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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz admitted on Monday for the first time publicly that Israel killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran in July, further risking tensions between Tehran and arch-enemy Israel in a region shaken by Israel's war in Gaza and the conflict in Lebanon. He said Israel has defeated Hamas and Hezbollah, "blinded" Iran's defence systems and damaged its production systems. He also said the country had toppled the Assad regime in Syria, dealing a severe blow to what he called "the axis of evil." "We will also deal a severe blow to the Houthi terrorist organization in Yemen, which remains the last to stand." Israel will "damage their strategic infrastructure, and we will behead their leaders — just as we did to Haniyeh, Sinwar and Nasrallah in Tehran, Gaza and Lebanon — we will do it in Hodeidah and Sana'a," Katz said during an evening honouring Defence Ministry personnel. The Iran-backed group in Yemen has been attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea for more than a year to try to enforce a naval blockade on Israel, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel's year-long war in Gaza. In late July, the political leader of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas was killed in Tehran in an assassination that Iranian authorities blamed on Israel. There was no direct claim of responsibility by Israel for the killing of Haniyeh at the time. Yemenis protest to condemn the killing of Hamas leader Haniyeh, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Aug. 2. Arabic reads, 'Martyr Ismail Haniyeh.' (Osamah Abdulrahman/The Associated Press) Haniyeh, normally based in Qatar, had been the face of Hamas's international diplomacy as the war, set off by the attack the group led on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, has raged in Gaza. He had been taking part in internationally brokered indirect talks on reaching a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave. North Gaza hospital faces 'continuous daily threat' from Israeli strikes, says director Months after, Israeli forces in Gaza killed Yahya Sinwar, Haniyeh's successor and the mastermind of the Oct. 7, attack. Earlier this month, Syrian rebels toppled the Assad regime. Israeli forces moved into a part of Syrian territory that is meant to be a demilitarized zone last week, sparking accusations that the country was taking advantage of the chaos in the region to make a land grab. Israeli troops will occupy buffer zone inside Syria for the foreseeable future, says Netanyahu
Daily scores two TDs to help No. 25 Army hold off UTSA 29-24TURIN, Italy (Reuters) -Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie scored to lead Juventus to a 2-0 Champions League win over Manchester City on Wednesday, a major blow to the English champions’ hopes of clinching a top-eight spot in the group stage of Europe’s elite competition. City, who lifted the 2023 Champions League trophy, continued a poor run of form which has brought only one victory in their last 10 games across all competitions. “(Confidence) is a big part of it, obviously it’s a mental issue as well. You can see that. You can see that sometimes one action we miss the ball or lose a duel and you can see that we drop immediately,” City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan told Amazon Prime. “It has such a big effect on us right now. At the crucial moment right now we are doing the wrong things.” Vlahovic scored by the narrowest of margins in the 53rd minute when Kenan Yildiz swung the ball in and City keeper Ederson fumbled the Serb’s header from close range and the ball sneaked just across the line, according to the goalline technology. “The whole team played an excellent match, we prepared well and did everything what we had to do,” Vlahovic told Amazon. “The result is amazing and can give us a great boost for the rest of the season.” City picked up the tempo in a desperate attempt to equalise and sent numbers forward, but Juve capitalised to double their lead against the run of play when McKennie hooked Timothy Weah’s cross in with a sumptuous volley in the 75th minute. Pep Guardiola’s team squandered several chances, one of the best falling to Erling Haaland late in first half. Kevin De Bruyne sent a beautiful through ball to the Norwegian who got in behind the defence before trying to chip goalkeeper Michele di Gregorio who threw up his arm to block the shot. Gundogan unleashed a blistering strike from long range that Di Gregorio stretched to just push wide. “We have done it really, really well, we didn’t lose many balls that happened in the past, and we arrived in the positions,” Guardiola said. “But the Italian teams that defend so deep and so compact it is not easy, they are masters of these kinds of situations.” With two games remaining in the group phase, Juventus are 14th in the table while City plummeted to 22nd, three places out of automatic elimination from the competition. Since the start of November, City have conceded more goals (21) across all competitions than any other team in Europe’s big five leagues, the worst spell in Guardiola’s otherwise sparkling managerial career. City, who host Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, continue their Champions League campaign at Paris St Germain on Jan. 22. Juventus travel to Brugge on Jan. 21. (Reporting by Lori Ewing,Editing by Toby Davis and Ed Osmond) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returned home Saturday after his meeting with Donald Trump without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks “productive” but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States. After the leaders’ hastily arranged dinner Friday night at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Trudeau spoke of “an excellent conversation." Trump said in a Truth Social post later Saturday that they discussed “many important topics that will require both Countries to work together to address.” For issues in need of such cooperation, Trump cited fentanyl and the “Drug Crisis that has decimated so many lives as a result of Illegal Immigration," fair trade deals "that do not jeopardize American Workers” and the U.S. trade deficit with its ally to the north. Trump asserted that the prime minister had made “a commitment to work with us to end this terrible devastation” of American families from fentanyl from China reaching the United States through its neighbors. The U.S., he said, “will no longer sit idly by as our Citizens become victims to the scourge of this Drug Epidemic.” The Republican president-elect has threatened to impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders when he takes office in January. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian border between October 2023 and September 2024 — and Canadian officials say they are ready to make new investments in border security. Trudeau called Trump after the Republican's social media posts about the tariffs last Monday and they agreed to meet, according to a official familiar with the matter who was not authorized to publicly discuss detail of the private talks. The official said other countries are calling Canadian officials to hear how about how the meeting was arranged and to ask for advice. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, after speaking with Trump on the telephone, said Thursday she was confident a tariff war with Washington would be averted. At the dinner that was said to last three hours, Trump said he and Trudeau also discussed energy, trade and the Arctic. A second official cited defense, Ukraine, NATO, China, the Mideast, pipelines and the Group of Seven meeting in Canada next year as other issues that arose. Trudeau's office said in a statement that the leaders “shared a productive wide-ranging discussion” centering on “collaboration and strengthening our relationship,” adding, "As Canada’s closest friend and ally, the United States is our key partner, and we are committed to working together in the interests of Canadians and Americans.” Trump, during his first term as president, once called Trudeau “weak” and “dishonest,” but it was the prime minister who was the first G7 leader to visit Trump since the Nov. 5 election. "Tariffs are a crucial issue for Canada and a bold move was in order. Perhaps it was a risk, but a risk worth taking,” Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. Trudeau had said before leaving from Friday that Trump was elected because he promised to bring down the cost of groceries but now was talking about adding 25% to the cost of all kinds of products, including potatoes from Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. “It is important to understand that Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out. There’s no question about it,” Trudeau said. “Our responsibility is to point out that he would not just be harming Canadians, who work so well with the United States, but he would actually be raising prices for Americans citizens as well and hurting American industry and business,” he added. The threatened tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his first term. Trudeau noted they were able to successfully renegotiate the deal, which he calls a “win win” for both countries. When Trump imposed higher tariffs as president, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US $2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and 77% of Canada’s exports go to the U.S. ___ Gillies reported from Toronto. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!S&P/TSX composite up almost 150 at closing, U.S. markets also higherSir Keir Starmer has wished for peace in the Middle East at Christmas as he said he was hoping for a “better, brighter future for every person” in his festive message. The prime minister said he knew Christmas was “not an easy time for everyone” and extended his thoughts to “all those who are lonely this Christmas”. Starmer will spend Christmas at Chequers, his official country residence, before going abroad “for a few days” over new year. The holiday will be his first since taking office after his planned summer trip had to be cancelled because of riots following the Southport stabbings . He said: “Having a tough time, missing a loved one, you are not alone, because as Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Christmas story reminds all of us to reach out to one another. To care for one another and to look after those around us.”
ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — AJ Clayton scored 16 points as Ohio beat Robert Morris 84-68 on Saturday. Clayton had seven rebounds for the Bobcats (3-5). Victor Searls scored 14 points and added seven rebounds. Jackson Paveletzke and Aidan Hadaway both scored 11 points. The Colonials (6-3) were led by Josh Omojafo, who recorded 15 points. Antallah Sandlin'El added 14 points for Robert Morris. Alvaro Folgueiras finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. The loss ended a six-game winning streak for the Colonials. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .By Steve Douglas, The Associated Press Manchester City plunged deeper into trouble in the Champions League by losing 2-0 at Juventus on Wednesday, the latest setback in a scarcely believable run of poor results for the ailing English champions. City dropped to 22nd place in the 36-team standings, with only the top 24 advancing. Progressing to the next round of the new-look format looked a certainty before the season for a team that was European champion in 2023 and has won the last four Premier League titles. But not anymore as City manager Pep Guardiola battles injuries and an apparent loss of belief among his players. City has won just one of its last 10 matches in all competitions, with goals by Dušan Vlahović and Weston McKennie inflicting the latest defeat and igniting Juventus' qualification hopes. City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan described the team’s problem as a “mental issue.” Opponents “are able to break our rhythm with the smallest of things,” Gundogan said. “They don’t even need to do much and it has such a big effect on us right now.” Barcelona jumped into second place in the league standings, behind Liverpool, and is guaranteed to advance after a 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund. Raphinha and Ferran Torres, with two goals, scored for Barca. Arsenal beat Monaco 3-0 mainly thanks to two goals by Bukayo Saka to move into third place and be the highest of six teams on 13 points. The top eight qualify directly for the last 16 and the teams placed No. 9-24 go into a two-legged playoff. City has two games to save its faltering Champions League campaign and the first is against Paris Saint-Germain, another giant in trouble in 25th place — one spot out of the qualifying positions. Vlahović put Juventus ahead in the 53rd when he powered a header goalward straight at City goalkeeper Ederson, who could only parry the ball over his own line. Two American substitutes sealed the win for Juve, with McKennie volleying home from Timothy Weah’s cross. Juventus moved into 14th place. Ferran Torres came off the bench to inspire Barcelona to a fifth win in six games and push Dortmund, last season’s runner-up, out of the top eight. Torres came on in the 71st to replace Robert Lewandowski, who had a quiet game against his former club. Just four minutes later, Torres scored a goal on the rebound from Dani Olmo’s shot. Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy celebrates with team mates his side's first goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona at the Signal-Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) AP Serhou Guirassy’s second goal of the game leveled the score at 2-2 but Torres scored again in the 85th off Lamine Yamal’s pass on the counter. Raphinha gave Barcelona the lead before Guirassy equalized from the penalty spot. Raphinha and Guirassy are tied for second place in the scoring chart on six goals, behind Lewandowski’s competition-high seven. Arsenal secured a third straight home win without conceding in the league stage, with Saka scoring in the 34th and 78th minutes and sending in a shot that was turned into the net by substitute Kai Havertz in the 88th. Arsenal is ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, Aston Villa, Inter Milan, Brest and Lille on goal difference. Lille won 3-2 at home to Sturm Graz on Wednesday. Man City could sure do with Julian Alvarez at the moment. With a brilliant curling finish to open the scoring, the Argentina striker helped Atletico Madrid beat Slovan Bratislava 3-1 and provide a timely reminder of what City is missing after selling him for more than $100 million in August. Alvarez has 12 goals for the season, with four coming in the Champions League. Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann scores his side's third goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Slovan Bratislava at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) AP Antoine Griezmann scored Atletico’s other two goals at Metropolitano stadium as the Spanish team climbed to 11th place after a 10th straight win in all competitions. Tribute to grieving teammate When Lukasz Lakomy gave Young Boys the lead against Stuttgart, he ran toward the sideline and held up teammate Meschack Elia’s jersey as others gathered around him. The gesture was a tribute after Elia’s son died unexpectedly this week after a short illness. Elia wasn’t playing as he was on his way to his native Congo, where his son died, to be with his family. Both teams wore black armbands and there was a moment of silence before the game, which was won 5-1 by Stuttgart. Tammy Abraham scored an 87th-minute winner as AC Milan beat Red Star Belgrade 2-1 to move one point off the top eight. Milan lost Alvaro Morata and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to muscle injuries in the first half. Benfica’s five-match winning streak ended with a 0-0 home draw against Bologna, and Feyenoord had a 4-2 win over Sparta Prague. Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80 AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer More sports news Time for Heat to say thanks and trade Jimmy Butler if offer is right | Opinion Penn State-SMU early weather outlook: How cold will it be in State College on Dec. 21? Is SMU concerned about playing at Penn State in December? Rhett Lashlee is embracing the challenge Eagles’ Jalen Hurts claims beef with A.J. Brown was made up: ‘BG knows he spoke out of place’NEW YORK , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Monteverde & Associates PC (the "M&A Class Action Firm"), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating Patterson Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: PDCO ) , relating to the proposed merger with Patient Square Capital. