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The controversy around a religious Christmas sign that was taken down in downtown Kelowna continues. Two days after a sign stating 'Keep Christ in Christmas' was removed from the nativity scene display at Stuart Park, Kelowna-Centre MLA Kristina Loewen went to social media to express her opinion on the matter. "We believe that it's an important detail that Christmas is a Christian holiday," said Loewen in her video, referring to 'we' as all of the MLAs for the Central Okanagan. "We will be standing united and defending all British Columbians rights to religion and freedom of expression, speech, thought, belief," she added. "Canada is an incredible country full of diverse cultures and religions, and a wide variety of views, and I think that's one of the things that makes us so incredible." Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong agreed with her fellow Conservative, quote-tweeting the video and saying "a great message from a colleague and friend. I'm proud to be part of a team that stands for what's right." Macklin McCall, MLA for West Kelowna, also quote-tweeted Loewen's post. However, Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew appears to not have commented on social media. The nativity scene is put up by the Knights of Columbus every year and a permit is given from the City of Kelowna to do so. When the 'Keep Christ in Christmas' sign was displayed beside the scene on Monday, Dec. 9, some people in the community, including the Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists Association (KASHA) took issue. A letter by KASHA to Black Press Media on Dec. 9, stated the nativity scene is part of Christmas, just as "lights, festive trees, and other decorative displays" are also. "This message is not merely festive—it is political, advocating for a specific religious interpretation of the holiday," said KASHA about the sign. The next day, the sign was taken down and the City of Kelowna confirmed that the sign was not part of the Knights of Columbus' permit for the nativity scene. The Knights of Columbus had no comment regarding the matter. Capital News reached out to Loewen for further comment but was met with an automatic e-mail reply. Additionally, the City of Kelowna stated it had no comment on Loewen's video. However, Ian Bushfield the executive director of the B.C. Humanist Association did have a comment. "Freedom of religion in Canada includes freedom from religion," said Bushfield in an e-mailed statement. "Ms. Loewen and all Christians are obviously free to celebrate Christmas as a Christian holiday but our governments have a clear duty of religious neutrality. That means neither endorsing nor prohibiting any religion over any other. That sign, and arguably even the nativity scene, being on public property breaches that duty. She can put the sign up at her church or at her own house but we do not live in a theocracy." Bushfield has previously stated that BCHA is an organization committed to secular values. “Part of that is the separation of religion and government," said Bushfield. The City of Kelowna also said it received five letters on the matter when the sign was up but none since it's been taken down.

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Date Set for Southeast Fresno Council Seat Special ElectionOn December 26, Microsoft confirmed that its Game Pass cloud streaming platform wasn’t working as expected. Over 24 hours later, many players are still complaining about long waits and disconnects. This outage comes at a time when Microsoft has been pushing a new marketing slogan that claims everything connected to the internet is an Xbox . As reported by Engadget , starting around 12:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, users began complaining of long waits and disconnects when trying to play games via Xbox’s cloud streaming service. This option is available to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers and lets them play a large library of games across multiple devices, including tablets, phones, and TVs. However, as of 4:30 p.m. ET today, Xbox doesn’t seem to have a timetable for when streaming will be back up and running for everyone. On December 26, about an hour after the outage started, Xbox support tweeted out that the company was “aware” that “users may be experiencing issues launching Cloud Gaming titles.” The account told people to check on the official Xbox status page for updates. Since then, things haven’t improved much. On December 27 at 10 a.m. ET , the company posted a follow-up claiming that users might see a long wait time displayed when launching a game on the cloud, but that this wait time wasn’t accurate. However, checking the comments on the post and elsewhere, it still seems like people can’t even connect and play games on their phones or other devices. As of 3:30 p.m. ET, the Xbox support page states: “We’re close to resolving the issue.” I expect the issue will be resolved, likely a few hours after this post goes live (or sooner). But the