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777pub login Australia's Bold Social Media Age-Verification Leap

The Australian Senate committee has thrown its weight behind a controversial bill aiming to ban social media for children under 16. This landmark decision could place Australia among nations with the toughest online controls, as it pushes for stringent age verification measures including biometrics. This legislative effort, endorsed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government and the opposition Liberal party, is set to be fast-tracked before the parliamentary year ends. The Senate's environment and communications committee emphasized the importance of exploring alternative age assurance methods without compromising user privacy. Major tech players like Google, Meta, and TikTok have voiced significant reservations, citing the need for more deliberation. Companies violating the proposed law could face fines up to A$49.5 million. The debate continues as stakeholders balance security with youth engagement and user rights. (With inputs from agencies.)Stran & Company Receives Additional Notification of Deficiency From Nasdaq Related to Delayed Filing of Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

SAINT GEORGE, Utah (AP) — Beon Riley's 18 points helped Utah Tech defeat Denver 68-54 on Tuesday night. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * SAINT GEORGE, Utah (AP) — Beon Riley's 18 points helped Utah Tech defeat Denver 68-54 on Tuesday night. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? SAINT GEORGE, Utah (AP) — Beon Riley’s 18 points helped Utah Tech defeat Denver 68-54 on Tuesday night. Riley also had 11 rebounds for the Trailblazers (2-6). Noa Gonsalves scored 15 points and added eight rebounds and three steals. Justin Bieker shot 4 of 6 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line to finish with 11 points. The Pioneers (3-5) were led in scoring by Sebastian Akins and Josh Lee, who both finished with 11 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement

TSS, Inc. senior VP sells $377,852 in stockA trial date has now been secured for a man accused of committing second-degree murder. Wesley Naytowhow will appear at Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert on April 11, 2025. That was the outcome of a pre-trial hearing held on Dec. 20. On August 21, 2023 , RCMP responded to a report of an unresponsive man in Emma Lake. There, they found Philip Okemow’s body in an outdoor location at MacIntosh Point. Three months later, Naytowhow was arrested and a not-guilty plea followed in March of this year. The relationship between the two men is unclear at this time, beyond the fact they are both from Sturgeon Lake First Nation. At the time of Okemow’s death, he was on a temporary absence from Correctional Service Canada, and his mother posted to social media that her son had walked away from Sturgeon Lake First Nation. The following day, she made a plea for her son to call her. The funeral service was held at James Smith Cree Nation. — nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com On X: @nigelmaxwell