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of Patterson will receive $31.35 in cash per share. 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NEW YORK — Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and terror offenses in Manhattan Supreme Court Monday stemming from the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Wearing a burgundy sweater, white collared shirt and khaki pants, a handcuffed Mangione, 26, entered his first formal plea to charges linked to the high-profile hit before state Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro. He pleaded not guilty to all allegations in the 11-count indictment brought last week by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office — first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, second-degree murder as a crime of terrorism, an additional count of murder and eight other counts. If convicted of the top counts, he faces a potential sentence of life without parole. Following his extradition last week to New York from Pennsylvania — where he was arrested at a McDonald’s on Dec. 9 after a nationwide five-day manhunt — Mangione was taken into federal authorities’ custody and charged with murder with the use of a firearm, stalking, and a firearm offense. The maximum potential sentence in Mangione’s federal case is the death penalty, though it’s not clear prosecutors would pursue that punishment. State and federal authorities have said the cases will proceed in parallel. Mangione’s attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo slammed the authorities’ handling of his case at Monday’s hearing and the dramatic show put on when he was transferred back to New York. “He’s a young man and he is being treated like a human ping pong ball between two warring jurisdictions here,” Friedman Agnifilo said. “These federal and state prosecutors are coordinating with one another at the expense of him. They have conflicting theories in their indictments, and they are literally treating him like he is some sort of political fodder, like some sort of spectacle.” Mangione on Thursday was flown from Pennsylvania to Long Island and then transported to lower Manhattan via helicopter. In what is typically a covert arrangement hidden from the public, dozens of armed law enforcement agents awaited his arrival at the Wall Street heliport, along with Mayor Eric Adams and throngs of photographers tipped off by the cops. “He was on display for everyone to see in the biggest staged perp walk I’ve ever seen in my career. It was absolutely unnecessary. He’s been cooperative with law enforcement. He had been in custody for over a week. He waived extradition. He was cooperative at all accounts — there was no reason for the NYPD and everybody to have these big assault rifles that, frankly, I had no idea was in their arsenal,” Friedman Agnifilo said. “Frankly, Your Honor, the mayor should know more than anyone of the presumption of innocence that he, too, is afforded dealing with his own issues, and, frankly, I submit that he was just trying to detract from those issues by making a spectacle of Mr. Mangione.” Mangione was detained on the eighth floor of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after appearing in federal court in Manhattan on Thursday. Carro said he would wait to order his transfer to state custody but told the DA’s office to work it out with the feds. The Ivy League computer science graduate who comes from a prominent family in Towson, Md., is accused of fatally shooting Thompson in the back and leg on Dec. 4 as the health care executive arrived at the Hilton Hotel in Midtown for an annual investor conference. When he was spotted at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pa., on Dec. 9, police took him into custody and recovered on his person a 3D-printed ghost gun, silencer, and ammunition matching that which was recovered at the scene, according to state and federal authorities. He was allegedly also in possession of fake IDs and writings critical of the health care industry, according to court docs, and sketched-out plans documented months before the killing to “wack” a CEO at the conference.
Qatar tribune Khalid Tawalbeh Doha Qatar’s unwavering commitment to global immunisation efforts has significantly impacted the health landscape, with its generous contributions to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, playing a pivotal role in saving millions of lives worldwide. Faisal Gilani, director of Resource Mobilisation at Gavi, recently discussed with Qatar Tribune how Qatar’s partnership has been crucial to the alliance’s mission of vaccinating over a billion children, reshaping the future of health care for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Gilani said that since 2016, Qatar has been an instrumental ally in Gavi’s fight against vaccine-preventable diseases, providing $30 million through the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD). He emphasised the transformative effect of Qatar’s support, describing it as not only a generous financial contribution but also a demonstration of strategic, impactful leadership in global health. Qatar’s commitment to immunisation “Qatar’s involvement has been nothing short of exceptional,” Gilani told Qatar Tribune. “Through its ongoing support, Qatar has shown how dedicated funding can deliver extraordinary health and economic outcomes. Their contributions have helped expand access to life-saving vaccines in regions where healthcare systems face the most challenges.” Gavi, with support from donors like Qatar, has been able to achieve remarkable milestones in global health. Gilani noted that a child born in a Gavi-supported country today is 70 percent less likely to die from a vaccine-preventable disease than they would have been in the year 2000. The partnership has vaccinated over 1.1 billion children, saved 18.8 