JPMorgan Chase & Co. Acquires 1,038,895 Shares of iShares Flexible Income Active ETF (NYSEARCA:BINC)At least 460 fighters from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces were killed in an ambush by the Sudanese army and allied joint forces in the state of North Darfur in western Sudan, according to a military communique. In the statement issued on Sunday, Joint Forces military spokesman Ahmed Mustafa said the army and its allied militias ambushed three RSF convoys north of the town of Malit on Saturday afternoon. "The fighting resulted in the death of more than 460 members of the (RSF) militia, including prominent commanders... notably Taha Mudalal, the nephew of militia leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (alias Hemedti)," Mustafa said in the statement. He also claimed that the army and joint forces destroyed more than a hundred RSF military vehicles and seized 60 others that were "in excellent condition." "We report that three convoys of the (RSF) militia have been completely wiped out, causing them heavy human and material losses, while security control in the liberated areas has been strengthened and secured," the statement added. Malit is about 60km north of Al Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and the only army stronghold in western Sudan. The FAR controls four of the five states that make up the Darfur region and has intensified its attacks on North Darfur, which is home to the army's main headquarters and several displacement camps that house tens of thousands of people. The war in Sudan began on April 15, 2023, and has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and made the country the site of the world's worst displacement crisis, with more than 14 million people forced to flee their homes, including more than three million who have fled to neighbouring countries. The Sudanese Armed Forces - under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan - and General Hemedti's RSF were part of the military government that seized power in 2021 and began a political process to return the country to a democratic path that included integrating the RSF into the regular army when tensions flared and all-out war broke out between the two. Several human rights organisations and countries such as the United States have accused both the army and the FAR of committing crimes against humanity and even ethnic cleansing during the war, which both sides have denied. The atrocities are reminiscent of the Darfur genocide when an estimated 200,000 people were killed between 2003 and 2005
The second Trump administration will find a region different from when last in office. By Tarcisius Kabutaulaka Pacific Islands countries view Donald Trump’s impending return as U.S president with hope and apprehension. Trump’s attention on the region amid geopolitical tension with China could help address the needs of island countries. But his pledge to roll back US commitments to addressing the climate crisis is a significant concern. The second Trump administration will find a region different from when last in office. Pacific Island countries have become more assertive diplomatically, in what some have referred to as the “new Pacific diplomacy.” At the national level this was illustrated by Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Nauru’s decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China despite pressure from Western countries, as well as the regional decision in 2022 to reject Beijing’s wide-ranging trade and security proposal, described by one observer as “an unequivocal display of not wanting to be used as pawns in a geopolitical contest.” Trump has not yet outlined his second administration’s policies on the Pacific Islands. An “Indo-Pacific” focus has become a staple of U.S policy in the past decades, but a definitive prediction is difficult, given Trump’s impulsive temperament. Trump generally disliked international cooperation and the policy successes of his predecessor, raising questions about whether he will continue with initiatives. The previous Trump administration focused largely on diplomatic relations and security, establishing a Pacific Islands directorship in the National Security Council. In May 2019, Trump invited the presidents of the Freely Associated States (FAS) – Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Marshall Islands – to the White House in a first ever such visit. Security was central to their discussions. In August the same year then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Micronesia and met the FAS presidents, which drew an encouraging response from local leaders. It was an opportunity to leverage geopolitical competition in the renegotiations of the Compact of Free Association arrangement, which was concluded under the Biden administration with a U.S commitment of US$7.1 billion over 20 years. Hawaii and Guam are pivotal to the U.S military presence in the region. Hawaii hosts U.S Indo-Pacific Command, the largest unified combatant command in the world. Guam’s political status as an unincorporated territory combined with its geographical proximity to Asia makes it a compelling strategic location and vital to the projection of US military power. Under the first Trump administration the U.S increased its military presence on Guam, not only as a response to China, but also in light of North Korea’s threats to fire missiles targeting Guam. The emphasis on diplomacy and security is likely to continue with Trump’s return, especially given Beijing’s increasing influence and security overtures in Oceania through arrangements such as the China-Solomon Islands security agreement. The military build-up in the north Pacific will likely continue. During his first presidency Trump generally disliked international cooperation and the policy successes of his predecessor. This has raised questions about whether he will continue with initiatives such as AUKUS, the trilateral partnership between Australia, UK and the US that will share defence-related science and technology and help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines, the “Partners in the Blue Pacific” arrangement, and the U.S-Papua New Guinea Defence Cooperation Agreement. On the Pacific Partnership Strategy enacted by the Biden administration, the Trump administration will be critical of the list of giveaways not deemed in line with Trump’s notion of “America first.” But whatever the fate of these agreements, Pacific Island countries should