timing couldn’t be worse. This holiday season, Xbox really pushed the idea that its cloud streaming option could replace a console . You didn’t need an Xbox if you were a Game Pass subscriber with phone or a smart TV. You could just stream all those games instantly. And as a result, I imagine that this Christmas season saw a lot of kids and teens get Game Pass subs so they can stream games without their parents having to buy a pricey Xbox . A lot of people are probably experiencing cloud streaming for the first time this holiday season and, well, this outage is a very blunt reminder that while you can stream games on your phone, it ain’t an Xbox. An Xbox can work without an internet connection, and it can play your games offline. A phone can’t. Maybe Xbox should make that more clear in all those cute ads promoting every device as an Xbox? .Ahead of the 2025 fiscal year, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube faced a daunting task on Thursday: revitalising Zimbabwe’s economy and filling the coffers of a Government encountering challenges to meet its obligations. In 2024, Government coffers came short, forcing Treasury to order ministries, departments and Government agencies (MDA) to prioritise spending. In a letter to the MDAs, Treasury said during the last quarter of the year, priority will be given to support social protection programmes, “which are still lagging behind in terms of their budget utilisation”. This is after revenue projections fell short of expenditures. During the first nine months of the year, total revenue collections amounted to ZiG62,4 billion, against expenditures amounting to ZiG66,5 billion. Consequently, a budget deficit of ZiG4,1 billion was recorded. Total revenue collections to year end are projected at ZiG110,7 billion, while expenditures are expected at ZiG119,97 billion (18,4 percent of GDP), resulting in a projected deficit of ZiG9,3 billion. With a constrained fiscal space, Treasury relied heavily on borrowing and even faced accusations of excessive money printing. The fiscal deficit as at September 2024 stood at ZiG4,1 billion and was financed through issuance of securities amounting to ZiG2,3 billion and drawdown of bank balance carried forward from the previous financial year. The year 2025 is not expected to be any better. In line with the projected GDP growth of 6 percent, during 2025, revenue collections are estimated at ZiG 270,3 billion (19,6 percent of GDP) while the 2025 fiscal framework provides for overall expenditures of ZiG276,4 billion or 20,1 percent of GDP. In US dollar terms, the Fiscal Framework translates to a GDP of approximately US$38,2 billion, revenues of US$7,5 billion and expenditures of US$7,7 billion. Mthuli said the budget deficit will be financed from the domestic markets and external sources. However, even after accounting for borrowing, the spending envelope still fell short of vote allocations. During the 2025 National Budget formulation stage, MDAs submitted total bids of over ZiG$700 billion, against the available budget envelope of ZiG 276,4 billion. This is more than double the ceiling of revenue collection capacity of 19,6 percent of GDP. To address this, Mthuli embarked on an ambitious plan to broaden the tax base by tightening existing tax administration and introducing new taxes and regulations. One such measure was the imposition of a “Fast Foods Tax” on popular items like pizza, burgers, and shawarma that will attract a tax rate of 0,5 percent on the sales value, with effect from 1 January 2025. The betting industry was not spared. A 10 percent withholding tax was imposed on the gross winnings of sports betting punters, aiming to tap into this growing sector. Furthermore, a wide range of businesses, from fabric and clothing merchandisers to car dealers and lodges, are now mandated to register for corporate and personal income tax. Failure to comply would result in hefty penalties. Mthuli proposed that any operator that fails to register and account for taxes be compelled to pay tax between US$9 000 and US$15 000. “I, further, propose to empower ZIMRA to temporarily close businesses which fail to adhere to the above requirements, including failure to register for tax purposes, until such registration and payment of applicable taxes are completed,” said Mthuli. To monitor transactions and enhance tax compliance, even small businesses were required to adopt the Virtual Fiscalisation System. “I, propose to extend the Virtual Fiscalisation System for the recording of VAT taxable transactions to Micro and Small Enterprises whose turnover falls below the VAT registration threshold for purposes of monitoring sales, during the first quarter of 2025. “This will assist in promoting transparency and ultimately enhance tax compliance by Micro and Small Enterprises,” said Mthuli. The mining sector also came under scrutiny. Mineral royalties were included in the definition of taxes, and mining companies were required to register for income tax before applying for mining rights. “I, therefore, wish to emphasise that, in the