million lives, and generated over $250 billion in economic benefits, a direct result of immunization programs that are funded by organisations like Qatar. Strategic partnerships, effective outreach Gilani pointed to Qatar’s successful collaborations with local and international organisations as central to the alliance’s success. Qatar’s partnership with Education Above All (EAA) has proven instrumental in increasing immunisation rates in some of the world’s most challenging regions, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria. “This collaboration has made significant strides in identifying out-of-school children in underserved communities and tailoring vaccination outreach strategies to reach them,” Gilani explained. “By connecting education and healthcare, Qatar has demonstrated how cross-sectoral approaches can improve access to vaccines and overall health outcomes. It’s a model that we hope to replicate in other areas around the world.” This strategic integration of education, health care, and development is one of the key reasons Qatar has become such a vital partner for Gavi. Gilani commended the country’s holistic approach, emphasising that effective immunisation campaigns must consider a variety of factors, including community trust, healthcare infrastructure, and accessibility. Driving innovation in vaccine delivery Looking to the future, Gavi has set ambitious goals for 2026 to 2030, aiming to vaccinate more than 500 million children and save an estimated 8 to 9 million lives across 54 countries. Gilani highlighted Qatar’s potential to play a vital role in achieving these targets, particularly by driving innovation in vaccine delivery. “There are exciting opportunities for Qatar to continue playing a leading role in innovation, particularly when it comes to technology and vaccine distribution,” Gilani said. “We’re already seeing the positive impact of drone technology in Nigeria, where Gavi has partnered with Zipline to deliver vaccines to remote, hard-to-reach areas. Qatar, as a global leader in technology and innovation, has the expertise and the infrastructure to further develop these cutting-edge solutions, and we look forward to working with them to bridge the vaccine access gap.” Gilani noted that innovations such as drone deliveries of vaccines are just one example of how Gavi and its partners are continuously seeking new ways to make immunisation programmes more effective, efficient, and accessible. He expressed optimism that Qatar could further strengthen these initiatives with its expertise in logistics, innovation, and infrastructure development. Humanitarian contributions Qatar’s support for immunisation efforts is not only limited to funding but extends to its leadership in humanitarian aid. Gavi’s recent $20 million grant is focused on ensuring children in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza, the West Bank, and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, receive essential vaccines. Gilani emphasised how Qatar’s role as a humanitarian leader aligns perfectly with Gavi’s mission to provide equitable access to vaccines in areas that are often the hardest to reach. “Qatar’s expertise in delivering aid to crisis zones is invaluable,” said Gilani. “This grant will allow us to expand our efforts in regions where access to healthcare is limited and where political and logistical challenges often prevent children from receiving their vaccines. Qatar’s strategic support in these areas has been crucial in ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations are protected.” The political instability in regions like Gaza and Lebanon has made it particularly difficult to ensure that children in refugee camps receive their vaccines. Qatar’s extensive experience in working within such contexts, combined with its financial contributions and strong relationships with international humanitarian organisations, has enabled Gavi to overcome many of these challenges and bring vaccines to those in dire need. Tackling vaccine hesitancy In addition to logistical challenges, vaccine hesitancy remains a significant barrier to achieving global immunisation targets. Gilani stressed that combating misinformation and building trust with local communities is essential to ensuring the success of immunisation programmes. He highlighted the importance of partnerships with local leaders, healthcare providers, and trusted community figures in educating populations and addressing concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy. “Building trust is a long-term process,” Gilani said. “Through education campaigns and collaboration with local leaders, we can help families make informed decisions about vaccines. Qatar’s involvement in these efforts, particularly through partnerships with educational and community organisations, is critical to overcoming vaccine hesitancy.” The rise of misinformation, particularly through social media, has made it more difficult to maintain public trust in vaccines. Gilani emphasised that Gavi’s approach to combating vaccine hesitancy includes engaging with communities to ensure that people receive accurate and trusted information about the benefits of vaccination. Qatar’s role in global health security Gavi has also shifted its focus to global health security in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gilani spoke about Gavi’s establishment of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator and the Day Zero Financing Facility, initiatives designed to ensure that countries can respond quickly to health emergencies. “The pandemic taught us a lot about the importance of global coordination and rapid response,” Gilani noted. “Through our new initiatives, we are working to ensure that countries have the infrastructure and the resources needed to respond to future health crises, and Qatar’s support will continue to be vital in these efforts.” He also emphasised that Qatar’s financial contributions have helped ensure the swift delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to countries in need, particularly in Africa and Asia. Qatar’s commitment to strengthening