AP News Summary at 6:33 p.m. EST

Nobody puts baby in a corner, but they’re putting her in the National Film Registry. “Dirty Dancing,” along with another 1980s culture-changer, “Beverly Hills Cop,” are entering the Library of Congress’ registry, part of an annual group of 25 announced recently that spans 115 years of filmmaking. “Dirty Dancing” from 1987 used the physicality and chemistry of Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle and Jennifer Grey as Frances “Baby” Houseman to charm generations of moviegoers, while also taking on issues like abortion, classism and antisemitism. In the climactic moment, Swayze defiantly declares, “Nobody puts baby in a corner” before taking Grey to dance to “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” 1984’s “Beverly Hills Cop,” the first Eddie Murphy film in the registry, arguably made him the world’s biggest movie star at the time and made action comedies a blockbuster staple for a decade. Since 1988, the Librarian of Congress has annually selected movies for preservation that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. The current picks bring the registry to 900 films. Turner Classic Movies will host a TV special on Wednesday, screening a selection of the class of 2024. The oldest film is from 1895 and brought its own form of dirty dancing: “Annabelle Serpentine Dance” is a minute-long short of a shimmying Annabelle Moore that was decried by many as a public indecency for the suggestiveness of her moves. The newest is David Fincher’s “The Social Network” from 2010. A look at some of the films entering the registry “Pride of the Yankees” (1942): The film became the model for the modern sports tear-jerker, with Gary Cooper playing Lou Gehrig and delivering the classic real-life line: “Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.” “The Miracle Worker” (1962): Anne Bancroft won an Oscar for best actress for playing title character Anne Sullivan and 16-year-old Patty Duke won best supporting actress for playing her deaf and blind protege Helen Keller in director Arthur Penn’s film. “Up in Smoke” (1978): The first feature to star the duo of Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong established a template for the stoner genre and brought weed culture to the mainstream. Marin, who also appears in the inductee “Spy Kids” from 2001, is one of many Latinos with prominent roles this year’s crop of films. “Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan” (1982): The second movie in the “Star Trek” franchise featured one of filmdom’s great villains in Ricardo Montalban’s Khan, and showed that the world of Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock could bring vital thrills to the cinema. “Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt” (1989): The Oscar-winning documentary on the NAMES Project Aids Memorial Quilt was a landmark telling of the devastation wrought by the disease. “My Own Private Idaho” (1991): Director Gus Van Sant’s film featured perhaps the greatest performance of River Phoenix, a year before the actor’s death at age 23. “American Me” (1992): Edward James Olmos starred and made his film directorial debut in this tale of Chicano gang life in Los Angeles and the brutal prison experience of its main character. “No Country for Old Men” (2007): Joel and Ethan Coen broke through at the Oscars with their adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel, winning best picture, best director and best adapted screenplay, while Javier Bardem won best supporting actor for playing a relentless killer with an unforgettable haircut. Full list of 2024 National Film Registry inductees “Annabelle Serpentine Dance” (1895) “KoKo’s Earth Control” (1928) “Angels with Dirty Faces” (1938) “Pride of the Yankees” (1942) “Invaders from Mars” (1953) “The Miracle Worker” (1962) “The Chelsea Girls” (1966) “Ganja and Hess” (1973) “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974) “Uptown Saturday Night” (1974) Zora Lathan Student Films (1975-76) “Up in Smoke” (1978) “Will” (1981) “Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan” (1982) “Beverly Hills Cop” (1984) “Dirty Dancing” (1987) “Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt” (1989) “Powwow Highway” (1989) “My Own Private Idaho” (1991) “American Me” (1992) “Mi Familia” (1995) “Compensation” (1999) “Spy Kids” (2001) “No Country for Old Men” (2007) “The Social Network” (2010)They were all exceptional – Mikel Arteta loved seeing Arsenal run riot in Lisbon

