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okebet bonus 3 Reasons goeasy Is a Must-Buy for Long-Term InvestorsJimmy Carter had the longest post-presidency of anyone to hold the office, and one of the most active. Here is a look back at his life. 1924 — Jimmy Carter was born on Oct. 1 to Earl and Lillian Carter in the small town of Plains, Georgia. 1928 — Earl Carter bought a 350-acre farm 3 miles from Plains in the tiny community of Archery. The Carter family lived in a house on the farm without running water or electricity. 1941 — He graduated from Plains High School and enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus. 1942 — He transferred to Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. 1943 — Carter’s boyhood dream of being in the Navy becomes a reality as he is appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. 1946 — He received his naval commission and on July 7 married Rosalynn Smith of Plains. They moved to Norfolk, Virginia. 1946-1952 — Carter’s three sons are born, Jack in 1947, Chip in 1950 and Jeff in 1952. 1962-66 — Carter is elected to the Georgia State Senate and serves two terms. 1953 — Carter’s father died and he cut his naval career short to save the family farm. Due to a limited income, Jimmy, Rosalynn and their three sons moved into Public Housing Apartment 9A in Plains. 1966 — He ran for governor, but lost. 1967 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s fourth child, Amy, is born. 1971 — He ran for governor again and won the election, becoming Georgia’s 76th governor on Jan. 12. 1974 — Carter announced his candidacy for president. 1976 — Carter was elected 39th president on Nov. 2, narrowly defeating incumbent Gerald Ford. 1978 — U.S. and the Peoples’ Republic of China establish full diplomatic relations. President Carter negotiates and mediates an accord between Egypt and Israel at Camp David. 1979 — The Department of Education is formed. Iranian radicals overrun the U.S. Embassy and seize American hostages. The Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty is signed. 1980 — On March 21, Carter announces that the U.S. will boycott the Olympic Games scheduled in Moscow. A rescue attempt to get American hostages out of Iran is unsuccessful. Carter was defeated in his bid for a second term as president by Ronald Reagan in November. 1981 — President Carter continues to negotiate the release of the American hostages in Iran. Minutes before his term as president is over, the hostages are released. 1982 — Carter became a distinguished professor at Emory University in Atlanta, and founded The Carter Center. The nonpartisan and nonprofit center addresses national and international issues of public policy. 1984 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter volunteer one week a year for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps needy people in the United States and in other countries renovate and build homes, until 2020. He also taught Sunday school in the Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains from the mid-’80s until 2020. 2002 — Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 2015 — Carter announced in August he had been diagnosed with melanoma that spread to his brain. 2016 — He said in March that he no longer needed cancer treatment. 2024 — Carter dies at 100 years old. Sources: Cartercenter.org, Plains Historical Preservation Trust, The Associated Press; The Brookings Institution; U.S. Navy; WhiteHouse.gov, Gallup

Penn State looks to control offensive glass vs. Penn

Minnesota is focused on one final task before it sets its sights on the Big Ten Conference season. The Golden Gophers (7-5) will look to finish 2024 on a high note when they host Morgan State on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis. It will be the final nonconference game for Minnesota before it begins conference play in earnest with a home date against No. 21 Purdue on Thursday. Meanwhile, Morgan State (6-9) is hoping to break out of a skid that has included seven losses in its past 10 games. The Bears are coming off a 99-72 loss against No. 3 Iowa State on Dec. 22. The highest scorer on either team is Minnesota's Dawson Garcia, who is averaging 19.2 points to go along with a team-high 7.3 rebounds this season. Garcia is shooting 49.7 percent from the field, 85 percent from the free-throw line and 31.8 percent from 3-point range. Mike Mitchell Jr. ranks second on the Golden Gophers with 11.6 points per game. Lu'Cye Patterson is next with 10 points per contest, and Parker Fox is fourth with 6.8 points per game. "At the end of the day, we're all here for a reason," Mitchell said. "We have to produce when we're out there, but once (Garcia) gets going, it helps us all figure it out together." Minnesota coach Ben Johnson has seen opponents focus on slowing down Garcia as the season has progressed. That strategy could create opportunities for other teammates, he said. "Teams are always going to guard Dawson differently," Johnson said. "Are they not switching ball screens? Can you play through him in the post? ... When you get two on the ball, you can (kick) it out. Now you've got an advantage on the backside." For Morgan State, Wynston Tabbs leads the way with 16.1 points per game on 45.9 percent shooting from the field. Three other players are scoring in double figures: Amahrie Simpkins (12.7 points per game), Will Thomas (12.1) and Kameron Hobbs (10.7). Morgan State coach Kevin Broadus wants his players to be more disciplined on defense. "That's one of the things that we have to change," Broadus said. "We're fouling too much." This is the second meeting between the schools. Minnesota pulled away for a 94-64 win on its home court in the inaugural