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Serena Williams is getting real about life after welcoming a baby, giving birth to her second child with husband Alexis Ohanian last August.
The 42-year-old tennis star shared a new video on Instagram documenting her struggles with figuring out postpartum fashion and her changing body.
Watch below as Serena gets honest about finding clothes that fit her body and getting candid about embracing a new fitness regime…
The star received a slew of positive responses from her famous fans who praised her for being so open about her changing body, with Deborah Roberts writing: "Serena , I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability. You'll get in that skirt."
Another fan commented: "Well done on sharing the reality of postpartum… not just the glamorized instagram version," and a third also added: "You don't have a problem, you have a beautiful body. Women are spending money to get what you have. Seriously. I love your outlook on life."
The Wimbledon champ has taken fans along on her fitness journey the past few months as she hits the gym with renewed fervor after welcoming her second daughter. She and Reddit co-founder Alexis are also the parents of daughter Olympia, now six.
Back in 2018, Serena spoke with press ahead of her Wimbledon return about regaining her athlete's physique after giving birth to Olympia, and revealed that she struggled to lose weight despite following a strict vegan diet.
"I was vegan, I didn't eat sugar," she explained. "I was totally eating completely healthily… And I wasn't at the weight that I would have been had I not breastfed.
"What I've learned is that every body is different – no matter how much I worked out, it didn't work for me. I lost 10 pounds in a week when I stopped. I just kept dropping."
Serena also discussed crying with a then 10-month-old Olympia when she made the decision to stop breastfeeding. "I literally sat Olympia in my arms and I talked to her about it and we prayed about it.
MORE: Serena Williams’ unusual beauty hack sparks debate
"I said, 'look, mommy has to stop and mommy has to do this'. I cried a little bit, not as much as I thought I would."
She did confess, however, to missing the pressure of the game by the time she made her return to the court. "It definitely surprises me.
INSIDE: Serena Williams showcases epic regal nursery complete with a walk-in closet for baby Adira
"I have this amazing child, all these grand slams... it was all super bonus. I definitely feel a lot less pressure out there but I'm a little bit shocked at how much I almost want that pressure." At her first Wimbledon post-birth, Serena exceeded expectations, making the finals despite being ranked 181 in the world at the time. She lost to Angelique Kerber of Germany.
Serena has since officially retired from competitive tennis, making the announcement in August 2022 and playing her expected last matches at the US Open that year. She has since dedicated her life to more entrepreneurial pursuits, taking care of her two daughters, and even branching out into other media, such as YouTube.
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/512292/serena-williams-honest-post-baby-body-video-documents-struggle-with-clothing/
| 2024-01-29T19:17:03Z
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512292/serena-williams-honest-post-baby-body-video-documents-struggle-with-clothing/
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There are many ways in which Calista Flockhart is proud of her longtime husband Harrison Ford, but at the top of the list is definitely the way he has evolved as a father.
The Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans actress, 59, had only recently adopted her son Liam in 2001 when she met her future husband, now 81, at the Golden Globe Awards in January of 2002. By then, he was already a father to sons Benjamin, 57, and Willard, 54, who he shares with ex-wife Mary Marquardt, plus son Malcolm, 36, and daughter Georgia, 33, with his second wife Melissa Mathison.
22 years after their first meeting and 13 years into their marriage, the pair have looked back at when they first decided to blend their families – the Indiana Jones actor has since adopted Liam, 23 – and maintained neither kids nor their 22-year age gap was ever a deterrent.
Calista, speaking with the New York Times about her exciting comeback with the highly-anticipated Ryan Murphy show, took a moment to praise Harrison for his parenting style with Liam.
Though the father-of-five has previously lamented over how he parented his older children, citing the busyness of his career, when it came to Liam, his wife explained: "I think he was a really good father in a lot of ways, and maybe because he was on round two or round three, so he had matured and grown up and, I think, evolved into being a good father."
She endearingly maintained: "He's such a good father to his kids now. I love his kids, my stepkids."
Harrison, looking back at when he first courted recent first-time mom Calista, said it "didn't scare me off," adding: "When I met Liam, he was just beginning to walk, and it just didn't matter to me."
Plus, he even joked: "I had four children already, and I can't count that well, so it didn't make that much difference."
Calista then cheekily noted that it's also "because he's so immature" that she was unfazed by their 22-year age gap, though further reflecting on their marriage, she said: "We've had to work."
MORE: Harrison Ford makes rare public appearance – and it's extra meaningful for wife Calista Flockhart
The Ally McBeal alum shared: "We've had our ups, we've had downs like everybody else – mostly ups, which is good – and we just stay together. He's the person that I want to call when something happens. That knee-jerk thing where I have to call Harrison."
After the two met in January 2002, the two had their first date – with their respective agents by their side – right after the Golden Globes, at the Brentwood Bar and Grill, near where they both lived at the time.
Of the fate-defining moment, Harrison told the Times: "I lured her up to my house and we danced, and then I took her home. Make sure you put that in the story. And we've sort of been together ever since."
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/512305/calista-flockhart-candid-confession-harrison-ford-parenting-style-son-liam/
| 2024-01-29T19:17:09Z
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512305/calista-flockhart-candid-confession-harrison-ford-parenting-style-son-liam/
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A striking swipe of red has been my beauty signature since forever, and for excellent reason.
One quick slick holds so much transformative power, delivering polish, energy and, crucially, the illusion of effort.
Surpassing a string of well-meaning boyfriends, my greatest love affair is with red lipstick, and I've honed in on a few of my all-time favourites, just in time for Valentine's Day.
READ: The 10 best lip plumpers of 2023, tried & tested
How we chose:
- Performance and personal testimony: The red lipsticks chosen below are products that I (Hello! Fashion's resident beauty obsessive Orin Carlin) personally really rate.
- Shade: The lip products I've selected are all centred around the theme of red, varying in undertones, but united in the fact that they are striking and standout.
- Quality: I've put heaps of red lipsticks to the test to find those with the most wearable, comfy finishes, flattering hues and enduring formulas.
MORE: 2024 beauty trends to have on your radar
RELATED: 10 beauty hacks that will revolutionise your routine
Hello! Fashion shares the best red lipsticks for Valentine's Day and beyond:
Matte Lipstick in 'Lady Danger'
MAC's iconic 'Lady Danger' requires no introduction. The energising orange-red shade is infinitely pretty. I actually love it for a pared-down makeup moment – think loose beachy waves and gentle wash of bronzer for supper on holiday – but the warmth of the shade also works really beautifully alongside navy. MAC is renowned for its creamy mattes, and you'd be hard pressed to find a comfier no-shine finish.
Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur in 'Flame Blur'
Charlotte Tilbury
Bold and cushiony, this liquid matte lipstick by Charlotte Tilbury is almost featherlight, a total joy to wear. I can't bear how many matte formulas cling to textural imperfections, but this velvety formula is extremely forgiving. This is a great choice for red lipstick novices – if you don't want a super crisp outline, you can simply blur the edges for a slightly softer effect.
Maquis de Nuit Lipstick
For an unexpectedly affordable, luxe-looking raspberry red, & Other Stories' 'Maquis de Nuit' has me hooked. The formula is infused with cold-pressed Mirabelle plum seed oil for a gorgeous, nourishing feel – rich and balmy rather than slippery. The colour is lovely if you're going blue-based but be aware that the satin formula will likely need touching up later on in the evening so don't leave the bullet at home.
Bitten Lip Tint in 'Je T'Aime'
For the naturally red-averse, let Victoria Beckham's Bitten Lip Tint tempt you. First of all, it won't budge – like at all – which is very reassuring if you've previously avoided red lips pertaining to practical reasons. The initial hit of colour is flush-like, and buildable should you so desire. 'Je T'Aime' is a lovely, muted raspberry – I have to say, I do prefer it on others, particularly those with deep olive complexions as it can look a bit blue on me. But it's idyllic for those wanting to ease themselves in gently.
Powermatte Lip Pigment in 'Vain'
Nars
Rich pigment combines with an endurance-focused matte formula to deliver a liquid lipstick that is categorically high impact. Nars' Powermatte Lip Pigment in the shade 'Vain' is both vampy and elegant, sitting comfortably in the deeper, more burgundy-esque region of reds. The tapered doe-foot applicator allows for the utmost precision but know that you're not afforded loads of playtime (the time taken before its sets in place), so you'll need a steady hand.
Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream in 'Inspire'
Rare Beauty
If I were going on a first date, this would 100% be my red lipstick of choice. Rare Beauty's 'Inspire' Lip Soufflé is creamy, weightless and unbelievably flattering. The gentle, coral-adjacent shade is a guaranteed complexion perker-upper, and yet, the effect is assured, never try-hard, and certainly more laid-back than other more richly pigmented formulas, making it perfect for an easy-breezy first impression.
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/beauty-trends/512301/best-red-lipsticks-tried-and-tested/
| 2024-01-29T19:17:15Z
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/beauty-trends/512301/best-red-lipsticks-tried-and-tested/
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I told you chunky framed aviator sunglasses were in for 2024 and Rihanna very kindly (and chicly) just backed me up whilst out and about in Paris yesterday.
For the last wee while I've seen the most notable fashion moguls and style mavens shift front their once beloved itty bitty slim-lined sunny aesthetic and venture into the world of chunky frames, coloured lenses and bold silhouettes. I had a sneaky suspicion that 2024 was going to welcome the new trend with open arms but let's be real, as soon as Queen Riri sports something, the search results instantly skyrocket.
Spotted yesterday in the City of Love while out and about with beau A$AP Rocky and their two sons RZA and Riot Rose, Rihanna proved that even as a new mum, her style game isn’t taking a backseat.
The Fenty Beauty founder and songstress opted for a red wine-hued knitted maxi dress, complete with a fluffy fringed hood, a pair of strappy black heels and a pair of the most perfect oversized, red lensed Gucci sunglasses. The killer look comes just days after attending the Dior Haute Couture show where she sported a quilted two-piece suit, a Lady Dior bag, white ankle-strapped pumps and an accentuated brim cap.
As we all know, Rih’s style is unmatched and when it comes to overly eccentric accessories, especially those in the optical realm, she's our go-to gal.
MORE: Florence Pugh, Carine Roitfeld, Kylie Jenner: The Best Dressed at Paris Couture Week SS24
RELATED: The best street style outfits at Paris Couture Week SS24
Last year she donned a pair of white frames adorned with false lashes to accompany her all-white look at the MET Gala.
Just days before her MET Gala look took to the famed NYC steps, she posted an image to her Instagram account of her and her baby bump in a full feather outfit, complete with a pair of Chanel logo specs.
MORE: 10 chic aviator sunglasses to shop in 2024
RELATED: Kylie Jenner just wore the dreamiest red mini dress at Jacquemus
If there’s one tycoon in this world who can abolish a trend while simultaneously starting another, it has to be Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/fashion-trends/512248/rihanna-new-sunglasses-trend-and-its-set-to-be-huge-in-2024/
| 2024-01-29T19:17:21Z
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/fashion-trends/512248/rihanna-new-sunglasses-trend-and-its-set-to-be-huge-in-2024/
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As the world's most opulent fashion week comes to a close, we can’t help but feel that this year's Haute Couture Week filled a style-shaped hole in our hearts, that previous fashion catwalks just haven't.
From Lily van der Woodsen (also known by her real name Kelly Rutherford) sitting front row next to Kylie Jenner at Jean Paul Gaultier to Maison Margiela's history-making Pat McGrath makeup look, here are our top five stand-out moments from the week that was Paris Haute Couture Week 2024.
Pat McGrath for Maison Margiela
Famed makeup artist Pat McGrath proved her Queen status in the industry once again, creating a mystical, awe-inspiring porcelain doll makeup look for Maison Margiela. This look is by far the most innovative makeup look we’ve seen over the last few years, solidifying Pat’s reputation as one of the world's most notable and talented makeup artists.
Kylie and Kelly sitting front row
Kylie Jenner and Kelly Rutherford were seated next to each other at the Jean Paul Gaultier show which was guest-designed by Simone Rocha. Kelly donned a pink look from the catwalk, complete with a Simone-signature red bow at the neck, whereas Kylie chose to keep things subtle, donning a strapless nude-hued dress with a sheer overlay. The two were seen chatting before the show started, instantly making us want to re-watch Gossip Girl for the seventh time.
Karlie Kloss’ Schiaparelli runway look
Obviously, the whole Schiaparelli show was drop-dead gorgeous, but it was Karlie Kloss’ look that sparked a particular fire amongst fashion lovers. From the bleached eyebrows and slick back hair to the accentuated shoulder-shaped gown complete with a metre-long beaded trim, this look will be going down in history.
Simone Rocha guest designing for Jean Paul Gaultier
This year Jean Paul Gaultier called upon famed London-based designer Simone Rocha to guest design the haute couture collection and boy oh boy did she deliver. Every inch of every look perfectly merged both brand's DNA together to create a world in which I would quite happily live. Bows adorned black corsets, frills were present on almost every look, sailor hats nodded to Jean’s famed aesthetic and sheer tulle was everywhere.
Zendaya's micro-fringe at Fendi
Another star-studded celeb who can do no wrong in the world of fashion (and beauty) is Miss Zendaya. The actress showed up to the Fendi show in a red wine-hued gown, a diamond necklace and a micro-fringe. If there's one person who can single-handedly bring back a divisive beauty trend, it's her, and I believe the hairstyle is set to blossom this spring.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/fashion-trends/512281/5-standout-moments-from-paris-couture-week-ss24/
| 2024-01-29T19:17:27Z
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/fashion-trends/512281/5-standout-moments-from-paris-couture-week-ss24/
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The EU plans to undermine the economy of Hungary, one of the EU member states, by cutting off its funding if Budapest blocks €50 billion in financial aid to Ukraine at an emergency summit of EU leaders on 1 February 2024, according to the Financial Times.
Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has vowed to oppose the allocation of funds from the EU budget for the Ukraine package, which is meant to support Kyiv against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
According to a confidential plan drawn up by Brussels that marks a significant escalation in the struggle between the EU and Hungary, its most pro-Russian member state, the EU may exploit Hungary’s economic vulnerabilities and dependency on EU funding to convince the Hungarian Prime Minister not to veto financial support for Ukraine, the Financial Times reported. Three unnamed EU diplomats told the Financial Times that many EU countries backed the plan.
“Brussels has outlined a strategy to explicitly target Hungary’s economic weaknesses, imperil its currency and drive a collapse in investor confidence in a bid to hurt jobs and growth if Budapest refuses to lift its veto against the aid to Kyiv, the Financial Times reported.
According to the Financial Times, the plan also suggests that other EU leaders should publicly declare their intention to isolate Hungary if it does not back down. If Viktor Orbán refuses to reach a compromise on financial support for Ukraine from the EU budget, other EU leaders may consider publicly vowing “to permanently shut off all EU funding to Budapest with the intention of spooking the markets, precipitating a run on the country’s forint currency and a surge in the cost of its borrowing,” Brussels stated in the document, according to the Financial Times.
“This is Europe telling Viktor Orbán ‘enough is enough; it’s time to get in line. You may have a pistol, but we have the bazooka’,” Mujtaba Rahman, Europe director at Eurasia Group consultancy told the Financial Times.
According to the Financial Times, in case Hungary blocks the agreement on the Ukraine aid at the EU summit on 1 February, other EU leaders may publicly declare that “in the light of the unconstructive behavior of the Hungarian prime minister,” they cannot agree to provide EU funds to Hungary anymore.
Without the EU funding, financial markets and European and international companies might be less interested in investing in Hungary, which will drop the Hungarian national currency, the Financial Times stated based on the confidential document drawn up by Brussels.
Hungary’s EU minister, János Bóka, told the Financial Times that Budapest was unaware of the financial threat and “did not give in to pressure.” He also said Hungary sent a new proposal to Brussels, offering “some concessions” concerning the EU financial aid to Ukraine.
A spokesperson for the Council of the EU refused to comment to the Financial Times on the leaks.
Related:
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/29/ft-eu-threatens-to-isolate-and-hurt-hungarys-economy-if-orban-blocks-ukraine-aid/
| 2024-01-29T19:21:05Z
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/29/ft-eu-threatens-to-isolate-and-hurt-hungarys-economy-if-orban-blocks-ukraine-aid/
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Founded in 2014 to aid pro-Russian forces in Ukrainian Donbas, the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group has grown into a global network advancing Russian interests. But not only that. The Blood Gold Report, an analysis by independent researchers across countries and think tanks, finds that in countries where Russian mercenaries gain a foothold, they replicate Putin’s vertical of power – including seizing control of the media.
This dynamic is clear in three African nations where Wagner Group has entrenched itself and is siphoning resources: the Central African Republic (CAR), Sudan, and Mali. In each case, Wagner follows a four-part playbook to secure control – suppressing opposition, spreading disinformation, attacking press freedom, and terrorizing civilians. The goal is dependence on Wagner while distracting the West by creating instability.
Security expert Omar Ashour of the Doha Institute explained to Euromaidan Press that Russians target authoritarian-leaning countries and leaders, as well as military coup plotters exhibiting aggressive tendencies, when seeking foreign partners.
“Politically, these regimes want what Putin has and they look at him as a model, not Western democracies. But in doing so, they spark civil wars since segments of African societies want freedom and democracy. So Russia is at war against these democratic movements,” explained Ashour.
Moreover, the active presence of Wagner Group in Africa is generating revenue to sustain Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. A key focus is illicit African gold worth over $2.5 billion since Russia’s 2022 invasion, according to the Blood Gold Report. By propping up regimes and terrorizing civilians, Wagner secures control of mines and refineries in CAR, Sudan, and Mali.
Euromaidan Press sought to analyze why Russia chose these specific countries and how Wagner Group managed to take effective control.
Wagner Inc.
Emerging in 2014 to aid Russia’s operations in Ukraine, the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group has grown into a global mercenary network advancing Russian interests. Initially led by oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner provides “security services” and secures resource deals in exchange for propping up regimes and driving instability.
Despite early denials, Wagner’s 2023 failed mutiny revealed its status as an arm of the Russian state, having received almost $1 billion to finance activities. With Prigozhin’s death, Wagner came under tighter Kremlin control.
In just a decade, the group has expanded into a sprawling enterprise commanding tens of thousands of fighters, disinformation infrastructure, smuggling networks, and shell companies, generating estimated revenues of $5 billion between 2017 and 2023, according to the Blood Gold Report.
In Africa, Wagner exchanges military and electoral interference for natural resource access. These Wagner’s activities finance Russia’s war in Ukraine and broader efforts to increase refugee flows and boost pro-Russia parties in Europe.
Why Central Africa?
Ashour explained that Russia targets African countries with traumatic French and British colonial legacies. While the UK was a relatively light colonizer, French rule was violent and bloody. Leveraging Soviet support for African independence struggles, Russia spreads propaganda claiming exclusive credit and demanding African gratitude and influence.
“Though Ukrainian officers trained many African and Middle Eastern military personnel as part of the Soviet Union, Russia omits this fact. Instead, Russia claims sole credit for Soviet aid, arguing that African nations owe Russia gratitude,” the analyst said.
Russians ally with authoritarian regimes and leaders in Africa who see Putin as a model, not Western democracies. This sparks civil wars as parts of those societies want freedom, putting Russia at war with democratic movements. Militarily, Wagner helps regimes fight these internal enemies.
“Wagner Group promises experienced fighters trained in Russia who know how to win dirty wars and prop up shaky regimes – for cash or other perks. They act as an extension of the Russian state rather than a private military company,” explained Ashour.
Wagner in CAR
Wagner has used CAR as a laboratory to incubate its strategy for expanding in Africa, providing proof of concept for a playbook later deployed to destabilize other nations.
Since achieving independence from France in 1960, CAR has faced perpetual cycles of coups and ethnic-religious violence stemming from weak central authority. President Faustin Archange Touadera was elected on a promise of interfaith peacebuilding in 2016 yet relied on dispensing positions and weapons to allies to hold power amid ongoing crises and threats from rival factions.
Since Touadera survived a major challenge in early 2021 thanks to Russian support, he has moved decisively to consolidate control and impose authoritarian policies – including overseeing a highly questioned referendum extending presidential terms to seven years with no term limits.
Russia began engaging CAR in 2017 after Touadera took power. In late 2017, Moscow got a UN exemption to send 5,000 Russian-manufactured assault rifles, machine guns, pistols, and rocket launchers to CAR.
Relations were formalized in 2018 when Foreign Minister Lavrov met Touadera delegates and signed a military agreement for Russian training and “instructors.” While officially for mutual defense, the deal unofficially gave Touadera political/military protection via Wagner forces in exchange for Russian gold mining rights and other revenue sources.
Step 1: Suppressing opposition. This is the first and most important component of Wagner’s African playbook. The mercenaries first arrived in CAR in 2018, referred to by Russian and CAR authorities as “armed specialists” and “civilian instructors.” Ahead of CAR’s disputed 2020 election, former President Bozizé united armed groups into the Central African Patriotic Movement (CPC), clashing with Touadera’s weak government forces.