The Tech Whisperer: Unveiling the Future of Innovation In the fast-paced world of technology investments, having an edge is crucial. Joe Albano, an expert with a solid foundation in electrical and software engineering, has positioned himself at the heart of tech innovation and investment strategies. Known for his remarkable insights into emerging trends, Joe has accurately predicted the trajectory of industries like AI for several years. Inside the Tech Cache Joe leads the well-regarded group, Tech Cache, where he provides invaluable insights into the dynamics of tech and growth stocks. Members gain access to Joe’s carefully curated personal portfolio, which is updated with 2-3 investment ideas weekly. They benefit from a comprehensive newsletter, a watchlist of trending stocks, and an automated stock rating system. The platform also allows for real-time discussions through a live chat feature. Strategic Insights and Trends Despite the ever-changing market landscape, Joe maintains a beneficial position in major companies such as AVGO and NVDA. His analysis is independent, driven solely by his keen understanding of market movements. Joe’s approach offers a window into future growth opportunities for investors seeking long-term success. It’s essential to note that all investment decisions are personal and should be based on individual diligence. While Joe openly shares his perspectives, these are formed from his background and experience, not as official advice. His insights are designed to provide knowledge and understanding of the tech market’s potential. Tech Whisperer Insights: The Future of AI and Semiconductors In today’s rapid evolution of technology and investment strategies, gaining a competitive edge is imperative. Joe Albano stands out as a visionary in the tech industry, especially with his accurate predictions on the trajectory of AI and semiconductor sectors. Leveraging his expertise in electrical and software engineering, Joe has become an authority on emerging tech trends. Joe’s platform, Tech Cache, is a haven for those who aim to stay updated on tech and growth stocks. Members gain the advantage of exploring his personal investment strategies, which are thoroughly documented and updated with 2-3 new ideas weekly. The platform enriches members with a detailed newsletter, a well-maintained watchlist of trending stocks, and an automated stock rating system. Additionally, the real-time live chat feature facilitates immediate discussions, promoting engagement and community learning. Engaging with Joe Albano’s insights through Tech Cache has its set of advantages and drawbacks: Pros: – Access to expert analysis based on real-world engineering and market experience. – Consistent updates on cutting-edge investments in industries like AI and semiconductors. – Interactive community with live discussion features to enhance knowledge sharing. Cons: – Exclusive reliance on Joe’s insights without individual research could pose risks. – Not knowing the exact timing of market moves can result in market volatility influencing investments unexpectedly. Joe’s expertise is especially significant in witnessing the burgeoning trends within AI and semiconductor markets. His predictions and insights provide a roadmap to future growth, spotlighting opportunities in companies like AVGO (Broadcom Inc.) and NVDA (NVIDIA Corporation). Joe’s techniques captivate investors eager for long-term success through meticulous analysis of market shifts. – Conduct thorough personal research alongside leveraging expert insight from platforms like Tech Cache. – Regularly update your knowledge base with newsletters and stock lists from credible tech analysts. – Stay engaged with real-time market discussions to recalibrate strategies in response to dynamic market movements. Joe Albano’s perspectives hint at transformational shifts within technology investments, particularly in AI’s expansion into everyday sectors and the increasing demand for semiconductors. By providing valuable insights, Joe allows investors to see beyond present market conditions into potential future opportunities. For more insights into the world of tech investments, strategies, and market dynamics, you can explore more at Seeking Alpha.North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and then US President Donald Trump holding a summit at Capella Singapore on June 12, 2018. WASHINGTON - US President-elect Donald Trump’s team is discussing pursuing direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, hoping a fresh diplomatic push can lower the risks of armed conflict, according to two people familiar with the matter. Several in Trump’s team now see a direct approach from Trump, to build on a relationship that already exists, as most likely to break the ice with Mr Kim, years after the two traded insults and what Trump called “beautiful” letters in an unprecedented diplomatic effort during his first term in office, the people said. The policy discussions are fluid and no final decisions have been made by the president-elect, the sources said. Trump’s transition team did not respond to a request for comment. What reciprocation Mr Kim will offer Trump is unclear. The North Koreans ignored four years of outreach by US President Joe Biden to start talks with no pre-conditions, and Mr Kim is emboldened by an expanded missile arsenal and a much closer relationship with Russia. “We have already gone as far as we can on negotiating with the United States,” Mr Kim said last week in a speech at a Pyongyang military exhibition, according to state media. During his 2017-2021 presidency, Trump held three meetings with Mr Kim, in Singapore, Hanoi, and at the Korean border, the first time a sitting US president had set foot in the country. During his 2017-2021 presidency, Donald Trump held three meetings with Mr Kim Jong Un, one being in Singapore in June 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS Their diplomacy yielded no concrete results, even as Trump described their talks as falling “in love”. The US called for North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons, while Mr Kim demanded full sanctions relief, then issued new threats. It was not clear what result a new diplomatic effort would yield. An initial Trump goal would be to reestablish basic engagement but further policy aims or a precise timetable have not been set, the people said. And the issue may take a backseat to more pressing foreign policy concerns in the Middle East and Ukraine, according to one person briefed on the transition’s thinking. North Korean state media have not yet publicly mentioned the re-election of Trump, and Mr Kim said in November that the United States was ramping up tension and provocations, raising the risks of nuclear war. Trump and some of his allies left office with the impression that the direct approach was Washington’s best shot at influencing behaviour north of the demilitarised zone, which has divided the Korean Peninsula for seven decades. The countries’ war was never technically ended even as the guns fell silent. On Nov 22, Trump named one of the people who implemented that initial North Korea strategy, former State Department official Alex Wong, as his deputy national security adviser. “As Deputy Special Representative for North Korea, he helped negotiate my Summit with North Korean Leader, Kim Jong Un,” Trump said in a statement. Tensions rise Trump inherits an increasingly tense situation with Mr Kim when he returns to the White House in January, as he did in 2017, an atmosphere allies expect the incoming president to confront head-on. “My experience with President Trump is he’s much more likely to be open to direct engagement,” said US Senator Bill Hagerty, a Trump ally, in an interview with Reuters earlier in 2024. “I’m optimistic that we can see an improvement in the relationship and perhaps a different posture adopted by Kim Jong Un if that dialogue were reopened again.” Washington has a dossier of concerns over the country’s expanding nuclear weapons and missile program, its increasingly hostile rhetoric to South Korea and its close collaboration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. These topics are expected to feature in Biden administration transition briefings for Trump aides, according to a US official. The Trump team has yet to sign transition agreements, which could limit the scope of some of these briefings. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Particularly concerning to Washington are the prospects of increased sharing of nuclear or missile technology between Russia and North Korea and the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to Russia to help in the war with Ukraine. Reuters reported on Nov 25 that North Korea is expanding a key weapons manufacturing complex that assembles a type of short-range missile used by Russia in Ukraine, citing researchers at a US-based think tank who examined satellite images. US officials said those factors raise the risk of a conflict between multiple nuclear armed nations in Europe or Asia, including the United States and its allies, which include South Korea and Japan. American troops are deployed throughout the region to deter North Korea, and Trump has insisted that US allies share more of the cost for those deployments. In his final meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier in November in Peru, Mr Biden asked for Beijing to use its leverage to reel in North Korea. Opportunity for China and the US to work together may be limited as Trump vows vast tariffs on Chinese goods and stacks his inner circle with China hardliners, such as Marco Rubio as secretary of state and Representative Mike Waltz as national security adviser. Trump said in October the two countries would have had “a nuclear war with millions of people killed”, but that he had stopped it, thanks to his ties with the North’s leader. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now