matchup on Dec. 8, 2009. --Field Level MediaU.S. Supreme Court justices have yet to decide whether they'll hear a case involving West Virginia's transgender sports law of 2021. WASHINGTON (WV News) — The bid by the West Virginia Attorney General's Office to have the U.S. Supreme Court decide the constitutionality of the state's 2021 transgender sports law remains pending. Morrisey Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office filed July 11 asking the Supreme Court to take up the case. That came after the Fourth Circuit decided the state's transgender sports law — the Save Women's Sports Act — violated rights protected in the Constitution. Since West Virginia's initial petition, led by West Virginia Solicitor General Michael R. Williams, Deputy Attorney General Curtis R.A. Caperhart and West Virginia Assistant Solicitor General Spencer J. Davenport, several friend of the court briefings have been filed, while the respondent, the lawyers for a transgender West Virginia girl from Harrison County, responded Oct. 15 and the state replied two weeks later. The case was distributed for conference among the justices Nov. 15 and Nov. 22, but there's been no decision yet from the justices on whether they will hear the case. According to the brief from West Virginia, the two questions to consider are: Whether Title IX prevents a state from consistently designating girls' and boys' sports teams based on biological sex determined at birth; and "whether the Equal Protection Clause [of the U.S. Constitution] prevents a state from offering separate boys' and girls' sports teams based on biological sex determined at birth." The attorneys for the child, B.P.J, are Elizabeth Reinhardt of Cooley LLP in Washington, along with Cecillia D. Wang and David D. Cole of the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation in Washington, Aubrey Sparks and Nicholas Ward of the America Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia Foundation; and Tara L. Borelli of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc. of Decatur, Georgia. The child's attorneys frame the questions this way: "Does West Virginia's categorical ban violate Title IX as applied to B.P.J.?", and "does West Virginia's categorical ban violate the Equal Protection Clause as applied to B.P.J.?" However, the child's lawyers say the matter doesn't rise to the level of U.S. Supreme Court intervention. They contend that the office of Morrisey — who will become West Virginia's governor in January — is seeking "to create a false sense of national emergency when nothing of the sort is presented by this case." "This case involves one transgender girl — 14-year-old B.P.J. — and her as-applied challenge to H.B. 3293, a West Virginia law passed in 2021 that categorically bars transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams," the child's lawyers wrote. "B.P.J. socially transitioned in third grade; she has a West Virginia birth certificate officially recognizing her as female; and she has never gone through endogenous puberty — meaning that she has never experienced the effects of testosterone on her body that cisgender boys typically experience. "She was entering middle school when H.B. 3293 was passed, and she has been playing school sports since that time due to injunctions issued by the courts below. No other transgender girl is known to be affected by H.B. 3293 other than B.P.J. "Particularly given the lack of any circuit split on the questions presented, forthcoming federal regulations addressing transgender participation in athletics, and the interlocutory posture of this as-applied challenge — which the Fourth Circuit remanded to the district court for further development of the record — there is no reason for this Court to step in." The West Virginia Attorney General's Office lawyers see it much differently. "Schools have long separated sports into boys’ and girls’ teams. Drawing this line guaranteed that women and girls had a real chance to compete safely and fairly. Important laws like Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 then ensured that boys’ and girls’ sports teams received equal support. Women’s sports flourished," they wrote. But the Fourth Circuit majority's "holding upends the Title IX and equal protection frameworks," they wrote. "It tacitly overturns countless cases upholding sex distinctions for bathrooms, prisons, physical-fitness tests, and more. It rewrites Title IX, a law designed to protect female athletes, into one that subordinates their interests to those of certain males. It dispenses with any meaningful effort to determine how males are similarly situated to females when it comes to sports ... "The Fourth Circuit’s decision will produce a 'commingling of the biological sexes in the female athletics arena” that will 'significantly undermine the benefits' that separate sports teams 'afford[] to female student athletes.' ... This Court should set things right. The Fourth Circuit’s splintered decision casts into doubt similar laws in at least 24 other States, sows confusion about antidiscrimination law, ignores scientific evidence, and renders school sports an un-administrable morass. In the end, the decision all but declares that any law recognizing differences between sexes is unlawful whenever that law runs counter to someone’s 'gender identity.'" The U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 4 heard arguments over a Tennessee case that involves bans on transgender medical procedures, and is poised to rule. It's possible the high court's ruling in that case could moot, or at least partially moot, some of the issues in West Virginia's B.P.J. case. "The Supreme Court heard oral arguments [Dec. 4] in United States v. Skrmetti, arguably the most important transgender rights case the Court has ever heard," wrote Ian Millhiser, a senior correspondent for Vox. "The case asks whether discrimination against transgender people can violate the Constitution — and it appears most of the justices feel it does not. The likely result is that the Court will allow states to ban health procedures that enable gender-affirming care, both for minors and, potentially, adults," Millhiser wrote.Notre Dame puts losing streak in past, turns focus to Dartmouth

