Congress Plans Nav Satyagrah Baithak to Commemorate Belagavi Session CentenaryNicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and his wife are set to assume absolute power after loyalist lawmakers Friday approved a constitutional amendment elevating her to the position of "co-president" and boosting the pair's joint control over the state. Under sanctions for human rights abuses, Ortega himself had proposed the change, which also increases the Central American country's presidential term from five to six years. Nicaragua's National Assembly is under control of Ortega's ruling FSLN party, and parliament chief Gustavo Porras said Friday the measure was approved "unanimously." It is all but guaranteed to pass a second reading in January. Ortega, 79, has engaged in increasingly authoritarian practices, tightening control of all sectors of the state with the aid of his powerful wife, 73-year-old Vice President Rosario Murillo in what critics describe as a nepotistic dictatorship. The ex-guerrilla had first served as president from 1985 to 1990, returning to power in 2007. Nicaragua has jailed hundreds of opponents, real and perceived, since then. Ortega's government has targeted critics, shutting down more than 5,000 NGOs since 2018 mass protests in which the United Nations estimates more than 300 people died. Thousands of Nicaraguans have fled into exile, and the regime is under US and EU sanctions. Most independent and opposition media now operate from abroad. The constitutional amendment stipulates that "traitors to the homeland" can be stripped of their citizenship, as the Ortega government has already done with hundreds of politicians, journalists, intellectuals and activists, among others perceived as critical. Ortega and Murillo accuse the Church, journalists and NGOs of having supported an attempted coup d'etat, as they describe the 2018 protests. The change also allows for stricter control over the media and the Church, so they are not subject to "foreign interests." And it gives the co-presidents the power to coordinate all "legislative, judicial, electoral, control and supervisory bodies, regional and municipal" -- formerly independent under the constitution. Manuel Orozco, a Nicaraguan analyst for the Inter-American Dialogue, told AFP the reform "guarantees the presidential succession" of Murillo and the pair's son, Laureano Ortega. The Geneva-based UN human rights office (OHCHR) in its annual report on Nicaragua warned in September of a "serious" deterioration in human rights under Ortega. The report cited violations such as arbitrary arrests of opponents, torture, ill-treatment in detention, increased violence against Indigenous people and attacks on religious freedom. The revised constitution will define Nicaragua as a "revolutionary" and socialist state and include the red-and-black flag of the FSLN -- a guerrilla group-turned political party that overthrew a US-backed dictator in 1979 -- among its national symbols. Constitutional law expert Azahalea Solis said this change excludes other political ideologies, while Salvador Marenco, a human rights lawyer exiled in Costa Rica, said it will end political pluralism and the doctrine of separation of powers. "Everything in the reform is what has actually been happening in Nicaragua: a de facto dictatorship," Dora Maria Tellez, a former comrade in arms of Ortega turned critic, told AFP from exile in the United States. When it was proposed by Ortega earlier this week, Organization of American States secretary general Luis Almagro described the amendment as "an aberrant form of institutionalizing the marital dictatorship." He also labeled the initiative an "aggression against the democratic rule of law." mis-mlr/dw
Canada: Trudeau loses support of his MPs – ‘It’s time to retire’ they sayThe National Labour Commission (NLC) has organised a sector-specific labour education initiative, beginning with the education sector, in response to the rising number of industrial disputes and strikes within the industry. The forum, which brought together key stakeholders from the public education sector, including the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and the Ministry of Education, marked the first time the National Labour Commission has tailored its educational efforts to a specific sector. The initiative seeks to address long-standing challenges, foster more harmonious labour relations, and promote effective cooperation between labour and management within the education sector. Speaking at the programme last Friday in Accra, the Executive Secretary of the NLC, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, revealed that the education sector accounts for approximately 80 per cent of industrial disputes leading to strikes in Ghana over the past four years. He emphasised the importance of labour education in fostering understanding of the Labour Law, managing disputes, and maintaining harmony in the workplace. “Today it’s UTAG, tomorrow it’s TUTAG, then it’s the Teacher Unions, FUSA, or the Senior Staff Association. The education sector has a myriad of associations, and this has made it a focal point for disputes,” he explained. According to him, the NLC has also engaged key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, the FWSC and the Ministry of Employment, since many of the recurring disputes stem from unfulfilled promises made during