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KYIV - Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey said on Thursday that "certain negotiations" were under way regarding a UN-brokered grain export initiative which was shut down in the summer of 2023.
A Black Sea deal was brokered by the U.N. and Turkey in July 2022 to combat a global food crisis worsened by Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The two countries are among the world's top grain exporters.
In July 2023 Russia halted its participation in the deal stating that the terms of its participation in the agreement were not being met.
"Unfortunately, this grain initiative is not functioning at the moment, although certain negotiations are ongoing to find a format for possible assistance from international partners to Ukraine," Vasyl Bodnar told a online briefing.
He provided no more details.
Ukraine launched its own shipping corridor hugging its western Black Sea coast near Romania and Bulgaria last August after Moscow withdrew from the UN-brokered deal.
Since then it has exported around 16.5 million metric tons of cargo - mostly food - via the route. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/ukraine-diplomat-says-talks-under-way-on-un-brokered-grain-deal
| 2024-01-18T13:29:47Z
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TEL AVIV - Life in Tel Aviv appears normal for Rhona Ukrainsky three months after Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, but the pain and fear are just under the surface, causing her to cry when the subject is mentioned and flinch when she hears a loud noise.
The trauma inflicted by the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust has not faded. She feels distraught over the hatred directed at her country by Hamas and its allies, and fearful for the safety of her three young children.
"Sometimes you just try to keep with daily things, take the kids, go to work," said Ukrainsky, 35, a finance director at a medical equipment company, who was out walking in the city with her newborn baby in a pram.
"But it's lying down there at the bottom of the heart," she said, unable to contain her tears.
Just over 100 days after Oct. 7, enduring pain is a key reason why polls in Israel show consistently high support for its military offensive in Gaza, even as optimism over whether it can achieve its stated goals has started to erode.
Israeli forces have laid waste to much of the Palestinian enclave, killing over 24,000 people and wounding over 61,000, Gaza health officials say, as well as displacing most of the population, causing widespread hunger and disease.
The scale of the deaths and suffering in Gaza have shocked much of the world and prompted widespread criticism of Israel's actions, including accusations of genocide brought by South Africa at the U.N.'s top court -- dismissed as false by Israel.
But within the country the media are not dwelling on the unfolding humanitarian disaster in Gaza, and for most people the focus is on doing whatever it takes to keep Israelis safe and restore their shattered confidence.
"It's not a war that we chose. It was thrust upon us by this terrible invasion and all the atrocities that were committed," said Ray Parnes, 92, who immigrated to Israel from the United States in 1958. "There's never been a more just war."
DANGER EVERYWHERE
One reason why Oct. 7 is still so painful for Israelis is empathy with over 130 hostages still being held in Gaza, out of an estimated 253 seized by Hamas that day, and with their families. Photos of the hostages are everywhere and tireless campaigning by the families is covered daily by the media.
Another is the relentless drip-drip of harrowing details about what happened on Oct. 7, including sexual violence against women, still emerging from witness accounts.
Televised funerals of soldiers killed in Gaza are also an emotional wrench in a country where most adults have to do military service and identification with the army is strong.
"For the rest of the world, Oct. 7 is something that happened three months ago, but Israelis are still living it every day," said commentator Chemi Shalev.
In a society steeped in the history of antisemitic persecution, from Biblical times to the Holocaust, the scale and ferocity of the Hamas attack awakened fears ingrained into people's psyche since childhood, said political scientist Tamar Hermann.
She pointed out that Jewish holidays such as Passover, Hanukkah and Purim commemorate moments when the Jewish people escaped from or revolted against persecution, or survived attempted extermination.
"The political culture and religion and everything here socialises Israelis into believing that danger is everywhere all the time," said Hermann, the academic director of a polling unit at the authoritative Israel Democracy Institute.
Scenes of celebration among some Palestinians after Oct. 7 and polls showing support for Hamas rising in the occupied West Bank, both prominently covered by Israeli media, felt unbearably painful and threatening to most Israelis, she said.
'NO OTHER PLACE FOR US'
Hermann said street protests against the war in Gaza, seen across the globe, and condemnation by some governments and U.N. officials, reinforced Israelis' sense of being alone in a hostile world, able to rely only on themselves.
"It makes me feel like there's no place other than Israel for us," said Ukrainsky.
Oren Persico of the Seventh Eye, an independent website covering Israeli media, said one of the reasons why many Israelis felt the criticism abroad was unfair was because they were not seeing what the rest of the world was seeing in Gaza.
Persico said mainstream domestic media were showing images captured by the military, such as strikes on buildings seen from the air, or by journalists embedded with the military, but covered very few personal stories or harrowing scenes like those receiving blanket coverage outside Israel.
"You do not see the wounded, the women and children, you do not see the dead, you do not see the grief of Gazans," he said, attributing this to editorial choices. "The rationale is that showing those pictures might hurt the Israeli war effort."
For Ukrainsky, like for many of her compatriots, Israel has no choice but to fight Hamas and Palestinian suffering is another tragic consequence of what Hamas did on Oct. 7.
"I feel very compassionate for the suffering of the innocent civilians there in Gaza, but it's too difficult to do this operation (without harming them). We must do what we need to do to protect ourselves as a state and as a nation," she said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/enduring-pain-keeps-public-support-for-gaza-war-strong-in-israel
| 2024-01-18T13:29:58Z
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DAVOS - The war in Gaza will hit economies across the Middle East if it is not resolved and the conflict urgently needs a non-military solution, Qatar's finance minister told Reuters.
Qatar, whose mediators are involved in talks on the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas, has also helped mediate in several regional conflicts including in Afghanistan.
"The solution is really to look for a permanent solution for the main issue in the Middle East which is the Palestinian problem ... This cannot be fixed by military actions," Qatar's Finance Minister Ali Al Kuwari said in Davos.
"If you leave them long term unresolved, we will always go through cycles of violence, cycles of unrest, and which always will slow down the region," he said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss mountain resort.
The war in Gaza began after Hamas militants invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages. Israel has responded with a siege, bombardment and invasion that Gaza health officials say has killed more than 24,000 people.
Iran-backed militias in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen have also attacked targets in the region to support Palestinians.
Top LNG exporter Qatar is also one of the world's largest investors through its QIA sovereign wealth fund (SWF) and its assessment of risks has implications for its investments.
Kuwari said in an interview that Qatar would post a fiscal surplus again this year, albeit smaller, because it had forecast a very conservative oil price of $60 per barrel. The surplus would be bigger if prices stay at current levels of $78.
$1 TRILLION TARGET
Kuwari expects Qatar will post yet a fiscal surplus despite an expected 11% drop in revenues and a 1% rise in expenditure.
"We like always to take a conservative view on the oil price when it comes to calculate the revenues," said Kuwari.
Any surplus is divided between state debt repayment, central bank reserves and the QIA, said Kuwari, who is a board member.
He declined to disclose how the money is being split or the value of the QIA's fund under management.
Qatar saw record revenues from gas exports in 2022, when global prices spiked after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The Sovereign Wealth Institute estimates Qatar has increased its assets under management to $475 billion over the past years.
Asked if QIA could grow this to $1 trillion, Kuwari said it was the fund's job to grow assets. "A trillion, two trillions, even three trillions is better than one,"
He said QIA was looking to invest in artificial intelligence firms alongside technology, infrastructure and pharmaceuticals, especially biomedicine.
Despite cutting back its stake in British bank Barclays last month, the QIA remains positive about Britain's economy, which Kuwari described as "strong and resilient".
Qatar plans to launch its first sovereign green bond "very soon", which Kuwari said would be its first external debt issuance in four years.
"We're not hungry for the money. It's purely to make a statement," he said. "The market is hungry for issuance. We've been approached by many investors."
Qatar, host of the FIFA World Cup 2022, is trying to diversify its economy away from oil and gas while attracting foreign investment.
Kuwari said the World Cup was still having a positive impact as the number of visitors grew to 4 million in 2023, topping 2.3 million in 2022 during the championship. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/qatari-finance-minister-says-gaza-war-to-slow-middle-east-economies
| 2024-01-18T13:30:08Z
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey last month delivered a sobering update on the white-nose syndrome (WNS) epidemic in North America. WNS has been confirmed in a little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) near North Bend, Washington, over 1,300 miles west of the previously identified western edge of the disease front, Nebraska.
The news hit the WNS and bat conservation community hard. For the previous 10 years, WNS has spread in a stepwise manner from state to state in a radial pattern from Albany, New York, which is thought to be where the infections started. The consistency of this spread allowed researchers to model the movement of the pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, with an anticipated arrival on the Pacific Coast in 2026.
Researchers have been developing strategies to control WNS and prevent the massive bat mortalities that have been the hallmark of WNS since 2007. And yet, the disease has spread faster than predicted. Where does this new point of infection leave researchers developing techniques to stall this devastating disease?
WNS spread map. US Fish and Wildlife Service
Gateway to the west
In order to understand why this is such bad news for bats, one needs to understand how wildlife biologists seek to control the spread of devastating pathogens.
Many of the strategies currently being investigated to minimize the impact of WNS on susceptible bat populations are predicated on the idea that “stop-gap” methods could be employed at geographical choke points to delay the spread of the disease to new populations. That would buy time for scientists to develop permanent solutions, such as vaccinations or “gene silencing” techniques to control the disease.
The arrival of WNS on the West Coast takes this approach off the table in many respects, as it’s already past the geographical bottleneck spots where scientists had hoped to slow it down. But the WNS community has other reasons for concern with this new case.
“Come here often?"
Studies of the fungus from the eastern U.S. have shown the pathogen to be mono-clonal. That is, P. destructans in Georgia is the same genetically as P. destructans in Missouri or New York. This is a good thing for bats because it gives them a better chance to develop resistance.
Subsequent evaluation indicates that P. destructans, like most fungi, is likely capable of participating in sexual reproduction in areas where complementary mating types (think male and female, but with numerous potentially compatible “genders”) exist together. When this is considered along with the recent finding that P. destructans and WNS are widespread in eastern Asia, it presents the possibility that this West Coast case may have been introduced a new way or it represents a different strain of the fungus. Significantly, it could be a complementary mating type to P. destructans in the eastern U.S.
This could be a very bad thing for bats for several reasons. To understand how bad this infection could be to the future of WNS in North America, researchers will need to determine its source and any sexual compatibility with existing isolates.
Tougher than your average spore
Electron micrograph of P. destructans. Asexual spores (conidia) are rendered blue. John Neville, Georgia State University
The spores (reproductive cells produced by fungi) that are produced in asexual reproduction are known as conidia. All the current work being conducted to make spores inactive to control the spread of WNS are predicated on the sensitivity of these conidia to a given control agent.
Yet the phylum of this fungus, known as Ascomycota, can reproduce in another way – sexually, through a type of spore known as ascospores. In numerous examples in other Ascomycota, it has been shown that ascospores are more resistant to control methods than conidia.
If researchers find that the particular P. destructans fungus is capable of producing ascospores – that is reproducing sexually, rather than asexually as with conidia – then current decontamination protocols will need to be revised to address the increased resilience of these sexual spores.
A Red Queen and brown bats
The ultimate significance of whether the fungus reproduces sexually involves a long-debated theory of evolutionary biology that many have been hopeful will ultimately save susceptible North American bat species: the Red Queen hypothesis.
The idea is that in a system with a host (bat) and parasite (P. destructans), coevolution occurs as the disease recurs through numerous generations. If only the host is reproducing sexually (i.e., WNS in North America) and generating greater variation with each generation, the host will be able to evolve a tolerance to the parasite.
However, in a system where both the host and parasite reproduce sexually, coevolution supports the status quo. So as bats evolve tolerance to one strain of P. destructans another strain resulting from sexual recombination that is capable of causing disease in the new tolerant host will become the dominant strain.
Thus, the analogy of the Red Queen running in place in “Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There” by Lewis Carroll. Although evolution is occurring (running), everyone is evolving together so the disease paradigm never changes.
This is the possibility the introduction of a complementary mating type presents to WNS in North America. Bats won’t be able to evolve a significant tolerance as the fungus reproduces sexually and rapidly adapts to any resistance the bats develop.
Bats everywhere but not a hibernacula to treat
In addition to the strategic and biological challenges that a Pacific Coast WNS case may introduce, there is also a major logistical challenge that has been looming over the WNS community: where are hibernacula – the shelters where bats hibernate – in the west?
Currently there are no known little brown bat hibernacula in Washington. This doesn’t mean that bat ecologists think little brown bats don’t hibernate in Washington, but rather they have never been able to find large hibernacula as is common in the eastern U.S.
Treating bats during the spring, summer and fall when they are widely dispersed on the landscape is impractical. The effort it takes to capture a few individuals is not scalable to an extent that could have a significant impact on WNS-related population declines. That is why most efforts to develop management strategies have been focused on intervention during the winter at known hibernacula where large groups of bats could be treated together with reasonable effort.
If any of the treatments currently under investigation were available today, how could they be used in Washington? Without understanding how these western bat species use the landscape and where they hibernate, there is no way to deliver any future management tool.
Bad, badder, baddest
In many ways this new western case changes the paradigm of WNS.
In the worst-case scenario, a complementary strain has been introduced into North America and will eventually find its way to locations where the East Coast strain exists, facilitating a more recalcitrant and adaptable pathogen.
In the best-case scenario, this case represents a loss of containment within North America, reducing the value of efforts to slow the westward spread of WNS while treatments can be developed and western bat hibernacula can be identified. Either way, the news of a WNS-positive bat in Washington state represents another disaster for bats that are already experiencing unprecedented declines.
Chris Cornelison, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Georgia State University
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
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https://www.iflscience.com/biologists-lose-hard-fought-ground-race-save-bats-white-nose-syndrome-spreads-35463
| 2024-01-18T13:48:14Z
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Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye appeared to put their legal woes to one side on Wednesday when they were photographed for the first time since it was revealed that he pleaded not guilty to trespassing charges.
The 007 actor and his long-time wife were snapped in Malibu, California after Cowboy State Daily reported he had entered a not guilty plea via a paper filing in response to accusations he went off-trail at Yellowstone National Park.
Despite the legal issues, Pierce looked unfazed and incredibly dapper in images in which he was beaming and sporting a smart blazer, spotty scarf and colorful glasses.
Keely looked equally as smart in a black suit and white shirt which she had teamed with a pair of animal print high heels and oversized sunglasses.
The couple dined with a friend at Lucky's restaurant and were spotted hugging her before they went their separate ways.
Pierce and Keely's 'business-like' look is a far cry from what fans are used to seeing them wearing.
More often than not, they share snapshots from their idylic beach life with Pierce opting for flowery-print shirts and shorts, while Keely wows in flowing, floral dresses.
Not that they don't dazzle with their red carpet looks. The couple's Met Gala outfits in May 2023 were standout.
Pierce took a page out of his James Bond days and donned a tuxedo with Keely turning heads in a latex dress with sheer cape that showed off her incredible curves.
Despite looking as though they didn't have a care in the world during their recent outing together, Pierce is facing a penalty or even jail time if found guilty of trespassing.
The actor is set to appear in a Wyoming court on February 20, for status hearing as he faces charges for allegedly venturing into restricted and hazardous thermal areas at the park.
The incident, which occurred on November 1, involved Pierce allegedly leaving the designated pathways in the Mammoth Terraces section of Yellowstone to get a closer look at the thermal features.
Deviating from these paths can result in penalties, including up to six months in jail and fines up to $5,000. It is considered dangerous as the water in the hot springs is acidic and "can cause severe or fatal burns," according to the National Park Service.
Pierce was filming Western "Unholy Trinity" in the area at the time, a movie with Samuel L. Jackson.
Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features and profiles coming out of the U.S. Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletterand get them delivered straight to your inbox.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/511567/pierce-brosnan-wife-keely-shaye-look-mean-business-new-photos-malibu-appearance/
| 2024-01-18T13:51:29Z
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After making her glamorous 2024 debut at the 46th Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival on Saturday, Princess Charlene of Monaco ticked another sartorial success off the list as she stepped out on Wednesday with her family.
The South African-born royal joined her husband Prince Albert and their twin children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, at the launch of the 26th Taste Week [Semaine du Goût], an annual event that seeks to introduce primary school students to new ingredients and provide education on how to prepare an array of delicious dishes.
Princess Charlene, 45, exuded regal elegance in a bold and billowing wool cape by one of her most-worn designers, Akris.
It marked the first time the stylish royal had worn the €3,250 'Reversible Cape in 100% Cashmere Double-Face Glen Check'. Complete with a regal stand up collar, zip detailing and a striking red and blue print, the winter garment perfectly complemented the royal's statuesque frame.
With a new year comes a new hairstyle for the Monegasque royal, who switched up her usual honeyed pixie cut in favour of a 90s-inspired, middle part chop. The royal also appeared to have lowlights laced through her waves to add dimension, after rocking her usual icy blonde side-parting signature look just days before.
If there was an award for most royal hairstyles, Princess Charlene would surely take the crown. In 2023, the royal debuted a number of Hollywood-worthy haircuts and daring new dye jobs - all of which served a unique and uniform beauty look for the matriarch of the Princely family.
In April last year, Charlene eased herself over to the dark side and debuted a new darker style with bright blonde highlights.
In June, the Princess made a serious power move when she switched up her signature platinum blonde pixie cut for glossy, chocolate brown tresses. The royal's new chestnut hair had a glamorous moment at the "Nymphes D'Or - Golden Nymphs" Award Ceremony during the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival.
Prince Albert's wife's choppy hair has become synonymous with her regal image in recent years, though a delve into the archives shows that the Monegasque royal once sported luscious long locks that could give Barbie a run for her money.
Back in the noughties, the then 23-year-old South African swimming champion did a shoot with Sports Illustrated. The royal was styled in a sailor's hat as her tumbling blonde locks fell to her shoulders.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/royal-style/511560/princess-charlene-tartan-cape-and-new-hair-transformation-taste-week/
| 2024-01-18T13:51:35Z
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Queen Camilla has made her first public appearance since Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles will undergo hospital treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The Queen, 76, who was visiting the Aberdeen Art Gallery, was asked about the King by the Lord Provost.
Camilla replied: "He’s fine, thank you very much. Looking forward to getting back to work."
On Wednesday, the palace confirmed that the King will have a corrective procedure next week after being diagnosed with a benign enlarged prostate.
The news came just 90 minutes after Kensington Palace revealed the Princess of Wales had undergone abdominal surgery.
The King had a series of meetings and events planned at Dumfries House in East Ayrshire on Thursday and Friday, which are now being postponed on his doctor’s advice.
The busy programme revolved around his King's Foundation charity including a dinner and meeting the organisation's beneficiaries.
Guests, including foreign dignitaries and members of the Cabinet, were due to travel to Scotland and the Palace made the announcement to allow for them to be made aware of the situation.
Charles is staying at Birkhall, his private home near Balmoral in Aberdeenshire, and was said to "genuinely be in good spirits" and in "good form", and his wife the Queen was with him, sources said.
It is understood the King, 75, was keen to share his diagnosis, in order to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked in line with health advice.
One in every three men over the age of 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate including needing to visit the toilet more frequently, with more urgency and have difficulty emptying their bladder.
The King and Queen were last seen publicly together as they attended a church service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral last Sunday.
The couple have been residing in Scotland since the New Year after spending Christmas at Sandringham in Norfolk.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/511568/queen-camilla-gives-update-king-charles-health/
| 2024-01-18T13:51:42Z
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On 18 January, the artillery coalition to aid Ukraine will officially launch in Paris. The initiative, jointly led by the US and France, consists of 23 countries and is part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (“Ramstein”) which unites over 50 of Kyiv’s allies.
The coalition was set up to provide for Ukraine’s short-term and long-term defense needs amidst hesitancy from the West over further support for Ukraine, with €50 billion stuck in EU bureaucracy and $60 billion held up in the US Congress.
Ukraine Defense Minister Rustem Umerov was set to represent Ukraine at the ceremony but canceled his trip at the last minute, citing unspecified “security concerns”.
During what would have been his visit, Umerov was to tour CAESAR-manufacturer Nexter and missile-maker MBDA facilities alongside French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu. Umerov will now participate remotely via video conference instead.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that France will manufacture 78 Caesar howitzers for Ukraine.
“There are currently 49 in Ukraine, which have enabled tactical successes on the ground. We plan to produce 78 Caesar cannons in 2024 and encourage our European partners to help share the costs,” Lecornu added.
Citing France’s Defense Ministry, AFP reports the first 6 howitzers will be delivered to Ukraine in the coming weeks, with the remaining 72 by year’s end. The initial 6 guns were ordered by Ukraine directly from manufacturer Nexter last September.
The artillery coalition’s launch comes one day after French President Emmanuel Macron pledged a new shipment of around 40 long-range SCALP cruise missiles as well as “several hundred” missiles to Ukraine.
Macron also declared Europe’s priority should be “not letting Russia win” and announced plans to visit Kyiv later this year to discuss a bilateral security agreement between Paris and Kyiv, similar to the one recently agreed between London and Kyiv.
Read more:
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/18/artillery-coalition-for-ukraine-launches-in-paris-without-ukrainian-defense-minister/
| 2024-01-18T14:11:53Z
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The Russian city of Nefteyugansk has opened a museum displaying the personal belongings of Ukrainians living in territories occupied by Russia, reports local outlet NEFT.
Among the exhibits are Ukrainian-language newspapers, children’s books, vehicle license plates, tape recorders, medals, and IDs. Organizers claim volunteers brought back these items from “humanitarian” missions to occupied Ukraine.
New museum in Russia displays personal items from Ukraine's occupied territories, including Ukrainian newspapers and books, vehicle plates, tape recorders, medals, and IDs. Organizers claim it reflects Russian-Ukrainian fraternity 🤮
🎬 https://t.co/aH8ZkLLdmY pic.twitter.com/XA32C1XChY
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) January 18, 2024
The exhibit was organized by activists from the local Union of Marines of Russia. According to the group’s leader, Denis Gribkov, the museum intends to highlight Russian and Ukrainian similarities and tell of the so-called “brotherhood” among the USSR’s peoples.
“With this exhibit, we aimed to showcase the importance of our shared history with Ukrainians, which existed in the past and is being written now. We wanted to tell of the brotherhood between nations and the mighty nature of the USSR, where many innovations originated that remain in use today,” Gribkov explained.
Organizers say the exhibit will continue expanding with additional items looted from occupied Ukrainian territory. They plan to invite adults and children to indoctrinate them through “educational” programming.
In April 2022, after widespread looting by Russian occupiers came to light, President Zelenskyy described the Russian dream as “steal a toilet and die.”
Read more:
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/18/brotherhood-of-nations-russia-opens-museum-of-looted-ukrainian-belongings/
| 2024-01-18T14:12:33Z
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According to analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), recent inflammatory statements by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev regarding Ukraine indicate Moscow lacks any genuine interest in negotiations with Kyiv.
“Medvedev’s January 17 statement is one of many recent signals from senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, that Putin and the Kremlin have no interest in good-faith negotiations with Ukraine and that Putin’s maximalist war aims in Ukraine remain unchanged,” the ISW assessment states.
Medvedev reiterated that the elimination of Ukrainian statehood and independence remains one of Russia’s core war aims. He claimed that the presence of an independent Ukrainian state on “historical Russian territories” ensures endless conflict, stating that even Ukraine’s entry into the EU or NATO could not prevent future hostility from Moscow.
ISW notes that Medvedev left vague precisely which territories he considers “historical Russian lands.”
“Medvedev’s opacity may be intentional, as the Kremlin’s loosely defined concept of “historical Russian territories” allows the Kremlin to pursue expansionist objectives wherever and whenever it so determines in a broad area including Central Asia, the Caucuses and parts of Eastern Europe,” the ISW assessment states.
Remarks questioning Ukraine’s right to independent statehood echo recurring themes in Putin’s rhetoric. Ahead of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Putin frequently referenced restoring “historic Russia” in the form of a revived Soviet Union or Russian Empire encompassing Ukraine.
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/18/isw-medvedevs-remarks-on-ukraine-signal-moscow-uninterested-in-negotiations-with-kyiv/
| 2024-01-18T14:13:13Z
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On 16 January, UK Defence Minister Grant Shapps delivered a historic speech at Lancaster House. Similar in its effect to German Chancellor Scholz’s groundbreaking announcement of a Zeitenwende and a new era of Russian relations, Shapps acknowledges that Europe and the world is moving from a post-war world to a pre-war one.
He says that the UK has started building a 100-year alliance with Ukraine, that the UK must lead and deter to stand up for its values around the world, and that Ukraine, which is fighting an existential battle, is a test case for whether the growing axis of autocracies will expand and wreak more conflict around the world.
You can read the full text here – it is very well worth reading. We provide you a shortened version that focuses on his key geopolitical statements.
Thirty-five years ago, Margaret Thatcher gave a short speech here in Lancaster House. She spoke of her optimism about the changes taking place between East and West. Barely two weeks later the Berlin Wall fell.
It was the dawn of a new era. Existential threats were banished. And a new global feel good factor spread to Defence. This was the age of the peace dividend. The notion that while our defences should be maximised at times of tension they could be minimised in times of peace.
Conflict didn’t disappear of course. But with no great power menacing the continent, peace gave the impression of being just around the corner.
Yet, not everyone got the memo. In fact our adversaries were mobilising.
The belligerent autocratic state was making a comeback – having got away with the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, Putin launched his brutal invasion of Ukraine eight years later.
And as Russia continues its illegal campaign in Ukraine, China is assessing whether the West loses its patience. Today, Russia and China have been joined by new nuclear, and soon to be nuclear, powers. North Korea promising to expand its own nuclear arsenal. And then there is Iran, whose enriched uranium is up to 83.7%, a level at which there is no civilian application.
Back in the days of the Cold War there remained a sense that we were dealing with rational actors. But these new powers are far more unstable, and irrational.
Can we really assume the strategy of Mutually Assured Destruction that stopped wars in the past will stop them in future, when applied to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard or North Korea? I am afraid we cannot.
For example, we have seen how Iranian proxies are causing havoc from Israel to the Red Sea. That Russia has what the two countries describe as a “no limits partnership” with China – with whom they conduct regular joint exercises. Meanwhile, Putin is relying on Iranian drones and North Korean ballistic missiles to fuel his illegal bombardment in Ukraine.
[…]Put it all together, and these combined threats risk tearing apart the rules-based international order – established to keep the peace after the Second World War.
Today’s world then, is sadly far more dangerous. […] Nation states plus non-state actors with greater connections between them plus more creative weapons all adds up to more trouble for the world.
Over the last decade this government has made great strides to turn the Defence tanker around.[…]
We’ve uplifted our defence spending – investing billions into modernising our Armed Forces and bringing in a raft of next generation capabilities, from new aircraft carriers to F35s; from new drones to Dreadnought submarines; from better trained troops; to the creation of a national cyber force.
And when the world needed us, we have risen to the moment. Giving Ukraine our unwavering support and galvanising others to their cause, including with our biggest ever funding package, announced last week.
Taking action, we work to stamp out the global ambitions of Daesh. We’ve acted at the forefront of global responses to maintain regional stability after October 7th by sending a Royal Navy Task Group, a company of Royal Marines, surveillance planes and lifesaving aid to Gaza. And taking a lead role within global forces to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
Not only that but we’ve strengthened Britain’s place in the world with expanded partnerships from the Gulf to the Indo-Pacific.
We’re playing a major part in stirring the West into a renewed commitment to defence, using our 2014 NATO summit in Newport to bring Alliance nations together to stop the rot, by committing to spending 2 per cent of GDP on Defence.
Today, for the very first time this government is spending more than £50bn a year on Defence in cash terms, more than ever before. And we have made the critical decision to set out our aspiration to reach 2.5% of GDP spent on defence. And as we stabilise and grow the economy, we will continue to strive to reach it as soon as possible.
In five years’ time we could be looking at multiple theatres involving Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Ask yourselves – looking at today’s conflicts across the world – is it more likely that the number grows, or reduces? I suspect we all know the answer – it’s likely to grow. So, 2024 must mark an inflexion point.
For Ukraine, this will be a year when the fate of their nation may be decided. For the world, this will be the greatest democratic year in history with nearly half of the world’s population going to the polls. And for the UK it must also be a moment to decide the future of our national defences. The choice is stark.
Some people, especially on the left, have a tendency to talk Britain down. They believe Britain can no longer have the power to influence world events. That we should somehow shrink into ourselves and ignore what’s happening beyond our shores.
I passionately believe these unpatriotic, Britain belittling doom-mongers are simply wrong. Their way would lead us sailing blindly into an age of autocracy. So we must make a different choice. And the history of our great island nation shows us the way.
Britain has often accomplished the seemingly impossible before. Our history is littered with moments when we faced down the threat and triumphed.
But looking ahead, we are in a new era and we must be prepared to deter our enemies, lead our allies, and defend our nation. In terms of deterrence, it’s about the UK gaining a strategic advantage over our enemies. The foundation of that advantage is, of course, our nuclear enterprise. At a time of mounting nuclear danger, our continuous at sea deterrent provides the ultimate protection.
And that’s why we are spending around £31bn to bring in next generation Dreadnought submarines and upgrade our deterrent.
In a more contested world, we need to bring that same goal of deterrence to our conventional forces – so we have made modernisation a critical priority. Taking the long-term capability decisions we need to transform our Armed Forces into a formidable deterrent. Enabling them to maintain the UK’s strategic advantage and empowering them to be able to deliver the outcomes we need in multiple theatres at once.