general interest of the public, royalties shall be payable on any mineral or mineral bearing ore or products during any period of assessment. “In addition, I propose that the Minister responsible for Finance be empowered to designate any mineral as being subject to royalties, notwithstanding the provisions of any other legislation. The Government also introduced a Special Capital Gains Tax on the transfer of mining rights. “I propose that no mining company should be allowed to make any application for mining rights without registration for Personal and Corporate Income Tax. “While these measures aimed to increase revenue, Mthuli also acknowledged the need for tax relief. The personal income tax-free threshold was adjusted to provide relief to taxpayers. “I propose to review the local currency Tax-Free Threshold to ZiG2 800 per month and accordingly adjust the tax bands,” said Mthuli. Additionally, the Capital Gains Withholding Tax on marketable securities was reduced. “I, therefore, propose that marketable securities be subject to Capital Gains Withholding Tax at a rate of 1 percent on the gross value of the price at which the security is sold, with effect from January 1, 2025. To promote environmental sustainability, the Government introduced a 20 percent Plastic Carrier Bag Tax and provided incentives for the use of electric vehicles and solar power. Trigrams Investment analyst, Walter Mandeya, said the success of these measures will depend on effective implementation and enforcement. “As Zimbabwe navigates its economic challenges, the Government’s ability to strike a delicate balance between taxation and economic growth will be crucial,” he said. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s economy is poised for significant growth in 2025, with projections indicating a 6 percent expansion. While slightly lower than the initial forecast of 6,5 percent, this figure represents a significant rebound from previous years including 2024, which is expected to grow by just 2 percent. Key sectors driving this growth include agriculture, which is expected to surge by 12,8 percent, powered by favourable weather conditions and increased investment. The energy sector, specifically electricity generation, is projected to grow by 10.6 percent, alleviating power shortages and boosting industrial activity. The information technology sector, a burgeoning industry, is anticipated to expand by 9,9 percent, fueled by increasing digital adoption and innovation. The mining sector, a traditional economic mainstay, is expected to grow by 5,6 percent, driven by rising commodity prices and increased investment in mining operations. On the demand side, private consumption is projected to be the primary driver of growth in 2025, with an estimated 6,6 percent increase. This is attributed to a strong recovery in household spending as economic conditions improve. Government consumption is also expected to contribute to growth, albeit at a more modest pace of 5,3 percent. Gross fixed capital investment is projected to rebound significantly from 0.5 percent in 2024 to 4,6 percent in 2025. This surge in investment is expected to be driven by the private sector, which is increasingly confident in the country’s economic outlook. The economy is expected to experience stable inflation in 2025, with a projected average month-on-month inflation rate of less than 3 percent. This stability is attributed to the implementation of tight fiscal and monetary policies. While US dollar year-on-year inflation increased from -2,9 percent in January 2024 to 3,3 percent in November 2024, the outlook for the exchange rate remains positive. Mandeya, however, called for caution. “While these projections are promising, it is crucial to note that several challenges remain. These include high levels of debt, infrastructure deficits and political uncertainty. ‘However, with prudent economic policies, sustained reforms, and a conducive business environment, Zimbabwe has the potential to unlock its economic potential and achieve sustainable growth,’ said Mandeya. Source: Business Weekly

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the alleged crimes of R.R. Nagar BJP MLA Munirathna, has recently chargesheeted him for rape, honey trap and attempts to infect others with AIDS. The 2,481-page charge sheet includes accounts of 146 witnesses and 850 documents as evidence. Of the 146 witnesses, eight have already recorded their statements before a magistrate. The police have also recovered a few videos that Munirathna allegedly honeytrapped and recorded. The chargesheet was submitted to the Special Court of Magistrate for Criminal Cases against Former and Present MPs and MLAs on December 17. A political activist had lodged a complaint that Munirathna befriended her during the pandemic, raped her, recorded his act on a video and blackmailed her using that video. She alleged that he forced her to help him honeytrap his political adversaries using an HIV+ woman. During the investigation into the case, it had also come to light that Munirathna and