Walmart's DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump's election victory NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart’s sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are re-evaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups in business. The changes announced by the world’s biggest retailer on Monday followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The retreat from such programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Trump's threat to impose tariffs could raise prices for consumers, colliding with promise for relief DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists and industry officials say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea and an additional 10% tax on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday threatening tariffs on his first day in office could be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. Trump’s latest tariff plan aims at multiple countries. What does it mean for the US? WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has identified what he sees as an all-purpose fix for what ails America: Slap huge new tariffs on foreign goods entering the United States. On Monday, Trump sent shockwaves across the nation’s northern and southern borders, vowing sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, as well as China, as part of his effort to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. Trump said he will impose a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, as one of his first executive orders. Federal Reserve officials signal cautious path for rate cuts amid still-high inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — With inflation still elevated, Federal Reserve officials expressed caution at their last meeting about cutting interest rates too quickly, adding to uncertainty about their next moves. Even if inflation continued declining to the Fed’s 2% target, officials said, “it would likely be appropriate to move gradually” in lowering rates, according to minutes of the November 6-7 meeting. The minutes don’t specifically provide much guidance about what the Fed will do at its next meeting in December. Wall Street investors see the odds of another quarter-point reduction in the Fed’s key rate at that meeting as nearly even, according to CME Fedwatch. Canadian officials blast Trump's tariff threat and one calls Mexico comparison an insult TORONTO (AP) — Canadian officials are blasting President-elect Donald’s Trump’s threat to impose sweeping tariffs. The leader of Canada's most populous province on Tuesday called Trump’s comparison of Canada to Mexico “the most insulting thing I’ve ever heard.” Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada, Mexico and China as soon as he takes office in January as part of efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. Canadians say their economy and the U.S. one are deeply intertwined and Americans would feel tariffs, too. Biden proposes Medicare and Medicaid cover costly weight-loss drugs for millions of obese Americans WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would be eligible to have popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under a new rule the Biden administration proposed Tuesday morning. The proposal, which would not be finalized until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, could cost taxpayers as much as $35 billion over the next decade. It would give millions of people access to weekly injectables that have helped people shed pounds so quickly that some people have labeled them miracle drugs. Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigration President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency’s supervision. It’s almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap? NEW YORK (AP) — It’s almost that time of year. Spotify is gearing up to release its annual Spotify Wrapped, a personalized recap of its users' listening habits and year in audio. The streaming service has been sharing these personalized analyses with since 2016. And each year, it’s become a bigger production than the last. Spotify claimed its 2023 Wrapped was the “biggest ever created” in terms of audience reach and the kind of data it provided to users. But information on Wrapped's 2024 release has been kept under ... er, wraps. In previous years, it’s been released after Thanksgiving, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6. Thanksgiving travel is cranking up. Will the weather cooperate? The Thanksgiving travel rush is picking up, with Tuesday and Wednesday expected to be much busier than the last couple days. A lot of travelers will be watching weather forecasts to see if rain or snow could slow them down. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen more than 2.8 million people on Tuesday and 2.9 million on Wednesday after handling more than 2.5 million people on Monday. So far, relatively few flights have been canceled this week, but there have been thousands of delayed flights every day. That is becoming normal for U.S. airlines. Federal agency raises the size of most single-family loans the government can guarantee to $806,500 The Federal Housing Finance Agency is increasing the size of home loans that the government can guarantee against default as it takes into account rising housing prices. Beginning next year, mortgage buyers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be able to acquire loans of up to $806,500 on single-family homes in most of the country, the agency said Tuesday. The new conforming loan limit is a 5.2% increase from its 2024 level. FHFA oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which buy home loans from banks and other lenders. FHFA adjusts the loan limits annually to reflect changes in U.S. home values, which have been rising this year despite a national home sales slump.Blame it on the food and drink?Holiday Travel Alert: Airports with Highest Percentage of Delays and Cancellations in 2024

