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MINNEAPOLIS — Even as UnitedHealth Group workers have been wrongly made to feel unsafe by a barrage of threats and vitriol over the past nine days, CEO Andrew Witty said in a New York Times op-ed Friday that insurers must do better in being transparent with patients when coverage for care is denied. “Health care is both intensely personal and very complicated, and the reasons behind coverage decisions are not well understood,” Witty wrote in the guest column. “We share some of the responsibility for that. Together with employers, governments and others who pay for care, we need to improve how we explain what insurance covers and how decisions are made.” The comments follow a wave of public anger that crashed over the insurance industry online and in social media since the killing of Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare chief executive and Maple Grove resident who was shot repeatedly on a sidewalk in New York City. The outrage was fueled by early media reports on Thompson’s death that quoted his wife as saying the executive had received threats, possibly over denials, and because the words “deny” and “delay” reportedly were found written on bullet casings recovered from the crime scene. UnitedHealth Group confirmed Thursday night that shooting suspect Luigi Mangione did not have health insurance from UnitedHealthcare, contrary to speculation that the 26-year-old might have been motivated by a coverage dispute with the company. Safety concerns amid the animosity prompted two other health insurers in the Twin Cities to temporarily close offices this month. Leaders of Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group have appreciated “an enormous outpouring of support” from some, Witty wrote, for Thompson as well as the company’s UnitedHealthcare insurance division. “Yet we also are struggling to make sense of this unconscionable act and the vitriol that has been directed at our colleagues who have been barraged by threats,” he said. “No employees ... should have to fear for their and their loved one’s safety.” UnitedHealth Group employs about 19,000 people at its corporate headquarters as well as the health insurance business and Optum, which runs clinics and manages pharmacy benefits. In the op-ed, Witty echoed themes he started to send during an investor conference that was interrupted by word that Thompson had been killed on his way into the event. The company is well aware of problems with the U.S. health care system, he said, and is focused on driving change. “We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand people’s frustrations with it,” Witty wrote. “No one would design a system like the one we have. And no one did. It’s a patchwork built over decades.” When making decisions on whether to deny coverage or pay for patient services, health insurers rely on clinical evidence to determine whether a treatment is safe and will bring the best patient outcome, Witty wrote. For months before Thompson’s killing, tensions over health insurance denials were on display in Minnesota during contract disputes between UnitedHealthcare and two large health systems in the state. Bloomington-based HealthPartners and Duluth-based Essentia Health threatened to drop out of the insurance company’s Medicare Advantage networks, saying the denial rate was excessive at UnitedHealthcare. The insurance company called the allegations outlandish and untrue, while suggesting hospitals in contract disputes often try using patients as leverage to win higher reimbursement rates. Ultimately, both health systems agreed to contracts so they’ll stay in-network next year for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans. In October, a report by a U.S. Senate subcommittee found problems at three national health insurers including UnitedHealthcare, which reportedly denied prior authorization requests for post-acute care at three times the rate of other requests. The company said in response it still approves the vast majority of requests for post-acute care for patients after hospitalizations, and that it is federally required to give those claims heightened scrutiny. In July, 11 people were arrested outside its Minnetonka headquarters during an event to spotlight coverage denials. The company responded by stressing the safety of its workers while asserting it had resolved the group’s concerns for individual patients and was open to further dialogue. Health policy experts say there’s been a lack of comprehensive data on how frequently denials occur as well as the reasons for them. Surveys have shown public support for making more information available to patients. In his editorial, Witty did not advance any specific proposals but called for greater understanding of how health care is complex and change is difficult. “While the health system is not perfect, every corner of it is filled with people who try to do their best for those they serve,” Witty wrote. “Brian was one of those people. ... The ideas he advocated were aimed at making health care more affordable, more transparent, more intuitive, more