global health security is closely aligned with Gavi’s mission to make vaccines accessible to all, regardless of their geographical location or economic situation. historic contributions, future commitments Qatar’s leadership in global health efforts is not just a reflection of its generosity but also its strategic vision for the future. Since 2011, Qatar has pledged more than $20 million to support Gavi’s work in over 95 developing countries. The partnership has led to the immunisation of millions of children and has significantly reduced the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases. With its five-year agreement with QFFD (2021–2025), Qatar has committed an additional $10 million to improving vaccine delivery systems in low-income nations. This ongoing commitment demonstrates Qatar’s long-term vision for global health and its unwavering dedication to ensuring that no child is left behind. “Immunisation has halved childhood mortality in Gavi-supported countries, and the economic benefits of our programmes have far exceeded expectations,” Gilani said. “We are counting on partners like Qatar to help us raise the necessary funds for our 2026–2030 strategy. Together, we can continue to save millions of lives and create a healthier, more prosperous future for all.” Qatar, a cornerstone of Gavi’s success Qatar’s pioneering role in global immunisation efforts, through its support of Gavi, is a testament to the country’s leadership in global health and humanitarian initiatives. With continued contributions, Qatar will remain a cornerstone of Gavi’s success, helping to ensure that children around the world, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the life-saving vaccines they need. As Gavi continues to expand its reach and address the challenges posed by fragile healthcare systems, climate change, and vaccine hesitancy, Qatar’s continued support and innovation will be critical in driving the next phase of the global immunisation agenda. Through its forward-thinking approach to philanthropy, diplomacy, and international collaboration, Qatar’s role in global health will only grow more significant, paving the way for a future where no child is left behind. Copy 22/12/2024 10
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers, meet your latest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers, meet your latest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers, meet your latest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok. The platform is once again bringing influencers to Washington, this time to lobby members of Congress to reject a fast-moving bill that would force TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company to sell or be banned in the United States. On Tuesday, some influencers began a two-day advocacy event in support of TikTok, which arranged their trip ahead of a House floor vote on the legislation on Wednesday. But unlike a similar lobbying event the company put together last March when talks of a TikTok ban reached a fever pitch, this year’s effort appeared more rushed as the company scrambles to counter the legislation, which advanced rapidly on Capitol Hill. Summer Lucille, a TikTok content creator with 1.4 million followers who is visiting Washington this week, said if TikTok is banned, she “don’t know what it will do” to her business, a plus-sized boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina. “It will be devastating,” Lucille said in an interview arranged by the platform. The legislation is drawing unusual support in Congress In an unusual showing of bipartisanship, a House panel unanimously approved the measure last week. President Joe Biden has said he will sign the legislation if lawmakers pass it. But it’s unclear what will happen in the Senate, where several bills aimed at banning TikTok have stalled. The legislation faces other roadblocks. Former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, who holds sway over both House and Senate Republicans, has voiced opposition to the bill, saying it would empower Meta-owned Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss. The bill also faces pushback from some progressive lawmakers in the House as well as civil liberties groups who argue it infringes on the First Amendment. TikTok could be banned if ByteDance, the parent company, doesn’t sell its stakes in the platform and other applications it owns within six months of the bill’s enactment. The fight over the platform takes place as U.S.-China relations have shifted to that of strategic rivalry, especially in areas such as advanced technologies and data security, seen as essential to each country’s economic prowess and national security. The shift, which started during the Trump years and has continued under Biden, has placed restrictions on export of advanced technologies and outflow of U.S. monies to China, as well as access to the U.S. market by certain Chinese businesses. The Biden administration also has cited human rights concerns in blacklisting a number of Chinese companies accused of assisting the state surveillance campaign against ethnic minorities. TikTok isn’t short on lobbyists. Its Beijing-based parent company ByteDance has a strong lobbying apparatus in Washington that includes dozens of lobbyists from well-known consulting and legal firms as well as influential insiders, such as former members of Congress and ex-aides to powerful lawmakers, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will also be in Washington this week and plans to meet with lawmakers, according to a company spokesperson who said Chew’s visit was previously scheduled. Influencers descend on Washington But influencers, who have big followings on social media and can share personal stories of how the platform boosted their businesses — or simply gave them a voice — are still perhaps one of the most powerful tools the company has in its arsenal. A TikTok spokesperson said dozens of influencers will attend the two-day event, including some who came last year. The spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about how many new people would be attending