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electronic gaming monthly Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’The Ravens looked better defensively last week, but now Roquan Smith's injury is a concernThe main opposition People's Party (PP) announced it would not take part in former protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul's planned anti-government protests, saying it would work within the parliamentary system to fulfill its role. PP spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu said on Wednesday the party would focus on the government's work and address issues that were of public concern through parliamentary mechanisms. These issues, including the justice administration process, the Khao Kradong land controversy and the 2001 memorandum of understanding on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand signed by Thailand and Cambodia, would be examined as usual, he said. The party would also do it best to advocate for reforms and policies by submitting bills or proposing legal amendments, many of which were approved by parliament, he said. Mr Parit was responding to comments by Nattawut Saikuar, an adviser to the prime minister, who said PP supporters might join the planned street protests. The PP spokesman dismissed Mr Nattawut's comments as speculation, saying he had no idea on what it was based. However, he insisted the party supports people's freedom of expression whether the party agrees with the issues and it hopes that political expression will not violate democratic principles. "The party has no intention to whip up political movements outside parliament. "We're determined to work within the system to keep the government in check and advocate for change," he said. Mr Sondhi, former leader of the now-defunct People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), caused a stir this week when he announced his plan to hold regular activities next year. Some observers warned these activities could escalate into mass demonstrations against the Pheu Thai-led government and even lead to the seizure of power. Mr Nattawut said previous demonstrations against the Thai Rak Thai-led government and the Pheu Thai administration culminated in the 2006 and 2014 coups. PM's Office Minister Chousak Sirinil on Wednesday called on the public to consider the impacts of past yellow-shirt protests and the coups, saying they were important lessons for the country. He said these incidents brought political instability which posed a major obstacle to the country's development. Mr Chousak said there were no conditions which could trigger mass protests and added that no negotiations under the 2001 MoU were in progress. He said the result of the talks would have to be reviewed and approved by parliament. "Such a crisis is way behind us, and I don't want the country to go back to that point," he said. The Pheu Thai Party member also brushed off speculation the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration would be short-lived. Paiboon Nititawan, secretary-general of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), on Wednesday warned the government not to mess things up especially when dealing with charter amendments and the referendum bill, which are controversial matters. He was commenting on Mr Chousak's remark that the waiting period for the referendum bill would be much shorter if it was classified as a finance-related law after the Senate last week won the joint House-Senate panel vote to retain the double majority rule needed to pass a charter amendment referendum. The House is likely to affirm the simple majority when the bill is returned for a vote, as it has backed such a change in the past. In this case a 180-day mandatory "cooling-off period" would apply before the bill is passed. However, if the bill is classified as a finance law, it will be suspended only 10 days, instead of 180 days. Mr Paiboon said the government should respect the House regulations and the House Speaker's judgement that the referendum bill is not a finance bill. He also said he agreed with some analysts' observations the Paetongtarn government might not last a year.

Bloom Energy Corporation (BE): Piper Sandler Raises Price Target Amid Growing Role in AI Data Center Power SolutionsThe Latest: Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City

EMPOLI, Italy (AP) — Englishman Keinan Davis scored with 14 minutes remaining for Udinese to draw at Empoli 1-1 in Serie A on Monday and snap the visitor's three-game losing streak. The former Watford and Aston Villa striker rose to head home a near-post corner with 76 minutes gone. Pietro Pellegri put Empoli ahead midway through the first half with his third goal in three games. The on-loan Torino striker has endured a lean season but a goal in the 1-0 win over Como was followed by another in the 1-1 draw with Lecce before the international break. The result was the first point in four games for Udinese, after consecutive defeats to Atalanta, Juventus and Venezia, and meant that both sides retained their mid-table positions. Udinese was ninth and Empoli 10th. Story continues below video Later, Venezia missed a chance to move off the foot of the table when it went down at home to Lecce 1-0. Venezia was dominant for most of the game, with Gaetano Oristanio and Jay Idzes hitting the woodwork and Wladimiro Falcone outstanding in the Lecce goal. But the home side paid for its profligacy after 70 minutes. Antonino Gallo’s sublime cross from the left was met by Patrick Dorgu at the far post and he steered the ball into the far corner to give Lecce all three points. Lecce, which started the night only two places above bottom side Venezia, jumped into 15th place. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerI'm A Celebrity fans threaten to 'boycott' show after major announcement