The growing success of that work was powerfully shown last week when, in less than 24 hours, the UK was able to both take action to defend ourselves against the Houthis and uplift our support to Ukraine to new record levels.
If Putin thought we’d be distracted by the events in the Middle East then last week, because of the long-term decisions this government has taken, his hopes were surely dashed. In a complex world, no nation can afford to go it alone, so we must continue strengthening our alliances so the world knows they cannot be broken. […]
I can announce today that UK will be sending some 20,000 personnel to lead one of NATO’s largest deployments since the end of the Cold War, Exercise Steadfast Defender.
It will see our military joining forces with counterparts from 30 NATO countries plus Sweden, providing vital reassurance against the Putin menace.
[…]
But NATO is only part of our rich tapestry of partnerships. And this government has taken bold decisions to embark on the partnerships we need to defend ourselves from a more dangerous world.
We are rapidly building our AUKUS partnership. And last month I signed our Global Combat Air Partnership (or GCAP) with Japan and Italy.
These projects are not just about building nuclear powered subs, sixth generation fighter planes, and innovating in all forms of Defence. They are about sharpening our strategic edge so we can maintain our advantage over our adversaries. They are precisely the deep relationships needed to preserve national and regional security. And they’re emblematic of the way we will work in the future.
But it’s not enough to deter. We must lead. Standing up for our values around the world. And Ukraine is a test case. This year, its future may well be decided.
British leadership has already had a galvanising effect. We’ve convened some 10 countries to help Ukrainians train here in the UK. And today I can announce that our programmes have now trained over 60,000 Ukrainian troops since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2014.
Last month, I launched a new maritime coalition with Norway to defend Ukraine’s maritime flank. Since then, over 20 partner nations have joined that coalition. But the international community cannot let this support slip.
Putin believes the West lacks staying power. And since the future of the world order is at stake, we must prove him wrong.
Rewarding his war with victory would only increase the risk of escalation. Not only because he’s hell bent on rebuilding the Russian empire. But because it would signal weakness to other would-be aggressors.
That is why on Friday the Prime Minister signed the historic UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation. The start of a 100-year alliance that we are building with our Ukrainian friends.
It sees us increasing our military support to £2.5bn – taking the total of UK military aid to more than £7bn. With even more gifted directly from the UK’s equipment inventory.
£200m will be pressed into producing and procuring thousands of drones, including surveillance and long-range strike drones. This continues the UK’s proud record as a leading donor – always being the first to get Ukraine exactly what they need.
The UK was the first to provide Ukraine with weapons training, the first to provide NLAW anti-tank missiles, the first to give modern tanks, the first to send long range missiles.
Now we will become the largest provider of drones too. These will be manufactured here in the UK in tandem with international partners, helping to enhance our unmanned vehicle capabilities at home too.
But our new agreement with Ukraine is about so much more than money. It formalises our support in everything from intelligence sharing and cyber security to medical and military training. And it sees us taking the first giant step towards a century long partnership.
So, deter and lead, which brings me to the final essential element of being prepared. Defending our nation.
If we are to defend our homeland, we must ensure our entire defence eco-system is ready.
Firstly, we must make our industry more resilient to empower us to re-arm, re-supply and innovate far faster than our opponents. There’s a huge opportunity here for British industry.
Today our adversaries are busily rebuilding their barriers. Old enemies are reanimated. New foes are taking shape. Battle lines are being redrawn. The tanks are literally on Europe’s Ukrainian lawn. And the foundations of the world order are being shaken to their core.
We stand at this crossroads – whether to surrender to a sea of troubles, or do everything we can to deter the danger. I believe that, in reality, it’s no choice at all. To guarantee our freedoms, we must be prepared.
Prepared to deter – the enemies who are gathering all around us. Lead our allies in whatever conflicts are to come. Defend our nation whatever threat should arise. This is what Britain has always done. And it is what we must do again if we, like Margaret Thatcher speaking here 35 years ago, are once more to dream of a future without walls.
Compare to Scholz’s 2022 speech, hailed as groundbreaking for Germany’s relations with Russia:
Germany’s Steinmeier announces new era of Russia relations in historic speech
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/18/uk-minister-declares-end-of-peace-dividend-era-in-historic-speech/
| 2024-01-18T14:13:53Z
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ASTANA – The Kazakh capital climbed 25 positions in the Global Ecosystem Index, securing 318th place among 1,000 cities listed in the latest 2023 report of the StartupBlink global startup ecosystem map and research center.
StartupBlink works to uncover insights about trends affecting the global startup ecosystem and offers elaborated startup ecosystem dashboards for over 1,000 cities and 100 countries globally.
According to the report, Astana claimed the top spot in the national ranking, putting Kazakhstan first among Central Asian states.
The city received an award for the Best Startup Ecosystem in Central Asia at the Startup Ecosystem Awards 2023 ceremony hosted online on Jan. 9. This remarkable success was driven by the Astana Hub International Technopark of IT startups, which fostered “an environment conducive to innovation and startup growth.”
“This achievement highlights Kazakhstan’s growing influence and leadership in the Central Asian startup scene,” said Mahmod Shamsi, Head of Business Development at StartupBlink.
The Startup Ecosystem Awards recognizes the achievements of startup ecosystems in StartupBlink’s algorithm, which takes into account over 40 parameters, forming the evaluation methodology.
“This recognition is not only a high appreciation of our achievements, but also an opportunity to attract global investors. We invite the global investment community to join our journey to leadership in startup innovation,” shared Bagdat Mussin, Kazakh Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/astana-moves-25-spots-up-in-startupblinks-global-ecosystem-index/
| 2024-01-18T14:16:26Z
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ASTANA – Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda spoke about Kazakhstan as a successful example of institutional collaboration between government and businesses at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting that took place in Switzerland from Jan. 15-19.
Maggioncalda participated in The Race to Reskill panel session, where experts deliberated on innovative business and policy approaches to support reskilling, upskilling, and job transitions.
Particularly, Maggioncalda discussed the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation on jobs. He explored the skills individuals and institutions will need to thrive in the modern economy and examined how AI can either narrow or widen the opportunity gap globally.
Emphasizing the role of governments in enhancing their higher education systems, Maggioncalda cited Kazakhstan as an example. He discussed the collaborative efforts between the government and businesses, especially the work with the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.
“The government not only laid out the policy framework for the credit transfer but subsidized, sponsored a set of industry certificate licenses, and donated 1,000 licenses per school to 25 different public and private adult education programs. So that they can also sponsor not only the entire training, but at least a pilot test so that universities do not have to go over the financing hurdle to at least start seeing how these types of capabilities can make a difference in the curricular offerings that are available to students,” he said.
In an exclusive interview with the Astana Times during the Astana International Forum in 2023, Maggioncalda commended the remarkable surge in enrollments and praised Kazakhstan’s unwavering dedication to human capital development.
He highlighted the government’s strategic approach to facilitate institutions in providing online skilling, to equip the population with skills conducive to securing quality jobs and fostering economic prosperity.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/coursera-ceo-highlights-kazakhstans-collaborative-model-at-world-economic-forum/
| 2024-01-18T14:16:32Z
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ASTANA — As the chill sets in over the Kazakh capital, the city comes alive with a diverse array of events to warm the hearts of its residents. The Astana Times has curated a diverse list of events to delight locals and visitors. Take a look at the selection below and choose the events that will make this winter weekend special for you.
Holod Fest on Jan. 20
Kicking off the weekend is the Holod Fest, an event that embraces the winter chill and turns it into an opportunity for fun and celebration. On the stage, talented live bands will perform their music, filling the evening with the atmosphere of rock, punk and various musical styles.
The festival is open to all nonconformists of Astana, providing them with a space for self-expression. Additionally, every visitor aged 14 and above has the chance not only to enjoy the best musical hits but also to win a tattoo certificate worth $44.19.
Address: Chili Grill; 2T, Zheltoksan Street. Tickets are available on sxodim.com.
Basketball match: VTB Astana vs. MBA on Jan. 20
The first stage of the regular championship of the VTB United League is nearing its end. This weekend the MBA basketball club will come to Astana. VTB Astana and Russia’s MBA are direct rivals in the tournament standings. Whether you’re a basketball fan or just looking for an exciting evening out, the match at Saryarka Cycle Track is a must-attend event to witness the city’s sporting spirit in action.
Venue: Saryarka Cycle Track; 45A, Kabanbay Batyr Ave. Tickets are available here.
The Mad Genius of Romanticism concert on Jan. 20
The performance features two well-known pieces: the renowned Cello Concerto and Symphony No. 3, also known as “Rhenish.” Tchaikovsky’s description of the fourth part, associated with his impression of the Cologne Cathedral, emphasizes its profound artistic impact. Regarding Schumann’s Cello Concerto, the soloist, Ermek Kurmanayev, possesses the requisite high skill, expressive musicality and heartfelt warmth needed for the performance. Join us at the Astana Ballet Theatre for an evening filled with the enchanting melodies and virtuosity of this talented soloist.
Venue: Astana Ballet; 43, Uly Dala Ave. Tickets are available on astanaballet.com.
“The Snow Queen” musical on Jan. 21
Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, “The Snow Queen,” enchants audiences with its compelling narrative, exploring themes of kindness, love, justice and the complexities of life choices. Adults can see the world through the innocent eyes of children by immersing themselves in the enchanting realm of childhood. Kay and Gerda’s timeless story has a deep impact on young hearts, inspiring bravery and genuineness.
Address: Musical Theater of Young Spectators; 47B, Omarov Street. Tickets are available here.
Bauhaus: Everything a Designer Needs to Know lecture on Jan. 20
The speaker for the event will be Igor Serikov, a practicing brand designer from the Humbleteam studio. You will discover the influence of Bauhaus on contemporary design, the similarity between Ikea and Bauhaus ideas and the connections between Apple and Braun. Attendees will also explore the impact of renowned Bauhaus educators such as Walter Gropius, Wassily Kandinsky, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy and Johannes Itten on the development of a unique educational system.
The session will conclude with a discussion of ideas that can be applied from Bauhaus to daily work. The participation fee of $6.6 includes a coffee break.
Address: 5, Kerey Zhanibek and Zhanibek Khans Street. Tickets are available here.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/embracing-chill-with-weekend-full-of-events-in-astana/
| 2024-01-18T14:16:39Z
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ASTANA – The European Parliament has adopted a report Jan. 17 on the EU’s Central Asia strategy launched in 2019. The comprehensive document places a strong emphasis on regional cooperation, sustainable development and human rights, as the cornerstones of the EU’s approach to the dynamic and strategically significant region.
The report, prepared by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), notes the region has seen a substantial impact from adverse geopolitical factors, including the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It stresses the need to update the EU strategy on the region in light of these geopolitical developments.
EU engagement in Central Asia
The report notes Central Asia is a region of “strategic interest” to the EU regarding security and connectivity as well as energy and resource diversification, conflict resolution and the defense of the international order.
In 2019, the EU updated its Central Asia strategy, with a focus on resilience, including such areas as human rights, border security and the environment, and prosperity with a focus on connectivity and regional cooperation.
Central to this effort were also Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (EPCAs). Kazakhstan was the first Central Asian state to sign the new generation agreement in 2015, which came into force on March 1, 2020.
This, the report reads, “provides a solid foundation for expanding cooperation in key areas of mutual interest.” These areas include connectivity, energy efficiency, green economy and digitalization.
The report urges the EU to increase its engagement in the region and promote cooperation at the political and economic levels.
There have been increased high-level contacts between the EU and Central Asia, including the latest meeting between Central Asian leaders and the President of the European Council Charles Michel in June 2023 in Cholpon-Ata. Addressing the summit, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Kazakhstan is ready to increase exports to the EU on 175 non-primary commodity items worth $2.3 billion in such areas as engineering, iron and steel production, and the food industry.
Among the latest visits was that of Vice President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas. He began his Central Asian tour on Jan. 15 in Kazakhstan, which he deemed a “key actor in the region’s positive evolution.”
“Kazakhstan is a beacon of modernization and reform, and my visit has confirmed this. Meetings with the country’s leaders covered our partnership, which we will take from strength to strength,” he wrote in a post on X.
2024 will see the first EU-Central Asia summit floowing the adoption of the Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia last year, which serves as a “strategic blueprint to advance dialogue and cooperation in specific areas.”
Window of opportunity
The war in Ukraine gives the EU a “window of opportunity” to broaden its connections with Central Asia, noted the report.
The subsequent sanctions push the EU to work closely with the region, so it is not used to circumvent the sanctions imposed by the West on Russia. This effort is largely done in dialogue with the International Special Envoy for the Implementation of EU Sanctions David O’Sullivan.
He visited Kazakhstan in April and November. In his latest visit, he noted that the EU is “grateful to the Kazakh authorities for decreasing the re-export of items, which are likely to end up in Russian military equipment.”
Regional cooperation
Recognizing the interconnectedness of Central Asian countries, the EU places a strong focus on regional cooperation. The strategy outlined plans to enhance connectivity in the areas of trade, energy, and transport, aiming to unlock the full potential of the region.
The latest report underlines ample potential in sustainable development, energy, critical raw materials, and security, with Central Asia being a key region for connectivity between East and West.
Regarding critical raw materials, the EU and Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of understanding on a strategic partnership in the field of raw materials, batteries and renewable hydrogen in November 2022.
In May 2023, Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, on behalf of the European Commission, and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov announced a road map covering a set of concrete actions to implement the document. This entails cooperation between industrial enterprises on joint investment projects and closer cooperation on geological exploration, research and innovation and personnel training.
The geopolitical developments also put the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the so-called Middle Corridor, under the spotlight. The EU has repeatedly expressed its keen interest in developing the route, which, as the report notes, is “not only a regional economic zone but also as an alternative and sustainable route between Asia and Europe that avoids crossing Russian territory.”
The report refers to the study conducted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development that revealed the bottlenecks and also identified the required hard and soft infrastructure needs.
The report calls on the European Commission to consider funding support for investments in infrastructure development in Central Asian states by the European Investment Bank.
A similar idea was voiced by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell in Astana in November 2022. He said back then that the EU could invest nearly €300 billion in investment projects on connectivity infrastructures globally, with the Middle Corridor being one of them.
The report reiterates the EU’s commitment to work with the countries of Central Asia “for peace, security, stability, prosperity, and sustainable development in full respect of international law” and “for the principles of respect for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries, non-use of force or threat of its use and the peaceful settlement of international disputes.”
This is what Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said on multiple occasions, that in any international dispute and conflict, the nation stands solely for diplomatic and peaceful means and strong observance of international law and UN Charter.
Democracy and human rights
Central to the EU’s strategy is a commitment to advancing human rights across Central Asia. The report acknowledges the universal importance of respecting fundamental rights and freedoms. The EU aims to strengthen dialogue and collaboration with Central Asian nations to address challenges and promote a shared commitment to human rights.
The report calls on Kazakhstan to continue implementing political and economic reforms, strengthening democracy, the rule of law and good governance. It also “underlines that implementation of the vision of Just and Fair Kazakhstan must ensure respect for human rights and freedoms of expression, association and assembly, and improve the electoral framework in line with the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.”
It also urges the officials in Kazakhstan to complete the investigation into the tragic January 2022 events and make the findings open to the public.
While acknowledging positive strides, the report highlights several areas of concern and emphasizes the importance of addressing these concerns to ensure a more robust human rights framework in Kazakhstan.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/european-parliament-report-calls-for-updated-central-asia-strategy/
| 2024-01-18T14:16:46Z
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ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has arrived in Rome Jan. 17 to begin his official visits to Italy and the Vatican on Jan. 18-19, reported the Akorda press service.
On Jan. 18, Tokayev is expected to hold talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The President will also take part in the Kazakh-Italian investment roundtable and will hold meetings with the top management of major Italian companies.
On Jan. 19, Tokayev will have an audience with Pope Francis in the Vatican.
The Kazakh President will also visit the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN and the UN World Food Program (WFP) to meet with the leaders of these two organizations.
Italy is Kazakhstan’s main trading partner in Europe and is one of the top three largest in terms of trade turnover after China and Russia. In 2022, bilateral trade reached $14.9 billion, marking a 54% increase compared to the previous year. In 2023, the positive trend continued, albeit on at a slower pace, with trade reaching $14.5 billion in the first 11 months of the year. The key areas of cooperation include energy, natural resources exploration and production, construction, infrastructure, transportation, communication, agriculture, science and technology.
Italy is also among major investors in the Kazakh economy, with an investment of $7.3 billion from 2005 to the first half of 2023.
Around 300 Italian companies, joint ventures and representative offices operate in the country, covering various sectors of the economy.
Aigul Kuspan, the Chair of the Committee for International Affairs, Defense and Security of the Mazhilis, the lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, highlighted the growth in the number of Kazakh students in Italy thanks to the Bolashak international scholarship program.
“Traditionally, Bolashak scholarship recipients have traveled to Italy for studies in opera and other artistic disciplines. Moreover, there is an Italian grant program based on a competitive process, and it is encouraging that Kazakh applicants are often victorius. Today, nearly 2,000 Kazakh students are studying in Italy,” she said in comments to Khabar24 TV channel.
The two countries reached an agreement last year to open a branch of the University of Genoa at Amanzholov University in Ust-Kamenogorsk, in the east of Kazakhstan.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/kazakh-president-arrives-in-italy-on-official-visit/
| 2024-01-18T14:16:52Z
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ASTANA – Kazakhstan has made a groundbreaking advancement by elevating its selenium enrichment to 99.5% within a year, Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, announced on his Instagram page on Jan. 13.
On Aug. 28, 2023, at the production facilities of Kazakhmys Progress in Balkhash, Kazakhstan’s first-ever workshop was opened for the production of refined selenium, containing a minimum of 99.5% of the primary component.
Kazakhstan is the world’s largest producer of crude selenium, a rare and sought-after material in global metal markets that is difficult to mine and even more challenging to purify.
Developed by scientists at the Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation at Satbayev University under the guidance of Professor Bagdaulet Kenzhaliyev, the technology represents a know-how that enables the cost-effective and reagent-free extraction of refined selenium with a purity exceeding 99.5% in a single stage.
The production cost of pure selenium stands at $4 per kilogram. Refined selenium with a content of more than 99.5% is estimated at $110-150 per kilogram. In contrast, crude selenium, containing no more than 80% of the primary component, is available at a price range of $10 to $12 per kilogram.
With a planned annual processing capacity of 75 tons of crude selenium sourced from the Balkhash copper smelting plant of Kazakhmys Smelting, the production facility aims to yield over 60 tons of refined selenium per year.
The success of the technology, which was implemented with a commercialization grant of 280 million tenge ($618,624) from the Science Fund, has not only placed Kazakhstan on the global map for selenium production but has also contributed to a fivefold increase in the salaries of scientists at Satbayev University.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev repeatedly noted that science in the country had long been overlooked, which prevented such achievements for a long time, Nurbek said.
“The new and modern production marks a new stage in the development of domestic science, as a result of the integration of science and production,” he added.
Nurbek also stated that the ministry’s reforms aimed at providing universities with managerial freedom made it possible to build a reliable bridge between science and the real sector of the economy.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/kazakhstan-achieves-99-5-purity-in-selenium-production/
| 2024-01-18T14:16:59Z
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ASTANA – A new international terminal at the Almaty airport will open this June, TAV Airports CEO Serkan Kaptan said during a Jan. 18 meeting with Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, reported the Prime Minister’s press service.
As stated by Kaptan, the construction progress has reached an 87% completion to date.
Smailov noted the strategic importance of the terminal’s construction, as the government heightens focus on enhancing the transport and logistics capabilities.
“The terminal is expected to significantly boost passenger traffic, expand the flight network, and provide city residents and visitors with quality services and a high level of comfort,” he said.
Last year, the Almaty airport achieved a record-breaking level of passenger traffic. The existing terminal will henceforth be used only for domestic flights, while both terminals will reach 14 million passengers annually.
It is also planned to increase the volume of cargo traffic through the airport to 100,000 tons.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the Almaty airport should develop as a full-fledged multimodal transport and logistics hub, including rail and road transportation. The investor is urged to factor this strategic vision into forthcoming plans.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/new-international-terminal-at-almaty-airport-to-open-in-june/
| 2024-01-18T14:17:06Z
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Editor’s Note: This article is inspired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s vision for Kazakhstan, as discussed in his recent interview with Egemen.kz. It explores economic policies and societal changes in the context of his ambitions for economic transformation. The piece reflects on the challenges and strategies of implementing these reforms.
Christmas in England is a time for those of faith to reflect on the birth of Jesus, and for others to enjoy the togetherness of family. It is also, typically, a time for family fights over turkey and all the trimmings: A meal reinforcing the magnetic principle that at a certain point, attraction turns to repulsion.
My fight came on Boxing Day, not named after the pugilism of the festive period, but after the boxes given by the gentry to their servants as they returned to their homes for St. Stephen’s Day.
At lunch we debated the triumvirate – Brexit, Covid and Immigration. The Farage ‘phree, to those in the know.
My brother-in-law, a person who has only ever worked in the institutions of government, and who makes Lenin look right-wing, argued that Society can have open immigration and a welfare state. I asked how a nation can have open borders and universal entitlements such as free healthcare, public tertiary education, housing, etc., etc. In short, how could such a nation ‘balance its books’?
‘Ah ha’ came the response. ‘Balancing the books is a Western construct’ and not a universal principle.
‘A Western construct?’ I quizzed? ‘What??!!.’ At this stage, the table had gone quiet and I anticipated a carefully placed kick in the shins from my wife. But none came. I suspect her foot was sore from the preceding days’ lunch conversations.
So, does the West balance its books?
Reagan said in 1981 “Government has only two ways of getting money other than raising taxes. It can go into the money market and borrow, competing with its own citizens and driving up interest rates… or it can print money… Both methods are inflationary.”
He, as well as Nobel Prize-winning economist and liberty advocate Milton Friedman, would be turning in their graves if they saw the way that major Western economies have not only increased tax burdens to the highest for 70 years (like the UK) but also borrowed to the highest levels in history, with US National Debt now over $33 trillion, and printing money like confetti ($5.2 trillion printed in the US for Covid, and a quadrupling of money supply to $20 trillion in recent years). And don’t get me started in the EU…
Indeed, rather than ‘balancing the books’ being a Western construct, it appears to be one abandoned by the West and adopted by the East, with China barely increasing money supply.
So, coming back to the discussion over lunch – should a country balance its books? Should it run its economy conservatively, rather like a business. With expenses correlating to income. Cutting its cloth according to its means, and rewarding productivity, efficiency and contribution?
Or should a Government run an economy on the never never? Extend and pretend that debt taken out, and money printed, today will not have a negative impact in the future?
My brother-in-law has lived through a period in which the global debt collector has never knocked on the door. To his mind the best way to deal with declining productivity and income is to print money and borrow more – what gamblers call the ‘double down’ strategy. Indeed, when my six-year-old son is told he can’t have something, he suggests we visit the machine in the wall that hands out money – one day he may become Chancellor. To many of us, this myth of the economic miracle is a madness that is set to crush generations to come, inflating value out of the economy, denying opportunities and taking away citizens’ hopes that their children will have a better future.
I was therefore pleased to read in President Tokayev’s January interview with Egemen.kz of his desire to move to a new economic model and to double Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product by 2029. He spoke, as he did in his September 1st address to the nation, of the need for economic self-sufficiency and diversification. He has also spoken of the need to address the crushing debt load on many Kazakh citizens, something which will require careful State intervention.
All that the President said in his January interview makes sense, both domestically and internationally. It is a clear, logical and astute blueprint for the evolution of Kazakhstan. Bringing stability and a better life to all, not just the few. But what are the challenges to the fulfillment of the President’s wishes?
They do not lie in the vision of its Head of State: He is recognized worldwide for his strength, poise and diplomacy. He shows compassion when deserved, and strength when needed. He has the vision, and the ability to design the pathways towards achieving the vision.
Instead, commentators have suggested that the challenge Kazakhstan faces is the ability of its Government to implement that vision and to do so at pace.
This was as much a problem for the first President and his 100 Concrete Steps, as it is for President Tokayev’s ‘new economic model.’
Such a situation is not unfamiliar. Just look at what Lee Kuan Yew needed to do to get his Government to deliver on his vision, or Mohammed Bin Rashid in Dubai. Indeed, his line that “The world belongs to those who can imagine it, design it and execute it” is as true for Kazakhstan as it was for Dubai. And I take the point that Dubai is not a democracy, but is Kazakhstan any more a democracy than Singapore?
As John Donne wrote ‘No man is an island’, and no President can execute on his or her vision without surrounding themselves with people that can, above all, deliver. Kazakhstan’s success, and that of its citizens and residents, lies not in the ability of the President to envision the future, but rather on the ability of his team to deliver that vision.
Just as the UN Secretary General has said “The United Nations must focus on delivery rather than process and on people rather than bureaucracy.” I hope that the New Year’s Resolution of every Minister in Kazakhstan is to do the same, and to build a better future for all citizens.
The author is Professor Mark Beer OBE, the chairman of the Metis Institute, which advises governments on the implementation of legal and judicial reforms that promote citizen-centricity. He is also co-founder of Seven Pillars Law in Kazakhstan, a visiting fellow at Oxford University, a visiting professor at Shanghai University for Political Science and Law and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Expert Network.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Astana Times.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/the-christmas-spirit-revisited/
| 2024-01-18T14:17:12Z
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ASTANA – A new modernized tourist information booth opened in the arrivals area at the Nursultan Nazarbayev international airport on Jan. 18, reported the Astana Development Center’s press service.
As a key element to enhance visitors’ comfort, the booth provides information about Astana’s tourist products, sightseeing routes, attractions, events, transport, shopping, and entertainment in Kazakh, Russian, and English languages.
The booth also offers free maps, city guides, and brochures about local sights, hotels, catering facilities, and other options.
The booths in Terminal 1 at the Astana airport and the Baiterek Monument monitor requests and maintain an up-to-date tourist database in the capital. In 2023, they processed over 10,000 requests.
The opening of this new information booth marks a significant step towards improving the tourist experience in Astana, contributing substantially to the positive portrayal of the capital.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/tourist-information-booth-opens-at-astana-airport/
| 2024-01-18T14:17:19Z
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When I proudly championed the launch of the Menopause Workplace Pledge campaign at HELLO! at the end of 2021, we knew the initiative would have a positive impact on a huge number of women in Britain, but I didn’t realise the huge effect it would have on me personally.
It was during an interview with sports presenter Gabby Logan the following year, that I had my penny-dropping moment.
As Gabby openly discussed her perimenopause symptoms for the campaign, she told how anxiety, brain fog and skin changes began at the age of 47 (my age at the time). I nodded my head sagely, relating to her every word.
When I confided in her afterwards, Gabby kindly suggested that maybe I was perimenopausal. It honestly hadn’t seriously occurred to me before.
I had been to the GP previously to discuss feelings of anxiety and hot sweats, especially at night, and was prescribed the antidepressant Sertraline, which helped, but didn’t address everything, and I didn’t feel in a position to question the doctor’s prognosis. It turns out this is a common situation.
The perimenopause
The perimenopause (the transition stage leading up to periods stopping) and menopause (defined as having gone a year without a period), usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier and there are differences in biological and hormonal changes in women of different races and ethnicities, and those who have undergone surgery.
The timing can be hard to pinpoint because symptoms vary widely and the long list of over 36 attributes associated with each stage of the menopause, which include mood swings, insomnia, hot flushes, bloating, changes in sex drive, depression, changes in skin texture and irregular periods, can start years before periods stop and carry on afterwards, yet the duration and severity varies from person to person.
It’s no wonder that some of us struggle to understand what is happening inside our bodies and minds!
Statistics show that three in four women experience menopause symptoms and, for one in four of those, symptoms are severe – often bad enough to lead many to quit their jobs, reduce their hours or pass up promotions due to the affect on their ability to cope at work.
I certainly felt that anxiety had an impact on my ability to work as I regularly felt overwhelmed with managing all the aspects of my working life and personal responsibilities, and my brain fog could sometimes be so bad I struggled to remember the names of colleagues in my office. At one point I attached a phone list to my computer in case I had a mind blank during a meeting.
The Menopause Workplace Pledge was launched by HELLO! together with the women’s healthcare charity Wellbeing of Women, for whom I am proud to be an Ambassador, on the back of these startling statistics.
The aim is that by adding their name to this campaign, employers and individuals can better support colleagues affected by the menopause and to date over 2,500 British businesses such as the BBC, Tesco and Royal Mail have signed up and implemented changes to ensure their staff feel more supported.
Finding the right treatment
It took me a further year of ‘muddling through’ and experiencing irregular periods, to find the treatment that would help me to effectively manage my symptoms.
After deciding to wean myself off the antidepressants, I found my anxiety returned with a vengeance and I was struggling to cope with the daily pressures of work and home life, so I eventually returned to the GP in desperation, close to burning out.
This time I was armed with a key piece of advice: to ask for an appointment with the practice’s menopause expert.
Thanks to my increased awareness of perimenopause, I was better able to advocate for myself. I had been keeping notes of my symptoms and could show the irregularity of my periods. I told her I believed I was in perimenopause and asked to try HRT and my doctor shared the options.
Feeling the difference
I felt the benefits after a couple of months and now I supplement my two pumps of Oestrogel and progesterone tablets by taking Gold Collagen Forte+ to look after my skin, hair, and help with hormone balance, plus The Better Gut – a science-backed probiotic tablet especially formulated to help support the gut health of perimenopausal and menopausal women.
