Biden pledges £472m for rail project to improve access to Africa’s mineralsTracy City Attorney Bijal Patel will resign from her job, with the Tracy City Council accepting her resignation Tuesday night during a closed session. Patel submitted her resignation during a closed session meeting on Tuesday, when performance reviews of her and City Manager Midori Lichtwardt were on agenda. Councilman Dan Arriola, who has been elected as Tracy’s next mayor, with the Nov. 5 election results still to be certified, made the announcement: “At this time Ms. Patel is voluntarily issuing her resignation as Tracy City Attorney, and the City Council is accepting her resignation.” Human Resources Director Kimberly Murdaugh reported that three council members voted to accept Patel’s resignation and two abstained from the vote. She did not specify how each individual council member voted. Patel will remain in her office until Dec. 3, and she will work remotely until her resignation becomes effective at the end of the year. She then will receive a severance package that includes the equivalent of a year’s salary, $279,807, plus 140 hours of management leave and 12 months of COBRA payments to allow for continuation of her health insurance. Patel came to the city in April 2022 with 20 years of experience working at the City of Oakland, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and City of San Francisco. Her more than 21⁄2 years at the city of Tracy were marked by conflict with Mayor Nancy Young, leading to a San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury report that, among other things, blamed Patel for delays in development and business projects and poor morale among city staff. The conflict came into the public spotlight in May 2023 when the council considered revisions to its Code of Conduct, which Young denounced as a policy document that would give the city attorney undue authority. That issue brought forth the council majority’s dissatisfaction with then-City Manager Michael Rogers, who would end up resigning. After the California State Bar declared Patel’s law license inactive for one month in July 2023, the council majority of Mayor Pro Tempore Eleassia Davis and council members Mateo Bedolla and Dan Evans continued to support her, approving a raise for her in December 2023 while Young and Arriola opposed the raise. Circumstances of that raise also led to two lawsuits against the city, the council majority in particular, but recent San Joaquin County Superior Court rulings in those cases have supported the city and Patel. Patel’s resignation comes as the council prepares to make a transition based on the results of the Nov. 5 election. Mayor Nancy Young is off of the council because of term limits, and Mayor Pro Tempore Eleassia Davis will be off of the council after an unsuccessful run for mayor. Steve Abercrombie and Dotty Nygard are the two leading candidates for council from Nov. 5, and Bedolla is likely to keep his seat on the council as the third-highest vote-getter as Arriola moves to the mayor’s seat. Despite the divisions and conflict over the past year-and-a-half, Patel and Young both made comments indicating they have reached a degree of reconciliation. “I hate that we have come to this place, and I do hope that you read the comments, at least from me, for this evaluation,” Young said, referring to the City Attorney’s performance evaluation discussed in closed session. “We’ve had our differences of approach and difference of opinion, definitely, throughout the time. I can say that in the past few months we have had a better working relationship and I do appreciate that and I do acknowledge that even in my review,” Young added. “I do wish you well in your endeavors. Even though it’s bittersweet I’m happy to be able to end on a better note than it could have been.” Patel agreed that they have put their conflicts behind them. “I do acknowledge that we have repaired our relationship in the past few weeks. It’s better to end on good note. I appreciate being able to leave on my own terms.” Davis, Evans and Bedolla, who have consistently supported Patel and praised her work on development agreements and other land-use matters, continued to offer words of support and encouragement while denouncing attacks against her. “I wanted to publicly thank you for your service to the city of Tracy,” Davis said. “I am disheartened that you are leaving, but I do understand. I do absolutely wish you the best of luck. I think you’re an outstanding attorney and I don’t think that this city did you any justice or favors, and I truly apologize as a member of this council and as a resident. You deserve better and I wish you the very best.” Evans added that he appreciated Patel’s experience as a development attorney. “You’ve got that background that really is perfect for this city. It’s what we need. It’s been invaluable, and the treatment that you’ve endured during your tenure at the city of Tracy, personally, it’s unforgivable and I’m very sorry that you’ve had to endure that.” In addition to conflicts at council meetings and the lawsuits, Patel was also subject to persistent online attacks through social media, as well as through mailers. “It’s difficult for me to even serve from this dais watching that happen. The city is losing somebody that endured that treatment to just do what’s right for this city,” Evans said. Bedolla added that Patel has contributed to progress on important city projects. “As part of a team we’ve had some really good successes in the past couple of years between the land for the aquatics center, the multigenerational rec center groundbreaking. I’ve seen things get done in this city that don’t necessarily match up with the narrative. I just want to sincerely thank you for your work.” Arriola’s comment was brief: “I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.” A statement from the City Manager’s office reads: “Over her tenure, she has played a vital role in improving legal processes and procedures, advancing the City's legal initiatives, and ensuring the protection of its interests.” During the closed session the council also conducted a performance review for City Manager Midori Lichtwardt. Young reported afterward that the council will consider an amended contract for Lichtwardt at its Dec. 3 meeting. • Contact Bob Brownne at brownne@tracypress.com , or call 209-830-4227.lol646 casino online games philippines withdrawal 。

