With X’s Musk Under Fire, Biden Joins Rival Threads

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With X’s Musk Under Fire, Biden Joins Rival Threads

"Folks, it's President Biden," said his first post, which he made on his 81st birthday. "You're hearing from me today from a new platform but my message to you hasn't changed."

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US President Joe Biden addresses the nation on the conflict between Israel and Gaza and the Russian invasion of Ukraine from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 19, 2023.

 

US President Joe Biden on Monday joined Threads, Meta’s social media rival to Elon Musk’s X, just days after the White House blasted the tech baron for pushing anti-Semitism.

“Folks, it’s President Biden,” said his first post, which he made on his 81st birthday. “You’re hearing from me today from a new platform but my message to you hasn’t changed.”

“I don’t see a dark, dismal, divided future for America,” Biden added. “I see an America about to take off.”

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, the home of Facebook and Instagram, launched Threads in July in a bid to depose Musk’s X, then known as Twitter, as the go-to platform for celebrities, companies and governments to make public statements.

The White House confirmed it had launched Threads accounts for the president, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, her husband Douglas Emhoff and the White House itself in English and Spanish.

“Threads is an additional way we can communicate with the American people about this administration’s historic actions to create 14 million jobs, lower prescription drug costs, and protect freedoms and more,” a White House official said.

The official added that the launch had been in the works for several weeks.

But Biden’s debut on the platform comes only three days after a White House spokesman condemned Musk, the world’s richest person, for the “abhorrent promotion” of an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory.

Advertisers have also deserted X after the controversial Tesla and SpaceX tycoon last week replied to an anti-Semitic post on the platform with the words: “You have said the actual truth.”

The White House repeated its condemnation of Musk on Monday, but said there were no plans as yet to change US proposals to use a version of his Starship rocket for future Moon landings.

“That doesn’t mean that we accept or agree with or condone, in any way, that anti-Semitic rhetoric that he pushed,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told a briefing.

Meanwhile White House communications director Ben LaBolt promoted the president’s first Threads post — on X.

Source: Channel TV

No less than 21 Dead In Heavy Dominican Republic Rains

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No less than 21 Dead In Heavy Dominican Republic Rains

Heavy tempests throughout the course of recent hours have caused flooding, harmed foundation and cut down houses in the Caribbean Nation, in what President Luis Abinader has called the "biggest precipitation occasion of all time" in the nation's set of experiences.

Dominican Republic map

 

At least 21 people, including three children, died after heavy rainfall inundated the Dominican Republic over the weekend, authorities said Sunday, warning the downpours were linked to worsening climate change.

Heavy rain throughout recent hours have caused flooding, harmed foundation and cut down houses in the Caribbean country, in what President Luis Abinader has called the "biggest precipitation occasion of all time" in the country's history.

"The people who don't trust in environmental change, begin accepting," said Abinader, who discussed "broad and significant" harms, however without itemizing exact figures.

The rain, from a tropical discouragement, are supposed to go on across segments of the country for the following 24 hours, the US Embassy said in a weather conditions alert.

In one especially destructive occurrence, a wall fell Sunday onto a few vehicles going on a significant road in the capital, Santo Domingo, killing nine.

The water "invaded a soaked dirt," and the underpinning of the substantial wall gave way, the Ministry of Public Works said Sunday.

An investigation concerning the occurrence has been requested by the ministry.

Nine others passed on in isolated occurrences in Santo Domingo around the same time. Others have dead subsequent to being cleared away by rising waters.

Nearly 13,000 individuals have been evacuated across the nation over, as indicated by the Emergency Operations Center, and a larger part of the country's 32 territories are under a designation.

A few areas are seeing electricity and drinking water outages.

Classes have been suspended until Wednesday, Abinader said, "to assess the schools that might have been impacted" and "ensure the wellbeing of our child."

Four of the dead are US nationals, and three are from neighboring Haiti.

At the end of August, the passage of storm Franklin through the Dominican Republic left two dead and one missing, and forced the evacuation of some 3,000 people from areas in dangerous conditions.

Czech Coach Silhavy Quits After Qualifying For Euro 2024

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Czech Coach Silhavy Quits After Qualifying For Euro 2024

The Czech team was also hurt by last weekend's scandal as West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal and two other players were sent home after spending Saturday night at a night club.

Czech Republic’s head coach Jaroslav Silhavy attends the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E Czech Republic v Moldova, in Olomouc, Czech Republic on November 20, 2023.

 

Czech Republic coach Jaroslav Silhavy said Monday he was stepping down, only minutes after watching his side clinch automatic qualification for Euro 2024 with a 3-0 win over Moldova.

“Even though we are happy now, we had already decided before the game not to continue,” the 62-year-old coach told Czech Television in a post-match interview.

Silhavy took up the role in 2018, leading his team to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 before failing to qualify for last year’s World Cup in Qatar.

The Czechs have now secured a spot at next year’s Euros in Germany but he has come under fire for the team’s lacklustre performances in Group E where they finished second behind Albania, winning only four out of eight games.