compassionate — and more human.” ©2024 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit at startribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Stock market today: US stocks rise as Nvidia, Broadcom, lead tech sector higherThe Buffalo Bills are looking a bit banged up heading into their showdown Sunday with the Detroit Lions. No injury designation for Keon Coleman, so he’s good to go. Hamlin, Rapp, Kincaid among those questionable. https://t.co/fykF0hU6Gv The Bills held a full practice Friday after being snowed out on Thursday. Cornerback Rasul Douglas has been ruled out for Sunday with a knee injury. A host of other players, including tight end Dalton Kincaid and safeties Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin, are all nursing various injuries and are all questionable for Sunday. Rasul Douglas is already OUT for the #Bills on Sunday. Here's a quick look at Dalton Kincaid and Keon Coleman from Friday's practice as they try to make their returns vs. the Lions, plus Damar Hamlin in a red non-contact jersey. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/1IWayLJfKZ It isn't all bad news, however, as rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman, who missed the last four games with a wrist injury, practiced in full and is planning to suit up against Detroit. Head coach Sean McDermott addressed the abridged practice schedule this week. "We find a way — that's what we do," he said. “That's our goal now. That's the vision. That's what we talked about on the Zoom yesterday. We'll figure it out. We find a way and we go play our best and coach our best football. That's what you do." Kickoff on Sunday is set for 4:25 p.m.
Jeffrey Fleishman | (TNS) Los Angeles Times The national furor in recent years around banning books on race and gender in public schools is intensifying as President-elect Donald Trump threatens to shut down the Department of Education, emboldening conservatives to end “wokeness” in classrooms. Battles over books in school libraries have become emblematic of the country’s larger culture wars over race, historical revisionism and gender identity. A new report by PEN America found book bans increased by nearly 200% during the 2023-24 school year, including titles on sexuality, substance abuse, depression and other issues students face in an age of accelerating technologies, climate change, toxic politics and fears about the future. Book censorship has shaken and divided school boards, pitted parents against parents, and led to threats against teachers and librarians . It is part of an agenda driven by conservative parental rights groups and politicians who promote charter schools and voucher systems that could weaken public education. The issue goes to the heart not only of what students are taught but how federal and state education policies will affect the nation’s politics after one of the most consequential elections in its history. “It’s not just about taking a book off a shelf,” said Tasslyn Magnusson, an author and teacher from Wisconsin who tracks book censorship across the U.S. “It’s about power and who controls public education. It’s about what kind of America we were and are. We’re trying to define what family is and what America means. That comes down to the stories we tell.” She said she feared Trump’s return to the White House would further incite those calling for book bans: “I don’t have lots of hope. It could get a lot worse.” Over the last year, PEN counted more than 10,000 book bans nationwide that targeted 4,231 unique titles. Most were books dealing with gender, sexuality, race and LGBTQ+ storylines. The most banned title was Jodi Picoult’s “Nineteen Minutes,” about a school shooting that included a short description of date rape. Florida and Iowa — both of which have strict regulations on what students can read — accounted for more than 8,200 bans in the 2023-24 school year. “This crisis is tragic for young people hungry to understand the world they live in and see their identities and experiences reflected in books,” Kasey Meehan, director of PEN’s Freedom to Read Program, said in a statement. “What students can read in schools provides the foundation for their lives.” Trump’s calls to close the Department of Education would need congressional approval, which appears unlikely. Although public schools are largely funded and governed by state and local institutions, the department helps pay to educate students with disabilities, provides about $18 billion in grants for K-12 schools in poor communities and oversees a civil rights branch to protect students from discrimination. But Trump’s election has inspired conservative parental groups, including Moms For Liberty and Parents Defending Education, to strengthen efforts to limit what they see as a liberal conspiracy to indoctrinate children with books and teachings that are perverse, amoral and pornographic. Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, has criticized schools that she says spend too much time on diversity and inclusion when only about one-third of U.S. children are reading at grade level: “We’re talking about public school libraries and content for kids,” Justice told NewsNation after Trump’s victory. “I think it’s very clear that there are certain things that are appropriate for kids, certain things that are appropriate for adults. We’re just getting back to commonsense America.” Trump’s threat to deny federal funding to schools that acknowledge transgender identities could affect curricula and the kinds of books school libraries stock. During his rally at Madison Square Garden in October, Trump — who has has accused schools of promoting sex change operations — said his administration would get “transgender insanity the hell out of our schools.” Vice President-elect JD Vance has accused Democrats of wanting to “put sexually explicit books in toddlers’ libraries.” Nicole Neily, president of Parents Defending Education, told Newsmax that she was excited about Trump’s calls to remake education and “clean up a lot of the mess” he has inherited from the Biden administration. Trump “has centered parental rights back in his platform, which is incredible. He has prioritized knowledge and skill, not identity politics,” she said. “American children deserve better, and it is time for change.” In nominating Linda McMahon to be his secretary of Education, Trump appears to be pushing for more conservative parental control over what is taught and read in classrooms. A former professional wrestling executive, McMahon chairs the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-connected organization that has criticized schools for teaching “racially divisive” theories, notably about slavery and a perspective about the nation’s founding it views as anti-American. “Today’s contentious debates over using classrooms for political activism rather than teaching a complete and accurate account of American history have reinvigorated calls for greater parental and citizen involvement in the curriculum approval process,” the institute’s website says. Culturally divisive issues, including race and LGBTQ+ themes, cost school districts an estimated $3.2 billion during the 2023-24 school year, according to a recent study called “The Costs of Conflict.” The survey — published by the Institute for Democracy, Education and Access at UCLA — found that battles over books and teaching about sexuality and other topics led to increased expenses for legal fees, replacing administrators and teachers who quit, and security, including off-duty plainclothes police officers. “Are we really going to spend our tax dollars on these kinds of things?” asked Magnusson. “After Trump was elected, I saw a bunch of middle-class white ladies like me who were saying, ‘This isn’t America.’ But maybe it is America.” One school superintendent in a Western state told the study’s researchers that his staff was often consumed with correcting misinformation and fulfilling public record requests mainly from hard-line parental rights activists attempting to exploit cultural war issues to discredit the district. “Our staff are spending enormous amounts of time just doing stupid stuff,” the superintendent said. “The fiscal costs to the district are enormous, but [so are] the cultural costs of not standing up to the extremists. If someone doesn’t, then the students and employees lose. ... It’s the worst it’s ever been.” The survey found that 29% of 467 school superintendents interviewed reported that teachers and other staff quit their profession or left their districts “due to culturally divisive conflict.” Censoring books in school libraries grew out of opposition to COVID-19 restrictions. A number of conservative parental groups, including Moms for Liberty, which invited Trump to speak at its national convention in August, turned their attention to lobbying against “liberal indoctrination.” Their protests against what they criticized as progressive teaching on sexuality and race were focused on increasing conservative parental control over a public education system that was struggling at teaching children reading and math. That strategy has led to a national, right-wing effort that is “redefining government power to restrict access to information in our schools,” said Stephana Ferrell, co-founder of the Florida Freedom to Read Project. “This movement to protect the innocence of our children believes if children never read it in a book they won’t have to know about it and can go on to lead harmonious lives. But books teach us cautionary tales. They instruct us. You can’t protect innocence through ignorance.” School districts across the country have removed “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe and “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George Johnson, which are about gender identity and include graphic depictions of sex, along with titles by renowned writers such as Toni Morrison, Kurt Vonnegut, George Orwell, Maya Angelou and Flannery O’Connor. Related Articles National Politics | Trump promised mass deportations. Educators worry fear will keep immigrants’ kids from school National Politics | Trump team says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal brokered by Biden is