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The recent leak of videos from Andrew Tate’s exclusive “The War Room” group marks another escalation in a series of damaging cybersecurity breaches targeting the controversial figure. These videos, obtained by hackers, reveal tactics promoted by Tate and his associates to manipulate and control women, providing a rare look into the inner workings of his $8,000 a year subscription network. The War Room content, as reported by The Daily Dot , showcases 75 videos of members partaking in exclusive activities, such as luxury dining, resort stays and private lectures led by Tate himself. These revelations come on the heels of last month’s high-profile breach of The Real World, Tate’s online university, which exposed the personal data of nearly 800,000 users. In November, I reported on how The Real World fell victim to hackers who identified themselves as hacktivists. These attackers infiltrated the platform’s databases, accessing usernames, email addresses and private chat logs. Calling the platform’s security “hilariously insecure,” the hackers framed their actions as ideologically driven, aimed at challenging Tate’s controversial teachings and highlighting the lack of safeguards for user data. An Inside Look At Andrew Tate’s The War Room Following the recent breach of Andrew Tate's online platforms, hackers have leaked videos from his exclusive group, The War Room. These videos unveil strategies taught by Tate and his associates to manipulate and control women, shedding light on the controversial methods promoted within his inner circle. In one of the leaked videos, Tate, accompanied by adult film star Stirling Cooper and self-described "alpha mentor" Justin Waller , instructs men on how to isolate women from their social circles to exert control. Tate emphasizes the importance of keeping women away from friends and family who might influence them to leave, stating, "It's in your best interest to keep her away from that social circle." Waller contributes by suggesting that women who resist manipulation should be demoted in their relationship status, referring to them as the "bottom hoe." Tate rationalizes these tactics by asserting, "People will call it manipulation. But what you're really doing is putting the pieces on the chess board in the best place for you to win." Another segment reveals Tate advising against women having traditional jobs, arguing that employment provides them with a support network and exposes them to other men. He claims that women's mental energy should be dedicated solely to their partner, implying that external engagements dilute their focus. The War Room leak builds on the earlier breach, expanding the scope of exposure from user data to internal content. For Tate’s platforms, the consequences extend beyond reputational damage. These breaches expose not just the personal information of users but also the inner workings of his high-ticket programs , causing many to raise ethical and legal questions about the practices promoted within. As Tate faces mounting scrutiny, these incidents highlight the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and maintain trust in digital services. A request for comment from Andrew Tate’s The Real World has been made, but a response has yet to be provided.

3 of the best ASX 200 shares to buy in 2025Conditions in abandoned mine are too dangerous for crew searching for Pennsylvania woman UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — An abandoned coal mine is too unstable and unsafe for rescuers looking for a 64-year-old Pennsylvania woman who may have been swallowed by a sinkhole. Authorities said Wednesday that the crumbling mine was complicating efforts and endangering the workers searching for Elizabeth Pollard. A state police spokesperson says the integrity of the mine has been compromised and that rescuers are reassessing their tactics to avoid putting themselves in danger. The search began early Tuesday, when Pollard’s family called police to say she had not been seen since going out Monday evening to look for her cat. WWE is seeking a bigger stage and Netflix, pushing for more live events, is providing it WWE will perform on a stage next month that could be vastly larger than its current home on cable television when it makes its “Raw” debut on Netflix. The sports entertainment company is moving to a platform with about 283 million subscribers worldwide as it departs its current home on the USA Network, which averaged 688,000 viewers in prime-time last year, according to the Nielsen company. For Netflix, onboarding the WWE is part of strategic move to air more live events on the heels of a hugely successful fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul that was viewed by more than 60 million people. Michigan court upholds light sentence for woman who killed dad in dispute over ride DETROIT (AP) — The Michigan Court of Appeals has declined to overturn a light jail sentence for a young woman who killed her father by burning him with a dangerous powder. Prosecutors said Megan Imirowicz was upset when her father couldn’t drive her to a hair appointment before her 18th birthday party. Imirowicz was sentenced to only a year in jail in 2023. She actually spent more than a year in custody because she was locked up before trial and while awaiting her punishment in suburban Detroit. Sumo wrestlers bring 1,500 years of tradition to London as the sport has an international moment LONDON (AP) — London’s Royal Albert Hall is preparing to host a different kind of spectacle: Sumo wrestling. Wrestlers put on an exhibition of heavyweight grappling to promote a tournament scheduled for next October. It marks only the second time an elite five-day tournament will be held outside Japan. The first was held in 1991 at the same venue. Organizers are hoping to whip up the kind of excitement that was generated three decades ago, when the deeply ritualistic sport attracted sell-out crowds and a national television audience. The end of an Eras tour approaches, marking a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to an end after the popstar performed more than 150 shows across five continents over nearly two years. Since launching the tour in 2023, Swift has shattered sales and attendance records. It's even created such an economic boom that the Federal Reserve