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:Sending across a political message to the various parties that are hoping to tie-up with parties that are now with the DMK for the 2026 Assembly elections, Chief Minister M K Stalin said that the present DMK-led coalition was a permanent alliance and not just a principled grouping. Speaking at an event held in Balan Illam, the State headquarters of the CPI, to mark Communist veteran R Nallakannu turning 100 on Thursday, Stalin said that protests, service and public life were the only things that made the leader’s life. More than his simplicity, one should remember that Nallakannu endured hardships in life to uphold the ideals of Communism and dedicated himself for the party, the Chief Minister said, acknowledging the Communist leaders unwavering support to his government and its welfare schemes. Nallakannu had requested Stalin in 2022, when the prestigious ‘Thagasal Tamilar’ (Outstanding Tamilian) award was bestowed on him, to upgrade the Government Hospital in Srivaikuntam, his birth place. That hospital itself was rechristened after him in celebration of his turning 100 and in acknowledgment of his 85 years of public life. The new building that the Srivaikuntam hospital would soon have would be called ‘Comrade Nallakannu Centenary Building,’ an official press release said. Stalin said the birthday celebrations would go on through the entire year and on January 29 a day-long event attended by representatives of all political parties would be organized at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai. Political leaders cutting across party and ideological divide greeted Nallakannu on his 100th birthday. BJP State President called him a reformist, while Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam president Vijay credited him with fighting caste discrimination. Several politicians, including PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, and many popular personalities greeted the Communist leader by personally calling on him and also through social media messages. The CPI said that Nallakannu was born on the same day the CPI was founded in Kanpur and that he symbolized Communist simplicity with an uncompromising pro-people stance.

NIGHT OWL In our rapidly evolving digital world, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a cornerstone of innovation, reshaping industries, governance, and education. Yet, as we marvel at the transformative power of AI, a troubling disparity looms large: the access to AI technologies—and the opportunities they unlock—is not evenly distributed. It is time we recognize AI access as a fundamental human right, essential for equity, inclusion, and global progress. Consider this: of the 7,000 languages spoken worldwide, less than one percent are supported by AI systems like ChatGPT. This shocking statistic underscores a deep imbalance in the digital ecosystem. Dominant languages such as English, Spanish, and Mandarin enjoy robust AI support, while thousands of indigenous and low-resource languages remain overlooked. For communities whose languages are excluded, the consequences are severe—not just culturally but economically and socially. These communities are left further behind in an already unequal global digital landscape. Language is more than a means of communication; it is a vessel of identity, history, and culture. When AI platforms fail to include certain languages, they inadvertently contribute to the erosion of cultural heritage. Moreover, the absence of AI support for low-resource languages denies millions access to the life-enhancing benefits of AI, from educational tools to healthcare applications. Without deliberate intervention, this exclusion risks reinforcing cycles of poverty and marginalization. NightOwlGPT, an AI-driven platform incubated under LSE Generate, is pioneering a solution to bridge this gap. By enhancing natural language processing (NLP) models for low-resource languages with complex morphologies, NightOwlGPT empowers marginalized communities to preserve their linguistic heritage. Its tools enable real-time translation, cultural competence, and interactive learning, ensuring that even endangered languages find a place in the digital age. NightOwlGPT’s global vision demonstrates how inclusive AI can transform societies, offering hope to countless communities that their voices will not just survive but thrive. Viewing AI access as a human right is not just about justice; it is about unlocking human potential. Imagine a world where AI systems are equipped to learn and translate endangered languages, enabling children in remote areas to receive an education in their mother tongue. Envision a healthcare AI that understands and processes medical records in indigenous languages, breaking down barriers to critical services. But achieving this vision requires action. First, governments, tech companies, and international organizations must invest in developing AI for low-resource languages. This includes allocating funding for linguistic data collection and ensuring computational models are inclusive of diverse morphologies and scripts. Second, regulatory frameworks must enforce inclusivity in AI research and deployment, much like accessibility standards in public infrastructure. Finally, we need to create AI systems that are not merely tools of the privileged but bridges to opportunity for all. This means prioritizing affordability, ensuring that even the most resource-constrained communities can harness AI to address their unique challenges. Declaring AI access a human right is not merely aspirational; it is necessary. As we stand on the brink of an AI-powered future, the choice is clear: will we allow technology to deepen existing divides, or will we use it to build a world where no one is left behind? By enshrining AI access as a human right, we affirm our commitment to the latter—a future where every individual, regardless of their language or background, has a voice in the digital age.