After Touadera claimed victory, the CPC attacked the capital city Bangui, but Wagner mercenaries helped repel them alongside UN and Rwandan troops. Wagner Group then enabled Touadera to retake cities and crush the CPC rebellion by May 2021, later implicated in assassinating a CPC demobilization leader Zakaria Damane threatening their profits. His death renewed violence.
Research by the Armed Conflict Location Event Data Location (ACLED) shows that Wagner Group’s presence perpetuated violence, directly involved in 37% of all political violence in CAR from December 2020 through May 2023.
Step 2: Spread disinformation. In CAR, Moscow funds a propaganda radio station supporting Touadera. Wagner also benefits from celebrities like Blaise Kossimatchi, who expresses unwavering support for Russia and wears “Je suis Wagner” t-shirts. Kossimatchi’s 45,000-member organization has pressured Touadera opponents, including the constitutional court chief, who criticized a referendum enabling unlimited presidential terms. Through propaganda, Wagner normalizes its presence while sowing suspicion of critics.
Step 3: Silence independent media. In 2018, three Russian journalists investigating the activities of Wagner mercenaries were murdered by assailants in CAR, suspected to be associated with the Kremlin. In 2022, journalist Jean Sinclair Maka Gbossokotto, an outspoken critic of the Kremlin’s meddling in CAR, died under suspicious circumstances after meeting with a Russian contact.
Step 4: Terrorize civilians. The most devastating component of Wagner’s African playbook, refined in CAR, is terrorizing civilians into submission. In December 2021, Wagner mercenaries attacked Boyo villages to punish Muslims collectively. They committed murder, hostage-taking, looting, destruction of property, forced displacement, and sexual violence – acts tantamount to ethnic cleansing. A UN investigation reported at least 20 civilians killed, but deaths may have been over 100.
Due in part to Wagner’s brutality, 3.4 million Central Africans now require humanitarian assistance, with one in five internally displaced or a refugee.
Since arriving in the CAR, the Wagner Group grew from 175 mercenaries in 2018 to 2,600 personnel by 2021. The Kremlin-backed private army now commands the Central African military and ex-rebel ”self-defense groups.” Through this expanded presence, Wagner sits atop the command chain.
Wagner in Sudan
Since independence from the UK in 1956, Sudan’s democratic institutions have been overthrown by military force three times over the 20th century.
Some democratic hope emerged in April 2019 when a civil society coalition called Forces of Freedom and Change removed longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir. The pro-democracy alliance established a transitional government with the military to guide Sudan towards democracy.
However, moves to confiscate assets gained under al-Bashir threatened military economic interests in various companies.
Following a failed 2021 coup, General Abdel al-Burhan dissolved the civil transitional government and detained officials, with initial support from the Rapid Support Force (RSF) military offshoot. After relations deteriorated, al-Burhan declared the RSF rebels in April 2023, sparking ongoing civil war.
Moscow first engaged the al-Bashir dictatorship in 2017 when the US relaxed some sanctions on Sudan for human rights progress, though maintained restrictions on figures like al-Bashir for the Darfur genocide. In response, al-Bashir deepened ties with Russia for “protection against US aggression.”
Sudan was already Africa’s third-largest Russian weapons importer. The new agreement brought al-Bashir increased military support and training from Russia in exchange for gold mining access.
Al-Bashir’s fall in April 2019 was a setback for Moscow’s ambitions, but only temporarily stalled Kremlin projects in Sudan. Evidence suggests Wagner-linked Russian Il-76 planes delivered missiles to RSF days before it launched attacks in April 2023, capturing and massacring in western Darfur towns.
Per the US State Department, the RSF and militias were perpetrating “rape, murder, ethnic killings” in Sudan’s civil war.
Step 1: Suppress the opposition. Upon arriving in Sudan in 2017, Wagner mercenaries advised al-Bashir on suppressing protests with “minimal but acceptable loss of life.” In January 2019, they assisted in cracking down on growing anti-government demonstrations.
After al-Bashir’s fall, Wagner operatives maintained contact with military elements. They actively supported the 2021 military takeover led by al-Burhan and helped security forces suppress pro-democracy movements throughout 2022.
Step 2: Spread disinformation. In 2019, leaked documents revealed Wagner’s disinformation tactics in Sudan. The mercenaries advised al-Bashir on rhetoric to prevent a “color revolution” and boost his reputation, including accusing protesters of being foreign agents who committed arson and theft.
After al-Bashir’s removal, Wagner forces persisted, using Facebook pages to spread Russian “humanitarian aid” propaganda, spread anti-Western sentiment, and disseminated Russia Today and Sputnik news articles.
Step 3: Silence independent media. After al-Bashir’s overthrow in April 2019, Sudanese journalists briefly enjoyed a respite from censorship. Since the 2021 coup, attacks on reporters by security forces have intensified.
The actions of the al-Burhan junta in Sudan align with patterns observed in other Wagner-influenced nations. This closely resembles advice previously provided by Wagner strategists to the al-Bashir regime, emphasizing the replication of Putin’s vertical of power, including gaining control over the media landscape.
Step 4: Terrorize civilians. Wagner forces have aided Sudan’s authoritarian regimes in suppressing any democratic impulses. Wagner’s reconnaissance preceded a brutal crackdown – al-Bashir’s forces killed over 120 and injured 900 civilians in June 2019.
Wagner is also believed to have perpetrated attacks on mines along the Sudan-CAR border in March-May 2022, killing dozens of miners. The current civil war exacerbated by Wagner support has killed 9,000 and displaced millions.
In Sudan, Wagner maintains a discrete profile focused on training the military and backing Kremlin-friendly forces, with evidence of involvement mostly from social media. Sudan is vital for supplying other Wagner African troops, so missions reinforce each other, complicating any move towards democracy in one country while others remain under Moscow’s influence.
Wagner in Mali
After independence from France in 1960, Mali underwent a period of one-party socialist authoritarianism and military dictatorship before turning to multiparty democracy in 1992. The country was considered “Free” by Freedom House in 1995 and observers in 2006 still considered Mali an example to neighboring states. However, in 2012-2022 Mali suffered three coups.
The disputed 2020 elections led to Colonel Assimi Goita‘s takeover. After the interim authorities decided to reshuffle two military appointees, Goita led a second “coup within a coup,” overthrowing the transitional government in May 2021. Despite pledging an eventual democratic transition, Goita’s junta instead consolidated unchecked power.
Today, Freedom House rates Mali as “not free.” The country is plagued by armed Islamist violence, fractured state authority, paltry local services, arbitrary decision-making by the ruling military junta, suppression of political opponents, summary executions of prisoners, 5,750 civilians killed between January 2022 and March 2023, 412,000 individuals displaced, and 8.8 million requiring urgent humanitarian assistance.
Despite initial promises, the junta indefinitely postponed elections in August 2023, citing “technical reasons.” The Wagner Group’s growing influence raises doubts about a swift return to democracy in Mali.
Pre-coup, the Kremlin developed military ties, training two junta leaders in Russia. Post-May 2021 coup, Wagner assumed control.
A reported $10.8 million monthly Wagner deal for 1,000 mercenaries reflects intentions for a permanent presence. Satellite imagery reveals Wagner’s growing Bamako camp, including barracks and housing. Despite Prigozhin’s death, construction continues – reaffirming Russia’s unchanged ambitions in Mali.
Step 1: Suppress the opposition. Wagner has been key to displacing the junta’s rivals. The main ones were French and UN forces. France withdrew 2,400 troops in early 2022 after Wagner’s arrival. Wagner also catalyzed the removal of the 13,000 soldiers of the UN MINUSMA peacekeeping force. Since international forces left, Wagner has focused on the restless north, leading to civilian atrocities.
Step 2: Spread disinformation. Wagner and Russia orchestrated propaganda in Mali to legitimize the regime, garner sympathies, and exploit anti-French attitudes.
Pro-Kremlin groups like Salafi imam Mahmoud Dicko’s acted as early content distributors. Dicko’s group allegedly used bot farms to fake 8 million petition signatures for Russian intervention.
Before the 2020 coup, purported pan-African protests echoed pro-Russia and anti-French views, likely Russian-financed. In August 2022, Wagner mercenaries were filmed burying bodies near Gossi base in northern Mali, which France had just transferred over. A fake Twitter account later accused France of the killings. Paris claimed this was a Wagner ploy to falsely portray the deaths as a French atrocity to damage their reputation.
Step 3: Silence independent media. Since Wagner’s arrival, attacks on press freedom have rapidly increased in Mali. In February 2022, Mali banned two major broadcasters, Radio France International and France 24. High-profile kidnappings and killings of journalists have persisted after expelling international media. In November 2023, a journalist was killed and two others kidnapped. Malick Konaté, who criticized Wagner, has received death threats since 2020.
Step 4: Terrorize civilians. Wagner forces have committed up to 300 confirmed violent acts against civilians in Mali, with a disturbing 69% of Wagner missions targeting noncombatants.
Arbitrary arrests, looting, and cattle theft are rampant. Wagner massacred 50 civilians in Hombori. From February to March 2022, 50+ people went missing, and 35 charred bodies were found after the army and Wagner raids in Segou. In March 2022, Malian troops and Wagner executed 500 people over suspected links to Islamists.
Despite Mali’s official denials, Wagner has a growing presence there. Estimates put personnel at 1,200-1,650. The group directly engages alongside Malian forces and militias in the north and is involved in 90% of central Mali operations.
Across CAR, Sudan, and Mali, Wagner’s playbook has not brought greater security but rather enabled authoritarian entrenchment, democratic erosion, civil society devastation, and civilian brutalization. Beyond empowering client regimes, the turmoil allows Wagner to profit – revenue generation is the primary motive for their African adventurism. Gold extraction is vital to this vast plunder enterprise.
Russia replaces Wagner Group with state-controlled forces in Africa
Omar Ashour explains that the Putin regime is taking a strategic, long-term approach toward Africa.
“NATO is succeeding in the Baltics with Finland and Sweden joining, and in the Mediterranean due to Türkiye and Greece, but Russia is counter-reacting via involvement in Syria, Libya, and other countries in the region,” said Ashour.
And despite Prigozhin’s death, new projects continue, as the Kremlin remains fixed on Africa long-term.
Despite Wagner Group founder Prigozhin’s death, Russian projects in Africa continue. The Kremlin remains fixed on Africa for the future, recently replacing Wagner there with state-backed pseudo-private military companies Redut and Convoy.
According to the WSJ, Redut is financed by oligarch Gennady Timchenko and Convoy by Arkady Rotenberg. The new mercenary structure is headed by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and overseen by intelligence official Andrey Averyyanov of the Main Intelligence Directorate.
In September-August 2023, a Russian official delegation featuring Yevkurov, Averyanov, Redut leader Konstantin Mirzayants, and former Wagner Africa commander Konstantin “Mazay” Pikalov visited Libya, Burkina Faso, Mali, and CAR.
The shift demonstrates that Russia now seeks more centralized Africa control via state channels rather than loosely-managed mercenaries.
“And then Russians renamed the organization Africa Corps. Tellingly, the Nazi Wehrmacht organization operating in Africa, was named just that, Afrika Korps. [We see the influences of] one of the Wagner Group’s founders, Dmitry ‘Wagner’ Utkin, who was also a Nazi sympathizer,” noted Ashour.
In conclusion, the Wagner Group applies an authoritarian playbook across Africa to install Putin-style regimes – suppressing opposition, attacking press freedom, spreading disinformation, and terrorizing civilians. This systematic approach seen in CAR, Sudan and Mali not only empowers strongmen but erodes democratic values.
As Russia swaps Wagner for state forces like Redut and Convoy, it entrenches ambition for Putin-esque rule across Africa, posing a major threat to rights, governance, and stability that demands global vigilance.
Read more:
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/29/how-wagner-group-exports-putin-style-rule-to-africa/
| 2024-01-29T19:21:45Z
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/29/how-wagner-group-exports-putin-style-rule-to-africa/
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Ukraine commemorates the Heroes of the Battle of Kruty every year on 29 January. This day, in 1918, nearly 600 Ukrainian servicemen fought with 4,000 Bolshevik troops 130 km northeast of Kyiv in Chernihiv Oblast. Although Ukrainian forces later retreated, the battle gave time to evacuate the government and continue the war, which allowed Kyiv to be taken back by Ukrainian troops once again in 1919. However, without international support, the Ukrainian army couldn’t maintain the long war and eventually lost, while most of Ukraine was occupied by the USSR.
“All our heroes, all those who gave their lives for Ukraine’s independence, freedom and future will forever be in the history of our nation. We remember each and every one of them! Eternal glory and gratitude to the defenders of Ukraine!” Zelenskyy said.
He also honored the memory of Mark Paslavskyi, who died in August 2014 during battles in Donbas, Hero of the Heavenly Hundred Oleksandr Klitynskyi, killed during the revolution of dignity in 2014 as well as participants in the Russian-Ukrainian war Andriy Pilshchykov (callsign Juice) and Dmytro Kotsiubailo (callsign Da Vinci), who are buried at the Askold’s Grave.
Ukraine’s Commander in Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi also paid tribute to the Kruty heroes.
“On 29 January 1918, the UNR army fulfilled its combat mission on the field near Kruty – it stopped the Russian invaders who were rushing to Kyiv. 106 years have passed, and now Ukrainian soldiers are once again giving battle to the Russian invaders on the entire front line and proving every minute that Ukraine was, is and will be free and independent,” Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi wrote.
Along with Zelenskyy and Zaluzhnyi, all Ukraine’s military leadership participated in the commemoration ceremony, including Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, Head of the Security Service Vasyl Maliuk, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Roman Mashovets.
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/29/ukraines-president-and-leadership-honor-the-memory-of-kruty-heroes-who-fought-for-ukraines-independence-in-1918/
| 2024-01-29T19:22:25Z
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/29/ukraines-president-and-leadership-honor-the-memory-of-kruty-heroes-who-fought-for-ukraines-independence-in-1918/
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PS5 vs Xbox Series X|S Sales Comparison in the US - December 2023 - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted 59 minutes ago / 552 ViewsThe VGChartz sales comparison series of articles are updated monthly and each one focuses on a different sales comparison using our estimated video game hardware figures. The charts include comparisons between the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, as well as with older platforms. There are articles based on our worldwide estimates, as well as the US, Europe, and Japan.
This monthly series compares the aligned US sales of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S both launched in November 2020. The Xbox Series X|S launched in the US on November 10, 2020, and the PlayStation 5 on November 12, 2020.
PS5 Vs. XSX|S US:
Gap change in latest month: 404,331 - PS5
Gap change over last 12 months: 2,887,214 - PS5
Total Lead: 5,111,395 - PS5
PlayStation 5 Total Sales: 18,695,900
Xbox Series X|S Total Sales: 13,584,505
December 2023 is the 38th month the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S has been available for. In the latest month, the gap grew in favor of the PlayStation 5 when compared to the aligned launch of the Xbox Series X|S by 404,331 units.
In the last 12 months, the PlayStation 5 has outsold Xbox Series X|S by 2.89 million units. The PlayStation 5 is currently ahead by 5.11 million units.
The PlayStation 5 has sold 18.70 million units in the US in 38 months, while the Xbox Series X|S sold 13.58 million units. The PlayStation 5 has a 57.9 percent marketshare (+2.8% year-over-year), compared to 42.1 percent for the Xbox Series X|S (-2.8% year-over-year).
The PlayStation 5 is currently 1.22 million units ahead the PlayStation 4 in the US when you align launches, while the Xbox Series X|S is behind the Xbox One by 2.29 million.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459669/ps5-vs-xbox-series-xs-sales-comparison-in-the-us-december-2023/
| 2024-01-29T19:49:27Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459669/ps5-vs-xbox-series-xs-sales-comparison-in-the-us-december-2023/
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Extraction Dungeon Crawler Dungeonborne Announced for PC - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 16 hours ago / 830 ViewsDeveloper Mithril Interactive has announced extraction experience dungeon crawler, Dungeonborne, for PC via Steam. An open alpha will be available from February 2 to 12 as part of Steam Next Fest: February 2024.
View the announcement trailer below:
Read details on the game below:
Dungeon Crawling, Evolved
At its core, Dungeonborne is an extraction experience dungeon crawler in which players band together in small groups or play solo to seek treasure on the backdrop of a gritty gothic setting overrun by monsters and other adventurers. Sharp tactical wit, team composition and terrain understanding will all contribute towards success as adventurers are thrust into dangerous situations with nothing but a sword and a dream.
The traditional dungeon crawler experience is further enhanced by features outside of the established genre, including:
- The “extraction” mechanic, giving players the option to finish their adventure and safely secure their loot, or venture further to seek more at the cost of losing it all should they perish. This is further enhanced by the addition of a safezone that shrinks with time, adding a layer of battle royale pressure and influencing decision making as adventurers attempt to escape with their haul.
- An array of player classes that are highly specialised, from household fantasy classes such as Rogue and Priest that embody traditional genre tropes to more specialized options such as the Pyromancer and Cryomancer that rain destruction and freeze enemies in place, or the Death Knight class built around imprisoning enemies and manipulating the battlefield..
- Environmental combat, from utilizing high ground, shadows and traps to gain advantage, to transforming into a mimic chest and ambushing greedy opponents. Combat is further enhanced by a flask and potion system that allows players to utilize alchemic concoctions to either heal themselves or deal damage to their foes.
- Extensive crafting and enhancement systems that further improve loot that players acquire, deepening and expanding buildcrafting.
- An in-game auction house that allows players to sell items they’ve acquired on their latest adventure, or buy other players’ weapons and armor before venturing out again
A Forsaken Realm Where Treasure Awaits
Dungeonborne is set in a bleak, medieval world lined with gothic spires and monsters hiding in dark corners. The forsaken realm players find themselves in has a soul of its own, resurrecting the dead to raise arms once more and protect the treasures and riches that players seek.
Brave adventurers will storm castle ramparts and raid treasuries in elaborate environments built in Unreal Engine 5. To deepen immersion, Dungeonborne will also feature stereoscopic spatial audio creating subtle, almost illusory sounds of footsteps, the creaking of a door and other background sounds. Watchful players will notice these subtle audio cues, and sharp minds will use this knowledge to their advantage.
Freeze and Burn, Slay and Raise
Drawing heavily on its RPG inspiration, Dungeonborne features a range of classes and races to choose between. Human and undead will be available in the upcoming open alpha with more to follow, allowing players to combine different archetypes and experiment with team compositions as they venture within.
The player classes of Dungeonborne expand outside of genre traditions, too. Aside from traditional class tropes such as rogues, priests and fighters, additional specialized classes that will be available include:
- Cryomancer, a mage versed in ice magic that can conjure snowstorms to slow enemies, or encase themselves in a protective ice barrier if danger draws near.
- Swordmaster, a master of warfare that can rain psionic blades on their opponent, dealing massive damage.
- Pyromancer, a wizard well versed in the art of fiery destruction, capable of casting pyroblasts and burning everything in their vicinity to a crisp.
- Death Knight, an undead warrior brought to life by necromancy capable of gripping foes with spectral chains and pulling them towards their doom.
Craft Your Tools of Destruction, or Accumulate Wealth
On top of class-specific spells and attacks, Dungeonborne’s crafting and trading systems further advance the dungeon crawler combat by adding extra layers. Once players emerge from the dungeon, they can set about selling their haul off at the in-game auction house and filling their coffers, re-equipping it for their next adventure or enhancing it altogether. Every piece of loot has its value, whether it can be broken down to crafting resources and used on other pieces of equipment or further enchanted.
Steam Next Fest Open Alpha
Players keen to experience Dungeonborne for themselves are invited to participate in a limited demo of the game that will be part of Steam Next Fest, officially launching on February 2 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CET up until February 12 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CET. For more information about the open alpha, check out the official Dungeonborne Steam page.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459756/extraction-dungeon-crawler-dungeonborne-announced-for-pc/
| 2024-01-29T19:49:34Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459756/extraction-dungeon-crawler-dungeonborne-announced-for-pc/
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The Last of Us Part II Remastered Debuts in 1st the French Charts - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted 4 hours ago / 403 ViewsThe Last of Us Part II Remastered (PS5) has debuted in first place French charts for week 3, 2024, according to SELL.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PS5) debuted in second place, while the Nintendo Switch version debuted in fourth place.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder (NS) is down one spot to third place, while Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (NS) dropped from fourth to fifth place.
Top sellers per system were as follows:
PS5
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
- Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Xbox Series X|S
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
- EA Sports FC 24
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
- EA Sports FC 24
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Tales of Symphonia Remastered - Chosen Edition
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- EA Sports FC 24
- Minecraft
- Dead Space Remake
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459759/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-debuts-in-1st-the-french-charts/
| 2024-01-29T19:49:49Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459759/the-last-of-us-part-ii-remastered-debuts-in-1st-the-french-charts/
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Tekken 8 and Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Debut on the UK Retail Charts - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted 4 hours ago / 501 ViewsTekken 8 has debuted in first place on the UK retail charts, according to GfK data for the week ending January 27, 2024.