The Czech team was also hurt by last weekend’s scandal as West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal and two other players were sent home after spending Saturday night at a night club.

“The pressure was enormous, beyond comprehension at times. It was one of the factors behind our decision,” said Silhavy.

A former defender, Silhavy’s future was put in doubt after the Czechs crashed to a 3-0 loss in Albania in October.

The Czech Football Association did not fire him but trimmed his contract until November 30, with an option to continue if the Czechs qualify for Euro 2024.

Saturday’s party, however, was another nail in his coffin as Coufal, Aris Thessaloniki defender Jakub Brabec and Sparta Prague striker Jan Kuchta were photographed in a night club two days before the Moldova game.

The players apologised, but football pundits slammed the poor atmosphere in the team, pointing a finger at Silhavy.

The coach himself said the affair was “a big disappointment” as all three had been in the starting line-up for last Friday’s 1-1 draw with Poland in Warsaw.

“I won’t say whether I was successful or not,” Silhavy said on Monday.

“You can see we have done some work, we have been working here for more than five years and there’s nothing we should be ashamed of.”

He said he would travel to Germany as a fan.

“Germany is near (the Czech Republic). We will definitely go and cheer for the boys.”

Source: Channel TV

Abia Govt Denies Burning through N927m On Gov Otti's Feasts, Welfare

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Abia Govt Denies Burning through N927m On Gov Otti's Feasts, Welfare

As according to the Governor's media helpers, the whole government of Abia State spent a sum of N223,389,889.84 on rewards and feasts during the period being referred to.

FILE PHOTO: Abia State Governor Alex Otti

 

The Abia State Government has denied spending over N900 million on the feeding and welfare of Governor Alex Otti from July to September 2023. 

Prior, reports arose that a financial plan execution report showed that the public authority spend through N927 million in something like three months on rewards and feasts, allowance, settlement of honorarium and welfare package.

It was affirmed that the Otti-drove government spend through N223,389,889.84 on rewards and feasts while N305,400,000.00 was spent on honorarium and sitting allowance for government officials in July and September 2023.

Subsequently, a few Nigerians took to social media, considering how such measures of cash might have been spent over the course of about 90 days, taking into account current financial real factors.

Be that as it may, in a proclamation on Monday, the media helpers to the Governor's, Ferdinand Ekeoma and Kazie Uko, depicted the reports as misleading.

"The aggregate sum spent such a long ways by the whole government of Abia State for Rewards and Feasts for the period is N223,389,889.84," the assertion read.

"The figure above is as caught in every one of the Ministries Departments and Agencies  (MDAs) of government. Kindly, note that this figure is for the whole state and not for the  office of the Governor, as being mistakenly depicted.

"The expressed figure covers costs for unique occasions, like retreats, conferences, and related occasions. For welfare, the Abia State Government has up until this point spent the amount of N397,520,734.84.

“The Welfare expenditure is in line with the State Fiscal, Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme (SFTAS); an initiative of the Federal Government.

"Additionally note that the welfare Use covers every one of the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and in addition to the Governor''s Office, as wrongly affirmed.

“Expenses under Welfare deal with issues of Health, Rehabilitation and Public Emergencies. The Abia State Government, under the leadership of Dr. Alex C. Otti, OFR, will continue to uphold transparency in governance, as has been demonstrated in the publication of the budget performance report for two consecutive quarters.”

Rerun: Zamfara Gov Confident Of Triumph, Says APC Jealous Of His Accomplishments

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Rerun: Zamfara Gov Confident Of Triumph, Says APC Jealous Of His Accomplishments

The Court of Appeal dropped the governorship political decision in Zamfara state, requesting a rerun in three local government, specifically Maradun, Birnin-Magaji, and Bukkuyum.

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal 

 

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State says he is ready for the rerun election ordered by the Court of Appeal in a recent ruling, stressing that the opposition is envious of the developments he has brought to the state within his first five months in office.

Tending to his supporters on Monday at the secretariat of the party in Gusau, Lawal proclaimed that God had picked him as the Governor, adding that he would stay in office regardless of the degree of "fraud" by the resistance.

The Court of Appeal decided for the All Progressive Congress (APC) up-and-comer, previous Governor Bello Matawalle, dropping the governorship political race in Zamfara state and requesting a rerun in three local government: Maradun, Birnin-Magaji, and Bukkuyum.

Yet, Lawal demanded that the resistance wouldn't deflect him from carrying more advancements to the state.

The Governor spoke to supporters of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to stay cool and law-abiding, expressing hopefulness that he would in any case arise successful at the rerun political election.

He expressed appreciation to supporters of the PDP for their help and consolation through their requests which he said had given him more enthusiasm to steer the issues of the state.

Niger State Assembly To Pass Law, Six Month Maternity Leave

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Niger State Assembly To Pass Law, Six Month Maternity Leave

The Deputy Speaker of the State Afiniki Dauda said the bill was essential to permit mother to get the necessary rest after labor and to improve the wellbeing of the nursing mother and her child.