inspector Iyan Reddy had conspired to attempt to infect the then Revenue Minister and now Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R. Ashok, with HIV-infected blood. However, the conspiracy failed. Of the eight listed as suspects in the FIR, SIT has charge-sheeted MLA Munirathna, police inspector Iyan Reddy and two of Munirathna’s associates, Srinivas P. and Sudhakar R. They have been charged under sections 376 (2) (n) for raping the same woman repeatedly, 270 for malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life, and 354 C for voyeurism, of the Indian Penal Code, and 66E of Information Technology Act, 2000, for capturing the image of a private area of any person without his or her consent. Published - December 27, 2024 09:40 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Karnataka

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Buffalo Sabres FREE LIVE STREAM (12/27/24): Watch NHL regular season online | Time, TV, channelNoneAQABA, Jordan (AP) — Top U.S. officials were in the Middle East on Thursday, pushing for stability in Syria and an end to Israel’s 14-month war in the Gaza Strip in a last-ditch diplomatic push by the outgoing Biden administration before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in a few weeks. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Jordan and Turkey for talks on how to ensure a peaceful transition of power in Syria following the ouster of longtime President Bashar Assad , while White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan was in Israel in a bid to wrap up a ceasefire with Hamas militants. A ceasefire would give President Joe Biden a final diplomatic victory after a turbulent term in which his administration has been unable to halt a brutal war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives in Gaza and plunged the territory into a humanitarian crisis. Trump has demanded the immediate release of hostages , threatening on social media that otherwise there would be “HELL TO PAY,” and has urged the U.S. not to get involved in Syria , where some 900 troops are based to combat the Islamic State militant group. Speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv, Sullivan expressed cautious optimism that conditions were ripe for halting the long-running conflict before the Biden administration leaves office. “I wouldn’t be here now if I didn’t think this thing was just waiting until after January 20,” he said of when Trump will be inaugurated. The war erupted with Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border attack, in which militants killed some 1,200 people in Israel and took 250 others hostage. Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed nearly 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza health officials, caused widespread displacement and led to severe hunger across the territory. U.S.-led ceasefire efforts have repeatedly faltered throughout the war, with the warring sides blaming each other for the failure. Israel has said it is seeking the destruction of Hamas’ governing and military capabilities, at times pressing ahead with the offensive in the face of U.S. calls for restraint. Hamas, meanwhile, has stuck to its demands that any ceasefire include a permanent end to the fighting and full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The U.S. has backed Israel with key military and diplomatic support. But at times, it also has appeared helpless in urging Israel to minimize civilian casualties and to enable the delivery of more humanitarian aid into Gaza . Sullivan said the rapid-fire changes across the region have improved the chances for success. He said Israel’s ceasefire with Hezbollah last month, ending more than a year of fighting, the collapse of Syria’s government and the heavy blow Israel has inflicted on Hamas have all changed the negotiating climate. He also said there has been good cooperation with the incoming Trump administration , with widespread agreement between them. “The surround sound of these negotiations is different today than it has been in the past,” Sullivan told reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I got the sense from the prime minister that he’s ready to do the deal,” Sullivan added. “We see movement from Hamas.” Sullivan is now scheduled to head to Qatar and Egypt, which have served as mediators throughout the war. Any deal would include the release of hostages held by Hamas, an exchange of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and a surge in badly needed humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel says Hamas is holding about 100 hostages — at least one-third of whom are believed to have died. As Sullivan was in Israel, Blinken met with Jordanian and Turkish leaders to push for a peaceful transition of power in post-Assad Syria. “We’re back in the region at a time of both real promise but also peril for Syria and for its neighbors,” Blinken told reporters in Aqaba, Jordan, after meeting with King Abdullah II. He said the U.S. was working with its regional partners to help Syria “transition away from Assad’s brutal dictatorship” and toward a new government that isn’t dominated by any single religious or ethnic group, by an outside power or the Islamic State militant group. “We’re determined to do everything we can, working in close coordination with partners, to help the Syrian people realize that aspiration,” Blinken said. Syria is home to an array of armed groups with competing interests and allies. In northern Syria, U.S.