AP Business SummaryBrief at 12:10 p.m. EST

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TikTok files legal challenge of federal government's shutdown order TikTok is challenging the federal government’s order to shut down its operations in Canada. The company filed in documents in Federal Court in Vancouver on Thursday. Darryl Greer and Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press Dec 10, 2024 3:07 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message A TikTok sign on a display at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru on November 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Listen to this article 00:00:58 TikTok is challenging the federal government’s order to shut down its operations in Canada. The company filed in documents in Federal Court in Vancouver on Thursday. The government ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business in November after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform. That means TikTok must "wind down" its operations in Canada, though the app will continue to be available to Canadians. TikTok wants the court to overturn the government’s order and to place a pause on the order while the court hears the case. It is claiming the minister's decision was "unreasonable" and "driven by improper purposes." The review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to harm national security. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a statement at the time the government was taking action to address "specific national security risks," though it didn’t specify what those risks were. TikTok’s filing says Champagne "failed to engage with TikTok Canada on the purported substance of the concerns that led to the (order.)" The company argues the government ordered "measures that bear no rational connection to the national security risks it identifies." It says the reasons for the order "are unintelligible, fail to reveal a rational chain of analysis and are rife with logical fallacies." The company's law firm, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, declined to comment, while Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the order would "eliminate the jobs and livelihoods of our hundreds of dedicated local employees — who support the community of more than 14 million monthly Canadian users on TikTok, including businesses, advertisers, creators and initiatives developed especially for Canada." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Darryl Greer and Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National News 'Are they going to walk away?': Charges 10 years after B.C.'s Mount Polley disaster Dec 10, 2024 2:59 PM Summer wildfire that hit Jasper, Alta., tops Environment Canada 2024 weather list Dec 10, 2024 2:34 PM AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton receives Nobel Prize in physics in proud moment for U of T Dec 10, 2024 2:09 PM Featured FlyerGold Stocks vs Silver Stocks: Which Have the Shinier Outlook?For the best experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser settings. A host of issues await the three newly nominated Cabinet Secretaries, should they be approved by Parliament ahead of their approval hearings on January 14, 2025. The nominees include former Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, who has been nominated for the Agriculture and Livestock Development docket; William Kabogo nominated to head the Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy docket, Lee Kinyanjui, has been nominated for Investments, Trade and Industry docket . “Pursuant to Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and Section 6(4) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), the committees shall conduct approval hearings (vetting) of the nominees on the dates, times, and venues indicated in the schedule,” reads a statement from National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge. Kagwe, a former member of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s cabinet, will face his first task which is leading the upcoming nationwide livestock vaccination campaign. The exercise, which aims to vaccinate at least 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and peste des petis ruminants (PPR), is set to commence next month. However, even before its rollout, the programme has faced criticism from various quarters, with livestock farmers, the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) and the political class at the forefront of the opposition. They have argued that the exercise is a foreign agenda being imposed on Kenyans and expressed concerns that the vaccine could permanently alter the genetic structure of the local breeds, potentially leading to serious health consequences to the population. READ: Uhuru wins big in Ruto Cabinet shuffle on return of familiar faces The government has, however, dismissed the claims, noting that the vaccination decision was informed by a benchmarking exercise with the Agriculture ministries in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Kagwe will now face the arduous task of convincing the public why they should vaccinate their cattle. He is scheduled