took note. But for many who attended the concerts, and the millions more who eagerly watched on their screens, the tour also became a beacon of joy. It's become a chance not only to appreciate Swift’s expansive music career, but also celebrate the yearslong journey fans have taken with her. Jury revisits key videos in NYC subway chokehold death trial NEW YORK (AP) — Jurors have asked to review police and bystander video at the heart of the New York City chokehold manslaughter case against Daniel Penny. The request came during a second day of deliberations Wednesday. The jury asked for a second look at videos captured by the body cameras of officers who responded to the subway car where Penny grabbed hold of Jordan Neely in May 2023. Neely's agitated behavior and remarks were frightening passengers. Jurors also asked to revisit Penny's interview with detectives and a bystander's video of much of the roughly six-minute restraint. And the jury also requested to rehear part of a city medical examiner’s testimony. Penny's lawyers say his actions were justified. Relatives hunt for the missing after Guinea stadium crush amid fears official death toll is too low CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Kambaly Kouroumah was searching a local morgue for his teenage brother, Adama, who died after chaos erupted at a soccer game in southern Guinea’s Nzerekore city. Adama, 15, was among 56 people that officials said were killed in Sunday's crush, although rights groups reported a death toll nearly three times higher. Local media, rights groups and witnesses say security forces used tear gas to respond after fans began to throw stones to protest a referee's decision during the soccer game that was organized in honor of Guinea's junta leader, Col. Mamadi Doumbouya. Many of the dead were crushed as they tried to escape through the stadium gates, videos showed. Power shortages in Ecuador are melting away the future of a small town’s ice-cream industry SALCEDO, Ecuador (AP) — Ice-cream production in this quiet Ecuadorian town began in the mid-20th century in a convent for Franciscan nuns. The nuns sold their creamy popsicles in town to gather funds for the poor. But the people of Salcedo saw a business opportunity and began experimenting with new flavors and techniques, establishing a thriving popsicle industry that has made their small town famous among ice-cream lovers. But now, the South American nation is struggling with a relentless wave of power cuts that threaten the future of Salcedo’s ice-cream industry, melting away its dreams of a more prosperous future. Senegalese artisans in the spotlight as they exhibit for the first time at a prestigious art event DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — For the artistic and cultural elites of the West African nation of Senegal, the monthlong Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Arts is a celebratory moment. But it wasn’t until this year that the local artisans in the Soumbedioune crafts market, just off the Corniche and at the doorstep on the Medina working-class neighborhood, realized what the Biennale was. Craftsmanship is deeply rooted in the country’s culture, but its role has declined in recent years. As living costs rise, many Senegalese opt for cheaper, Chinese-imported products. And those that can afford it buy Western clothes and furniture to mark their social status. Eminem's mother Debbie Nelson, whose rocky relationship fueled the rapper's lyrics, dies at age 69 Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem whose rocky relationship with her son was known widely through his song lyrics, has died. She was 69. Eminem’s longtime representative Dennis Dennehy confirmed Nelson’s death in an email on Tuesday. He did not provide a cause of death, although Nelson had battled lung cancer. Nelson’s fraught relationship with her son, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, has been no secret since the Detroit rapper became a star. Nelson brought and settled two defamation lawsuits over Eminem’s statements about her in magazines and on radio talk shows. In her 2008 book, “My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem,” she attempted to set the record straight.Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, December 25, launched the ‘Golden Quay’ initiative, which grants Golden Visas to superyacht owners. This aims to attract high-net-worth individuals to invest in and explore Abu Dhabi. The initiative has been launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Yas Marina, operated by Yas Asset Management, a subsidiary of Miral. This initiative grants yacht owners a 10-year UAE Golden Visa, granting them long-term residency and access to Abu Dhabi’s business ecosystem, luxury lifestyle, and world-class marinas, the Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO) reported. Through the Golden Quay, yacht owners can enjoy unparalleled access to the emirate’s investment opportunities. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said, “The launch of Golden Quay to Abu Dhabi showcases DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to driving the emirate’s luxury tourism and yachting sector forward.” “We continue to support the growth of the luxury sector by creating innovative pathways that attract investment and high-profile visitors to the emirate, in line with our Tourism Strategy 2030,” he added. Yas Marina and Abu Dhabi Investment Office will be responsible for nominating private yacht owners with vessels 40 meters or longer for the golden visa. The programme includes yachting sector executives, shareholders, agents, service providers, insurers, and family members of nominated individuals, who may also be eligible for golden residency. The golden visa was created by the UAE government in 2019 which allows foreigners to live, work and study in the country without the need for a national sponsor and with 100 percent ownership of their business on the UAE mainland. These visas are issued for 5 or 10 years and are automatically renewed. The visa is open to investors, entrepreneurs, extraordinary talents and researchers in many disciplines of technology and knowledge, as well as extraordinary students. On January 25 , UAE scrapped the minimum down payment of Dirham one million for individuals seeking a golden visa through real estate investment.