Volunteers, donors give animals Christmas dinnerIn response to the revelation, Education Minister Li Wei announced a comprehensive review of the school's financial management practices and pledged to implement stricter oversight mechanisms to prevent future occurrences of corruption. He also called for greater transparency and accountability in the procurement and allocation of resources in the education sector, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public trust and confidence in the integrity of the education system.

Students who thrive under pressure and only seem to produce their best work when faced with imminent deadlines. These deadline darlings may procrastinate until the last minute but somehow manage to deliver high-quality assignments or projects just in time. Their ability to excel under pressure is both impressive and mystifying to their peers.Real People Share Their Favorite Target Purchases Of 2024UK hospitals are now asking visitors to wear face masks onsite amid rising cases of flu. Four Welsh health boards said they had reintroduced mask wearing at their hospitals. Hywel Dda Health Board is asking visitors at Prince Philip Hospital, in Llanelli, to wear face masks. Cardiff and Vale University, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University and Aneurin Bevan Health Boards said visitors should wear masks at all their sites. In a post on social media, the Aneurin Bevan Health Board - which manages healthcare across Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent - said 'all staff and visitors must wear masks in wards and clinical settings, effective immediately'. READ MORE: Police hunt for schoolboy, 11, after woman assaulted in daylight sex attack Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here . It comes after Public Health Wales said flu cases across Wales are yet to reach their peak, WalesOnline reports . The most recent data from Public Health Wales revealed the number of patients being treated for flu in hospitals increased by almost 50 per cent from the week of December 9. Staff who work in clinical settings covered by the Cardiff and Vale University and Aneurin Bevan Health Boards must also wear face masks. Visitors are also being told that they should not visit hospital sites if they have symptoms of respiratory infections. They are being encouraged to take up offers of flu vaccinations. The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently monitoring the activity levels of four illnesses that peak during winter in what has become known as the 'quad-demic'. This includes flu, COVID-19, RSV and norovirus . Health board bosses at Hywel Dda University Health Board said there are restrictions on visiting at Prince Phillip Hospital in Llanelli. They said: "Seasonal flu is affecting patients on several wards and infection prevention actions are being taken. Visitors are asked to only come if they are free of any infections and to wash hands and wear face masks, which can be provided on the wards. "Visiting the Acute Medical Assessment Unit is restricted further and is by arrangement with the ward sister only. Specific requests to visit will be considered on an individual basis. "This arrangement will be reviewed daily, and restrictions will be lifted as soon as possible." Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: "In light of rising cases of flu in the community and across our hospital sites, we are urging all patients and visitors to wear masks in our assessment, emergency and waiting areas. "All employees of the Health Board who work in clinical areas are also being told to wear masks. Please do not visit patients at our hospital sites if you have symptoms of respiratory infection. "Our colleagues in Public Health Wales estimate that flu rates are likely to peak by the end of next week, so we must do everything we can to reduce the spread of infection." Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: "Visiting one of our emergency departments at Prince Charles Hospital, the Princess of Wales Hospital , or the Royal Glamorgan Hospital this week? "From today, until further notice, you’ll be asked to wear a mask when you arrive to help prevent the spread of flu. We’re seeing an increase in flu cases in our hospitals and wearing a mask is an effective way to prevent yourself from catching or spreading the virus. "If someone brings flu into a hospital, it can pose a real risk to the health of patients and cause sickness among our staff, so we need to do everything we can to keep the virus at bay."