to appear before the Committee on Appointments, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, as the first nominee on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at noon. Data breach CS nominee Kabogo, who is expected to address concerns raised by Kenyans regarding the government’s alleged breach of privacy through the use of telco data for tracking purposes, will also appear before the House team for vetting on January 14 at 3PM, followed by Kinyanjui at 5PM. Kinyanjui is expected to take on the herculean task of spurring economic growth. Additionally, the departmental committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations will vet nominees for ambassadorial, high commissioner, and diplomatic representative positions on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Committee Room 9, 1st Floor, and Main Parliament Buildings. Among the nominees is Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u, the immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, who has been nominated as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Accra, Ghana. She will appear before the committee, chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, at 9am. ALSO READ: After denials, now Raila admits to meeting Ruto on new Cabinet Dr Andrew Karanja, the immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, has been nominated as Kenya’s Ambassador to Brazil and is scheduled to appear at 11am. Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter Ababu Namwamba, the former Sports Cabinet Secretary, who has been nominated as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, will face the panel at 2pm. Former Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow, who has been nominated as Consul-General to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, will conclude the vetting at 4pm. Meanwhile, the departmental committee on Labour will also conduct approval hearings for nominees to fill vacancies at the Public Service Commission (PSC) on January 9, 2025, at Committee Room 9, 1st Floor, Main Parliament Buildings. Among the nominees is former Principal Secretary for the State Department for Public Service, Mary Wanjira Kimonye, who has been named the new Vice-Chairperson of the PSC and six other nominees for member positions. The public may submit sworn statements (affidavits) with evidence contesting any nominee’s suitability.

An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalitionTikTok is challenging the federal government’s order to shut down its operations in Canada. The company filed in documents in Federal Court in Vancouver on Thursday. The government ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business in November after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform. That means TikTok must "wind down" its operations in Canada, though the app will continue to be available to Canadians. TikTok wants the court to overturn the government’s order and to place a pause on the order while the court hears the case. It is claiming the minister's decision was "unreasonable" and "driven by improper purposes." The review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to harm national security. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a statement at the time the government was taking action to address "specific national security risks," though it didn’t specify what those risks were. TikTok’s filing says Champagne "failed to engage with TikTok Canada on the purported substance of the concerns that led to the (order.)" The company argues the government ordered "measures that bear no rational connection to the national security risks it identifies." It says the reasons for the order "are unintelligible, fail to reveal a rational chain of analysis and are rife with logical fallacies." The company's law firm, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, declined to comment, while Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the order would "eliminate the jobs and livelihoods of our hundreds of dedicated local employees — who support the community of more than 14 million monthly Canadian users on TikTok, including businesses, advertisers, creators and initiatives developed especially for Canada." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Darryl Greer and Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press

Sex in space 'dolphin-style' is the new frontier as scientists call for snuggies, straddling and VelcroSAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) (Nasdaq: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, today announced its intention to offer, subject to market conditions and other factors, $750 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2029 (the “notes”) in a private placement (the “offering”) to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Nutanix also expects to grant the initial purchasers of the notes an option to purchase up to an additional $112.5 million aggregate principal amount of the notes within a 13-day period from, and including, the initial issuance date of the notes. The notes will be unsecured senior obligations of Nutanix. Interest will be payable semi-annually in arrears. The notes will mature on December 15, 2029, unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased. The notes will be convertible at the option of holders, subject to certain conditions and during certain periods. Upon conversion, the notes may be settled in cash, shares of Nutanix’s Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of Nutanix’s Class A common stock, at Nutanix’s election. The interest rate, initial conversion rate and other terms of the notes are to be determined at the time of the pricing of the offering. Nutanix intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to (i) repurchase a portion of its outstanding 0.