.ETHAN, S.D. — There are a lot of things going well at Ethan Elementary School. The school in Ethan, which boasts a population of around 350 in the southeast corner of Davison County, has an excellent attendance rate and student proficiency scores across the board that would be the envy of most any school in South Dakota. ADVERTISEMENT Those factors are all a reason the school was recently named a National ESEA Distinguished School. “Given the fact that there are at most only two per state, this one is pretty special,” said Tim Hawkins, superintendent and elementary principal for the Ethan School District. Ethan Elementary School and Timber Lake Elementary School are the only two South Dakota schools to receive the recognition in 2024. The recognition is bestowed by the National Association of Elementary and Secondary Education Act State Program Administrators, which recognizes schools that have a poverty rate of 35% or more, and demonstrate exceptional overall performance in academics, close the achievement gap between student groups or demonstrate excellence in serving special populations. It is the first time the school has received the award, Hawkins said, but not its only recent recognition for excellence. The school was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2022 for its student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates, among other factors. The school was honored to receive that award, but the recent ESEA award is even more prestigious, with less than 100 bestowed on schools around the nation in 2024. “Like we told the kids when we found out about it, there were, I believe, 382 schools that received the National Blue Ribbon School award. But we are one of only 99 to receive this, so yeah, that’s pretty special,” Hawkins said. ADVERTISEMENT Ethan Elementary School is being recognized for its performance in Category 1 of the award, which covers schools exhibiting exceptional student performance and academic growth. Part of that excellence is the school’s high attendance rate. Ethan Elementary School holds a 97% attendance rate. That’s well over the state average of 87% and means the elementary school’s roughly 160 students, out of an overall K-12 enrollment of about 300, are almost always in class and ready to learn. Hawkins, who said that percentage could have been even higher if not for a couple of students who dealt with extended illnesses last year, gives credit to district parents for putting a high value on attendance and education in general. “You have to be present if you’re going to learn. It’s really difficult if you’re not in the building to hear all the things that are being talked about, and seeing the different things being presented,” Hawkins said. “It really comes down to the parents. They’ve got to be willing to get their kids to school, and we’re really proud of our parents down here in our school district, because they do value education and they do make sure they get their kids to school.” The attendance rate for both Ethan Elementary School and Timber Lake Elementary School, which logged a 99% attendance rate, were cited as examples by South Dakota Department of Education officials as to why they outperform their peers in fighting absenteeism. Joe Graves, secretary of education for South Dakota, praised both schools for their performance in the category. “Both Ethan Elementary and Timber Lake Elementary are examples of academic excellence, and can be deservedly called Distinguished Schools,” Graves said in a statement. “One of the keys to their success comes in the form of strong attendance. These students are consistently in school.” ADVERTISEMENT Good attendance means students rarely fall behind in their studies, and Ethan Elementary’s academic performance during the 2023-24 school year reflects a student population that is up on their studies and doing well on tests. Students at Ethan Elementary School posted proficiency scores of 69% in English Language Arts, 78% in math and 79% in science. That’s well above the state average for South Dakota students, who logged average proficiency scores of 51% in English Language Arts, 44% in math and 43% in science. If the bulk of the credit for getting students to class on a regular basis goes to the district parents, the credit for effectively getting lessons across to students in the classroom goes to the teachers, Hawkins said. “It definitely comes down to your teaching staff first. The staff that we have here – they take pride. They have expectations, and they take pride in trying to reach those expectations,” Hawkins said. “And they do a phenomenal job getting that across to our kids. To not settle, to do their absolute best. Our teachers are phenomenal at getting that point across to them.” The student body and faculty were on hand for a special presentation on the honor Tuesday, Nov. 26 at the school gymnasium. There, officials with the South Dakota Department of Education offered remarks and congratulations to the school on its success. Shannon Malone, director for the division of learning and instruction at the South Dakota Department of Education, told the assembled audience that both students and teachers at the district had reason to be proud of their accomplishments. She added that Ethan Elementary’s proficiency test scores were “incredible.” Malone told the Mitchell Republic following the presentation that such celebrations were an exciting time for officials with the South Dakota Department of Education. ADVERTISEMENT “It is exciting. It’s evident that this school has a great culture and a great environment when students and staff want to show up day in and day out, but it’s also evident every single year their test scores are rising to the top across the state, in both ELA and math. I think they are an example that we can showcase to other schools across the state what hard work and perseverance means,” Malone said. “(Ethan Elementary is) just doing a great job.” The recognition is a nice affirmation of the hard work the elementary students and staff put in, but the award is a district-wide honor, Hawkins said. There is a close connection between the middle school and high school students and the elementary students, which is itself a reflection of the overall support that comes from the Ethan community itself. It all starts at home with the parents and flows through the town and halls of the schools, he said. Following the presentation Tuesday, Hawkins said students would get a chance to celebrate with some relaxation time, perhaps a few board games and other activities. It’s a well-earned break leading into the Thanksgiving holiday, and one for which every Rustler can be proud of. “We’re going to give them an opportunity to do what they would like, and it’s going to be school-wide. We get everybody involved, even though it was our elementary school (that received the recognition), our junior high and high school kids do so many things with our elementary school,” Hawkins said. “So it truly is a school-wide event.
OTTAWA — Cowessess First Nation Chief Erica Beaudin says she is "disappointed' that Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer used clean drinking water legislation as a political "tactic." Bill C-61 recognizes First Nations have an inherent right to clean drinking water and commits the government to providing "adequate and sustainable" funding for water services in First Nations. It remains stalled at third reading in the House of Commons because of an ongoing privilege debate that has prevented the consideration of bills since late September. Today Liberal MP Jaime Battiste asked for unanimous consent to forward the First Nations Clean Drinking Water Act to the Senate but several MPs said no. Scheer, who's riding includes Cowessess, rose immediately afterward for a similar motion that also condemned the Liberal government for inaction but it was also defeated. While Cowessess doesn't currently have a boil water advisory, Beaudin says people in her community rely on bottled water because they don't trust what comes from their taps. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. David Baxter, The Canadian Press