In just a couple of weeks of using HRT it felt as though I had put on some glasses and life went back into sharp focus – I still forget the odd thing, but the brain fog has lifted.
This combination works really well for me, and I feel back to my energised, positive and clear-thinking self.
I have recently gained the confidence to make some changes to my career, reinventing my working life for a portfolio career and I feel poised to enter my fifties excited about the potential of my next chapter. Work is a necessity, but I am doing things I love and feel better able to cope.
Society is changing
After years of stigma and shame, or of ‘just getting on with it’ and battling on, menopause is now being talked about more widely. There are communities discussing it on social media, it is on mainstream tv and the subject of books, thanks to stars like Davina McCall, Mariella Frostrup and Lisa Snowdon using their profiles to share their experiences and raise awareness.
The conversation has also reached Parliament, and on World Menopause Day (18 October 2023), I was honoured to co-host an event at The House of Lords where Carolyn Harris MP announced an all-party Manifesto for Menopause which calls on all political parties to commit to seven reforms ahead of the next General Election.
Reforms include integrating menopause into the NHS free Health Check for women over 40; creating a National Formulary for all types of HRT to ensure that doctors and pharmacists can prescribe any approved medicines, supported by standardised local prescribing guidelines in a bid to help prevent the debilitating shortages in HRT that have been experienced by many; and requiring employers with over 250 employees to introduce menopause action plans to support employees experiencing the menopause.
There is still a long way to go, and there have been widely reported setbacks along the way, including a recent NICE report which suggested that CBT could be offered to women as a menopause treatment too, but which was met with some anger from menopause pressure groups like Menopause Mandate, of which Mariella Frostrup is Chair.
They argue that 'you can’t think your hormones higher' and whilst a holistic approach is always welcome, it won’t help prevent some of the long-term menopause conditions such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
Despite this, we must have hope and I am positive that our generation is blazing a trail for others by speaking honestly about our personal experiences, and businesses are waking up to the fact that 51% of the population will experience this time of life in some way.
I hope that in telling my story, I can inspire others to advocate for themselves too, though it is important to note we are all different and it is key to involve a medical professional in any decisions you make regarding treatment.
Sign the Menopause Workplace Pledge here.
Rosie hosts HELLO!’s wellbeing podcast In A Good Place.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/511565/rosie-nixon-perimenopause-journey/
| 2024-01-18T14:35:24Z
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I've always been an active person, but after the birth of my first child, I wanted to get fit again and needed a goal to keep me focused.
I did a fair few triathlons but preferred the freedom of off-road running. I like the wildness of trail running and being in open water appeals to me, so I challenged myself to try Swimrun, a course that sees you run over mountain passes, swim across vast lakes and jump into streams.
The backdrops are stunning and it's brilliant, challenging and different. Swimrun is worlds apart from the sanitised world pool swimming and running and I thrive on the element of the unknown. It demands more from me mentally and physically than the sum of the distances I run and swim.
Appealing to the adventurer in me, during the course you cross landscapes without knowing what is coming next. It keeps you on your toes and the best thing is just as you think, ‘oh I wish this run would end’ it does and into the water you get for a swim leg.
Spending time outside exploring, swimming, trail running with other people and overcoming obstacles always makes me feel great. For that moment, I can forget about all the pressures of daily life and focus on keeping going in what are often some amazing landscapes.
After the event, you feel like you have seen a place from the inside out and been part of it. But Swimrun also helps in daily life as I think, 'Well I have done that, so I can do anything else that’s put in my way’.
I love the variation, the scenery and the freedom. Often you aren’t following a normal path, the weather changes, one swim might be calm another choppy, a run section might be sandy and flat or muddy and hilly. It is more of a journey than a race.
READ: 7 genuine reasons my fifties are my best decade yet
Last summer, my teammate Pat and I took part in Rockman, an iconic event in Norway and it was truly amazing. We jumped off the back of a ferry to start, swam across fjords and mountain lakes, used ropes to climb along cliff edges, waved at tourists wondering why on earth we were running in wetsuits and importantly had a whole lot of fun. I've also done events in Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Jersey, Isles of Scilly and loads more.
Swimrun is for everyone. If you can swim and run, you can do it! Don’t over think it just give it a go.
Swimrun is a growing sport which combines swimming and running. Participants race a predefined course, alternating between land and water, starting and finishing in the same gear and completing multiple swims and runs.For more information on swimrun events and kit visit Swimrun.com
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/511569/swim-run-do-hard-things/
| 2024-01-18T14:35:31Z
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We’re only 18 days into the New Year and I already can’t keep up with the amount of new fashion trends the world is coining.
Earlier this week we welcomed the ‘mob wife’ aesthetic, the week before chunky aviator sunnies were doing the rounds and now there’s a new trend on the rise that both Bella Hadid and Julia Fox are responsible for.
It's with hesitant open arms, we welcome the ‘Officecore’ or 'Secretarycore' trend. Basically, all you need to achieve this snarky corporate look is a pair of prescription or transparent glass opticals, the skinner and more ‘90s inspired the better.
For a while now (before her IG hiatus) Miss Bella Hadid has been trying to "make sleazy secretary happen." Back in October of last year the model and founder of non-alcoholic drink brand Kin sported a pair of teeny tiny specs to celebrate her birthday. Since then Bella has been spotted on the streets of NYC donning a variety of secretary-inspired specs, paired with traditional office attire, including a form-fitting button-up blouse with an office-inappropriate amount of buttons actually done up.
MORE: Julia Fox just wore the most bizarre Princess Diana fashion tribute ever
RELATED: 'Mob Wife' style: The only 5 things you need to get the look
Julia Fox, who is known for her wild sense of style (the Princess Diana corset pops to mind) is also a fan of the trend, I would even go as far as to say she invented it. In mid-November of last year, the Uncut Gems muse posted on her ‘gram sporting a pair of sultry specs, a halterneck tie top and bleached eyebrows.
It was only a matter of time before the TikTok natives embodied the trend for themselves, with the hashtags for ‘Secretarycore’ and ‘Officecore’ already on the rise. Most of the videos feature creators leaning right into the trend, sporting stereotypical office outfits with sensible pumps and receptionist-coded specs.
So, whether you need them to see street signs in the distance or are just embracing the trend for the bit, a pair of skinny opticals are all you need to get a seat at the TikTok girly table this season.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/fashion-trends/511555/office-secretary-fashion-trend-tiktok/
| 2024-01-18T14:35:37Z
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Though Brooklyn Beckham’s career path is a far cry from his mum Victoria’s, he’s just proven he’s not shy to make a fashion statement, and we’re slightly obsessed.
The budding chef - who is launching a pop-up in London later this year - stepped out in Los Angeles wearing a jumper boasting a personalised slogan; one of Victoria's favourite design hacks when creating clothing for her eponymous label.
Brooklyn wore a buttery yellow sweatshirt (also bang on trend for this season) with the word "Brooklyn" printed in contrasting bold sans-serif writing.
Though Victoria has never stepped out with her own name sprawled across her ensemble, she does have a habit of printing her own quotes on her t-shirts.
Currently available to purchase from her website are tops that say, “Fashion stole my smile,” “Smiling on the inside” and “My dad had a Rolls Royce.”
The first slogan alludes to her 2012 interview with Glamour where she said: “I think I only stopped smiling when I got into fashion. [Laughs.] Fashion stole my smile! I've created this person.” The second references a 2015 Vogue interview where she said: "I’m smiling on the inside, but I feel like I have a responsibility to the fashion community.”
The latter needs little to no explanation. After the release of David Beckham’s Netflix documentary Beckham last year, VB became a meme after saying she was from a working-class family, yet her dad drove a Rolls Royce. Iconic.
Brooklyn’s jumper is not only an aesthetic approved by his fashion designer mum, but also mellow yellow hues are bang on trend for 2024.
“Leading on from this season, soft, buttery hues are still all the rage for SS24,” explains Hello! Fashion’s Orin Carlin, “Unctuous and pearly, the shade feels categorically indulgent. Like butter wouldn't melt”.
He paired his unique fashion-forward sweatshirt with yet another slogan item - a cap that read ‘Lola’ - the name of Nicola Peltz's upcoming movie
Is Brooklyn Beckham about to become a fashion icon?
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/fashion-trends/511564/brooklyn-beckham-logo-fashion-statement-victoria-beckham/
| 2024-01-18T14:35:43Z
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Johnny Depp has made a rare comment about his quiet life in Somerset where he enjoys residing on a sprawling 850-acre estate. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor, who has stepped away from the limelight in recent times following a very public defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard in 2022, now resides in a small town in the West Country, where he can "finally be me."
The actor and filmmaker spoke to Somerset Life about his new way of living, explaining how despite a Hollywood persona, he is in fact a "shy person" and that living in the UK suits his persona. "In truth, I'm quite a shy person. That's one of the great things about Britain, and especially Somerset.
"I can just be me — and that's nice. I can go into shops without being surrounded by people wanting selfies. I don't mind that up to a point, but sometimes it gets a little too crowded."
He added: "I just love places with character. British people are cool and will greet you as if you are a neighbour, without going over the top. I like going to places, seeing things and meeting people but I'm not the great extrovert that people think."
The award-winning reportedly bought a mansion for £13 million back in 2014 but had been back in forth, before deciding to permanently shun Los Angeles to reside in England in recent years.
The home is located on 850 acres of land on a sprawling estate in Somerset and has surprised locals on multiple occasions by stepping out in public and going about his daily life as normal without being heckled by fans or photographers.
Meanwhile, following months of hiding away after his public legal woes with his ex-wife, Johnny made his public return by attending the Cannes Film Festival in the summer of 2023.
He then made a return to social media at the end of last year after laying low, to give a shout-out to his fellow crew and production team on the film, Modi, a biographical film he directed based on the life of famous Italian artist and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani.
"To my dear 'Modi' film family, Köszönöm [transl. "Thanks" in Hungarian] for all your exceptional efforts without which this film could not have been made. Please accept my eternal admiration, appreciation, respect and love, JD. X," he said.
As for his ex-wife and fellow actress Amber Heard, the Aquaman star has since relocated to Spain along with her two-year-old daughter Oonagh Paige. The star was spotted out and about in Madrid in a TikTok video in which she spoke Spanish in response to questions from photographers.
When asked how her new life in Spain was going, she answered in Spanish: "I really like Spain, a lot," and when asked if she would be staying, she admitted: "I hope I can, yes, I really like living here."
Amber and Johnny married in 2014, but Amber filed for divorce in early 2016 after 15 months and they reached a $7 million divorce settlement in August that year.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/homes/511570/johnny-depps-country-living-shy-actors-rare-comment-about-13-million-home-on-sprawling-estate/
| 2024-01-18T14:35:49Z
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JAKARTA - Indonesia has allowed three Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes to fly again after grounding them, as they have different configurations from a jet that was forced to make an emergency landing in the United States on Jan. 5, its transport ministry said on Thursday.
A cabin panel broke off a new Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet operated by Alaska Airlines in mid-flight, leading to the grounding of the model and inspections by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The incident occurred after take-off from Portland, Oregon, en route to Ontario, California, forcing pilots to turn back and land safely with all 171 passengers and six crew on board.
After grounding the three planes operated by Lion Air on Jan. 6 and later inspecting them, Indonesia's transport ministry said it had allowed them to fly again since Jan. 11.
Lion Air said in a statement the planes had different configurations from the Alaska Airline plane.
The transport ministry said the Lion Air planes had a "mid cabin emergency exit door type II" whereas the Alaska Airlines plane had a "mid exit door plug." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/indonesia-allows-boeing-737-max-9-planes-to-fly-again-after-checks
| 2024-01-18T14:58:49Z
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PARIS – Airbus cemented its position last week as the world’s biggest plane maker for the fifth straight year, announcing that it had delivered more aircraft and secured more orders than Boeing in 2023. At the same time, Boeing was trying to contain a huge public-relations and safety crisis caused by a harrowing near disaster involving its 737 Max line of airliners.
In the long-running duel between the two aviation rivals, Airbus has pulled far ahead.
“What used to be a duopoly has become two-thirds Airbus, one-third Boeing,” said Mr Richard Aboulafia, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory in Washington. “A lot of people, whether investors, financiers or customers, are looking at Airbus and seeing a company run by competent people,” he said. “The contrast with Boeing is fairly profound.”
The incident involving the 737 Max 9, in which a hole blew open in the fuselage of an Alaska Airlines flight in mid-air, was the latest in a string of safety lapses in Boeing’s workhorse aircraft – including two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 – that are indirectly helping propel the fortunes of the European aerospace giant.
As the Federal Aviation Administration widens its scrutiny of Max 9 production, Airbus’ edge is likely to sharpen. Airlines are embarking on massive expansions of their fleets to meet a post-pandemic surge in the demand for global air travel, and considering which company to turn to.
Shares in Airbus, a consortium with factories and offices in several European countries, soared to a record on Jan 12 after CEO Guillaume Faury said the company won 2,094 orders for new aircraft in 2023, the most in a single year. That includes the popular single-aisle A320neo planes, its main competitor to the 737 Max.
Boeing also reported more aircraft deliveries and orders in 2023 than it had the year before, but at a pace slower than Airbus’. The two companies together manufacture the vast majority of the world’s commercial jets.
Mr Faury declined to comment directly at a news briefing on the latest problem with Boeing’s Max aircraft. “We are monitoring very closely everything that comes out of the ongoing investigation,” he said.
Airbus has had its own problems: During the pandemic, supply chain issues forced it to cut production and fire workers, fuelling a loss of €1 billion (S$1.46 billion). It settled a corruption inquiry in 2020 for €4 billion. And in 2019, it quit building the A380 superjumbo jet after airlines demanded smaller models.
Since the Jan 5 incident with the Max 9, Boeing’s shares have slumped around 20 per cent, as investors gauge how big a blow the debacle will prove to be. Mr David Calhoun, the company’s CEO, had said he hoped 2024 would be a comeback year. Instead, the company is scrambling to contain the new fallout.
Boeing said on Jan 15 that it would make changes to quality-control processes at its factory and at that of an important supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, which installed the plug for unused exit doors that blew out on the Alaska Airlines flight. On Jan 16, Boeing announced it had appointed retired United States Navy Admiral Kirkland H. Donald to assess the company’s “quality management system” for commercial planes.
While no one was injured, the Alaska Airlines episode revived questions about safety that Boeing had been working to address after two of its Max planes in Asia and in Africa crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people. All 737 Max aircraft were grounded worldwide for two years, which created an unusual opening for Airbus to swoop in and take more of Boeing’s business.
Reporting by The New York Times and others revealed pressure inside Boeing to compete with Airbus’ A320neo jet, a fast-rising, fuel-efficient success that caught Boeing off guard. Boeing’s decision to build the Max as a variation of the 737 because it would be quicker, easier and cheaper than starting from scratch affected the plane’s design and development, playing a role in its troubling history.
“Over the past few years the economic equation has changed in favour of Airbus,” said Mr Philip Buller, an aviation analyst at London-based Berenberg Bank.
“The disruptions that have been affecting the Boeing Max have made it seem as a less reliable aircraft to have in your fleet,” he said. “So the merits of it being slightly cheaper go out the window because the Airbus is a more reliable plane that you can be flying as opposed to grounding it.”
The safety concerns have been costly in other ways for Boeing. The company is saddled with almost US$40 billion in debt stemming from the Covid-19 travel slump and the earlier 737 Max safety crisis. That has raised questions about the extent to which it will invest in future-generation planes as Airbus seeks a competitive lead, Mr Buller said.
“If you have US$40 billion (S$53.7 billion) in debt, and a plane that’s your cash cow is grounded because the door blew off, it’s a sign that management is not investing in the future, but firefighting today,” he said.
As airlines continue to ramp up post-pandemic orders for planes to build bigger and newer fleets, Airbus appears to be widening its lead. In two huge deals, Air India ordered 250 Airbus planes, and IndiGo, India’s biggest carrier, agreed to buy 500. The company reported an order backlog of 8,600 planes in 2023, compared with 5,626 for Boeing.
Supply chain issues have made it harder for both to build aircraft fast enough. Airbus delivered 735 planes to carriers and airline leasing companies in 2023, at the upper end of its target range and more than the 528 delivered by Boeing. Airbus is sold out until the end of this year for single-aisle jets, and through 2028 for its wide-body A350 planes, the company said.
With the global airline fleet expected to grow by one third over the next decade – carriers are expected to operate 36,000 aircraft by 2033, up from about 27,400 commercial jets today – both companies are looking to turn up the volume for the long term.
Mr Faury said Airbus would elevate production of the A320neo to 75 jets a month in 2026, in a further bid to outpace its rival. Boeing plans to increase production of 737 jets to 50 per month by around 2025.
For now, Airbus is staying humble, at least publicly.
Three days before the Alaska Airlines incident, a Japan Airlines Airbus A350 was engulfed by flames after colliding with a coast guard aircraft while landing in Japan. The Airbus design and materials were credited with preventing the fire from injuring passengers and crew members.
And Spirit AeroSystems, which made the Boeing door plug, is also a major supplier to several types of Airbus planes. It makes wing parts for the A320 at a plant in Scotland, and central section panels at its North Carolina plant for the fuselage of the A350. Mr Faury said Airbus was closely watching the US regulatory investigation of Boeing and its supplier.
He played down concerns that the race between Airbus and Boeing to produce more in-demand jets in the coming years could hurt quality, saying safety, integrity and compliance were the main pillars of the company.
After the Alaska Airlines and Japan Airlines incidents, “we are all very focused, each on our product, to understand, analyse and learn all the lessons,” Mr Faury said during a separate appearance last week at a French aerospace gathering.
“We always ask ourselves the questions: What does that say about the precautions that we might not have thought of and that we need to think about?” Mr Faury said. “To what extent could this happen to us?” NYTIMES
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/airbus-pulls-ahead-as-boeing-s-troubles-mount
| 2024-01-18T14:58:59Z
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BERLIN - Automotive supplier Bosch wants to cut 1,200 jobs in its software development division by the end of 2026, a company spokesperson said on Jan 18, confirming a report in Handelsblatt daily.
The spokesperson said talks with employee representatives had yet to start, referring to the proposed job cuts as planned but not yet finalised.
The main reason given for the move, which sees 950 cuts in Germany alone, is the significantly slower-than-expected development of fully automated driving, Handelsblatt reported.
“A weak economy and high inflation, caused among other things by increased energy and commodity costs, are currently slowing down the transition,” the company said in a statement.
The employees of the affected division had been informed on Jan 17 afternoon about the plans, the spokesperson said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/bosch-plans-to-cut-1200-jobs-in-software-division-by-end-2026
| 2024-01-18T14:59:10Z
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SINGAPORE - The total value of illegal gains from cryptocurrency crimes around the world went down in 2023 after peaking in 2022, a Chainalysis report said.
The global amount received by illicit cryptocurrency addresses in 2023 fell 39 per cent to US$24.2 billion (S$32.5 billion), down from US$39.6 billion in 2022, said the blockchain research firm’s 2024 crypto crime report.
This was largely due to the exclusion of FTX creditor claims of US$8.7 billion in 2023, the firm said on Jan 18.
Stripping out the FTX claims in 2022, the total value of illegal gains from crypto crimes would have fallen 22 per cent in 2023.
Crypto exchange FTX, the brainchild of Sam Bankman-Fried, collapsed in November 2022 and went bust shortly after. In October 2023, he was convicted in the United States on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy and misappropriation of customer funds of as much as US$10 billion. Bankman-Fried will be sentenced in March.
Of the total illicit transaction volume measured in 2023, Chainalysis said 61.5 per cent or US$14.9 billion were from sanctioned entities and jurisdictions.
The report found that illicit activity made up 0.34 per cent of total crypto transaction volume on the blockchain in 2023, down from 0.42 per cent in 2022.
Data also showed there has been a shift in the types of assets involved in crypto-based crime, from Bitcoin to stablecoins.
Stablecoins are digital currencies that are usually pegged to fiat like the US dollar, or a commodity, on a one-to-one basis.
Through 2021, Bitcoin was the favoured choice among cyber criminals due to its high liquidity, the report said, adding that this has changed in the last two years.
Stablecoins’ share of all crypto activity has grown in the past two years and they now account for the majority of all illicit transaction volume, said Chainalysis. This is particularly so for illegal transactions relating to scams and sanctioned entities and jurisdictions.
The report noted that dark net market sales and ransomware extortions still take place predominantly in Bitcoin.
Chainalysis said both crypto scamming and hacking revenue fell significantly in 2023, with total illicit revenue for the two down 29.2 per cent and 54.3 per cent, respectively.
It noted there are more crypto scams when the market is good, adding that they are more difficult to uncover.
Crypto hacking, the report noted, is more obvious and the downward trend could mean that security practices are generally better.
On the other hand, ransomware and dark net markets are two of the most prominent forms of crypto crime that saw revenues rise in 2023, in contrast with the overall trends.
“The growth of ransomware revenue is disappointing following the sharp declines we covered in 2023, and suggests that perhaps ransomware attackers have adjusted to organisations’ cyber security improvements, a trend we first reported earlier this year,” Chainalysis said.
It added that the growth in dark net market revenue also comes after a 2022 decline in revenue.
Chainalysis said its data excluded funds derived from non-crypto native crime, for instance, conventional drug trafficking in which crypto is used as a means of payment.
It added that the report factors in funds sent to addresses identified as illicit and funds that are stolen in crypto hacks.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/global-crypto-criminal-gains-down-in-2023-says-chainalysis-report
| 2024-01-18T14:59:21Z
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SINGAPORE – A new report by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) estimates that Singapore has about 450 active ground-up groups, many of which were set up during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The inaugural Ground-up Initiative Study, which was sponsored by Tote Board, was done to understand the role that ground-ups in Singapore play and the challenges they face. It found that the majority of those who started such groups were individuals aged 35 and below.
This is the first national-level study providing an overview of the ground-up space in Singapore.
The first part of the study was conducted in 2021. Interviews were done with 29 ground-up founders, and nine focus group discussions were held with ground-ups and players in the space, such as charities and government agencies.
The second part consisted of two surveys in 2022, with 431 members and volunteers from 276 ground-up groups, and 1,000 members of the public.
A ground-up is defined in the report as “a group of individuals who voluntarily come together to carry out a self-organised project or initiative to benefit the community”. These groups are not for profit and are not registered organisations.
The report was released on Jan 18 at an NVPC event held at the National Museum of Singapore that was attended by Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth. About 150 participants, mainly from the ground-up scene, were present.
Based on NVPC’s database, 109 ground-ups started in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The survey results found that the top four causes for setting up ground-up initiatives are community building and development (73 per cent), social and welfare (29 per cent) causes, the environment (25 per cent), and education (14 per cent).
Nearly half of the groups, or 49.6 per cent, offered befriending, while 29 per cent provided necessities like food and water, and 26 per cent gave mental health support.
About a third of ground-up founders are 40 years old and above, while 22 per cent are aged between 18 and 24.
Of the 1,000 members of public polled, 80 per cent said the Government was responsible for addressing societal needs, compared with 25 per cent for ground-ups.
But the report highlighted the role of ground-ups and their potential for communities to take ownership to identify problems and provide solutions.
“Ground-ups have been valued for their ability to stay close to the ground, meet (niche) needs quickly and innovatively, and provide a means for citizen participation,” it said.
In his speech, Mr Tong, who is also the Second Minister for Law, said there is a ripple effect in society when people come together to do something for the community. While ground-ups might be small and informal in nature, they can create a tremendously outsized impact, he said.
“There’s a reason why it’s ground and up... I think you have to scale up... But I think at the same time, you must remain grounded because that’s where you get your strength,” he said.
“To be grounded, to understand the people you serve, to understand the communities that you live in and we’re all a part of, and scale up and reach more exponentially – I think that’s the magic formula of a ground-up.”
NVPC, together with Temasek Foundation and Tote Board, launched on Jan 18 an online resource platform that will support those keen to start ground-ups with programmes and resources, as well as networking opportunities.
NVPC also released an online handbook with insights drawn from its research report and practical tips on managing ground-up groups.
Resources can be found at https://www.bagustogether.sg/.
In 2020, Mr Andrew Ong and two friends started Break the Cycle, a ground-up initiative that uses cycling to befriend and support ex-offenders in hopes of breaking the cycle of recidivism.
The group has grown to around 20 committee members and 80 to 90 regular cyclists, who are a mix of ex-offenders and non-ex-offenders.
As an ex-offender himself, Mr Ong, 45, wanted to dispel the stereotypes of ex-offenders. “We all wear cyclist gear and we all look the same.
“Many have grown and matured, not just in cycling skills, but also in character and how they deal with challenges, how they deal with responsibilities and how they look out for one another.”
But managing a ground-up is not that simple, he said, when people have different ideas or volunteers cannot always commit their time.
NVPC’s support would give him greater access to resources and help, said Mr Ong, who hopes that corporations can support ground-ups.
“There are credible and serious ground-ups that are here for the long haul,” he added.
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| 2024-01-18T14:59:42Z
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SINGAPORE – National water agency PUB is investigating the curious case of water in a canal near Newton that turned radiant baby blue on Jan 17, which was captured in a video that was shared on social media platform TikTok.
PUB officers who did an on-site assessment on the water along a stretch of the Bukit Timah Canal that runs between Keng Lee Road and Kampong Java Road “did not observe any traces of unusual discharge at the location or further upstream”, said PUB in a reply to The Straits Times’ queries.
“No abnormalities were detected in the water quality downstream of the canal or in Marina Reservoir,” it added.
Mr Melvin Lee, whose TikTok video of the water has been viewed over 56,000 times, told The Straits Times that he was struck by the change in the colour of the water as he works in the area “almost every day”.
The 34-year-old, who is self-employed, said: “Initially I thought it might have been from some event or festival-related colouring.”
Mr Lee added that he did not notice any unusual smell resulting from the change in colour of the water.
PUB said it is investigating the incident and added that it has reminded developers and contractors in the vicinity that it is illegal to dump substances into public drains.
Photos of the same drain taken on Jan 18 showed that the colour of the water has since returned to normal.
A similar phenomenon was observed in August 2023 at a drain in Toa Payoh, which had water coloured a milky shade of blue. Fish could also be seen swimming in the water at the time.
In another case, water in a canal in Jurong West turned crimson in 2015, alarming some residents. This was attributed by PUB to an organic solvent and dye in a perimeter drain.
The public can contact PUB on 1800-2255-782 to report any suspected pollution in Singapore’s waterways.
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| 2024-01-18T14:59:52Z
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SINGAPORE – An audit of Singapore’s Covid-19 expenditure has scrutinised $33.2 billion out of the $72.3 billion spent in the 2020 and 2021 financial years, and did not uncover major lapses, said the Public Accounts Committee.
The parliamentary watchdog presented its findings in a report released on Jan 18 after it reviewed the two-part audit by the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO).
“Given the substantial spending under extenuating circumstances and a fluid crisis situation, the committee acknowledged and commended the overall effectiveness of the risk management processes in place,” it said.
The committee, comprising eight MPs, is tasked with scrutinising all public spending.
The AGO’s annual audit of government accounts for the 2021/2022 financial year released in July 2022 had flagged inadequate controls and checks by three government agencies in relation to their Covid-19 spending.
These resulted in lapses such as possible salary overpayments, inadequate checks on price reasonableness in contracts and discrepancies in payment claims.
These findings were based on a thematic audit on samples covering 18 per cent of the total Covid-19 expenditure by the three agencies, which spent $1.51 billion on manpower services, accommodation facilities and meal catering from January 2020 to March 2021.
In January 2023, the Public Accounts Committee noted in a report to Parliament that $72.3 billion spent on Covid-19 in FY2020 and FY2021 were not covered in the AGO’s thematic audit.
Given the unprecedented complexity and scale of government operations to fight Covid-19, the watchdog said a comprehensive review should be done to ensure public funds were spent properly, and to ensure that any loss of public monies is reported and recovered.
In February 2023, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said the AGO would scrutinise some $32.3 billion of various agencies’ Covid-19 spending as part of its annual audit of government accounts.
Programmes audited would include the Jobs Support Scheme, Rental Relief Framework (Cash Grants), Rental Support Scheme and SingapoRediscovers Vouchers scheme.
The committee then conducted an inquiry, reviewing memoranda from ministries and public agencies, and conducting hearings involving the permanent secretaries from the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Public Service Division (PSD).
In a statement on Jan 18, committee chair Foo Mee Har said: “It is imperative for the public service to persistently uphold standards and integrity to sustain high public trust. We must have zero tolerance for corruption at all levels of the public service.
“To maintain Singapore’s strong track record of incorruptibility, it is crucial that the Government ensures governance frameworks are effectively communicated and diligently implemented across the public service.”
She added: “Rigorous enforcement is not just our duty; it is a cornerstone of our continued success and public confidence.”
MOF and PSD also told the committee that there are governance frameworks at multiple levels of Government to ensure proper accountability for the use of public funds, the report noted.
For example, PSD said that under the internal disclosure policy framework in the civil service, officers can report to their permanent secretaries any wrongful practices that they have observed in their ministries. There is also now a non-retaliation clause to protect officers who make reports in good faith.
The committee also noted that for the period of 2018 to 2022, the number of corruption cases in the public sector remained low at an average of 4 per cent of all individuals prosecuted in court each year.
The report also discussed broader issues which could impact spending, financial governance and controls in the public sector.