TWO educational institutions, Mandaue City College (MCC) and Benedicto College (BC), are setting benchmarks in fostering safer and more inclusive learning environments through their anti-bullying campaigns and mental health programs. MCC and BC’s comprehensive approaches focus on education, support systems, and community collaboration, ensuring the well-being of its students and its personnel. MCC has implemented innovative strategies to address bullying and mental health concerns. In line with Mental Health Month, the institution hosted seminars and workshops featuring experts from Cebu Technological University CTU, City Health Office, and the Mandaue City Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Office (SAMHSO). Guidance Counselor Cheryl O. Repique said the school’s proactive measures include seminars on bullying policies, stress management, and healthy diets. MCC also introduced bibliotherapy and a wellness room equipped with board games and free food to promote a sense of community. Last October, weekly zumba sessions were held every Friday to maintain physical and mental wellness among the students. Ashley Dave Almario, a second-year Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) student, shared how the school’s initiatives helped him overcome bullying as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. “I received negative comments about my appearance and actions, but the seminars and inclusivity campaigns helped me regain confidence,” Almario said. Teachers at MCC have also been instrumental in the institution’s efforts by participating in training programs that recognize the warning signs of mental health issues and emphasize suicide prevention. BC, meanwhile, takes a community-driven approach to combat bullying and promote mental health. Anti-bullying policies are integrated into the school’s manual, and awareness campaigns are introduced even before the school year begins. BC Director for Academic Affairs Dr. Ranulfo Visaya underscored the importance of addressing bullying as a societal issue. Angelito B. Magnanao, a third-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) student, shared how the mental health programs have helped him after facing bullying due to his skin condition. BC also coordinates with government agencies to host seminars on bullying prevention and mental health awareness. “By understanding the root causes of bullying and providing support, we aim to create an inclusive and safe learning environment,” said Visaya. MCC and BC’s initiatives underscore their shared commitment to creating supportive environments where students can thrive emotionally, mentally, and socially. By combining education, collaboration, and innovation, these institutions are fostering communities that prioritize well-being, inclusivity, and resilience of its students and workforce. by: Trixcy Shien M. Cobarde & Bejay Chen B. Tabayag, Jamaica B. Bregente & Yvon Maratas /Benedicto CollegeSecurity cameras captured video of a University of Mississippi student leaving his campus apartment twice on the morning he was last seen alive, University Police Department Capt. Jane Mahan testified Wednesday in the trial of the man accused of killing the student. Jimmy “Jay” Lee, 20, was a gay man well known in the LGBTQ+ community at Ole Miss and in Oxford, where the university is located. He was last seen on July 8, 2022. Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr., 24, of Grenada, Mississippi, is charged with capital murder in Lee's death, and his trial began Tuesday in Oxford. Herrington has maintained his innocence. Police said cellphone history showed conversations between Herrington and Lee on the morning Lee disappeared. Jurors on Wednesday were shown video clips of Lee leaving his own apartment shortly after 4 a.m., wearing a robe and slippers. The clips showed him returning about 40 minutes later and leaving again just before 6 a.m. When he left the last time, he was looking at his cellphone. A friend of Lee, Khalid Fears, testified Tuesday that he had a video chat with Lee while Lee left the apartment around 6 a.m. that day. Lee said he was going back to see a man he had seen hours earlier, Fears testified. Mahan testified Wednesday about the timeline of the video clips showing Lee at the campus apartment. She said campus police started searching for Lee after his mother, Stephanie Lee, called later that day to request a welfare check on her son after he didn't respond to multiple messages. Jay Lee's apartment had an electronic key card, and Mahan testified that police contacted the campus housing department to put an alert on his card, which would automatically send police an email if the card were used. An assistant district attorney, Gwen Agho, asked Mahan if Lee ever returned to his apartment after he was recorded leaving that morning. “Not that I've ever been notified of, no,” Mahan said. Lee and Herrington