-backed Kurdish separatists are battling to fend off fighters supported by Turkey. In the country’s center and northeast, the extremist Islamic State group maintains a presence that generates concern for the U.S. And the rebels, hailing mainly from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, face the daunting task of creating a transitional government for the war-ravaged country. The leader of Syria’s biggest rebel faction is a former al-Qaida commander whose Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group is poised to chart the country’s future. The U.S. and the U.N. have designated the hardline Sunni Islamist group a terrorist organization. The goal of creating a free and pluralistic Syria will be a challenge given the bad blood stretching across Syria’s sectarian lines after over half a century of Assad family rule and more than 13 years of civil war that claimed an estimated 500,000 lives. Blinken started his trip in Jordan, a close U.S. ally whose fragile economy has been strained over the years by an influx of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees. He then went to Turkey — a backer of Sunni rebels but a foe of the Kurds. In a late-night meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a VIP lounge at Ankara’s airport, Blinken pressed the importance of keeping up the fight against IS. Officials called it an effort to urge the Turks not to launch military operations against U.S.-backed Kurdish rebels who Washington believes have been critical to battling IS. Blinken “emphasized the need to ensure the coalition to defeat ISIS can continue to execute its critical mission,” the State Department said, using another acronym for the Islamic State group. Israel, meanwhile, has sent troops into Syria — its northern neighbor — and seized a former buffer zone that had been demilitarized since a 1974 truce. Israel has described it as defensive, meant to protect its border and prevent armed groups from seizing weapons left behind by Assad’s army. Netanyahu said Thursday that the move was temporary. But he said Israel would remain inside Syria until another party can secure the border, raising the likelihood of a prolonged and open-ended presence. Sullivan tried to play down the Israeli move, noting that Assad was toppled just days ago and it is too early to jump to any conclusions. But Blinken was more cautious as he called for restraint by all regional players with interests in Syria. He said the U.S. is “already talking to Israel” and others about the future of Syria. “Across the board, when it comes to any actors who have real interests in Syria, it’s also really important at this time that we all try to make sure that we’re not sparking any additional conflicts,” he said. Federman reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed from Washington.

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Panaji: With artificial intelligence improving significantly, cybercriminals are harnessing its use to gather information about victims, with “bigger, bolder and better attacks” expected in 2025, said cybersecurity firm Fortinet in its cyberthreat prediction report. Fortinet stated that cybercriminals are embracing large language models (LLM) to craft phishing attacks that can convince victims that the request is genuine. “Our threat predictions for the coming year primarily focus on cybercriminals embracing bigger, bolder, and — from their perspectives — better attacks,” said the report. Just this week, cybercriminals created fake profiles of editors and senior journalists of several media houses to seek money. Earlier, fake messaging accounts of MLAs and ministers were created to obtain funds from contacts. The tactic of using profiles of known or credible persons increases the success rate and enables attackers to bypass typical red flags that alert users to fraudulent emails, say cyber security experts. Though police complaints have been filed, no arrests have been made and police have not provided any updates either. Cyber fraudsters use AI to build detailed social engineering profiles by analysing social media posts, public data, and other online content. This data is then used to tailor communications to match the victim’s interests, work relationships, and even recent activities. “The precision of these AI-enhanced profiles increases the likelihood that targets will trust and engage with malicious actors, leading to higher rates of credential theft or unauthorised data access,” said Fortinet. Goa saw a slight decline in cybercrimes in the June-Oct period, but cybercriminals continue to swindle locals