These issues concerned aspects such as maintaining integrity and trust in the public sector, risk management and digitalisation, specifically when it comes to ensuring the resilience of the government information technology (IT) infrastructure and service delivery.
To this end, the watchdog urged the establishment of a high-level oversight mechanism to address risks that require a centralised response, in the case of significant risk events that require a whole-of-government approach.
This is to tackle common areas of concern across the public sector, which include data loss, IT system failures, challenges in talent attraction and retention, as well as macroeconomic risks, it said.
Ms Foo said: “While digital transformation has brought many positive benefits, the Government must continue to prioritise investments in expertise. This is crucial to guard against cyber-security threats, data security vulnerabilities and counterparty risks.”
She added that a pre-emptive focus on artificial intelligence-related risks and a robust governance strategy must be accelerated.
“Managing IT-related risks and ensuring resiliency in IT systems are paramount for the public sector. This approach is key to maintaining the momentum of our digital transformation journey,” she said.
The committee said it also recognised MOF’s continuous efforts in enhancing the risk management capabilities across the public sector.
About 90 per cent of agencies have implemented or are in the process of putting in place baseline enterprise risk management frameworks by 2024. Such frameworks create an approach to identifying and monitoring risks within the context of a given organisation.
The committee also said the Government should take swift action to retain in-person services, even as many government services go online. It urged the Government to expand the number and reach of physical ServiceSG centres, which offer residents one-stop access to a wide range of government services.
“This approach would significantly aid those less confident in digital interactions,” it said, adding that ground feedback indicated that many seniors find digital transactions challenging as government services move increasingly online.
There is a need to institutionalise processes that strengthen protections against scams as well, it noted, especially for users who are less IT-savvy.
Ms Foo said: “Even as we go digital, it is imperative not to overlook the significance of tangible, human assistance. Not everyone is comfortable with online services.
“Our objective should be to guarantee that every member of our community receives the necessary assistance to transact with the Government in a manner most suited to their needs and comfort.”
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/audit-of-covid-19-expenditure-did-not-uncover-major-lapses-parliament-watchdog
| 2024-01-18T15:00:02Z
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AL RAYYAN, Qatar - Australia beat Syria 1-0 in their second Asian Cup match to maintain their perfect record in Group B on Thursday after midfielder Jackson Irvine came to the rescue once again with his second goal of the tournament.
After a goalless first half, Irvine gave Australia the lead in the 59th minute when he collected the ball on the turn inside the box and poked it past goalkeeper Ahmad Madanieh to silence the Syrians who made up the majority of the 10,097 fans.
Roared on by their supporters, the Middle Eastern side had started the game on the front foot and nearly opened the scoring through Pablo Sabbag, who hit the post in the fifth minute.
But Australia quickly settled down and soon controlled possession, with most of the action in Syria's half while keeper Mathew Ryan cut a lonely figure at the other end.
Australia had a scare minutes after taking the lead when Mouaiad Al-Ajaan unleashed a strike from long range and Ryan nearly bundled the ball into his own net but he quickly recovered to grab it before it crept over the line.
Syria tried their luck from distance several times but Australia held firm to move top with six points ahead of the other game between India, who have yet to earn a point, and Uzbekistan, who have one point, later on Thursday.
Syria have a point from their two games. REUTERS
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DOHA – Australia followed hosts and holders Qatar into the last 16 of the Asian Cup on Jan 18 and have “great belief” they can win it, despite an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Syria.
Jackson Irvine scored the winner on the hour with his second goal of the tournament, swivelling in the box before poking the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Ahmad Madanieh.
“It’s about winning football matches. That’s tournament mode – clean sheets, scoring goals, winning goals, getting through to the next round,” said the match winner.
“It was a hard-fought win. The boys had to dig in against a team that threw everything at us at the end of the game. We’re pleased with the win.”
Graham Arnold’s side are into the knockout round with a game to spare in Group B, but will have to play better than this if they are to lift the Asian Cup for a second time.
Syria nearly went ahead inside five minutes when Pablo Sabbag pinged the ball off the foot of Australia’s post. The Colombian-born striker was then left bloodied in the face midway through the half after a stray forearm by Aiden O’Neill, and the midfielder was booked.
But Australia, who reached the last 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup before a 2-1 defeat by eventual champions Argentina, were by then in control.
Arnold criticised his side for failing to make more of their set pieces in their 2-0 opening win over India, and 10 minutes before the break Australia nearly went ahead from a corner. Defender Gethin Jones won the ball with a looping header and midfielder Irvine – who scored in the India victory – just failed to reach the ball on the stretch at the far post.
Ranked 91st in the world to Australia’s 25th, Syria were hardly in it as an attacking force at the compact Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, despite the best efforts of their fanatical supporters.
But, by the 57th minute when it was still 0-0, Arnold had seen enough and made a triple change, throwing on attacking midfielders Riley McGree and Samuel Silvera, plus midfielder Keanu Baccus.
It did the trick. Three minutes later, Australia took the lead through Germany-based midfielder Irvine.
“We’ve got good quality in the final third... if you get yourself in there enough times, something will drop for you,” the scorer added.
“In games like these the first goal is so important. We probably should have put it to bed but that’s something we can work on. A clean sheet’s the most important thing.”
The Socceroos were mostly comfortable after that, but there was nearly embarrassment for goalkeeper Maty Ryan when he spilled a tame effort from distance in the 67th minute, scrambling back to claw the ball off his goalline.
“We’ve got great belief that we can win the tournament. Obviously there’s a process involved in doing that and we ticked another box today,” said Ryan.
“Syria are tenacious, they’re relentless and they leave it all out there. We expected a physical battle and for them to be quite direct. Thankfully we managed to deal with all that and get the win.”
The final round of matches in Group B is on Jan 23, when Australia play Uzbekistan and India face Syria. AFP
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| 2024-01-18T15:00:23Z
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BERLIN - Friday's Bundesliga match between Mainz 05 and Union Berlin has been postponed due to freezing temperatures that would affect spectators, the German Football League said on Thursday.
It is the second Union game called off this season after their fixture against Bayern Munich in December was postponed due to heavy snow and rescheduled for Jan. 24.
"The reasons for this (postponement of Mainz v Union) are the ice forming in the lower parts of the stands, especially the standing tribune, as well as access roads for spectators," the DFL said.
A new date will be set soon. Mainz are 16th and in the relegation playoff with Union 15th, three points ahead.
Freezing rain in central and southern Germany in the past few days has grounded hundreds of flights and restricted train traffic on Wednesday as the weather service warned of slippery roads and heavy snowfall.
The weather service added that there was an extreme risk of black ice and heavy snowfall in the affected regions, while German rail operator Deutsche Bahn has warned of delays and cancellations in view of the winter weather. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T15:00:34Z
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AS Roma will embark on a new era without Jose Mourinho on Saturday when they face Hellas Verona at home in Serie A, with new coach Daniele De Rossi at the helm.
Mourinho was sacked as manager on Tuesday after a two-and-a-half-year spell in charge.
His departure followed Sunday's 3-1 loss to AC Milan, another low in a season disrupted by injuries and marked by poor results that have left them ninth in the table, 22 points behind leaders Inter Milan.
De Rossi, who has a contract until the end of the season, has only had one previous job as a manager, a brief spell in charge of SPAL in Serie B during the 2022-23 season.
"I haven't coached in a while, but they say it is like riding a bike. Even though I only coached for a few months, it was simple enough," De Rossi said.
"I am convinced that the team and I don't need any parachutes. This is a strong squad with some very important players."
Verona should be beatable opponents, having won only four of their 20 games this season to sit 18th in the standings.
There are just six matches this weekend as Napoli, Fiorentina, Inter, and Lazio are in Super Cup action in Saudi Arabia.
Juventus will travel to Lecce on Sunday looking to extend a six-match winning streak in all competitions and a 15-match unbeaten league run.
Victory will put them above Inter at the top of the table, with the two sides involved in a cat-and-mouse battle for Serie A supremacy.
Milan manager Stefano Pioli has earned some breathing space after their victory over Roma following some disappointing results earlier in the season. He is not, however, completely out of the woods yet.
Third-placed Milan visit Udinese on Saturday.
While Udinese are languishing in 16th they have sprung some surprises, having secured a 3-0 victory over Bologna in December and winning their last two league matches against Milan.
Pioli's side continue to grapple with a lengthy list of absences with defenders Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori, Alessandro Florenzi, Mattia Caldara and Pierre Kalulu all injured. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T15:00:44Z
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PARIS - French police have threatened to disrupt airports during the Paris 2024 Olympics if their demands for bonuses and decent working conditions are not met, they said on Thursday.
Law enforcement officers have been demonstrating in the French capital and elsewhere demanding answers from the Ministry of Interior over their request for a 2,000-euro ($2,174.00) 'Olympic bonus' and guarantees that "social measures", notably on child care during the summer, will be approved.
Thursday is a strike day for the few police employees who have the right to stop working - forensics and some members of the administration.
"We will cause fear (if our demands are not met)," Chafia Boutara, administrative secretary at the Alliance Police union told Reuters as a dozen police officers demonstrated and lit blue flares in front of the Paris city hall.
"There will be tougher actions. We will block airports with officers taking not three minutes but 25 to check passports. Then you'll see that the boss of Aeroport de Paris will pick up his phone and call the government."
Last week police officers paraded on open-top buses through Paris to urge the authorities to accelerate talks about labour conditions and pay during the July 26-Aug. 11 Olympics.
Starting in the middle of the national holiday season, the Olympics are set to put a further strain on Paris's workforce amid heightened security threats and chronic staffing shortages in the police, hospitals and public transport.
Some 30,000 police officers and soldiers will be mobilised to secure the opening ceremony on July 26, when some 500,000 people are expected to watch athletes and delegations sail along the Seine river.
"The ministry needs to understand that we're 13 unions in this," Mickael Vinard, head of the police forensics union, told Reuters.
"We serve the State. We want the Olympics to be a success but our authorities have been turning a deaf ear to our demands. They should have anticipated that child care services will be closed, for instance.
"We want the people who come to Paris, Lille, Marseille or Tahiti for the Olympics to be safe."
The surfing events at the Games are scheduled to be held on the Tahiti site of Teahupo’o REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T15:00:54Z
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RIO DE JANEIRO/BRASILIA - Brazil's federal police on Thursday served search-and-seizure warrants against a congressman as they continue to investigate the Jan. 8, 2023 riots in Brasilia, in which supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings.
The raid targeted Congressman Carlos Jordy, a fierce ally of far-right Bolsonaro who is currently the leader of the opposition in the lower house, representing Rio de Janeiro state as a member of Bolsonaro's Liberal Party (PL).
In January 2023, Bolsonaro supporters invaded and ransacked Congress, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court a week after leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office, protesting his election victory and calling for a military coup.
Jordy said on social media that he was targeted by "an authoritarian measure, without any basis or evidence, aimed only at persecuting, intimidating and creating narratives ahead of local elections."
The congressman is expected to run in October for mayor of Niteroi, a city next to Rio de Janeiro.
Federal police confirmed in a separate statement they were serving 10 search-and-seizure warrants ordered by the Supreme Court in two states on Thursday, but did not name Jordy as a specific target.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that the warrants included searches of Jordy's congressional office.
The raids were part of an operation launched last year to identify people who participated in, funded or fostered the riots.
People are being investigated for crimes of "violent abolition of the rule of law, coup d'état, criminal association and incitement," according to the police. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T15:01:05Z
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KINSHASA - Two of the main opposition candidates in Democratic Republic of Congo's December presidential election have called for a protest this Saturday, when President Felix Tshisekedi is due to be sworn in for a second term.
The two opposition leaders, Martin Fayulu and Moise Katumbi, have called for the election results to be annulled, alleging fraud. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T15:01:15Z
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BRUSSELS - The European Parliament stopped short on Thursday of calling for an unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, saying this should happen only if hostages held in the besieged Palestinian enclave were released and Hamas dismantled.
Three groups of EU lawmakers - the socialists, centrists and greens - had sought a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire and the restart of efforts towards a political solution.
The resolution text also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the dismantling of Hamas.
However, the centre-right European People's Party, the largest group in the parliament, narrowly pushed through an amendment during voting to adjust the text.
It called for a permanent ceasefire and the restart of efforts for a political solution "provided that" hostages were released and Hamas dismantled.
The resolution as a whole was cleared by a wide majority.
European Parliament resolutions have no binding power, but are designed to signal the view of Europeans and have sometimes triggered stern foreign reactions. The resolution will be forwarded to other EU institutions, EU members, the Israeli government, Palestinian bodies, Egypt and the United Nations.
In October, lawmakers condemned Hamas's Oct 7 attack on Israel, while also calling for a "humanitarian pause". REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T15:01:26Z
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ROME - Italy's parliament on Thursday gave final approval to a law introducing tougher penalties on those who damage monuments and cultural sites, following a series of climate protests.
In recent months, environmental activists in Italy have thrown paint or otherwise defaced monuments, buildings and artworks, including the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and La Scala Opera house in Milan.
The bill, passed by the lower house of parliament with a 138-92 vote, envisages fines of up to 40,000 euros ($43,548) for those who deface monuments, increasing to up to 60,000 euros if cultural heritage is destroyed.
Current fines are in the range of 1,500-15,000 euros.
The law also stipulates that the culture ministry can use the proceeds from fines to clean up and repair damaged monuments.
"Today is a beautiful day for Italian culture, and in particular for the artistic and architectural heritage of the nation," Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, the chief backer of the reform, said in a statement.
The legislation dubbed the 'eco vandals' law is the latest example of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni right-wing government's tough approach on law and order, adding to measures against juvenile offenders, irregular migrants and rave party organisers.
Climate activists, who call on governments to stop the use of fossil fuels and tackle global warming, have staged similar protests across Europe, targeting the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin along with paintings in London and Vienna. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T15:01:36Z
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LONDON - Historical drama "Oppenheimer", one of the biggest movies in 2023, led nominations for the BAFTA Film Awards on Jan 18, securing 13 nods.
"Oppenheimer", about the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II, was followed by sex-charged gothic comedy "Poor Things", with 11 nominations.
Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon", about the murders of members of the Osage Nation in the 1920s and "The Zone of Interest", which tells the story a family living next to Auschwitz, both received nine nods.
"Oppenheimer", "Poor Things" and "Killers of the Flower Moon" will compete for the annual ceremony's top prize, best film, alongside courtroom drama "Anatomy of a Fall" and "The Holdovers", a comedy set in a boys' boarding school.
"It has been an outstanding year for film-making as represented by the 38 films nominated today," Anna Higgs, chair of BAFTA Film Committee, said in a statement.
"They showcase ambitious, creative and hugely impressive voices from independent British debuts to global blockbusters, from complex moral issues through to joyful journeys of self-discovery. They all ultimately explore human connection."
Pink-themed box office phenomenon "Barbie", starring Margot Robbie as the famed Mattel doll, was nominated in five categories.
Robbie was nominated in the leading actress category, alongside "Poor Things" star Emma Stone, Carey Mulligan for "Maestro", Fantasia Barrino for "The Color Purple", Sandra Hüller of "Anatomy of a Fall" and Vivian Oparah for "Rye Lane".
The leading actor nominees are Bradley Cooper ("Maestro), Barry Keoghan ("Saltburn"), Cillian Murphy ("Oppenheimer"), Colman Domingo, ("Rustin"), Paul Giamatti ("The Holdovers") and Teo Yoo ("Past Lives").
Known as the BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), Britain’s top movie awards will take place in London on Feb 18. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T15:01:47Z
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Slovak president Zuzana Caputova urged lawmakers on Thursday to reconsider plans to scrap a special prosecution office for high crimes and lower sentences for financial crimes, proposals that have raised concerns over rule of law.
The government led by four-time Prime Minister Robert Fico is trying to fast-track changes it says are necessary to end what it called excesses at the Special Prosecution Office (USP) during the time when Fico was in opposition.
The government's plans have drawn thousands of protesters to Slovak squares in the past weeks.
Caputova told parliament it was "unprecedented" to make such changes in a fast-track legislative procedure.
"The absence of proper expert debate multiplies the risks connected with this amendment, because there is a lack of analysis of its all practical and technical consequences," she said.
Fico has argued that Slovak sentences were too harsh compared with many European countries, and has accused the USP of bias against his party.
But Caputova pointed out that the European prosecutors office has raised concern the planned changes may lead to insufficient punishment for abuse of European Union funds.
She also said the proposed reduction in sentences would go beyond that in neighbouring states. Caputova offered an example that a burglary, which caused damage of up to 350,000 euros, might only be punished by suspended sentence, as many other serious crimes, including money laundering.
Shortening statutes of limitations would at once end liability for thousands of already committed crimes, she also warned.
"The four-way combination of the fundamental lowering of sentences, higher damage thresholds, changes to conditions of suspended sentences and changes in statutes of limitations would be resignation of the state on protecting its citizens," Caputova said.
'CORRECT' STEP
In response, Fico said the government stood firm behind the proposals, arguing they would right some wrongs and modernise criminal law.
"These are steps we consider fundamentally correct," he told a briefing.
The European Commission and the United States have already raised objections to Fico's plans. The European Parliament on Wednesday called for more scrutiny of the changes and the for European Commission to take action "to safeguard the rule of law and judicial independence".
The special prosecutors opened a number of cases against business leaders, members of the judiciary and police, following a 2020 election win by parties promising to fight graft.
While in opposition, Fico himself had faced police charges, later dropped, that he used information from police and tax authorities to discredit political rivals. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T15:01:57Z
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CAIRO - A sharp downturn in revenue after sea attacks by Yemen's Houthis diverted away shipping away from the Suez Canal has struck a painful new blow to Egypt's already deteriorating economy, adding urgency to the need for reforms and help from abroad.
Nearly all Egypt's main sources of foreign currency - natural gas exports, tourism, worker remittances from abroad, and now Suez Canal revenue - have all come under recent and severe pressure.
Egypt needs foreign currency not only to import essential commodities to feed its people, but also to repay $189.7 billion in foreign debt, most of it racked up over the last ten years. At least $42.26 billion in debt repayments is due this year, although analysts expect that some of that to be rolled over.
"Putting all of that together, it does feel as though Egypt's crisis is nearing a fork-in-the-road moment," said James Swanston of Capital Economics.
The chairman of the Suez Canal Authority said last week that canal revenue had fallen by 40% in the first 11 days of January.
In the year to June 30, the canal earned Egypt a record $8.76 billion and in the third quarter another $2.40 billion.
The CEO of Maersk said on Wednesday he expected the disruption to shipping caused by the attacks on vessels to probably continue for at least a few months.
Maersk and other large shipping lines have instructed hundreds of commercial vessels to stay clear of the Red Sea, sending vessels on the longer route around Africa.
"If the fall in Suez Canal revenue continues, it could be a serious blow. It's a big setback because it's a direct FX revenue source for the government," said Allen Sandeep of Naeem Brokerage.
PLUNGING REMITTANCES
Other revenue streams such as worker remittances that go mainly to private individuals still help Egypt's foreign exchange position, if not the government directly.
Remittances plunged by $9.85 billion in the financial year that ended on June 30 and another $1.93 billion in the July-September quarter, according to central bank figures.
Egyptians abroad have been reluctant to send earnings home when the price of the currency is fixed substantially below its black market value and as inflation runs rampant.
The pound's black market rate has slid to about 57 to the dollar from 39 before the Gaza crisis broke out on Oct. 7. The official rate has remained fixed at 30.85 to the dollar since March.
Inflation, at 33.7% in December, has been at record highs since June.
Natural gas exports fell by $2 billion year on -year in the July-September quarter, according to central bank figures, due to declining local production and falling international prices. In 2022/23, Egypt exported natural gas worth $7.20 billion.
Tourism, which earned a record $13.63 billion in 2022/23 and $4.45 billion in July-September, has slowed since the Gaza crisis broke out, although the government has not released revenue figures for the months since September.
BUDGET DEFICIT PROBLEMS
In an apparent measure to finance the government budget deficit, the central bank has turned to the printing presses. M1 money supply, which includes currency in circulation and Egyptian pound demand deposits, jumped by 37.7% in the year to end-November.
"The money supply rising sharply and the possibility of more devaluations this year will result in a sharp slowdown in the pace of disinflation, which means that inflationary pressures will remain elevated this year," said Pieter du Preez of Oxford Economics.
Many analysts believed Egypt had been waiting until after the mid-December presidential election to devalue the currency and make other painful reforms needed to put the economy on track. As expected, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, facing little opposition, won with about 90% of the vote.
"If the pound doesn't move soon, investors are likely to continue to be put off from investing into the Egyptian economy over the worry of a future and sharper devaluation down the line rather than taking the somewhat painful medicine now," said Swanston of Capital Economics. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/suez-canal-diversions-pile-pressure-on-egypts-distressed-economy
| 2024-01-18T15:02:07Z
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ABUJA - Nigerian prosecutors on Thursday added 14 new criminal charges, including forgery, against former central bank governor Godwin Emefiele in the most high-profile corruption case under President Bola Tinubu.
Emefiele, who presided over the affairs of the central bank for nine years, resigned last year after he was arrested and spent five months in detention.
Prosecutors told a judge in Abuja that the new charges against Emefiele were linked to forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery and felony, procurement fraud and criminal breach of trust.
Emefiele was being tried on six charges of procurement fraud after he was freed on $300,000 bail in November. He denied the charges.
He will be indicted on the amended charges on Friday, when he is also expected to enter a plea.
Emefiele was suspended by Tinubu on June 9 and arrested the next day by the Department of State Service. He then resigned in August, paving the way for the appointment of Olayemi Cardoso as the new central bank governor in September. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/nigeria-slaps-14-new-criminal-charges-against-ex-central-bank-chief
| 2024-01-18T15:02:18Z
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DAVOS, Switzerland -Saudi Arabia is still considering an invitation to become a member of the BRICS bloc of countries after being asked to join by the grouping last year, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Thursday.
The group had in August invited Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, Argentina, and Ethiopia to join starting Jan. 1, although Argentina signalled it would not take up the invitation in November. The two sources said Jan. 1 was not a deadline for a decision, with one adding there were strong benefits to joining the bloc as members China and India are the kingdom's biggest trading partners.
"Saudi Arabia is assessing the benefits and then will make a decision, there is a process happening," one of the sources said.
The expansion of the group would add economic heft to the BRICS, whose current members are China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa. It could also amplify its declared ambition to become a champion of the Global South.
Saudi Arabia's consideration of membership comes against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China and Russia, and as the kingdom's warming ties with Beijing have caused concern in Washington.
Despite continued strong ties with the U.S., Saudi Arabia has increasingly pursued its own path out of concern that Washington is less committed to the Gulf's security than in the past.
On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia's minister of commerce stated that Saudi Arabia had not joined the BRICs in a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Following the minister's statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that integrating Saudi Arabia into the BRICs bloc was very important work that was continuing on Wednesday.
Saudi state TV reported earlier this month that the kingdom had joined the bloc, only to remove the reports from its social media accounts later.
Fellow Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member, the UAE, said it had accepted the invitation and joined the bloc, according to the ministry of foreign affairs. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/saudi-arabia-still-considering-brics-membership-sources-say
| 2024-01-18T15:02:28Z
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NAIROBI - Somalia rejected any discussions with Ethiopia about Addis Ababa's agreement to lease a port in the breakaway region of Somaliland, as regional heads of state gathered on Thursday to try to defuse a growing diplomatic crisis.
A memorandum of understanding signed on Jan. 1 calls for recognition of Somaliland's independence. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not won recognition from any country and the port lease deal, which would be a boon to landlocked Ethiopia, has enraged Somalia.
An escalating war of words, including threats by Somalia to go to war to prevent the deal from going through, led the African Union to call for restraint and "meaningful dialogue" on Wednesday.
"There is no space for mediation unless Ethiopia retracts its illegal MOU and reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia," Somalia's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement on Thursday.
Under the deal, which still has to be finalised, Ethiopia would lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastland around the port of Berbera, on the Gulf of Aden, for 50 years for military and commercial purposes.
Ethiopia's current main port for maritime exports is in the neighbouring country of Djibouti.
Heads of state from a regional group, the eight-member Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), met in Entebbe, Uganda on Thursday in an effort to find a peaceful solution.
Those in attendance included the presidents of Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan as well as the leader of the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
Ethiopia did not send a delegation, saying it was informed too late about the summit.
At a news conference on Thursday, Ambassador Meles Alem, Ethiopia's foreign affairs spokesperson, rejected a statement by the Arab League on Wednesday that called the MOU "a clear violation of international law".
"The statement is a disservice to the organisation itself as well as member countries. More than anything it shows a disregard to Africans," Meles said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/somalia-rejects-mediation-efforts-with-ethiopia-over-port-deal
| 2024-01-18T15:02:39Z
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Izzie Balmer is a regular fixture on our TV screens thanks to her roles on Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, which sees the jewellery expert travel up and down the country to share her expertise with members of the public. Now the 35-year-old is back on the road in series two of BBC One's daytime hit, The Travelling Auctioneers.
But what do you know about the auctioneer's life away from the cameras? Keep reading to find out all we know about her home and family life.
Izzie's start in the antiques industry
After studying geography at Durham University, Izzie got a part-time job in a vintage shop while she decided what career path she wanted to take. It was her mum who inspired her to move into the world of antiques when she suggested her daughter do some work experience at a local auction house.
"After two weeks' work experience the auction house offered me a job and the rest, as they say, is history," she told the BBC.
Izzie's career has gone from strength to strength since then, and in December 2023, the valuer decided to commit to her career in TV and become self-employed, leaving her role as Head Valuer and Auctioneer at the Wessex Auction Rooms in Wiltshire.
Izzie's life away from the cameras and hobbies
While Izzie grew up in Quarndon, Derby with her parents Sheila and Toby, and younger brother Hugh, she now lives in Bristol.
When she's not busy travelling across the UK for work, she spends her free time socialising with friends and going on walks. She's also an aspiring beekeeper and plays the viola in several Bristol orchestras.
"I'm part of a string quartet, so we often have weddings and gigs," she told the BBC. "When I'm not playing, I like to socialise with my friends, go out for dinner, go on walks, visit new places, attempt to grow flowers and veggies, or on the very rare occasion I have a free 30 minutes, sit with a coffee and a book outside."
It's clear from Izzie's Instagram page that she loves to travel. The TV star has made trips to the Netherlands, France and Cornwall over the past couple of years.
Taking to Instagram in August last year, Izzie posted a black and white snap taken on a beach in Cornwall and shared her love for the coastal county. "Cornwall is always what I need it to be, when I need it," she penned. "There's somehow a magic to Cornwall. Despite the smile I always present, sometimes the smile is a mask, and recently it's been a mask I've worn everyday. But coming to Cornwall has given me the courage I'd lost and the knowledge that everything will be fine in the end one way or another."
MORE: The Traitors season two: who has been banished or murdered so far?
Izzie's love life
While Izzie likes to keep her social media followers updated on what she gets up to when she's not filming, she keeps her love life very private. Therefore, it's not known whether Izzie is in a relationship.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/511550/izzie-balmer-life-away-from-cameras-home-life-hobbies/
| 2024-01-18T15:23:40Z
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Welcome to the Daily Lowdown podcast from HELLO!. In this episode, we're talking about Ariana Grande sharing some big news about her new album, as well as Usher dropping a hint about his upcoming Super Bowl performance.
Not only that, but Ed Sheeran's upcoming tour will see him make a big sacrifice for his wife and children, and we send our best wishes to the Princess of Wales who is recovering in hospital after having "planned abdominal surgery."
Listen to the episode in full below…
Usher has given a hint about some big guests who could be joining him on stage at the Super Bowl Half Time show taking place next month. The RnB superstar has graced the cover of Vogue and said how this performance is 30 years in the making before adding that he is bringing on some "important" guests who helped architect the genre of R&B. Fans have already begun speculating about who it could be, with huge names like Alicia Keys and Beyonce being thrown around but we'll have to wait and see. The singer will take to the stage at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11th for the major performance which he insists needs to be "perfect". We cannot wait.
MORE: The Daily Lowdown: The Coachella Festival 2024 line-up features a major reunion
MORE: The Daily Lowdown: Taylor Swift gets a shout-out at the Critics Choice Awards
Ariana Grande sent fans into a frenzy when she dropped her new single 'yes, and?' last week but now she has shared when we can expect more. Taking to social media, the Thank U, Next hitmaker said that her new album Eternal Sunshine will be released on 8th March – her first in four years. Ariana's new album title draws inspiration from the film, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and has already gained attention for the lyrics and messages in her new song. The star seemingly takes aim at critics for commenting on her love life, following news she and her husband Dalton Gomez had divorced and that she was dating her Wicked co-star, Ethan Slater.
Ed Sheeran is one of the biggest music artists on the planet but the singer is still a family man at heart. According to his tour buddy, Callum Scott, the Bad Habits hitmaker is planning on flying between Asia and the UK each week while on tour to make sure he sees his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters regularly. Ed's Mathematics tour is due to kick off its leg in Asia and will cover shows in Japan, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. The shows will wrap in March.
Ice Spice has been sued for copyright infringement. The singer is facing legal trouble over her 2023 single, In Ha Mood, which has prompted two musicians to file a lawsuit against the rapper claiming it is an infringement of their track, In That Mood. According to Rolling Stone, the lawsuit was filed in New York City and the claimants state in their legal papers that the two songs are so "strikingly similar" that it can't be a coincidence, but that Ice Spice used their assets without permission or giving credit. Ice Spice is yet to comment on the lawsuit.