this year’s lobbying blitz. The company is briefing them ahead of meetings with their representatives and media interviews. Lucille, who runs the boutique in North Carolina, says has seen a substantial surge in revenue because of her TikTok page. The 34-year-old began making TikTok content focusing on plus-sized fashion in March 2022, more than a decade after she started her business. She quickly amassed thousands of followers after posting a nine-second video about her boutique. Because of her popularity on the platform, her business has more online exposure and customers, some of whom have visited from as far as Europe. She says she also routinely hears from followers who are finding support through her content about fashion and confidence. JT Laybourne, an influencer who also came to Washington, said he joined TikTok in early 2019 after getting some negative comments on videos he posted on Instagram while singing in the car with his children. Laybourne, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, said he was attracted to the short-form video platform because it was easy to create videos that contained music. Like Lucille, he quickly gained traction on the app. He says he also received more support from TikTok users, who reacted positively to content he produced on love and positivity. Laybourne says the community he built on the platform rallied around his family when he had to undergo heart surgery in 2020. Following the surgery, he said he used the platform to help raise $1 million for the American Heart Association in less than two years. His family now run an apparel company that gets most of its traffic from TikTok. “I will fight tooth-and-nail for this app,” he said. But whether the opposition the company is mounting through lobbyists or influencers will be enough to derail the bill is yet to be seen. On Tuesday, House lawmakers received a briefing on national security concerns regarding TikTok from the FBI, Justice Department and intelligence officials. ____ AP Journalist Didi Tang contributed to this report. ___ This story was originally published on March 12, 2024. It was updated on December 23, 2024 to clarify a quote by TikTok content creator Summer Lucille. Advertisement AdvertisementMoscow's "patience has run out" after Ukraine used American-made ATACMS and British-made Storm Shadow long-range missiles in attacks on Russian territory after receiving the green light from Washington and London, according to French military expert and analyst Erwan Castel. Despite repeated provocations by the Ukrainian enemy, the Kremlin has always kept peace an option, Castel, who volunteered on the Donbass front from 2015 to 2023, said in an interview with Sputnik Africa. However, the military analyst stressed that when Russia's patience ran out, an Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile , capable of carrying nuclear warheads, was used conventionally to strike a Ukrainian military-industrial site. He also believes that Western troops "are already present" in Ukraine. According to him, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's refusal to supply Taurus missiles to Kiev, citing the need for German specialists, implicitly confirmed the presence of Western personnel supporting missile deployments in Ukraine. The military expert also asserted that French special forces, in particular, are present in Ukraine and are involved in the targeting of missiles: "My former regiment, where I served in France for over ten years, has units that have been deployed in Ukraine for over two years." He cited the bombing of a Ukrainian base near Kherson by Russian aerospace forces, an event that received brief attention in Western media due to the reported deaths of two French aid workers. The expert pointed out that the secrecy surrounding these ultra-modern weapons systems is deliberate, a practice shared by both Russia and the West : "The countries donating these hyper-technological weapons want to maintain this secrecy at all costs, I would say, concerning the entire communication and deployment network of the weapons." The French expert explained why is NATO enlargement a vital problem for Russia. He noted that strategic depth is very important, especially now, given the technological and military advancements that are effectively shrinking the battlefield.
Amazon is doubling its investment in Anthropic to $8 billion in a deepened collaboration on artificial intelligence, the companies said Friday. The e-commerce and technology behemoth will remain a minority investor in Anthropic, having pumped an initial $4 billion into the artificial intelligence developer late last year and becoming its primary cloud computing provider. "The response from AWS customers who are developing generative AI applications powered by Anthropic in Amazon Bedrock has been remarkable," said Matt Garman, chief of AWS cloud computing division. "We'll keep pushing the boundaries of what customers can achieve with generative AI technologies." Amazon is investing the additional $4 billion in Anthropic as part of an expanded alliance that includes working together on "Trainium" hardware to optimize machine learning, according to the companies. "We're looking forward to working with Amazon to train and power our most advanced AI models using AWS Trainium, and helping to unlock the full potential of their technology," said Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei. The announcement came just days after Britain's competition regulator cleared Google-parent Alphabet's investment in Anthropic, following a probe. The Competition and Markets Authority concluded that the big tech giant had not acquired "material influence" over Anthropic as a result of the deal, which was reported to have cost $2 billion. The British regulator is one of several global regulators concerned with reining in big tech companies and their partnerships with AI firms. In September, the CMA cleared Amazon's initial investment in Anthropic, saying it did not believe that "a relevant merger situation has been created." gc/mlm
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