Retail sales for Tekken 8 were more than double that of Street Fighter 6, according to the head of GamesIndustry Christopher Dring via Twitter.
There was one other new release in the top 10 this week. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth debuted in second place.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is up from seventh to third place. EA Sports FC 24 dropped two spots to fourth place, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder is up one spot to fifth place. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe raced up four spots to sixth place, while Hogwarts Legacy fell from first to seventh place.
Last year I was surprised at how low Street Fighter 6’s UK sales were at physical retail (it did fine digitally). I wondered if it was a genre trend, but Tekken 8’s UK physical sales are good, and more than double the launch of SF6. So… who knows? Maybe it was the competition
— Christopher Dring (@Chris_Dring) January 29, 2024
Here are the top 10 best-selling titles for the week:
- Tekken 8 - NEW
- Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth - NEW
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
- EA Sports FC 24
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459760/tekken-8-and-like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-debut-on-the-uk-retail-charts/
| 2024-01-29T19:49:57Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459760/tekken-8-and-like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-debut-on-the-uk-retail-charts/
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SPYxANYA: Operation Memories Releases June 28 for PS5, PS4, and Switch - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 3 hours ago / 341 ViewsPublisher Bandai Namco and developer Groove Box Japan announced SPYxANYA: Operation Memories will launch for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch worldwide on June 28.
The game will also launch a day earlier, June 27, in Asia for the same platforms. A PC version of the game will launch later this year.
View the release date trailer below:
Read details on the game below:
Anya Forger has a new assignment from school: creating a photo diary!
Let’s collect memories by going to school on weekdays while going out to all sorts of exciting places like the beach or an art museum on days off, in search of subjects to photograph.
Take memorable pictures to complete her diary by living out the daily life as Anya in the world of SPYxFAMILY!
Will Anya be able to complete her photo diary?
Experience the World Through Anya’s Eyes
Tasked with making a photo diary as an assignment for Eden College, players must take memorable pictures of Anya to complete her diary from the series through outings including parks, beaches, dog parks, aquariums, and museums.
Take Pictures When Anya Finds Something Interesting
Find something that catches Anya’s attention to capture memorable pictures of her, her family, and her friends. Good pictures will be saved as Anya’s memories.
All Fun and Mini-Games
A variety of more than 15 mini-games are available to players. Experience fun games based on familiar scenes from the anime – ranging from peanut-themed bowling to rhythm training with Yor to earn points and get costumes and outing items.
Create a Memorable Style
Customize the Forgers with unlockable costumes and other items to create a memorable style. Also use the game’s photo mode to take the perfect portrait of the Forger family.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459761/spyxanya-operation-memories-releases-june-28-for-ps5-ps4-and-switch/
| 2024-01-29T19:50:04Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459761/spyxanya-operation-memories-releases-june-28-for-ps5-ps4-and-switch/
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AeternoBlade II: Infinity Out Now for PS5 and PS4, Headed to Xbox, Switch, and PC on February 6 - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 3 hours ago / 341 ViewsCorecell Technology has announced AeternoBlade II: Infinity is now available for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 for $14.99 or as a free update for existing owners of AeternoBlade II. It will also launch for the Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam on February 6.
"AeternoBlade II: Infinity is our updated patch that enhances the game to 4K resolution and adds support for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S," said Corecell Technology. "This update will be applied to all platforms where the game has previously been released, including PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Steam. The update includes adjustments to level design, simplifying the complex puzzles introduced in the Director’s Rewind patch.
"Despite facing numerous problems, only a few members have continued working with us. We have never given up on finding ways to improve our product. That’s why we want to inform our fans that our efforts are unending, hence the name Infinity."
View a trailer of the game below:
Read details on the game below:
The ultimate AeternoBlade experience—now in stunning 4K. Wield devastating powers over time in AeternoBlade II: Infinity. With refined, balanced gameplay, master every slash, warp, and reversal through visually striking dimensional battles.
Join Bernard, Freyja and newcomer Aeonis on a new quest to restore the AeternoBlades. Journey through a narrative-rich chronicle, fusing exploration, puzzles and strategic action. Each character brings unique strengths. customize roles with relics to fit your play style.
Conquer remastered enemies and environments. Navigate complex ruins and mystical forests, uncovering hidden routes. Solve temporal puzzles and engage diversified combat, now with updated 3D and 2.5D perspectives.
AeternoBlade II: Infinity time-bends the genre with smoother graphics, intuitive controls and balanced difficulty. Dive into the most vivid edition yet, pushing speed and skills to the limits across intricately designed levels. Wield the blade and defy eternity!
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459762/aeternoblade-ii-infinity-out-now-for-ps5-and-ps4-headed-to-xbox-switch-and-pc-on-february-6/
| 2024-01-29T19:50:13Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459762/aeternoblade-ii-infinity-out-now-for-ps5-and-ps4-headed-to-xbox-switch-and-pc-on-february-6/
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WitchSpring R Headed to PS5 and Xbox One - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 3 hours ago / 362 ViewsDeveloper KIWI WALKS announced WitchSpring R will launch for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox One alongside the previously announced Nintendo Switch version.
The game first released for PC via Steam in September 2023. It will get a free update in February that adds New Game Plus, as well as the Hard and Very Hard difficulty settings.
View a trailer of the February update below:
Read new details on the game below:
1. Hard Mode Update
In the upcoming update, two new difficulty levels will be added:
- “Hard” and “Very Hard” difficulty levels.
- Balancing adjustments to some player skills at difficulty levels beyond Hard.
- Some monster skills/patterns will be added or modified.
2. New Game Plus Update
In the next update, the “New Game Plus” feature will be added, allowing players who have completed the game to inherit their save file and start from chapter 1.
- Skip the early tutorial and start the game from the middle of chapter 1.
- A few monsters will only appear in New Game Plus mode.
- New equipment will only appear in New Game Plus mode.
3. New Features Update
In the next update, some features will be implemented:
- Story Enjoyment Feature – An option to automatically advance dialogue after voice playback ends.
- Crafting Mastery – Crafting recovery potions/combat tools three times or more will yield double the items in subsequent crafting.
4. Publisher Change
As some of you may have noticed, we have recently ended our collaboration with the publisher and have decided to independently service the game.
Due to this change, there will be adjustments to the overall development schedule as several complex tasks need to be addressed.
5. Post-Ending Content Schedule Change
Due to the termination of the publishing contract, all schedules involving external collaboration, such as voice recording, will be reassessed. Details will be announced once finalized.
6. Console Porting
- In addition to the previously announced Nintendo Switch port, we are preparing to port the game to other console platforms.
- A physical package (limited edition and art book!) is also in the works.
7. MOFUN Collaboration Merch Reservation Period Extension
- Due to popular demand, the reservation period for collaboration products has been extended until February 12!
- For detailed purchase information, please refer to the previous announcements.
8. Season FanArt Contest Winners Announcement
- A sincere thank you to everyone who participated in the 2023 Season Fan Art Contest!
- We will announce the winners of the fan art contest and the giveaway event on January 31, so stay tuned for the results!
Thanks, Gematsu.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459763/witchspring-r-headed-to-ps5-and-xbox-one/
| 2024-01-29T19:50:22Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459763/witchspring-r-headed-to-ps5-and-xbox-one/
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Terra Memoria Releases This Spring for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 3 hours ago / 573 ViewsPublisher Dear Villagers and developer La Moutarde announced Terra Memoria will launch for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam this Spring.
A demo will be available on PC on February 6. It will be 40 minutes long and save data can be transferred to the full game once it releases.
View the release date trailer below:
Read details on the game below:
With a steady step and a light spirit, your adventure starts to… uh… wait a second.
Another crystal shortage?! My train was canceled? Just my luck! Between that and the robots that are attacking us…
Hey, since you’re here, why don’t you investigate all that? Yes, yes! You’re the perfect fit for that mission. Go ahead! We’re looking at you!
Terra Memoria welcomes you with open arms: six lovable characters, an investigation through all ages, a world with crazy inhabitants, and cozy music… a little RPG with exploration, fighting, construction, and puzzles.
Visit the past and present to discover who controls the crystals, why the ancient machines are attacking, and how everything is linked. (Nooo, really?)
Go on a Road Trip
Set up your camp with the handyman and the blacksmith while the summoner and the sorcerer cook tonight’s dinner. By the fireside, stories of a shapeshifter and the tunes of a bard resonate. That’s how another day of travel with your new friends ends.
Explore the World of Terra
Discover a cute little RPG and its world that combines 3D and pixel art, as well as its authentic music crafted with love. What’s important is the journey! Take your time, take every path, and befriend eccentric citizens (why are they so weird?).
Craft, Build, Repair
Use a unique construction tool to change the world and solve puzzles. Buildings and decorations—craft everything and construct a village!
Write a Regional Guide
A local recipe, the mayor’s portrait, or a real false treasure map? Every piece of information is good to add to this participatory publication. Will you find the clues hidden there?
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459764/terra-memoria-releases-this-spring-for-ps5-xbox-series-xs-switch-and-pc/
| 2024-01-29T19:50:30Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459764/terra-memoria-releases-this-spring-for-ps5-xbox-series-xs-switch-and-pc/
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Biomorph Releases March 4 for PC, Later for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 3 hours ago / 396 ViewsDeveloper Lucid Dreams Studio announced the dark metroidvania game, Biomorph, will launch for PC via Steam on March 4, and at a later date for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
View the animated story trailer below:
Read details on the game below:
In Biomorph, players must use their skills to explore a vast, varied world. Solve puzzles and platforming challenges, fight deadly monsters and take their shapes to use their powers. But beware—every conquered creature can come back with new and even more threatening powers. Players will level-up their character as they fight through the vast areas around the city, collecting new abilities, mementos and blueprints. The journey will reveal surprising and alarming truths about our hero’s own origins.
Become Your Enemy
Play as the enemies by killing them and taking their shape. You will be able to use their skills to fight other enemies or use their powers to navigate in uncharted territories.
They Learn Your Ways
Fight your way through a challenging AI system where previously mimicked creatures unlock new powers to create a unique experience while revisiting areas of the game.
Choose Your Weapons
Choose your fighting style by using an arsenal of melee and range weapons, each of them having its own upgrade trees, to bash and shoot enemies. Create different builds in support of your play style by equipping and mixing different unique skills that you can upgrade.
Explore a Vast World
Explore a vast non-linear, interconnected world composed of 16 different environments, home of optional boss fights, eccentric NPCs, tons of secrets and upgrades to reward the most daring explorer.
Personalize a Village
Rebuild the city of Blightmoor and befriend the townspeople, learning more about both their and the town’s origins. Customize the look of the city to have a unique experience and to feel at home.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459765/biomorph-releases-march-4-for-pc-later-for-the-ps5-xbox-series-xs-and-switch/
| 2024-01-29T19:50:38Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459765/biomorph-releases-march-4-for-pc-later-for-the-ps5-xbox-series-xs-and-switch/
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Highwater Releases March 14 for All Major Platforms - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 3 hours ago / 346 ViewsPublisher Rogue Games and developer Demagog Studio announced the climate change apocalypse turn-based strategy game, Highwater, will launch for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam on March 14.
The game first released for iOS and Android via Netflix in March 2023.
View the console announcement trailer below:
Read details on the game below:
Highwater is a whimsical, 3D adventure game with an isometric turn-based puzzle-combat system set in a flooded, post-apocalyptic world. Navigate by boat, discover islands, find new allies to help battle foes, and experience a humorous tale about friendship in this melancholic and atmospheric escape.
Amid the Great Climate Catastrophe, the flooded region of Hightower has become a kind of safe zone between the two dry regions: the nearly global ravaged land of the War Zone, and the fortified city of Alphaville, where the ultra-rich live behind giant walls.
With life on Earth becoming untenable for humans, and rumors of an escape to Mars floating around, Nikos begins a risky journey, picking up friends along the way. First to Hightower, then beyond to cross the impenetrable border of Alphaville, battling insurgents and stealing food along the way. Will Nikos and his friends manage to sneak onto the rocket in time?
Rich, Story-Driven Adventure
Earth may be flooded, but it’s one heck of a view on the water. With a sense of humor, determination, and some great tunes, Nikos and friends will work together to explore the water-filled environment around them and embark on an adventure to evacuate to Mars and start a new life.
3D Exploration & Discovery
Float along the vast waterways freely in your boat and explore the many different islands of a beautiful world where you’ll encounter danger, interact with fellow citizens, gather resources, and fight for a chance to escape to a new life.
Turn-Based Combat With A Twist
Take on your enemies in a classic turn-based combat system where careful tactics and puzzle solving will help you come out alive. Interact with the environment and items around you: knock down a tree, push a shopping cart into an enemy, or duck behind a turned over car to gain the advantage.
Original Radio Tunes
The world may be ending, but there's still time to enjoy some good tunes. As you cruise along the water, Highwater Pirate Radio is the key source not only of unique and original music, but also for commentary on your ticket to survival.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459766/highwater-releases-march-14-for-all-major-platforms/
| 2024-01-29T19:50:47Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459766/highwater-releases-march-14-for-all-major-platforms/
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Square Enix: A Final Fantasy VI Remake Would Take Double That of Final Fantasy VII - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 3 hours ago / 538 ViewsFinal Fantasy VII Remake producer Yoshinori Kitase in an interview with French YouTuber Julien Chièze said there is demand for a remake of Final Fantasy VI, however, it would be a much bigger remake than Final Fantasy VII has been.
Kitase suspects a remake of Final Fantasy VI would take double that of Final Fantasy VII, which has already taken around 10 years to remake.
He does reveal there are a lot of people working at Square Enix that want to remake Final Fantasy VI, but he unfortunately can't respond, which bums him out.
Final Fantasy VI released for the SNES in 1994. It was later released on the PlayStation in 1999 and Game Boy Advance in 2006. The Pixel Remaster version of the game was released in 2022 for PC, iOS, and Android, and in 2023 for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.
He says there are a lot of people inside the company who want to remake FFVI, but he unfortunately can't respond in the affirmative, which bums him out. https://t.co/aJw9ptknve pic.twitter.com/fjo5Fkz3Oo
— Shinra Archaeology Department (@ShinraArch) January 28, 2024
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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Depends on what their intention is really. FF7 is being milked for all it's worth it seems, for good or bad. 6 doesn't hold the same impact as 7 does for many (which was many people first ever FF game) but is well loved in the fan base. If a remake means removing certain story beats, changing combat and splitting it into multiple games? I'd say no thanks, I'll stick with the superb game made 30 years ago thanks and put resources into making new entries in the series.
2dHD: "am I a joke to you?"
I'm not sure i'd want a remake. The SNES art style is a lot of the charm.
Maybe it could get the HD-2D treatment! I agree, FF7 looked incredibly old by today's standards, like most games from that time period of early 3D gaming, and warranted a remake, but the pixelized look of the SNES games have aged incredibly well. I would love for Chrono Trigger to get the HD-2D makeover too.
I will weight in that a proper pixel 2D-HD remaster would be already a nice step and could give funding for their future try on FF6 remake. And well they could make a remake that would match a PS3 level of graphic (and them make a remaster for higher asset so they can cut down on time).
I think a sensible approach would be to remake the game in a lower-effort manner, so e.g. picking something from these: low-poly, Octopath Traveler style, other less detailed 3D... I relatively recently completed the game for the first time, and while my general impression of the game was good, there were certainly areas that could do with at least some modernizing.
wow how long would ff13 remake ten i guess. 1300 years?
Why haven't they even done a remaster for modern consoles of FF13? This is SquEnix who currently have like 2 different versions of FF3 available to purchase on mobile yet they haven't tried to just update some graphical settings and re-release FF13? You'd think it would be easy money.
Nah just make a FFVI remake in the style of Star Ocean 2 R
Why tho?
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459767/square-enix-a-final-fantasy-vi-remake-would-take-double-that-of-final-fantasy-vii/
| 2024-01-29T19:50:55Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459767/square-enix-a-final-fantasy-vi-remake-would-take-double-that-of-final-fantasy-vii/
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Enshrouded Tops 1 Million Players Under 1 Week - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 3 hours ago / 356 ViewsPublisher and developer Keen Games announced the co-op survival action RPG, Enshrouded, has surpassed one million players since it released in Early Access last week.
Enshrouded released in Early Access for PC via Steam on January 24.
Enshrouded has reached OVER ONE MILLION PLAYERS!!
— Keen Games ➡️ Enshrouded out NOW! (@KeenGamesStudio) January 29, 2024
In just four days, Enshrouded has attracted over a million players. We are completely blown away by its success and the overwhelmingly positive reception. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank all our players. pic.twitter.com/bIWgQ5Gn5e
Read details on the game below:
The realm of Embervale is lost. In their greed for magical power, your ancestors unleashed a pestilence that consumed the world.
Enshrouded is a game of survival, crafting, and Action RPG combat, set within a sprawling voxel-based continent. As you journey across the mountains and deserts of an open world, you are free to choose your path and shape your destiny.
Ignite the Ancient power of the Flame, and piece together the fragments of a story that unfolds below the surface.
SURVIVE THE SHROUD
You start with nothing but the will to survive the wilds. You must scrape and scavenge through the ruined remnants of a lost kingdom, and fend off the beasts that hunger for your flesh.
Journey through forests, caves, dungeons, searching for secret knowledge and treasure. Build the strength to venture into the Shroud and bring the fight back to the horrors of the deep.
HEART POUNDING ACTION COMBAT
The Shroud consumes the land it corrupts, mutating and guiding all life it encounters. Cleave your way through ravaging factions and formidable bosses, battling Scavenger in the forests, Vukah in the caves, and Fell creatures in the mist.
Duck, parry, and surprise your foes with unexpected fighting skills and powerful spells. Exploit the weaknesses of your enemies as you develop your own unique playstyle with an in-depth skill tree system.
CREATE EPIC BUILDS
Bring life back to the land! Voxel-based building unleashes your creative vision, allowing you to create grand architecture on an epic scale, customized with a vast assortment of materials and furniture. Build not only for yourself, because NPCs will take refuge within your walls, unlocking advanced workshops and the ability to craft epic weapons and armor.
CRAFT GEAR WORTHY OF LEGEND
Craft and customize a staggering array of legendary weapons and armor to become a force to be reckoned with. You'll need to master the shield, the sword, the staff and the bow to withstand the merciless advance of the Shroud.
CALL UPON YOUR ALLIES
Join with friends in 16 player co-op gameplay. Carve out unique roles and complimentary skills that will prove your worth in battle as together you raid, gather treasure, and overcome the Fell hordes that ravage the land.
UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF A FALLEN REALM
Journey through the biomes of Embervale to immerse yourself in vibrant fallen cultures and ancient myths, from the mystical desert of the Kindlewastes to the dark canopies of The Revelwood.
Within the fog, and beneath the ruins of a lost kingdom lies an ever-unfolding story of magic, ruin, hope, and redemption waiting to be discovered.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459768/enshrouded-tops-1-million-players-under-1-week/
| 2024-01-29T19:51:03Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459768/enshrouded-tops-1-million-players-under-1-week/
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PlayStation State of Play Set for January 31, Features 15+ Games - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 2 hours ago / 865 ViewsSony Interactive Entertainment announced a PlayStation State of Play will take place this Wednesday, January 31 at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET / 10:00 pm UK. You will be able to watch it on YouTube and Twitch.
The State of Play will be over 40 minutes long and will feature over 15 games, including Stellar Blade and Rise of the Ronin. There will also be a new look at other games coming to the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR2 in 2024 and beyond.
Get ready for a new State of Play! https://t.co/KDyuY2Uvfq
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) January 29, 2024
Tune in on YouTube, Twitch, or TikTok this Wednesday at 2pm PT / 10pm GMT for 40 minutes covering 15+ games, including extended looks at Stellar Blade and Rise of the Ronin, plus more from talented game developers from… pic.twitter.com/MQg76iv8Tt
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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40 minute long State of Play with 15 games? That's like 2 State of Plays in one.
Bring it on Sony.
Hoping to see Concord and Death Stranding 2.
Stellar Blade new trailer and release date please!
We be eating! Hopefully some cook stuff is shown off beyond what is confirmed.
Oh wow, this is practically a showcase. This should be fun!
excited to see what new games. Though i wish there was a new killzone!
stellar blade date please
I don't we will but hopefully we get some noteworthy news from this.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459769/playstation-state-of-play-set-for-january-31-features-15-games/
| 2024-01-29T19:51:13Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459769/playstation-state-of-play-set-for-january-31-features-15-games/
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Open Roads Delayed to March 28 - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 2 hours ago / 253 ViewsPublisher Annapurna Interactive and developer Open Roads Team announced Open Roads has been delayed from February 22 to March 26. It will launch for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.
Annapurna Interactive said the game was delayed to "ensure the most polished experience for players."