We are sending our best wishes to the Princess of Wales who is recovering in hospital after having an operation. A statement released by Kensington Palace stated that Princess Kate had undergone planned abdominal surgery and is expected to remain in hospital for ten-14 days while recovering. The statement added that while the Princess is aware of the interest this will generate, she wishes to maintain normality as much as possible for her three children. Neither Prince William nor Princess Kate are expected to return to royal duties until she has recovered.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/511579/ariana-grande-shares-big-news-with-fans-after-hitting-back-at-critics/
| 2024-01-18T15:23:46Z
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Kate Beckinsale took to social media to open up about a difficult moment with her family following the death of her stepfather Roy Battersby on January 10.
The actress, 50, shared that she'd received an email from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTAs) which she said "could not guarantee" that he would be included in their "In Memoriam" section.
Kate shared a throwback of herself with Roy and her mom, actress Judy Loe, from the 1996 BAFTA TV ceremony, after she'd presented him with the BAFTA Alan Clarke Award for outstanding contribution to television creation.
"Here is a photo just after I presented my stepdad with the lifetime achievement BAFTA," she detailed, listing off much of his acclaimed work, including TV series like Leeds United, Roll on Four O'Clock, The Body, Cracker, Tomorrow's World, Cracker, Between The Lines, Inspector Morse, and more.
An impassioned Kate continued: "Today BAFTA told me they 'could not guarantee' he would be included in their 'In Memoriam' tribute, to [honor] the industry members we have lost.
"So a man dead less than a week somehow has to audition in front of a committee after a decades long career in which he has been awarded from said [organization] (that has awarded him the highest accolade they have) to decide IF his death is worth mentioning. If his work, his life, his craft, his mentoring, his heart and soul are worthy of a mention that he is gone."
She expressed her anger at the situation and affirmed that she would take on the charge of celebrating and honoring his work. "That, that has broken my heart all over again," the Underworld actress added. "I am [paralyzed], sick and sickened and I will [honor] him and his work every day of my life."
MORE: Kate Beckinsale posts heart-rendering message as she battles grief
Kate then added a bit at the end about her mother Judy, 76, saying: "Oh and while I am at it, yes it is my mum briefly in the Netflix show Fool Me Once, for those who asked.
"And she has been gracefully and quietly dealing with stage four cancer for the last six years and just lost her husband so thanks again, BAFTA for your horribly cold email."
MORE: EE BAFTA Film Awards 2024 nominations: see full list from Saltburn to Oppenheimer
The English star was inundated with fan support, receiving comments like: "I am sure he would be more proud of this post than anything that BAFTA has to say!" and: "Surely not … BAFTA????? Oh Kate," as well as: "Then they don't deserve him. The only thought that should be required is how do we best honor someone who has done and given so much."
However, she later took to her Instagram Stories to share a response that she'd received from BAFTA, which reads: "All names we gather during the course of the year are brought before BAFTA's Obituaries Committee, which meets to compile the Awards In Memoriam segment – Film, Television or Television Craft – but we are never able to make any guarantees of inclusion."
RELATED: BAFTA Rising Star Awards: meet 2024's incredible nominees
It adds: "Roy's BAFTA win falls within Television and as these Awards take place in May, the In Memoriam will be discussed in spring."
The 2024 BAFTA Film Awards will be held on February 18, while the date for the BAFTA Television Awards has not been announced yet, although they are typically conducted in May.
Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features, and profiles coming out of the U.S. Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/511580/kate-beckinsale-devastating-blow-after-stepfather-death-makes-revelation-mom-health/
| 2024-01-18T15:23:52Z
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Sometimes credit cards are perceived to be all bad news with no benefits which isn't exactly true. There are many perks to having a credit card if used wisely. The keyword here is wisely! Only you know if you can be trusted to use one responsibly, so if you don't feel comfortable applying for one, then don't.
A credit card is a good way to manage your cash flow according to Emma-Lou Montgomery, Associate Director at Fidelity International. She says it can boost your credit rating, making you a better prospect for lenders, "which can be particularly useful if you want to get a personal loan or mortgage at some point in the near future."
If you're intrigued by credit cards but don't know whether they're worth it, we've done the hard work for you by exploring the pros and cons of having one in your life.
THE DOS
Credit Score
Credit cards can help build your credit score. How, might you ask? By using your credit card throughout the month to make purchases and paying the full balance once your statement has come through. By doing this, the balance is recorded and shows lenders that you can manage your repayments well.
Cost Spreading
One of the biggest advantages of using a credit card is being able to spread the cost of an expensive item over a period of time. Credit cards are great, especially in emergency situations where, for example, your boiler has stopped working and needs replacing urgently. If you don't have the cash upfront to cover the cost, you can pay for it on a credit card and make repayments over a number of months.
Security
For big-ticket expenses such as holidays, it’s recommended to always use a credit card. This is because credit cards offer buyers protection. This means your money is more protected in the event of the airline going bust. In Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, you are allowed to challenge (via your bank) any merchant for purchases above £100 in value if an issue arises.
Reward Programs
Who doesn't love a freebie?! Reward programs are one of the best advantages you get from using credit cards. Cashback, free petrol, airline miles, and point reward programs are just some of the perks you can earn. And once you get used to using credit, strategically using rewards can help you save money in the long run.
THE DON'TS
High-Interest Debt
If you don't use your credit card wisely and fail to repay the minimum requirements at the end of the month, you could spiral into high-interest debt. This could damage your credit score as there will be penalties for missed payments. A lot of self-control and discipline is needed to make sure the monthly payments are made on time.
Overspending
Credit cards extend our purchasing power. We are more likely to purchase things we can't afford because of our credit cards. People see it as "free money", forgetting you have to pay that "free money" back. This is why so many people are in debt over their heads. Use your credit card for things you would have bought anyway, not for things you can't afford.
Hidden Fees
Some credit card accounts have annual fees alongside fees for taking out cash or for using your credit card abroad. Make sure you do your homework on what card is best suited for your needs. Also, you might spend more on fees and interest rates than you earn on discounts and cashback so do check that the benefits of having a credit card outweigh the cost.
APPLYING FOR A CREDIT CARD
You can apply for a credit card online directly on a provider's website or in a branch. When making an application, the limit and interest rate that you are offered will be decided by your credit score and how much credit you already have out in your name (e.g. existing loans, credit cards and overdrafts). The limit on a credit card determines how much you are able to spend on credit.
DISCOVER: Will my side hustle affect my tax bill? Warning for Etsy, Vinted and Depop users
When choosing a card, there are lots to consider and plenty of providers to choose from. Emma-Lou advises: "Look at whether there’s an annual charge and consider cashback or other cardholder perks. Make sure these are useful to you. If you’re taking out a card in order to shift an existing balance to a 0% rate, check how long the rate lasts for and also bear in mind the fee."
Ultimately, credit cards hold a lot of benefits when used correctly so ensure you do your research before applying.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/news/511497/credit-card-dos-and-donts-explained/
| 2024-01-18T16:07:33Z
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Overnight on January 17-18, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine involving 33 Shahed-136/131 drones. Ukrainian air defense units successfully intercepted and destroyed 22 of those Russian drones.
The Ukrainian Air Force and the Defence Forces of Ukraine provided an update on Telegram, stating,
“We have successfully downed 22 Russian UAVs, while a few more drones failed to reach their intended targets.”
Russia launched drones from Primorsko-Akhtarsk in southern Russia and Kursk Oblast bordering northern Ukraine. Additionally, Kharkiv Oblast was targeted with two S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles launched from Belgorod Oblast.
Most drones attempted to target the southern and northern regions of Ukraine. Ukrainian Air Force used anti-aircraft units, mobile firing groups, and electronic warfare tools to repel the attack in Sumy, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, and Khmelnytskyi oblasts.
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/18/russian-shahed-kamikaze-drone-attack-damages-residential-buildings-injures-civilians/
| 2024-01-18T16:23:03Z
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BRASILIA - Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will meet with China's visiting Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday afternoon in the northeastern Brazilian city of Fortaleza, a presidential spokesperson said on Thursday.
Wang, on a tour of African nations, Brazil and Jamaica, is in Brasilia for two days of meetings at the foreign ministry and a joint statement is expected on Friday at midday.
China is Brazil's largest export market, mainly for soy and iron ore. Chinese companies are planning to increase their investments in Brazil, in power transmission, oil and electric vehicles, businessmen said at a Brazil-China meeting last week in Shenzhen with major Chinese corporations.
Lula is currently traveling in northeast Brazil, his main political bastion, eyeing municipal elections this year.
The Brazilian president is expected to reiterate Brazil's position on Taiwan being part of China.
A Foreign Ministry statement in April expressed Brazil's "firm support to the One China Principle" and said China was "the sole legitimate government of the whole of China, and Taiwan being an inseparable part of the Chinese territory." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/brazils-lula-to-meet-chinese-foreign-minister-on-friday
| 2024-01-18T16:31:21Z
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BRUSSELS - Around 90,000 troops will participate in Nato’s largest exercise in decades, known as Steadfast Defender 2024, that will kick off next week and run through to May, the alliance’s top commander Chris Cavoli said on Jan 18.
“The alliance will demonstrate its ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic area by a transatlantic movement of forces from North America,” General Cavoli told reporters in Brussels after a two-day meeting of national chiefs of defence.
The troops will come from Nato allies and Sweden, he said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/nato-to-kick-off-biggest-drills-in-decades-with-some-90000-troops
| 2024-01-18T16:31:32Z
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AHMEDABAD – At least 12 children and their two teachers drowned in India on Jan 18 when a boat on which they were riding during a picnic capsized, officials said.
Rescuers pulled 20 children to safety from Harni Lake in Vadodara city and are searching for two more who are missing, police and district officials said, adding that some children are undergoing intensive care treatment.
It was not immediately clear how many people were on the boat and local media reports cited overcrowding as a possible reason behind the incident, which police did not confirm.
Senior city police official Anupam Singh Gahlaut said the victims had not been provided life jackets during the boat ride.
He said the children were aged between seven and 13, and studied in a school in Vadodara, which is about 120km away from Ahmedabad, Gujarat state’s largest city.
National and local disaster management officers are engaged in the rescue, Mr Gahlaut added.
“Distressed by the loss of lives... My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office said in a social media post.
Federal government will provide compensation of 200,000 rupees (S$3,200) to families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees to the injured, Mr Modi’s office said.
The state government also announced compensation of 400,000 rupees for families of the deceased. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/at-least-12-children-two-teachers-drown-in-indian-lake-as-boat-capsizes
| 2024-01-18T16:31:42Z
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SAN FRANCISCO – Google CEO Sundar Pichai has warned employees that more layoffs are in store at the search giant as it focused on new priorities, including artificial intelligence.
“These role eliminations are not at the scale of last year’s reductions, and will not touch every team. But I know it’s very difficult to see colleagues and teams impacted,” Mr Pichai said in an e-mail to staff seen by AFP on Jan 18.
“Many of these changes are already announced, though to be upfront, some teams will continue to make specific resource allocation decisions throughout the year where needed, and some roles may be impacted,” he added.
Google laid off around 12,000 people this time in 2023, about 6 per cent of its workforce, in the face of inflation and rising interest rates.
The company on Jan 16 confirmed it is eliminating “a few hundred” positions from its global ad team amid a push to use AI for efficiency and creativity.
The job cuts to its “large customer” sales team are intended to result in better support for small and medium-size businesses advertising on Google’s platform, it said.
The company on Jan 17 also laid off about 100 employees at its YouTube arm, the company confirmed to TechCrunch.
According to the New York Times, the YouTube workers have two months to find new roles within the company before their dismissals take effect.
Since the start of 2024, tech titan Amazon has also cut staff, targeting hundreds of people at its entertainment units Twitch, Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.
Since late 2022, US tech giants have culled tens of thousands of staff in an unprecedented layoff spree after over-hiring during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Facebook owner Meta laid off more than 20,000 workers in the period, in what it called the “Year of Efficiency.”
Amazon lost 27,000 workers. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/google-ceo-warns-of-more-layoffs-as-search-giant-turns-to-ai-other-priorities
| 2024-01-18T16:31:52Z
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SINGAPORE - Two 99-year leasehold government land sites in Marina Gardens Crescent and Media Circle in one-north drew fewer-than-expected bids and land rates that were below those of recent state land tenders, reflecting greater caution among developers stung by several rounds of cooling measures and higher financing costs.
The Marina Gardens Crescent site drew just one bid of $770.5 million, or $984 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr), from GuocoLand and two entities of Hong Leong Group Singapore (Intrepid Investments and TID Residential).
This sole bid, according to analysts, was below expectations. It was nearly 30 per cent below that for the neighbouring Marina Gardens Lane site, which was awarded in July 2023 to Chinese developer Kingsford Huray Development and its two partners at $1.03 billion, or $1,402 psf ppr.
The two state land parcels were put on the block to kick-start development in the 45ha Marina South precinct.
The Media Circle site – the first residential site with commercial at first-storey use in Mediapolis – attracted three bids, with a top bid of $395.3 million or $1,191 psf ppr submitted by a joint venture between Qingjian Realty and China Communications Construction Company.
In comparison, the top land rates submitted for three government land sales (GLS) tenders in November 2023 in Clementi Avenue 1, Pine Grove (Parcel B) and Toa Payoh Lorong 1 were each above $1,200 psf ppr, noted Mr Nicholas Mak, chief research officer of property search portal Mogul.sg.
He said the Marina Gardens Crescent site drew less interest because foreign buyers – who had been a major source of demand for previous city projects – are now sidelined by the punitive additional buyer’s stamp duty (ABSD) of 60 per cent.
Another dampener was increased competition from existing projects and upcoming launches in the city, he added.
Analysts say the tender results also showed developers’ risk aversion towards large and investor-focused sites in undeveloped precincts.
Ms Tricia Song, CBRE’s head of research for Singapore and South-east Asia, said the bid reflects “deteriorating developer sentiment” for city sites that require larger capital outlay and face uncertain demand after the April 2023 round of cooling measures. “Existing city project launches have also been deferred,” she added.
“The breakeven for Marina Gardens Crescent may be around $2,000 psf and $2,100 psf. The selling price (for new homes there) could take a cue from the (future project at the) Marina Gardens Lane site,” she noted.
The Marina Gardens Crescent site can yield 775 residential units and a maximum of 6,000 sq m of commercial space. Up to 30 per cent of total gross floor area can be serviced apartments, and office use, if proposed, shall not exceed 5,000 sq m.
Together with the 790 residential units and up to 8,073 sq ft of commercial space offered by the Marina Gardens Lane site, the two future projects will provide 1,565 new homes in the next four to five years.
Ms Chia Siew Chuin, JLL’s head of residential research for Singapore, said the GuocoLand-Hong Leong consortium has taken another stab at establishing a presence in the emerging growth precinct, having lost out at the previous state land tender in Marina Gardens Lane to Kingsford.
But she added that the potential benefits of being a first mover in offering essential commercial amenities in the Marina South precinct may not outweigh concerns about the white site and prevailing market conditions.
Ms Wong Siew Ying, PropNex’s head of research and content, said it would be interesting to see if the Government will award the site at $984 psf ppr, and whether this meets the reserve price.
For GLS sites, the reserve price is pegged to 85 per cent of the estimated market value as assessed by the Chief Valuer, taking into consideration the proposed land use, site conditions and relevant sales transactions, among other factors, she said.
Meanwhile, the muted interest for the Media Circle site could be because it is not near MRT stations, Ms Chia said. In comparison, two smaller GLS sites in the one-north area – parcels A and B at Slim Barracks Rise – which were awarded at more than $1,200 psf ppr in 2021, benefited from being closer to the Buona Vista and one-north MRT stations.
Nonetheless, developers see the advantages of the Media Circle site, which can yield 355 units. “With growing risks and compressed profit margins, there has been an inclination towards smaller sites. The shorter project timeline and faster sales turnaround allow developers to complete and sell projects more quickly within the stipulated five years to qualify for a 35 per cent ABSD tax remission,” Ms Chia added.
Ms Wong noted that the site could offer developers a first-mover advantage in Media Circle as another nearby GLS plot is slated for long-stay serviced apartments.
ERA Singapore chief executive officer Marcus Chu said the Qingjian and China Communications Construction Company joint venture had unsuccessfully bid for a GLS site at Clementi Avenue 1 in November 2023.
“The consortium’s strong confidence in the location’s potential must have led them to try again to secure a site in District 5,” he said.
“The Media Circle site is also attractive to investors seeking rental income, and wanting to leverage the sizeable tenant pool from one-north where many biomedical and media firms are located.”
Ms Song said the future residential project at Media Circle could launch at between $2,350 psf and $2,400 psf.
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| 2024-01-18T16:32:03Z
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Bath's Alfie Barbeary, who has been left out of England's Six Nations squad, was suspended for three weeks on Thursday after being cited for two incidents in their European Champions Cup pool match at home to Racing 92.
The number eight got a red card after two yellows - for a high tackle on Max Spring and a forearm challenge on Nolann Le Garrec - and England coach Steve Borthwick said the disciplinary situation was a factor in his omission from the squad.
An independent Disciplinary Committee upheld the first citing for a dangerous tackle in the neck area but dismissed the second as the match officials were correct in issuing a yellow card as the player's actions did not warrant a red.
Barbeary was excluded from England's Six Nations squad on Wednesday but Borthwick did not rule out a return in the future.
"We need some certainty in the squad but if he continues to go the way he is then he'll be a big part of the England team and he should be," Borthwick said.
Due to Barbeary's acceptance of the charge and his good disciplinary record, the committee reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50% before imposing the three-week suspension. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T16:32:13Z
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Former England assistant coach Richard Cockerill has been appointed head coach of the Georgia national team, the country's rugby union announced on Thursday.
Georgia had a disappointing Rugby World Cup last year, finishing bottom of their pool, which led to the departure of head coach Levan Maisashvili, and Cockerill will oversee their upcoming European Championship campaign.
"Richard can build on the successes of Levan Maisashvili – our historic wins over Wales and Italy and the dominance of the Rugby Europe championship – to take us to the next level," Georgian Rugby Union president Ioseb Tkemaladze said.
Cockerill, 53, served as interim England coach in 2022 after the sacking of Eddie Jones, before Steve Borthwick was appointed, and his most recent role was as head coach of Montpellier last year.
The former hooker, who made 27 appearances as a player with England, will also take charge of Georgian club side Black Lion, currently involved in the European Challenge Cup.
Georgia begin the European Championship with an away game against Germany on Feb. 4, and will play a test match with Japan, coached by Eddie Jones, in July. REUTERS
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ANKARA - Turkish soccer club Basaksehir fined Israeli player Eden Kartsev for a social media post in support of Israeli hostages in Gaza, and decided to send the player on loan to a club in Israel, a spokesperson said.
Kartsev had shared on Instagram the slogan calling to "Bring them home now," referring to Israeli citizens held hostage by Hamas since October.
The club said his post had "violated the sensitive values of our country." REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T16:32:36Z
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LONDON - Mercedes hope to give Lewis Hamilton and George Russell a happier handling Formula One car, without last year's 'spiteful' traits, to take the fight to dominant champions Red Bull this season.
Technical director James Allison, whose long-term contract extension was announced on Thursday, told reporters he felt mixed emotions ahead of the launch of the new W15 car next month.
"It’s impossible at this time of the year to be anything other than apprehensive, coupled with excited, coupled with frightened. Those are always the emotions that you feel," he said.
"I would imagine that even in Red Bull, after a year of such good performance, they will not be sleeping easy in their beds either, because no one knows what everyone else will deliver.
"However, what we do have some hope for is that some of the more spiteful characteristics of the rear-end of our car will be a bit more friendly to us and the handling of the car a happier thing."
Red Bull won 21 of 22 races last season with Max Verstappen taking his third title in a row. Mercedes finished second overall, after a close battle with Ferrari, but without a victory for the first time since 2011.
Hamilton hopes to have a shot at a record eighth title, at the age of 39, while fellow-Briton Russell, 25, aims for a first.
Allison emphasised Mercedes were a challenger rather than a favourite but saw reasonable grounds to believe they had made some gain, along with making the car lighter and adding downforce.
"Whether it’s enough, time will tell, but it’s nevertheless going to be interesting because we saw some things we knew were problems, we’ve hypothesised what the reason for those problems were and we’ve fixed those reasons," he said.
"It will be interesting to find out how accurate we’ve been with that diagnosis."
Team boss Toto Wolff said last month that Mercedes, winners of eight successive constructors' titles to 2021, had a Mount Everest to climb in order to catch up with Red Bull and Allison said the comparison was apt.
"Everest is the sternest of challenges but it is nevertheless something that is possible to do, and I think that's how we're taking this." he added.
Allison said the grid was gradually compressing as teams followed similar design paths and expected the action to be closer at the top end.
The new car will be unveiled at Silverstone on Feb. 14. Testing is in Bahrain from Feb 21-23 before the opening race there on March 2. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T16:32:46Z
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Former winner Li Haotong carded a five-under-par 67 in the first round for a four-way share of the lead in the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club on Thursday.
China's Haotong, who won the tournament in 2018, tops the leaderboard alongside Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard, Andy Sullivan from England and American Cameron Young.
"I think I played just solid as last week," Haotong, who finished 14th at the Dubai Invitational last weekend, said.
"I've been working on a lot of stuff during the winter time and seeing some results like this is kind of like slowly paying back now."
Haotong set the early pace, but two bogeys on the final four holes allowed the chasers to join him at the top, as Hojgaard ended his round with two birdies and Young landed an impressive eagle at the 18th.
Hojgaard's twin brother Nicolai is among a group of seven players one-shot off the lead, while Rory McIlroy, who won his third title at the tournament last year, hit four bogey's in his round of 71 to leave him four shots off the leaders.
Nine players, including Grant Forrest on three-under before the 18th, will need to finish their round on Friday as the sun set in Dubai to bring an end to Thursday's play. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T16:32:57Z
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Carlos Sainz was poised for a fourth Dakar Rally victory at the age of 61 after the Spaniard's big rival Sebastien Loeb suffered mechanical troubles in Thursday's penultimate stage in Saudi Arabia.
The Audi driver, a double world rally champion, finished the 420km 11th stage from Al'Ula to Yanbu with a healthy lead of one hour and 27 minutes in the car category over Toyota's second placed Guillaume de Mevius.
Loeb dropped to third overall and an hour and 36 minutes behind Sainz but with the runner-up spot still a possibility. Friday is 175km without major difficulties before the finish in Yanbu.
"There are still 170 km to go. I know very well on this rally especially you need to cross the finishing line and this is what we are going to try and do," said Sainz, who had a slow puncture close to the finish on the stony terrain.
"I was driving extremely slowly. Sometimes it is worth driving slowly, but sometimes even driving slowly you can get a puncture... if the gap is one hour, then I don’t need to rush."
Loeb, a record nine times world rally champion who has yet to win the Dakar, stopped after 132km with a broken right front suspension and lost more than an hour before getting going again.
The Frenchman had cut Sainz's lead to 20 minutes on Wednesday.
Runner-up for the past two years and three times in total, Loeb is driving a Prodrive Hunter for the Bahrain Raid Xtreme team and received assistance from the YunXiang China team's Hunter crew.
Sainz, whose son and namesake races for Ferrari in Formula One, won the two-week endurance event in 2010, 2018 and 2020 with Volkswagen, Peugeot and Mini respectively.
Victory for his Audi team would be the first by a car with an electric drivetrain.
The Audi uses an energy converter, featuring a 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo engine, to charge the car's high-voltage battery while driving.
Guerlain Chicherit won the stage, ahead of De Mevius and Sainz.
In the motorcycle category, Botswana's Ross Branch won the stage but Honda's American Ricky Brabec retained a lead of more than 10 minutes and was heading for his second Dakar success.
"I think I’ve left it a little bit too late. Ricky is riding an amazing race and he deserves to be where he is," said Branch.
"I’ve got a bit of work to do in the camel grass and the off-piste stuff. I’m just not confident and fast enough there. I know where I’ve lost it and it gives me motivation to go home and I’ll have another year to work on it." REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T16:33:07Z
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BUDAPEST - Hungary will limit the number of visas issued to temporary workers from outside the European Union and also ban them from certain professions in a bid to protect local jobs, the Economy Ministry said on Thursday.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government will issue a maximum of 65,000 visas for temporary workers from countries outside the EU, the ministry said in a statement. Last year, 39,000 temporary worker visas were issued, below a maximum set out by an earlier decree, it said.
Faced with a heavy election calendar, Orban is under pressure to revive economic growth following an inflation-induced downturn in 2023. His hard line on immigration has helped the nationalist leader win support during previous elections.
Orban's government also compiled a list of some 300 jobs that workers from outside the EU will not be allowed to take, including vineyard and orchard worker, photographer, legal aide, roofer and elevator mechanic.
"The government will protect Hungarian families and jobs, which means that by law, it is only possible to hire foreign workers if there are no Hungarian workers to fill the vacancies," the statement says.
Hungary's rolling three-month unemployment rate was 4.3% in the September-November period. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-18T16:33:17Z
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PARIS - Ukraine’s defence minister warned on Jan 18 that the country faced a “very real and pressing” ammunition shortage in its grinding near-two-year battle against Russia, as Western allies met in Paris to agree new artillery supplies.
“A shortage of ammunition is a very real and pressing problem that our armed forces are facing,” Mr Rustem Umerov posted on X, after speaking by video link to the gathering led by France and the United States.
“The artillery coalition is aimed at solving this issue,” he said.
The Jan 18 meeting came as Russia claimed its forces had pushed Kyiv’s troops out of Vesele, a village near the hard-fought city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.
AFP was unable to verify the defence ministry’s claims.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian security source told AFP that Kyiv was behind an overnight drone attack on an oil depot in northern Russia.
A 23-nation effort, the “artillery coalition” is part of the so-called Ramstein contact group, which gathers more than 50 countries supporting Ukraine.
“I spoke with (French President) Emmanuel Macron to thank France for launching the artillery coalition” and for its manufacture of guns and ammunition, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X.
The two leaders also discussed the “need to further strengthen Ukraine’s air defence”, he said, as it is targeted by Russian drones and missiles almost nightly.
Paris on Jan 18 denied a Russian claim that a strike on the eastern city of Kharkiv on Jan 16 had killed “French mercenaries”, saying it did not employ guns-for-hire.
New guns, more shells
Mr Umerov told the Paris gathering that “there is no alternative to modern artillery, we have to keep up our efforts and increase munitions production”.
Supply of the 155-millimetre shells used in Western guns has become a critical issue.
The European Union had promised to deliver one million shells by spring this year, but European Parliament lawmakers say only 300,000 have been delivered so far.
A French Senate report published on Jan 17 said Paris and other European governments were “not up to the challenge” of meeting Ukraine’s ammunition requirements, calling on Kyiv’s allies to “step up a gear”.
Senate foreign affairs committee chief Cedric Perrin said Ukraine was burning through 5,000 to 8,000 shells a day, compared with up to 15,000 on the Russian side.
France’s defence ministry said on Jan 17 that its artillery ammunition output since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine was expected to triple to a monthly rate of 3,000 this year.
France has also promised it can produce 78 new Caesar truck-mounted guns for Ukraine by early 2025, with six paid for by Kyiv to be delivered “in the coming weeks”, the defence ministry said.
Paris will pay for a further 12 of the cannons at a cost of €50 million (S$70 million), Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Jan 18.
Costs for the remaining 60 guns amount to around €250 million, to be shared among other allies, he added.
France has already sold or donated 30 truck-mounted Caesar guns to Ukraine, with a further 19 from Denmark.
The Caesar can fire a 155mm shell over a distance of 40km before quickly changing position to avoid return fire from enemy artillery.
More missiles and bombs
Mr Macron said he would visit Ukraine in February, the second time since Moscow invaded in 2022.
Almost two years into the war, the front line has been largely fixed for months after a Ukrainian counteroffensive failed to make hoped-for territorial gains in 2023.
France is “in the process of finalising an agreement” on security with Kyiv, similar to the 10-year deal signed with Britain last week, Mr Macron added.
Mr Zelensky said he and Mr Macron had told advisers “to expedite negotiations on the bilateral agreement” and were already discussing “items for France’s next military aid package”.
Mr Macron’s new foreign minister, Mr Stephane Sejourne, said in Ukraine on Jan 13 that France could work with Kyiv to “strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to produce (arms) on its own soil”.
Mr Macron on Jan 16 announced further deliveries of “around 40“ long-range Scalp missiles and “several hundred bombs”.
Mr Lecornu said France would provide around 50 AASM bomb guidance kits per month, which could also be adapted to be launched from Soviet-era planes used by the Ukrainian air force. AFP
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| 2024-01-18T16:33:28Z
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LONDON – Prince William was pictured visiting his wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, in hospital on Jan 18 after she underwent abdominal surgery this week, while King Charles was “fine” ahead of treatment for an enlarged prostate, his wife Queen Camilla said.
Kensington Palace said Princess Kate, 42, was admitted to the private London Clinic on Jan 16 for planned surgery, saying the procedure was successful and that she was expected to remain for 10 to 14 days in hospital before returning home.
Princess Kate was “doing well”, the BBC said, quoting unnamed royal sources. No details of her surgery have been given, but a royal source said the condition was non-cancerous.
Prince William, 41, who has postponed several upcoming public engagements while Princess Kate recovers, was pictured leaving the hospital after a visit her but did not speak to the media.