Rockets aren't the only thing Elon Musk is sending into the stratosphere. After a three-year plummet, dogecoin , jumping 250% since the election of Donald Trump—part of a broader wave of optimism in the industry, due to Trump's courting of crypto advocates during his campaign. Trump's informal appointment of Musk to what he calls the —D.O.G.E for short—also helped pump the dog-themed . This isn't the first time Musk, who styles himself as " ," has fueled interest in dogecoin. In May 2021, its price shot up in anticipation of on "Saturday Night Live." During one skit, Musk played a in conversation with a host, who repeatedly asked him, "What is dogecoin?" After some obfuscation, Musk's character finally admitted that it was a hustle. The price of the coin went . Just over a year later, it had . The losses hit small investors hard. In 2022, one of them against Musk for market manipulation and insider trading, though the case was dismissed in August 2024. Why has dogecoin—a meme coin that was never meant to be taken seriously as an investment—seen such extreme swings in value? We're all in this together Dogecoin was launched in 2013 to spoof bitcoin and a slew of other cryptocurrencies that were claiming to disrupt the traditional world of finance. , copied the code of an existing coin, and branded it with the already popular Doge —a picture of a Shiba Inu dog surrounded by fragments of broken English: "wow much coin." Although pointless and undesirable, it became one of the most popular and enduring cryptocurrencies on the market. Following dogecoin's previous surge in 2021, its fervent network of influencers and everyday investors worked together to draw tremendous attention—and capital—to the joke currency. To understand the appeal of these absurd investments, you have to look at the time and energy that users invest into these networks and the rewards, both financial and social, they get in return. Meme coins are collaborative enterprises. Members of these online communities have an economic incentive to become outspoken boosters: The more the value of dogecoin rises, the more their investments grow. But they also receive social validation from other meme coin investors when they pump up the coin. In other words, behind every meme coin is a collective of strangers on a communal mission to make more money. Dogecoin and its imitators have been described by their leadership as , and projects. Beyond branding the assets with culturally resonant images, whether it's a or , successful crypto ventures are characterized by complex webs of trust. Trust in the technology. Trust in its potential for future appreciation. And trust that those holding power in the networks won't exploit the rest. This loyalty is woven among a global network of users who collaborate around the clock to promote their coin and demonstrate their unwavering commitment to its success. In times of price appreciation, the collective . During price dips, community members mutually reinforce their comrades'—and their own—beliefs that this is just a bump in the road and that their collective efforts will eventually lead to a handsome payoff. Even in the coldest of , this ritualistic behavior helps these speculative communities endure. Community serves as a substitute for financial loss. The investment strategies in these communities—and the conviction in their payoff—involve repeating and reposting what others have said, like any traditional internet meme. Trolling traditional valuation The real value of meme coins cannot be understood in the same way as traditional assets, such as stocks and physical commodities. These types of assets have fundamentals, such as a company's financial statements, or public demand for basic goods, from coffee to oil. Conversely, the fundamentals of meme coins are reflected in their network activity, such as daily active users, and less concrete metrics, such as social sentiment and —how much public awareness a coin has generated compared with its rivals. Of course, the valuations of traditional assets are also affected by these social factors. The difference is that meme coins offer little by way of productive activity. They add nothing to the economy. Occasionally, their leadership will , but these are generally added as afterthoughts, especially as a way to drum up more speculative excitement. Meme coins troll the traditional conventions of valuation and mock the edicts and dogmas of mainstream investors. And that's exactly the point. Participation in meme coin communities—or any crypto community, for that matter—entails embracing an alternative economic experience. They are speculative sandboxes for playing outside of the conventional rules of investment. Who let the Doge out? Musk is the quintessential meme influencer. As the richest man in the world, he's viewed by many as a paragon of savvy investing. extends far beyond dogecoin's social network. And his promotional efforts are playful—so playful that the judge in his class-action case as mere "puffery" and that "no reasonable investor could rely upon them." Dogecoin previously reached the peak of its memetic momentum when Musk appeared on "Saturday Night Live." Now, instead of sitting at the Weekend Update news desk cracking jokes, he's sitting in Trump's office advising the president-elect. In other words, dogecoin's memetic resonance has ascended from pop culture to politics, helping it capture a bigger slice of the public's mindshare. While dogecoin has specifically benefited from Musk's proximity to Trump, the broader crypto market is leaping with optimism for a crypto-friendly administration. Speaking at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in July, the GOP candidate ensured he'd make the United States " ." After pouring , the crypto industry can now claim 274 pro-crypto members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 20 pro-crypto U.S. senators. Between Musk buddying up with Trump and a shifting regulatory environment, the dog can once again run free. This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .Agarwal Holdings Private Limited has acquired a land parcel in the highly sought-after Juhu locality of Mumbai, valued at Rs 455 crore, according to Square Yards. The plot was acquired from Shapoorji Pallonji Gwalior Private Limited, a part of Shapoorji Pallonji Group. According to the registration document reviewed by Square Yards, the land parcel spans an area of approximately 1,819.90 sq. m (19,589.22 sq. ft.). The transaction was finalized and registered in November 2024, with a stamp duty of Rs. 27.30 crore and registration charges amounting to Rs. 30,000. Anand Moorthy, Co-founder and CBO, Capital Market & Services, Square Yards said, “Mumbai’s position as India’s financial capital and a strategic business hub continues to draw BFSI firms and their allied industries to the city. Recent transactions, such as Agarwal Holdings Private Limited’s recent land acquisition in Juhu, highlight the city’s enduring appeal for both commercial and residential investments. Key hubs such as the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and prime locations across Southern and Western Mumbai have firmly established themselves as sought-after destinations for commercial and luxury real estate. In a market defined by limited land availability and high demand, securing a foothold in Mumbai provides businesses with a competitive edge while offering robust ROI potential on their investment fuelled by escalating land and property values and a thriving commercial ecosystem." Juhu remains a marquee residential destination in Mumbai, driven by its coastal appeal, proximity to international airport, luxury housing stock, and strong social infrastructure. The locality attracts highnet-worth individuals including several celebrities, leveraging its proximity to Juhu Beach and premium amenities. Agarwal Holdings Private Limited, established on December 11, 2020, is a private, non-government entity registered with the Registrar of Companies in Mumbai. The company specializes in activities auxiliary to financial intermediation, providing essential support to financial institutions such as banks, investment firms, and insurance companies.

