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Irish civil servants compiled a list of “major leaks” they claimed originated from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and Special Branch officers in the region, records show. The confidential briefing note is part of the tranche of documents made public in the annual release of State papers from the Irish National Archives. An Irish Department of Foreign Affairs official focusing on justice and security created the list in October 2002. The document starts by referencing a 1999 interview given by George Mitchell, the chairman of the Good Friday Agreement negotiations, in which he claimed the British and Irish governments, as well as Northern Ireland’s political parties, had leaked information to manipulate public opinion. However, he further accused the NIO of attempting to sabotage the process by leaking information on British Government policy to the media. Mr Mitchell, a former US senator, is said to have expressed alarm and anger over the frequency of leaks from the NIO – saying they were uniquely “designed to undermine the policy of the British Government of which they were a part”. The Irish civil servant notes Mr Mitchell himself was subjected to an attempted “smear” when he first arrived in Northern Ireland, as newspaper articles falsely claimed his chief of staff Martha Pope had had a liaison with Sinn Fein representative Gerry Kelly with ulterior motives. The Irish civil servant goes on to list several “leaks”, starting with the publication of a proposed deal in a newspaper while “intense negotiations” for the Downing Street Declaration were under way. Next, the Department lists two “high-profile and damaging leaks issued from the NIO”. A so-called “gameplan” document was leaked in February 1998, showing papers had been prepared weeks before the Drumcree march on July 6, 1997. In the preceding years, there had been standoffs and clashes as nationalists opposed the procession of an Orange parade down Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The gameplan document showed then secretary of state for Northern Ireland Mo Mowlam, who was publicly expressing a desire for a negotiated solution to the 1997 parade, advocated “finding the lowest common denominator for getting some Orange feet on the Garvaghy Road”. In 1997, a large number of security forces were deployed to the area to allow the march to proceed. The incident sparked heightened tension and a wave of rioting. The document further describes the release of a document submitted by the NIO’s director of communications to the secretary of state as a “second major leak”. It claims a publicity strategy was released to the DUP in the aftermath of the Good Friday Agreement and showed how the UK Government would support a yes vote in a referendum following any talks agreement. In addition, it is claimed unionists used leaked sections of the Patten report on policing to invalidate its findings ahead of its publication in 1999. The report recommended the replacement of the Royal Ulster Constabulary with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the changing of symbols, and a 50-50 recruitment policy for Catholics and Protestants. At the time, UUP leader David Trimble said the recommendations would lead to a corruption of policing in Northern Ireland. Chris Patten, chairman of the independent commission on policing, said some of the assertions were a “total fabrication” and designed to “muddy the waters” to create a difficult political atmosphere. Elsewhere, the author notes it was leaked to the media there was serious disagreement between the governments of the UK and Ireland on the composition of that commission – with not a single name submitted by the Irish side being accepted by the other. The author notes this incident, still under the heading “NIO leaks”, was believed by British officials to have emanated from the Irish side. The report turns to leaks of other origin, claiming “disgruntled Special Branch officers in Northern Ireland” were blamed by the British Government for a series of releases about the IRA which were designed to damage Sinn Fein in the 2001 general election in Northern Ireland. One senior Whitehall source was quoted in the Guardian as complaining that Special Branch was “leaking like a sieve” after details of an IRA intelligence database containing the names of leading Tories – described at the time as a “hit list” – was passed to the BBC in April 2002. The briefing note adds: “This was followed days later by a leak to The Sunday Telegraph which alleged that senior IRA commanders bought Russian special forces rifles in Moscow last year. “The newspaper said it was passed details by military intelligence in London.” The briefing note adds that other Special Branch leaks were associated with the Castlereagh break-in. The final incident in the document notes the Police Ombudsman’s Report on the Omagh bombing was also leaked to the press in December 2001. Then Northern Ireland secretary John Reid said at the time: “Leaks are never helpful and usually malicious – I will not be commenting on this report until I have seen the final version.” The reason for creating the list of leaks, which the Irish National Archives holds in a folder alongside briefing notes for ministers ahead of meetings with officials from the UK Government and NIO, is not outlined in the document itself. – This document is based on material in 2024/130/6.