Kensington Palace said it would only provide updates on her progress when there was “significant new information to share”. It added that, on medical advice, she was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.
The announcement of Princess Kate’s surgery was followed quickly after by a statement saying King Charles, 75, had sought treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.
He is due to attend hospital next week for a “corrective procedure” and has also been forced to postpone a number of planned engagements on the advice of his doctor to allow for a short period of recuperation.
Queen Camilla told reporters on Jan 18 he was “fine” and “looking forward to getting back to work” as she visited Aberdeen Art Gallery in Scotland.
Usually the royals do not disclose details of illnesses, regarding all medical issues as a private matter, but King Charles was keen to share details of his condition to encourage other men experiencing symptoms to have a medical check. REUTERS
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DAVOS – While the economic dynamism in the Indo-Pacific is encouraging, the region will need to grapple with the twin challenges of demography and climate change, delegates heard at a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“For the last few decades, this region has accounted for half the global GDP growth, half the manufacturing growth, half the growth in trade, and almost half of all research and development spending, as well as half of foreign direct investment,” said Mr Michael Froman, president of the American think-tank Council of Foreign Relations, during the discussion on Jan 17, drawing attention to the significant role that the region plays globally.
But the Indo-Pacific’s dynamism does not mean it has no problems of its own, he added.
Many countries in the region face demographic challenges. While the region accounts for half the growth in working-age adults, many Indo-Pacific countries, including Japan and China, have ageing populations, Mr Froman said.
A paper published by Georgetown Security Studies Review in January 2023 noted that current demographic shifts in the Indo-Pacific will have far-reaching impacts on regional security and global economic dynamics.
As for climate challenges, an overwhelming share of global emissions growth comes from this region, and some of the most vulnerable countries – the island nations in the Pacific – are struggling with the fallout from climate change.
The United States has made it clear that it is a Pacific nation and remains committed to the region, even as it maintains alliances with Europe and strong engagements with the rest of the world, including the Middle East and elsewhere, Mr Froman said.
He referenced US President Joe Biden’s meeting leaders of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) in San Francisco in November 2023, in support of his point. During that meeting, an agreement was signed on supply chain resilience and diversification in a move seen as a bid to reduce dependence on China.
While the Indo-Pacific as a concept has existed for some time, it took centre stage in 2022, when Mr Biden launched the IPEF in Tokyo with a dozen partners: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Together, they accounted for roughly 40 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product. Fiji joined as IPEF’s 14th member in May 2023.
Mr Froman said there has been more of a consensus within the region on the nature of the China challenge, which would have a bearing on geopolitical equations in time to come.
“Rather than asking countries to choose one or the other, we are all getting used to a world in which there’s not a China bloc, and there’s not a US bloc in the Indo-Pacific; but, in fact, it’s more polyamorous,” he said.
India is an example, he said, noting that the country “loves the United States for technology and for nuclear cooperation; it loves Russia for munitions, and it loves Iran for oil”.
“All that points to a more complex world and the need to be more sophisticated in how we engage in our relations across the Indo-Pacific,” he told the audience at the session.
The sentiment was shared by the other panellists at the discussion, jointly hosted with The Straits Times and moderated by ST editor Jaime Ho. Mr Froman was joined by three global leaders: South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Peru’s Foreign Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea Franco and the Netherlands’ Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren.
The Indo-Pacific will be a region to watch, they said, given its dynamism and inherent strength. But much collective effort will be needed to deal with the challenges, of which there will be several, for its potential to be realised.
The region is getting renewed attention now, said South Korea’s Mr Han, drawing attention to recent announcements by European countries of their own Indo-Pacific policies.
Two things are clear, he said. This is the most economically dynamic region, and it has elements and characteristics of diversity that range from the very technologically advanced nations to those that think they are being left behind.
In globalisation, shifting supply chains as well as geopolitical developments will have their own bearing, and systems need to be in place for the region to accommodate those changes, “in a minimally frictionless way”, he added.
Climate change is another important issue faced by many countries in the region, Mr Han said.
A paper by Asia Society Switzerland and Swiss Re Institute in 2021 says the region is most vulnerable to the impact of climate change. By 2050, many parts of Asia will see increasing average temperatures, heat waves, extreme precipitation and droughts, it noted.
Mr Han said his country will be cooperating with Pacific island countries, for which climate change is an existential threat. Seoul will also increase its Official Development Assistance contributions, he added.
Geographically, the Indo-Pacific region holds strategic importance in global trade. As the Netherlands’ Ms Ollongren said at the discussion: “Free seas mean free trade.”
Indeed, the Indo-Pacific is a major transit route for international trade, with about 80 per cent of the total global trade by volume passing through the region, according to a paper published by The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies in October 2023.
Recent events around the world have shown how disruptions could occur.
Global food prices rose following the collapse of a landmark agreement in August 2023 to ship grain from war-torn Ukraine to the rest of the world. Countries in the Middle East and Africa, which account for much food imports from Ukraine, also faced the threats of grain shortages. All these happened after Russia’s navy blockaded the Black Sea ports as part of its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
More recently, the attacks by Houthi militants in the Red Sea have hampered maritime trade, potentially disrupting supply chains for months to come.
“It was a wake-up call. We’re seeing it today in the Red Sea, as the vessels cannot pass through any more,” Ms Ollongren said.
For global economy and prosperity, “we need to uphold the principle of free seas”, she added.
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| 2024-01-18T16:33:49Z
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WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit sub-Saharan Africa for the first time in 10 months, the State Department said on Jan 18, redirecting his focus as rivals Russia and China seek gains there.
After four frenetic tours of the Middle East since war broke out on Oct 7 with a Hamas attack on Israel, Mr Blinken will visit Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Angola and Cape Verde starting Jan 22.
Mr Blinken will discuss economic growth and “advance security partnerships based on shared values such as respect for human rights, promotion of democracy and expansion of the rule of law,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
On Mr Blinken’s last visit to sub-Saharan Africa, he became the highest-ranking US official ever to visit Niger, hoping to champion the fragile democracy, also a front-line country in the fight against Sahel militants.
Just four months later, the military deposed the elected president, Mr Mohamed Bazoum.
Niger’s army-installed prime minister this week visited Russia for talks on boosting military cooperation.
Russia, through its powerful Wagner mercenary group, has also been active in Mali, the Central African Republic and allegedly Burkina Faso.
Ivory Coast has been among the most outspoken countries against the Niger coup, backing sanctions and with President Alassane Ouattara initially musing about joint West African military action to restore democracy.
Nigeria – Africa’s largest economy and home to the headquarters of West African regional bloc Ecowas – has also opposed its neighbour’s coup.
Mr Blinken will meet President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who took office in 2023 with promises of economic reforms.
It is Mr Blinken’s second visit as the top US diplomat to Nigeria, and he will stop both in the capital Abuja and the largest city Lagos.
US President Joe Biden, who vowed a new interest in Africa when he welcomed African leaders to Washington in December 2022, had promised to visit in 2023 but did not do so, and a trip is seen as increasingly unlikely this year as he focuses on re-election.
Weary on Ukraine, Middle East
Even before the Middle East crisis, in which the United States has been nearly isolated in its staunch support of Israel, many in Africa had watched uneasily as the West devoted billions of dollars to Ukraine in its fight against a Russian invasion.
Continental powerhouse South Africa, which Mr Blinken is not visiting, has clashed with the United States, with Washington criticising Pretoria of allowing weapons to pass to Russia and later criticising its filing of genocide allegations against Israel before the International Court of Justice.
Mr Blinken will arrive in Ivory Coast on Jan 22, days after a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
While US-China tensions have eased, Washington considers Beijing its top long-term rival and has pitched itself as a better partner for Africa than Beijing, whose speciality is major infrastructure projects financed through loans.
The United States has been developing closer relations with Angola, a major oil producer, since its transition to democracy, after supporting Unita rebels in the country’s decades of civil war.
Angola in December exited the Opec oil cartel over a disagreement on a decision, backed by Saudi Arabia, to cut production to boost prices – a potential concern for Mr Biden as he heads into election season.
Leftist strongman Jose Eduardo dos Santos retired in 2017 after 38 years in power and the United States has worked closely with his successor, Mr Joao Lourenco.
Angola, along with close US ally Kenya, has worked to broker an end to fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which accuses Rwanda of backing rebels there.
Mr Blinken saluted Angolan efforts when he met on Jan 16 at the World Economic Forum in Davos with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. AFP
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Some incredible movies and TV shows have been recognised across the award shows so far in 2024 - but for those who have yet to watch the big winners on the awards circuit this year - where can you watch the big hitters like Oppenheimer, The Bear and more? Find out here…
Award-winning movies
Poor Things - Cinema
Starring Emma Stone, who took home the award for Best Actress in a musical or comedy at the Golden Globes, Poor Things is currently only available to watch in the cinema, but watch this space for when it becomes available on streaming! Poor Things follows Emma as Bella Baxter, a woman reanimated with a child’s brain as part of an experiment and therefore learning about the world in quick succession as she swiftly matures.
The Holdovers - Peacock/Cinema
The Holdovers has been a surprise hit of awards season, and follows Paul Giamatti as a grumpy teacher charged with staying at the boarding school over the Christmas holidays with students who don’t have anywhere to go, and striking up an unlikely friendship with one of the students.
Barbie - Rent from Prime Video
She’s everything, he’s just Ken. Those five little words, and the world’s most substantial marketing campaign, had every single person heading to the cinemas to check out Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling’s star turns as Barbie and Ken. But if you were one of the few people yet to check it out, it’s now available to stream via rent.
Oppenheimer - Rent from Apple TV
The true story behind the father of the atomic bomb, Robert Oppenheimer, has been the strongest awards contender so far, with the Best Actor accolade tipped to go in Cillian Murphy’s direction. Although seeing it in IMAX as the director intended might be long gone, you can check out what all the fuss is about and rent it from the comfort of your own home.
Killers of the Flower Moon - Apple TV+
With Lily Gladstone tipped to win the Best Actress accolade at the Oscars, the movie is an absolute must-watch. The Martin Scorsese-directed film follows the true story of the murders of members in the Osage Nation in the 1920s.
Award-winning TV shows
The Bear - Hulu/Disney+
The Bear has been the show heard throughout the Golden Globes and the Emmy Awards, with the cast including Jeremy Allan White and Ayo Edebiri sweeping up statuettes for their incredible performances in the show.
The Bear follows a talented chef as he leaves his high-flying career to take over the family sandwich business following the death of his brother, and it is a tense, brilliant watch.
Beef - Netflix
Beef absolutely swept up at the Golden Globes, and it’s easy to see why! Following the aftermath of a road rage incident between two strangers. Danny and Amy Lau go head-to-head to try and ruin one another’s lives at the sake of the personal relationships and careers. Check it out on Netflix.
The White Lotus - HBO/Sky and NOW
With a theme song that united a nation, The White Lotus is the show that everyone got briefly obsessed with - and has several award nominees as a result - with a much deserved Emmy win for Jennifer Coolidge. Season two was based at the Italian White Lotus, where the guests found themselves embroiled in a variety of romance and relationship drama which ended in murder. But which of the guests were killed? Watch it and find out!
Succession - HBO/Sky and NOW
Succession absolutely swept up at the Emmys and the Golden Globes, landing wins for several cast members including Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook and Matthew Macfadyen. The story follows the children of a self-made conglomerate billionaire Logan Roy, as he approaches retirement to decides who should replace him at the CEO of Roystar Wayco - with every single one of his offspring wanting the top job.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/511598/where-to-watch-the-biggest-award-winners-movies-and-tv-shows-of-2024/
| 2024-01-18T16:55:49Z
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David Beckham has made sure to keep fit even after he retired from playing professional football, and the star showed off his toned physique during a workout.
As you can see in the clip below, the father-of-four filmed himself taking part in a weighted workout where he performed a series of press-ups. David had decided to go shirtless for his exercise regime which showed off his impressive arms and a glimpse at his toned physique.
David showed off how hard the workout was as the 48-year-old as he was seen gurning as he progressed through it, only managing a small exhausted chuckle.
In his caption, David joked about his physical prowess, as he commented: "998, 999, 1000," finishing the post off with an eyes emoji.
Fans had quite the reaction to the post, as one teased: "At school we were like 1, 2, miss a few, 99… 100," and a second added: "All time of legend at handsome in football history."
A third commented: "Arguably one of the best footballers to come out of Britain," while others posted strings of flexing emojis and one even made reference to a meme that arose from The Beckhams documentary as they said: "Be honest."
David has previously shared with his followers how he recovers from his intense workouts, admitting to being a fan of acupuncture. "The one thing that repairs me after a hard week of working out. Acupuncture," he shared alongside a photo of himself covered in needles.
The star is a fan of an F45 workout, which incorporates explosive, power-focused, multi-directional exercises. The regime is a partially football-inspired 4:4:2 class formation, with stations representing typical football positions including Goal, Defence, Mid-Field, and Attack.
David trains with Hollywood personal trainer Gunnar Peterson, and speaking to HELLO!, he lifted the lid on how he trains his A-list clients.
"Consistency is key with all my A-listers," Gunnar explained. "They show up, they're on time, they get the job done, and then they're out of here." The PT described this approach as the "winning mentality" and doesn't allow for any time wasting in any of his sessions.
"F45 provides that on every level. From the strength workouts to the cardio, there's an efficiency that attacks every component of fitness in a short session - you just don't get that anywhere else," he added.
MORE: David Beckham reveals damage to Cotswolds home following Storm Henk: 'Gutted'
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/511591/david-beckham-sparks-fan-response-shirtless-workout/
| 2024-01-18T16:55:55Z
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Snoop Dogg's 24-year-old daughter Cori has revealed that she suffered a "severe stroke". Taking to Instagram, Cori posted a picture from the hospital to tell her followers the devastating news.
"I had a severe stroke this a.m. I started breaking down crying when they told me,” she wrote. "Like I’m only 24, what did I do in my past to deserve all of this."
Cori has revealed no further information yet, but has previously been open about her Lupus diagnosis, which she received at the age of six. Lupus is an autoimmune disease which causes inflammation of the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs when the body's immune system attacks them rather than targeting bad bacteria and viruses.
The condition currently has no cure, although research is going on to change this, and there is currently medication that can be prescribed which can help to manage symptoms.
In 2023, Cori told People that she had stopped taking her medication and was going "all natural".
"I'm just doing everything natural, all types of herbs, sea moss, teas. I started working out, drinking lots of water. So now I think my body's like, okay, this is the new program and she's getting used to it," Cori revealed.
"I wanted to change because it just became a lot," she said, speaking of being on the various meds for almost 20 years. "I'm only 24-years-old, taking 10 to 12 pills every single day. So I kind of just went cold Turkey."
Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga and Seal have all also been diagnosed.
Snoop has four children: Sons Corde, 29, and Cordell, 26, as well as daughter Cori, 24, with his wife, Shante Broadus, and son, Julian, 25, from a previous relationship.
In 2021 Cori bravely told fans that her mental health was "not so great" and shared that she had "tried to end my life".
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/511599/snoop-doggs-daughter-24-suffers-severe-medical-crisis/
| 2024-01-18T16:56:02Z
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Kourtney Kardashian is showing fans that when it comes to her husband Travis Barker's family, there's nothing but love to be shared.
The 48-year-old Blink-182 musician is a dad to son Landon Barker, 20, and daughter Alabama Barker, 18, with his ex-wife Shanna Moakler, and also shares newborn Rocky with Kourtney.
The 44-year-old reality TV mogul took to her Instagram Stories, just like her husband, to show her support for her stepson as he makes an appearance in Flaunt Magazine.
Both Kourtney and Travis took to their social platforms to share their pride in the young musician, reposting the central picture from his shoot, in which he flaunts his tattoos in an oversized green vest with sheer black paneling and wide-legged black pants.
The couple each liked the story as well, in which Landon opens up not only about his music, performing with idol Machine Gun Kelly, and his love for fashion and body ink, but also finding inspiration in his dad as a performer.
The young adult talks about growing up surrounded by music and "heavy bass" in his family home, thanks to his dad. "Seeing [my dad] perform hundreds of times has definitely been a huge inspiration for me and made me see what is possible with creating music."
Landon also expands upon how he finds Travis, and to some extent stepmom Kourtney, as a role model when it comes to branching outside of music. "Making music is one thing and that's what everybody falls in love with," he explains. "But there are all these other things like fashion and even my dad has a wellness company."
MORE: Kourtney Kardashian's husband Travis Barker's new tattoo sparks debate
The interview came just days after Travis and Kourtney made their grand return to the public eye at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards after welcoming baby Rocky, where Travis was also due to perform as part of a medley honoring some of TV's greatest hits.
The Poosh founder and the Meet the Barkers star hit up the red carpet in matching black suits (while putting on a bit of PDA along the way), with Travis pairing his satin fit with a black button down, and Kourtney ditching the undershirt in favor of a lace black bra and slicked back hair.
The couple, who have been married since May 2022, have been sporting a lot of matching fits lately, mostly in black, especially when it comes to a good bit of holiday layering.
Most recently, when attending sister Kim's annual Christmas party, Kourtney and Travis turned it out in matching opulent black fur coats over their ensembles, although The Kardashians star did boast a slight more sheen to hers.
Underneath, Travis wore a full suit and tie, while Kourtney opted for a black bodysuit with sheer tights, and shared the postpartum struggle of fitting into her wardrobe on her Instagram with pictures.
"When not much in the closet fits yet and the boobs are filled with milk, throw on a cozy coat," she wrote, although sister Khloe cheered her on when she responded: "When you're a baddie no matter what."
Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features, and profiles coming out of the U.S. Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/511595/kourtney-kardashian-supports-stepson-landon-barker-amid-move-with-travis/
| 2024-01-18T16:56:08Z
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For those of you counting down the days till the end of dry January, why not reward yourself with a glamorous tipple for all your hard work? Or, if you forgot ( like me) to partake in this month's sober season, why not treat yourself for just being you?
From opulent interiors to the best cocktails this side of the hemisphere, here are our top picks for the chicest new bar openings in London.
How We Chose:
Newness: I chose bars in London that are new or newish. Each space boasts exquisite interiors ranging from opulent to quiet luxury and Scandinavian cool.
Location: Each restaurant is based in London
42
From the makers of the famed Michelin-starred restaurant, Gymkhana, 42 is Mayfair’s newest luxury bar, and it’s just as reputable as its restaurant counterpart. Located right next door, 42 is the perfect place for a late-night tipple after you’re done dining.
What to try: Ghee Old Fashioned, made with butter-infused Woodford Reserve Bourbon.
42 Albemarle St, London W1S 4JH
Forza Wine at the NT
Forza Wine is one of London's most notable sipping spots, and lucky for us north of the Thames we no longer have to trek to Peckham to enjoy their delicious delights. The new spot is located in London’s National Theatre and is complete with overlooking views of the Thames. Just like its sibling, the new destination offers a cosy ambience perfect for a lavish date night or a humble catch-up with friends.
What to try: Smoked Negroni. If you're a negroni lover, you'll appreciate the smokey punch that comes with Forza Wine's interpretation.
National Theatre, London SE1 9PX
Nessa
Nessa is Soho’s newest destination for classic drinks, inventive cocktails and late-night snacks. The interior at Nessa is so gorgeous you won’t want to leave. Think velvet chairs, marble countertops, dark wood accents and moody lighting.
What to try: Chin Chin. A delightful tipple made with St Germain, framboise, cypress and topped with prosecco.
86 Brewer Street, W1F 9UB
Larry’s
Coined London’s most glamorous new dive bar, Larry’s is a decadent delight readily awaiting your arrival. Located in London’s National Portrait Gallery, the speakeasy-esque bar is accessed via a secret entrance on Charing Cross Road and is just as glam as it looks.
What to try: The Hepburn. Inspired by you know who, this mint-infused gin cocktail is mixed with Cointreau, Green Chartreuse, clarified lemon and topped with a vegan Earl Grey tea lemon foam.
National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin's Pl, London WC2H 0HE
Gothic Bar
Located inside the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Gothic Bar boasts big luxurious vibes as the interior is doused in velvet trim, gold sconces, marble table tops and cocktail glasses worthy of their own spot in a museum.
What to try: The Grande Royale. Go all out and treat yourself to a glass of champagne complete with a fruit trilogy and Absinthe mist.
St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Rd., London NW1 2AR
Lowcountry
Located in the bustling borough of Shoreditch, Lowcountry is an American South-inspired cocktail bar which is all about bringing people together in a comfortable yet luxurious space. If you’re a whiskey lover, Lowcountry is renowned for its array of American whiskey offerings.
What to try: It would be rude not to indulge in one of the specialities. Ask the bartender to surprise you with a whiskey from the Lowcountry, USA.
71 Nile St, London N1 7RD
Sune
If you’re looking for a humble but gorgeous spot to wind down after a long day then Sune in East London has to be it. Boasting cosy corners, good food, great wine and a friendly atmosphere, Sune is set to be your new go-to.
What to try: Sparkling Sake. Titled 'Waiting Love' for a reason, this sparkling sake from Niizawa, Miyagi is like nothing you've every tried before.
129A Pritchard's Rd, London E2 9AP
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/culture/511571/best-bars-london/
| 2024-01-18T16:56:14Z
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Not to sound dramatic, but I don't think I would survive without my dressing gown.
It's like a wearable hug that makes any situation better - particularly as it's beyond freezing (literally) in the UK this January.
It's a non-negotiable in my wardrobe all year round whether I'm huddled up watching TV, vacuuming or, well, anything else really, my trusty house coat is never too far away.
It's also an item that doesn't have to break the bank as there are so many chic dressing gowns on the high street right now.
MORE: Best luxury activewear brands to kickstart your 2024
RELATED: Valentine's Day: 10 Luxury gifts for her
I personally have had a Marks & Spencer dressing gown for the last few years and it's as stylish as it is cosy. Personally, I think if the aesthetic of the garment is factoring into your choice - a fluffy dressing gown often looks chicer if shorter, but a satin-type piece looks just as elegant in any length (mine is short, fluffy and navy).
So whether you're opting for sexy-chic (my hats off to you) or elevated comfort, these are the chicest high street dressing gowns to buy right now
How we chose:
Style: As the aesthetic of the robe is a factor in this roundup, I chose pieces that are either on trend for right now or are timeless. I picked a variety of lengths and material in the hope that there is a style for everyone.
Price: Each of these pieces is from a budget and luxury high street stores, from H&M to Fenwick, therefore the prices still remain under £100, but they vary depending on how much you'd like to spend.
Fleece Zip Through Dressing Gown
Marks & Spencer
Honestly? I'd wear this outside of the house. The collar instead of a hood, and a zip as opposed to a tie waist gives it a smarter feel. I can see this layered under a trench coat of a similar length for an extra layer of warmth...
Jaypur Collection Kimono
Rituals
A contender for my personal favourite of them all. This kimono-style robe from luxury home brand Rituals oozes sophistication. I love the decorative hand embroidery and contrasting colourway along the collar. Too good to be locked inside the house, I'd wear this over jeans with a pair of sandal heels in the warmer months...
Hear me out. Although classing Soho Home as 'high street' is certainly up for debate, the price of this robe isn't far off, or in fact cheaper, than some 'official' high street labels. I've included this piece because I think it's an affordable luxury item worth knowing about. Plus, it's £81 for SH members...
Elderflower Gown
One Hundred Stars
Even the name of the gown sounds chic. I adore the delicate and feminine botanical print on this robe which is inspired by historical drawings from the Kew Gardens archives. The contrasting pink belt gives it an extra luxurious feel.
Shawl Collar Duvet Robe
The White Company
No elevated homeware shopping list would be complete without a piece from The White Company, and this duvet robe is making me sleepy even just looking at it. On the website it's described as "a quilted cotton robe with the feel of a duvet" - there's not much more to say other than I'm sold.
Fluffy Animal Midi Dressing Gown
Boux Avenue
It's giving "Mob Wife chic" and I'm obsessed - fluffy animal print in a delicate grey and white colourway. The white lining is the key for me, giving the cosy piece the a lapel-like illusion.
Spa Waffle Robe
John Lewis
A waffle robe is ideal for bringing a little slice of the spa into your own home. Relax and unwind in this pared-back piece from John Lewis, made with pure cotton
Olive Leopard Fluffy Robe
Chelsea Peers
Animal print is back, and I am fully on board with this lime green Chelsea Peers number. With two deep pockets at the front and crafted from fleece and borg fabric, its giving cosy-chic at its finest.
Not only is red perhaps the most romantic colour of all, but it's also a major trend this season. This satin H&M piece is pared-back yet packs a punch thanks to this fiery crimson colourway.
Topshop Tile Print Satin Robe
Asos
If cost is a big factor in your decision, then I think an abstract pattern is the way to make it feel a little more elevated. This Topshop robe boasts a striking pattern with a bold colourway, giving it some oomph.
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/wish-list/511572/best-high-street-dressing-gowns/
| 2024-01-18T16:56:20Z
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Carrie and Boris Johnson's dog killed the late Queen Elizabeth's baby goose a new royal book has revealed.
Royal author, Robert Hardman shared the story in his latest publication, King Charles III: The Inside Story. The new book looks back on the first year of Charles' reign as well as Robert's own anecdotes with members of the royal family.
One particular story explained that one of the late Queen's baby goslings met its end after an encounter with Carrie and Boris' dog Dilyn when they were invited to walk around the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
Robert penned: "When the Covid pandemic locked down the country the following year, the Queen was characteristically thoughtful after Johnson himself had ended up in intensive care. She told him he was welcome to use the gardens of Buckingham Palace for walks with his wife, Carrie, and baby son, Wilfred (the monarch herself was shielding at Windsor).
"During one such walk, to Johnson's horror, Carrie's Jack Russell, Dilyn, attacked and killed a gosling near the palace pond. He decided that it would be best to say nothing at all, forgetting that nothing went unnoticed by the boss at Buckingham Palace.
"At their next encounter, the monarch nonchalantly talked about walking in the palace gardens before adding crisply: 'I gather Jack Russells don’t go very well with goslings.'
"That was the end of the matter. Johnson, like all his prime ministerial predecessors going back to Winston Churchill, would learn that no time spent on homework prior to a royal audience was time wasted."
The publication of Robert's book came at a dramatic time for the royal family as it was revealed on Wednesday that both Princess Kate and King Charles required hospital treatment.
Two statements were shared by Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace. The first explained that Princess Kate is currently recovering in The London Clinic after having surgery on her abdominals and will remain in hospital for 10-14 days.
Meanwhile, the King will be treated at the hospital next week for an enlarged prostate.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/511587/carrie-johnson-dog-killed-late-queens-gosling/
| 2024-01-18T16:56:26Z
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The royal household has been hit with two double health announcements this week.
Within the space of 90 minutes, it was confirmed on Wednesday that the Princess of Wales is in hospital recovering from abdominal surgery, while King Charles is set to have treatment next week for an enlarged prostate.
There were different approaches taken with the statements from Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace.
A lengthy statement from Prince William and Kate's office outlined the Princess' recovery time and included an apology about having to postpone her upcoming engagements.
It read: "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.
"The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.
"Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.
"The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible."
The reason behind Kate's surgery has been kept private but it's understood to be non-cancerous.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace revealed the medical procedure that the King will undergo next week in a brief statement.
It read: "In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate. His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation."
It is understood Charles, 75, was keen to share his diagnosis, in order to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked in line with health advice, a move which has been praised by charities.
Oliver Kemp, CEO of Prostate Cancer Research, tells HELLO!: "We are incredibly grateful that His Majesty King Charles has decided to be so open about his enlarged prostate and encourage men to follow up on any symptoms they may have with their GP.
"He is a fantastic example of how men need to talk more openly about their health so that they are treated effectively. Fortunately, the King's case is benign but 1 in 8 men in the UK will get prostate cancer. We wish the King a speedy recovery."
Meanwhile, there has been a significant increase in searches for an "enlarged prostate" on the NHS website after the King shared his diagnosis, new figures show.
The NHS website’s prostate enlargement page received more than 11 times as many visits on Wednesday compared to Tuesday.
There were 16,410 visits to the page on Wednesday – an average of one visit every five seconds – compared to 1,414 visits on Tuesday, NHS England officials said.
LISTEN: Inside the Danish abdication and King Frederik's accession
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/511596/why-kate-middleton-king-charles-health-statements-different/
| 2024-01-18T16:56:32Z
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Watches are a timeless, classic accessory that can be as practical as they are pretty. Some of us wear them as a fashion statement thanks to watch brands for women including Michael Kors and Olivia Burton, while others rely on their smart watch so much, they’d genuinely be lost without it.
Watches are, and forever will be, a classic piece of jewellery, even if you’re spending on the lower end. They’re worn whatever the occasion and look as elegant nestled alone on your wrist as they do layered with bangles and bracelets. There’s a reason watches are considered an investment piece buy, because they’re a forever accessory. Sure, they can dip in and out of trends, but their true beauty lies in becoming your very own capsule piece of jewellery.
There’s a whole roster of styles of watches for women, from digital to analogue, a myriad of face shapes and strap designs, and that’s before we even touch upon smart watches. If you’re in the zone for a new watch or are researching the best watches for women in search of a Valentine’s Day gift, we’ve pulled together a definitive list of our favourite watch brands for women to guide you. We’ve even included vintage watches too, if you’re thinking a Cartier or Rolex is on the cards…
How I chose the best watches for women
- Brands: I’ve looked at the most popular watch brands for women, and included those in my edit. That includes designer brands, affordable brands and niche brands too.