Some of the participants at a training session organised by Mrs Fatima Bogo, the wife of the Niger State governor.

 

The Niger State House of Assembly is set to enact a law that will provide six months maternity leave for nursing mothers in the state.

The Deputy Speaker, Afiniki Dauda, stated this on Sunday during a training session on etiquette, protocol, security, and empowerment for female political office holders in Minna, the state capital.

She said the bill was vital to permit mother to get the necessary rest after labor and to upgrade the wellbeing of the nursing mother and her kid.

The all-mother occasion coordinated by the spouse of the Governor of Niger State, Fatima Bago, was pointed toward upgrading mother' cooperation in administration and furnishing them with the necessary business and fundamental abilities for them to squeeze into their new jobs as political officeholders and wives of chosen and delegated political authorities.

The preparation was a development to a prior one organised by the first Lady , Oluremi Tinubu, in Abuja.

Dauda, in her comments, said the half year maternity pass on would empower common nursing moms to completely recover their energy and bond adequately with their kids during the period.

Likewise speaking, Mrs Bago requested that the mother leave a humble way of life without any trace of extreme person.

Resource persons at the event dwelt on several issues around gender-based violence, etiquette, security, and general conduct of women that would protect their integrity and safety as well as those of their spouses.

Shakira To Pay €7.3m Euros To Settle Spain Fraud Case – Court

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Shakira To Pay €7.3m Euros To Settle Spain Fraud Case – Court

Under the deal, announced at the start of what would have been the trial of the 46-year-old singer, Shakira agreed to receive a three-year suspended sentence and to pay 7.3 million euros ($7.98 million) in fines.

Colombian singer Shakira (C) on pink suit and dark sun glasses leaves the High Court of Justice of Catalonia after attending her trial on tax fraud, in Barcelona on November 20, 2023. 

 

Colombian superstar Shakira will pay a fine of over 7.3 million euros ($7.98 million) as part of a deal with Spanish prosecutors to avoid trial for tax fraud, a Barcelona court said Monday.

Under the deal, announced at the start of what would have been the trial of the 46-year-old singer, Shakira also agreed to receive a three-year suspended sentence.

‘Reaches Deal’

Under the deal, announced at the start of what would have been the trial of the 46-year-old singer, Shakira agreed to receive a three-year suspended sentence and to pay 7.3 million euros ($7.98 million) in fines.

Prosecutors had accused the superstar of defrauding the Spanish state of 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) on income earned between 2012 and 2014, charges Shakira had denied, saying she only moved to Spain full-time in 2015.

The singer, who wore a pink suit and sunglasses, did not speak to the throng of reporters as he entered and left the Barcelona courthouse, but in a statement, she said she had agreed to settle for the sake of her two sons, Milan and Sasha.

“I need to move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love – my kids and all the opportunities to come in my career, including my upcoming world tour and my new album,” she said in the statement issued by her lawyers.

“I admire tremendously those who have fought these injustices to the end, but for me, today, winning is getting my time back for my kids and my career.”

The case centred on how much time the singer, whose hit singles include “Whenever, Wherever” and the 2010 World Cup song “Waka Waka”, spent in Spain between 2012 and 2014.

Spanish authorities alleged Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll — dubbed the Queen of Latin Pop — spent more than half of that period in Spain and therefore should have paid taxes in the country.

They say she moved to Spain after her relationship with former FC Barcelona star defender Gerard Pique became public in 2011, but maintained official tax residency in the Bahamas until 2015.

‘Nomadic life’

Shakira’s lawyers argued that until 2014, she was leading a “nomadic life” and earned most of her money from international tours, and that she moved permanently to Barcelona just before the birth of her second son in January 2015.

The diva announced her split from Pique in June 2022 after a decade-long relationship, ending what had been one of the world’s most famous celebrity couples. She moved to Miami in April with their two sons, Milan and Sasha.

Her trial had been expected to run until December 14, with the court scheduled to hear from nearly 120 witnesses.

Spanish prosecutors had interviewed her neighbours, tracked her images on social networks, checked payments at hairdressers and even the health clinic she attended during her pregnancy to bolster their accusations.

Questions about Shakira’s finances have been raised before.

The Latina superstar was named in one of the largest-ever leaks of financial documents in October 2021, known as the “Pandora Papers”, which revealed the wealth and tax avoidance strategies of the global rich, in her case relating to residence in the Bahamas.

Latin Grammy winner 

Spain has in recent years cracked down on celebrities like football stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for not paying their full due in taxes.

Both players were found guilty of evasion and received prison sentences that were waived for first-time offenders.

Shakira’s former partner Pique was himself convicted of tax fraud in 2016 and later ordered to pay the tax office 2.1 million euros.

The singer picked up three awards at the Latin Grammy Awards in Seville in southern Spain on Thursday, including for song of the year and best pop song for her collaboration with Argentine DJ Bizarrap on “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53”.

The track takes swipes at her former partner Pique and includes a reference to being left with a “debt to the tax office”. It has been played almost 1.5 billion times on Spotify and YouTube.

Source: Channel TV