Vehicles were torched on Friday night in the latest in a string of arson attacks to hit south Wales. The most recent incidents involved three vehicles being set alight in Rhondda Cynon Taf — and police are appealing for help to identify two hooded suspects caught on CCTV. A South Wales Police spokeswoman said: "Police investigating arson attacks on three vehicles are appealing for information. It is believed the fires were started deliberately some time between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Friday, December 27. One of the vehicles was in Park View, Llanharan, outside a family home where a young child was present. A short time later two vehicles were set alight in Oak Street, Rhydyfelin, where the suspects were captured on CCTV." One Rhydyfelin resident issued a social media plea for the public's help in identifying the culprits. "They just set my next door neighbours' cars on fire and ran off," he wrote. "Two cars totally wrecked." WalesOnline has asked South Wales Police if the vandalism is being treated as potentially linked to the arson spree in the early hours of December 21 in the Vale of Glamorgan. Two vehicles parked on Stacey Street, Dinas Powys, were set alight as well as one on Cross Common Road, Dinas Powys, and another on St Andrews Road in nearby Wenvoe. A police spokesperson said shortly afterwards: “One of the cars damaged in Dinas Powys belonged to a woman who had died just two days earlier." Witnesses or anyone who has information or footage which could help identify those responsible for the Rhondda Cynon Taf attacks is asked to call South Wales Police on 101 and quote reference number 2400426105. And if you can help identify those responsible for the Vale of Glamorgan fires, give the force the reference number 2400420523. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter Join the WalesOnline WhatsApp community WalesOnline has launched a new breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community. From the biggest court stories to the latest traffic updates, weather warnings and breaking news, it's a simple way to stay up to date with what's happening in Wales. Want to join? All you have to do is click on this link , select 'Join Community' and you're in. We will not spam your feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily. If for some reason you decide you no longer want to be in our community, you can leave by clicking on the name at the top of your screen and clicking 'Exit Group'. We occasionally treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can read our Privacy Notice here. Join our WhatsApp community hereOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info During tonight's (Wednesday, December 4) instalment of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! , the remaining campmates discovered they would be competing to win a ticket to the Cyclone challenge. They were also told the winner would be guaranteed immunity from the next two vote-offs. Hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly informed them they'd be split into two groups of four to take part in a trial at the Arcade of Agony. Danny Jones, GK Barry, Reverend Richard and Coleen Rooney were in one group, while Maura Higgins , Barry McGuigan, Oti Mabuse and Alan Halsall were in the other. However, fans felt the challenge for Maura's team looked significantly easier. Coleen's team was each allocated a grabbing machine loaded with balls to win. Every ball they won from the grab machine contained a number of tickets that they could deposit into the ticket collection box. Every go required a coin, which they had to retrieve from a box of fish guts. They had 10 minutes to try and win as many tickets as they could. On the other team, the celebs each had a ‘Grim Ball’ machine filled with various multicoloured balls and critters. They had to reach inside and grab one ball at a time to win the tickets inside. They also had the chance to win a star each, hidden in one of the machine's balls which equated to meals for camp. After the tense trial ended, they reunited in camp and discovered that five out of eight stars had been won for their dinner. However, ITV viewers flocked to social media to comment on the 'twist' after the results were called out live on air. One wrote: "First team had it a lot harder! Not equal. Not fair. #ImACeleb." Another said of the twist to the show: "What a way to ruin a great series #imaceleb." Linda added: "This is so unfair. They get a ball every time the other trial didn’t #ImACeleb." Another said: "The most rigged episode ever aired #imacelebrity2024." Despite the backlash, other fans sat back and enjoyed the chaos, with one writing: "I totally forgot Alan was even part of this cos the man just shuts up and gets on with it, he actually deserves to do the cyclone #ImACeleb." Ant and Decentered the camp at the end of the episode to reveal the results of the tough challenge and told the group which four celebrities were through to the final stage of the competition—to win the coveted ticket to Cyclone. They revealed Coleen, Danny, Maura and Oti Mabuse all made it through to the final stage. I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! continues tomorrow at 9pm on ITV1, STV and ITVX.