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Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg is leaving the throne. On Tuesday, Dec. 24, the 69-year-old royal his abdication during his Christmas Eve speech. This comes after his late father had done the same for his abdication on Christmas Eve in 1999. Grand Duke Jean had been on the throne for 36 years before his abdication. In his speech, Grand Duke Henri, who has reigned since 2000, announced that he was leaving ahead of his son Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg’s, 43, accession to the throne. “When I look back today, after almost 25 years, I do so with deep gratitude and humility. It has been a period during which Luxembourg has made much progress, and I am pleased to have been able to be part of that journey with you, together with the Grand Duchess,” he said. Cour grand-ducale Luxembourg/Instagram Related: “It has been a quarter of a century of challenges, opportunities and hopes for a better future: of technological and economic progress, of social change, but also of many conflicts,” he continued. “All were moments that made us reflect and brought us closer together as a nation.” Grand Duke Henri added, “And we have remained united to make Luxembourg even more inviting and sustainable. We have always taken targeted measures to ensure that none of us are left behind or excluded. The strength, and indeed the future, of our society lies in its ability to show solidarity.” Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Related: Grand Duke Henri will officially step down on Oct. 3, 2025. The news comes after his son Prince Guillaume’s recent new royal responsibilities. Back in June, it was announced that the prince would his father’s official governing duties. In October, a Lieutenancy Ceremony at the Grand Ducal Palace saw Prince Guillaume of his father. In addition to Prince Guillaume, Grand Duke Henri also shares Prince Sébastien, 32, Princess Alexandra, 33, Prince Louis, 38, Prince Félix, 40, with his wife Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 68. Read the original article onRedmi unveils new logo, makes K-series their most premium offering

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South Florida defeats Portland 74-68Is anything more gratifying than an unexpected gift from a stranger? The answer is “yes,” but we’ll get to that. Several days ago, a friend was shopping at a local dollar store, buying small items to place in gift boxes for children. Her church had given her a debit card with a $150 allowance, and she went through the aisles placing dozens of toys and school supplies in her cart, keeping a running amount in her head. When she got to the checkout, she told the clerk to stop when the total got close to her spending limit. The clerk, a big rough-looking man, started scanning the items. “You sure have a lot of stuff here,” he said. My friend explained what she was doing, that everything would go to children who do not get any other presents for Christmas. He smiled and kept scanning. When the register total came to just shy of $150, he paused. “What about those?” He pointed to the handful of things left in the cart. “That’s OK,” my friend said. “They can go back on the shelf.” “I’ll pay for them,” he said. My friend objected at first, but the clerk was insistent. “I was one of those kids,” he said. “My dad never got us presents for Christmas, and I don’t have any kids of my own.” He scanned the rest of the items, then reached into his pocket for a crumpled wad of bills to pay the balance. Then he put everything into bags and her cart. “God bless you,” he said with a smile. “Every gift requires two freedoms,” author Peter Kreeft wrote, “the giver’s and the receiver’s.” We must be careful to respect the privilege of giving, for it is in giving that we feel our humanity most deeply. As technologies make life more automated, our interaction with strangers is declining. That might seem good to some. But the overall effect is to increase anxiety by depriving us of daily exercise in social skills, something necessary for a healthy democracy. It also removes opportunities to give and to receive. One of the great misfortunes of a prosperous society is that giving and receiving become transactional rather than relational: A class of people deliver goods and services, and a class of people receive them. One group funds the local shelter and the soup kitchen, and another group goes there to get housing and nourishment. One is the host, the other the guest. Many less prosperous societies still follow the ancient practice of bringing a stranger into one’s home for shelter and meals together. The guest and host get to know each other. It is not easy to say who benefits most, because both provide something to each other: the need to receive and the need to give. This practice of relational giving and receiving is retained in the gift exchanges among family and friends during the holidays. It is a chance to remind one another of our interdependence. Yet for those who have no one close with whom to celebrate, this time of year can be especially sad and lonely — not just because they receive no gifts but because they have nobody to whom to give. Their loneliness is a symptom of disconnection at a time of year when relationships with family, friends and neighbors are lifted up and celebrated everywhere one turns. It doesn’t have to be that way. Every community is filled with people who need something. Churches have giving trees. Schools and nursing homes need volunteers. And just about everybody has a neighbor who could use a small box of cookies and a smile. Every year I rewatch “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It just might