View a trailer of the game below:
Read details on the game below:
One fine fall day, Tess Devine and her mother, Opal, discover a cache of old notes and letters carefully stashed away in the attic of their house. Hints of deep-rooted family secrets, decades-old burglaries, a lost treasure somewhere near the Canadian border… What they uncover suggests a much darker mystery, best left well enough alone.
But that’s not going to happen.
In Open Roads, Tess and Opal embark on a road trip adventure to explore a series of long-abandoned family properties, unearthing the past. They’ll search the ruins of these places that hold buried memories, things Opal has tried for years to forget. And in this search, they’ll discover not just the truth they’ve been seeking, but each other.
Features:
- Experience the story of Open Roads as 16-year-old Tess Devine, on a road trip with her mother to discover what has been left behind in evocative places forgotten to time.
- Bask in classic road trip vibes as you chill in the car en route to your next destination, fiddling with the radio and chatting with your mom.
- A groundbreaking art style melds detailed first-person environments with beautifully hand-animated characters, bringing the adventure to life.
- A unique and engaging interactive dialogue system moves the narrative along, exposing character flaws, secrets, and buried truths.
- A mother-daughter road trip adventure from Fullbright, the award-winning creators of acclaimed story games Gone Home and Tacoma.
Thanks, Engadget.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459770/open-roads-delayed-to-march-28/
| 2024-01-29T19:51:21Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459770/open-roads-delayed-to-march-28/
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[Update] Report: Embracer Cancels Deus Ex Game and Lays Off Staff at Eidos Montreal - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 1 hour ago / 2,116 ViewsUpdate:
Eidos Montreal has confirmed 97 people have been laid off at the studio.
"For the last 17 years, our teams at Eidos have worked on some of the most beloved brands in the industry, combining deep storytelling and innovation into unique games," said Eidos Montreal. "We have created memorable multi awarded experiences that we are proud of and we know our teams members have put their heart and soul in all of them.
"The global economic context, the challenges of our industry and the comprehensive restructuring announced by Embracer have finally impacted our studio. The difficult decision has been made to let go 97 people from development teams, administration, and support services.
"We are working to support all impacted personnel through this transition. These very talented, highly experienced people are entering the employment market, and we want them to find their next projects and are helping to do so.
"As we navigate these difficult times, the well-being of our team is our priority and the continuous commitment to creating games that players will be able to enjoy in the nearby future.
"To our players… it’s often times not just the games but the game makers as well that we all celebrate and admire. Our commitment is always to making the best games for our amazing fans and even with this restructuring change, we continue to fight on to deliver those awesome experiences for us to share together. Thank you for your continuing support and well wishes."
— Eidos-Montréal (@EidosMontreal) January 29, 2024
Original article:
Embracer Group has cancelled an unannounced Deus Ex video game that has been in development for two years, according to people familiar with matters who spoke with Bloomberg.
The sources claim Eidos Montreal has also been hit with layoffs, however, the number of people let go isn't known. This is part of Embracer's ongoing work to cut costs.
The unannounced Deus Ex game was set to enter production later this year.
The Deus Ex franchise has sold over 14 million units worldwide since the first entry released in 2000. The last mainline entry, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, released in 2016 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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FUCK YOU EMBRACER!
I didn't ask for this.....
F*ck Embracer Group.
Embracer can rot in hell.
Fools! It would have been the missing game between Mankind Divided and the first game from 2000. Fuck Embracer!
You'd think regulators would've wondered how a seemingly out of nowhere company suddenly has a ton of capital to start acquiring dozens of studios and never thought to ask what kind of debts they would be incurring with these transactions and whether or not they'd be able to continue to pay them. This is unbelievable! Embracer is going down and they're taking all these studios down with them......
Big mistake. Yeah they were in trouble but they still had two choices…
- Fire people, end development, lock IP in a cupboard
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Sell studio and IP
They chose option 1…..so end up with nothing and so did we the public who love the franchise.
Thanks Embracer. I hope other games companies learn from your mistakes.
wanted a new deus ex game
Apparently they hedged all their bets on Saudi money, hence all the acquisitions they had made. That money never came, assholes.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459771/update-report-embracer-cancels-deus-ex-game-and-lays-off-staff-at-eidos-montreal/
| 2024-01-29T19:51:29Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459771/update-report-embracer-cancels-deus-ex-game-and-lays-off-staff-at-eidos-montreal/
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Former Call of Duty GM Johanna Faries Appointed New President of Blizzard - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 56 minutes ago / 225 ViewsBlizzard Entertainment announced the former Call of Duty general manager, Johanna Faries, has been appointed as the new president of the company. This follows the departure of former president Mike Ybarra last week.
"Though my official first day with you all is February 5, I want to let you know immediately that it is an honor to join you next week in this new capacity," said Faries in an email sent to Blizzard employees. "I do so humbly and in awe of all that Blizzard has stood for and delivered to the world for over thirty years. Today also brings some mixed emotions. The loss of talented teammates in recent days is hard to hold side-by-side with the immense excitement I feel about joining Blizzard – and building on the momentum you’ve created for Blizzard’s next chapter.
"I want to thank Matt for the introduction, bring some further clarity to today’s announcement, and share more about how I see our future together at Blizzard. I understand this is a lot to take in. The news of my appointment may no doubt bring up a range of reactions, questions, even concerns.
"Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly different companies with distinct games, cultures, and communities. It is important to note that Call of Duty’s way of waking up in the morning to deliver for players can often differ from the stunning games in Blizzard’s realm: each with different gameplay experiences, communities that surround them, and requisite models of success. I’ve discussed this with the Blizzard leadership team and I’m walking into this role with sensitivity to those dynamics, and deep respect for Blizzard, as we begin to explore taking our universes to even higher heights.
"I am committed to doing everything I can to help Blizzard thrive, with care and consideration for you and for our games, each unique and special in their own right. I’m optimistic about our ability to serve our current and future player communities, and to further amplify the shared passion for greatness, polish, and creative mastery that is a hallmark of Blizzard’s approach to game-making.
"Next week, I will be in Irvine and I am eager to connect with as many of you as possible. I will be scheduling informal (and totally optional) meet-and-greets, where I want to hear more from people across the organization. Those of you who cannot make it to those gatherings or aren’t located in Irvine, please feel free to email me. We are also planning a town hall meeting to be held in the near future.
"A few personal facts about me: my #1 job in life is raising two amazing boys. In addition to parenthood, a typical week for me includes finding time for daily yoga and prayer, and of course, playing video games (big Diablo IV fan over here!). Throughout, the joy I find in games – and working with those who make them – only deepens.
"I remain inspired by Blizzard’s iconic legacy, and the transformative role gaming has played in my life and in the lives of others. I cannot wait to get going – to listen, to learn, to empower, and to collaborate with all of you on our bold and bright future together. Together, may we forge many legendary days ahead."
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459772/former-call-of-duty-gm-johanna-faries-appointed-new-president-of-blizzard/
| 2024-01-29T19:51:38Z
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459772/former-call-of-duty-gm-johanna-faries-appointed-new-president-of-blizzard/
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RIO DE JANEIRO - Miners Vale, BHP and their joint venture, Samarco, should strike a deal to compensate for a deadly dam disaster in 2015 or risk paying a lot more in court, the Minas Gerais state prosecutor general told Reuters.
Last week a federal judge ruled that the firms must pay up to 47.6 billion reais ($9.67 billion) in damages, in a decision still subject to appeal.
In an interview on Friday, Minas Gerais state Prosecutor General Jarbas Soares Junior told Reuters that the federal ruling only accounts for collective damages, with the firms still on the hook for damages caused to states, to the environment and to other parties involved.
"The total will be very high," he said, adding that the firms should strike a deal when talks resume in February, to avoid more costly litigation.
Soares Junior is one of the many officials that would have to sign off on a deal that could settle lawsuits on state and federal levels involving the disaster.
The 2015 dam collapse in the southeastern city of Mariana caused a giant mudslide that killed 19 people and severely polluted the Rio Doce river, compromising the waterway to its outlet in the Atlantic Ocean.
In separate statements Vale, BHP and Samarco said they were committed to repairing the damage caused by dam collapse, while declining to comment on the court ruling, because they have not yet been notified by the judiciary of it.
Vale added that the Renova foundation, which the companies have been using to pay for some of the repairs, had paid until last December 34.7 billion reais in socioeconomic and environmental compensation. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/brazil-state-prosecutor-urges-vale-bhp-to-settle-over-dam-disaster
| 2024-01-29T20:22:08Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/brazil-state-prosecutor-urges-vale-bhp-to-settle-over-dam-disaster
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WASHINGTON - Amazon and robot vacuum maker iRobot said Jan 29 they would end their plans to merge in the face of opposition from EU and US antitrust regulators.
iRobot announced a significant restructuring plan to reduce costs and said it would cut about 31 per cent of its workforce, or 350 jobs. The company also said founder Colin Angle has stepped down as its CEO of the Roomba robot vacuum manufacturer.
Angle said given the current challenges, he and the board “mutually decided that iRobot will be better served by a new leader with turnaround experience.” Amazon said its proposed US$1.4 billion acquisition of iRobot had no path to regulatory approval in the European Union.
EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said Monday its in-depth investigation preliminarily showed “the acquisition of iRobot would have enabled Amazon to foreclose iRobot’s rivals by restricting or degrading access to Amazon stores.”
Reuters reported earlier this month the deal would be blocked by European Commission antitrust regulators and that its main concerns were that Amazon could thwart iRobot rivals on its online marketplace, especially in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Amazon could have delisted rival robot vacuum cleaners, reduce visibility of rivals or raised costs of iRobot’s rivals to advertise and sell their robot vacuum cleaners on Amazon’s marketplace, Vestager added.
Separately, the Federal Trade Commission was poised to reject Amazon’s deal before the companies announced they were abandoning it, a source told Reuters.
The FTC staff met with Amazon last week to inform them they planned to recommend the commission vote to sue to block the acquisition, the source added, saying the commission was set to hold a final meeting on Monday with Amazon before the commission could have voted to approve a legal challenge to the merger.
Amazon announced the deal in August 2022. The world’s largest online retailer, which already owns Alexa and Ring, was pushing to expand its stable of smart home devices as well as expanding the e-commerce giant’s virtual healthcare.
“We’re disappointed that Amazon’s acquisition of iRobot could not proceed,” said David Zapolsky, Amazon’s general counsel. “We’re believers in the future of consumer robotics in the home and have always been fans of iRobot’s products,” he added in a statement.
Bedford, Massachusetts-based iRobot said it expects to report full-year 2023 revenue of US$891 million, a 25 per cent reduction and a loss of between US$265 and US$285 million. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Amazon will pay iRobot a US$94 million termination fee.
Amazon has had a mixed record with competition regulators in recent years, completing a deal for healthcare provider One Medical and MGM’s movie library.
But it faces a lengthy court battle in a Seattle federal court with the FTC over accusations the company uses illegal strategies to boost profits at its online retail empire, including an algorithm that allegedly pushed up prices by more than US$1 billion.
iRobot shares fell 7.2 per cent in afternoon trading Jan 29. Since first reports the deal might be blocked by EU regulators two weeks ago, iRobot shares have fallen by half. Amazon shares rose nearly 1 per cent.
Critics opposed the deal, saying it would strengthen Amazon’s already powerful position in smart home devices.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/amazon-roomba-parent-irobot-abandon-188-billion-merger-deal
| 2024-01-29T20:22:18Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/amazon-roomba-parent-irobot-abandon-188-billion-merger-deal
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ABIDJAN - Cape Verde Islands captain Ryan Mendes converted a penalty two minutes from time to edge Mauritania 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash on Monday and see the smallest country at the 24-team competition advance to the quarter-final.
Mendes, who was in the team when the Cape Verdians previously reached the quarter-final in 2013, blasted home the kick to hand the islanders a deserved triumph after they had dominated another fast and furious affair.
The penalty was conceded by Mauritania goalkeeper Babacar Niasse, who was forced to come out as he scrambled to get to a poor back header from Yassin Cheikh El Welly and, in the process, brought down substitute striker Gilson Benchimol.
Cape Verde, with a population of some 600,00, will meet either Morocco or South Africa in the last eight on Saturday. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/cape-verde-edge-mauritania-to-advance-to-cup-of-nations-last-eight
| 2024-01-29T20:22:29Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/cape-verde-edge-mauritania-to-advance-to-cup-of-nations-last-eight
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AL KHOR - Palestine bowed out of the Asian Cup in a 2-1 defeat to hosts and holders Qatar in the last 16 on Monday after reaching the knockout rounds for the first time.
The game north of Doha took place against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza and a brief moment’s silence was held before kick-off.
Some of the Palestinian players have lost loved ones or have family trapped in Gaza, and the team have been forced to train and play matches overseas in the lead-up to the tournament.
Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh stunned the crowd of almost 65,000 at the tent-like Al-Bayt Stadium by opening the scoring in the 37th minute.
He and his team-mates celebrated by crossing their raised arms in a handcuffs gesture to symbolise the plight of the Palestinian people.
Qatar equalised through captain Hassan Al-Haydos in first-half injury time, before Akram Afif scored his fourth goal of the tournament, from the penalty spot, four minutes after the break.
The hosts made it four wins out of four at the competition and moved into a quarter-final against either Uzbekistan or Thailand.
It was also their 11th straight win at the Asian Cup, which they lifted for the first time in 2019.
Qatar coach Tintin Marquez named his strongest starting lineup after using all 26 members of his squad during the group stage.
Afif returned along with striker Almoez Ali after being rested in Qatar’s final group game.
The hosts dominated the early possession but it was Palestine who had the first chance, Amid Mahajna hitting a shot from distance that goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham turned round the post.
Dabbagh blazed over the bar as Palestine continued to threaten, before Barsham again came to the rescue from a Mahmoud Abu Warda effort.
Qatar conceded for the first time in the tournament after a sloppy pass from defender Bassam Al-Rawi.
Dabbagh latched onto the loose ball and held off two Qatar defenders before firing a shot into the far corner.
It was no less than Palestine deserved, but Qatar equalised with virtually the last kick of the half.
Afif picked out Haydos with a cut-back corner and the captain rammed the ball past goalkeeper Rami Hamada.
Qatar needed just four minutes after the restart to take the lead, after a Mohammed Saleh foul on Ali gave them a penalty.
Afif made no mistake from the spot and Qatar cruised through the rest of the match with Palestine tiring badly. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/palestines-historic-asian-cup-over-in-last-16-loss-to-qatar
| 2024-01-29T20:22:39Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/palestines-historic-asian-cup-over-in-last-16-loss-to-qatar
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SAN FRANCISCO - England’s Tyrrell Hatton has signed with LIV Golf ahead of the circuit’s third season, The Telegraph reported on Jan 29.
Currently No. 16 in the Official World Golf Ranking, the 32-year-old Hatton reportedly landed a deal in the US$65 million (S$87.22 million) range.
Hatton is listed in the field for this week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA Tour but is expected to withdraw in order to tee it up at LIV Golf Mayakoba, this weekend’s season-opening event in Mexico.
Hatton earned one title on the PGA Tour at the 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational.
He recorded a T14 at The Sentry and a T13 at the Sony Open earlier this month.
Hatton’s best finish on the PGA Tour last season was a runner-up showing at The Players Championship in March. He also tied for second at the BMW PGA Championship on the DP World Tour in September. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/golf/tyrrell-hatton-signs-with-liv-golf
| 2024-01-29T20:22:50Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/golf/tyrrell-hatton-signs-with-liv-golf
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Rafael Nadal’s championship point winning racket from his 2007 French Open final victory over Roger Federer was sold for more than US$118,000 (S$158,270) at an auction on Jan 29, ranking among the highest-priced such memorabilia.
Nadal beat Federer 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the 2007 final in Paris to win his third Grand Slam title before the Spaniard moved on to secure a further 19 - 14 of them at Roland Garros - becoming one of the sport’s greatest players.
The racket, which Nadal also used in previous matches of the tournament, including his semi-final victory against Novak Djokovic, sold for US$118,206 at an online auction, Prestige Memorabilia’s The Tennis Auction, that closed on Monday at 0255 GMT.
It was previously housed in the Australian Tennis Museum prior to its recent closure.
It became the third most valuable tennis racket behind Nadal’s 2022 Australian Open racket auctioned at US$139,700 and Billie Jean King’s ‘Battle of the Sexes’ racket sold for US$125,000.
Nadal missed the recent Australian Open this month after suffering a small muscle tear during his comeback from a long injury layoff at the Brisbane International earlier in January.
The 37-year-old, however, is set to return on the court in February during the ATP 250 tournament in Doha. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/nadals-2007-french-open-winning-racket-sells-for-158k-at-auction
| 2024-01-29T20:23:00Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/nadals-2007-french-open-winning-racket-sells-for-158k-at-auction
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MONTREAL - The World Anti-Doping Agency welcomed a four-year ban handed down by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Jan 29 to teenage Russian skater Kamila Valieva for failing a doping test prior to the 2022 Winter Olympics.
“The doping of children is unforgivable,” WADA said in a statement, which also called for action under its code against doctors, coaches and other support personnel who are found to have provided performance-enhancing substances to minors.
“WADA encourages governments to consider passing legislation – as some have done already – making the doping of minors a criminal offense,” it said.
Valieva was just 15 when she tested positive, raising questions not just about her guilt and the Russian Olympic system after the Sochi Winter Games of 2014 but also how she was treated as a minor, the way the test was conducted and the value of the drug involved for enhancing performance.
In Beijing in February 2022, Valieva became the first female skater to land a quadruple jump in Olympic competition, helping Russia secure gold in the team event.
The next day, she was told she had tested positive before the Games for trimetazidine, a drug used to treat angina but banned for athletes.
The case came to the Court of Arbitration for Sport following Valieva’s exoneration by Russia’s anti-doping agency (RUSADA).
WADA and the International Skating Union then appealed RUSADA’s ruling, as did RUSADA itself. The appeal was heard in September. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/wada-welcomes-russian-skater-suspension-slams-doping-of-children
| 2024-01-29T20:23:11Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/wada-welcomes-russian-skater-suspension-slams-doping-of-children
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JERUSALEM - Israel's military said on Monday it will keep pressure on the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, which for weeks has been the focus of Israel's offensive, and said it has killed more than 2,000 Palestinian militants there.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the military's spokesperson, said Israeli forces have so far dismantled two of four Hamas battalions around the densely populated city, which operated above ground and from within dozens of kilometers of underground tunnels.
"We are continuing the attack in the area of Khan Younis. We have more operational missions to dismantle the military frameworks of the rest of the Hamas battalions," Hagari told reporters.
"In all of Khan Younis we have eliminated more than 2,000 terrorists above and beneath the ground. In addition, we destroyed significant underground infrastructure, in which we found facilities for holding hostages, command centers, weapons, production facilities and intelligence materials."
Reuters could not verify any of the figures he provided.
Hagari said that in the past week more than 300 suspected militants there were detained and taken for questioning. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/israels-military-keeps-focus-on-southern-gazas-khan-younis-spokesperson
| 2024-01-29T20:23:21Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/israels-military-keeps-focus-on-southern-gazas-khan-younis-spokesperson
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WASHINGTON - Qatar's prime minister on Monday said he hoped U.S. retaliation for an attack that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan would not undercut progress toward a new Israel-Hamas hostage release deal in weekend talks.
"I hope that nothing would undermine the efforts that we are doing or jeopardize the process," Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al Thani told a Washington think tank audience when asked if U.S. retaliation for a drone attack by Iran-backed militants could scuttle an emerging deal.
CIA Director William Burns met Sheikh Mohammed, as well as the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service and the head of Egyptian intelligence on Sunday, in talks described as constructive by Israel, Qatar and the United States, albeit with significant gaps remaining.
U.S. President Joe Biden has been trying to facilitate the release of the more than 100 hostages who remain captive after the deadly Oct. 7 rampage into southern Israel by militants from Hamas, which rules Gaza.
According to Israel, some 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted in the attack, which sparked Israel's war to eliminate Hamas. Israel has since unleashed a torrent of strikes on Gaza that have flattened most of the Palestinian enclave and killed more than 26,000 people, Palestinian health officials say.
Tensions have surged around the Middle East since Israel began its aerial and ground offensive, with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi forces striking U.S. and other targets in the Red Sea in attacks that have disrupted global shipping.
In a major escalation, three U.S. service members were killed and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on U.S. troops in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian
border, U.S. officials said on Sunday.
Speaking at Washington's Atlantic Council think tank, the Qatari prime minister said U.S. retaliation "will definitely have an impact ... One way or another it will definitely have an impact on regional security and we hope things get contained." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/qatar-hopes-us-retaliation-wont-undercut-hostage-talks
| 2024-01-29T20:23:31Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/qatar-hopes-us-retaliation-wont-undercut-hostage-talks
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WASHINGTON - American and allied forces in Syria were targeted with rockets on Jan 29, a US defense official said, after three of Washington’s troops were killed in a drone attack in Jordan the previous day.