negotiations. Mr Asamoah highlighted the lack of adequate labour law knowledge among union leaders and government officials as a significant challenge. He noted that union leaders are often elected for their vocal nature rather than their negotiation skills, leading to ineffective engagements with management and other social partners. He also called for enhanced labour education for government appointees and media practitioners, citing misinterpretation and lack of knowledge in labour-related reportage as a concern. Despite the importance of labour education, Mr Asamoah lamented the lack of financial support from the government, which has limited the commission’s ability to organise such programmes regularly. “If we had enough funding, we could undertake these sessions quarterly or even every other month. This would significantly reduce industrial disputes and strikes,” he noted. He added that the NLC plans to expand its sector-specific education initiative to other industries, such as health, in the near future. Mr Asamoah urged the media and the public to prioritise discussions on labour issues alongside politics, arguing that a harmonious industrial front is key to national development. “When we have a harmonious industrial front, production can go on, businesses will expand, taxes will be paid, and more people will be employed,” he concluded. The event featured a series of presentations, focusing on key aspects of Ghana’s Labour Law, Act 651, and practical approaches to labour relations. A member of NLC, Mr Francis Kofi Davoh in his presentation, underscored the importance of communication, negotiation skills, and stakeholder engagement in fostering transparency and trust. BY RAISSA SAMBOU
During the construction of Hobart’s Veterans Elementary Hobart High teacher Greg Crouch stood outside piloting a drone as it hovered above the scene. “I wanted to get a wide shot,” Crouch said as he directed his drone over residences to achieve his filmmaking goal of documenting the school’s construction. A curious neighbor saw the drone and called the police. Crouch showed police his commercial drone pilot’s license, explained his mission, and police departed. Drone sightings are increasing across the country and stirring up mysteries and intrigue even as the alien-like devices are wending their way into our lives from filming NFL games to fertilizing farm fields. In recent weeks, omnipresent groupings of drones disturbed residents in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. Their concerns stirred up lawmakers who are asking the federal government for answers. In this image taken from video provided by MartyA45_, several drones appear to be flying over Randolph, N.J., on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (MartyA45_ /TMX via AP, File) The federal Department of Homeland Security is investigating the sightings, but so far nothing nefarious has been reported. Even as drones become more common, they still conjure up paranoia and confusion among Americans unfamiliar with drone regulations. Educators though have embraced the new technology. Districts like Hobart and Valparaiso have incorporated drones into the curriculum. Students in Crouch’s Hobart High advanced broadcasting class use the school’s drone to practice filmmaking techniques such as aerial photography at football practices to aid coaches. Hobart’s school board recently accepted funding for the purchase of a new drone. Crouch sees many benefits of the drone camera’s capabilities. “You can do an area of a field to assess how much water was collected during a flood and it can fly back home,” he said. “We can really start utilizing this in a cross-platform with Project Lead the Way’s Cart Club, too.” In that course, students build their own manned go-carts from scratch and race them. The drone adds aerial photography and data on turns and maneuvers. In 2021, Valparaiso High received a $400,000 city redevelopment Challenge Grant to establish an aviation flight course that includes drone piloting, a skill becoming more popular with the U.S. military. In Hobart, police who work as school resource officers asked for aerial photography footage of high school parking lots to instruct parents where to park and line up for pickup during dismissal. “They use it to better route traffic,” Crouch said. Besides piloting skills, Crouch teaches students Indiana’s drone rules of the air. “We touch upon how to fly, when, and what you are allowed to fly over,” Crouch said. “The biggest rule is don’t impede manned vehicles.” Crouch said there are two types of drone pilot licenses – hobbyist and commercial. Nearly 800,000 are already registered for recreational and commercial use. Many drones, however, aren’t registered, officials said. Americans alarmed at the appearance of a drone can’t just fire a shot at it without consequences. It’s a federal crime to shoot at an aircraft. Also: · Indiana-specific laws call for police to obtain a search warrant before conducting drone surveillance over private property without owner consent. · Sex offenders can’t capture images or track people with a drone. · The state Department of Natural Resources restricts drone flying at their park sites to certain properties and permission is required. · Drones can’t be flown to harass neighbors or take unauthorized videos or photos above private property. · Hunters can’t use drones to scout, search or detect wild animals. A hunter who legally hunted an animal can use a drone with an infrared camera to retrieve the animal’s body. The FAA requires recreational drone pilots to: · Keep the drone in sight at all times. · Don’t interfere with other aircraft. · Fly at or below 400 feet. Drones may be popular gifts for hobbyists, but officials say new pilots should learn the rules before they fly them. For information, visit: faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers . Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune., where they suffered a crushing 34-7 defeat against the Atlanta Falcons. This loss solidified their position at the bottom of the Adding to the drama, , and it was clear Mara was less than pleased to be the focus, especially in the midst of such a lopsided game. His visible anger only highlighted the growing tensions and dissatisfaction surrounding the Giants' performance this season. Since parting ways with Daniel Jones, the team has struggled to find a reliable replacement, further complicating their efforts to turn the season around. Fans and analysts alike are speculating about the future direction of the team, with many calling for significant changes in both strategy and personnel. Another airplane over the Metlife for this Week 17? A banner-carrying airplane flew by MetLife Stadium ahead of a New York Giants home game, capturing the attention of fans and media alike. The message, displayed before the Week 15 game against the Baltimore Ravens, was a direct plea to Giants owner John Mara, urging him to take action amid the team's ongoing struggles. The banner read, "Mr. Mara enough. We won't stop until you fire everyone," signaling the growing frustration among the Giants' fanbase as they witness another disappointing season. The phrase "Mr. Mara enough" has become the rallying cry for a group of Giants fans who are determined to see significant changes within the organization. This same message was prominently featured during the team's Week 14 matchup with the New Orleans Saints, where another banner read, "Mr. Mara enough. Plz fix this dumpster fire." The fans' persistent efforts highlight their dissatisfaction with the team's direction and their hope that public displays of discontent will prompt Mara to overhaul the coaching staff and management.Netflix has revealed its content slate for December 2024, with the much-awaited second season of Squid Game topping the list. The show still remains Netflix's most-viewed non-English TV series. Other highlights include Season 6 of Virgin River and a bunch of movies and TV shows arriving on December 1. These include Little , Midway , and Project X . Here are some other titles to look forward to. Netflix's comedy and documentary specials for December Netflix's December lineup includes a number of comedy and documentary specials. On December 3, Fortune Feimster returns with her third Netflix comedy special, Fortune Feimster: Crushing It . The next day, Netflix will drop a fascinating docuseries, Churchill at War , which examines Winston Churchill 's pivotal role in World War II. Another documentary, The Only Girl in the Orchestra , will highlight trailblazing double bassist Orin O'Brien's journey as the first female musician in the New York Philharmonic. Netflix's global content and family shows for December Netflix will release a bunch of international content in December. The Children's Train (December 4) is an Italian film about a mother sending her son to northern Italy for a better life. From Thailand comes Tomorrow and I , a series imagining a dystopian future where technology clashes with traditional customs. For family viewers, That Christmas is an unforgettable tale of how the worst snowstorm in history changes everyone's plans in Wellington-on-Sea, including Santa's! Netflix's anime, series, and film releases in early December Netflix will continue its content rollout with BEASTARS: Final Season: Part 1 on December 5. The anime follows characters Louis and Haru as they navigate university life. The same day, the streaming platform will release Black Doves , a series about a spy seeking truth and vengeance after her lover's murder. Jentry Chau vs the Underworld is also set to premiere; it tells the story of a teenager rediscovering her suppressed fiery powers as she confronts literal demons. Netflix's mid-December content highlights Oscar and Grammy-winner Jamie Foxx returns to the stage with his comedy event Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was... on December 10. On top of that, Polo , a sports series executive produced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle , gives an exclusive look at the world of polo. The series follows elite players competing in the high-stakes US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida. Beloved Hindi teen romance series Mismatched will arrive on December 13. Netflix's late December content and year-end specials Netflix will end the year with some big releases. On December 26, Squid Game: Season 2 will premiere, bringing back the global hit series. On the last day of the year, Netflix will release Avicii - I'm Tim , a documentary on musical prodigy Tim Bergling, and Avicii - My Last Show , a film capturing his last performance. Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall will debut as comedian Michelle Buteau's second Netflix comedy special.
