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kijiji gatineau Middle East latest: Israeli strikes kill a hospital director in Lebanon and wound 6 medics in GazaTaylor Swift is sparking more rumors that another Eras Tour movie is on the way. The 34-year-old singer is currently in the middle of her final weekend of shows and she had a full film crew following her during night one of the Vancouver stop. Taylor performed the first of her final three shows on Friday (December 6) at BC Place in Canada. Fans on social media have noted how the show had extra film crews, including cameramen on stage throughout the night, a flyover camera, and additional tracks on the floor to allow cameras to seamlessly hover around the stage. While some are wondering if Taylor will be making a second concert film with the updated 2024 set list, including the Tortured Poets Department songs, others think that she is preparing a documentary about the tour. We have recapped everything that’s coming up for Taylor in her career and personal life after the tour ends.China is increasingly uncomfortable about and finds the growing cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow unnerving, Kurt Campbell, the US deputy secretary of state has said. He was leaning into a growing debate among the US’s security partners in Asia on whether China supports the decision of to fight for Russia against Ukraine. It is said the North Korean troops are now inside Russia. There are also doubts in the Japanese foreign ministry that China supports North Korea’s dispatch of troops. Officials say China has largely been silent over the issue, and may be worried that the military collusion in Ukraine will help an American drive to form a network of alliances with South Korea and Japan in east Asia that Beijing already views as aimed at curbing its power. In a rare olive branch China has told Japan it intends to remove a buoy it installed inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone near the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Although the step is small, the islands are a flashpoint between Japan and China, and it is seen as symbolic of an effort to encourage those inside Japan that do not want to be drawn into a US-led conflict with China. In a recent seminar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington thinktank, Campbell said: “The topic that is becoming increasingly uncomfortable for Chinese interlocutors is the DPRK [North Korea] engagement with Russia. “In some of the discussions we have had it seems we are informing them of things that they were unaware of with regard to DPRK pursuits, and they are concerned that Russian encouragement might lead the DPRK to contemplate either actions or military actions that might not be in China’s interests.” He added: “China has not weighed in directly to criticise Russia but we do believe that the increasing coordination between Pyongyang and Moscow is unnerving them.” But analysts differ on whether there is a substantial fissure between China and Russia. Dennis Wilder, a former CIA assistant director for east Asia and Pacific, said: “The radio silence in Beijing on this subject is staggering. There is not a word in the Chinese press either about the strategic agreement made between Russia and North Korea in the summer, or about sending troops. “How does China explain what is going on and how do they ignore internationally the fact that their client state is now fighting in Ukraine? The Europeans are going to be upset and they are not going to be upset at the North Koreans, but with China. “If Russia goes down the road of nuclear assistance to North Korea this will bolster the Americans’ alliances in east Asia and maybe create a true Nato so President Xi Jinping is in a very very difficult spot.” Adm Samuel Paparo, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, said at the Halifax security forum on Saturday that the relationship between Russia, China and North Korea was having a “certain transactional symbiosis”. He claimed: “ and Russia in return will probably provide missile and submarine technology for North Korea.” He added he thought China had provided Russia with 90% of its semiconductors and 70% of its machine tools to rebuild its war machine. Andrew Shearer, the director general of Australia’s Office of National Intelligence, was also sceptical about the extent of China’s unease. “The idea of driving wedges between Putin and Xi is pretty fanciful and if we do not face up to the reality that Putin is only still in the war in Ukraine today due to China’s military, diplomatic and dual use support we are not going to fashion effective strategies.” The doubts about China’s attitude are mirrored among observers in Japan too. Prof Emi Mifune, of the faculty of law at Komazawa University, said: “There is no way that China did not know what Russia was planning. China cannot afford to see Russia lose against the west, and if Russia wins it helps set up a propaganda advantage and precedent for China in seeking to control Taiwain.” She pointed to the May 2024 China-Russia summit as a significant moment when China extracted concessions from Russia, including over Chinese access from the Tumen River to the Sea of Japan. Prof Hideya Kurata, of the National Defense Academy of Japan, believes Beijing’s position is one of neither approval or disapproval, but one of discomfort. He has been highlighting how the conflict has to be seen in the context of North Korea’s decision to abandon efforts to reunify the Korean peninsula. He said that starts with tactical nuclear weapons, extends to intermediate-range ballistic missiles targeting Japan, intermediate- to long-range missiles targeting Guam, and intercontinental ballistic missiles that could target the US mainland. He said he did not believe the US had medium-range nuclear weapons on land or at sea in the region that would act as a deterrence to North Korea.