actually Trump’s win National Politics | How Trump’s bet on voters electing him managed to silence some of his legal woes National Politics | After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff National Politics | Rudy Giuliani in a courtroom outburst accuses judge in assets case of being unfair, drawing a rebuke Surveys show that most Americans do not favor censorship. The Florida Freedom to Read Project and similar organizations around the country have called for thorough public reviews of challenged books to prevent one scene or passage from being taken out of context. Moderate and liberal parents groups over the last two years have also become more active in school board politics. They have supported school board candidates who have defeated those backed by Moms for Liberty in Texas, Florida and other states. “People say the pendulum will swing back,” said Ferrell. But, she said, conservatives want to “stop the pendulum from swinging back.” Picoult is accustomed to conservatives attempting to censor her. Her books have been banned in schools in more than 30 states. Published in 2007, “Nineteen Minutes” explores the lives of characters, including a girl who was raped, in a town leading up to a school shooting and its aftermath. “Having the most banned book in the country is not a badge of honor. It’s a call for alarm,” said Picoult, whose books have sold more than 40 million copies. “My book, and the 10,000 others that have been pulled off school library shelves this year, give kids a tool to deal with an increasingly divided and difficult world. These book banners aren’t helping children. They are harming them.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
HSFTOOLS expands its U.S. thermal imaging market presence with technology focusing on practical applications. The company's product line, featuring Super Resolution technology and real-time image processing, serves building inspection, HVAC maintenance, and DIY sectors. Photo credit: HSFTOOLS T.BINH DUONG, Vietnam, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HSFTOOLS , a thermal imaging solutions provider, is expanding its presence in the U.S. market with products designed for home inspections, HVAC maintenance, and DIY applications. The company has introduced a range of thermal imaging devices that incorporate neural network-based image enhancement technology, addressing various professional and practical applications. The company's HF96 thermal imager, which recently became a bestseller in its category on Amazon, utilizes Super Resolution technology that processes images in real-time at 25 Hz, increasing native resolution while enhancing edge details. This technology employs an algorithm specifically trained for common inspection scenarios, processing thermal imaging data to enhance resolution and reduce noise levels during active use. "Our focus is on making thermal imaging technology accessible and practical for everyday professional use, " says Jule Yue, marketing manager at HSFTOOLS. "We've developed our products specifically for applications in home inspection, predictive maintenance, and water leakage detection, where precise thermal imaging can improve efficiency and accuracy." The current product portfolio includes several specialized devices. The HF96V thermal camera incorporates visual capability for enhanced inspection documentation. The portable HP96 thermal camera is designed for mobility in field operations, while the FinderS1 provides thermal imaging capabilities for Android phones. Each device serves specific inspection tasks across industrial and residential settings. In the industrial sector, HSFTOOLS devices are utilized for preventive maintenance, helping identify potential equipment issues before they lead to failures. The technology enables maintenance teams to detect temperature anomalies in electrical systems and mechanical equipment. In residential applications, the devices assist in identifying insulation deficiencies, moisture intrusion, and HVAC system performance issues. "The thermal imaging sector continues to evolve beyond traditional industrial applications," Yue notes. "We're seeing increased demand from HVAC technicians, home inspectors, and maintenance professionals who require reliable thermal imaging tools for their daily work. These professionals need devices that can withstand regular use while providing accurate, easily interpretable data." For the upcoming Black Friday from November 21 through December 2, HSFTOOLS will offer their products at reduced prices. The HF96 thermal imager will be available at $139.99, while the FinderS1 Android phone thermal imager will be priced at $99.99. Other products in the lineup, including the HF96V and HP96 , will also see temporary price reductions during this period. HSFTOOLS's products are available through Amazon. About HSFTOOLS HSFTOOLS develops and manufactures thermal imaging products for professional and commercial applications. The company integrates thermal and visible light imaging technologies in its product development process, focusing on home inspection, HVAC maintenance, predictive maintenance, and water leakage detection applications. HSFTOOLS provides thermal imaging solutions for both professional contractors and DIY users. The company's product line includes thermal cameras, portable inspection devices, and smartphone-compatible thermal imaging systems. For more information, visit www.hsftools.com . Contact Information: Name:Jule Yue Company:HSFTOOLS Email: [email protected] Website: www.hsftools.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6764383d-6644-44fd-9a7d-471ad3f0091aBelichick's bid to reshape UNC football latest sign of pro influence on college level