The Cincinnati Bengals , led by quarterback Joe Burrow , meet the Dallas Cowboys , led by quarterback Cooper Rush in Week 14 of the NFL season on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 (12/9/24) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. How to watch: Fans can watch the game for free via a trial of DirecTV Stream or fuboTV . You can also watch via a subscription to Sling TV, which is offering half off your first month. — DirecTV Stream is offering $30 off on Entertainment with Sports Pack featuring NFL RedZone, BIG Ten Network and more. — fuboTV plans start at $79.99 per month. — Sling TV is offering plans for as low as $20 for your first month An alternate broadcast set in “The Simpsons” animated universe can be watched with a subscription to Disney+ or ESPN+ . Here’s what you need to know: What : NFL Monday Night Football Who : Bengals vs. Cowboys When : Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 (12/9/24) Where : AT&T Stadium Time : 8:15 p.m. ET TV : ABC/ESPN Live stream: fuboTV (free trial), DirecTVStream (free trial) *** Here’s a preview capsule via the Associated Press: Cincinnati (4-8) at Dallas (5-7) Monday, 8:15 p.m. EST, ESPN BetMGM NFL Odds: Bengals by 5 1/2. Against the spread: Bengals 6-6; Cowboys 4-8. Series record: Cowboys lead 10-4. Last meeting: Cowboys beat Bengals 20-17 on Sept. 18, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. Last week: Bengals lost to Steelers 44-38; Cowboys beat Giants 27-20. Bengals offense: overall (9), rush (27), pass (1), scoring (T5). Bengals defense: overall (27), rush (22), pass (27), scoring (31). Cowboys offense: overall (20), rush (31), pass (7), scoring (21). Cowboys defense: overall (26), rush (31), pass (13), scoring (T29). Turnover differential: Bengals minus-1; Cowboys minus-7. Bengals player to watch Joe Burrow is one of five QBs in NFL history with at least 30 touchdown passes and no more than five interceptions through 12 games. Aaron Rodgers has done it three times, with one each for Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees and Tom Brady. The worst record among the six previous instances was 9-3, while Burrow sits at a hard-to-imagine 4-8. Two of those teams started 12-0: Green Bay with Rodgers in 2011 and Tom Brady with New England in 2007. Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards (3,337), completions (302) and touchdowns (30) entering Week 14. Cowboys player to watch LB DeMarvion Overshown had a coming-out moment with his spectacular 23-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Giants. The second-year player, who missed his rookie season with a knee injury, tipped a pass from Drew Lock, ran down the deflection and scored untouched to put Dallas ahead for good. There’s talk of him forming quite a tandem with two-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons. It’s a little early for that, but the “Monday Night Football” audience will be looking for an encore. Key matchup WR Ja’Marr Chase vs. the Dallas secondary. The question is whether 2021 All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs will be among the defenders going up against his former Southeastern Conference rival (Chase played for LSU; Diggs for Alabama). Diggs has missed two games with groin and knee issues. There was some trash talk involved in Dallas' 20-17 win two years ago when the Bengals were defending AFC champs. Chase finished with 54 yards as Cincinnati was held to 254 yards and one touchdown. If Diggs can’t go, 2023 All-Pro DaRon Bland figures to see plenty of Chase. Bland is set for his third game after missing the first 10 following surgery for a stress fracture in his foot. Chase leads the league in receiving yards (1,142) and touchdowns (13) entering Week 14. Key injuries Bengals K Evan McPherson (groin) and LB Logan Wilson (knee) were placed on injured reserve this week. Cade York, the LSU kicker when Burrow and Chase led the Tigers to the 2019 national championship, was signed to replace McPherson. ... LT Orlando Brown Jr. is out again with a fibula injury after ending a three-game absence with a return against the Steelers. ... Cowboys RG Zack Martin has opted for ankle surgery that will end an injury-filled season for the seven-time All-Pro. Martin missed the past two games. ... It appears Dallas will have to wait at least one more week before DE DeMarcus Lawrence returns from a foot injury. His practice window hasn’t opened, and he stayed in the rehab group to start the week. Lawrence hasn’t played since Week 4. ... Rookie LT Tyler Guyton has been dealing with a shoulder injury and added an ankle sprain last week. He is likely to sit this week in favor of veteran Chuma Edoga, who made his season debut against the Giants after injuring a toe in training camp. Series notes The Cowboys have beaten the Bengals five times in a row and are 7-1 at home against them. The loss was at old Texas Stadium in 1988. The most recent victory for Cincinnati was 26-3 in 2004. Stats and stuff The Bengals are on their second three-game losing streak of the season and still looking for their first victory over a team with a winning record. The Cowboys have won two in a row coming off a five-game losing streak and just ended a six-game skid at home. ... Seven of Cincinnati’s losses have been one-score games, including the past three. ... The Bengals have the second-best touchdown rate inside the 20-yard line at 71.1%. The Cowboys have the second worst at 43.8%. ... It’s