saw each other twice during the hours before Lee disappeared, Agho said during opening arguments Tuesday. She said the men had sexual contact during their first meeting, and Lee was upset when he left Herrington’s apartment. Herrington invited Lee back — and before Lee arrived, Herrington searched online for how long it takes to strangle someone, Agho said. Herrington “was not openly in the LGBTQ community,” she said. A witness, Kizziah Carter, testified Wednesday that he was driving home from work at about 7:30 that morning and saw Herrington jogging along a road in Oxford. Carter said he knew Herrington and honked to greet him, and Carter flagged him down to ask for a ride. The road was near an apartment complex where Lee's car was found later in the day. Carter said he drove Herrington to Herrington's apartment in another complex. Surveillance video also recorded Herrington running from where Lee’s car was found, and he was later seen picking up a shovel and wheelbarrow at his parents’ house, authorities said. Lee’s body has not been found. In October, a judge declared him dead at the request of Lee’s parents. Lee’s active presence on social media fell silent after July 8, 2022, and no transactions have appeared on his credit card since then, prosecutors said. Herrington was arrested two weeks after Lee vanished, then released five months later on a $250,000 bond. A grand jury indicted him in March 2023. Herrington’s attorney, Kevin Horan, told jurors Tuesday that prosecutors have “zero” proof that Lee was killed or that any crime happened. Both Herrington and Lee had graduated from the University of Mississippi. Lee was pursuing a master’s degree. He was known for his creative expression through fashion and makeup and often performed in drag shows in Oxford, according to a support group called Justice for Jay Lee. Prosecutors have announced they do not intend to pursue the death penalty, meaning Herrington could get a life sentence if convicted. Mississippi law defines capital murder as a killing committed along with another felony — in this case, kidnapping.

Biden pledges £472m for rail project to improve access to Africa’s minerals(ECNS) --“We are very close with the Chinese. Even though there is a distance between Ethiopia and China, we feel that China is our close neighbor and neighboring country,” said Ethiopian scholar Melaku Mulualem, Training Director General at the Institute of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia in a recent interview with China News Network. During the interview, Melaku Mulualem recalled his experience studying in Beijing, and visiting cities in China like Shanghai and Fuzhou. He was greatly impressed by major changes and development undertaken in China over the past few years. “Whenever I come to China, I notice a lot of changes,” Melaku Mulualem said. “The construction is very fast. The roads are very clean. And people are cooperative. If I get lost, they are ready to help me.” In Mulualem’s view, Ethiopia and China have a long history of friendship. The two countries formally established diplomatic ties in 1970, and since then their bilateral relation has grown stronger . In particular, he noticed that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has injected a strong impetus into trade and investment between Ethiopia and China, and has benefited people from the two countries. He pointed out that the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, a landmark railway line connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti as well as a flagship project under the framework of the BRI, has gained acclaim for its contribution to reducing travel time and facilitating Ethiopia's growing trade. “My friend used to travel for 3 days from Addis Ababa to Djibouti City, but now within 11 or 12 hours(via the railway),”Mulualem said.“So it has minimized the time for people who travel, for people who trade, and with safety also.” He also praised several other cooperation projects between Africa and China, including construction of the new headquarters of the African Union and the reference laboratory for the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “This shows how much China is supporting Africa. So the relationship is becoming stronger and stronger, not only between Ethiopia and China, but also between Africa and China.” the Ethiopian scholar said. He further highlighted the global challenges of injustice and inequality in governance, noting China's efforts to address these issues. “That's why China has been supporting South-South cooperation. One of the cooperative mechanisms is the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which is a good example of China supporting South-South cooperation, especially to support Africa,” he added. Through South-South cooperation, Africa has gained access to technology transfer, financial support, and education and training opportunities. “I myself also benefit from it. Because of China's active participation and hard working, South-South cooperation is getting better and better,” Mulualem concluded.

Rights Group: Afghan women barred from studying nursing and midwiveryBy AAMER MADHANI, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that a number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. The U.S. believes that the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden has been briefed on the findings and that the White House “has made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” The Chinese embassy in Washington on Tuesday rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages on Wednesday. Associated Press writer David Klepper contributed reporting.