CARSON, Calif. — Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic scored in the first half, and the LA Galaxy won their record sixth MLS Cup championship with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. After striking twice in the first 13 minutes of the final with goals from their star forwards, the Galaxy nursed their lead through a scoreless second half to raise their league's biggest trophy for the first time since 2014. MLS' most successful franchise struggled through most of the ensuing decade, even finishing 26th in the 29-team league last year. But the Galaxy turned everything around this season with a high-scoring new lineup that finished second in the Western Conference and then streaked through the playoffs with a whopping 18 goals in five games to win another crown. Sean Nealis scored for the seventh-seeded Red Bulls, whose improbable charge through the playoffs ended one win shy of its first Cup championship. With the league's youngest roster, New York fell just short of becoming the lowest-seeded team to win MLS' playoff tournament under first-year German coach Sandro Schwarz. Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy made four saves to win his second MLS title in three seasons. He was the MVP of the 2022 MLS Cup Final for the Galaxy's crosstown rival, Los Angeles FC. The Galaxy won this title without perhaps their most important player. Riqui Puig, the playmaking midfielder from Barcelona who ran their offense impressively all season long, tore a ligament in his knee last week in the Western Conference final. Puig watched the game in a suit, but his teammates hadn't forgotten him: After his replacement, Gastón Brugman, set up LA's opening goal with a superb pass, Paintsil held up Puig's jersey to their fans during the celebration. Paintsil put the Galaxy ahead in the ninth minute when he ran onto that sublime pass from Brugman and pounded home his 14th MLS goal — including four in the playoffs — in the Ghanaian forward's outstanding first season. Just four minutes later, Joveljic sprinted past four New York defenders and chipped home the 21st goal of his outstanding year as the Galaxy's striker. Nealis got New York on the scoreboard in the 28th minute when he volleyed home a ball that got loose in LA's penalty area after a corner. The Galaxy's usually shaky defense gave up another handful of good chances before reaching halftime with a tenuous lead. The second half was lively, but scoreless. Red Bulls captain Emil Forsberg hit the outside of the post in the 72nd minute, while Gabriel Pec and Galaxy substitute Marco Reus nearly converted chances a few moments later. The ball got loose again in the Galaxy's penalty area in the third minute of extra time, but two Red Bulls couldn't finish. The Galaxy bench rushed onto the field and prematurely celebrated a victory in the seventh minute of injury time, only to be herded back off for another 30 seconds of play. The Galaxy finished 17-0-3 this season at their frequently renamed suburban stadium, where the sellout crowd of 26,812 for the final included several robust cheering sections of traveling Red Bulls supporters hoping to see their New Jersey-based club's breakthrough on MLS' biggest stage. The Galaxy's Greg Vanney became the fourth coach to win an MLS title with two clubs. The former Galaxy player also won it all with Toronto in 2017. The club famous for employing global stars from David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Robbie Keane and Javier "Chicharito" Hernández rebuilt itself this season with lesser-known young talents from around the world. The Galaxy signed Pec from Brazil and the Ghanaian Paintsil out of Belgium, and the duo combined with incumbent Serbian striker Joveljic to form a potent attack that could outscore almost any MLS opponent. But the Galaxy also relied heavily on Puig, their Catalan catalyst and one of MLS' best players. Puig stayed in last week's game after injuring his knee, and he even delivered the decisive pass to Joveljic for the game's only goal. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!An official of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has emphasised that the breakthroughs achieved in Artificial Intelligence (AI) will define the future of Qatar and its place in the world. Speaking at the opening ceremony of ‘QSTP AI WEEK 2024’, a five-day event organised by the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), Reem al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Industry Affairs at MCIT, said AI is “not just another technology” but a “force for transformation.” AI is expected to contribute “$15.7tn” to the global economy by 2030, more than the combined GDPs of China and India today, remarked al-Mansoori during her opening speech. “But what makes AI remarkable is not just the numbers. It is the way it amplifies human potential. AI is already helping doctors diagnose diseases faster, enabling farmers to produce higher yields with water, and optimising energy use to make cities smarter and more sustainable. These aren't hypothetical scenarios. They are happening now,” she noted. Al-Mansoori also elaborated on the Qatari government’s efforts to place the country at the forefront of AI transformation, citing initiatives like ‘Fanar’, Qatar's world-class Arabic GenAI built on Arabic language learning model (LLM), and international partnerships with tech giants like Nvidia for the deployment of cutting-edge AI and graphics technology in Ooredoo’s data centres. Under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, al-Mansoori pointed out that AI has become a cornerstone of Qatar’s National Development Strategy and Digital Agenda. “We are diving in with a clear vision and bold initiatives. Our government has committed QR9bn to advanced technology and innovation programmes, placing AI at the heart of our urban and economic growth. “Through our National AI Strategy, we are integrating AI into services like traffic management, energy optimisation, and public safety. These efforts are not just making our cities smarter, they are making them more liveable and sustainable for every resident,” al-Mansoori stressed. The assistant undersecretary also emphasised that while AI possesses “great potential” in nation-building, the government of Qatar also recognises that this comes with “great responsibility.” “AI must be developed with ethics, inclusivity, and sustainability at its core...we must ensure that this technology uplifts society. That’s why Qatar is not only advancing AI capability but also leading the global conversation on its governance and ethical use,” she said. Al-Mansoori added: “AI is not just a tool. It is an invitation to rethink how we solve our problems, grow our communities, and improve lives. It challenges us to act boldly, to innovate responsibly, and to lead with purpose. Qatar is ready to lead.” Dr Jack Lau, QSTP president, explained in his welcome remarks that the first edition of ‘QSTP AI WEEK’ highlights the park’s 15th anniversary. He said over the next few days, the event will explore various aspects of AI. “During this event, we’ll showcase our commitment to advanced technology innovations and entrepreneurship in alignment with our effort to support the nation’s strategic national goals, the Qatar National Vision 2030, the Third National Development Strategy, and the Digital Agenda 2030,” Lau said.