US forces in Iraq and Syria have faced a surge in attacks since mid-October, many of them claimed by a loose alliance of Iran-backed militant groups that oppose American support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.
“Multiple rockets were launched against US and coalition forces at Patrol Base Shaddadi, Syria. No injuries reported and no damage to infrastructure,” the US defense official said on condition of anonymity, referring to an installation in northeastern Syria.
The United States has some 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in neighbouring Iraq as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group, a jihadist organization that once controlled swathes of both countries.
US and coalition forces have been attacked at least 165 times since mid-October – 66 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and one in Jordan – with “a mix of one-way attack drones, rockets, mortars, and close-range ballistic missiles,” the US official said.
Dozens of American personnel have been wounded in previous attacks, but none had been killed by hostile fire in the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war until Sunday, when a drone attack left three dead and more than 30 wounded.
The White House on Jan 29 vowed a “very consequential response” to the deadly attack in Jordan, which has raised fears of an escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Anger over Israel’s campaign in Gaza – which it launched after an unprecedented attack by Hamas in October – has grown across the region, with violence involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, as well as Yemen. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/rockets-target-us-forces-in-syria-after-deadly-jordan-attack
| 2024-01-29T20:23:42Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/rockets-target-us-forces-in-syria-after-deadly-jordan-attack
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NEW YORK - US stocks advanced on Jan 29 as market participants looked ahead to this week’s slew of megacap earnings, economic data and the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting.
All three major US stock indexes advanced, with the tech-laden Nasdaq enjoying the largest percentage gain.
The S&P 500 notched yet another record closing high.
With the bellwether index up over 3 per cent so far in the first month of 2024, BlackRock raised its overall US stocks view to “overweight” from “neutral.”
“Today is the calm before the storm,” said Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at Carson Group in Omaha. “This is a truly headline-driven week, with earnings, the Fed, the jobs report and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.”
“So with stocks at all time high, if we see any disappointments that could upset the apple cart and cause some well-deserved volatility,” Detrick added.
A spate of earnings from high profile tech and tech-adjacent momentum stocks waits in the wings, starting on Tuesday with Alphabet Inc and Microsoft Corp, Qualcomm Inc and Wednesday and culminating on Thursday with Apple Inc, Amazon.com and Meta Platforms Inc .
Other closely watched results include General Motors Inc on Jan 30, Boeing Co on Feb 1, with oil supermajors Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp wrapping up the week on Friday.
The Federal Open Markets Committee is scheduled to convene on Jan 30 for its two-day monetary policy meeting, at which its voting members are widely expected to leave the key Fed funds target rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent to 5.50 per cent.
“Powell is probably going to be somewhat cautious. The Fed doesn’t want to be burned by inflation, and will push back on the (expected) March cut as a near certainty,” Detrick said.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other policymakers have warned not to expect interest rate cuts before inflation cools down to its average 2 per cent annual target, but have also vowed to remain agile as they respond to economic data.
This week’s roster of economic reports includes the labor market, with the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, ADP, fourth-quarter employment costs, productivity, and planned layoffs, and the January employment report on Friday.
Case-Shiller home prices, consumer confidence, the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) purchasing managers’ index (PMI), construction spending and factory orders are also on deck.
Robust economic data of late - particularly last week’s strong gross domestic product and personal consumption expenditures data - have simultaneously calmed fears of imminent recession and tossed cold water on hopes that the Fed would begin cutting interest rates as soon as March.
According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 gained 37.25 points, or 0.76 per cent, to end at 4,928.22 points, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 173.66 points, or 1.12 per cent, to 15,629.02. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 226.45 points, or 0.59 per cent, to 38,335.88.
Tesla Inc gained after the electric car maker revealed capex plans.
Robot dropped as the robot vacuum maker and Amazon scrapped merger plans in the face of opposition from EU antitrust regulators.
Meta Platforms advanced after brokerage Jefferies raised its target price on the stock to US$455 (S$610.28) from US$425.
Warner Bros Discovery slipped as brokerage Wells Fargo downgraded the streaming platform to “equal weight” from “overweight.”
Financial technology firm SoFi Technologies surged after posting a fourth-quarter profit. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/wall-st-edges-higher-ahead-of-fed-meeting-big-earnings-week
| 2024-01-29T21:54:28Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/wall-st-edges-higher-ahead-of-fed-meeting-big-earnings-week
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SINGAPORE - There is an oft-used phrase in the financial sector – past performance is no guarantee of future returns. This principle applies to corporate entities too.
Companies survive and thrive by reinventing themselves. Not doing so risks being overtaken by newer and more nimble players in a fast-evolving business environment. The result can be plateauing profit, and ultimately irrelevance.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/keppel-reinventing-and-reinvigorating-its-storied-name
| 2024-01-29T21:54:39Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/keppel-reinventing-and-reinvigorating-its-storied-name
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SINGAPORE – The pressure of rising prices eased somewhat for all households after hitting a high in 2022, with low-income households seeing the smallest increase in inflation across the income groups.
If rents of owner-occupied accommodation are excluded, the consumer price index (CPI) for households in the lowest 20 per cent income group increased by 4 per cent in 2023, down from 5 per cent in 2022.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/singapore-households-continue-to-spend-as-inflation-eases-in-2023-credit-card-debt-not-a-concern
| 2024-01-29T21:54:49Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/singapore-households-continue-to-spend-as-inflation-eases-in-2023-credit-card-debt-not-a-concern
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/a-cartoonist-s-view-cel-gulapa-jan-30-2024
| 2024-01-29T21:55:20Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/a-cartoonist-s-view-cel-gulapa-jan-30-2024
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A spectre is haunting Europe: The possibility that Donald Trump will be re-elected as United States president this November.
Of course, the Europeans are not the only ones to fret; the prospect of Trump’s political resurrection deeply worries all of America’s allies.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/europe-s-rising-fears-as-trump-marches-towards-the-white-house
| 2024-01-29T21:55:31Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/europe-s-rising-fears-as-trump-marches-towards-the-white-house
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I read with interest Deputy Opinion Editor Mubin Saadat’s full-page commentary “Outram Sec: Being relocated is better than being forgotten” (Jan 28).
One of the oldest in Singapore, the school (founded in 1906 during the colonial days and named after Sir James Outram) moved to its existing grounds in York Hill to make way for what was then Outram Park, which later became the Outram Park MRT station.
Out of nothing but pure passion for their alma mater, the Old Outramians’ Association painstakingly ran a funfair and a charity dinner, and sought donations from its members to raise funds to build a swimming pool, which was opened in 1977 in the York Hill school grounds.
My plea is for the Ministry of Education to acknowledge the spirit and warm-heartedness of these old Outramians, and seriously consider providing a similar facility for future young Outramians when the school moves to Sengkang.
Tan Ah Ung
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-consider-having-a-pool-when-outram-sec-moves-to-new-premises
| 2024-01-29T21:55:41Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-consider-having-a-pool-when-outram-sec-moves-to-new-premises
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Teenage sexuality can begin with innocuous hugs or kisses, which may have become entrenched and normalised in a child’s mind.
“Give Grandma and Grandpa a goodbye hug” is a statement uttered regularly in homes.
But there is a good reason why you might not want to tell your child to hug or kiss anyone, including relatives.
The child may think you are implying that there will be negative consequences if he does not do what you say.
It is like saying, “I don’t care if you’re comfortable with it or not, show affection anyway.”
That is a dangerous message, and children who think they need to comply with adult requests for affection are more likely to be sexually exploited.
When a child feels forced to show affection, he may get the message that he is not in control of his own body.
If he is told by a predator to do something he is not comfortable doing, he may feel obligated to comply.
But a child who has been taught that “It’s your body, and you get to say ‘no’ to things you don’t want to do” is more likely to be able to say “no” if someone asks him to do something he is not comfortable doing.
It is an important message to carry throughout life.
Parents can also deliver a subtle message to their friends and relatives by letting them know that they should not force their children to be physically affectionate if they do not want to be.
Lee Tai Huat
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-don-t-force-a-child-to-be-physically-affectionate-even-with-relatives
| 2024-01-29T21:55:51Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-don-t-force-a-child-to-be-physically-affectionate-even-with-relatives
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Having read the apology by the Minister for Transport (Phasing out older payment cards in SimplyGo switch a ‘judgment error’, says Transport Minister, Jan 26), I am inclined to believe that it is vital to obtain feedback from commuters who are more vulnerable and sensitive to changes in the transport card system, especially those in the lower socio-economic stratum and older users.
It would be appropriate for public institutions to consult and collaborate with statistical and research bodies in getting such feedback, such as the Statistics Department and the Housing Board’s research and planning department, which have been carrying out surveys to get feedback from residents over the years.
Quantitative surveys with larger sample sizes rather than qualitative small-scale studies will help.
Also important are the questions posed, highlighting the pros and cons of the new card system versus the older ones.
Gan Kok Tiong
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-important-to-consult-more-commuters-especially-those-who-will-be-affected-by-changes
| 2024-01-29T21:56:01Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-important-to-consult-more-commuters-especially-those-who-will-be-affected-by-changes
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The Government’s across-the-board push to use technology may be resulting in government agencies’ systems unwittingly becoming rather user-unfriendly for those who are less tech-savvy.
This is especially felt by elderly citizens who are less educated or who might not have the ability or the hardware to successfully navigate QR codes, create PDFs, upload documents or use e-services without help.
One example of how user-unfriendly a government system can be is the submission of a medical report to the Traffic Police (TP) for the revalidation of the driving licence by those aged 65 and above.
According to the standard computer-generated letter from the TP on this matter, each report has to be in a PDF/JPEG format and uploaded via the e-service portal using the Singpass app.
Despite the instructions in their letter, the TP, when queried on the phone, are willing to accept the physical report sent through the mail. I wonder why this option was not included in the letter. The affected number of licensed drivers in this age group is relatively small and such an option would be most welcome by those who are technically less savvy and unable to get help.
The use of technology and online processes in government systems to the fullest extent possible is necessary and critical in this digital age. However, such systems cannot and should not be justified solely on grounds of administrative expediency and efficiency at the expense of being less user-friendly and service-oriented.
Ang Ah Lay
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-push-to-use-technology-should-not-make-things-more-difficult-for-users
| 2024-01-29T21:56:12Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-push-to-use-technology-should-not-make-things-more-difficult-for-users
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I am disappointed that the Land Transport Authority is thinking of spending $40 million to extend the usage of the existing fare cards, mainly so that commuters can see fare deductions and card balances when tapping out at fare gates (Phasing out older payment cards in SimplyGo switch a ‘judgment error’, says Transport Minister, Jan 26).
If the public had known that so much money would be involved in keeping the old system, we would definitely be able to accept the minor inconvenience of not being able to see fare deductions and card balances when we tap out.
Therefore it was the right decision to retire the older cards but commuters just needed to know the reason for the change and the costs involved for keeping them.
Lin Hay Tsu
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-yes-to-new-fare-cards-if-commuters-had-known-about-40m
| 2024-01-29T21:56:23Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-yes-to-new-fare-cards-if-commuters-had-known-about-40m
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Russian army suffered the loss of more than 7,000 tanks and armored combat vehicles since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, British Intelligence reported in its daily update on the Russo-Ukrainian war on 29 January.
From 24 February 2022 to 25 January 2024, Russian Ground Forces likely lost approximately 2,600 main battle tanks and 4,900 other armored combat vehicles in Ukraine, British Intel reported.
At the same time, Russian losses of tanks and armored vehicles decreased last year compared to the first year of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian Ground Forces lost around 40% fewer vehicles in 2023 than in 2022, according to British Intel.
“It is highly likely that the reduction in armored vehicle attrition rates was due to the increasingly positional nature of the conflict in 2023 and because Russia spent a significant proportion of the year in a defensive posture,” British Intel’s update stated.
Since October 2023, when Russian Ground Forces have been on the offensive in eastern Ukraine, Russian armored vehicle losses skyrocketed, according to British Intel. Over the past four months, Russian Ground Forces have likely lost up to 365 main battle tanks and 700 armored combat vehicles but achieved minor territorial gains, British Intel reported.
However, according to British Intel, Russia can probably generate (manufacture and repair) around 100 main battle tanks each month and retains the capacity to replenish battlefield losses partially. Russia can continue the current offensive activity “for the foreseeable future,” the British Intel concluded.
The Russian army is running out of tanks rapidly due to heavy losses in Ukraine. According to the Military Balance, Russia had about 3,000 T-80 main battle tanks in storage as of 2021, a year before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.
Significantly increased Russian tank losses on the battlefield during the Avdiivka offensive in the Donetsk Oblast (eastern Ukraine) are confirmed by several independent OSINT analysts who document Ukrainian and Russian military equipment losses based on photo and videographic evidence. Russian losses far exceed the rate of tank production and repair.
Related:
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/29/british-intel-reveals-massive-russian-tank-losses-in-ukraine/
| 2024-01-29T21:56:32Z
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/29/british-intel-reveals-massive-russian-tank-losses-in-ukraine/
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There’s a keening sound coming from America’s co-working spaces, third-wave coffee shops and mommy-and-me yoga classes.
Perhaps you’ve heard it, as if 72.2 million complaints rang out in unison: grumblings of sore joints from high-intensity interval training, grievances about the resurgence of Y2K style, the onset of hair loss.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/hark-the-millennial-death-wail
| 2024-01-29T21:56:33Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/hark-the-millennial-death-wail
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Robert Crimo III dropped out of high school a year before his junior year and made an attempt at a musical career as a rapper.
An enthusiastically political individual, he was active on message boards and maintained a private server on the gaming communications platform Discord, where he exchanged nihilistic political memes with like-minded friends.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/how-discord-steam-and-other-gaming-platforms-became-dominated-by-the-far-right
| 2024-01-29T21:56:44Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/how-discord-steam-and-other-gaming-platforms-became-dominated-by-the-far-right
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School-going children using their mobile phones while on their way home has become a common sight on public transport. Even in my own home, it can sometimes be a battle to get my kids to set aside their devices and focus on their homework and other responsibilities.
But what about babies or pre-schoolers under the age of six? Should they be given phones just to distract them, so they can sit through a meal without a fuss?
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/should-toddlers-play-with-mobile-phones
| 2024-01-29T21:56:55Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/should-toddlers-play-with-mobile-phones
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Ukraine is committed to settling the dispute with Hungary over the rights of the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, announced during the joint press conference with Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in the Ukrainian border city of Uzhhorod on 29 January 2024.
According to Dmytro Kuleba, a special commission under the auspices of Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry will be established to deal with all issues concerning the rights of the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine, the European Pravda reported.
Dmytro Kuleba said that a significant part of the meeting with Péter Szijjártó in Uzhhorod was devoted to the issue of national minorities. According to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó listed problems that, from the Hungarian point of view, require either clarification or additional resolution at the level of bylaws.
“We agreed on a straightforward thing. We asked the Hungarian side to provide us with an exhaustive list of questions that it has about protecting minority rights, and we received this list. We have agreed that under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine we will assemble a special commission, which has one simple task: in ten days it should submit to the governments of both countries a concrete understanding of how and what from the list of questions we have received needs to be resolved or has already been resolved, so that we can bring final clarity,” Dmytro Kuleba said.
The Ukrainian dispute with Hungary over the rights of Ukraine’s Hungarian national minority was related to decision-making regarding Ukraine’s membership in the EU. Hungary’s top officials, including Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, have repeatedly emphasized that the Hungarian national minority, which is compactly residing in the Zakarpattia Oblast of western Ukraine, should have more rights than it currently has at the legislative level.
On 29 January, during his visit to Uzhhorod, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that Budapest wants the Hungarian minority in Zakarpattia to “regain the rights” it had before Ukraine’s parliament adopted a new law on national minorities. According to him, a Hungarian representative will participate in the commission’s work that will discuss the Hungarian requests with the Ukrainian side.
“We devoted part of the time allocated for the talks to national minorities. Based on what the representatives of the Transcarpathian Hungarian minority asked for, we ask the Ukrainian government to ensure the rights that existed before 2015,” Szijjarto said. “We hope that results will be achieved here, and we hope that the decisions made will be enshrined in laws,” the Hungarian minister added.
Péter Szijjártó clarified that the Hungarian government had formulated a request in 11 points: in particular, the restoration of the status of the national Hungarian school in Ukraine’s Zakarpattia Oblast, the possibility of taking a high school diploma in Hungarian and using Hungarian in public life.
The Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament) passed the law on national minorities on 8 December, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed it the same day. Leaders of the Hungarian communities in Ukraine praised the new law, but Hungarian officials criticized it.
Related:
- Ukrainian and Hungarian Foreign Ministers meet in a border city “to normalize bilateral relations”
- FT: EU threatens to isolate and hurt Hungary’s economy if Orban blocks Ukraine aid
- Hungary far-right party calls for seizing Ukraine’s Zakarpattia if Russia wins
- The struggle for Carpatho-Ukraine (1938-1939), or how WWII started for Ukrainians
- Expert explains what Hungary’s troops were really up to at Ukraine border when Russia struck
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/29/ukraine-to-set-up-commission-to-deal-with-hungarian-minority-concerns/
| 2024-01-29T21:57:12Z
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/29/ukraine-to-set-up-commission-to-deal-with-hungarian-minority-concerns/
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BLACKBURN, England - Sammie Szmodics scored twice as second tier Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat lowly Wrexham 4-1 on Monday and secure an FA Cup fifth round clash with Premier League Newcastle United.
Andy Cannon fired League Two (fourth division) Wrexham ahead in the 19th minute but the Championship side replied with two more first half goals in the space of two minutes.
Szmodics equalised in the 32nd and Sam Gallagher made it 2-1 in the 34th with Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo caught out of position.
Szmodics then grabbed his second, and fifth of the FA Cup campaign, in first half stoppage time before Norwegian midfielder Sondre Tronstad made it 4-1 with a deflected shot in the 59th.
Cannon's goal was Wrexham's first real chance and he blasted the ball past goalkeeper Aynsley Pears to a roar from the 7,000 Wrexham fans who had made the trip to Blackburn's Ewood Park.
Pears denied Cannon a second with a fine double save three minutes later but there was to be no fairytale finish for the Welsh side as Blackburn turned up the heat and swept the visitors aside.
Wrexham have won a new global support since movie A listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over and helped secure their return to the English Football League last season after a 15-year absence.
Those with longer memories will know Wrexham as past giant-killers, famously dumping then-league champions Arsenal out of the third round of FA Cup in a huge 1992 upset as fourth tier opponents. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/blackburn-end-wrexhams-fa-cup-run-with-4-1-home-win
| 2024-01-29T21:57:26Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/blackburn-end-wrexhams-fa-cup-run-with-4-1-home-win
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BAMAKO -Mali has formally notified the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of its decision to leave the political and economic bloc, which it announced on Sunday with neighbours Burkina Faso and Niger.
ECOWAS has so far declined to comment, citing the lack of formal notice of the joint move, which could further weaken the bloc as it struggles to contain a democratic retreat in the West Africa region.
Mali's foreign ministry has now informed the ECOWAS Commission of its decision in a written notice dated on Monday, which was seen by Reuters.
The decision by the three countries, announced in a simultaneous joint statement on their national television channels, is a blow to the bloc's regional integration efforts after it suspended the three following coups. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/mali-notifies-west-african-bloc-ecowas-of-exit-decision
| 2024-01-29T21:57:37Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/mali-notifies-west-african-bloc-ecowas-of-exit-decision
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GAZA STRIP - A senior Hamas official said on Jan 29 that the Palestinian militant group wanted a “complete and comprehensive ceasefire” in Gaza, after mediator Qatar said a framework for a temporary truce was being proposed.
“We are talking first of all about a complete and comprehensive ceasefire, and not a temporary truce,” Taher al-Nunu told AFP, adding that once the fighting stopped “the rest of the details can be discussed” including a hostage release.
Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, has led mediation efforts since war broke out on October 7 between Israel and Hamas, triggered by the Palestinian militant group’s deadly attacks on southern Israel.
Earlier on Jan 29 Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that meetings in Paris with CIA chief Bill Burns and top Israeli and Egyptian security officials had resulted in a framework for a phased truce.
He confirmed that the framework would see women and children hostages released first, with aid also entering the besieged Gaza Strip.
The parties were “hoping to relay this proposal to Hamas and to get them to a place where they engage positively and constructively in the process”, Sheikh Mohammed said.
It was unclear on Jan 29 whether Hamas had received the proposal from Qatar.
Previously, Qatar mediated a one-week break in fighting in late November that led to the release of scores of Israeli and foreign hostages, as well as aid entering the besieged Palestinian territory.
The Hamas attack on October 7 that sparked the war – now in its fourth month – resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Militants also seized 250 hostages, of whom Israel says around 132 remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead captives.