Winnipeg Jets at Pittsburgh Penguins: How to live stream for FREE, time, channelsKadary Richmond slowly but surely showing he can be ‘one of one’ for St. John’s
Trump's TikTok love raises stakes in battle over app's fate
The Prime Minister said his younger brother, who had learning difficulties because of complications at birth, had met “all the challenges life threw at him with courage and good humour”. He died peacefully on Boxing Day, according to the Prime Minister’s spokesman. The Prime Minister had been due to go on holiday with his family on Friday, but it is understood that he will now remain at home, and hopes to join them later. Sir Keir said in a statement: “My brother Nick was a wonderful man. “He met all the challenges life threw at him with courage and good humour. We will miss him very much. “I would like to thank all those who treated and took care of Nick. Their skill and compassion is very much appreciated.” Sir Keir spoke candidly about his brother in a recent biography written by journalist and former Labour Party adviser Tom Baldwin. While growing up in Surrey, the brothers shared a bunk bed in a room with an airing cupboard, and “just enough space for a couple of small desks where we’d do our homework”. The biography recorded how each child of the Starmer family was given a dog for their 10th birthday, and Nick and his twin sister Katy received Jack Russell terriers called Greg and Ben. The book also described how their mother, Jo, had taught Nick to read, but Sir Keir remembered how the school described his brother as “remedial”. Sir Keir, the middle child of four siblings, said: “They had no expectation of him or anything and I’m not sure he even sat exams, so he had nothing to show for coming out of education. “We were a family of six, so it didn’t feel lonely and I shared a room with him, but Nick didn’t have many friends and got called ‘thick’ or ‘stupid’ by other kids.” He added: “Even now I try to avoid using words like that to describe anyone.” Nick worked on scrap cars and scaffolding, earning enough money to rent a home near where he had grown up, according to the book. It said Sir Keir was best man at Nick’s wedding, and the now Prime Minister recalled borrowing a car so his brother was not “driving his bride from the church in his beaten-up minivan, which had all his clothes in the back”. The marriage ended and Nick lived for some time in Yorkshire. In 2022, Sir Keir stepped away from local election campaigning to make several hospital visits to see his brother, who was seriously ill at the time. The Prime Minister also spoke about Nick in his speech at this year’s Labour Party conference in Liverpool. As he described his early encounters with art and culture, and the need to remove social barriers, Sir Keir told delegates: “My brother, who had difficulties learning, he didn’t get those opportunities. “Every time I achieved something in my life, my dad used to say, ‘Your brother has achieved just as much as you, Keir’. “And he was right. I still believe that.” Mr Baldwin, writing for The Times on Friday, recalled the moment in 2023 that he learned from Sir Keir that his brother was dying of lung cancer. He wrote: “This has been a huge part of his life over the past couple of years, during which he made regular trips to Leeds where his brother was in hospital. “Even during the election campaign and since he entered Downing Street, Starmer has continued to visit without a camera crew in sight. “He got to know the staff treating his brother so well that he could recite all their names and they would let him into the hospital through a back door so that there would be no publicity.” Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch was among those in the world of politics to offer their condolences. She wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “This is such awful news. Particularly devastating at Christmas time. “My sincere condolences to Keir Starmer and all his family.” Irish premier Simon Harris wrote: “My sincere sympathy to Keir Starmer and his family on such sad news. “They are in my thoughts at this difficult time.”
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