The World Health Organization’s director-general said airstrikes on Yemen’s main airport occurred as he was about to board a flight in the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa. The Israeli military said it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport as well as power stations and ports. One of the U.N. plane’s crew was wounded, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a post on X, but he and his WHO colleagues were safe. He said the strikes hit the airport's air traffic control tower, departure lounge and runway. Israel's strikes on Thursday follow several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel, and last week, Israeli jets bombed Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people. The Houthis have also been targeting shipping in the Red Sea corridor, calling it solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. The Hamas-led militant attack on Israel in October 2023 resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza , although only two-thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: WHO chief says he was meters away when Israel bombs fell on airport in Yemen’s capital UNITED NATIONS — The head of the U.N. health agency says he and his team were about to board a flight in Yemen’s rebel-held capital Sanaa when the airport came under aerial bombardment. The Israeli military said it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the airport as well as power stations and ports in Houthi-controlled areas. “The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters (yards) from where we were — and the runway were damaged,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X. He said one of the U.N. plane’s crew was injured but he and his WHO colleagues were safe. “We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave.” Tedros said the U.N. team was in Yemen to negotiate the release of U.N. staff detained by the Houthis and to assess the health and humanitarian situation in the country, which faces one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen’s capital and ports JERUSALEM — Houthi rebels in Yemen said Israeli airstrikes on Thursday targeted the rebel-held capital of Sanaa and the port city of Hodeida, following several days of Houthi launches that set off air-raid sirens in Israel. The Israeli military said it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports at Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib along with power stations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech on Wednesday that “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned.” The Iran-backed Houthis’ media outlet reported the strikes in a Telegram post, but gave no immediate details. The U.S. military also has targeted the Houthis in Yemen in recent days. The United Nations has noted that the ports are important entryways for humanitarian aid. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in Tel Aviv . Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor, calling it solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Kurdish-led group holds funeral for 6 fighters killed in northeast Syria fighting QAMISHLI, Syria — Thousands of people in northeastern Syria attended a funeral Thursday for six fighters from a Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed force who were killed in ongoing clashes with Turkish-backed militias. The Turkish-backed groups are launching attacks to take the Arab cities west of the Euphrates River that are under the control of the Kurdish group . The Turkish-supported groups helped overthrow Bashar al-Assad’s rule of Syria, and have since kept pushing eastward against the Kurdish groups. “We thought that Syria today has entered a new stage after the fall and escape of Assad. We thought that we got rid of all of this, but this attack on us changed everything and those who came in are taking orders from Turkey,” said Nihayet Hassan, the uncle of a killed fighter. The fighters were killed during attacks on Tishreen Dam near the strategic city of Manbij in recent days. The bodies were returned to the city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria where the U.S.-backed group, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, has a strong presence. Ankara sees the SDF as an affiliate of its sworn enemy, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which Turkey classifies as a terrorist organization. Turkish-backed armed groups backed by Turkish jets have for years attacked positions where the SDF are present across northern Syria, in a bid to create a buffer zone free from the group along the Turkish border. “It is obvious that Turkey’s issue is with the Kurds. It is not about an organization, or the PKK, no, their target are the Kurds,” said Ahmad Ammo, a Qamishli resident who attended the funeral. The U.S. has about 2,000 soldiers in eastern Syria to help fight the Islamic State group and protect critical oil fields there. Lebanese military says Israel violated ceasefire agreement by entering southern Lebanon BEIRUT — The Lebanese military said Thursday that Israeli troops encroached on areas of southern Lebanon, violating a ceasefire agreement that ended the war between Israel and the Hezbollah group. The U.S.-brokered ceasefire that went into effect a month ago called for Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops to leave southern Lebanon over a 60-day period as Lebanese army soldiers gradually deploy in the country south of the Litani River. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the reported incident. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said Israeli bulldozers are setting up dirt barricades that would close off the road between Wadi Slouqi and Wadi Hujeir. Lebanon’s military said it brought reinforcements into the areas entered by Israeli troops. NNA said the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, sent a patrol unit to an area near the southern town of Qantara where Israeli forces are present. UNIFIL in a statement expressed its “concern at continuing destruction by the IDF (Israeli military) in residential areas, agricultural land, and road networks in south Lebanon.” Lebanese army chief Gen. Joseph Aoun traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier Thursday as part of ongoing efforts by the cash-strapped military to find financial support to deploy in larger numbers. The Lebanese military and government have complained about Israeli strikes and overflights in the country to a new monitoring committee headed by the U.S. that also includes France. Israeli strike kills five Palestinian journalists, Gaza Health Ministry says DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli strike killed five Palestinian journalists outside a hospital in the Gaza Strip overnight, the Health Ministry said