CARTERVILLE — The John A. Logan College women’s basketball team doesn’t have to look any further than its performance at the free-throw line Friday to understand why they lost a home match with Danville, 70-63. The Volunteers shot just a shade over 50% for the game (16-of-30 for 53%). They also turned the ball over 21 times and could only convert three 3-pointers for the entire game (3-of-14). Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.TROY, Ala. (AP) — Amir "Primo" Spears led UTSA with 29 points, including a three-point play with 25.8 seconds left, as the Roadrunners knocked off Merrimack 76-74 on Wednesday. Spears added five rebounds for the Roadrunners (2-3). Jonnivius Smith scored 11 points while shooting 5 of 7 from the field and added 20 rebounds. Marcus Millender went 3 of 9 from the field (2 for 6 from 3-point range) to finish with 10 points. Adam Clark led the way for the Warriors (1-6) with 28 points, six rebounds and four steals. Devon Savage added 15 points for Merrimack. Bryan Etumnu finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. The loss was the Warriors' sixth in a row. Damari Monsanto put up eight points in the first half for UTSA, who led 37-36 at halftime. Spears scored a team-high 24 points for UTSA in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. “As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.” The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. “We’re excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. "Together, we’re assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world.’’ Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti’s dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA . The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they’ve already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti’s application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1’s current grid. “General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. “Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024,” F1 said in a statement. “Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. “With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1." AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racingJennifer Love Hewitt Will Return for ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’

Saskatchewan fall legislative sitting ends with barbs after civility promiseFormula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season

A 34-year-old female pitcher has broken through baseball’s gender barrier by signing with an independent men’s league team, becoming the first woman to play Canadian pro baseball. “The Toronto Maple Leafs are honoured to announce the signing of Ayami Sato, one of the best pitchers in the world, who will make history as the first woman to play professional baseball in Canada!” the Maple Leafs announced on social media. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.NoneIs a 60-minute train ride from New York to London possible? The transatlantic tunnel vision resurfaces

Dallas Cowboys star guard Zack Martin is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Martin didn't practice at all this week. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texas. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. The aging of the Baby Boomer generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) has significantly increased the share of the U.S. population aged 55+ during the past decade: from 24.9% in 2010, to 30.2% in 2023. And a growing number of these Americans are opting to age in place or downsize—creati... Click for more. American Cities With the Oldest Homebuyers