through a variety of means such as digital arrests, malicious payment gateways, and fake links. “From gathering data more efficiently to using large language models (LLMs) to craft phishing communications that are more realistic than ever, experienced and novice threat actors are relying on AI as an ‘easy’ button to streamline their efforts. Last year, we predicted attackers would leverage AI in various ways, from conducting generative profiling to powering up password spraying,” said the Fortinet report. Attackers use machine learning to create highly-convincing phishing emails with perfect grammar and context-aware personalisation. These AI-generated emails can mimic the writing style of known contacts, making them difficult to distinguish from legitimate communications. The report predicts cybercrime tactics to evolve in the months and years ahead as AI improves. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .Xavier tries to get right vs. Morgan State before rivalry clash

An independent watchdog investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol found no evidence that federal agents were involved in inciting the violence, repudiating baseless claims that the FBI played a major role in the attack. According to a report released Thursday by Department of Justice Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz, no undercover FBI employees were involved in the riots or instigated any protesters to storm the Capitol. "We found no evidence in the materials we reviewed or the testimony we received showing or suggesting that the FBI had undercover employees in the various protest crowds, or at the Capitol, on January 6," the report explains. RELATED STORY | January 6 defendant tells Scripps News he may not accept a potential pardon from Trump Meanwhile, the report found that there were 26 FBI informants in Washington, D.C. on the day of the attack but none were given authorization to participate. "Our review determined that none of these FBI CHSs was authorized by the FBI to enter the Capitol or a restricted area or to otherwise break the law on January 6, nor was any CHS directed by the FBI to encourage others to commit illegal acts on January 6," the report states. The investigation found that many of those 26 informants provided the FBI with information prior to the riot that was "no more specific than" what the bureau had already been provided by other sources. RELATED STORY | Rioters who stormed Capitol after Trump's 2020 defeat toast to his White House return However, the investigation found there was a "basic step that was missed" by the FBI in the lead-up to Jan. 6, that could've potentially aided in preventing the protest from getting out of hand. "The FBI could have taken an additional step to canvass its field offices in advance of January 6 to identify any intelligence, including CHS [confidential human sources] reporting, that might have assisted with the FBI and law enforcement partners’ preparations for January 6," the report reads. Horowitz's report concludes by recommending that the FBI reassess the policies and procedures the bureau has in place to prepare for events that have the potential to cause security issues. The FBI agreed with the inspector general's recommendation.NFL Announces Lamar Jackson News With Four Games to PlayEXCLUSIVE 'Living Nostradamus' makes chilling prediction that World War III is 'imminent' and 'the worst is yet to come' 'Living Nostradamus' from Brazil has made a chilling prediction Read More: 'Living Nostradamus' makes a chilling prediction about US election By ELLEN COUGHLAN FOR MAILONLINE Published: 11:03 EST, 27 December 2024 | Updated: 11:07 EST, 27 December 2024 e-mail 13 View comments A man known as 'Living Nostradamus', who predicted the Microsoft outage in April, has now warned that World War III is 'imminent'. Athos Salomé, 37, from Brazil , is often referred to as a psychic due to the accuracy of his insights and predictions, after previously foreseeing the coronavirus pandemic, Elon Musk buying Twitter and even Queen Elizabeth's death. With tensions rising around the world, he previously warned that we are teetering on the edge of WWIII, saying 'the worst is yet to come'. Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, his latest prediction is just as frightening, as he claimed that cyber threats are one of the 'biggest threats to global security' and that increasing digitalisation of major powers is a very serious threat. He notably warned of the issues around using technology and cyber war as the major forms of combat in the twenty first century. He said: 'This is not just a war of men, but of machines, and in this aspect what comes next?' It appears that global movements support the grim forecasts that Salomé made, as Russia has reached new levels of aggression towards Ukraine, after Vladimir Putin was this week accused of orchestrating an ‘inhumane’ Christmas Day attack. The war-torn nation's president Volodymyr Zelensky said that more than 70 missiles and 100 drones targeted energy infrastructure sites across the country. The attack was said to have left hundreds of thousands without heating, killing at least four people across four regions and injuring six in the city of Kharkiv . 