the second Monday night game of the season for both teams. Cincinnati lost to Washington in Week 3. Dallas lost to Houston in Week 11. ... Burrow is one of six QBs with at least three consecutive games of 300-plus yards passing and at least three TDs. Steve Young set the record with five for San Francisco in 1998. Burrow has lost all three games on his streak, while the other five QBs were a combined 15-6 during their streaks. ... WR Tee Higgins is one of three NFL receivers with at least five touchdowns in each of the past five seasons. Mike Evans and Justin Jefferson are the others. ... LT Orlando Brown Jr. returned against Pittsburgh following the first stint of his seven-year career on the inactive list with a leg injury sustained Oct. 27. ... The Bengals benched starting LG Cordell Volson against the Steelers in favor of Cody Ford. Coach Zac Taylor said Ford played well enough to keep the starting job. ... Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson entered the week still leading the NFL with 11 1/2 sacks but has just half a sack during the current three-game losing streak that followed his career-high four sacks against Las Vegas. But Hendrickson does have 4 1/2 sacks in his past four road games and 9 1/2 in eight Monday night games. ... Cowboys QB Cooper Rush’s second career start, and first as a five-game fill-in for the injured Dak Prescott in 2022, was a Dallas victory over the Bengals. Rush passed for 235 yards and a touchdown in the first of four consecutive games without an interception, all victories. Rush is 2-2 this season as the replacement for Prescott, who is out for the season following surgery on a torn hamstring. ... RB Rico Dowdle is coming off his first career 100-yard game, with 112 yards rushing and a touchdown against the Giants. ... CeeDee Lamb needs 120 yards receiving to become the first Dallas wideout to reach 1,000 yards in four of his first five seasons. ... Dallas has 16 sacks in the four games since two-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons returned from a high ankle sprain. The Cowboys are tied with Denver for the most sacks in that span. Parsons has 5 1/2 of them. Fantasy tip RECOMMENDED • nj .com How to watch the Dallas Cowboys game tonight (12/9/24) | FREE LIVE STREAM, time, TV channel for NFL Monday Ni Dec. 9, 2024, 2:00 p.m. How to watch the Cincinnati Bengals game tonight (12/9/24) | FREE LIVE STREAM, time, TV channel for NFL Monda Dec. 9, 2024, 2:00 p.m. Bengals RB Chase Brown has at least 90 scrimmage yards in the past four games, including a team-best 100 last week against the Steelers. Dallas has the second-worst run defense in the NFL. (The Associated Press contributed to this report) Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.By Jarrell Dillard, Prashant Gopal and Maria Clara Cobo | Bloomberg Before Donald Trump’s election, Redfin Corp. projected mortgage rates would average 6.1% next year. But three days after the election, they revised their estimate upward to 6.8% – basically unchanged from today’s high levels. “The difference is Trump,” said Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at Redfin. “The market seems to be pricing in that he’ll move forward with at least some of the tariffs, but it’s really hard to know what Trump is going to do.” It’s another hit for the housing market, which has been dealing with a rise in borrowing costs that’s pushed at least one measure of mortgage rates above 7%. Economists expecting higher-for-longer borrowing costs shows just how tough the market is likely to be for homebuyers trying to find affordable options. “There was a view that rates would gradually fall, but that no longer seems to be the case,” said Thomas Ryan, North America economist at Capital Economics. “As a result, the housing market is going to stay frozen — as it is — for longer than we and other economists had expected.” While the stock market rallied the day after Trump’s victory, the bond market has reacted with more trepidation given how tariffs and other policies might impact inflation. After the election, Barclays Plc economists raised their inflation projections for the next two years and lowered their outlook for economic growth, due to tariffs and potential immigration restrictions. Trump’s proposal for an up to 20% tariff on all imports, and an even higher 60% tariff on Chinese goods, is one of the major causes of uncertainty. Economists have said this could lead to inflation as companies would likely pass on those cost increases to consumers. If he also imposes tax cuts, that could lower fiscal revenue and drive up the US deficit, pushing long-term rates even higher. Some economists have also warned that Trump’s plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants could further exacerbate the nation’s housing shortage. If Trump’s policies lead to an even smaller labor force for the construction industry, it would make it difficult to build new homes and make costs even more expensive. “We need labor,” said Nadia Evangelou, senior economist at the National Association of Realtors. “Sometimes homebuilders are not able to deliver affordable homes, or the price point that people can afford to buy. And the reason is because of the labor shortage.” Trump’s impacts on the economy will likely influence how the Federal Reserve proceeds. And while the Fed’s decisions on short-term interest rates do not directly set mortgage rates, monetary policy does have some influence. Mortgage rates closely follow yields on 10-year Treasuries, and are affected by market expectations for inflation and economic growth. Capital Economics expects higher rates to be another “setback” for buyers and cause a home-sale recovery to be even shallower than expected. Mortgage rates will likely stay high around 7% in 2024 and drop only a quarter point by the end of 2025, according to Capital Economics’ Ryan. “There’s a general consensus that the net effect of Trump’s policies will be inflationary,” Ryan said. “That’s what’s driving changes in the bond market at the moment.” Other economists have also dialed back their mortgage-rate expectations. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, predicts 30-year fixed mortgage rates will now remain around 7%. “I don’t think I’d count on mortgage rates coming down anytime until next fall, later next year,” Zandi said. “And even then, I’m not sure. It really depends on what his policies are, how aggressively he pursues them.” Forging aAhead For buyers, the picture remains a little uncertain. High borrowing costs have weighed on shoppers, fueling a drop in contracts to buy previously owned homes in October, according to Redfin. While prices held up in October, homes stayed a median of 41 days on the market, about a week longer than a year ago, according to Redfin. If higher borrowing costs slow the market even more, that could help spur more deals for buyers. For now, election uncertainty has cleared, giving some consumers more confidence to forge ahead. Erica Diaz, an agent with Homevest in Florida, said her business has seen a significant increase in both potential buyers and sellers since the election. Malvin Le, a real estate agent based in Orange County, California, said his phone lit up immediately after the election with a few buyers ready to go shopping again. “The day after the election, I got three or four calls from buyers who wanted to see a house that weekend,” Le said. “There are still buyers waiting to buy, they’re just waiting for a good deal.” Related Articles Housing | Criminal charges and jail time now part of predatory mortgage lending law in California Housing | 30-year mortgage hit highest level since July Housing | Mortgage refinancing, auto loans rejected at highest rate since 2013 Housing | US mortgage rates dip, but economists see volatility ahead Housing | Mortgage rates fell, then rose. What comes next?

In conclusion, the clash between Bayern Munich and Barcelona is a meeting of football titans that promises to be an enthralling spectacle for fans around the world. With both teams possessing top-class talent, tactical acumen, and a hunger for victory, this matchup is set to be a pivotal moment in the Champions League campaign. As the final whistle blows, only one team will emerge victorious, but the spirit of competition and the beauty of the game will resonate long after the match is over. Let the battle begin!In a globalized world where interconnectedness and free trade are the norm, resorting to protectionist measures like tariffs could isolate the United States and put it at a disadvantage in the fiercely competitive international market. As other countries continue to pursue free trade agreements and open up their markets to foreign investment, the United States risks falling behind if it continues down the path of protectionism.

OKAPI WILDLIFE RESERVE, Congo — For eight years, a Chinese mining company has been vastly expanding inside an endangered World Heritage Site, accused by locals and conservationists of decimating the environment. The Okapi Wildlife Reserve became a protected site in 1996, due to its unique biodiversity and large number of threatened species, including its namesake, the okapi, a forest giraffe, of which it holds some 15% of the world’s remaining 30,000. It’s part of the Congo Basin rainforest — the world’s second-biggest — and a vital carbon sink that helps mitigate climate change. It also has vast mineral wealth such as gold and diamonds. The original boundaries of the reserve were established three decades ago, by Congo’s government and encompassed the area where the Chinese company now mines. But over the years under opaque circumstances, the boundaries shrunk, allowing the company to operate inside the plush forest. Mining is prohibited in protected areas, which includes the reserve, according to Congo’s mining code. Issa Aboubacar, a spokesperson for the Chinese company, Kimia Mining Investment, said the group is operating legally. It recently renewed its permits until 2048, according to government records. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . Congo’s mining registry said the map they’re using came from files from the ICCN, the body responsible for managing Congo’s protected areas, and it’s currently working with the ICCN on updating the boundaries and protecting the park. The ICCN told The Associated Press that in meetings this year with the mining registry the misunderstandings around the boundaries were clarified and the original ones should be used. An internal government memo from August, seen by AP, said all companies in the Reserve will be closed down, including Kimia Mining. However, it was unclear when that would happen or how. In this undated photo, an okapi stands in a protected area as part of a captive breeding program in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in Congo. Credit: AP The document has not previously been