- Metals: I’m a gold watch wearer myself, but I know not everyone bows down to the gold, so I’ve included silver, rose gold plus leather strapped watches in this shopping edit.
- Price: Watches are, on the whole, an investment and prices for a good watch can range from £50 upwards, into the thousands. Within this list, you’ll find a range of prices so you can compare and contrast what you get for your money.
- Style: Round faces, square, bracelet straps, chunky chains – I’ve included as many different watch styles as possible. When choosing your watch, consider both brand and style; you may love a brand, but don’t be swayed by the label if the watch isn’t your usual style. This is a piece you’ll wear every day, so it’s got to fit with your personal style.
Shop our favourite watches for women
Michael Kors Petite Lexington Pavé Gold-Tone Watch
Shipping: Free delivery
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: 2 years
Features: Waterproof, clasp fastening
With a gold hue and sparkling pavé accents, this MK watch is super glam. Made of stainless steel, this mini timepiece has a round face with a beveled topring and a matching bracelet strap.
Editor's note: "Think of some of the most popular watches for women in the last few years, and most would say Michael Kors. The brand is well known for its stylish watches, including chunky straps and more delicate styles."
Armani Lola Watch
Shipping: £4.99 for standard delivery
Returns: Within 28 days
Warranty: Not specified
Features: Water resistant
This stainless steel metal mesh bracelet design has a subtle rose gold colouring, a crystal glass screen and rose gold hands and rose gold batons. Powered by quartz the watch also features up to 50 metres water resistant.
Editor's note: "I was surprised by how affordable Armani watches can be. There's a range of styles and prices but for a designer watch, you can't go wrong. I love the marble quartz effect of the face for something a little snazzier than a plain background."
Fossil Rye Three-Hand Date Rose Gold-Tone Stainless Steel Watch
Shipping: Free delivery on orders over £75
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Two years
Features: Water resistant 5ATM
Fossil's stainless steel rose gold watch features a matching rose gold face and dainty strap for a cool, elegant look.
Editor's note: "When I think of Fossil watches, I think of leather strap timepieces but a search on the site shows some beautiful, timeless stainless steel designs that are affordable but don't scrimp on quality."
Gucci G-Timeless Pink Multibee Watch
Shipping: Free next day delivery on orders over £75
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: 2 years
Features: Water resistant
This timeless watch is brought to life by its pink lacquered dial and signature Gucci bee design.
Editor's note: "I am in love with Gucci's bee design and on a watch, it's even cooler. The pink hue stands out against the silver metal strap, too."
Guess Unity Watch
Shipping: Free standard delivery on orders over £30
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Not specified
Features: Water resistant
Guess watches have some incredibly bright and bold designs, and this Unity watch features a silicone strap and rainbow face.
Editor's note: "You can go for a bold, colourful design with Guess watches, a gold or silver piece or one encrusted with pave diamonds - they're a classic, and fun, choice."
Rado Florence Classic Diamonds Womens Watch 30mm
Shipping: Free delivery
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Not specified
Features: Full-cut diamonds
The Swiss watch brand is known for its quality pieces and we're loving the Florence Classic design, with quartz movements, rhodium-plated hands and four full-cut diamonds set as indexes at hours 3,6,9 and 12.
Editor's note: "If it's meticulous watchmaking you look for in your watch, head to Rado, the luxury Swiss brand who are known the world over for their craftmanship."
Apple Watch SE (2023) Sport Band
Shipping: Free delivery
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Two year
Features: Blue-tooth, retina display, crash detection, GPS, waterproof
Apple watches are the must have watch for anyone who wants to record their fitness, health, check messaging on the go and a whole lot more. This second generation Apple watch can give more insights into your health.
Editor's note: "Is there anyone that doesn't have, or want, an Apple watch? From tracking your sleep, using it to pay, GPS and a whole lot more, it's got pretty much everything you need from your phone in watch form - oh, and it tells the time too."
Olivia Burton Celestial Faux Malachite Watch
Shipping: Free delivery on orders over £50
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Two years
Features: Water resistant
With a gorgeous malachite green strap and matching face, Olivia Burton's timepiece is inspired by celestial icons with a North Star crystal marker.
Editor's note: "I've lusted after Olivia Burton's watches for years, as they hit the sweet spot between affordability and design. There's many designs to choose from, from pared back to colourful."
Panthère De Cartier Watch
Shipping: Free delivery
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Two years and six months
Features: Water resistant
Panthère de Cartier watch, a small model, quartz movement with steel bracelet is an iconic watch from the luxurious French label.
Editor's note: "If there's a watch I'd wish for, it would be a Cartier. Loved by the royal family, who pass their Cartier timepieces down throughout the generations, this is an investment buy but one that will last for eons."
Vivienne Westwood Pennington Stainless-Steel Quartz Watch
Shipping: £5.95 for standard delivery
Returns: Within 14 days
Warranty: Two years
Features: Water resistant
A beautifully blue watch from British fashion house Vivienne Westwood, with stainless strap and butterfly clasp fastening.
Editor's note: "The blue of this Vivienne Westwood watch is heavenly, and pairs beautifully with the stainless steel metal. I love the subtle yet instantly recognisable VW branding too."
Casio Vintage Digital Leather Strap Watch
Shipping: £3.95 for standard delivery
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Not specified
Features: Date and night display, stopwatch feature, splash proof.
Casio's smooth and stylish leather band is a cute addition to their classic digital watch faces, and this watch is water resistant for daily use.
Editor's note: "You probably had a Casio watch growing up (I did!) and they've come a long way in recent years to become more on-trend. I love this simple design, which is neutral enough for daily wear, but with all the Casio features shoppers love including calendar, stopwatch and backlight."
Rolex Datejust Pre Owned Watch
Shipping: Free delivery
Returns: Within 14 days
Warranty: 12 months
Features: Pre-owned
From the stainless steel and yellow gold case, to the white roman numeral dial yellow gold fluted bezel, this pre-owned Rolex is one to covet. Comes with box and authenticity, undated.
Editor's note: "Along with a Cartier watch, a Rolex has to be up there as one of the most coveted watch brands the world over. I've chosen a pre-owned Rolex watch to highlight as it's beautiful and a great way to buy your own, if you're looking for that type of investment."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/shopping/511558/best-watches-for-women/
| 2024-01-18T16:56:38Z
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Fresh from hitting the slopes in Montana at the start of the year, Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky were back in their usual surroundings of Byron Bay on Wednesday.
The couple hit the beach with their surfboards and their children, twin sons Sasha and Tristan, nine, and daughter India, 11, and appeared to be a tight family unit, disproving recent reports that Chris and Elsa are "growing apart".
It was hard to not be distracted by Chris and Elsa's impeccable physiques, with both displaying the results of their dedication to fitness in swimwear.
The 47-year-old actress showcased her defined abs in a pink bikini, which also highlighted her sculpted legs and trim waist.
Chris, 40, meanwhile, sported a pair of black swim trunks as he carried a surfboard, and his bulging biceps and chiseled six-pack were hard to miss.
It's no secret that Chris and Elsa like to keep fit. She loves incorporating yoga – which she has practiced for over a decade – and intense weight training sessions into her weekly routine, which also includes horse riding.
Back in 2019, she released her first Australian fitness book – she previously released a Spanish fitness book called Intensidad Max in 2014 – titled Strong: How to Eat, Move and Live with Strength and Vitality.
Explaining the concept behind it, Elsa said: "This is your guidebook on how to live to a balanced and healthy life. My approach is about building strength of body and mind.
"I share my advice for overcoming mind-traps and other challenges, as well as my favourite high-intensity exercise circuits that can be done from home. You'll also find nutrition advice and delicious, healthy recipes."
Chris, meanwhile, has changed his approach to his fitness regime since his final appearance as Thor in 2022's Thor: Love and Thunder.
While his workouts are still intense, he no longer focuses on heavy-weight sessions but rather sprint work and functional training – exercises that help you perform activities in everyday life more easily.
"[Functional movement] uses more than one muscle group working together," Jess McDonald, Les Mills instructor, TAP Coach, and presenter, told HELLO!
"If we think about how much we rotate in a day, bend down to pick something up, sit on a chair, stand up again, or when we push or pull something. Functional movement patterns help strengthen all the muscles that we use in those types of activities."
According to David Wiener, Training Specialist at AI-based fitness and lifestyle coaching app Freeletics, the main benefit of functional movements "is that they strengthen your muscles for your everyday life, making your movements throughout the day less stressful on your muscles and joints."
He added to HELLO! "Furthermore, they can help improve your cardiovascular health, improve muscle definition, increase muscle growth, and burn calories."
At the beginning of January, Chris shared his fitness goals and revealed that he will also be incorporating breathwork into his exercises, more meditation, and better sleep practices.
Explaining the benefits of Chris' new approach to his fitness, Sean Johnson, International Fitness Training and Support Manager at Orangetheory Fitness, told HELLO!: "Of course, better sleep equals more rest equals recovery equals more energy to work out/train and thus more likely to see results.
"Breathwork is incredibly important to aid the body with oxygen during a workout but also important post-workout. This is because once we've stopped working out it's important to reduce the body to a state of calmness to prepare ourselves for life outside the gym/ studio/ class."
He added: "This is called the 'bridge' where we bring our bodies from the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) [physical stress] to the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) [rest and regulate]."
Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features and profiles coming out of the U.S. Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletterand get them delivered straight to your inbox.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/511608/chris-hemsworth-elsa-pataky-ripped-physiques-swimwear-beach-photos/
| 2024-01-18T17:39:40Z
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The one thing that may be more extravagant than a party hosted by a celebrity – from Kate Moss' recent 50th at the Ritz Paris to Justin Bieber renting a private island for his 21st – is the ones they throw for their children.
Celebrities like The Kardashians, Cardi B, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, or Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have been known to go all out for their kids' birthdays, and planning for them presents a unique, trickier challenge than that of an adults-only fête.
Kadie Roberts – who has close to a decade of experience in party planning for several high-end event companies, including her own – told HELLO! that while kids' birthday parties lend themselves to more creativity and "a bit of whimsy," they also require more patience.
She explained: "This also makes them one of the more challenging events to go off without a hitch," adding: "If you're not thoughtful in the details, the party can feel disjoined when attempting to engage so many different age groups and demographics in the same place, at the same time."
Below, take a look back at some of the most over-the-top birthday parties hosted by some of your favorite celebrity parents.
The Kardashians
There's no question the Kardashian family leads the pack when it comes to hosting parties, thanks to their own incredibly famous event planner, Mindy Weiss.
Family matriarch Kris Jenner is officially a grandmother to 13 children after the arrival of Kourtney Kardashian's baby Rocky with Travis Barker, and all 12 before him have been treated to the most lavish of celebrations. Kylie Jenner created an at-home theme park "StormiWorld" for her daughter's fifth birthday, Kim Kardashian created "Kidchella" for North West's first, as well as "Camp North" for her ninth, a sleepover that started via a private jet trip.
Cardi B and Offset
These two may have ups and downs in their relationship, but when it comes to their kids, Kulture, five, and Wave, two, they won't hesitate to get together and throw an epic bash.
MORE: Cardi B and ex-husband Offset's 10 most stylish moments revisited
For their son's first birthday in 2022, the former pair hosted a race-car themed birthday party that even had life-size, Lamborghini-looking sports cars as decoration, plus of course a kid-size, bedazzled toy car for Wave too.
David and Victoria Beckham
To celebrate the longtime couple's youngest daughter Harper's sixth birthday in 2017, these two opted for a different, royal kind of extravagance that didn't quite include pricey balloon arches and ornate birthday cakes.
Instead, Harper got to feel like a real-life princess, with her very own tea party hosted at the one and only Buckingham Palace, featuring none other than Princess Eugenie herself, no less.
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson's three kids, Maxwell, 11, Ace Knute, ten, and Birdie Mae, four, have gotten to enjoy not only their Kardashian besties' birthday parties, but of course their own, which are just as grand.
Jessica is an expert on themed parties, and has hosted celebrations dedicated to The Greatest Showman, Barbie, rainbow unicorns, and more.
Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features and profiles coming out of the U.S. Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/511605/kardashians-to-beckhams-extravagant-kid-birthday-parties-more-challenging/
| 2024-01-18T17:39:46Z
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AHMEDABAD, India - At least 12 children and their two teachers drowned in India on Thursday when a boat on which they were riding during a picnic capsized, officials said.
Rescuers pulled 20 children to safety from Harni lake in Vadodara city and are searching for two more who are missing, police and district officials said, adding that some children are undergoing intensive care treatment.
It was not immediately clear how many people were on the boat and local media reports cited overcrowding as a possible reason behind the incident, which police did not confirm.
Senior city police official Anupam Singh Gahlaut said the victims had not been provided life jackets during the boat ride.
He said the children were aged between seven to 13 and studied in a school in Vadodara, which is about 120 kilometres away from Ahmedabad, the largest city of state.
National and local disaster management officers are engaged in the rescue, Gahlaut added.
"Distressed by the loss of lives ... My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief," Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office said in a social media post.
Federal government will provide compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,400) to families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees to the injured, Modi's office said.
The state government also announced compensation of 400,000 rupees for families of the deceased. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/at-least-12-children-two-teachers-drown-in-indian-lake-after-pleasure-boat-capsizes
| 2024-01-18T18:03:45Z
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SINGAPORE – National water agency PUB is investigating the curious case of water in a canal near Newton that turned radiant baby blue on Jan 17, which was captured in a video that was shared on social media platform TikTok.
PUB officers who did an on-site assessment on the water along a stretch of the Bukit Timah Canal that runs between Keng Lee Road and Kampong Java Road “did not observe any traces of unusual discharge at the location or further upstream”, said PUB in a reply to The Straits Times’ queries.
“No abnormalities were detected in the water quality downstream of the canal or in Marina Reservoir,” it added.
Mr Melvin Lee, whose TikTok video of the water has been viewed over 56,000 times, told The Straits Times that he was struck by the change in the colour of the water as he works in the area “almost every day”.
The 34-year-old, who is self-employed, said: “Initially I thought it might have been from some event or festival-related colouring.”
Mr Lee added that he did not notice any unusual smell resulting from the change in colour of the water.
PUB said it is investigating the incident and added that it has reminded developers and contractors in the vicinity that it is illegal to dump substances into public drains.
Photos of the same drain taken on Jan 18 showed that the colour of the water has since returned to normal.
A similar phenomenon was observed in August 2023 at a drain in Toa Payoh, which had water coloured a milky shade of blue. Fish could also be seen swimming in the water at the time.
In another case, water in a canal in Jurong West turned crimson in 2015, alarming some residents. This was attributed by PUB to an organic solvent and dye in a perimeter drain.
The public can contact PUB on 1800-2255-782 to report any suspected pollution in Singapore’s waterways.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/no-unusual-discharge-found-in-baby-blue-water-seen-in-bukit-timah-canal-says-pub
| 2024-01-18T18:03:47Z
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SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written to congratulate Mr Gabriel Attal on his appointment as France’s Prime Minister, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Jan 18.
Mr Attal was named prime minister on Jan 9. At 34, he is the youngest to take the premiership in France.
In his Jan 16 letter, PM Lee extended warm congratulations to his French counterpart.
PM Lee said Singapore and France are strategic partners in areas including trade and investment, energy, defence, innovation, culture and education.
He added that the two countries’ cooperation is set to expand after the 2022 signing of the Digital and Green Partnership aimed at helping companies succeed in the fast-growing digital and sustainable economies.
PM Lee also recalled the defence partnership shared between Singapore and France.
In June 2023, both countries commemorated 25 years of the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s fighter pilots training at the Cazaux Air Base in south-western France.
Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu had also reaffirmed commitments to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
In April 2023, Singapore’s Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with the French Ministry of the Armed Forces to establish a joint research and development laboratory to develop artificial intelligence capabilities for defence applications.
Singapore and France will celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, and PM Lee extended invitations to Mr Attal to visit the Republic soon.
Previously the education minister and government spokesman during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Attal will occupy France’s second-highest office of state.
He was appointed as premier by Mr Emmanuel Macron, himself the country’s youngest president at the age of 39 in 2017.
Mr Attal’s partner Stephane Sejourne is in Mr Macron’s Cabinet serving as foreign minister.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/pm-lee-congratulates-france-s-youngest-pm-gabriel-attal-on-his-appointment
| 2024-01-18T18:03:48Z
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ABIDJAN - Veteran striker Emilio Nsue grabbed a hat-trick as Equatorial Guinea beat Guinea Bissau 4-2 on Thursday to put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations last-16 in the Ivory Coast.
Nsue opened the scoring in the 21st minute and added two more in the second half with Josete Miranda also on target in the Group A encounter.
Guinea Bissau's goals -- their first in eight matches at the finals since 2017 -- came from an own goal from Esteban Orozco and a stoppage-time consolation effort from Ze Turbo.
Host Ivory Coast and Nigeria were meeting later on Thursday in the second Group A game at the Alhassan Ouattara Stadium. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/nsue-hat-trick-earns-equatorial-guinea-handsome-win-over-guinea-bissau
| 2024-01-18T18:03:49Z
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PARIS - Navigation applications, such as Google Maps, have been asked by Paris's public transport authority to restrict suggested routes to the ones prepared for travellers during the 2024 Olympic Games, the body's chief executive said.
"We have asked (Google Maps, City Mapper and others) to relay our transport plans so that the traveller takes the route we have indicated," Laurent Probst, head of Ile-de-France Mobilites, the authority governing public transport network operators in Paris and the surrounding region, told Ouest-France newspaper on Wednesday.
If the companies do not comply with the request, they will be asked to close their applications, he added, deeming the issue a public safety concern.
Google France did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Thursday.
France expects up to 600,000 visitors for the opening ceremony alone, which will see 160 boats set off on July 26 from the Pont d'Austerlitz in central Paris for a 6-km (3.7-mile) journey to the Pont d'Iena.
Paris did not build an Olympic Park but decided instead to use existing infrastructure across the city, which spectators will reach predominantly by public transport.
The games will be held from July 26-Aug. 11 with the Paralympics taking place from Aug. 28-Sept 8. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/google-maps-and-other-apps-asked-to-restrict-route-options-during-paris-games
| 2024-01-18T18:03:50Z
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SARAJEVO - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Bosnian Croat lawmakers to stop holding up legislation to build a natural gas pipeline with Croatia, seen as an alternative to Russian gas, local media reported on Thursday.
In a letter to Bosnia's Foreign Minister Elvedin Konakovic, dated Jan. 11 and published by news portal istraga.ba, Blinken called on Konakovic to press Dragan Covic, leader of HDZ, the largest Croat party in Bosnia, "to end his obstruction on this matter".
Blinken said that he had sent the same request to Croatia's foreign minister Gordan Grlic-Radman.
Bosnia has no gas reserves but uses natural gas for up to 8% of its energy use. It relies solely on Russian gas supplies which it gets via Serbia through the TurkStream pipeline.
The project to build the South Interconnection Gas Pipeline, bringing natural gas to Bosnia from an LNG terminal on the Croatian island of Krk, was approved two years ago in the lower house of the Bosniak-Croat Federation parliament but has been blocked in the upper house.
The Bosniak-Croat Federation is one of two autonomous regions that make up postwar Bosnia. The other region is the Serb Republic.
The Croat faction in parliament's upper house, or the House of Peoples, has made its approval of the project conditional on the establishment of a new transmission system operator that would be based in the Croat-dominated part of Bosnia despite the existence of such an operator, the BH Gas company, in Sarajevo.
"We urge the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina House of Peoples to pass the law on the Southern interconnection," Blinken said in the letter, which Konakovic's cabinet confirmed it had received.
Blinken said that Covic's demands for the formation of a new operator were "duplicative, economically inviable, and put the entire project at risk. Such obvious corruption and self-dealing could jeopardize Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU path."
"The United States does not support any effort that undermines the Southern Gas Interconnection's potential to deliver energy security," Blinken said in the letter.
No one in the HDZ was immediately available to comment on the letter. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/blinken-urges-bosnia-mps-to-push-through-law-to-build-gas-pipeline-with-croatia-media
| 2024-01-18T18:04:07Z
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WARSAW - A top Polish court rejected as illegal on Thursday plans to liquidate the country's state radio, television and news agency which the new pro-EU coalition government said had become propaganda outlets for the previous right-wing administration.
The Constitutional Tribunal's ruling underlines the challenges Prime Minister Donald Tusk's coalition faces in rolling back reforms introduced by the previous Law and Justice (PiS) cabinet.
Poland's culture ministry swiftly branded the ruling invalid due to what it said were irregularities in the hiring of the Tribunal's judges, all of them appointed under PiS, exacerbating a conflict between the Tusk government and supporters and allies of the former ruling party, who include President Andrzej Duda.
The ministry also evoked past resolutions by the European Court of Human Rights saying that the Tribunal as currently set up was "not an independent and impartial" court and that its rulings therefore "do not have universally binding force".
Its stance further fuels the legal confusion and it was not immediately clear how the situation might be resolved.
In its ruling, the Tribunal said any decisions on public broadcasting companies should be based on the Broadcasting Act and not on the Code of Commercial Companies, thus making the minister's decisions invalid.
"The right to dismiss members of the management (of state media outlets) lies solely with the National Media Council," it added, referring to an institution created under PiS and manned by several of its current or former lawmakers.
ACCUSATIONS
Tusk's government accuses PiS of packing courts, regulatory bodies and other institutions with its supporters during its eight-year rule, when it often drew criticism from the European Union over rule of law concerns.
The EU froze billions of euros in funds earmarked for Poland and Tusk has vowed to reverse the PiS government's judicial reforms in order to unblock that cash.
PiS argued at the time that it had the right to overhaul national institutions in line with its democratic mandate and it accused the EU of exceeding its powers.
While many lawyers share doubts about the validity of verdicts issued by the Tribunal in its current lineup, however, some such as the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights have also questioned the legality of the ministry's moves on public media.
Poland's culture minister announced in December he was moving to liquidate the state television, radio and news agency after President Duda vetoed the new government's spending plans for public media financing.
Polish state TV, radio and the PAP news agency are still functioning but with new programmes and journalists. The government has signalled that after liquidation it wants to recreate them as new legal entities under fresh management.
The clash over the government's right to liquidate the public media companies is just one of several between the current and previous administrations.
Two former PiS ministers went on hunger strike this month after being jailed for abuse of power in previous roles. Former interior minister Mariusz Kaminski described himself as a "political prisoner".
Tusk's government and its supporters say this is nonsense and say they are determined to bring Poland back into line with EU democratic standards and unblock the frozen funds after years of conflict between Warsaw and Brussels. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/polish-top-court-rejects-government-plan-to-overhaul-public-media
| 2024-01-18T18:04:17Z
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WASHINGTON - Security challenges in West Africa following the coup in Niger last year will be among key topics U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss with African leaders next week during his trip to the region, the State Department's top Africa diplomat said on Thursday.
Blinken will travel to Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Angola from Jan. 21 through Jan. 26, the department said in a statement, where he will discuss U.S.-African partnerships over trade, climate, infrastructure, health and other issues.
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee told reporters the U.S. has a known record and hopes the junta in Niger will choose Washington over a partnership with Russia.
"If they chose to have a partnership with countries like Russia, that would be very complicated," Phee said. "We have a demonstrated track record there that they're well aware of, and we hope they make the right decision."
Phee pointed to Mali as an example, where she said there has been increased civilian casualties and security attacks since the government there invited in Russia's Wagner mercenary group.
Russia and Niger, under military rule since a coup last year, have agreed to develop military cooperation, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
Niger's junta has kicked out French troops and severed security pacts with the European Union, leaving Western allies concerned that the country could become a new foothold for Russia in the region.
The military takeover in Niger was one of a series of coups or attempted power grabs over the past few years in West and Central Africa. Niger has been an important ally in Washington's fight against Islamist insurgents who have killed thousands of people in West Africa's Sahel region.
Tensions between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo also will likely be a topic of discussion during Blinken's trip.
The trip is in part a follow-up to a summit in Washington with African leaders in 2022, Phee said, where U.S. President Joe Biden pledged that the U.S. was "all in" on Africa's future.
Phee said on Thursday that Biden remained serious about his desire to travel to Africa but that had no plans to announce. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/top-us-diplomat-blinken-to-discuss-security-challenges-during-west-africa-trip-next-week
| 2024-01-18T18:04:27Z
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KYIV - Ukraine is working "intensively" with partners to restore air travel suspended for nearly two years, with the main focus on Boryspil International Airport outside the capital Kyiv, a presidential official said on Jan 18.
Ukraine's airspace was abruptly closed by Russia's invasion in February 2022 due to the security risk for civil aviation and anyone visiting has to make their way by road or rail from a neighbouring country.
Kyiv sees a restoration of air travel as a goal towards victory for the economy.
"I don't want to create over-expectations... but I can tell you we are working very intensively to recover the air connection in Ukraine," Mr Rostyslav Shurma, deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office, said during a panel discussion in Davos.
Mr Shurma declined to give a timeline for the possible restoration of air travel but said Ukraine had an "internal roadmap and schedule".
He said Kyiv was consulting Israeli colleagues on technical specifications to enable the restoration process, without elaborating. Israel has long experience in deploying air defence systems to protect its infrastructure.
"We need to get approvals from the IATA (International Air Transport Association) and FAA (the US Federal Aviation Administration) which is not an easy case. And it depends more on the bold decisions of international partners that we believe we'll get," Mr Shurma said.
An insurance programme for grain shipments through the Black Sea corridor, run by broker Marsh with other insurers and Ukrainian state banks, could be used as a blueprint for restoring air travel, Marsh's chief executive officer John Doyle said.
"The near-term focus is moving past that Unity facility (for grain shipments), using that as a blueprint to support other aspects of the economy. As we discussed, travel is an important part of it. That’s going to be part of our focus over the coming months," he told the same panel in Davos.
Mr Shurma said Ukraine was considering reopening either Boryspil airport or another in the western region of Lviv, but the international hub near Kyiv was the priority.
In December, Boryspil saw the departure of a Boeing 777-300 on a technical flight, a sign the infrastructure remains in working condition. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/ukraine-working-intensively-to-restore-air-travel
| 2024-01-18T18:04:38Z
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OTTAWA - Quebec Premier Francois Legault urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to stem the flow of refugees into the province and to compensate it for costs, claiming Quebec's services were close to a "breaking point" due to the rising number.
The influx has led to overflowing schools, worsened housing scarcity, and packed homeless shelters, Legault said in a letter to Trudeau on Wednesday.
"Unfortunately, we are close to the breaking point because of the excessive number of asylum seekers arriving in Quebec month after month," the center-right nationalist added. "The situation has become unbearable."
Nearly 60,000 new asylum seekers were recorded in Quebec in the first 11 months of 2023 and another 65,000 are expected in 2024, Legault said. "On a per capita basis, Quebec has accepted three times as many asylum seekers as the rest of Canada."
Canada struck a deal with the United States last year to stem the flow of asylum seekers entering from the U.S. through unofficial border crossings, like the Roxham Road crossing into Quebec from New York state. That crossing was closed.
However, five months after the deal, the overall number of people filing refugee claims in Canada had increased, Reuters reported.
"The organizations that host and support asylum seekers are no longer sufficient to the task and are requesting assistance as was the case last year at the height of the Roxham Road crisis," Legault said.
The Trudeau-led Liberal government in Ottawa is coming under pressure for its immigration policies because they have exacerbated a housing crunch, and because some services provided by the provinces, like education and healthcare, are struggling to keep up with population growth.
Trudeau's popularity has slumped in recent months amid complaints about housing affordability and the high cost of living. Trudeau, who represents a Quebec riding in the House of Commons, is trailing Opposition Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre in opinion polls.
The prime minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Legault, in his letter, said the closing of the Roxham Road crossing momentarily slowed the flow of asylum seekers in Quebec, but arrivals from other countries continued to grow in airports.
The predominantly French-speaking province is historically sensitive on the issue of immigration, with nationalists and separatists often pushing for measures to protect local culture and pressure immigrants and their children to learn French.
Legault has asked Trudeau to tighten Canada's visa policy, reimburse the province for the costs incurred to welcome asylum seekers, and "fairly apportion asylum seekers throughout Canada."
Quebec, Canada's second-most populous province, expects Ottawa to reimburse the C$470 million ($348.30 million) in costs for 2021 and 2022, Legault said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/quebec-leader-urges-trudeau-to-stem-refugee-inflow-as-services-near-breaking-point
| 2024-01-18T18:04:48Z
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Article by: Pavel K.Baev
Source: Jamestown Foundation
Stalemate is presently used most often to describe the current state of Russia’s war against Ukraine these days. Fighting along the frontlines, however, is quite fluid and may be approaching a major turn. President Vladimir Putin remains defiantly confident that Russian forces are making steady progress. He made his first trip in the new year to the Far East to boast of those successes and advertise the economic achievements of the region, which remains chronically depressed. His inspection of a greenhouse in Chukotka hardly reassured many families in the Moscow region suffering from extreme cold without access to heating and electricity. Last winter, one of Putin’s favorite tropes was that the deep freeze in Europe had been caused by the continent’s discontinued consumption of Russian gas supplies. This winter, he has avoided the subject as Europe has adjusted to the new realities of war while many Russian cities continue to be adversely affected. Moscow’s struggle with providing adequate heating and electricity for its population points to Putin’s increasingly dubious attempts to pretend that his war is not coming home to ordinary Russians and disrupting their everyday lives.