'Living Nostradamus' who predicted the Microsoft outage in April -now warns World War III 'is imminent' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joined the chorus of condemnation, saying it demonstrated Russia ’s ‘bloody and brutal war machine’ that showed no respite ‘even at Christmas’. Earlier this month, Russia fired an Oreshnik supersonic missile towards the city of Dnipro. Discussing the issue, Salomé said: 'At the same time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, Russia is ready to protect itself "by any measure". 'The employment of high technology equipment to engage in the conflict is therefore, without doubt, raising the sentiments of escalating the war.' In addition, Salomé also predicted that the cold war between the United States and China is turning into even more of a 'posing threat'. He said: 'Of course, recent mutual accusations of cyber espionage raised the concern over a devastating imminent hacker attack that might paralyse the defence systems or infrastructure.' Athos Salomé, 37, from Brazil , is often referred to as a psychic due to the accuracy of his insights and predictions, after previously foreseeing the coronavirus pandemic, Elon Musk buying Twitter and even Queen Elizabeth's death Vladimir Putin was this week accused of orchestrating an ‘inhumane’ Christmas Day attack after a wave of strikes pulverised Ukraine’s energy grid This is precisely the sort of situation which Salomé has predicted would lead to a ‘coordinated global failure’. Read More Putin accused of orchestrating 'inhumane' attack on Ukraine's energy grid He is certain that the South China Sea, already the scene of territorial disputes, will become the scene of a 'critical event', potentially involving massive cyber attacks. According to Salomé: 'Currently, there is some group that can perform a synchronised operation against spaces and sea communication systems to disintegrate the military systems of the superpowers and put the superpowers in disarray. The seer also warns of another emerging danger: the application of ASAT (Anti Satellite weapons) both kinetic and non-kinetic, including controlled electromagnetic pulses, as a means of destroying satellites. Salomé warned that an attack that could eventually set in motion events that could bring down civilian and military systems and possibly ignite a war of an undetermined scale. Kharkiv Ukraine Vladimir Putin Elon Musk Share or comment on this article: 'Living Nostradamus' makes chilling prediction that World War III is 'imminent' and 'the worst is yet to come' e-mail Add commentST. PAUL, Minn. — Leon Draisaitl scored his NHL -leading 21st goal and had three assists, sending the Edmonton Oilers past the Minnesota Wild 7-1 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory. Zach Hyman, Kasperi Kapanen, Connor Brown, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Troy Stecher and Derek Ryan also scored for the Oilers, who stopped a six-game losing streak at Minnesota that spanned nearly five years. Calvin Pickard stopped 27 shots for the Oilers, who handed Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson his first loss in six starts. Gustavsson, who took the NHL’s best goals-against average into the game, gave up five goals in two periods before being pulled for Marc-Andre Fleury. Freddy Gaudreau had a power-play goal for the Wild (19-6-4), who dropped behind Washington (20-6-2) for the league’s best record. Minnesota trails Winnipeg (29-9-1) in the Central Division but has played two fewer games. Takeaways Oilers: Following a rough start, Edmonton has caught stride behind one of the NHL's most productive skaters, Draisaitl. He has four goals and six assists in his last four games. Wild: Defenseman Jake Middleton, who entered with a league-best plus-22 rating, departed in the first period with an upper-body injury. Minnesota is missing top-six forwards Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello and another top-four defenseman, Jonas Brodin, to injuries. Key moment Minnesota's Matt Boldy was whistled for tripping with less than seven minutes elapsed, queueing up the league's 29th-ranked penalty kill. Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak, left, skates with the puck as Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov, right, defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. Credit: AP/Matt Krohn Five seconds later, Draisaitl one-timed in a feed from co-star Connor McDavid. The goal was later awarded to Hyman, who was pressed against the post to give Draisaitl space but had the puck deflect off his stick shaft. The Wild have yielded 11 power-play goals in 10 games. Key stat Draisaitl is on pace for 118 points, which would be 10 shy of his career high from the 2022-23 season. Up next Edmonton hosts Vegas on Saturday, when Minnesota hosts Philadelphia.

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