Overall, the successful launch of the 6.67-inch Micro LED direct-emitting display panel with a glass-based HMO backplane by HKC represents a significant achievement that is poised to revolutionize the display industry. With its combination of cutting-edge technology, superior image quality, and sustainability benefits, this display panel sets a new standard for excellence in display technology. HKC's commitment to innovation and progress is evident in this groundbreaking product, and it is sure to make a lasting impact on the industry in the years to come.Impress Computers Wins Prestigious MSP Titan Award for Outstanding IT Service Excellence
Irving's journey to becoming the Mavericks' undisputed solo king has been nothing short of remarkable. Since joining the team, his exceptional ball-handling skills, lightning-quick crossovers, and unmatched scoring ability have left opponents in awe. With a fearless mentality and a killer instinct, Irving has consistently outshined his competitors in one-on-one matchups, showcasing his talent and dedication to the game.AEMO bags $728.1m for core IT upliftWhile serving as the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter—who died on December 29 at age 100—brokered a peace deal between Israel and Egypt, pioneered a federal energy program and reassured a nation that was still shaken by the Watergate scandal. Carter’s greatest legacy, however, might just be the way he approached life following his presidency. Carter, inaugurated at age 52, was relatively young when he took the highest office in the nation. He had decades of possibility ahead of him when he left the White House in 1981, and he chose to devote the latter half of his life to continued public service. In 1982, in partnership with Emory University, he established the Carter Center , an organization dedicated to promoting peace and well-being around the globe. Carter and his wife, Rosalynn , who died in November 2023 at age 96, famously volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for decades, and he brought to action what most presidents only speak about, says Claire Jerry, curator of political history at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History . “He doesn’t just talk about housing issues; he’s building houses. He doesn’t just talk about fair elections; he’s traveling the world to ensure that they happen,” Jerry says. “He’s actually doing the things that other people only give words to.” Mindy Farmer, a historian with the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, agrees. “One of the interesting things about being a post-president or former president is that there’s no job description for what you do. You can do any number of things, and some presidents have chosen a life that’s quiet. Some have chosen to be activists. But Carter is really remarkable for choosing to be a nonpartisan humanitarian.” The National Portrait Gallery is home to a significant archive of Carter images , including those displayed here. “Our portraits of Jimmy Carter include images by noted photographers Ansel Adams and Diana Walker. We have prints by Andy Warhol,” says Farmer. “We have several paintings of distinction, and we have many pieces that at one time adorned the cover of Time magazine. Those span a number of mediums, including collages, sculptures and more paintings. And, of course, we have political cartoons.” Carter will be remembered for governing with a sense of morality and honesty, in his approach to both foreign affairs and domestic matters. The late president said in 1978, “Human rights is the soul of our foreign policy.” He maintained his commitment to human rights in his projects with the Carter Center, and he was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” “He was absolutely steadfast in promoting human rights across the globe,” says Farmer. “It actually cost him at times in his overall foreign policy, but to that he was committed, and that commitment extended not just to the presidency, but the post-presidency.” Domestically, Carter implemented policies that were progressive for his time. He was devoted to protecting the environment in ways big and small, from the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to the solar panels he installed on the roof of the White House. In his infamous “Crisis of Confidence” speech , Carter stressed the gravity of the energy crisis and warned of “a loss of a unity of purpose for our nation”—ideas that the public perhaps was not ready to hear in the 1970s, Jerry says. Carter enjoyed the longest life of any U.S. president, and he made his many years count. Although his commitment to human rights and ethics may have been underappreciated during his term in office, Jerry says his reputation was resurrected in his out-of-office life. “This idea that the post-presidential platform has a lot of power will be an enduring legacy of Jimmy Carter,” she says. “I think future post-presidencies will be measured against his mark.” James Earl Carter Jr. was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. His family owned a peanut farm, which would become the subject of good-natured jokes throughout Carter’s political campaigns. At age 10, young Jimmy had already started helping with the family business by selling produce from the farm at the town market. Inspired by postcards from his uncle Tom Gordy , Carter decided to join the Navy at a young age. After completing two years at Georgia Southwestern College and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Carter enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated in the top ten percent of his class in 1946. In the Navy, Carter completed two years of surface ship duty before applying to join the submarine service. Admiral Hyman G. Rickover selected the then-lieutenant to join a new nuclear submarine program, where he would become an engineering officer for the nuclear power plant of the U.S.S. Seawolf . However, when the senior Carter fell ill and died in 1953, Jimmy returned to Plains to take over the family business. Carter married Rosalynn Smith, a friend of his sister Ruth, shortly after graduating from the Naval Academy in 1946. Together, they operated Carter’s Warehouse, a seed and farm supply company, in the years following his father’s death. Upon his return to Plains, Carter quickly became a community leader in the areas of education, the hospital authority and the local library. He pursued leadership roles in local elections, winning a seat in the State Senate in 1962 and becoming Georgia’s governor in 1971 after losing his first gubernatorial race in 1966. On December 12, 1974, Carter announced his candidacy for president of the United States. Although he was the Democratic National Committee chairman for the congressional and gubernatorial elections earlier that year, he was entirely unknown in the public sphere—in fact, after his announcement, the Atlanta Constitution ran a headline that read, “Jimmy Who is Running for What!?” Carter’s outsider status turned out to be an advantage given the state of post- Watergate politics. The public was still distrustful of what has come to be known as the imperial presidency, says Jerry, so a newcomer was more than welcome in Washington. “Carter ran very much as a more personal candidate,” Jerry said. “‘We’re going to restore honesty to the White House; we’re going to really work on this together.’ And that resonated very, very positively with the American people.” The 1976 election saw a record number of primaries as the presidential nomination process we know today coalesced, giving Carter the opportunity for nationwide exposure. His campaign established the modern role of the Iowa caucuses as a litmus test for the nation. “He really anticipated that if he was to make a showing in Iowa, it would vault him to the list of front-runner candidates,” Jerry says. Carter came out of Iowa as the top candidate—second only to “uncommitted” in the polls—proving his personal campaigning strategy to be a success. Carter was nominated on the first ballot at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, and he went on to defeat incumbent President Gerald Ford in the presidential election on November 2, 1976. Following his inauguration, Carter opted to walk from the Capitol to the White House with his wife and daughter in the Inaugural Parade, symbolizing a humble shift away from the imperial presidency. On his first full day in office, Carter pardoned hundreds of thousands of Vietnam War draft evaders in an attempt to heal the psychic effects of the war and the social unrest that came with it. Throughout his inaugural year, Carter prioritized energy policy and urged the public to seriously consider the energy crisis. In a televised April 1977 speech , the president called the impending crisis the “moral equivalent of war” and emphasized energy conservation measures. He established the Department of Energy with the Department of Energy Organization Act later that year, but he expressed frustration with the slow pace of energy reform for the remainder of his presidency. “He creates new protected land, especially in Alaska,” notes Farmer. “He encouraged the creation of new forms of renewable energy. In fact, he created [the] Department of Energy just to do that. Under his administration, we see the development of nuclear, wind, solar and other sustainable sources of energy.” Carter inherited the economic quagmire of stagflation, a combination of high inflation and unemployment and slow economic growth. He managed to decrease the budget deficit and create some eight million jobs during his time in office, but inflation and interest rates continued to rise. Toward the end of his presidency, Carter created another new cabinet-level department, the Department of Education , to expand social services for children and families. When it came to foreign policy, Carter took a values-based approach of protecting democracy and advocating for human rights abroad. His most celebrated achievement in the global sphere is the Camp David Accords, the result of a two-week meeting that put to rest 30 years of conflict between Egypt and Israel, and that set a framework for the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty of 1979. Carter also relieved tension between the U.S. and Latin America with the ratification of the Panama Canal treaties that returned the canal zone to the Panamanians. Additionally, he set a precedent for future foreign affairs in Asia by officially establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Carter further strained U.S. relations with the Soviet Union, especially when he criticized Soviet rights abuses openly. While this may have exacerbated Cold War tensions, some historians credit Carter’s bold criticism as a catalyst for later social reforms in the Soviet Union. Nonetheless, there were casualties in Carter’s dicey diplomacy with the Soviets, such as the failure to ratify the SALT II nuclear limitation treaty. With a series of unfortunate events—namely the Iran hostage crisis—causing discord during Carter’s final year in office, he failed to win reelection in 1980. However, he