UN watchdog to conduct probe into sexual misconduct allegations against top international prosecutorTopa, Stewart, McKenzie, Sulser reach deals ahead of tender deadlineBattles over books in school libraries have become emblematic of the country’s larger culture wars over race, historical revisionism and gender identity.Experts Predict Record Snowfall for Pacific Northwest: Here's How To Make the Most of This Ski Season
On the surface, Thanksgiving week might be a good time for Baylor to really appreciate just how far it has come this season after winning its fifth game in a row and securing a trip to a bowl game. Not so fast, my friend. Kansas has won three straight games over ranked teams and comes to Waco to close out the regular season in a battle of two red-hot teams on Saturday at 11 a.m. “You pop on their tape and (it's) way apparent, they’re probably the best team we've played,” Baylor head coach Dave Aranda. Baylor has won its last 13 meetings against Kansas, including a perfect 11-0 all-time record when the two teams face off in Waco. With no classes this week, it gives the Bears much more time to focus on football. But it also gives them much more time to ruin all the good things they’ve built leading up to the regular season finale. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda runs on the field with offensive lineman Omar Aigbedion before their game with Houston. “There’s a maturity with this team as we’ve gone (on), Aranda said. “I feel like we’re in a position to handle that the right way. They know they’re playing for a lot. They’re playing for these seniors. They’re playing for a real successful end of the year. I know it means a lot to them.” It wasn’t pretty, but Baylor outlasted Houston, 20-10, on Saturday night for their fifth win in a row and won all their games against fellow Texas-based Big 12 teams this season. Quarterback Sawyer Robertson threw a career-high three interceptions, the Bears’ 325 yards of total offense are the third-fewest in a game this season and the 20 points was the second-lowest scoring output of the season for the Bears. “I'm confident in our offense,” Aranda said. “I'm confident in the coaches and in our players. I think all of it can be a good thing, that you struggle at times, it allows you to reflect and really look at yourself and find the things that we were taking for granted, or we were losing a little bit of an edge on.” Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson gives the “sic ’em” sign while walking off the field during their win over Houston. With just one week to go, they are one of nine conference teams that are still alive for a berth in the Big 12 Championship game. The first step in that process begins with a Baylor win over Kansas on Saturday. If that happens, the Bears need three of the four two-loss teams (Arizona State vs. Arizona, BYU vs. Houston, Colorado vs. Oklahoma State and Iowa State vs. Kansas State) to lose to clinch a trip to Arlington. Despite all the assistant coaches and analysts on the Baylor staff, there is not one in charge of figuring out tiebreakers. “It just speaks to the conference and to just how tough it is to win,” Aranda said. “Everyone's talented, everyone's got really good coaches. You have to be on it. Physically, you've got to be healthy enough to be on it. Mentally, with all the schematic issues that you get... That’s exhausting.” Injury updates Steve Linton missed the Houston game with a lower-leg injury but is trending in the right direction ahead of the season finale, according to Aranda. “(He) looks good,” Aranda said. “He was moving around today. We wish we could have had him for Saturday, but I'm confident we'll have him for this next one.” Linton missed a game earlier this season due to suspension but has been a crucial piece of the defense, ranking 10th on the team with 25 tackles and coming in at No. 2 on the team with seven TFLs and three sacks. Quarterback Dequan Finn started the first two games of the season, was available in the road game at Colorado and rushed for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the road win over Texas Tech. Finn, who transferred to Baylor after four years at Toledo, will remain sidelined as he and the Bears look toward the next steps. “Dequan is still trying to work through his injury and get it properly diagnosed and what's next for him in his career,” Aranda said. “That has been however many weeks we're into it. I feel for him, and I'm hopeful we get some type of closure with that here soon.” Baylor