expect Trump to pursue a more transactional relationship, framed by the view that Pacific Islands are pawns in U.S security agendas, and to counter China. The Heritage Foundation, the organisation responsible for Project 2025 and influential in Trump circles, highlighted the importance of the Pacific Islands in the US efforts to counter China, stating: “The US must articulate a clear explanation for how the Pacific Islands fit into broader US interests and contributes to America’s security and prosperity.” For the Pacific Islands the most important existential threat is climate change, as articulated in the Boe Declaration and related documents. However, environmental challenges are an unlikely focus for Trump. He has persistently called climate change a “hoax” and “scam”, and withdrew the U.S from the Paris Climate Agreement, and is widely expected to do so again. On the campaign trail Trump vowed to increase domestic production of oil and gas. This raises concern among Pacific Islanders about U.S commitments to the 1.5-degree Celsius warming target and climate finance. While it is difficult to see Trump being committed to addressing the climate crisis, his advisors must be keenly aware that inaction on climate change could undermine U.S engagements with Pacific Islands. This illustrates where the Pacific has found strength in the power of collective diplomacy, which island countries have deployed through regional mechanisms such as the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent as well as globally. Vanuatu led a coalition of 132 countries calling for a non-binding advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the responsibilities of major greenhouse gas emitters. Apart from bilateral and multilateral dealings with Pacific Island countries, the second Trump administration will also have to navigate the maze of state and non-state actors that have intersecting and sometimes conflicting interests and influences in the region. That will require, not only intimate knowledge of the Pacific Islands, but also genuine relationships. Washington’s talking points of friendship dating back to the Second World War will be insufficient, because such a narrative is premised on the idea of U.S liberation of the Pacific, which is not shared across the region....PACNEWS/THE INTERPRETER
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MILWAUKEE (AP) — Erik Pratt had 20 points to help Milwaukee defeat North Central College 92-57 on Sunday. Pratt shot 5 for 9 (3 for 7 from 3-point range) and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Panthers (9-4). Jamichael Stillwell scored 12 points and added 10 rebounds. Learic Davis had 12 points and went 6 of 9 from the field (0 for 3 from 3-point range). The Cardinals were led in scoring by Sean Molloy, who finished with eight points. James Bullock and Drew Gaston scored seven each. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Kandi Technologies stock hits 52-week low at $1.07
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World order frays as chaos risesPakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Naveed Qamar said on Sunday that it remained to be seen how incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan's views would factor into the ongoing talks between the PTI and the government. He said the approval of political parties' top leadership was always essential for negotiations. "At some point, the top leadership has to approve of the developments of the negotiations, so their input is always there," Qamar said. When asked how the government would seek input from Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned in Adiala Jail, Qamar responded that it would need to determine how to accommodate Imran's opinions in the process. Speaking to a private news channel, Qamar also dismissed PTI's claims that discussions were underway to move Imran to house arrest at Adiala Jail. "No such thing was revealed to us. You can hear all kinds of things from the PTI," he said. His comments followed a statement by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah, who asserted that if the leaders of the three major political partiesPTI, PML-N, and PPPsat together for talks, the longstanding national crises could be resolved within 70 days. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif proposed the idea of a new social contract, saying that all major "power centres," including the army, judiciary, and bureaucracy, should participate in negotiations to address the country's challenges. Separately, PTI central leader Lal Chand Malhi released a video message stating that former premier Imran Khan had reiterated his call for a civil disobedience movement. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our
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Albania on Saturday announced a one-year ban on TikTok, the popular short video app, following the killing of a teenager last month that raised fears over the influence of social media on children. The ban, part of a broader plan to make schools safer, will come into effect early next year, Prime Minister Edi Rama said after meeting with parents' groups and teachers from across the country, Reuters reported. "For one year, we'll be completely shutting it down for everyone. There will be no TikTok in Albania," Rama said. Several European countries including France, Germany and Belgium have enforced restrictions on social media use for children. In one of the world's toughest regulations targeting Big Tech, Australia approved in November a complete social media ban for children under 16. Rama has blamed social media, and TikTok in particular, for fuelling violence among youth in and outside school. His government's decision comes after a 14-year-old schoolboy was stabbed to death in November by a fellow pupil. Local media had reported that the incident followed arguments between the two boys on social media. Videos had also emerged on TikTok of minors supporting the killing. "The problem today is not our children, the problem today is us, the problem today is our society, the problem today is TikTok and all the others that are taking our children hostage," Rama said. TikTok said it was seeking "urgent clarity" from the Albanian government. "We found no evidence that the perpetrator or victim had TikTok accounts, and multiple reports have in fact confirmed videos leading up to this incident were being posted on another platform, not TikTok," a company spokesperson said.