Israel’s relentless military offensive in Gaza since then has killed at least 26,637 people, most of them women, children and adolescents, according to the Hamas-ruled territory’s health ministry. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/hamas-says-it-wants-complete-and-comprehensive-ceasefire-in-gaza
| 2024-01-29T21:57:47Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/hamas-says-it-wants-complete-and-comprehensive-ceasefire-in-gaza
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Protests in Peru are blocking access to Machu Picchu, one of South America's most popular heritage sites, with local anger over a new ticketing system halting rail transport to the iconic Incan site and leaving some tourists stranded.
Train services to the ancient ruins high up in the Andes have been suspended since Saturday due to safety concerns over demonstrators blocking the railway line. Travel links were still not reopened on Monday, two tour operators told Reuters.
The protests, that began late last week, have left hundreds of tourists, who flock to Machu Picchu from all over the world, unable to reach the site.
The latest dispute has delivered a fresh blow to Peru's tourism industry that was hit hard last year by widespread civil unrest, especially in the southern Andean region that is a key zone for the country's huge copper industry.
Round-table discussions entered a second day on Monday to resolve the dispute between the authorities and protesters angry at the government for consolidating ticket sales.
Peru's Minister of Culture, Leslie Urteaga, traveled to the region on Sunday, but a solution to the "indefinite strike" being led by travel unions, tour operators and residents is yet to be announced.
Community representatives in Machu Picchu fear that the new electronic ticket sales platform will hurt local businesses by "privatizing" sales and directing profits to one single firm.
Agencies responsible for the care and preservation of the site have warned about overcrowding and tickets being oversold, forcing authorities to find new ways to control visitor numbers as travel rebounds in the wake of the pandemic.
The government argues the new ticketing platform available from January will strengthen the way visitor numbers are managed. From this month entries are capped at 4,500 per day, up from 3,800 last year.
In September, Peru temporarily closed three areas of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 15th century as a religious sanctuary for the Incas, due to site deterioration brought on by heavy visitor volumes. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/peru-protests-block-access-to-machu-picchu-stranding-tourists
| 2024-01-29T21:57:58Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/peru-protests-block-access-to-machu-picchu-stranding-tourists
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WASHINGTON - An elderly US man who stole a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” avoided prison time at his sentencing hearing on Jan 29.
Terry Martin, now 76, was sentenced to time served and a year of probation for the 2005 theft as he is in hospice care with six months to live, according to the New York Times.
The sequined shoes – indelibly associated with the character Dorothy clicking them together and saying repeatedly, “there’s no place like home” – were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in the actress’s hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Martin, who had tried to turn his life around after serving prison time for a previous theft, gave into pressure from an “old mob associate” to steal the shoes in what his lawyers described as “one last score.”
They said he mistakenly believed the slippers were adorned with real rubies, which he hoped to sell.
He reportedly had never seen the beloved 1939 film.
The footwear was recovered in an FBI sting in 2018 but no charges were filed at the time. A million-dollar reward for information leading to an arrest was offered.
In May, Terry Martin was indicted by a grand jury and charged with one count of theft of major artwork.
He pleaded guilty in October.
The slippers are among four pairs that Garland wore during the making of the movie.
They are, the Justice Department previously said, “widely viewed as among the most recognisable memorabilia in American film history.”
It said that at the time of the theft the shoes were insured for US$1 million (S$1.34 million) but their current value is around US$3.5 million. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/wizard-of-oz-shoe-thief-avoids-prison
| 2024-01-29T21:58:08Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/wizard-of-oz-shoe-thief-avoids-prison
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Wimbledon tennis ace Pete Sampras sported an unshaven look on Friday as he stepped out to make a coffee run in Beverly Hills, California.
The former World No. 1, who famously clinched victory over Andre Agassi at the US Open final in 2002, was spotted holding a tray of three large coffees outside his local Starbucks.
For the afternoon outing, the American sports star, 52, donned a pair of blue jeans, a charcoal grey T-shirt and a khaki green zip-up hoodie.
Pete has been keeping a low profile ever since he officially retired from tennis in 2003. The then-32-year-old bid a fond farewell to the sport at a special ceremony at the start of the US Open, flanked by his wife Bridgette and their baby son, Christian.
He was also joined by a string of tennis stars including the likes of legendary players Boris Becker, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. Pete played his last match against Agassi in 2002. It marked his fifth title at the tournament and made him, at 31, the oldest player ever to triumph in the competition.
Meanwhile, towards the end of 2023, Pete revealed that his wife Bridgette had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Sharing the news with ATP, Pete issued a statement which read: "As most have come to know, I am a pretty quiet and private person.
"However, this past year has been an exceptionally challenging time for my family and I have decided to share what’s been going on. Last December, my wife, Bridgette, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer."
He continued: "Since then, she has had major surgery, pushed through chemotherapy and continues with targeted maintenance therapy. Watching Bridgette continue to be an incredible mom and wife through it all, has been inspiring."
Pete went on to say: "I have also learned that it is very hard to reach for support when something is simply too hard to talk about. With that said, I will end this by humbly asking for good thoughts and prayers for our family as Bridgette continues to thrive on her healing journey."
While Pete has made a name for himself on court, his wife Bridgette is a former actress with a few notable film credits to her name including the likes of The Wedding Planner, Billy Madison and I Know What You Did Last Summer. In the world of TV, meanwhile, the star has appeared in Frasier, Saved by the Bell and CSI: Miami.
The couple, who tied the knot in 2000 after nine months of dating, are doting parents to two children: sons Christian and Ryan. They welcomed their eldest son in November 2002 and their youngest in July 2005.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512307/wimbledon-tennis-star-pete-sampras-new-photos-california/
| 2024-01-29T21:58:39Z
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512307/wimbledon-tennis-star-pete-sampras-new-photos-california/
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Halle Berry has been on a high following the release of her boyfriend Van Hunt's new single, Our Love Lingers, and she's been paying several tributes to him on social media ever since.
The Hollywood star took to Instagram over the weekend to post a picture of Van looking happy and relaxed while lounging on an armchair at their beach home, with a beautiful view of the ocean in the background.
Also in the background was a very lifelike mannequin standing tall and poised while staring out of the window, and at first glance, many followers mistook it for Halle herself!
"I thought that was Halle in the background. Had to Zoom in cuz Halle wasn’t looking right," one wrote, while another commented: "I need glasses, I was wondering how Halle could be standing so still in the background." A third added: "Zoomed in on the statue. Had to make sure that wasn't Halle."
Van's recent music success has been cheered on by Halle in a number of ways, and the doting girlfriend paid a sweet tribute to him on Friday after the news was out that he had been given his own label.
She wrote: "About damn time, @vanhunt! You’re so deserving of your OWN LABEL and I’m so proud of your music and your journey. You continue to do it your way and sometimes that can be a lonely road. Help me celebrate my man today y’all, cuz our love is going to linger forever!"
Halle and Van have been dating since 2020, and sparked marriage rumors in January 2022 after sharing a photo of themselves kissing in a chapel.
Clearing up their alleged union hours later, Halle penned: "We were just having some New Year’s Day fun! People clearly don’t swipe as much as we thought they did. Thank you for the well wishes, tho', it really touched our hearts. Now it's OFFICIAL, the internet is no longer undefeated #nomoreswipes4me #Januaryfoolsday," alongside a selfie with Van.
Halle's son Maceo has definitely made it clear he would love the couple to walk down the aisle and gave them their very own "commitment ceremony" whilst in the car.
Talking to AARP Magazine, Halle revealed: "My son, Maceo, of his own volition, did this little commitment ceremony for us in the back seat of the car," "I think he finally sees me happy, and it's infectious. It was his way of saying, 'This is good. I like this. This makes me happy.'"
She added: "It was a very real moment for all of us. I teared up, Van was fighting back tears. Even Maceo knew he’d said something poignant. It meant a lot to us.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512309/halle-berry-intimate-beachside-photo-leaves-fans-doing-a-double-take/
| 2024-01-29T21:58:46Z
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512309/halle-berry-intimate-beachside-photo-leaves-fans-doing-a-double-take/
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George Stephanopoulos' beloved wife, Ali Wentworth, has found a way to keep busy after becoming an empty nester.
The Go Ask Ali podcast star is working on something close to her heart, although is feeling a little nervous about it too.
Taking to Instagram, Ali posted a picture of herself sitting in front of the fireplace in her lounge, with her laptop perched on her knee. "Starting a new book.. gulp," she wrote in the caption.
Ali is no stranger to writing, and her last book, Ali's Well That Ends Well, released in May 2022, was a huge hit with fans. Other titles to her name include Happily Ever After, Go Ask Ali and Ali in Wonderland.
Her latest book gave an incredible insight into her family life, as well as her friendships and lessons that she learnt during the pandemic.
While Ali is not one to take herself too seriously, it's safe to say that she's also incredibly open with her emotions on social media, during both the good and the bad times.
The star struggled in August when her youngest child, daughter Harper, 18, flew the nest to attend college, leaving her and George official empty nesters. What's more, unlike her older sister, who studies not too far away from home at Brown University, Rhode Island, Harper chose to go to college in Nashville.
Joining George's co-star Lara Spencer's daughter, Katherine, Harper enrolled at Vanderbilt University. At the time, Ali took to Instagram to post a number of photos of herself and George walking away from Harper's dorm on the college campus, hand in hand.
"We dropped our baby off at college. Everyone is saying 'she's ready to launch'! But… I don't think I'm ready!" she penned. "I don't want to stop making pasta with vodka sauce, picking up wet towels, cuddling up to her familiar scent. As Joni Mitchell once wrote – 'the bed's too big, the frying pan too wide'."
She continued: "I know our daughter will thrive. But man, it's brutal on the parents. If you feel inclined – please send me baked goods. I'll be under my covers."
The family reunited over the holidays, enjoying a once in a lifetime trip to Japan, where they were joined by Jerry Seinfeld and his family. Now, George and Ali are enjoying their quality time together.
The couple have an incredible love story, and the actress spoke about how they first met at a book signing in Sarasota back in 2012.
"I didn't care about politics, and figured he'd be the last person I'd be interested in," Ali said. "I was holding out for Hugh Grant or Matthew Perry."
After agreeing to go on the blind date to please her friend, Ali realised that she had a lot in common with George, even ordering the same meal – a crab salad – and proceeded to talk for hours.
George, meanwhile, told the New York Times: "You know how when you go on a date and the first 15 minutes are on automatic pilot? About 15 minutes in, she just leaned in and said something, and we were suddenly in another place, in another universe, immediately. We went from strangers to friends to being in love in days."
The pair were engaged after dating for just two months, and got married at a ceremony performed by George's father, who is a reverend. The family are incredibly close and Ali previously gave an insight into their home life.
Chatting to Harry Connick Jr, she said: "I have two girls. George is the only guy in the house. For some reason, he gets beat up constantly. He is always wrong. He is an idiot. He is a loser, but in a loving way."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512310/gma-george-stephanopoulos-wife-reveals-nerves-as-she-begins-new-chapter/
| 2024-01-29T21:58:52Z
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512310/gma-george-stephanopoulos-wife-reveals-nerves-as-she-begins-new-chapter/
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KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s King has called for political stability at the end of his five-year reign, which saw his deep involvement in picking three prime ministers between 2020 and 2022.
The unprecedented intervention by the constitutional monarch in politics followed dizzying crossovers by MPs, after Umno-led Barisan Nasional was toppled from power in the 2018 General Election for the first time since the country’s independence in 1957.
“There were challenging times during my reign,” said Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah in a group interview on Jan 3 with selected media.
“I feel that I have tried to do the best I can to stabilise the country’s political scenario, even though not drastically, but at least to retain harmony and stability until now,” said the 64-year old King, who is also the ruler of Pahang state.
When asked about the latest purported plot to topple the government, dubbed the “Dubai Move” as its opponents allegedly met in that city, the King said: “I don’t know if there is any truth in it or not.
“Let’s move on. The government should govern the country. Don’t politicise (things) so much. They should focus on developing the country and uniting the people. Let’s not be too parochial and narrow-minded.”
He said it was important to have a stable country and government to attract foreign investors.
“We can’t afford to have an unstable government. We want investors, who can create jobs. Stability is very important. We can’t continue to fight. We want to develop our country,” he said.
“If you change the government every year, it doesn’t guarantee you anything. That is a fact.”
Malaysia’s Constitution follows the Westminster model, with the monarch playing a largely constitutional role and acting on advice from the ruling government.
The king, however, is allowed to pick whoever he believes will command a majority in the 222-strong Parliament.
Under a system unique in the world, hereditary rulers of nine of Malaysia‘s 13 states take turns to become the Agong, or king, for a five-year term.
The other four states – the former British protectorates of Penang, Melaka, Sarawak and Sabah – are led by governors.
Sultan Abdullah was appointed the 16th Malaysian king on Jan 31, 2019, after the previous king, Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, abdicated after just three years.
On Jan 31, 2024, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor, 65, will become the new king.
The fall of Umno in the May 2018 General Election led to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad becoming prime minister for the second time – this time as chief of a new ruling alliance led by Pakatan Harapan (PH).
But Dr Mahathir resigned on Feb 24, 2020, amid infighting within the PH alliance, forcing Sultan Abdullah to intervene to pick a new prime minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who leads Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
Another political turmoil erupted in August 2021, with the King forced to become a referee again to choose a prime minister who he believed would command a majority in Parliament. The person was then Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who became the shortest-ruling premier at 15 months.
And following an inconclusive November 2022 General Election that again threatened to descend into political chaos, the King picked Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister.
That was just over 14 months ago. In the interview, Sultan Abdullah urged Malaysians to give Mr Anwar time to rule.
“It is not easy to gauge any government in one year’s time. There will be weaknesses here and there. What the PM is trying to do is to reduce all the legacy problems. You can’t do it in a year. We need to give it time to see its strengths and weaknesses.”
He added: “We already have a democratic process, an election every five years. So let the government rule for four to five years, not just change it after a year.”
Recounting what happened after the 2022 General Election, Sultan Abdullah said he had wanted all the parties to form a stable administration in the form of a unity government.
“There was no single majority. So what I did was to offer (the plan) to all the parties. I began with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tan Sri Hadi Awang (of Perikatan Nasional) but they rejected it outright. So what choice do I have?”
He said he had met whoever was the prime minister weekly for about an hour each time to discuss the country’s affairs – a total of 157 times over the past five years.
Sultan Abdullah also navigated the country through the Covid-19 pandemic amid the change of prime ministers, and the ensuing state of emergency.
Elaborating on the role of the royal institution, he said it was important to uphold and strengthen it. “The royal institution is very important for this multiracial, multi-religious country. It must be upheld for the sake of the nation and the future generation. The institution must be strengthened. Not (for the king) to be idolised but to remain as a protector of the people and the administration.”
Students should be taught about the role of the monarchy while the royal rulers must also know their responsibilities, he said.
“It takes two to tango. I am not saying I am perfect. I am reminding myself and others to help the people. Meanwhile, the people should get closer to the royal institution, not avoid it. It is their right.”
On relations with close neighbour Singapore, Sultan Abdullah said: “I had four PMs under my reign, they have settled a lot of issues, whether big or small. Most of the issues have been settled in principle.
“In terms of the relationship between government and government, it has always been good, and people to people, we welcome Singaporeans to Malaysia. There are a lot of Singaporeans coming to Johor, cross-border. And that helps the economy in Johor.”
Also at the interview was the Queen, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who said: “And we love Singapore as well.”
During his five-year reign, Sultan Abdullah emerged as a popular figure with a casual style of ruling, often shunning protocol when meeting ordinary Malaysians.
Pictures of him handing out meals to journalists camping outside the Istana gates during the political crises, and queueing behind others to buy food at KFC endeared him to many people.
Among the most memorable times for him were meeting regular Malaysians and taking wefies, he said, adding that they gave him the impetus to carry out his duties.
Tunku Azizah is known for her culinary skills and charities such as the Tunku Azizah Fertility Foundation. She is frequently seen at flood relief shelters, cooking food for displaced victims.
A tour of Borneo which the King and his family undertook in September 2023 saw massive crowds waiting to meet them.
On Jan 17, 2024, a special news bulletin read by the royal couple was aired on TV3, drawing praise from netizens.
“He takes his job seriously. His job in life is only to serve the people. He sets aside everything else,” Tunku Azizah said of her husband.
“I can’t disturb him when he is reading the Cabinet papers, he reads them until he gets neck pain.”
Said Sultan Abdullah: “It is not as easy as one thinks to be a king.”
He has compiled seven notebooks on his observations during his reign.
“I am an avid reader, and I delved into the country’s administration matters. I found it very interesting,” he added.
With his family now slated to return to their home state of Pahang, he hopes that his legacy will be remembered fondly. “I may not be the king of Malaysia after January, but I can be the king of all of your hearts,” said Sultan Abdullah.
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| 2024-01-29T21:58:54Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/let-s-move-on-malaysia-s-king-calls-for-political-stability-at-the-end-of-five-year-reign?utm_campaign=STPicks
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Cindy Crawford is relaxing in Miami, Florida with family, and she made a rare social media appearance alongside the other generations of women in her clan.
The 57-year-old supermodel was featured in a photo from vacation shared by her mom Jennifer Sue Crawford, 77, alongside her two sisters Chris and Danielle.
The common features between the four were apparent, as all the ladies possessed the same kind faces and striking looks, showing that good looks certainly ran in the Crawford family.
Fans of the family were equally as taken, with many quickly deeming the picture "Beautiful!" while sharing a slew of heart emojis. One even said: "What a lovely group!"
In a previous interview with Into The Gloss, Cindy spoke about her mom being her inspiration for natural beauty and making do with fewer means.
"I wasn't a slow learner when it came to beauty, but I definitely didn't go from zero to 60," she stated. "My mom never wore makeup, she just used soap and never wore moisturizer or anything, never got a bikini wax – that just wasn't who she was.
"Also we didn't have money, so maybe she had Oil of Olay or something later on, but she really didn't spend any money on grooming or beauty products."
She also revealed that it was in fact Jennifer who had dissuaded her from removing the beauty mark above her lip despite teasing from her sister, which has since become one of her most iconic features.
"She talked me out of getting my 'ugly mark' – as my sister called it – removed," Cindy reminisced. "Apparently if it was on the right side it was a beauty mark, and if it was on the left it was an ugly mark. I would get teased by the other kids in school, so I definitely wanted to get it removed.
"But my mother always said, 'You know what your mole looks like, you don't know what the scar is going to look like.' Now it's so much just a part of my face that I don't think 'Oh, how's my mole doing today?'"
MORE: Cindy Crawford twins with lookalike model daughter Kaia Gerber – and it's uncanny
She continued: "But it's the thing that made people remember me, and it made a lot of women who also have beauty marks identify with me. They set you apart."
She expressed, however, that while she grew to love her mole, but sometimes, it was hard not to notice. "Honestly though, if I was designing my face from scratch I don't know if I would have designed it with the mole.
MORE: Cindy Crawford causes a stir in risqué beach cover-up
"It does look weird when they retouch it or when they flop a photo. Other people don't notice it but I'm like, 'They flopped it!' My whole face is different. That's one of the things that drives me crazy."
One of the celebrated "Supers" in the modeling world, she has passed the legacy on to her children with husband Rande Gerber as well, those being her son Presley, 24, and daughter Kaia, 22.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512312/cindy-crawford-rare-appearance-vacation-photo-stunning-mom-two-sisters/
| 2024-01-29T21:58:58Z
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512312/cindy-crawford-rare-appearance-vacation-photo-stunning-mom-two-sisters/
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Rumer Willis is embracing motherhood in the best possible way, not only taking the time to dote over her newborn daughter, but also sharing her journey of ups and downs along the way.
The 35-year-old actress, the eldest of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughters, welcomed her first child, Louetta Isley Thomas, in April 2023 with partner Derek Richard Thomas.
On Instagram, the star shared a new update on her home life with her baby girl, revealing that both mom and daughter had already battled viruses at the start of the year.
"This year has already been a bit of a doozy health wise, Lou and I have struggled through two viruses just in this month and what I realize the universe was telling me was to slow down and focus on nourishing my immune system and my body," she penned.
She continued to explain that she relied on certain wellness brands and products that she had partnered with that not only helped them keep their health at safe levels, but also allowed her to prioritize their wellbeing.
"Remembering to do that is not always easy so finding ways that I can squeak it in with even the smallest amount of time is what I look for," Rumer explained.
"Another big thing as a new mom, my adrenals can get taxed very quickly from breastfeeding and running around chasing after Lou all day, plus I have always had high anxiety and stress. So I recently started taking [the brand's] adrenal tonic to help keep me nourished."
She broke down some of her favorite products that she used, and at one point, even called out her family for dipping in. "And the only reason the vitamin c and glutathione are not in the video is because my family hijacked my stash over the holidays, both of which I take everyday."
Rumer then issued a challenge to her followers to join her, concluding with: "I challenge you to join me in taking the next 90 days to commit to your health and nourishing yourself this year."