bounced back with a uniquely strong post-presidency. The Carter Center , a nongovernmental organization committed to promoting human rights around the globe, has engaged in conflict resolution, overseen democratic elections and pioneered public health initiatives in more than 80 countries. His 2002 Nobel Peace Prize made him the third of four presidents to receive the honor. The former chief executive also wrote more than 30 books , including several memoirs, a poetry collection and a children’s book, and he won three Grammy Awards for his audiobooks. Many of Carter’s books deal with the topic of religious faith, which was central to the way he approached his life and death. At a Sunday school lesson at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, in November 2019, Carter shared his reflections on death. “I obviously prayed about it,” Carter said of his diagnosis of metastatic melanoma, which he beat in 2015. “I didn’t ask God to let me live, but I asked God to give me a proper attitude toward death. And I found that I was absolutely and completely at ease with death.”QUT elevates student experience – one support query at a time
Eyes on the skiesNoneOfficials with the federal department leading the widespread deployment of a national electric vehicle charging infrastructure project express hope that the program will continue under the new Donald Trump administration, but offered little assurances. “It’s been a really great office, and I certainly think it will continue. But we’ll see,” remarked Linda Bailey, program manager for technical assistance at the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, speaking of the work of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI), funded with $7.5 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to help build thousands of EV charging ports along major corridors. Bailey was speaking Thursday on a panel discussion hosted by Veloz, a Sacramento-based EV policy and advocacy group. The IIJA is a signature piece of the President Joseph Biden administration’s domestic agenda. The $1.2 trillion legislation received bipartisan support in Congress, and is aimed at modernizing the nation’s long-neglected infrastructure. A companion piece of legislation known as the Inflation Reduction Act has been investing billions of dollars into initiatives to address climate change, and reorienting the nation’s economy toward the technologies of tomorrow. That legislation passed with virtually no Republican support, and the president-elect has signaled his distaste for key pieces of it, like extending tax credits toward the purchase of electric vehicles. “I really can’t comment, unfortunately, on what the new administration will do,” Bailey said, when asked about the future of the tax credit. “I will say that continuity is really important for businesses in terms of tax planning. And the changes in the tax code could just change peoples’ plans, in general.” Among consumers, she noted, “there’s a lot of momentum, overall” for EVs. President-elect Donald Trump could not unilaterally remove the tax credit, since it is part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which would require congressional action to amend the law. That glass half-full outlook may do little to calm fears among EV advocates. Trump has picked Chris Wright, an oil and gas executive to lead the U.S. Department of Energy, and has put forward Sean Duffy, a former Republican Congressman from Wisconsin, and a host of Fox Business, to lead the Department of Transportation. “Changes in administrations may bring changes in priorities. This is a natural part of our democratic process. The Joint Office will continue to address priorities across the departments of Energy and Transportation,” , executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, said during the panel. Klein devoted most of his comments to the office’s accomplishments during the last three years. Much of the planning and design phase for the hundreds of high-speed charging stations developed as part of the NEVI program is done, and stations are now beginning to go online, serving drivers. Some 39 charging sites are now active in 12 states, with another 10 under construction, said Steve Birkett, an electrification consultant at Plug and Play EV, which produces educational media for EV drivers. “Construction is really starting to accelerate,” Birkett said during the panel. “There are [openings] so often, every day.” The NEVI program operates as a formula program of the federal government, and sends funding directly to states. So far, all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and Puerto Rico have submitted and received approval on two rounds of EV charging plans under NEVI, unlocking nearly $2.5 billion in formula funding to be used toward the construction of high-speed charging stations, Klein said. To date, 47 states have received approval on their third state plan, to tap an addition $726 million for Fiscal Year 2025 funding. Because of the way the program is structured, it’s not easy to claw back money once it’s been apportioned, officials said. “I don’t believe formula funding like this has been rescinded in the past,” Bailey said. “I’ll just say that. There’s no guarantee. Anything can change, of course. “I don’t know that anyone will want to kind of take that back, out of the state’s hands, out of the private sector’s hands,” she added. “I would expect steady progress, barring something that has really never happened before, which is that apportionments that already went to states being changed.”