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The United States Space Force is a critical component of our nation’s defense. As the newest branch of the U.S. military, the Space Force is responsible for protecting and defending our nation’s interests in space. This includes everything from satellite communications and navigation to missile warning and defense. The Space Force is also working to develop new capabilities, such as agile protect-and-defend systems, which enable us to stay ahead of emerging threats, hold adversary space systems at risk and be prepared if deterrence fails. As the director of the U.S. Space Force’s Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO), I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the incredible potential of collaboration between the government and the space industry. Established in 2018, Space RCO is a direct reporting unit of the Space Force, responsible for acquiring space and ground systems that protect and defend against threats. Our mission is to rapidly develop and field space capabilities that meet the evolving needs of our nation’s defense. In the state of New Mexico, where Space RCO is headquartered, we have collaborated with the Air Force Research Laboratory, with the Space Systems Command Innovations and Prototyping Delta and with local educational institutions, such as the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College, to stay on the leading edge of innovation. Over the past five years, Space RCO has tripled in size, attracting top talent from across the nation. Our military personnel have achieved an impressive 100% promotion rate, and our civilians have been recognized for their outstanding contributions at the Space Force level. This success is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team, as well as the support of our local partnerships. In today’s world, space is no longer a sanctuary but a contested domain. The Space Force is working to ensure that we maintain our advantage in space, with Space RCO playing a critical role. I am proud to be a part of this team, and I am committed to continuing our work to protect and defend our nation’s interests in space. One of the key factors that sets Space RCO apart is our commitment to collaboration with the space industry. We believe that by working together with industry partners, we can tap into the latest innovations and expertise and accelerate the development of advanced space capabilities. This approach has proven to be highly successful, with our partnerships yielding significant benefits in terms of speed, agility and cost-effectiveness. Collaboration with the space industry is vital for several reasons. First, it allows us to leverage the expertise and resources of industry partners who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. This enables us to develop and field space capabilities that are tailored to meet the specific needs of our nation’s defense. Second, collaboration fosters a spirit of innovation and experimentation, which is essential for staying ahead of the curve in the rapidly-evolving space domain. Space RCO is a vital component of the Space Force, and our commitment to collaboration with the space industry is a key factor in our success. By working together, we can unlock the full potential of space-based capabilities and ensure that our nation remains safe and secure in the face of emerging threats. As we continue to face new challenges in the space domain, I am confident that with the help of our industry partners, we will continue to lead the Space Force in shaping the future of space-based defense. Kelly D. Hammett, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Director of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. Hammett leads the Air Force’s center of expertise for directed energy technology, developing and transitioning research technologies into military systems. He is responsible for more than 960 military and civilian scientists, engineers, contractors, and support people and an annual budget exceeding $267 million. He manages numerous state-of-the-art research laboratories and testing structures at Kirtland AFB, and several unique facilities, which include the Starfire Optical Range at Kirtland AFB; a testing site at the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico; and the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site in Hawaii.Why world is paying dearly for absurd 76-day gap between Trump’s win & him taking office...are we now headed for WW3?
Shohei Ohtani likely to win his third MVP award and Aaron Judge his second NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is expected to win his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge is likely to earn his second AL honor when the Baseball Writers’ Association announces its balloting. Ohtani was unanimously voted the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023 as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels. He signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. He helped the Dodgers to the World Series title. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekEagle Capital Growth Fund CEO buys $58,425 in stockThe oldest working building in Belfast – Paul Clements on Clifton HouseA Stock Market Thanksgiving: CrowdStrike, Burlington Lead Earnings Roster