Thursday. The Israeli army said it had targeted a group of militants. The strike hit a car outside the Al-Awda Hospital in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in the central part of the territory. The journalists were working for the local news outlet Al-Quds Today, a television channel affiliated with the Islamic Jihad militant group. The military said it targeted a group of fighters from Islamic Jihad, a militant group allied with Hamas, whose Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel ignited the war. Associated Press video showed the incinerated shell of a van, with press markings still visible on the back doors. The Committee to Protect Journalists says over 130 Palestinian reporters have been killed since the start of the war. Israel has not allowed foreign reporters to enter Gaza except on military embeds. This post has been corrected to show that the name of the local news outlet is Al-Quds Today, not the Quds News Network. China pledges 2 more shipments of aid to Gaza BEIJING — China has pledged two more shipments of humanitarian aid to Gaza, in an indication of support for the Palestinian Authority, state media reported Thursday. The agreement was overseen in Cairo by Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang and Palestinian Ambassador to Egypt Diab al-Louh. “To ease the humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, the Chinese government has continued to provide assistance to Palestine,” Liao was quoted as saying. The types and quantities of aid to be delivered via Egypt were not given, but China has previously shipped food and medicine to Gaza. China has longstanding ties with the Palestinian Authority but has also sought to strengthen economic and political relations with Israel. Al-Louh “voiced appreciation for China’s consistent and firm support for the just cause of the Palestinian people and for raising this issue on international occasions," state media said. UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Houthi attacks UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday at Israel’s request to discuss recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Israel’s U.N. Mission said Wednesday the meeting will take place at 10 a.m. Monday. Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon said he expects the council will condemn the Houthi attacks. He urged the council “to enforce international law and hold Iran, the Houthis’ patron, accountable.” Alluding to Israeli retaliation for the attacks, Danon said ”It seems that the Houthis have not yet understood what happens to those who try to harm the state of Israel.”Roivios Initiates Landmark Study to Demonstrate Safety and Efficacy of an Innovative Renal Assist Device for Cardiac Surgery Patients With Kidney Disease NASSAU, Bahamas , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Roivios , a pioneering clinical-stage medical device company dedicated to revolutionizing kidney health, proudly announces that its research and development arm, 3ive Labs, has secured approval for an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) from the FDA. This approval paves the way for a pivotal trial of the JuxtaFlow Renal Assist Device (RAD), marking a transformative step forward in enhancing outcomes for cardiac surgery patients with renal insufficiency. The GRADIENT ( G roundbreaking R enal A ssist D evice I ntervening to EN hance cardio T horacic surgery outcomes) trial is designed to address the critical need for renal support among cardiac surgery patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). These patients often face increased risks of postoperative complications, such as worsening renal dysfunction, which can lead to extended ICU stays and increased mortality. "The GRADIENT Trial offers an invaluable opportunity to further explore renal support during cardiac surgery," said Dr. Evelio Rodriguez , a renowned heart surgeon at Ascension Saint Thomas in Nashville, TN , and the National Principal Investigator of the GRADIENT trial. "The JuxtaFlow device offers new hope for some of our most vulnerable patients." JuxtaFlow RAD is an innovative device designed to potentially improve kidney function during times of acute stress. By applying a gentle suction to the kidney's outlet, it aims to enhance blood filtration more efficiently. This groundbreaking approach was recognized with an FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in April. The GRADIENT study will be a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label trial that plans to enroll patients with renal insufficiency (eGFR 15-60 ml/min) undergoing elective or urgent cardiac surgery requiring CPB. The study seeks to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the JuxtaFlow RAD to sustain or enhance renal function during and following CPB surgery. "Achieving Breakthrough Device Designation was instrumental in securing IDE approval," noted John Erbey , Chief Executive Officer at Roivios. "This initiative is the culmination of a decade of technological and clinical advancements in addressing kidney disease management challenges. Our ongoing dialogue with the FDA is paving the way for more effective management, empowering patients to thrive. We are eager to commence IDE enrollment and explore the JuxtaFlow RAD's potential to improve surgical outcomes and enhance patient quality of life." For more information about Roivios and the JuxtaFlow Renal Assist Device, please visit Roivios.com . About JuxtaFlow RAD The JuxtaFlow RAD is a pioneering investigational device set to transform kidney support therapy. Acknowledging the harmful effects of fluid accumulation and pressure on the kidneys, Roivios has advanced beyond traditional blood filtration methods that can further stress the kidneys. By applying mild, controlled negative pressure within the kidney's collecting system, the device has the potential to maintain and improve filtration and support recovery. This novel approach holds promise for a compelling value proposition by preserving kidney function and expediting patient recovery, ultimately reducing hospital stays and associated costs. Equipped with a proprietary specialized catheters and pump, the device optimizes kidney function during critical recovery periods, such as post-surgery. Currently, the JuxtaFlow RAD is under investigation and is not available for sale in any geography. About Roivios Roivios is a clinical-stage medical device company committed to pioneering solutions for kidney health. Our lead product, the JuxtaFlow Renal Assist Device (RAD), is designed to preserve kidney function and offer a proactive approach to managing kidney disease. We aim to demonstrate improved renal outcomes, potentially reducing the need for dialysis, and lowering healthcare costs. Holding proprietary patents in key kidney technologies, we aim to revolutionize kidney disease management. With plans to extend its application beyond kidney disease to various medical settings, Roivios is preparing for a transformative U.S. launch, aiming to redefine kidney disease management and improve patient quality of life. Discover more at roivios.com . This release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ significantly. Media Contact : Kelly Krueger , Krueger PR, kelly@kruegerpr.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-grants-ide-approval-for-the-pivotal-trial-of-the-juxtaflow-renal-assist-device-rad-302336698.html SOURCE Roivios, ltd

WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of Republican senators is demanding that the Biden administration revoke a science and technology agreement with China, barely a week after the two countries renewed cooperation for five more years to keep ties from deteriorating. In a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the lawmakers, led by Sen. Jim Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the era in which such cooperation made sense “is long gone" and the extension only “opens the door for further cooptation of American research.” The renewal of the agreement just before President Joe Biden leaves office “denies the incoming administration a chance to weigh in on this highly controversial agreement," they said, urging the administration to “reverse course.” In addition to Risch, the letter was signed by Sens. John Barrasso, Pete Ricketts, Todd Young and Bill Hagerty. The first such agreement was signed in January 1979 when the two countries established diplomatic ties to counter the influence of the Soviet Union and when China severely lagged behind the U.S. and other Western nations in science and technology. The agreement was extended in 2018, and it was given temporary extensions last year and this year to allow for negotiations as the tech war between the two countries has escalated. The State Department has said the new agreement has a narrower scope and more guardrails to protect U.S. interests, including covering only basic research and not facilitating the development of critical and emerging technologies. The Republican senators said they had “deep concerns” that those measures were not sufficient to protect intellectual property and prevent illicit transfer of knowledge. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter Thursday. Deborah Seligsohn, assistant professor of political science at Villanova University, said the U.S. stands to lose more if it cuts off science and technology cooperation with Beijing. “The irony is that as China has become our peer, we have so much more to gain from working with Chinese science than we did in earlier eras, and yet at this moment, when we have the most to gain, there is a demand that we shut the door,” she said. Didi Tang, The Associated PressFormer Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, celebrated for his transformative impact on India's economy and governance, has died. His contributions to rural employment, tribal rights, and major economic reforms marked his illustrious career. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh praised Singh's initiatives that were often attributed to others. Singh was known for his gentlemanly demeanor and commitment to dialogue and consensus. His tenure as PM saw revolutionary legislation and significant international agreements, like the Indo-US nuclear agreement, elevating India's global standing. Ramesh recalled Singh's legacy as both dignified and transformative, leaving a lasting impression on the nation. (With inputs from agencies.)Boston, Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Union , the global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payment services, has been named the top online money transfer service by Expert Consumers. This recognition highlights Western Union's long standing reputation for providing flexible and reliable international money transfer solutions. Best International Money Transfer Solution Established in 1851, Western Union has built a robust network that spans over 200 countries and territories. The company has adapted to the digital age, offering customers seamless online and mobile platforms for sending and receiving money. 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By Dr. Gyan Pathak India’s flagship Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 for decent job creation in the country did not take off even in mid-December 2024. Union Ministry of Finance is busy in making next Union Budget 2025-26, which will be tabled on February 1, 2025. India Inc is hesitant in joining the scheme, and Union Ministry of Labour and Employment is also not ready with the details of the scheme, which are likely to be notified in January 2025. EPFO is being revamped to implement the ELI Scheme. Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has held about two dozen meetings with EPFO officials and India Inc, to prepare the details of the schemes and implementation guidelines since last week of September, almost a month after the ELI Scheme was announced on July 23 in the Union Budget 2024-25. EPFO was ordered to insure that employers complete the first stage of the process of Universal Account Number (UAN) activation through Aadhaar-based OTP by November 30, 2024, starting with the latest joinee employees in the current financial year 2024-25. It was also said that in the second stage of the process, going forward, UAN activation was to be included in the state-of-the-art facility of Biometric authentication, through Face-recognition Technology. After that the employers will be required to complete the process for all employees working with them. It should also be noted that the Centre had already issued direction earlier to all ministries and departments to ensure payments of subsidy and incentives to beneficiaries of all schemes through Aadhaar Payment Bridge. Obviously, EPFO also required to ensure it for employers focused ELI scheme purportedly to create decent jobs in the country, since more than 90 per cent of the workforce in India are employed in informal jobs, both in informal sector and formal sector. ELI scheme is for formal sector, but in the last decade large number of them are informally employed through contracts, informally, or through outsourced agencies. EPFO and the India Inc just failed to complete the first stage of UAN activation by November 30. There was then no option but to extend the date. EPFO then issued a circular on December 4, 2024 extending the last date to link the UAN for the ELI scheme to December 15. Along with the extension of the deadline to activate UAN, the government has also extended the date for the Aadhaar seeding of bank accounts. EPFO wrote, “Dear Employers, the date of UAN