be the best movie ever made. Watching it reminds us that the greatest contribution a person can make in life is to lovingly tend to the relationships where you are. A pivotal moment in the movie comes shortly after George Bailey pulls Clarence out of an icy river. As they are drying off, Clarence explains he is an angel sent to save him. George is understandably skeptical. “Save me!?” he responds. Clarence explains, “I knew if I were drowning, you’d try to save me, and that’s how I saved you.” The gift Clarence gave to George was an opportunity to be useful when he thought the world would be better off without him. Like many of us, George overvalued the worth of his contributions and undervalued the worth of his presence. Even those who have great needs can be raised up by an opportunity to give. It is through the mutuality of both giving and receiving that we experience the grace that shines on every act of shared kindness. Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Dana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Political Moves Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Tuition Costs Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.DePaul cruises to win over Loyola Maryland

New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS): The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) announced a dedicated curriculum at the undergraduate level, to create a thriving quantum-trained ecosystem in India as part of the National Quantum Mission. Professor Ajay K Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Central Government, said that the curriculum will integrate theoretical knowledge with hands-on lab experience, aiming to deepen graduates' understanding of quantum technologies through a minor programme in the subject at the undergraduate level. Highlighting the progress made in the National Quantum Mission, Prof. Sood emphasised the importance of this initiative to align with the goals of the Mission in order to create a quantum-ready workforce for the country’s technological advancement and global leadership. The curriculum will help impart training for developing this workforce to enable them to reach global standards, and simultaneously address the multi-disciplinary needs of quantum technology development -- from basic to applied research. “The National Quantum Mission from the Central Government is a decisive step in accelerating the nation’s research and technology development in this field. Such research and technology development will require a highly skilled workforce through immediate initiatives in teaching and training,” the Ministry of Science & Technology said in a statement. Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary Department of Science and Technology said, "The announcement of this curriculum marks a significant step in building a quantum-ready workforce. It is designed for undergraduate students. For the success of the programme, training of teachers and basic lab infrastructure will also be required. National Quantum Mission will support the creation of teaching labs in some select institutions and will work with AICTE for faculty development." AICTE Chairman Professor T G Sitharam highlighted that this is a new beginning in the quantum revolution to leverage the potential of quantum technology to create an impact in society. “Our curriculum is ready and hopefully it will be included in next July session in all top institutions,” he added. While institutes of national importance have begun programmes to this end, expanding such training to a larger pool of institutes across the country can enable the nation to tap into the vast resource of students who can then participate in the mission to accelerate its progress towards its goals. The course would be taken up for implementation by AICTE-approved institutions across the country. The course structure includes all four verticals of Quantum Technology -- Quantum Computing, Quantum communications, Quantum sensing and metrology, and Quantum materials and devices. The proposed curriculum constitutes a minimum of 18 credits with both theory and lab courses. Each course amounts to three credits (one credit translating to one in-class contact hour per week for a theory course or one session of lab for three hours for a lab course), thereby making the minor programme span a minimum of six courses. Faculty Development Programmes in the areas of Quantum Technologies are also proposed to be carried out to enable them to do justice to the goals of the minor program. Such sustained teacher training efforts will also enhance the quality of the training imparted to students over the years leading to long-term benefits and enable India to become a world leader in this field. Apart from this course, the National Quantum Mission in collaboration with AICTE is also planning to support the creation of labs to aid teaching in the areas of quantum technologies, writing of books for the course and quantum awareness programmes.Sterilization Equipment Market Set for Exceptional Growth in the Forecast 2024-2032