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All is not smooth sailing headed into this final month of racing: There's a new race director following the firing of Niels Wittich that blindsided the Grand Prix Drivers' Association so badly that it created an Instagram account to rebuke the lack of FIA transparency. "It was a bit of a surprise, I think, for everybody," said Mercedes driver George Russell, a GPDA director. "It's a hell of a lot of pressure now onto the new race director (with) just three races left. Often, as drivers, we probably feel like we're the last to find out this sort of information." Greg Maffei, the CEO of Liberty Media, the company that holds the commercial rights to F1, said last week he was stepping down from his position. This followed months of speculation that owner John Malone was displeased with Liberty landing in two different Justice Department investigations, one surrounding F1's refusal to allow Andretti Global into the series and the other over allegations of a Live Nation concert ticket monopoly. The Andretti team is expected to receive F1 approval to join the grid, albeit without Michael Andretti, who has scaled back his role dramatically since the IndyCar season ended in September. F1 denied over the weekend that Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Management, was also on the move amid rumors that the Italian would take over MotoGP if Liberty's purchase of the series is approved. Renee Wilm, a longtime Liberty Media employee, CEO of the Las Vegas Grand Prix and potentially Domenicali's successor, told The Associated Press she will fulfill any role Malone tasks her with but has little desire to move from Colorado to London to replace Domenicali. Maffei's newly opened job? Who knows. Many drivers, particularly seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, have been at odds with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem since his election following the 2021 season finale. In the GDPA statement, they reminded the sanctioning body "our members are adults" who don't need lectures and fines on foul language or jewelry bans, and simply want fair and consistent race control. There's been no response from Ben Sulayem, and won't be this weekend since he does not attend the LVGP. He will be at Qatar and the finale in Abu Dhabi next month. Hamilton doesn't think all the behind-the-scenes changes will be a fan topic as the season comes to a close. But he noted that consistency from race control is all the drivers have asked for, while throwing his support behind Domenicali and the job Maffei has done in growing F1 since Liberty took over. "I really hope Stefano is not leaving because he's been so instrumental in changes and progress to this whole thing," Hamilton said. "And he knows the sport as well as anyone. But all good things do come to an end, and whoever they put into place, I just hope they are like-minded. But sometimes you have to shake the trees." That's just what happened with the surprise departure of race director Wittich. Although drivers have been unhappy with race officiating this season and held a private GPDA meeting in Mexico City, Russell said they had no prior warning Wittich was out. The race director is the referee each weekend and Wittich has been in charge since 2022, when Michael Masi was fired following the controversial 2021 season-ending, championship-altering finale at Abu Dhabi. Now the man in charge for the final three races is Rui Marques, the Formula 2 and Formula 3 race director. Las Vegas, which overcame multiple stumbling blocks in last year's debut before putting on one of the best races of the season, is a difficult place to start. Verstappen can win his fourth title by simply scoring three points more than Lando Norris of McLaren. "It's a bit weird with three races to go to do that," Verstappen said. "It doesn't matter if you're positive or negative about certain things. I thought in Brazil there was definitely room for improvement, for example. It's still a bit weird having to now then deal with a different race director." Charles Leclerc of Ferrari wondered why the move was made with only three races to go. "To do it so late in the season, at such a crucial moment of the season, it could have probably been managed in a better way," he said. The drivers have consistently asked for clearer guidelines in the officiating of races, specifically regarding track limits and racing rules. The drivers have no idea how Marques will officiate, highlighting a disconnect between the competitors and Ben Sulaymen's FIA. "We just want to be transparent with the FIA and have this dialogue that is happening," Russell said. "And I think the departure of Niels is also a prime example of not being a part of these conversations." The GDPA statement made clear the drivers do not think their voice is being heard. "If we feel we're being listened to, and some of the changes that we are requesting are implemented, because ultimately we're only doing it for the benefit of the sport, then maybe our confidence will increase," Russell said. "But I think there's a number of drivers who feel a bit fed up with the whole situation. It only seems to be going in the wrong direction." He also said the relationship between the drivers and the FIA seems fractured. "Sometimes just hiring and firing is not the solution," he said. "You need to work together to improve the problem." Norris, who has battled Verstappen this year with mixed officiating rulings, said "obviously things are not running as smoothly as what we would want." Marques has his first driver meeting ahead of Thursday night's two practice sessions and then three weeks to prove to the competitors he is up for the job. Carlos Sainz Jr., who will leave Ferrari for Williams at the end of the season, hopes the drama doesn't distract from the momentum F1 has built over the last five years. "I think Formula 1 is in a great moment right now and all these rumors, I think in every team, every job, there's job changes," he said. "It's not big drama. I'm a big fan of the people you mentioned, they've done an incredible job in Formula 1 and Formula 1 is what it is thanks to these people. But it's just so emotional, especially the Stefano one. The only one that has a real effect is the race director. But I think if he does a good job, it should be transparent and nothing big."After a toxic political year, give thanks for ... ThanksgivingUnrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women's basketball league launching this winter, signed LSU star guard Flau'jae Johnson to a name, image and likeness deal. Johnson is the second college player to ink an agreement with Unrivaled, following UConn's Paige Bueckers. They won't be participating in the upcoming inaugural season, but Johnson and Bueckers will have equity stakes in the league. Unrivaled dropped a video on social media Thursday showing Johnson -- who also has a burgeoning rap career -- performing a song while wearing a shirt that reads, "The Future is Unrivaled." The deal will see Johnson create additional promotional content for the league. Johnson, 21, was a freshman on the LSU team that won the 2023 national championship. Now in her junior year, Johnson is averaging career highs of 22.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game through 10 games for the No. 5 Tigers (10-0). She ranks eighth in Division I in scoring. Johnson has career averages of 14.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in 82 career appearances (80 starts) for LSU. --Field Level MediaTrump to triumphantly return to international stage at reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, may meet with Zelensky