activation and Aadhaar seeding of Bank Account has been extended till 15th December. Ensure to do the same for all employees who have joined in the current financial year, starting with the latest joinees, to avail the benefit of the Employment Linked Incentive scheme.” It was already expected not only because India Inc was hesitant and very slow in accepting the ELI scheme and not coming forward to complete the first stage of UAN activation by November 30, but also because the Union government is also yet to announce the details of the ELI Scheme. On December 11, just 4 days before the expiry of the extended date for employers to complete the first stage of UAN activation, Union Labour secretary Ms Sumita Dawra has urged India Inc to leverage the ELI Scheme while speaking at the Global Economic Policy Forum 2024 organised by CII. Urging industry to collaborate with the government she said, “ELI is designed to incentivise the hiring of additional workers, particularly in the manufacturing sector, by offsetting the cost of employing new workers. ... The scheme aims to boost labour formalisation enhance the employability of workers and support job creation in key manufacturing industries.” Obviously to lure even foreign multinational companies to work in India, she said India’s working age-population will constitute about 65% of its total population by 2030, positioning the country as a key player in addressing global labour shortages. Union Labour Secretary Ms Dawra also urged India Inc to leverage new technologies, policies and practices to make India a manufacturing powerhouse, citing the example of the country’s growing role as a hub for global capability centres (GCCs) that employ millions of Indians in sectors like engineering, technology and AI to contribute to global innovation while supporting the country’s domestic manufacturing capabilities. Union Labour Secretary Ms Dawra’s statements clearly show how desperate the Centre is to implement the ELI schemes but not able to push it forward despite the schemes seem on the surface very attractive. Three schemes A, B, and C would give Rs10,000 crore subsidies to employers under ELI scheme through EPFO for every new membership, and it was claimed that it would generate 8 million jobs, apart from skilling 10 million youths over the next five years. The Union government is struggling to formulate appropriate guidelines for the scheme for the last three months and has held meetings with representatives of employers, employees, research and academic institutions, multilateral organisations, apart from officials of various government ministries and departments including EPFO. Union labour secretary has said in the CII Global Economic Policy Forum, “I do hope the industry will be looking at the ELIs, and will be using them to make themselves more competitive.” It shows uncertainly about the effectiveness of the ELI scheme in the present form especially in regard to creation of large number of decent jobs in India. (IPA Service)

Bangladesh wanted to resolve its "outstanding grievances" from the war that led to the creation of the country in 1971, and move forward, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus told Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a bilateral meeting in Cairo on Thursday. Shehbaz, who is in the Egyptian capital to attend the Developing Eight (D-8) Organisation for Economic Cooperation meeting, held bilateral meetings with the leaders from the member countries on the fringes of the summit, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office. A statement issued by Bangladesh Chief Adviser's Office stated that Yunus had "agreed to strengthen relations" with Pakistan. "The [1971] issues have kept coming again and again," Yunus told Shehbaz, according to the statement. "Let's settle those issues for us to move forward." The statement further stated that Chief Adviser Yunus and Prime Minister Shehbaz "agreed to strength-en relations between the two countries through increased trade, commerce, and exchange of sports and cultural delegations". Dhaka's statement said that both the leaders "agreed to strengthen [bilateral] relations through in-creased trade, commerce, and exchange of sports and cultural delegations". It added that Yunus expressed his intentions to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The moribund eight-nation South Asian grouping remained stalled for years because of India's obduracy towards Pakistan. "This is a top priority," Yunus told Shehbaz. "I want a summit of Saarc leaders even if it is only for a photo session, because that will carry a strong message". Taking to microblogging website of X, Shehbaz described the meeting as cordial, saying that he had a "warm and cordial exchange" with Yunus. "Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to deepen bilateral and multilateral collaboration," he posted on social media platform X. A separate statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said that the Shehbaz-Yunus meeting took place in a cordial environment, truly reflecting the existing goodwill and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh. The prime minister, the statement further said, called for taking advantage of great potential to boost trade in different sectors, including chemicals, cement clinkers, surgical goods, leather goods and information technology (IT). Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan's keen desire to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges. He expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh for the recent steps for the facilitation of trade and travel between the two countries. Shehbaz also thanked Bangladesh for doing away with additional clearance requirements for Pakistani visa applicants, waiving off of the condition of 100% physical inspection of the consignments from Pakistan and abolition of special security desk at the Dhaka airport to scrutinise Pakistani passengers. While expressing satisfaction with the recent positive developments in bilateral relations, the two leaders agreed to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest and emphasised the need to align efforts to achieve mutually beneficial development objectives. In the Egyptian capital, Shehbaz joined the leaders of the D-8 countries at the 11th D-8 Summit, chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The Cairo moot gathered leaders from Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia. On the sidelines of the summit, Shehbaz also had bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. He also met with Egypt President El Sisi, who warmly received the prime minister at the Summit venue. During the meeting with Erdogan, both sides reiterated their resolve to support each other on core is-sues of national interest, including Turkiye's