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the “2027 notes”) concurrently with the pricing of the offering in separate and privately negotiated transactions with certain holders of its 2027 notes (the “concurrent note repurchases”) effected through one of the initial purchasers of the notes or its affiliate, acting as Nutanix’s agent, and (ii) repurchase up to $200.0 million of shares of Nutanix’s Class A common stock in privately negotiated transactions with institutional investors effected through one of the initial purchasers of the notes or its affiliate, acting as Nutanix’s agent, at a price per share equal to the last reported sale price of Nutanix’s Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the date of the pricing of the notes (the “Share Repurchase”). Any such Share Repurchase would not reduce the amount available for future repurchases under Nutanix’s existing share repurchase program. Nutanix intends to use the remaining net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and potential acquisitions. From time to time, Nutanix evaluates potential acquisitions of businesses, technologies or products. Currently, however, Nutanix does not have any understandings or agreements with respect to any acquisitions. The terms of the concurrent note repurchases are anticipated to be individually negotiated with each holder of the 2027 notes participating in the concurrent note repurchases, and will depend on several factors, including the market price of Nutanix’s Class A common stock and the trading price of the 2027 notes at the time of each such concurrent note repurchase. Certain holders of any 2027 notes that Nutanix agrees to repurchase may have hedged their equity price risk with respect to such 2027 notes and may, concurrently with the pricing of the notes, unwind all or part of their hedge positions by buying Nutanix’s Class A common stock and/or entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions with respect to Nutanix’s Class A common stock. Any repurchase of the 2027 notes, and the potential related market activities by holders of the 2027 notes participating in the concurrent note repurchases, together with the repurchase by Nutanix of any of its Class A common stock concurrently with the pricing of the notes, could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of Nutanix’s Class A common stock, which may affect the trading price of the notes at that time and the initial conversion price of the notes. Nutanix cannot predict the magnitude of such market activity or the overall effect it will have on the price of the notes or its Class A common stock. No assurance can be given as to how much, if any, of the 2027 notes or the Class A common stock will be repurchased or the terms on which they will be repurchased. Neither the notes nor the shares of Nutanix’s Class A common stock potentially issuable upon conversion of the notes, if any, have been, or will be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements. This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation, or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale is unlawful. About Nutanix Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running applications and managing data, anywhere. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding Nutanix’s financing plans, Nutanix’s ability to complete the offering, the timing and size of the offering, the concurrent note repurchases and the Share Repurchase, Nutanix’s intended use of the net proceeds of the offering. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, whether Nutanix will be able to consummate the offering, the final terms of the offering, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions with respect to the offering of the notes, prevailing market conditions, the anticipated use of the net proceeds of the offering of the notes, which could change as a result of market conditions or for other reasons, and the impact of general economic, industry or political conditions in the United States or internationally. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions by Nutanix’s management that, although believed to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain and subject to a number of risks. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or predicted by Nutanix’s forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to other risks detailed in Nutanix’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2024, and the risks discussed in Nutanix’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Nutanix undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by applicable law. © 2024 Nutanix, Inc. All rights reserved. Nutanix, the Nutanix logo, and all Nutanix product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or unregistered trademarks of Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) in the United States and other countries. Other brand names or marks mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). This press release is for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes a warranty or other binding commitment by Nutanix. Investor Contact: Richard Valera ir@nutanix.com Media Contact: Lia Bigano pr@nutanix.com