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Fredonia Mining Inc. Announces Filing of Technical Report for the Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate at El Dorado Monserrat Project, Argentina and Option Grant(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Thursday, Dec. 26 COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2 p.m. ESPN — The GameAbove Sports Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Toledo, Detroit 5:30 p.m. ESPN — The Rate Bowl: Rutgers vs. Kansas St., Phoenix 9 p.m. ESPN — The 68 Ventures Bowl: Arkansas St. vs. Bowling Green, Mobile, Ala. IIHF HOCKEY (MEN’S) Noon NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: Slovakia vs. Sweden, Group B, Toronto 2:30 p.m. NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: U.S. vs. Germany, Group A, Ottawa, Ontario 5 p.m. NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: Czechia vs. Switzerland, Group B, Toronto 7:30 p.m. NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: Finland vs. Canada, Group A, Ottawa, Ontario NBA BASKETBALL 7 p.m. NBATV — Oklahoma City at Indiana 10 p.m. NBATV — Utah at Portland NFL FOOTBALL 8:15 p.m. PRIME VIDEO — Seattle at Chicago SOCCER (MEN’S) 7:30 a.m. USA — Premier League: Everton at Manchester City 10 a.m. USA — Premier League: Aston Villa at Newcastle United 12:30 p.m. USA — Premier League: Manchester United at Wolverhampton 3 p.m. USA — Premier League: Leicester City at Liverpool TENNIS 9 p.m. TENNIS — United Cup: Spain v. Kazakhstan 4 a.m. (Friday) TENNIS — United Cup: China v. Brazil 6 a.m. (Friday) TENNIS — United Cup: China v. Brazil The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .Bank of Montreal stock rises Thursday, still underperforms market

MEXICO CITY — It would take years, if ever, for Mexico to accomplish what incoming U.S. President Donald Trump is demanding to avoid tariffs: stemming the flow of migrants and drugs over the border. That’s why Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s efforts to avoid a full-blown trade war might be more about doing enough for both sides to claim success. Even a quick phone call — two days after Trump threatened 25% tariffs against his southern neighbor — seemed to change the tone: Trump said on social media that the Mexican president agreed to “stop people from going to our Southern Border, effective immediately.” Sheinbaum, meanwhile, assured her constituents that she touted to Trump Mexico’s existing approach to migration, which she stressed respects human rights, and that a new deal to collaborate would avoid new tariffs, without providing specifics. The whole exchange was reminiscent of Trump’s first term, when he threatened to send troops to shut down the border and then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador responded by sending the national guard to help apprehend migrants. The move had a limited immediate effect, but sent a strong image that proved enough to at least avert tariffs of up to 25% on all imports from Mexico. Trump’s threats have a “dual objective,” said Palmira Tapia, a political scientist currently working for the government of the State of Mexico. The U.S. president-elect, she said, is simultaneously seeking to appeal to his constituents and strengthen his hand in talks on migration, drugs and trade. Sheinbaum also faces two challenges: She now must find a way to appease Trump to avoid tariffs that could hit 11% of Mexico’s gross domestic product, while also avoiding the perception — at home, and in the White House — that she will easily bend to demands from up north. “She’s talking to Trump, but she’s also talking to the Mexican public. It has to do with giving a dignified response before her voters, but at the same time trying to stop Trump,” said Catalina Perez Correa, a researcher at the Supreme Court’s Center for Constitutional Studies. “She’s saying, ‘I’m not going to let myself be stepped on by Trump.’ She’s saving face in front of the Mexican public.” Migration reality Mexico has long been a stomping ground for the U.S. when it comes to migration policy. It’s been tasked under successive U.S. presidents with beefing up its border security, increasing highway checkpoints and removing migrants from freight trains they often board. Even though migration rose far beyond the 2019 levels in the years after Lopez Obrador’s show of militarizing the border, Mexico has remained an at-times willing partner, accepting most of the millions of migrants who were quickly turned away from the U.S. border during the pandemic. But it hasn’t always been eager to help: The Biden administration often viewed AMLO, as the former president was known, as needing frequent reminders of its expectations for him on enforcement. In 2023, Biden Cabinet officials even visited AMLO in Mexico City just days after Christmas to urge him to do more as a record number of migrants reached the border. Under pressure from the White House during the U.S. election, Mexico helped it decrease border crossings by 65% over an 11-month period starting in December 2023. To do so, Mexican authorities have been detaining migrants in the north of the country and busing them south. There, they are forced to wait until they get an official appointment to apply for asylum in the U.S. — which can take months, if it ever happens at all. It’s all resulted in more than double the number of apprehensions of undocumented migrants between January and August compared with a year earlier, although Mexico has deported few. Experts have said that’s creating a humanitarian crisis in some of the southern cities where migrants are shipped off to. It’s also ratcheting up tensions with some locals, who argue that there aren’t enough jobs or resources to accommodate the newcomers. “What they’re doing now in Mexico is militarization of the border,” said Perez Correa. To further reduce border crossings into the U.S., Mexico could either carry out mass deportations or offer more opportunities to migrants in its territory. Both scenarios seem unrealistic. Simply increasing deportations would go against Lopez Obrador’s policy — which Sheinbaum inherited — of trying to address the problems in their origin countries that pushed them to leave, and it would be an expense for Mexico. After Sheinbaum’s call with Trump, she reiterated her government offers migrants options for international protection in its territory or “voluntary or assisted return” to their countries. The second option doesn’t seem feasible either: Most people want to go to the U.S., where they expect to have higher-paying jobs, more family or community support, and greater safety than in Mexico. Chemical diversions Deaths related to fentanyl — the cheap, synthetic opioid — have reached epidemic levels in the U.S. That’s why reining in the flow of the drug was on Trump’s list of demands. Should recent history be any indication, intervention is never simple. The U.S. arrest of a Mexican alleged drug leader has led to prolonged shootouts in recent months. And in any case, some academics argue simply confiscating more drugs means traffickers learn to produce more, to meet U.S. demand. So far, Mexico has worked to improve its technical capabilities to detect illicit substances at its ports, especially precursor chemicals and fentanyl. “The Navy has provided material and personnel to all ports for the fulfillment of these tasks, the personnel have the necessary training to be able to detect these substances,” said Captain Jose Barradas in an interview at the Manzanillo port, in the state of Colima. “All merchandise that arrives is prone to review under strict security protocols.” Sheinbaum also picked former Mexico City police chief Omar Garcia Harfuch to lead a new national security strategy, a move that was read inside Mexico as a signal of her willingness to increase enforcement in areas where the previous administration had been more hands-off. There’s more that could be done — but it would be hard. Trying to seize these substances at ports is insufficient because synthetic drugs tend to be very small, making them more difficult to detect than traditional drugs, said Victoria Dittmar, researcher at Insight Crime. Those who produce them often innovate with their recipes and use new chemicals that are not illegal. “Mexico can open collaboration paths with the private sector, with the chemical industry, because they know perfectly well its supply chains and the vulnerable areas where there could be diversions,” she said. “This collaboration is essential.” Mexico can also work to identify intermediaries that connect fentanyl producers with chemical suppliers abroad and in the country, people who work in certain companies and are authorized to divert these substances, according to Dittmar. Still, “the main weakness is not putting demand reduction as a priority, to prevent overdose deaths,” Dittmar said. “It’s a shared responsibility. It’s not just the fault of Mexico, the U.S. or Canada, but it’s an issue that affects the entire North American region.” A senior Mexican official said that the country’s actions to address drug trafficking have moved the nation in the direction of the fentanyl crackdown that Trump is demanding. The official cited a new law that will allow for coordinated intelligence efforts that is due to be implemented next year. History repeats It’s plausible that in the medium-term Trump will lower the intensity of his threats because a trade war would be the worst case scenario for both countries, said Tapia, the political scientist. But until then, she said, “Sheinbaum is on trial as to how well she will do” relative to her predecessor, who had a respectful relationship with Trump and often praised him. One strategy that Sheinbaum could pursue: Finding ways to give Trump the appearance of political victory. That was part of the rationale behind AMLO’s deployment of the National Guard — a move Trump still talks about now. “We got thousands of Mexicans patrolling our border free of charge,” he boasted at a recent event about his relationship with AMLO. “He’s a socialist,” Trump said. “But these are minor details.” ——— (With assistance from Eric Martin, Carolina Millan and Ramsey Al-Rikabi.) ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The rise of political movements inspired by the recently concluded American and Ghanaian elections offers a glimmer of hope for the opposition, ISMAEEL UTHMAN writes In the wake of the American and Ghanaian presidential elections, several political movements have emerged in Nigeria, each aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. In both the United States and Ghana, the opposition defeated the ruling parties in landslide victories. In the US, former President Donald Trump of the Republican Party defeated Kamala Harris, the incumbent Vice President and candidate of the Democratic Party, in the November 5 election. Similarly, Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, lost to the National Democratic Congress’s candidate, John Mahama, in the December 7, 2024 elections. Following Trump’s election, opposition parties expressed hope that they could replicate the US and Ghanaian political trajectories in Nigeria. The outcome of the Ghanaian election has injected a renewed sense of optimism among opposition parties, as they step up their political games towards significant political realignment. On November 26, it was reported that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, had concluded plans to form a new political party or adopting an existing one to form a coalition ahead of 2027. After the report, Obi and Atiku met again in Adamawa, Yola State, on November 30, but the two camps of the political leaders denied having discussions for a joint ticket ahead of the 2027 election. However, Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, later revealed that the two political leaders had been engaging in discussions to form a united front against the APC. Ibe, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on December 10, said, “The truth of the matter is that Atiku Abubakar has promoted opposition parties to work together, to come together; that is the only way they can kick out this incompetent and clueless government. And I believe that discussions have been going on.” This was as the Peoples Redemption Party and African Democratic Congress confirmed that they had initiated discussions with each other on a potential merger ahead of the elections. Similarly, some parties under the aegis of the Coalition of United Political Parties and the Social Democratic Party had also expressed readiness for talks of a possible alliance, saying the country needed more than just a coalition of only Atiku and Obi. Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, last Saturday, hosted former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. According to Kwankwaso, the discussions centred on “significant national issues, including the future of politics and governance in Nigeria.” A former Director General of the Progressives Governors Forum, Salihu Lukman, in an open letter titled, ‘Satanic Leadership and Nigeria’s Boiling Point,’ on Monday, called on Obasanjo to lead efforts to unify opposition parties to challenge Tinubu in 2027. Lukman warned that disunity within opposition parties would make it easier for President Tinubu to secure a second term. He called on Obasanjo, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), Gen. Ibrahim Babangida(retd), Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar(retd), Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari to lead efforts to rally opposition parties. While the rise of these political movements brings hope, it also presents significant challenges. The political landscape in Nigeria is complex. In Nigeria’s recent political history, only once has an opposition party defeated a ruling party. In 2015, Buhari of the APC defeated Jonathan of the PDP. Buhari had contested and lost three presidential elections before his party, Congress of Progressives Change, the Action Congress of Nigeria, and a faction of the PDP (new PDP) merged in 2013 to form the APC. The merger provided a bigger platform to achieve his presidential ambition in 2015 and for his re-election in 2019. If the coalition of major opposition leaders works out (like that of the APC in 2013), it will pose a serious challenge to President Tinubu, who won his first election with a 1.8 million vote margin. In the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu polled 8,794,726 (36.61%) to defeat the runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, who secured 6,984,520 (29.07%). Obi, the LP candidate, had 6,101,533 votes (25.40%) while Kwankwaso, the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, polled 1,496,687 (6.40%). Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso’s votes totalled 14,582,740. Beyond the coalition of these individuals, many analysts believe that President Tinubu would face the challenge of convincing people for his re-election because of his economic crisis, which the opposition has already capitalised on to discredit his government. Analysts argue that a similar scenario won the election for Ghana’s opposition leader, John Mahama, as the country’s economy plummeted, went through a debt crisis, default, and currency devaluation. Analysing why the opposition won the Ghanaian election, the Guardian Weekly, an international news magazine based in London, said, “Economic hardship was a major factor: at one point, inflation was as high as 50% and the cedi plummeted to historic lows while the number of taxes increased. A banking sector purge that was hailed by economists but led to thousands of job losses also angered voters, as did a bloated government in which several relatives of the president and ruling party members served.” Currently, Nigeria’s inflation is at 34.6 per cent while the country’s debt stands at N134.3tn. The rise in inflation is largely driven by food price increases, which continue to place a strain on Nigerian households. Commenting, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, expressed optimism that there would be a replica of the US and Ghanaian elections in Nigeria, considering the similarities in the two countries’ economies. But Ologunagba said the replica could only be achieved if the Independent National Electoral Commission allowed elections to be free and fair and respected the people’s will. He said, “You will see the replica if INEC allows the election to be free and fair. The American and Ghanaian elections reflect the will of the people, and you have independent electoral bodies that are willing to respect that will. “The challenge of elections in Nigeria is not just the people. Yes, the APC has promoted poverty as an act of governance that has impaired the capacity to make rational decisions. But beyond that, even when the people make a decision and vote, INEC does not allow the people’s will to prevail as expressed in the ballot. “INEC has been the major challenge for the electoral process, and so the issue of the opposition party winning will be a mirage, except INEC is informed, and INEC leadership is certain that it allows the will of the people to prevail. But there is a snag here, and that is a caution for the country.” He warned of grievous consequences if the will of the people was not allowed to prevail. “When you don’t allow the will of the people to prevail, the consequences for democracy can be grave,” Ologunagba stated. Related News 2027: APC, opposition differ on calls to end defections APC chieftain urges Bago to pull out of AEDC APC denies internal rumblings after Obasa’s 2027 gov comments as opposition watches closely The PDP spokesperson said the Ghanaian election gave hope to the Nigerian opposition for the 2027 presidential election. “The Ghanaians were angry