Friday, December 19

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How Trump’s intimidation tactics have reshaped the Republican Party
World News

How Trump’s intimidation tactics have reshaped the Republican Party

By Peter Eisler and Ned Parker for Reuters Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP When US congressman Tom Rice voted to impeach Donald Trump for inciting the mob that stormed the US Capitol in January 2021, it was the beginning of the end of his political career. Angry calls and emails - including three death threats - flooded the South Carolina Republican's office. The next year, as Rice ran for a sixth term, a sheriff's deputy often guarded him at public events. Trump backed Rice's foe in the party's primary election. At a rally, the ex-president warned voters that the congressman "partnered with the Democrats to stab the Republican Party and, frankly, to stab our country in the back." Rice got crushed in the primary. Today, the one-time ...
Technology and social media are harming children`s social development
Health

Technology and social media are harming children`s social development

Excessive time spent on technology and social media can hinder children from forming meaningful connections, according to a US-based study on Friday.  The findings, based on a survey of 1,146 parents, showed that parents are concerned for their children over too much time spent with technology (50 per cent), bullying (30 per cent), and the social impact of the pandemic (22 per cent). Nearly one in five parents (19 per cent) report that differences in race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, or gender identity prevent their children from fitting in at school. “Connections foster a sense of belonging, which is essential for academic success and overall well-being,” said Dr. Ariana Hoet, executive clinical director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation and a paediatric psychologist a...
New Zealand diplomat victim of armed robbery in Paris
World News

New Zealand diplomat victim of armed robbery in Paris

The robbery took place in Paris' 7th arrondissement where the famous Eiffel Tower is also located. Photo: 123RF A New Zealand diplomat was reportedly tied up and hit in the face with the butt of a pistol during an armed robbery in Paris. The city's prosecutor's office confirmed the diplomat was the victim of the robbery on Thursday evening, the New York Times reported. The assailants reportedly fled in a vehicle with stolen licence plates and Parisian authorities did not say whether they had identified a suspect in the case. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to RNZ there had been "a security incident involving a New Zealand Embassy staff member in Paris". "The embassy is supporting the staff member involved and is cooperating with French authorities." The diplomat was ...
Mpox: European Union public health body raises risk alert level
World News

Mpox: European Union public health body raises risk alert level

By Bhanvi Satija and Jennifer Rigby, Reuters Mpox virus particles. Photo: SERGII IAREMENKO/SCIENCE PHOTO L The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Friday (local time) raised its risk level for mpox, a day after global health officials confirmed the first infection with a new strain of the virus outside Africa, in Sweden. The EU public health body's head said there will be more imported cases of the new mpox strain in Europe in the coming weeks, though the risk of sustained transmission remains low. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday declared mpox a global public health emergency, its highest form of alert, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that had spread to neighbouring countries. The global health body is due to host an...
Gaza ceasefire talks paused with resumption planned next week
World News

Gaza ceasefire talks paused with resumption planned next week

By Andrew Mills and Nidal Al-Mughrabi, Reuters Photo: JACK GUEZ / AFP Mediators to resume talks next week New US proposal builds on previous agreements Biden administration official says talks in Doha most constructive in months Israel says Netanyahu, Blinken to meet on Monday Regional escalation at stake Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha paused on Friday, with negotiators to meet again next week seeking an agreement to end fighting between Israel and Hamas and free remaining hostages, as US President Joe Biden said "we're not there yet". In a joint statement, the US, Qatar and Egypt said Washington had presented a new proposal that built on points of agreement over the past week, closing gaps in a way that could allow rapid implementation of a deal. Mediators would keep working on the...
Supermarkets on notice: Overcharge and customer gets item for free – commissioner
Business

Supermarkets on notice: Overcharge and customer gets item for free – commissioner

Photo: 123RF Every supermarket that overcharges for items should allow the customers to have them for free, the grocery commissioner says. Kiwis may be losing tens of millions of dollars a year due to supermarket pricing errors, according to the Grocery Commission. It's planning to force the major players to publicise customer complaints saying it will create a commercial incentive for supermarkets to make fewer mistakes. The biggest number of complaints to the Commerce Commission was from supermarket shoppers and most centred on overpricing, commissioner Pierre van Heerden said. The groceries sector was a $25 billion industry and had had years to perfect its system for charging, he told Morning Report. Examples of errors included charging normal prices for items on special or overchar...
Kremlin accuses the West of helping Ukraine attack Russia
World News

Kremlin accuses the West of helping Ukraine attack Russia

Photo: AFP / Roman Pilipey An influential aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that the West and the US-led NATO alliance had helped to plan Ukraine's surprise attack on Russia's Kursk region, something Washington has denied. The lightning incursion, the biggest into Russia by a foreign power since World War II, began on 6 August when thousands of Ukrainian troops crossed Russia's western border in a major embarrassment for Putin's military. Ukraine said the incursion was needed to force Russia, which sent its forces into Ukraine in February 2022, to start "fair" peace talks. But the United States and Western powers, eager to avoid direct military confrontation with Russia, said Ukraine had not given advance notice and that Washington was not involved, though weaponry ...
Gallipoli fire threatening war graves under control
World News

Gallipoli fire threatening war graves under control

A helicopter with water in the fight to put out fires ravaging Turkey. Photo: Facebook / Bekir Karacabey Fires raging on the Turkish Gallipoli peninsula have been brought under control on Friday local time, according to a report. However, images of the site in northwest Turkey showed soot-blackened gravestones in a scorched garden looking out over the Aegean Sea, the Associated Press reported. #Gallipoli #Çanakkale Latest update: The fire has been fully contained, though only after great effort by Turkish fire crews. Most of North Anzac sector burnt out. Some spot fires still springing up. pic.twitter.com/ZS9XrRw8Ih— Bill Sellars (@BillSellars2) August 16, 2024 Forty-five planes and helicopters, along with some 1400 forestry personnel, have been involved in trying to contain the wil...
Expert urges health officials to begin screening for Mpox at airports in India
Health

Expert urges health officials to begin screening for Mpox at airports in India

Amid reports of Mpox cases in Sweden, and Pakistan, an infectious disease expert on Friday urged health authorities to begin screening for the deadly infectious disease at key airports in India to help curb the spread.  Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa CDC this week, after the latest outbreak spread to 13 countries in Africa, including four new countries. The latest outbreak due to the more virulent and deadly strain -- Clade 1b has also spread to Sweden. The WHO has warned of more cases in Europe. Pakistan has reported 3 cases, but the strain causing the disease is yet to be known. “Mpox is being taken seriously as an international and not purely regional concern. It would be wise at this point ...
Best pedicures in London | Evening Standard
Life Style

Best pedicures in London | Evening Standard

From the one that corners the niche between luxury beauty salon and uber-professional podiatrist, to the super luxe spa where you can take a dip after, these are our favourite places to get a perfect pedi — all tried and tested.For the ultimate gel pediIf you love the long-lasting benefits of a gel pedi or mani, no doubt you’ve heard of BIAB™ (Builder in a Bottle), created by The GelBottle Inc. You can use the brand’s salon finder tool to book in at a convenient location to get a refresh with the vegan, cruelty-free shades. For an after-work appointment I had a speedy but super relaxing treatment at the gorgeous Urban Retreat (18-19 Long Ln, Barbican, EC1A 9PL). Marble sinks with rose gold fittings and raised comfy chairs ensured it felt uber luxe. My brilliant technician perfectly shaped ...