Eyes on the skies
Cost to build TransLink's first new battery bus depot in Vancouver grows to $848 million
Acknowledged for strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and continued commitment to sustainability through net-zero initiatives and responsible value chain management INCHEON, South Korea , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940.KS), a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), today announced its continued recognition by the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI), a globally recognized benchmark for evaluating the sustainability performance of over 2,500 publicly traded companies. Samsung Biologics was recognized for its dedication to embed sustainable business practices across its operations, particularly robust environmental efforts, including progress toward achieving net-zero emissions and an enhanced focus on carbon reduction across the value chain. The company has been listed for four consecutive years. "This achievement demonstrates our commitment to driving sustainability across our operations and the broader biopharma value chain," said John Rim , President and CEO of Samsung Biologics. "We remain focused on delivering meaningful progress toward a net-zero future while supporting our clients and partners with their ESG goals and contribute to a healthier world." Samsung Biologics continues to advance ESG initiatives, including its leadership role within the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI). As a champion of the Supply Chains Working Group in the SMI Health Systems Task Force, the company actively engages global suppliers to decarbonize and build more resilient value chains. The global CDMO is accelerating transition to renewable energy through its Power Purchase Agreement, Renewable Energy Certificate, also having completed Product Carbon Footprint measurements to support our clients in achieving net-zero. This year, Samsung Biologics joined the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative and also received an EcoVadis platinum sustainability rating. About Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd. Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940.KS) is a fully integrated, end-to-end CDMO service provider, offering seamless development and manufacturing solutions from cell line development to final aseptic fill/finish as well as laboratory testing support for the biopharmaceutical products we manufacture. Our state-of-the-art facilities are CGMP compliant with bioreactors ranging from small to large scales to serve varying client needs. To maximize our operational efficiency and expand our capabilities in response to growing biomanufacturing demand, Samsung Biologics offers a combined 604 kL total capacity. The company launched Bio Campus II with the construction of Plant 5, which will be operational in April 2025, adding 180 kL biomanufacturing capacity. Additionally, Samsung Biologics America enables the company to work in closer proximity to clients based in the U.S. and Europe. We continue to upgrade our capabilities to accommodate our clients by investing in a dedicated antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) facility, mRNA technologies, and additional aseptic filling capacity. As a sustainable CDMO partner of choice, we are committed to on-time, in-full delivery of the products we manufacture with our flexible manufacturing solutions, operational excellence, and proven expertise. Samsung Biologics Media Contact Claire Kim , Head of Global Marketing Communication [email protected] SOURCE Samsung Biologics
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In conclusion, Gong Li's late-night badminton session is not just a moment captured in time but a reflection of her enduring spirit, unwavering dedication, and timeless charm. By embracing challenges, defying expectations, and staying true to herself, Gong Li continues to inspire generations with her grace, elegance, and unwavering zest for life. As she gracefully navigates the world of cinema and beyond, Gong Li reminds us that age is no barrier to living life to the fullest and embodying the essence of vitality and charm.In the ever-evolving landscape of modern football, where loyalty and ambition often collide, the story of Marcus Rashford and his future at Manchester United embodies the complexities and challenges faced by players seeking to leave their mark on the game. As the saga plays out in the coming months, one thing is for sure – the legacy of Rashford, both on and off the pitch, is set to endure as one of the defining narratives of this era in football.
Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a "state of credit card report" for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it's not just about the rewards. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer immediate access to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer a more efficient way to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don't use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders' status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called tokenization when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted "token" that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn't require you to have your physical cards present, there's less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse. More From NerdWallet Should You Donate Your Points and Miles to Charity? Need Credit Card Debt Relief? Debt Management Could Help If You’re in Credit Card Debt, Forget About Rewards Funto Omojola writes for NerdWallet. Email: fomojola@nerdwallet.com . The article Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step originally appeared on NerdWallet.Standing tall as a symbol of luxury and sophistication, Summit Towers has proven to be a popular choice among high-net-worth individuals. The project's exclusive offerings and premium services have contributed to its success in the market.US charges Iranians over deadly strike on American troops Joshua says, "We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about dangers of American technologies getting into dangerous hands" US Attorney District of Massachusetts Joshua Levy takes questions from reporters during a news conference, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, at the federal courthouse, in Boston. — AFP US officials announced on Monday the arrest of two Iranian men for export violations linked to a drone strike that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers. More than 40 other service members were injured in a drone attack at a Jordanian military base near the Syrian border in January, the Pentagon said at the time of the incident. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); The two men, one an Iranian and the other a naturalised American-Iranian, allegedly colluded to ship navigational components to Iran which were used in the drone that executed the strike. "We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technologies getting into dangerous hands," said Joshua Levy, the United States Attorney for Massachusetts. "Unfortunately, in this situation, we are not speculating, as alleged in this criminal complaint, the grave potential damage from the leak of American technology overseas came to fruition approximately 11 months ago." Mohammad Abedininajafabadi was arrested by the FBI in Italy and US authorities are seeking his extradition after he allegedly procured sophisticated US-made navigation technology, circumventing export laws. Iranian-American Mahdi Sadeghi works for a US company making precision navigational aides and allegedly colluded with Abedininajafabadi to use a shell company in Switzerland to ship restricted items from his firm to Iran. He was arrested in Massachusetts. "We believe both men conspired illegally to export sensitive technology from a semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Massachusetts to Iran using a front company in Switzerland owned by Abedini," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen using a shortened name for Abedininajafabadi. "Abedini is also the owner of an Iranian based company that makes navigation systems for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated foreign terrorist organisation. "The FBI analyzed the drone that struck (in Jordan) killing three American soldiers, and found the navigation system used in this deadly attack was allegedly manufactured by Abedini’s company." Approximately 350 US Army and Air Force personnel were deployed to the base when the attack happened, the Pentagon said in a statement at the time. "The three soldiers were killed when a one-way uncrewed aerial system impacted their container housing units," it added, apparently describing exploding drones.