New Delhi: A shell-shocked Congress said Saturday that the party’s drubbing in Maharashtra was an outcome of “targeted ground-level manipulation”, expressing surprise over the turnaround made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state after having performed poorly in the Lok Sabha elections barely five months ago. Addressing a press conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi, party general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that the stakes were so high for the BJP in Maharashtra that it misused the administrative machinery to ensure favourable results. “There is no doubt that the level playing field, a term that the Election Commission often uses, was attacked in a targeted manner. The results are unexpected and extremely surprising,” Ramesh said, avoiding a pointed attack on the electronic voting machines (EVMs). The Congress had made such an attack after its loss in the Haryana assembly polls in October. On Saturday, the Congress leadership questioned the fairness of the elections in a more roundabout way. Ramesh said the credit that is often reserved for the BJP’s micromanagement in elections is essentially a “euphemism” for “ground-level manipulation”. “Each one of our leaders has been targeted. These are leaders who have won election after election. Never have any questions been raised against them...[they] are models of integrity,” Ramesh said. “They include senior ministers, former chief ministers. It’s targeted manipulation. After all, the administrative machinery is also controlled by them, the BJP. There is no state where the stakes are as much for the BJP as in Maharashtra,” the Congress leader added. Following the Haryana results on 8 October, the Congress, which failed to reclaim the state from the BJP, had rejected the verdict in an unprecedented manner, saying it was “a victory of manipulation, the victory of subverting the will of the people and a defeat of transparent democratic processes”. Subsequently, it approached the poll body, flagging instances of EVMs found with 99 percent battery capacity during and after counting. These registered BJP wins, the party said, while those at 60-70 percent charge registered Congress victories, it claimed. The Election Commission responded on 29 October, dismissing the allegations. The Election Commission had also retorted that “such frivolous and unfounded doubts have the potential of creating turbulence when crucial steps like polling and counting are in live play, a time when both public and political parties’ anxiousness is peaking”. It accused the Congress of raising the “smoke of a generic doubt about the credibility of an entire electoral outcome in exactly a similar manner as it had done in the recent past”. While hailing the JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha)-Congress alliance’s victory in Jharkhand, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said this would not deter the party from raising questions over the results in Maharashtra. Ramesh also said the electoral reverses would not cause the Congress to deviate from its agenda of highlighting economic inequality, the demand for a nationwide caste census, its campaign against social polarisation and the alleged nexus between the BJP and the Adani Group. “There will not be any change in the Congress party’s agenda,” he asserted. (Edited by Radifah Kabir) Also Read: Devendra Fadnavis wins for fourth time from Nagpur South West with lead of almost 40k votes 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() );

House rejects Democratic efforts to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics report

AP Business SummaryBrief at 6:43 p.m. EST

iPhone 14 and iPhone SE Vanish from Apple’s EU Lineup: What’s Going On?