Mexico president hails 'excellent' Trump talks after US tariff threatMysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in Oregon

Bridge Defense Announces Strategic Investment in Federated ITAP Business SummaryBrief at 5:52 p.m. EST

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Wednesday he would seek an arrest warrant for Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing for crimes against humanity in the alleged persecution of the Rohingya, a mainly Muslim minority. Myanmar's ruling junta said in a statement to Reuters that the country was not a member of the court and that it does not recognize its statements. A million Rohingya fled, most to neighboring Bangladesh, to escape a Myanmar military offensive launched in August 2017, a campaign that U.N. investigators have described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. Soldiers, police, and Buddhist residents are alleged by U.N. investigators to have razed hundreds of villages in Myanmar's remote western Rakhine state, torturing residents as they fled, carrying out mass-killings and gang-rapes. Myanmar has denied the allegations, saying security forces were carrying out legitimate operations against militants who attacked police posts. Most refugees now live in squalor in camps in Bangladesh. "He [Min Aung Hlaing] is responsible for orchestrating the genocide against the innocent Rohingya people," said Mohammed Zubair, a Rohingya researcher living in a Bangladesh refugee camp. "Under his command, the military killed thousands of Rohingya and subjected countless women and girls to horrific acts of sexual violence." Seeking a warrant for "the person who holds the highest military position in Myanmar sends a strong message to perpetrators that no one stands above the law," said Nicholas Koumjian, head of the U.N. Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, which assisted the ICC investigation. A panel of three judges will now decide if they agree there are "reasonable grounds" to believe Min Aung Hlaing bears criminal responsibility for the deportation and persecution of Rohingya in Myanmar and Bangladesh. There is no set time frame for their decision but it generally takes around three months to rule on a warrant. The ICC prosecutor's move comes as his office faces intense political backlash from Washington, among others, over its arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief Yoav Gallant. The prosecutor's office said it was seeking the warrant after extensive, independent and impartial investigations. More applications for arrest warrants relating to Myanmar will follow, it added. Myanmar is not a member of the treaty-based ICC, but in 2018 and 2019 rulings judges said the court had jurisdiction over alleged cross-border crimes that partially took place in neighboring ICC member Bangladesh, and said prosecutors could open a formal investigation. "This is the first application for an arrest warrant against a high-level Myanmar government official that my Office is filing. More will follow," the ICC prosecutor's statement said. FIVE-YEAR INVESTIGATION The ICC has been investigating crimes against the Rohingya for nearly five years. Its investigation has not only been hampered by a lack of access to the country but also because Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted an elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, sparking a resistance movement that began as peaceful protests and later evolved into an armed rebellion on multiple fronts. Investigators drew on witness testimonies, including from insiders, documentary evidence and authenticated scientific, photographic and video materials. "The ICC prosecutor's decision to seek a warrant against Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing comes amid renewed atrocities against Rohingya civilians that echo those suffered seven years ago," Maria Elena Vignoli, senior international justice counsel at Human Rights Watch said. "The ICC’s action is an important step toward breaking the cycle of abuses and impunity that has long been a key factor in fuelling the military’s mass violations." With 124 member nations, the ICC prosecutes individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression. With no police force to make arrests, it relies on states to do this. It faces a challenge to get Min Aung Hlaing into custody, as he does not travel. Global powers the United States, Russia, China and India have not signed onto the ICC. It is backed by all of the European Union, Australia, Canada, Britain, Brazil, Japan and dozens of African and Latin American countries. It has issued several arrest warrants for serving national leaders including Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Sudan's Omar al-Bashir. So far, only one sitting head of state, Kenya's Uhuru Kenyatta, who was charged by the ICC before he was elected president in 2013, appeared in court to face charges. The case was later dropped.NoneHitachi Rail Invests C$100m+ In Next Gen Urban Rail Signalling Technology