Putin’s central message at the beginning of 2024 has been that Russia firmly holds the initiative on the battlefield and that time, therefore, is working in Moscow’s favor. The Kremlin leader can barely hide the contradiction in his messaging. Were time indeed on Russia’s side, the self-defeating attacks on Avdiivka to prove that the initiative belongs to Russia would not have been necessary. In addition, the series of missile strikes to start the new year have had limited effectiveness in proving Russia’s air superiority, as most missiles were intercepted, and nothing of military or economic significance was hit. Ukrainian strikes are much smaller in size but seem to better at targeting critical infrastructure, as the explosions at the Saky airbase in Crimea showed yet again on 6 January.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s main goal is presently to ensure a profound shift in the wider strategic picture of the “long war.” His recent visit to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia focused on consolidating the broad North European coalition, which began taking shape during his mid-December visit to Oslo and talks with five Baltic-Nordic prime ministers. Zelenskyy’s meeting in Kyiv with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak solidified that the United Kingdom is ready to take more of a lead in this coalition and commit long-term military aid, amounting to 2.5 billion pounds ($3.16 billion) in 2024–25, and comprehensive security cooperation to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy will address a panel of the World Economic Forum at Davos and preside over a special session on his “peace formula.”. Discussions on his propositions for rehabilitating the European security system after Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored may appear premature, and the Kremlin holds the firm position that it makes no sense to talk about peace without Russia. In reality, a comprehensive plan is sorely needed for rebuilding Ukraine and preventing future wars in Europe. It would be fruitless to negotiate a peace with Moscow that would respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
A basic reality check for the discussions at Davos is the fast-approaching shift in the balance of power to be determined by three key changes. First, the European Union’s decision on additional aid for Ukraine, worth 50 billion euros ($54.43 billion), remains pending. The Nordic-Baltic coalition has been working on consolidating collective support for this decision, seeking particularly to re-energize Germany, where the government struggles to chart a course satisfactory for the country’s three main political parties. The Brussels bureaucracy is not known for its expediency, but it excels at designing compromises—something that is desperately needed to end Hungarian President Viktor Orbán’s veto. Another key issue is maintaining investment for the increased production of artillery shells. Delays remain, but the process has gained momentum in recent weeks.
Second, the US House of Representatives must still vote on a complex aid package that would include $61.4 billion in military support for Ukraine. The recent compromise on setting the US government spending level for the 2024 fiscal year and avoiding a government shutdown has been a welcome development, though significant resistance remains on more aid to Ukraine. Zelenskyy discovered during his visit to Washington at the end of last year that his powers of persuasion can only go so far in influencing the course of partisan quarrels in the US Congress.
Third, more time may be needed in channeling frozen Russian financial assets, estimated at $300 billion, to support and reconstruct Ukraine. The Group of Seven froze these funds at the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Moscow has grown increasingly nervous that the United States will proceed with the confiscation and repurpose the funds for Ukraine’s use. Only a fraction of these assets, however, are under US jurisdiction, while most of the money is in various European banks. It will be up to the European Union to decide whether to use these funds, perhaps after the European Parliament elections scheduled to be held from June 6 to 9.
Putin’s strategy for prevailing in the long war of attrition is premised entirely on the breakdown of Western support for Ukraine. Every voice advocating for a reduction in funding is highlighted by the Kremlin and amplified by Russian propaganda. Moscow likely takes this approach to hide the reality that the Russian economy is under severe stress and that the military-industrial is operating at maximum capacity. The West, uninhibited by sanctions, can expand its engagement without putting a great burden on its many powerful economies. Each of Putin’s strategic designs for crushing Ukraine has failed, and it is highly probable that, as the war nears its three-year mark, the Kremlin will miscalculate the degree of Western fatigue and discord. Ukrainian resilience and Western determination make a winning combination. Putin’s “echo chamber” makes it difficult to assess these sources of strength accurately, and that is setting himself up for a shocking turn in Russia’s fortunes at home and on the battlefield.
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/18/balance-of-war-in-ukraine-set-to-shift-not-in-russias-favor/
| 2024-01-18T18:24:06Z
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NATO is planning military maneuvers that will involve 90,000 soldiers, making it the largest exercise since the end of the Cold War, as reported by BILD.
According to BILD data, the Steadfast Defender exercise will begin in Norway in February. It is intended to train the alerting and deployment of national and multinational land forces. Other exercise locations include Lithuania and Hungary.
The German Armed Forces, Bundeswehr, will provide 12,000 soldiers, 3,000 vehicles, and 30 aircraft, while the UK will provide an aircraft carrier and several F-35 fighter jets.
“The scenario for the exercise is a Russian attack on allied territory, which leads to the declaration of a state of alliance in accordance with Article 5 of the NATO treaty,” BILD wrote.
The NATO treaty’s Article 5 regulates the obligation of the Alliances members to provide assistance in case of an armed attack against one or more allies, which is regarded as an attack against all NATO countries
The most recent comparable exercise occurred in 1988, while the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War’s end happened in 2018, known as Trident Juncture 2018, involving 51,000 soldiers. Prior to the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991, the Return of Forces to Germany maneuvers were larger, with around 125,000 soldiers participating in 1988, for instance.
Read also:
- Will NATO survive the war?
- Stoltenberg to convene NATO-Ukraine Council over Russian air strikes
- Russian ex-president Medvedev confirms Russia seeks to destroy Ukrainian state, remains intransigent
- Europe must urgently prepare for potential Russian aggression on NATO’s eastern flank, Belgian Admiral says
- Historic agreement: Germany to deploy troops in Lithuania to reinforce NATO flank
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/18/bild-nato-plans-largest-exercise-since-cold-war-involving-90000-soldiers-to-deter-russia/
| 2024-01-18T18:24:46Z
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Gary Neville is heading into the Dragons' Den as the first-ever guest panellist on Thursday night. The football pundit and former England player joins Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Sara Davies, Steven Bartlett and Touker Suleyman on the panel as they consider investment opportunities from budding entrepreneurs.
But how exactly did Gary land a place on the panel? Keep reading to find out how the 48-year-old made his multi-million business empire.
While Gary is known for his impressive footballing career, he's also a successful businessman and has a reported net worth of £20 million, according to TalkSport.
Since the young age of 21, Gary has been working hard to build a property development empire. He started investing in property during his footballing days and now has ventures that span the worlds of hospitality, property, media and sport.
In 2015, he launched Relentless Developments, an investment business that is home to his latest ventures, including the £200m St Michael's development in Manchester. The project, which is 15 years in the making, will see new hotels, restaurants and apartments built in the city centre.
Gary's property portfolio also includes Hotel Football, a luxury hotel that overlooks Old Trafford, and The Stock Exchange Hotel near Piccadilly Gardens, which he owns with ex-teammate Ryan Giggs.
Gary and Ryan also manage the property and consultancy business, Zerum. The pair are two of five partners at the Manchester-based business, which was founded in 2010 and offers a range of services, including planning, project and development management.
Away from property development, Gary owns Buzz 16, an independent production company launched in 2017. The company, which Gary co-founded with Scott Melvin and Diana Law, produces live sport, documentaries, digital content and podcasts for clients including Sky Bet, BT Sport and Warner Bros.
The company is behind successful shows including Class of 92: Full Time and The Overlap Youtube Show, which has over 800k subscribers and has raked in over £1million, according to the Daily Star. While he sold a majority stake in the company to Miroma Group, a global independent marketing business, in 2023, the ex-footballer remains a large stakeholder.
MORE: Who is Dragons' Den star Steven Bartlett dating? All we know
Gary still keeps his hand in the world of football though, and co-owns Salford City FC alongside some of his former teammates who won the 1992 FA Youth Cup, including Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and David Beckham. The former players also own the club alongside Singaporean businessman Peter Lim.
The dad-of-two, who is married to former shop assistant Emma Hadfield, also joined forces with some of his Class of 92 teammates to co-found University Academy 92 with Lancaster University. UA92, which was announced back in 2017, offers broader courses than traditional degrees with a focus on personal and character development.
While Gary is no stranger to the small screen, having appeared as a pundit on various football shows, he's now combining his business expertise with his media experience on Dragons' Den.
On joining series 21, Gary said: "I'm absolutely delighted to join the Dragons' Den, even if it's only for a very short period on an interim contract. I'm used to being an interim coach. I'm going to bring character, personality, drive, determination, hard work, all the things you'd want in a team player."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/511581/how-gary-neville-made-multi-million-fortune-business-empire/
| 2024-01-18T18:27:53Z
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Oliver Dimsdale is back on our screens in the latest series of ITV's hit detective drama, Grantchester, in which he plays photographer Daniel Marlowe, the boyfriend of Leonard Finch. The 51-year-old actor is known for his various small screen roles, including in Mr Selfridge, and the BBC TV series, He Knew He Was Right, which also starred David Tennant and Billy Nighy.
But did you know that Oliver's wife is also a TV star who has appeared in some major ITV dramas? Keep reading for all you need to know about the actor's famous wife.
Oliver is married to London-born actress Zoë Tapper. The 42-year-old, who trained at Academy Drama School and the Central School of Speech and Drama, landed her first major role playing Nell Gwynne in Richard Eyre's 2004 period film, Stage Beauty, starring Billy Crudup and Claire Danes.
From there, she went on to appear in various popular TV shows, including episodes of Foyle's War, Hotel Babylon, and Agatha Christie's Marple.
In 2008, she secured a part in BBC One's sci-fi series Survivors, in which she portrayed Dr. Anya Raczynski. Like her husband, she also made an appearance in ITV's Mr Selfridge, playing the role of Ellen Love in series one. The couple would appear in the same programme once again in 2020 when Zoë played Betsey Granger in Grantchester.
While she has an impressive list of screen credits, Zoë is perhaps best known for playing Sam Stenham in series two of the crime drama Safe House, and Katy Sutcliffe in ITV's thriller, Liar, in which she co-starred alongside Joanne Froggatt and Ioan Gruffudd.
Her latest small screen credits include the Netflix sci-fi series The One, BBC One's 2022 miniseries Rules of the Game, and ITV's crime drama Grace, in which she played John Simm's on-screen colleague and girlfriend, Cleo.
Away from the cameras, Zoë lives in London with husband Oliver and their two school-aged children.
READ: Grantchester: who is new lead Rishi Nair? Everything to know
MORE: Grantchester stars Robson Green and Tom Brittney's close friendship explored
While the couple, who wed in 2008, tend to keep their personal lives out of the spotlight, Zoë did share an insight into her home life whilst chatting with Kate Thornton on the White Wine Question Time podcast last year.
Revealing how she feels about her children potentially following in their parents' footsteps, the actress said: "There's this slightly funny sensibility sometimes when people say to me in regards to my children, 'ooh two actors as parents, are you worried they're going to want to go into the profession?' And I'm like, 'No I'm not worried at all!' If that's what they want to do I'm with them every single step of the way because I love it."
During the interview, Zoë also opened up about experiencing postnatal depression after having her two children.
"When I had my daughter, almost 12 years ago, I almost immediately, post-birth, had crippling postnatal depression," the actor explained. "It hit me like a sledgehammer, and I couldn't actually access the help I needed, at all."
Zoë's experience led her to the London-based charity Mums Aid, which provides pregnant and new mums with mental health support.
"I felt so strongly that if I was suffering from this – and with all the people who supported me around me – there must be other women out there who didn't have that support, and were on their own," said Zoë, who is now an ambassador for the charity.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/511597/grantchester-oliver-dimsdale-famous-wife-zoe-tapper/
| 2024-01-18T18:27:59Z
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Selena Gomez is going back to where it all began: the 30-year-old superstar will appear in a reboot of Wizards of Waverly Place for Disney Channel.
David Henrie, who starred as Justin Russo, will become a series regular for the new show and he is joined by new cast members Janice LeAnn Brown (Disney’s Just Roll with It), Alkaio Thiele (Call Me Kat) and Mimi Gianopulos (American Princess).
Selena will make a guest appearance in the pilot episode.
Deadline reports that the reboot, which has currently been picked up as a pilot, will pick up "after a mysterious incident at WizTech, where an adult Justin Russo has left his wizard powers behind, opting for a normal, human life with his wife and two sons".
"But he gets a surprise when a powerful young wizard (played by Janice LeAnn Brown) in need of training shows up at his door… and Justin must embrace his past to ensure the future of the Wizard World." Alkaio Thieleh will play Roman Russo, Justin’s oldest son while Mimi Gianopulos will star as Justin's wife, Giada.
The original show ran for five years between 2007 and 2012.
The news comes after an incredible start to 2024 for Selena, who made her red carpet debut with boyfriend Benny Blanco at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday January 15, where she was nominated for her work on Hulu's Only Murders in the Building.
Accompanying his girlfriend at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, record producer Benny stood aside while Selena – who wowed fans in Oscar De La Renta – posed for photos, before she was joined by her co-stars, Martin Short and Steve Martin.
Selena and Benny went Instagram official in December after Selena shared photos of herself wearing a 'B' ring on her finger, followed by a sweet snuggled-up snap with her beau. But it is thought that they have been dating for several month; they collaborated on her hit song, 'I Can't Get Enough' in 2019 and had been friends for years, before beginning a romance.
Although proudly showing off her new beau on social, Selena attended the 2024 Golden Globes solo, before later joining BFF Taylor Swift and Keleigh Teller – where they found themselves at the center of a viral moment.
Lip reading fans speculated that Selena had told Taylor that she'd asked for a photo with Wonka star Timothée Chalamet, but his partner Kylie Jenner said, 'no'.
Selena has since reacted to the reports on social media. In response to a fan's Instagram query about whether she was discussing Kylie and Timothée's appearance at the event, Selena clarified: "Noooooo I told Taylor about two of my friends who hooked up. Not that that's anyone's business."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/511610/selena-gomez-shocks-fans-with-major-wizards-of-waverly-place-news/
| 2024-01-18T18:28:05Z
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Sharon Stone's three sons, Roan Joseph, 23, Laird Vonne, 18, and Quinn Kelly, 17, rarely make appearances on social media, choosing to keep their private lives offline.
However, the mom-of-three, 65, couldn't help but gush over his oldest as he made his social media debut on a public profile with a striking new photo.
Roan, previously Roan Bronstein till he legally filed to take his mother's last name as well (now Roan Joseph Bronstein Stone), was seen in the sun-soaked photo displaying his chiseled good looks, sporting a mop of brown hair, and wearing a tan wool overcoat over a white vest and pinstriped pants.
Many of the commenters took to share heart emojis and remarked just how handsome he looked, with some saying he was just his "mother's son."
Sharon's sister Kelly commented: "Love this face," while one of his friends wrote: "Looking very handsome per usual," and a fan added: "Handsome boy! We hope to see you in Hollywood movies!" Sharon shared the photograph herself on her Instagram Stories.
The Oscar-nominated star has openly spoken about prioritizing motherhood and family in the later stages of her career, currently living with her sons in California.
In an interview with People this past October, she stated: "I'm grateful that I chose motherhood as a healthy approach to my life and that I didn't prioritize Hollywood…because they certainly didn't prioritize me."
READ: Sharon Stone speaks out about paying Leonardo DiCaprio's salary – what really happened
Sharon adopted Roan with her former husband Phil Bronstein, and after their 2004 divorce, he was granted primary custody of their son. She challenged it in 2008, hoping to move her son to live with her in Los Angeles, but the request was denied.
On the podcast Table For Two with Bruce Bozzi back in March, the actress opened up about the harsh realities of not only losing custody to her son, but also the ways in which her career was used against her while doing so. She specifically credited it to the lack of respect for her fame given her sex symbol status, mainly due to 1992's Basic Instinct.
MORE: Michael Douglas revisits huge uproar over shocking Basic Instinct sex scenes at Cannes
She said: "I lost custody of my child. When the judge asked my child – my tiny little boy, 'Do you know your mother makes sex movies?' Like, this kind of abuse by the system – that I was considered what kind of parent I was, because I made that movie."
Sharon continued: "People are walking around with no clothes on at all on regular TV now and you saw maybe like a sixteenth of a second of possible nudity of me – and I lost custody of my child."
MORE: Sharon Stone details how Hollywood career ended over devastating health scare
The star detailed the harrowing ways in which it affected her moving forward, adding: "I ended up in the Mayo Clinic with extra heartbeats in the upper and lower chambers of my heart…it broke my heart."
However, Sharon and Roan remained close throughout his childhood, with the budding actor and model even making red carpet appearances beside his mom, as have her two younger sons, who maintain their lives away from the spotlight, save for occasional shout-outs from their mom.
Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features, and profiles coming out of the U.S. Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/511609/sharon-stone-son-roan-so-striking-all-grown-up-rare-personal-photo/
| 2024-01-18T18:28:11Z
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Amy Robach has a lot of new chapters coming her way, some exciting, others a little more bittersweet.
Just over a year ago, the former Good Morning America anchor left her post of more than ten years on ABC after it was revealed she was in a relationship with co-star T.J. Holmes, who she is still with today.
Now, the two maintain they are "choosing love," and each other. Their first step back into the spotlight was their podcast, Amy & T.J., and now? TikTok.
On Wednesday, Amy shared her very first TikTok, starting with an introduction for both those who know "who I am from my former career in television," as well as those who "unfortunately" know her from the tabloids, though she joked: "I'm pretty sure most of you don't know who I am."
The veteran news anchor didn't hesitate to get as candid on TikTok as she is on her podcast, and in her third post, she opened up about the emotional change in her household.
Amy shares two daughters with her first husband Tim McIntosh, Ava, 21, and Annaliese, 17, and though she's been lucky that her oldest never quite flocked the nest for college after enrolling in NYU, she's now doing so for a semester abroad.
The mom-of-four shared a bittersweet TikTok documenting Ava's official departure, aptly set to Stevie Nicks' "Landslide." In it, she's seen helping her daughter get all her luggage in a cart and take it inside, before sharing a long, tight farewell embrace.
MORE: Amy Robach's relationship with former GMA co-stars explained as she makes bold statement about them
MORE: Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes confuse about relationship status in unseen photo
In her caption, she wrote: "All moms can relate… my baby is leaving the nest," adding: "I was lucky because she attends NYU, so she has just been seven blocks away!"
"But now she's heading out for the first time in 21 years," she continued, sharing she is studying abroad for the next five months, presumably in Berlin, from where Ava has already shared pictures from on her Instagram Stories.
MORE: Amy Robach celebrates 'sweet and happy' daughter's 21st birthday as pair drink champagne together
Amy endearingly concluded: "I'm so excited for her, but my heart is still aching." Her growing TikTok fanbase was quick to take to the comments section with supportive messages, with one writing: "Everyone prepares you for motherhood. No one prepares you for sending your child off to college. It hurts!" as others followed suit with: "We want them to spread their wings, but it's so hard to watch them go!" and: "Aw, I'm excited for her! It will be life changing," as well as: "Never gets easier to let them go, but they do always come back."
Both Amy and T.J. have been candid about how they've handled the changes in their family life since splitting from their respective spouses, and their "evolving" relationship with each other's kids.
T.J. shares kids Brianne and Jaiden with his first wife Amy Ferson, who he split from in 2007, and daughter Sabine, ten, with Marilee Fiebig.
Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features and profiles coming out of the U.S. Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/511611/amy-robach-new-chapter-post-gma-heart-aching-daughter-leaves-home/
| 2024-01-18T18:28:17Z
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Amanda Holden is known for her daring fashion sense and the Heart Radio presenter blew fans away on Thursday as she unveiled a new ravishing look.
As you can see in the clip below, Amanda rocked a magnificent mini mini-skirt, and while the figure-hugging item showed off her physique flawlessly, the star gave fans a very risqué look at it. Unzipping her outfit all the way up to her knees, Amanda showed off her supermodel-esque legs before flashing the largest smile for her followers.
The star then walked her fans through her outfit with the "suede" skirt that featured pockets alongside the "easy access zip". It wasn't just the skirt that Amanda was rocking, as she also styled out a white polo neck jumper and matching heels.
In a simple caption, the mum-of-two posted: "Today's outfit … @karen_millen @karl_willett @adelepentland @thisisheart."
Her followers had a meltdown in the comments, as one enthused: "The skirt looks fabulous on you," and a second shared: "You look absolutely stunning, and so sexy you always look sensational."
A third added: "Gorgeous and pencil skirts are back in fashion," while a fourth joked: "I would freeze if I wore that to my office today! Lovely outfit," and a fifth penned: "Everything about the look - everything about YOU - is such a vibe!"
Amanda loves a thigh-high slit when it comes to her outfits and last week, her outfit carried another daring one that she paired with a grey jumper and matching skirt.
"It's so cold outside that I feel snug," Amanda enthused as she spoke to her fans about the outfit, and she also couldn't help but point out the slit joking that her followers may have "already seen".
Amanda has previously spoken about her approach to fashion, which includes defying ageist style rules. In a 2021 interview with The Telegraph, she said: "I've never dressed for my age, I think that's a generational thing."
"When my mum hit 50 I remember she stopped dyeing her hair and started covering up and I've done the complete opposite. I thought my mum and dad were ancient when they had their 50th birthdays. Now my daughter borrows my clothes and she's 15; it's a completely different time."
Amanda continued to echo this sentiment in a 2022 interview with The Sun. "We've got Jennifer Aniston, Kylie Minogue, J.Lo, all looking incredible and these people are older than me, so I'm just inspired by them every single day," she said.
SEE: Amanda Holden, 52, twins with lookalike daughter Lexi, 17, in feathered party dress
SEE: Amanda Holden blows fans away with incredible home transformation - and look at the Greek columns
"Hopefully it means we can shift that old-fashioned attitude of, 'Well, I can't wear that because I'm 51', or, 'I can't do my hair this colour because I'm in my fifties'."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/celebrity-style/511606/amanda-holden-never-ending-legs-daring-mini-skirt/
| 2024-01-18T19:11:46Z
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WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the clashes between Iran and Pakistan this week show that Iran is not well-liked in the region as the White House said it does not want to see an escalation.
Pakistan launched strikes on separatist militants inside Iran on Thursday, in a retaliatory attack two days after Tehran said it struck the bases of another group within Pakistani territory.
"As you can see Iran is not particularly well liked in the region and where that goes, we're working on now. I don't know where that goes," Biden said.
The United States has been locked in a test of wills with Iran over its support for Houthi rebels in Yemen who have been launching attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Air Force One as Biden flew to North Carolina that Washington is monitoring the Iran-Pakistan clashes closely.
"We don't want to see an escalation clearly in South and Central Asia. And we're in touch with our Pakistani counterparts," Kirby said.
Kirby said the attack on Pakistan was another example of Iran's destabilizing behavior in the region. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/biden-says-iran-pakistan-clash-shows-iran-is-not-well-liked-in-region
| 2024-01-18T19:36:11Z
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Iran launched missile strikes on three different countries this week - Iraq, Syria and Pakistan - while proxy militant groups it backs continue to target U.S. and Western interests and fight Israel, stoking fears of conflict that could engulf the Middle East and spread to other regions.
WHY DID IRAN CONDUCT STRIKES ON PAKISTAN, IRAQ AND SYRIA?
Iran's strikes on Iraq, Syria and Pakistan were all in response to attacks carried out on its soil or against Iranian targets.
Tehran said on Tuesday it fired missiles at Islamic State militants in Syria, in response to a bombing that killed scores of people at a commemoration for the famed commander Qassem Soleimani in central Iran on Jan. 3. Soleimani was the principal architect of Iran's network of proxy paramilitaries in the Arab world. A U.S. drone strike killed him in 2020.
Iranian strikes on Iraq the same day hit what Iran said were Israeli spy sites - a charge Iraq denies. Israel has killed important members of Iran's Lebanese ally Hezbollah and of Tehran's own elite force, the Revolutionary Guards, in Lebanon and Syria.
In Pakistan, Iranian state media said Iran destroyed two bases of Baluchi militant Jaish al Adl, a Pakistan-based group that claimed a December attack which killed Iranian security forces. Pakistan launched strikes on separatist militants inside Iran on Thursday in response.
WHERE ARE IRAN AND ITS PROXIES INVOLVED?
Under Soleimani’s direction, Iran incubated a network of proxy forces in several Arab countries which grew in the years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and has mushroomed since.
Iran denies that it closely directs its proxies in their attacks, saying that they act on their own initiative. It says it broadly supports their anti Israel and anti U.S. actions.
Iran arms and trains groups which are active in the following areas.
GAZA STRIP: Iran backs Palestinian Islamist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Hamas, the rulers of the Gaza Strip, carried out the deadly Oct. 7 attack against Israel that sparked the current Middle East war. Iran positions itself as a champion of Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation. Hamas is fighting Israeli troops in Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
IRAQ: Tehran backed Shi’ite militants in Iraq during the U.S. occupation and has maintained those links. The 150,000-strong Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a state-sanctioned grouping of Iraqi paramilitaries, is dominated by heavily armed and battle-hardened groups loyal to Iran and with close ties to its Revolutionary Guards.
PMF groups have rocketed U.S. bases in dozens of attacks in Iraq and Syria. Washington has responded with air strikes, including a strike killing a commander in Baghdad.
SYRIA: Syria is a key transit route for Iranian proxies between Iraq and Lebanon. After the Syrian civil war began in 2011, Iran intervened to prop up President Bashar al-Assad, deploying Guards advisers and fighters from Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Lebanese Hezbollah fought alongside these groups to preserve Assad. They remain deployed across Syria.
LEBANON: Hezbollah is Tehran’s most loyal militant ally. Formed in the 1980s to fight Israeli troops in Lebanon, it has an arsenal of tens of thousands of rockets and highly trained fighters who have battled Sunni Islamists for years in Syria. Hezbollah carries out daily attacks against Israeli troops along the Lebanon-Israel border.
YEMEN: Yemen’s Houthi group seized much of Yemen in 2014 and has fought against Saudi-backed for dominance of the war-battered Gulf country. Tehran first backed the Houthis in their fight against its Gulf rival Riyadh. The Houthis - or Ansar Allah, the group’s official name - now fire missiles at Israel and at merchant vessels and oil tankers in the Red Sea. The United States has struck Houthi targets in Yemen.
ARE STRIKES LINKED TO THE ISRAEL-GAZA WAR?
The Iran-backed “axis of resistance” - a name Tehran and its proxies use for their concerted action against their enemies - all say their actions since Oct. 7 are in response to Israel’s bombardment and invasion of Gaza.
The Houthis, Hezbollah, and other groups have indicated they will halt their attacks only when Israel stops its assault against Palestinians.
ARE THEIR GOALS ALL THE SAME?
Iran and its proxies share the goal of halting Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, and driving U.S. troops out of the region once and for all.
Beyond that, they have their own local interests.
Hezbollah is the most powerful group in Lebanon and presides over an economy that has been in freefall. It seeks to avoid further escalation of the conflict or intensive military action by Israel, which could challenge its position at home.
The Houthis seek to retain control in Yemen and have used the latest war as a means to assert their military prowess and regional importance, according to analysts. Iran’s exact degree of control over Houthi actions is debated.
The PMF have enriched themselves by dominating vast parts of the state and the economy in Iraq. Groups more loyal to Iran follow Tehran’s orders, but others seek money and power and believe a regional conflagration could upset their dominance in Iraq, according to some officials.
Hamas surprised Iran and other axis of resistance members with its Oct. 7 attack, according to reporting by Reuters. It seeks an end to Israeli occupation and wants to ensure that the Palestinian issue is not forgotten about while Israel develops closer ties with Gulf Arab states.
WHAT IS GOING ON AT HOME IN IRAN?
Nationwide protests convulsed Iran in 2022 and 2023 and shook the government into a brutal crackdown. The protests were the most serious challenge for years to the Shi’ite clerical rule that Iran’s 1979 revolution ushered in.
Iran continues to suppress dissent at home but was rocked this month by the attack at the commemoration of Soleimani, claimed by Islamic State.
Attacks by Jaish al Adl, another Sunni radical group, have prompted many Iranians to question whether Tehran's government can guarantee their domestic security.
COULD RUSSIA GET INVOLVED IN THE CONFLICT?
Russia and Iran have grown closer in recent years, united in their international isolation under U.S. sanctions and their opposition to America’s global dominance. Iran provides Moscow with drones for its assault on Ukrainian cities. Both countries intervened in Syria to save their mutual ally President Assad.
Russia has expressed alarm at the Iran-Pakistan flareup, however, calling on Tehran and Islamabad to solve their differences through diplomacy.
COULD THE SITUATION ESCALATE FURTHER?
Western and regional officials and analysts broadly assess that Iran wishes to avoid a direct military confrontation with the United States or Israel, but is willing to use its proxies to keep both those enemies’ militaries occupied in the region.
The greatest danger of escalation lies in miscalculated an attack carried out by Iran and its proxies on one side, or the U.S. and its allies on the other - for example, the killing of U.S. troops. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/explainer-iran-and-its-proxies-and-widening-violence-in-the-middle-east
| 2024-01-18T19:36:22Z
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MEXICO CITY - Mexico and Chile expressed "growing worry" on Thursday over escalating violence in the Palestinian territory of Gaza after several months of war between Israel and Hamas in a referral to the International Criminal Court over possible crimes.
Mexico's foreign ministry made the announcement in a statement. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/mexico-chile-refer-israel-hamas-conflict-to-court-over-possible-crimes
| 2024-01-18T19:36:32Z
|
blocked_url
|
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