support for Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan's support for Turkiye's stance on the Cyprus issue. They also discussed the latest situation in the Middle East and Syria. Both the leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspirations for a promised homeland. They condemned the Israeli genocidal actions against the innocent Palestinians. Shehbaz emphasised that the two countries should increase economic cooperation in new areas for foreign investment and joint ventures, particularly in IT, agriculture and green technology. They agreed to continue to work together for further deepening economic, trade, and defence cooperation. Erdogan stressed the need for closely working together to promote regional peace and stability. He appreciated notable improvement in Pakistan's economy, and also lauded Pakistan for sending substantial humanitarian support to Palestine and Lebanon. Talking to the Iranian President during the bilateral meeting, Shehbaz underscored the importance of operationalising the border markets, which had already been inaugurated. He called for joint efforts for the inauguration of remaining markets. Both the leaders expressed the hope that the decisions taken at the D-8 Summit would pave the way for enhanced cooperation among the member states in mutually beneficial areas. Shehbaz said that Pakistan stood in complete solidarity with its brothers and sisters from Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. Shehbaz also held a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. During the meeting, the two sides agreed to maintain the momentum in bilateral relations with particular emphasis on further deepening economic and commercial ties. Emphasising Pakistan's deep interest in engaging with the Association of Southseast Asian Nations (Asean), Shehbaz said that Pakistan appreciated Indonesia's support in achieving Sectoral Partner Status in Asean and the membership of the Asean Regional Forum. "With Indonesia's support, Pakistan looks forward to becoming a Full Dialogue Partner of Asean," he told President Subianto. Both the leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the statement said. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. 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Elias Cato scores 23 as Central Arkansas tops UNC Asheville 92-83 in double OT

Lea Miller-Tooley hopped off a call to welcome the Baylor women’s basketball team to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, where 80-degree temperatures made it easy for the Bears to settle in on Paradise Island a week before Thanksgiving. About 5,000 miles west of the Caribbean nation, similar climes awaited Maui Invitational men's teams in Hawaii. They’ve often been greeted with leis, the traditional Hawaiian welcome of friendship. College basketball teams and fans look forward to this time of the year. The holiday week tournaments feature buzzworthy matchups and all-day TV coverage, sure, but there is a familiarity about them as they help ward off the November chill. For four decades, these sandy-beach getaways filled with basketball have become a beloved mainstay of the sport itself. “When you see (ESPN’s) ‘Feast Week’ of college basketball on TV, when you see the Battle 4 Atlantis on TV, you know college basketball is back,” said Miller-Tooley, the founder and organizer of the Battle 4 Atlantis men's and women's tournaments. “Because it’s a saturated time of the year with the NFL, college football and the NBA. But when you see these gorgeous events in these beautiful places, you realize, ‘Wow, hoops are back, let’s get excited.’” People are also reading... The Great Alaska Shootout was the trend-setting multiple-team event (MTE) nearly five decades ago. The brainchild of late Alaska-Anchorage coach Bob Rachal sought to raise his program’s profile by bringing in national-power programs, which could take advantage of NCAA rules allowing them to exceed the maximum allotment of regular-season games if they played the three-game tournament outside the contiguous 48 states. The first edition, named the Sea Wolf Classic, saw N.C. State beat Louisville 72-66 for the title on Nov. 26, 1978. The Maui Invitational followed in November 1984, borne from the buzz of NAIA program Chaminade’s shocking upset of top-ranked Virginia and 7-foot-4 star Ralph Sampson in Hawaii two years earlier. Events kept coming, with warm-weather locales getting in on the action. The Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Cancun Challenge in Mexico. The Cayman Islands Classic. The Jamaica Classic. The Myrtle Beach Invitational joining the Charleston Classic in South Carolina. Numerous tournaments in Florida. Some events have faded away like the Puerto Rico Tipoff and the Great Alaska Shootout, the latter in 2017 amid event competition and schools opting for warm-weather locales. Notre Dame takes on Chaminade during the first half of a 2017 game in Lahaina, Hawaii. Miller-Tooley’s push to build an MTE for Atlantis began as a December 2010 doubleheader with Georgia Tech beating Richmond and Virginia Tech beating Mississippi State in a prove-it moment for a tournament’s viability. It also required changing NCAA legislation to permit MTEs in the Bahamas. Approval came in March 2011; the first eight-team Atlantis men’s tournament followed in November. That tournament quickly earned marquee status with big-name fields, with Atlantis champions Villanova (2017) and Virginia (2018) later winning that season’s NCAA title. Games run in a ballroom-turned-arena at the resort, where players also check out massive swimming pools, water slides and inner-tube rapids surrounded by palm trees and the Atlantic Ocean. “It’s just the value of getting your passport stamped, that will never get old,” Miller-Tooley said. “Watching some of these kids, this may be their first and last time – and staff and families – that they ever travel outside the United States. ... You can see through these kids’ eyes that it’s really an unbelievable experience.” ACC Network analyst Luke Hancock knows that firsthand. His Louisville team finished second at Atlantis in 2012 and won that year’s later-vacated NCAA title, with Hancock as the Final Four's most outstanding player. “I remember (then-coach Rick Pitino) saying something to the effect of: ‘Some of you guys might never get this opportunity again. We’re staying in this unbelievable place, you’re doing it with people you love,’” Hancock said. “It was a business trip for us there at Thanksgiving, but he definitely had a tone of ‘We’ve got to enjoy this as well.’” Maui offers similar vibes, though 2024 could be a little different as Lahaina recovers from deadly 2023 wildfires that forced the event's relocation last year. North Carolina assistant coach Sean May played for the Tar Heels’ Maui winner in 2004 and