AP News Summary at 4:37 a.m. ESTAmid mounting public concern: Alarming rise of HIV in Pakistan: 1,079 new cases every month Data says men constitute 69.4% of cases, women 20.5%, transgender persons 4.1% and children 6% HIV/AIDS can affect any organ, causing systemic illnesses that appear as skin involvement. — AFP/File ISLAMABAD: As many as 1,079 new HIV cases are being reported monthly in Pakistan, with 9,713 people testing positive for HIV in the first nine months of 2024, officials in the Ministry of National Health Services revealed on Friday. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); They warned that the total number of HIV cases for the entire year could exceed 12,950, assuming the current monthly average persists. This marks a significant increase compared to the 12,731 total cases reported throughout 2023, indicating a worsening HIV epidemic in Pakistan that demands immediate public health intervention. According to official data, men constituted 69.4% of the new cases, women 20.5%, transgender persons 4.1% and children 6%. Punjab recorded the highest number of new infections, with 5,691 cases detected between January and September 2024, averaging 632 new cases each month. Sindh followed with 2,383 new cases, averaging 265 monthly, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) reported 926 cases, translating to an average of 103 cases per month. Balochistan recorded 329 new cases, while Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) reported 378 and 10 cases respectively. Comparatively, the figures for 2023 were even higher, with 12,731 new infections reported nationwide, but the consistent rise in monthly averages for 2024 reflects the worsening nature of the epidemic. Alarmingly, experts have noted a significant spillover of HIV infections from high-risk populations—such as men having sex with men (MSM), transgender persons, injectable drug users (IDUs) and female sex workers—to the general population. This is attributed to factors such as poor Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) at healthcare facilities, unsafe sexual practices, low awareness, stigma and risky behaviors like chemsex, a practice involving the use of drugs such as methamphetamine during sexual encounters. Chemsex, in particular, has emerged as a growing concern among MSM, transgender individuals, and sex workers, contributing to the rapid spread of the virus. “Despite collective efforts, the HIV epidemic is increasing in Pakistan. This demands innovative and sustainable interventions,” said Trouble Chikoko, the UNAIDS Country Director for Pakistan, during a recent meeting with the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Chikoko emphasized the pivotal role that religious scholars and institutions could play in raising awareness about HIV prevention and reducing stigma. “Collaboration with UN agencies and partners is essential to address this crisis comprehensively,” he added. Commenting on the HIV situation in Pakistan, the Common Management Unit (CMU) for HIV, TB, and Malaria has highlighted its ongoing efforts to curb the epidemic, claiming that 94 Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) centers have been established across the country to provide testing and treatment services. Additionally, awareness campaigns have been launched through mass and social media, including multilingual radio messages and city-branding initiatives to destigmatize HIV testing and treatment. Advocacy efforts involving key government officials and stakeholders have also been undertaken to mark events like World AIDS Day, CMU officials added. However, these measures have faced challenges. “Stigma remains a major barrier to HIV testing and treatment. Most new infections are still concentrated in MSM, transgender persons and female sex workers. These groups are often hesitant to seek help due to societal discrimination,” a senior official at the CMU explained. Officials and experts believe that the use of methamphetamine and other drugs during chemsex not only lowers inhibitions but also significantly increases the likelihood of unprotected sex, further fueling the epidemic. “Chemsex is a hidden yet rapidly spreading phenomenon among key populations in Pakistan. Without targeted harm-reduction interventions, this practice will continue to drive new infections,” the official warned. In addition to chemsex, other factors contributing to the rising HIV cases include insufficient access to preventive measures, such as condoms and clean needles, as well as limited public awareness about safe practices. The CMU has reported that it is expanding its harm-reduction programs, particularly targeting IDUs, by providing clean needles and syringes. However, the scale of these programs remains inadequate given the increasing number of new infections. The provincial breakdown of cases underscores the need for localized responses. Punjab, with the highest number of new infections, has been urged to intensify its prevention and awareness campaigns, particularly in urban centers where high-risk behaviors are more prevalent. Similarly, Sindh’s efforts to reduce new infections have shown some progress compared to the previous year, but the numbers remain concerning, especially in Karachi and Hyderabad. Islamabad’s significant drop in new cases, from 611 in 2023 to 378 in 2024, has been attributed to targeted campaigns and improved ART coverage. However, experts caution against complacency, warning that the capital’s success needs to be replicated nationwide to reverse the overall trend. UNAIDS and CMU officials stress the need for greater community engagement to address stigma and misinformation surrounding HIV. “Community involvement is vital for raising awareness and encouraging testing and treatment,” said Chikoko. With over 1,000 new cases reported monthly, Pakistan is nearing a generalised HIV epidemic. Public health experts urge the government to increase resources for prevention and treatment while addressing barriers to care.

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