At the start of the year, Rumer shared a reflective post looking back on some of the big milestones to come out of 2023, recapping the emotional highs of welcoming her daughter and the lows of seeing her father struggle through his frontotemporal dementia.
"Last year was incredibly dynamic, I grew a human being, gave birth at home (with no drugs) surrounded by my family," she said, also talking about growing in her relationship with Derek, taking 6 AM ocean swims four times a week, becoming more comfortable in her own skin, and celebrating seven years of sobriety.
She revealed that she "wrote [lullabies] with my daughter's dad, shared moments of wonder at the tiny being who chose us, spent precious love filled moments with my Daddio, learned from my mama, celebrated my first Mother's Day and found strength in myself I didn't know existed and watched my daughter grow in front of my eyes.
"I don't know what this next year will bring but man I can't wait to see what's next."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/512308/bruce-willis-daughter-rumer-opens-up-daughter-lou-health-struggles/
| 2024-01-29T21:59:04Z
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/512308/bruce-willis-daughter-rumer-opens-up-daughter-lou-health-struggles/
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TUNISIA – I do a double take as I gaze at the azure and whitewashed houses lining the cobblestone streets, the shimmering Mediterranean Sea just within my line of sight.
Am I in Santorini?
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| 2024-01-29T21:59:04Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/travel/tunisia-s-myriad-worlds-roman-ruins-and-mediterranean-sea-arab-spring-and-young-influencers?utm_campaign=STPicks
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Jennifer Garner and Jennifer Lopez continue to give fans a master class on amicably leading a blended family.
Since the "This Is Me… Now" singer became a stepmom to the Alias alum's three children with Ben Affleck, the two haven't shied away from praising each other and their approach to co-parenting.
The 13 Going on 30 actress was married to the Air director from 2005 to 2018, and together they welcomed kids Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 11. He is now a stepdad to his wife's two kids with ex-husband Marc Anthony, twins Max and Emme, 15.
On Sunday night, the two Jennifers and Ben warmed hearts when they were spotted out in Los Angeles with kids Seraphina, Samuel and Emme.
They all dressed casually, with Ben sporting a red plaid button down shirt and camel jeans, paired with mismatched Nike sneakers, while his wife opted for a cozy, white monochrome sweater and jeans look, and Jennifer wore a gray sweater with blue jeans.
Back in 2022 – shortly after JLo and Ben tied the knot – the Marry Me actress opened up about co-parenting with Jennifer in a cover story for Vogue, declaring her as an "amazing co-parent," and maintained that she and Ben "work really well together."
She shared: "The transition is a process that needs to be handled with so much care," noting: "[The kids] have so many feelings. They're teens."
MORE: Jennifer Garner reunites with Alias co-stars ahead of 25th anniversary
"But it's going really well so far," she added, and further explained: "What I hope to cultivate with our family is that his kids have a new ally in me and my kids have a new ally in him, someone who really loves and cares about them but can have a different perspective and help me see things that I can't see with my kids because I'm so emotionally tied up."
Lucy Shrimpton, The Sleep Nanny and Parenting Expert at The Baby Show, recently shared with HELLO! her thoughts on the Garner-Affleck-Lopez dynamic, opining: "[Garner] seems laid back, caring, present and confident. She clearly doesn't hold petty grudges since she's friends with her ex-husband's partner, Jennifer Lopez, and even takes her kids out too."
She added: "Today there are so many blended families and they are an inspiration that things can work out and that old concept of the 'evil step-mother' is a thing of bad fairy tales.
"No doubt it must have been extremely hard for Jennifer and Ben Afflck and the whole family when they decided to go their separate ways but they are a shining example that you can overcome difficulties and come out the other side with an open mind and an open heart."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512311/jennifer-lopez-jennifer-garner-perfect-co-parents-latest-outing/
| 2024-01-29T21:59:10Z
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512311/jennifer-lopez-jennifer-garner-perfect-co-parents-latest-outing/
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Robert Crimo III dropped out of high school a year before his junior year and made an attempt at a musical career as a rapper.
An enthusiastically political individual, he was active on message boards and maintained a private server on the gaming communications platform Discord, where he exchanged nihilistic political memes with like-minded friends.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/how-discord-steam-and-other-gaming-platforms-became-dominated-by-the-far-right?utm_campaign=STPicks
| 2024-01-29T21:59:35Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/how-discord-steam-and-other-gaming-platforms-became-dominated-by-the-far-right?utm_campaign=STPicks
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In this series, manpower reporter Tay Hong Yi offers practical answers to candid questions on navigating workplace challenges and getting ahead in your career. Get more tips by signing up to The Straits Times’ HeadSTart newsletter.
Q: A colleague asked me about my salary package and the bonus I received. Is it appropriate for me to tell them?
A: Employment contracts commonly emphasise that one’s remuneration is private and confidential, says Mr Glen Chua, senior manager at recruitment firm Robert Walters Singapore.
“Nevertheless, there is a growing trend in which employees share their pay data, viewing it as a means to promote fairness and transparency within the workforce,” he notes.
However, he adds: “Despite this shift, it is crucial to acknowledge the possible implications of revealing sensitive salary information, as it may impact workplace relations, considering the inherently confidential nature of discussions about pay.”
In considering whether to disclose their own salary, employees should consider company policy, personal comfort, and potential implications for workplace dynamics, says Ms Annie Lim, a certified Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) senior professional.
“While acceptable in certain contexts like close friendships or transparent cultures, it is not universally appropriate.”
Ms Lim notes that employees may seek their peers’ figures for benchmarking or to address disparities or inequities.
However, those uncomfortable with disclosing their pay can politely decline, emphasising their need for privacy and expressing a preference to keep compensation information confidential, she suggests.
She also advises employees facing such questions to suggest that their colleague ask the human resources department or company management these compensation-related questions.
Salaries and bonuses can vary between individuals even within the same job role, notes Ms Archana Srinivasan, another IHRP senior professional.
Factors that affect the figures include performance, specialisation within the role, demand and supply, seniority in the role and the company’s financial resources.
Any disclosure should be done discreetly and only when one deems it necessary, says Ms Srinivasan.
“For example, if the request comes from a credible source where confidentiality will be maintained, I’d then be comfortable sharing the details,” she adds.
She also says that while it may seem all right to exchange salary details with close friends, individuals need to consider the risk of the figures being disseminated further.
“Having said that, if it is a friend who is changing jobs and trying to understand the pay levels, then we may provide a salary range as guidance rather than one specific figure.”
Ms Srinivasan also says that pay secrecy is an unstated expectation in Asia and employers generally do not encourage employees to discuss such information widely.
Employees typically discuss salaries to understand if they are paid right, both in absolute terms and relative to their colleagues, she says.
“In this context, a company’s reward philosophy and pay parity become very important.”
She adds: “There will always be differences, but as human resources practitioners we should do our best to help employees understand why those differences exist.”
Have a question? Send it to askst@sph.com.sg
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/jobs/askst-jobs-should-you-tell-a-colleague-how-much-you-earn?utm_campaign=STPicks
| 2024-01-29T21:59:46Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/jobs/askst-jobs-should-you-tell-a-colleague-how-much-you-earn?utm_campaign=STPicks
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It's a time of excitement in the Hawn-Russell household, as Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell prepare to become grandparents once again, the seventh grandchild for the actress.
The longtime couple are expecting the birth of their son Wyatt Russell and daughter-in-law Meredith Hagner's second child. The parents are preparing to welcome a second son into the family.
As a result, preparations for the baby are already underway, and mom Meredith has the coziest nursery done up! Check out the warm and inviting space in the video below…
The room was done up in accents of brown, gold, and bits of blue, bathed in a warm light that promised only the most comfiest of naps for the baby and his doting mom.
Meredith, 36, and Wyatt, 37, are already the parents of son Buddy Prine Russell, who turned three years old during the holidays. Wyatt spoke about the idea of celebrating both Christmas and his son's birthday during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Explaining that Buddy's birthday falls the day after Christmas, he says: "We do Christmas, 25th – we wake up, we do the Christmas. It's nuts. It's a disaster most of the day. It's great most of the day."
However, when it comes time to get birthday ready, apparently they're not the only ones who are all tuckered out. "[He] goes to sleep, wakes up. Mer and I are like, 'Buddy, it's your birthday!' Like, 'Gotta get excited.'
"And he goes – and he's 3 – he goes, 'Ugh! Not now!'"
MORE: Goldie Hawn makes rare appearance to celebrate upcoming arrival of youngest grandson
As they broke down laughing, the former ice hockey player added: "We're like, 'You got it! That's the right answer! You're learning well.' Like, no one wants to celebrate your birthday."
Back in November, around the time she confirmed that she was indeed expecting once again, Meredith shared a vulnerable and honest essay she'd penned about the complexities of motherhood.
"There's a new stranger attached to you both physically and energetically, and the you that has been 36 years in the making will exist in a different energy entirely," she wrote.
"She exists in the surreal portal of the universe that is: newborn. In the late nights, and the cracked nipples, and the flabby stomach. The baby screaming bloody murder and you can't figure out why."
She added that she would "look back with a dumb blank face feeling like I was a horrible mother" when she didn't find herself enveloped by the feelings of bliss that motherhood was supposed to bring.
"I felt so lonely and tired in those early days. And I wish someone had told me how normal that is, and how it's no way indicative of the mother I would be."
MORE: Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell's family share exciting baby update
Meredith continued that despite all that, eventually, a mom reaches a point when it all becomes worth it when she indulges in all the joyous moments she can with her little one and her partner.
"And not long in the not so distant future you and your baby will be dancing together in the kitchen to Lizzo and you'll bring your unique you-ness to your mothering, and you and your lover will be out at a party and you all will be hiking together and it will all be as it should be."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512313/goldie-hawn-seventh-grandchild-cozy-new-nursery-see-inside-famous-parents-home/
| 2024-01-29T22:29:21Z
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512313/goldie-hawn-seventh-grandchild-cozy-new-nursery-see-inside-famous-parents-home/
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LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s push for new economic growth tools would bolster business-attraction incentive programs, helping Michigan stay competitive with the 49 other states, Canada and Mexico, according to the state’s top economic development official.
Quentin Messer Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., said all four proposals could garner bipartisan legislative support. In fact, some already have — House-passed bills that would restore a research-and-development tax credit and update the Renaissance Zone law.
The governor’s call to revive, and change, a Gov. Rick Snyder-era tax incentive for job creation, however, may have a tougher time advancing.
The old Good Jobs for Michigan program was launched in 2017 and closed off from new deals at the end of 2019. The Michigan Strategic Fund authorized $188 million of income tax withholding captures for six large-scale projects for Stellantis, Ford, Acrisure, Aptiv, KLA and Pfizer in exchange for about 9,400 committed jobs.
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As of September 2022, none of the jobs had been verified yet on annual certificate applications submitted to the state, according to an MSF report released last year.
Good Jobs would be renamed the High-wage Incentive for Regional Employment in Michigan, or HIRE, program. The state could lure business expansions by letting them keep, for up to 10 years, up to 100% of income taxes from new jobs — at least 50 jobs with a median wage equal to 175% of the regional median or a minimum 250 jobs equal to 150% of the regional median. The previous program required at least 250 jobs to be added but allowed for lower pay, 125% of the regional average, or pay equal to the regional average if a minimum of 500 jobs (50% capture) or 3,000 jobs (100% capture) were added.
Messer said the state has a “small hammer” and a “big hammer” with the Michigan Business Development Program, under which grants, loans and other assistance are capped at $10 million per project, and the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve fund, which has been used to support big, capital-intensive projects. Those include three electric vehicle battery or parts factories.
“When you have a small hammer and big hammer, everything looks like a nail,” he told reporters after Whitmer’s State of the State address last week. “What we’ve realized is that there is a universe of companies who may not be in industries that are capital-intensive, some of our knowledge-sector industries or even in some of our more capital-intensive. We need to make sure that we have the ability to attract and retain R&D, headquarters jobs, those jobs at higher income levels. Basically, the way the statutes work, it is very difficult to fit those types of opportunities within the two tools we have.”
HIRE Michigan, combined with the R&D tax credit and the Renaissance Zone modernization, “allows us to supplement and help companies across the spectrum, not just capital-intensive or manufacturing,” he said.
Captures would be limited to $100 million annually, or $1.3 billion overall, compared to a $200 million overall limit under the old program.
“If jobs are created based upon a certain wage level, then they won’t receive any credit until they create the jobs. So the jobs will pay for themselves,” Messer said, later adding: “We’re talking about bringing back things that were here. We’re not talking about newfangled, untested economic development tools.”
The legislation cleared the Democratic-controlled Senate Economic and Community Development Committee in October but did not go further during an abbreviated fall session. Republicans on the panel voted no.
Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, who opposes such business incentives, criticized proposed provisions that would require the MSF to consider if a business expansion or location would advance diversity, equity, inclusivity and accessibility; leverage clean-energy technologies; and honor workers’ decision to unionize.
“It looks like DEI jobs for woke corporations. It’s just every little favored left-wing Democratic interest group that they’re trying to do,” he said before Whitmer’s speech, again questioning her decision last year to repeal the “right-to-work” law. “We’ve got to get back to the fundamentals instead of picking winners and losers and trying to get huge checks to the most profitable multinational corporations.”
A coalition of 12 regional economic development groups welcomed Whitmer’s plan.
“Competition to lure companies away from Michigan is fierce. The proposed HIRE program is a dynamic and flexible option for stimulating diverse economic growth in all of Michigan’s regions, including second-stage technology-oriented companies that are attractive to young people,” Economic Development Leaders for Michigan said in a statement.
Whitmer also is proposing a new innovation fund to help early-stage startups. Details were not released.
It is unclear how quickly lawmakers may look to act, given the House is temporarily deadlocked 54-54 until April, when Democrats will regain their majority in two special elections.
Some Democrats also have balked at economic development bills and at the very least hope to revamp SOAR, a fund that has been both celebrated for big wins and criticized as “corporate welfare.” Any deal likely will require bipartisanship, and it appears Whitmer wants everything packaged together and not sent to her piecemeal. That could mean items with broader support wait while negotiators seek consensus on more contentious proposals.
House Minority Leader Matt Hall, a Republican, is a proponent of the R&D credit now pending in the Senate.
“Unlike Whitmer’s strategy with electric battery plants, that’s something that will actually attract the high-paying jobs,” he said.
Asked what he will say to his caucus’ most liberal members who might oppose the HIRE incentives, Democratic House Speaker Joe Tate said “being able to diversify our economic toolkit is going to be important.” He noted steps that were taken in 2023 to fund housing and revitalization and placemaking grants.
Messer said the onus is on himself and others to educate legislators and ensure the additional tools are enacted into law.
“I am very confident that we will have a toolkit that is comparable to our peers,” he said. “That’s simply what we’re talking about.”
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https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/economic-development/push-for-new-economic-development-incentives-faces-uncertain-legislative-future/
| 2024-01-29T22:49:40Z
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https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/economic-development/push-for-new-economic-development-incentives-faces-uncertain-legislative-future/
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Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will use findings from its 2023 economic report unveiled Monday as the “baseline” for a broader strategy to generate more nonlocal visitor spending and Kent County room stays in the coming years.
The Grand Rapids Township-based nonprofit arts and horticultural destination — last year named the nation’s top sculpture park by USA Today readers — on Monday published the findings of a 2023 economic study conducted by Grand Valley State University.
The report, based on visitor surveys and internal data, found Meijer Gardens generated $138 million in economic activity in 2023, supporting 1,167 jobs and contributing $77.6 million to Kent County’s gross domestic product.
It also found that Meijer Gardens drew a record estimated 755,000 visitors last year, up from 686,763 in 2022 and 328,539 in 2020, before its $115 million expansion had wrapped.
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Sixty-two percent of last year’s visitors came from outside Kent County, while 38% were local.
GVSU’s last Meijer Gardens study published in 2017 found that the destination generated $75.2 million in economic activity that year, and 86% of the visitor spending came from individuals outside Kent County.
After adjusting for inflation, Meijer Gardens’ economic activity in Kent County increased about 44% from 2017 to 2023, according to calculations shared with Crain’s Grand Rapids Business by GVSU’s lead researcher for the report, Christian Glupker.
Charles Burke, who became Meijer Gardens’ new president and CEO in February 2023, said the organization commissioned the follow-up study for a number of reasons. One was to gauge the effects of COVID-19 on cultural visits and spending, as well as to assess the return on investment of the 2017 Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love capital campaign, which funded the facility’s multiphase expansion that wrapped in 2022.
“This (study) is the first lens into ‘That campaign is working,’ and it’s having an amplifying effect for the region,” Burke said. “As we look at all the other wonderful transformational projects that are going on in the region, from the amphitheater to the soccer stadium and other big projects, we wanted to make sure that people were reminded of this 30-year-old institution that is really bringing a lot of influence to our region.”
Burke called $138 million in economic activity a “very significant number” for the institution founded in 1995.
“I think that’s a testament to the power of philanthropy, I think it’s a testament to the power of the vision of Fred and Lena and the entire Meijer family, and the community as a whole,” he said. “To have an institution that is focused on gardens, butterflies, the amphitheater, (sculptures and) on bringing people together to generate this type of deep and meaningful economic activity for the region, is a profound statement of the ‘specialness’ of our community.”
As Meijer Gardens’ new leader succeeding former President and CEO David Hooker, Burke said he wanted the study done now as part of a “wider matrix” of internal actions underway to give the nonprofit a “baseline” and “good metrics” as it builds its next strategic plan.
That plan will primarily look to drive financial sustainability for Meijer Gardens apart from philanthropy, but Burke said there’s also an opportunity to play a greater role in the county’s large-scale visioning and planning effort, Kent County 2050.
Al Vanderberg, Kent County administrator/controller, said Meijer Gardens is one of a large number of organizations invited to help with Kent County 2050.
“Meijer Gardens is a major national attraction, and when you look at their record with conservation, with art, with preservation, they are going to be a major, major player in this community well into the future, and so I think that their voice is one of the major voices that we want to tap into … (to) be part of helping define the future.”
Burke said Meijer Gardens hopes to help by drawing people in for longer stays and more spending.
“Our hope over the long term … is that we can move the institution from being perhaps a three- to five-hour experience with a number of repeat visitors within our membership, to perhaps a three- or four-day experience, where we can drive people to hotel rooms who spend time in Grand Rapids (and) spend time at other cultural institutions,” he said. “It’s part of a greater tapestry of interconnectedness.”
Burke said it’s too soon to disclose what might be on the table internally to make its vision to grow overnight stays in Kent County a reality, but the leadership team is brainstorming with the board, donors, volunteers and employees to examine the full Meijer Gardens experience, from exhibits to events to concerts, to see what combination of tweaks could make people stay longer.
“All of these things are part of an algorithm that’s creating a future strategic framework for us to build our operations around,” he said.
Glupker, the lead researcher for the study, said he was “really shocked” by the sheer number of visitors every time he stopped to check in on his GVSU student researchers during the visitor intercept survey period for this study, which ran from June to August last year.
“The place was just absolutely hopping in the middle of the afternoon,” he said. “I’m an Ottawa County resident, and even though I have young kids and would love to take in Meijer Gardens (more often), that’s a long drive for a 5-year-old. So I’d never really understood the scope of it. It’s just the place to be.”
Vanderberg described Meijer Gardens as a “major reason” to visit Kent County.
“It’s a destination,” he said. “They are a draw to the community that brings significant economic impact to Kent County, and they also provide a cultural and educational resource that our school kids are able to access through their classes, (and) they partner with many different organizations throughout the community. Meijer Gardens is a huge asset in Kent County.”
Burke said Meijer Gardens plans to spend about $10 million over the next three years on capital improvements, which mainly will include maintenance of the grounds, artwork and buildings.
Additional highlights from the report:
- Although Meijer Gardens is a nonprofit and exempt from federal income tax, the visitor direct spending, operational spending and capital investment spending generate $353,115 in annual tax revenue for Kent County.
- Half of the nonlocal visitors were visiting Meijer Gardens for the first time, and 48% of the local visitors visit the place six or more times a year.
- 40% of all visitors have household incomes over $125,000.
- 37% of all visitors have a four-year degree, and 40% of all visitors have a graduate degree.
- There were 271,541 primary visitors to Meijer Gardens, which means visitors who stated their primary reason for being in Kent County was to visit the facility.
- All local and nonlocal primary visitors generated $20.9 million in direct spending.
- The direct spending from primary visitors results in $30.6 million in economic activity, supporting 268 jobs.
- The nonlocal primary direct spending generates $106,969 for Kent County.
- Meijer Gardens’ organizational spending generates $35.7 million in additional economic activity and support for 301 jobs.
- Over the past three years, Meijer Gardens’ capital investment spending generated an average of $12.1 million in annual economic activity and support for 80 jobs.