was part of UNC’s staff for the 2016 champion, with both teams later winning the NCAA title. May said “you just feel the peacefulness” of the area — even while focusing on games — and savors memories of the team taking a boat out on the Pacific Ocean after title runs under now-retired Hall of Famer Roy Williams. “Teams like us, Dukes, UConns – you want to go to places that are very well-run,” May said. “Maui, Lea Miller with her group at the Battle 4 Atlantis, that’s what drives teams to come back because you know you’re going to get standard A-quality of not only the preparation but the tournament with the way it’s run. Everything is top-notch. And I think that brings guys back year after year.” That’s why Colorado coach Tad Boyle is so excited for the Buffaloes’ first Maui appearance since 2009. “We’ve been trying to get in the tournament since I got here,” said Boyle, now in his 15th season. And of course, that warm-weather setting sure doesn’t hurt. “If you talk about the Marquettes of the world, St. John’s, Providence – they don’t want that cold weather,” said NBA and college TV analyst Terrence Oglesby, who played for Clemson in the 2007 San Juan Invitational in Puerto Rico. “They’re going to have to deal with that all January and February. You might as well get a taste of what the sun feels like.” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo argues a call during the first half of a Nov. 16 game against Bowling Green in East Lansing, Michigan. Mi zzo is making his fourth trip to Maui. The men’s Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas, got things rolling last week with No. 11 Tennessee routing No. 13 Baylor for the title. The week ahead could boast matchups befitting the Final Four, with teams having two weeks of action since any opening-night hiccups. “It’s a special kickoff to the college basketball season,” Oglesby said. “It’s just without the rust.” On the women’s side, Atlantis began its fourth eight-team women’s tournament Saturday with No. 16 North Carolina and No. 18 Baylor, while the nearby Baha Mar resort follows with two four-team women’s brackets that include No. 2 UConn, No. 7 LSU, No. 17 Mississippi and No. 20 N.C. State. Then come the men’s headliners. The Maui Invitational turns 40 as it opens Monday back in Lahaina. It features second-ranked and two-time reigning national champion UConn, No. 4 Auburn, No. 5 Iowa State and No. 10 North Carolina. The Battle 4 Atlantis opens its 13th men’s tournament Wednesday, topped by No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 16 Indiana and No. 17 Arizona. Michigan State Hall of Famer Tom Izzo is making his fourth trip to Maui, where he debuted as Jud Heathcote’s successor at the 1995 tournament. Izzo's Spartans have twice competed at Atlantis, last in 2021. “They’re important because they give you something in November or December that is exciting,” Izzo said. Any drawbacks? “It’s a 10-hour flight,” he said of Hawaii. Sports Week in Photos: Tyson vs. Paul, Nadal, and more Mike Tyson, left, slaps Jake Paul during a weigh-in ahead of their heavyweight bout, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal serves during a training session at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, in Malaga, southern Spain, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) A fan takes a picture of the moon prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Uruguay and Colombia in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich) Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 18th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Taylor Fritz of the United States reacts during the final match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Italy's Jannik Sinner at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) fails to pull in a pass against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson) Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, top right, scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) India's Tilak Varma jumps in the air as he celebrates after scoring a century during the third T20 International cricket match between South Africa and India, at Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski warms up before facing the Seattle Kraken in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Kansas State players run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) A fan rapped in an Uruguay flag arrives to the stands for a qualifying soccer match against Colombia for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) People practice folding a giant United States flag before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Marquinhos attempts to stop the sprinklers that were turned on during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Venezuela at Monumental stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Georgia's Georges Mikautadze celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League, group B1 soccer match between Georgia and Ukraine at the AdjaraBet Arena in Batumi, Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili) Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque, right, attempts to score while Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) keep the puck out of the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Mike Tyson, left, fights Jake Paul during their heavyweight boxing match, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario misses the third goal during the Nations League soccer match between Italy and France, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President-elect Donald Trump attends UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Fans argue in stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Israel at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Thursday Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova hits a return against Danielle Collins, of the United States, during a tennis match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Malaga, southern Spain. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) St. John's guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) falls after driving to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against New Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) England's Anthony Gordon celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Katie Taylor, left, lands a right to Amanda Serrano during their undisputed super lightweight title bout, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner, right, tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington, left, on a punt return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) UConn's Paige Bueckers (5) battles North Carolina's Laila Hull, right, for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) Get local news delivered to your inbox!