reported and is the first acknowledging that the current boundaries are wrong, according to environmentalists working in Congo. Rights groups in Congo have long called on the government to revoke the Chinese permits, saying the mining ministry illegally awarded them based on inaccurate maps. Here are some takeaways from AP's report on the issue: Contested boundaries The Muchacha mine — the biggest in the reserve and one of the largest small and medium scale gold mines in the country — spans approximately 12 miles (19 kilometers) along the Ituri River and consists of several semi-industrial sites. Satellite images analyzed by AP show consistent development along the southwestern section of the Reserve, since it began operating in 2016, with a boom in recent years. Wendo Olengama, a Pygmy chief, sits in his village in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in Congo, Sept. 22, 2024. Credit: AP/Sam Mednick Joel Masselink, a geographer specializing in satellite imagery, who previously worked on conservation projects in the forest, said the mining cadastral — the agency responsible for allocating mineral licenses — is using a version of the reserve’s maps in which the area’s been shrunk by nearly a third. This has allowed it to award and renew exploration and extraction concessions, he said. Changing World Heritage Site boundaries needs to be approved by UNESCO experts and the World Heritage Committee, which analyze the impact of the modification, a spokesperson for the World Heritage Center told AP. The Center said no request to modify the Reserve’s boundaries had been made and that cases of boundary modifications to facilitate development were rare. Civil society groups in Congo accuse some government officials of intentionally moving the boundaries for personal gain. The U.N. report said mines are controlled by the military, and some members are under the protection of powerful business and political interests, with soldiers at times denying local officials access to the sites. Environment and communities impacted Nearly two dozen residents, as well as former and current Kimia Mining employees from villages in and around the Reserve, told AP the mining was decimating the forests and the wildlife and contaminating the water and land. Five people who had worked inside Kimia’s mines, none of whom wanted to be named for fear of reprisal, said when the Chinese finished in one area, they leave exposed, toxic water sources. Sometimes people would fall into uncovered pits and when it rains, water seeps into the soil. Employees and mining experts say the Chinese companies use mercury in their operations, used to separate gold from ore. Mercury is considered one of the top ten chemicals of major public health concern by the U.N. and can have toxic effects on the nervous and immune systems. Assana, a fisher who worked in the mines and only wanted to use his first name, said it now takes four days to catch the same amount of fish he used to get in a day. While doing odd jobs for the company last year, the 38-year-old saw the Chinese repeatedly chop swaths of forest, making the heat unbearable, he said. Between last January and May, the reserve lost more than 480 hectares (1,186 acres) of forest cover — the size of nearly 900 American football fields — according to a joint statement from the Wildlife Conservation Society and government agencies, which said it was concerned at the findings. Double standards Residents, who once mined in the reserve, are infuriated by the double standard. Despite being a protected forest, people still mined there until authorities cracked down, largely after the Chinese arrived. Kimia Mining grants limited access to locals to mine areas for leftovers, but for a fee that many can’t afford, say locals. Muvunga Kakule used to do artisanal mining in the reserve while also selling food from his farm to other miners. The 44-year-old said he’s now unable to mine or sell produce as the Chinese don’t buy locally. He’s lost 95% of his earnings and can no longer send his children to private school. Some residents told The AP there are no other options for work and have been forced to mine secretly and risk being jailed. Resolution efforts Conservation groups are trying to protect the reserve, but say it’s hard to enforce when there’s ambiguity on the legalities. “On the one hand, Congo’s law clearly states that mining is illegal in protected areas. On the other hand, if a mine is operating with an official permit, then that creates confusion, and that becomes hard to enforce on the ground,” said Emma Stokes, Vice President of field conservation for The Wildlife Conservation Society. The internal memo, seen by the AP, outlines discussions by a joint task force between the ICCN — the body responsible for managing protected areas — and Congo’s mining registry, which was created to try and resolve the boundary issue. The document said it will it will trigger the process of stopping all mining within the Reserve and integrate the agreed upon map from the joint commission into the mining registry’s system. UNESCO’s requested a report from Congo by February, to provide clarity on what will be done to resolve the problem.In the end, Nani is not just a footballer who played the game; he is a symbol of resilience, passion, and the unwavering pursuit of one's dreams. He may not have been the next Cristiano Ronaldo, but he is and always will be Nani – a shining star in his own right.