because of the ill-advised policies of the government in that country, and the people expressed it. “In Nigeria, you can feel the economic hardship. You know that the twin policy of irresponsible floating of the naira, and withdrawal of subsidy on petroleum products without any cushioning effect, is what brought us to this level. “So, when you have a government that does not respect the will of the people, and how the welfare of the people matters under the constitution, what happened in Ghana is the consequence of such behaviour.” Similarly, the NNPP also stated that the Ghanaian election had increased the opposition’s hope of winning the 2027 presidential election. “The Ghanaian election has given us confidence as opposition parties that we just have to keep working,” said the spokesman for the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson. However, Johnson maintained that for Nigeria to have a replica of the Ghanaian election, the institutions must allow the will of the people to prevail. He said, “The Ghanaian election has increased our hope. We hope that Nigerians, especially those in authority, like INEC, the police, and others see that the will of the people must be allowed to prevail. That is the key to it. “We need stronger institutions in Nigeria. Our institutions are weak. A lot of the people in our institutions wrongly feel that they owe a sense of duty to either the president or the governor or local government chairman or whoever appointed them. Meanwhile, their duty is to the constitution and to the commonwealth and the well-being of the people of Nigeria. “The moment public servants start to feel that they owe a duty to an individual, then democracy is gradually being eroded. Once we get to that stage, once there is reasonably a level playing ground, then the will of the people will come through.” Johnson said the opposition parties were hopeful that the wind of change in Ghana would extend to Nigeria. “When you see the system of one of your neighbouring countries improving, you always hope that the wind of improvement and positive change will blow your way. Things tend to influence each other, and that was why when there was a coup in Niger, a lot of people were panicking in Nigeria, because we all know that at times, the wind blows from area to area, country to country. “The Ghanaian election has given us confidence as opposition parties that we just have to keep working. We just have to keep talking to Nigerians and make them understand that when someone is giving you palliatives, it means that the government is not working properly,” he added. Johnson said the NNPP was open to coalition because the party believed in good governance and it wanted the best for Nigeria. “If we need to enter into a partnership, into a coalition, into a merger, to bring about a government that will help move this country forward, salvage this country, and move it forward, then so be it,” he stated. But the APC said it was not frightened by the political movements of the opposition figures, describing the participants as enemies of the country. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Oyo State, Olawale Sadare, said there was no serious opposition currently in Nigeria that could threaten President Tinubu’s re-election. “They have every right to be optimistic, but the fact is that winning an election goes beyond mere wishes. They need to work for it. As it stands now, we do not even have any opposition at the federal level. My fear is that we may not even have anything called PDP or Labour Party in 2027,” said Sadare. According to him, discerning minds would support Tinubu in 2027 because of his performance and pedigree. “President Bola Tinubu is not resting on his oars; he is performing, and the 2027 election will be determined on account of pedigree and performance. When we move closer to 2027, every discerning mind in Nigeria will queue behind the president. So, in APC, we don’t have any cause to panic. “Why should we be frightened by the opposition’s political movements or realignments? They are a bunch of clowns. They just want to remain in the heart of the media. These are known enemies of the country. You talk about a former president or his co-travellers. So, we are not bothered. They can afford to meet on an hourly basis. It is none of our business.” Also, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Lagos State, Seye Oladejo, described the political movements and optimism of the opposition parties as wishful thinking that would not materialise. Oladejo said those involved in political realignment were those who had failed the country at one time or the other. He stated the political and economic situations of the US and Ghana were not the same as Nigeria’s, promising that whatever seemed to be hardship now in Nigeria would no longer be in place in 2027. The Lagos APC spokesperson said, “The opposition has been busy daydreaming in recent times, and for reasons that are known to them, they are drooling over the results of the election in Ghana and the US. One could wonder if they have been able to situate those results properly. But the truth of the matter is the situations in Ghana and the US are not exactly the same as Nigeria’s. “The only thing that would be comparable would be that Nigerians will vote for good governance, being put across by APC at different levels in 2027. There is nothing in the camp of the so-called opposition parties to elicit the confidence of Nigerians to entrust them with the mantle of leadership. They are daydreaming. “I can assure you that before 2027, a lot of things that have been put in place in terms of the reforms would have started yielding fruits. The ruling APC government means well for all.”