More from Crain’s Grand Rapids Business:
New details emerge on the proposed $300M Kalamazoo Event Center
Advia Credit Union to acquire Illinois bank
Priority Health case sparks debate over insurance coverage of high-cost therapies
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https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/hospitality-tourism/key-investments-boost-meijer-gardens-stature-as-local-economic-driver-report-finds/
| 2024-01-29T22:49:46Z
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https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/hospitality-tourism/key-investments-boost-meijer-gardens-stature-as-local-economic-driver-report-finds/
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Bridgville Plastics Inc., a third-generation injection molding business in southwest Michigan, will close at the end of February unless someone is in a position to buy the manufacturing operation that employs 15.
Founded in 1987 by Manfred Moneta and his son, Thomas, Bridgville Plastics started serving the appliance market from a pole barn with four machines before expanding into the automotive and custom molding markets as well as a larger facility.
Now operating in a 16,500-square-foot facility with 11 presses in Stevensville, a town of 1,150 people near the small town of Bridgman — thus the name Bridgville — the business had been on a growth trajectory.
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Sales to the automotive market grew to 40 percent and rivaled the company’s business in the appliance market with the remaining 20 percent coming from custom projects such as cart handles and framing components for doors.
Grandson T.J. Moneta joined the company in 2021, planning to carry on. Sales had increased to $2.88 million in 2022 even though the pandemic had brought challenges that persisted related to labor and higher wages.
“When we came out of COVID, wages rose exponentially,” Thomas Moneta said in a phone interview.
A goal was set to reach $3.2 million in sales in 2023, in part by bringing in new business, which was a struggle.
“My dad built the company by going out and finding customers,” Moneta said. “Now you don’t go knocking on doors. You can’t even get into a company now through the front door. So much has changed. We weren’t able to attract new business.”
Satisfying existing customers got trickier, too.
“We struggled to get price increases. Some customers allowed small price increases and others none,” Moneta said. “When you run an old part at old pricing that’s a problem. You need the new work.”
Still, the company was on track to meet its 2023 goal until the six-week United Auto Workers strike in September and October put the brakes on existing work and cash flow, which put the family at this crossroad.
“The business with the name Bridgville Plastics will have to close but there’s still the building, land, machines and everything involved. If someone has been looking to expand, but it has been cost prohibitive, this plant is ready to go as a plug-and-play operation,” T.J. Moneta said in a phone interview. “We have great employees that would love to keep working in the building even if it is under a new name.”
The facility is 30 years old and well maintained on a site with room to expand. The building has high ceilings, 5- and 10-ton cranes and new equipment.
While some prospective buyers are interested in the building, the Monetas want to cast one more wide net to see if any individual or company might need the facility and its assets for injection molding.
“Come see our building and business. We’re an open book with nothing to hide and hopes that someone will see the value we have and that it could value them,” T.J. Moneta said. “And if they want us to run it with their oversight, that’s an option, too. I know labor is hard to find.”
For any business looking to offload molding work or take over a facility to run as they want, the Bridgville Plastics plant and people could be the solution.
“The best-case scenario is someone purchases the assets and maybe the building and keeps things running, but so far that hasn’t happened,” T.J. Moneta said. “We still have a lot of feelers out but maybe there’s someone we don’t know about and maybe they’re the right fit. This could be a really good investment for them.”
The timing is tight. An audit and equipment appraisal is scheduled for the week of Jan. 29 and Bridgville Plastics plans to close at the end of February.
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https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/manufacturing/family-owned-injection-molding-company-seeking-buyer-before-forced-closure/
| 2024-01-29T22:49:52Z
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https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/manufacturing/family-owned-injection-molding-company-seeking-buyer-before-forced-closure/
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After four years in business, Brunch House is expanding with a second location opening in the coming months at the former Manna Cafe near Forest Hills.
Owner Nick Barham said he signed a lease for space at 820 Forest Hills Ave. SE in Grand Rapids Township where he is adding an upscale brunch spot that will offer a “modern, classy” take on traditional brunch fare. Barham hopes the new restaurant, which will seat 110, will take the concept for his Muskegon-area brunch restaurant to a new level.
Barham is the grandson of Bill Barham, the founder of Muskegon pancake restaurant Mr. B’s, which opened in 1974, and has been in the restaurant business all his life. Dave Barham, Nick’s father, currently operates the restaurant, which has served downtown Muskegon for 50 years.
In 2019, Nick Barham opened his own take on breakfast food, Brunch House at 3065 Henry St. in Roosevelt Park, offering a range of mimosas and cocktails in addition to traditional brunch fare. Despite opening only months before the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant has succeeded and is growing a loyal fanbase in the Muskegon area, Barham said.
Keep up with all things West Michigan business. Sign up for our free newsletters today.
Barham, who lives in Grand Rapids, has been eyeing a move into the metro area for some time, hoping to bring his restaurant to an area that lacks brunch options. Forest Hills stood out to him, and when a vacant space opened up at the former Manna Cafe, he jumped at the chance.
Manna Cafe operated at Forest Hills Retail Center for nearly nine years, opening in late 2013 and closing in 2022. A Facebook post announcing the closure cited staffing issues as a result of the pandemic as its primary reason for closing.
The restaurant was co-owned by Christian nonprofit Manna Ministries Worldwide founder Craig Witcher and his wife, Julie. Manna Cafe served a range of breakfast, brunch and lunch items and featured a gift shop, The Market, which offered fair trade, handcrafted items from around the world to benefit Manna Ministries’ programs.
Since December, Barham has been working with Grand Rapids-based general contractor Visser Brother Inc. and Tyler Devereaux Interior Design to build-out an entirely new look and feel for the restaurant, including the addition of a bar.
“When you walk into the place, you are not going to recognize it,” he said.
While the build-out remains ongoing, Barham hopes to open in March if all goes to plan. The restaurant will employ between 30 and 40 full-time workers.
According to Barham, the new Brunch House will mirror the menu at Roosevelt Park, with seasonal features like holiday cocktails, pumpkin pancakes and bourbon peach waffles. The core menu includes a range of traditional breakfast items like pancakes, omelets, eggs benedict, breakfast burritos and french toast alongside smoothies, fresh-brewed coffee and kombucha on tap. Lunch options range from burgers to chicken strips and salads.
While the menu will remain the same, Barham hopes the new Brunch House will take his eclectic, modern restaurant style to a new level.
“It’s definitely more of an upscale place,” he said.
More from Crain’s Grand Rapids Business:
New details emerge on the proposed $300M Kalamazoo Event Center
Advia Credit Union to acquire Illinois bank
MSU Health Care helps employers save on insurance costs with new direct contracting model
|
https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/restaurants-1/muskegon-area-restaurant-operator-brings-brunch-concept-to-grand-rapids/
| 2024-01-29T22:49:58Z
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https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/restaurants-1/muskegon-area-restaurant-operator-brings-brunch-concept-to-grand-rapids/
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HAP (Health Alliance Plan), a Michigan-based nonprofit health plan, adds Gwen MacKenzie and Christopher Stanley, M.D. as director to the HAP board and non-director, Clinical and Service Quality Committee board member, respectively.
MacKenzie, a CEO with experience leading complex healthcare organizations, currently serves as a senior advisor in McKinsey and Company’s Global Healthcare Practice.
Dr. Stanley has more than 30 years’ experience as a clinician and healthcare leader with a passion for improving equity in cost and quality of care. He currently serves as President, Healthy Populations for Henry Ford Health (HFH) where he created a wholly owned, independent population health services organization.
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https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/people-on-the-move/new-additions-to-health-alliance-plans-board/
| 2024-01-29T22:50:04Z
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https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/people-on-the-move/new-additions-to-health-alliance-plans-board/
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Omnipilot - AI copilot for macOS
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Omnipilot is an AI copilot, everywhere in your OS. It autocompletes text in any app from Apple Notes to Gmail, and let's you generate text in any app on your Mac using context from the apps you recently used.
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https://www.producthunt.com/posts/omnipilot-ai-copilot-for-macos
| 2024-01-29T22:58:12Z
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https://www.producthunt.com/posts/omnipilot-ai-copilot-for-macos
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RIO DE JANEIRO - Miners Vale, BHP and their joint venture, Samarco, should strike a deal to compensate for a deadly dam disaster in 2015 or risk paying a lot more in court, the Minas Gerais state prosecutor general told Reuters.
Last week a federal judge ruled that the firms must pay up to 47.6 billion reais ($9.67 billion) in damages, in a decision still subject to appeal.
In an interview on Friday, Minas Gerais state Prosecutor General Jarbas Soares Junior told Reuters that the federal ruling only accounts for collective damages, with the firms still on the hook for damages caused to states, to the environment and to other parties involved.
"The total will be very high," he said, adding that the firms should strike a deal when talks resume in February, to avoid more costly litigation.
Soares Junior is one of the many officials that would have to sign off on a deal that could settle lawsuits on state and federal levels involving the disaster.
The 2015 dam collapse in the southeastern city of Mariana caused a giant mudslide that killed 19 people and severely polluted the Rio Doce river, compromising the waterway to its outlet in the Atlantic Ocean.
In separate statements Vale, BHP and Samarco said they were committed to repairing the damage caused by dam collapse, while declining to comment on the court ruling, because they have not yet been notified by the judiciary of it.
Vale added that the Renova foundation, which the companies have been using to pay for some of the repairs, had paid until last December 34.7 billion reais in socioeconomic and environmental compensation. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/brazil-state-prosecutor-urges-vale-bhp-to-settle-over-dam-disaster
| 2024-01-29T23:26:35Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/brazil-state-prosecutor-urges-vale-bhp-to-settle-over-dam-disaster
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WASHINGTON - Over a dozen students alleged on Monday that Harvard University failed to protect them from harassment and threats "based solely" on their pro-Palestinian identity, the group representing them said.
The Muslim Legal Fund of America said its legal division filed a civil rights complaint on Monday with the U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights on behalf of those students. The complaint urged a probe into Harvard.
Rights advocates have noted a rise in Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian bias and antisemitism in the U.S. since the eruption of war in the Middle East.
Among anti-Palestinian incidents that raised alarm were a November shooting in Vermont of three students of Palestinian descent and the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian American child in Illinois in October.
The Harvard students alleged "harassment, intimidation, threats and more based solely on them being Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and supporters of Palestinian rights," the group said. It added the students also underwent racist attacks, doxxing, stalking, and assault, including for wearing keffiyehs, or Palestinian scarves.
A Harvard spokesperson said the university had no comment on the complaint on Monday, but added that Harvard had resources in place to support students including a task force announced on Friday to combat Islamophobia and anti-Arab bias.
Harvard and other U.S. colleges have simmered with tension over responses to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and Israel's subsequent offensive in Gaza.
Earlier this month, Claudine Gay resigned as president of Harvard following backlash over her congressional testimony on antisemitism. She and two other university presidents declined to give a definitive "yes" or "no" answer to a question on whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate their schools' codes of conduct regarding bullying and harassment, saying it would have to be balanced against free-speech protections.
Some students alleged that Harvard had threatened "to limit or retract the students' future academic opportunities," the Muslim Legal Fund of America said on Monday.
The affected students attend Harvard College, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Divinity School, and Harvard Law School, the group said.
Some of those students have family in Gaza, where local health officials say more than 26,000 people have been killed since Israel launched its military offensive in response to the Oct. 7 rampage by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas that killed 1,200, according to Israeli tallies. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/complaint-alleges-harvard-didnt-protect-pro-palestinian-students-from-threats
| 2024-01-29T23:26:45Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/complaint-alleges-harvard-didnt-protect-pro-palestinian-students-from-threats
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GAZA/DOHA/WASHINGTON - Israel launched an assault on Gaza’s biggest city, weeks after pulling back from it, while Washington vowed on Jan 29 to take “all necessary actions” to defend its troops after a deadly attack in Jordan, the first US military deaths in the Middle East since the Gaza war began.
A day after three US service members in Jordan were killed and at least 34 wounded in what Washington called a drone attack by Iran-backed militants, President Joe Biden’s administration was under pressure to respond firmly without triggering a wider war.
“The president and I will not tolerate attacks on US forces and we will take all necessary actions to defend the US and our troops,” Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Jan 29 at the Pentagon.
White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said: “We don’t want a wider war with Iran. We don’t want a wider war in the region, but we got to do what we have to do.”
Iran has denied any role. Mr Biden has previously ordered retaliatory attacks on Iran-backed groups, but has so far stopped short of hitting Iran directly.
“Have no doubt - we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing,” Mr Biden said on Jan 28.
In northern Gaza, residents said air strikes on Jan 29 on neighbourhoods across Gaza City, the enclave’s biggest city, killed and wounded many people. While Israeli tanks shelled eastern areas of the city, naval vessels fired at beachfront areas in the west, they said.
Israel said in late 2023 that it had largely completed operations in northern Gaza, and has recently aimed the brunt of its might at southern Gaza.
The renewed push in Gaza City, where residents reported fierce gun battles near the main Al-Shifa Hospital, suggested that the war was not going to plan.
Among those killed were two Palestinian journalists, Mr Essam El-lulu and Mr Hussein Attalah, and several members of their families, health officials and the journalists’ union said.
Hamas, for its part, fired its first volley of rockets for weeks into Israeli cities, proving that the militant group running Gaza still had the capability to launch them after nearly four months of war.
The Israeli military said it shot down six of 15 rockets. There were no reports of any casualties in Israel, where air raid sirens and explosions of interceptions sounded.
Gazans said the violence in the enclave made a mockery of a World Court ruling last week calling on Israel to do more to help civilians.
Gaza health officials say 26,637 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict with thousands more bodies likely under the rubble of destroyed buildings.
“The war continues in a dirtier manner,” said Gaza City resident and Palestinian human rights activist Mustafa Ibrahim, displaced with his family in Rafah near the southern border with Egypt, along with more than a million other Gazans.
Israel ordered new evacuations of the most populated areas of Gaza City, but people said communications blackouts meant many would miss the alerts.
Israel says Hamas is responsible for the deaths of civilians because its fighters operate among them, which the fighters deny.
People in the north have been grinding animal feed to make flour after flour, rice and sugar ran out, part of an aid crisis now potentially exacerbated by a withdrawal of support for the United Nations’ aid agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
The United States and several other countries have suspended aid to the agency since Jan 26 after Israel said 13 of UNRWA’s 13,000 staff in Gaza were involved in the Oct 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met the head of UN internal investigations to ensure an inquiry into the allegations “will be done swiftly and as efficiently as possible,” a UN spokesperson said.
The Israeli report, seen by Reuters, said 190 UNRWA staff were militants and named 11.
UNRWA, which says more than 150 of its staff have been killed since October and a million Palestinians are sheltering in its buildings, said it would have to end operations within a month if funding was not restored. It said it had promptly fired staff after being alerted to Israel’s allegations.
Air strikes on Jan 29 also hit the southern city of Khan Younis, the main focus of Israeli attacks since last week. That has brought fighting deep into territory where hundreds of thousands of people who already fled other areas are sheltering.
Israel’s military said on Jan 29 it will keep pressure on the city and that it has killed more than 2,000 Palestinian militants there.
In a renewed, desperate exodus, people went south on foot carrying children and bedding.
Suleiman Abusari, a boy in a wheelchair pushed by his father, said his legs were amputated after an Israeli drone hit him.
“My dream was to play football,” he said. “They stole my dream.”
‘Not over the finish line’
Mr Biden and other leaders have been pushing for a new temporary ceasefire to allow for the release of hostages held by Hamas and more aid to reach Gaza.
Talks on Jan 28 initiated by Qatar and involving US, Israeli and Egyptian intelligence chiefs were “constructive”, Israel said, while adding that “significant gaps” remain.
Hamas reiterated on Jan 29 that Israel must halt its Gaza offensive and withdraw from the Gaza Strip before any prisoner exchange takes place. Israel says it will fight until Hamas is eradicated.
The White House’s Mr Kirby said negotiations for a new hostage deal had been constructive, but much work remains to be done. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a news conference the talks had been important and “hopeful.”
Mr Kirby also said comments by some Israeli politicians were “reckless” and “incendiary” after Israel’s hard-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Jewish settlers to return to Gaza.
Mr Ben-Gvir’s remark drew condemnation from Palestinians, who said his words amounted to a call for their forced deportation. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-renews-assault-on-gaza-city-us-vows-all-necessary-actions-after-troops-killed
| 2024-01-29T23:26:56Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-renews-assault-on-gaza-city-us-vows-all-necessary-actions-after-troops-killed
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WASHINGTON - The US military on Jan 29 released the names of the three Army Reserve soldiers killed in the drone attack by Iran-backed militants in Jordan a day earlier, with the youngest victim just 23 years old.
The names are: Sergeant William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia; Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia.
“On behalf of the Army Reserve, I share in the sorrow felt by their friends, family, and loved ones,” said Lieutenant-General Jody Daniels, chief of the Army Reserve and commanding general of US Army Reserve Command.
“Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we are committed to supporting those left behind in the wake of this tragedy.”
The attack on Jan 28 also wounded more than 40 troops when the drone slammed into the housing units early in the morning. It was the first deadly strike against US troops since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October and marks a major escalation in tensions that have engulfed the Middle East.
The United States is trying to determine exactly why the nearly 350 troops at the base in Jordan, known as Tower 22, were unable to stop the drone.
Two US officials said on Jan 29 that air defences failed to stop the attack in part because the hostile drone approached its target at the same time a US drone was returning to the base.
The return of the US surveillance drone to the remote resupply base caused some confusion over whether the incoming drone was friendly or not, and air defences were not immediately engaged, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss preliminary findings into a major contributing factor to the incident.
Two other drones that attacked other locations nearby in south-east Syria were shot down, they added.
The Wall Street Journal earlier reported the drone mix-up, which is now at the heart of an investigation by the military’s Central Command. REUTERS, NYTIMES
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/youngest-us-soldier-killed-in-jordan-drone-attack-was-23
| 2024-01-29T23:27:06Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/youngest-us-soldier-killed-in-jordan-drone-attack-was-23
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Austin vows “all necessary actions” after US troop deaths
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin vowed on Jan 29 that the United States would take “all necessary actions” to defend its troops after a drone attack by Iran-backed militants that killed three US troops and wounded dozens more.
The attack on Jan 28 was the first deadly strike against US forces since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October, and marks a major escalation in tensions that have engulfed the Middle East.
“Let me start with my outrage and sorrow (for) the deaths of three brave US troops in Jordan and for the other troops who were wounded,” Austin said at the Pentagon.
Ex-IRS contractor sentenced to 5 years for leaking Trump tax records
A former US Internal Revenue Service contractor was sentenced on Jan 29 to five years in prison for leaking the tax records of former President Donald Trump and thousands of other wealthy Americans to media organisations, with a judge calling his actions a threat to democracy.
Charles Littlejohn, 38, pleaded guilty in October to a charge of disclosing income tax return information without authorisation.
US District Judge Ana Reyes, who handed down the sentence in federal court in Washington, linked Littlejohn’s actions to broader attacks on elected officials in the United States.
Hamas says it wants ‘complete and comprehensive ceasefire’ in Gaza
A senior Hamas official said on Jan 29 that the Palestinian militant group wanted a “complete and comprehensive ceasefire” in Gaza, after mediator Qatar said a framework for a temporary truce was being proposed.
“We are talking first of all about a complete and comprehensive ceasefire, and not a temporary truce,” Taher al-Nunu told AFP, adding that once the fighting stopped “the rest of the details can be discussed” including a hostage release.
Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, has led mediation efforts since war broke out on October 7 between Israel and Hamas, triggered by the Palestinian militant group’s deadly attacks on southern Israel.
Nadal’s 2007 French Open winning racket sells for $158k at auction
Rafael Nadal’s championship point winning racket from his 2007 French Open final victory over Roger Federer was sold for more than US$118,000 (S$158,270) at an auction on Jan 29, ranking among the highest-priced such memorabilia.
Nadal beat Federer 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the 2007 final in Paris to win his third Grand Slam title before the Spaniard moved on to secure a further 19 - 14 of them at Roland Garros - becoming one of the sport’s greatest players.
The racket, which Nadal also used in previous matches of the tournament, including his semi-final victory against Novak Djokovic, sold for US$118,206 at an online auction, Prestige Memorabilia’s The Tennis Auction, that closed on Monday at 0255 GMT.
Amazon, Roomba-parent iRobot abandon $1.88 billion merger deal
Amazon and robot vacuum maker iRobot said Jan 29 they would end their plans to merge in the face of opposition from EU and US antitrust regulators.
iRobot announced a significant restructuring plan to reduce costs and said it would cut about 31 per cent of its workforce, or 350 jobs. The company also said founder Colin Angle has stepped down as its CEO of the Roomba robot vacuum manufacturer.
Angle said given the current challenges, he and the board “mutually decided that iRobot will be better served by a new leader with turnaround experience.” Amazon said its proposed US$1.4 billion acquisition of iRobot had no path to regulatory approval in the European Union.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/while-you-were-sleeping-5-stories-you-might-have-missed-jan-30-4
| 2024-01-29T23:27:17Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/while-you-were-sleeping-5-stories-you-might-have-missed-jan-30-4
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