UN Official Advocates for Nuclear Energy as Key to Africa’s Sustainable DevelopmentIf there was one thing No. 14 Gonzaga failed to do in nonconference play, it was learn how to finish. And the Bulldogs may not get many chances to play close games in West Coast Conference play, which they'll open Monday against Pepperdine in Malibu, Calif. Sure, the Bulldogs (9-4) trounced then-No. 8 Baylor 101-63 and then-No. 14 Indiana 89-73. But they also lost in overtime to West Virginia (86-78) and No. 4 Kentucky (90-89), dropped a 77-71 decision to two-time defending NCAA champion UConn at Madison Square Garden and are coming off a 65-62 defeat to No. 22 UCLA on Saturday. "Obviously we feel like we've been in a bunch of close games that we felt like we should have won all of them," said Gonzaga point guard Ryan Nembhard, who had 16 points and eight assists against a Bruins defense that is one of the best in the country. "We've got to close out these games and learn to win these close games." Graham Ike led the Bulldogs with 24 points as they rallied from an 11-point deficit and led for most of the final 12 1/2 minutes before stumbling. It didn't help Gonzaga that guard Khalif Battle, who is tied for third on the team with 11.8 points per game, was ejected with 4:13 remaining in the first half for a Flagrant-2 foul against UCLA's Eric Dailey Jr. "We're playing a great schedule and great teams," Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. "And you're in position to win and in college basketball, you hope you can make a play, make a shot and get a stop at the end." Ike leads Gonzaga with 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Nembhard averages 12.1 points per game and leads the country with 10.0 assists per game. The Bulldogs have won 47 consecutive games against Pepperdine (6-8, 0-1 WCC) dating to Jan. 18, 2002. It's the third-longest run against an opponent in NCAA Division I history and the longest active streak. The Waves have won four of their past six games, but are coming off a 91-80 loss Saturday at Santa Clara to open their conference slate. Stefan Todorovic led the Waves with 25 points, three rebounds, four assists and a steal. Todorovic tops the WCC with 19.7 points per game. Dovydas Butka added 16 points with eight rebounds and three assists and Moe Odum contributed 14 points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Odum is third nationally with 105 assists, with Gonzaga's Nembhard (130) the leader in that category. "The system that Coach (Ed) Schilling puts us in opens the (court) for everybody," Todorovic said. "Not just me, we can be a threat at all positions on the floor." Schilling is in his first season with the Waves after 13 years as an assistant at UMass, Memphis, UCLA, Indiana and, most recently, Grand Canyon. He also spent 1997-2003 as the head coach of Wright State. Schilling replaced Lorenzo Romar at Pepperdine. --Field Level Media
US charges Iranians over deadly strike on American troops
In addition to saving diligently, it is also important for individuals to be mindful of their consumption habits and make informed decisions about their spending. With the rise of digital and e-commerce platforms, it has become easier than ever to make impulse purchases and overspend on unnecessary items. By exercising self-discipline and practicing mindful consumption, individuals can avoid financial pitfalls and ensure that their spending aligns with their values and priorities.