TV sport commentator says there's a problem with Indian cricket star Jasprit Bumrah that everyone is too 'politically correct' to say out loud Bumrah has been outstanding during Border-Gavaskar series Paceman has almost single-handedly carried India's attack By JAMES COONEY FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 18:54 EST, 23 December 2024 | Updated: 18:55 EST, 23 December 2024 e-mail View comments Veteran sports commentator Ian Maurice has blamed political correctness for cricket's failure to hold Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah up to scrutiny for what he believes is a suspect bowling action. The Indian great has been a standout performer in this series and how well the Australians counter him in Melbourne and Sydney will go a long way to deciding whether they regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Aussies were left in tatters at 8-70 early on the second day of the Perth Test, largely because of Bumrah's five-wicket haul as he ripped through the top order at Optus Stadium. Cricket fans at the time called for the pace bowler's action to be investigated, after he produced devastating swing in both directions off a short run-up. On Monday, Maurice took to X to comment on the matter, posting: 'Why has no one questioned the delivery of India paceman Bumrah? Is it not politically correct these days? 'I'm not saying he's throwing but at least the position of the arm at the point of delivery should be analyzed. Nine would have had it under the microscope some years ago.' Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah has been sensational throughout the Border-Gavaskar series Former sports commentator Ian Maurice (pictured) believes cricket's powers that be are refusing to analyse the paceman's action because they're afraid of being called racist Bumrah's unorthodox action has indeed been discussed over the years, with some comparing it to Pakistan bowler Mohammad Hasnain, who was banned from international cricket for throwing in 2022. At the time, renowned bowling coach and former England player Ian Pont explained why Bumrah's action is legal. 'You can see his arm straight from the wrist to elbow. The rule is when it is above the vertical that the elbow must not bend past 15 degrees,' Pont said. 'You can clearly see the forward flexion in his arm, which is a hyperextension. This is allowed (a forward bend) for people with hyper-mobile joints. 'A hyperextension is a movement in a similar direction to the direction of movement - not downward or to the side. This is why Bumrah's action is classified as legal since it is within the guidelines of hypermobility.' Nottingham Trent University senior lecturer in biomechanics Paul Felton has worked with numerous cricket coaches and further explained how the hypermobility is an advantage for Bumrah, but a legal one. 'His hypermobility also provides further advantages (in) that he is able to maintain alignment throughout his bowling action which reduces variability in his control of line and length,' he said. 'So, his hypermobility makes him unique. That he's able to maximise speed by accessing more optimal movement patterns which increases control and provide lower injury risk.' Bumrah's unique action has been discussed over the years, with several experts on the matter deeming it perfectly legal Bumrah (pictured with wife Sanjana Ganesan) has been exceptional this year and crucial to the Indian team throughout the tour of Australia Aussie cricket legend Greg Chappell says Bumrah's technique is 'unequivocally clean' Aussie cricket legend Greg Chappell has also spoken on the matter, saying fans should stop questioning the 30-year-old's technique. 'India's bowlers, spearheaded by the lethal Jasprit Bumrah, looked sharper and more menacing. Australia were bundled out for 104 in 52 overs, with Bumrah proving almost unplayable at times,' Chappell wrote in a column for Sydney Morning Herald. 'By the way, please stop this nonsense of questioning Bumrah's action. It is unique, but it is unequivocally clean. It demeans a champion performer and the game to even bring it up.' Former Australian opener David Warner has offered some insight into why the Indian star is so hard to face on the pitch. 'The key challenge of Bumrah is getting used to his action. If you haven't faced him before, it can be quite challenging,' Warner said. 'You've got to try and get used to the stutter at the crease. And then he lets go some thunderbolts. He always hits line and length. Can swing them both ways. 'I think the beauty of him is he's got two different gears. He can pitch it up when the ball is new and then he can go the other length.' The fourth Australia-India Test gets underway on Boxing Day at the MCG with the series locked at one victory apiece. Pakistan Melbourne India Share or comment on this article: TV sport commentator says there's a problem with Indian cricket star Jasprit Bumrah that everyone is too 'politically correct' to say out loud e-mail Add commentShaq cuts short Inside the NBA segment to ‘prove co-stars wrong’ and earns standing ovation in TNT studioNone