vs. Houston Game Highlights | 2024 Big 12 Football // via BaylorAthletics on YouTube Welcome to 'Feast Week' Aranda was quick to tell his team to stay focused this week, but that doesn’t mean they can’t kick back a little bit on Thursday. His favorite part of Thanksgiving is being with family. Aranda said his oldest daughter, Jaelyn, was back from Wisconsin for a little bit, and before she leaves for the Badgers’ next football game, it’s been good to see his other two children be excited to spend time with their older sister. What are his plans for Thursday? “I enjoy being on the couch after eating a lot of food, watching football,” Aranda said. Also, the pie. “I would say pies would probably be my top (food choice),” Aranda said. “I take all types of pies. There are times where I go pies prior (to dinner) before I should.” Be the first to know Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Getting blown out at Green Bay following another squandered late lead the previous week against Seattle has quickly turned the San Francisco 49ers from a Super Bowl contender into a team just fighting to get back to the playoffs. If San Francisco doesn't get healthy and eliminate the errors that led to Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Packers, the focus will turn from playoff permutations to what offseason changes are necessary. “I think everyone understands completely outside and inside what the situation is,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday. “That’s why the Seattle game was so tough of a loss and that’s why last night was even worse. We know what we got ahead of us. We know exactly what the playoff situation is. That is what it is. But really, all that matters is this week when you do need to go on a run and put a lot of wins to even think of that.” The task doesn't get any easier as the Niners (5-6) get set to play at Buffalo on Sunday night. The 49ers are hoping to get injured stars Brock Purdy , Nick Bosa and Trent Williams back for that game, but their presence alone won't fix everything that went wrong on Sunday . The defense got repeatedly gashed early and put San Francisco in a 17-0 hole before the offense even generated a first down. The running game never got going as Christian McCaffrey has looked nothing like the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year in his three games back from Achilles tendinitis. And whenever the Niners appeared to do something right, a penalty came back to haunt them. It added up to the most lopsided loss for San Francisco since the 2018 season, before Shanahan had turned the Niners into perennial contenders. “It’s probably one of the worst ones I’ve been a part of,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “It is embarrassing. You’ve got to take it on the chin, take it like a man and move on.” Despite the doom and gloom, the 49ers are only one game behind Seattle and Arizona in the NFC West standings with six games to go. But San Francisco already has three division losses and a difficult schedule featuring games against the Bills this week and Detroit in Week 17. “My optimism is not broken by any means,” tight end George Kittle said. “We still have a lot of very talented players. We will get some guys back and I still have full trust in the coaching staff to put our guys in position to make plays. I have no worry about that. But definitely an uphill grind. We'll see what we’re made of, which I’m looking forward to.” Red-zone passes to Kittle. Backup QB Brandon Allen connected on a 3-yard TD pass to Kittle late in the second quarter for San Francisco's only TD. Kittle leads the NFL with eight touchdown catches in the red zone, which is tied with Vernon Davis (2013) for the most in a season for a Niners player since 2000. Kittle was the only consistent part of the San Francisco offense with six catches for 82 yards. Avoiding penalties. San Francisco had nine penalties for 77 yards and they were costly and sloppy. The Niners had 12 men on the field on defense on back-to-back plays, three false starts, a pass interference in the end zone and three penalties on special teams, including a holding on Eric Saubert that negated an 87-yard kickoff return by Deebo Samuel to open the second half. Rookie Dominick Puni had three penalties after being penalized just once in the first 10 games. DE Leonard Floyd. There were few positive performances on defense, but Floyd had both of the team's sacks. Run defense. San Francisco allowed 169 yards rushing, including 87 in the first quarter for the team's second-worst performance in the opening quarter since 1991. The Niners missed 19 tackles, according to Pro Football Focus, as Josh Jacobs gained 83 of his 106 yards rushing after contact. Purdy took part in a light throwing session without pain on Monday and Shanahan is hopeful he can return to practice Wednesday after missing the Green Bay game with a shoulder injury. ... Bosa (hip, oblique) and Williams (ankle) also could return this week after sitting out Sunday. ... LG Aaron Banks, DT Jordan Elliott and WR Jacob Cowing all in the concussion protocol. ... RG Dominick Puni (shoulder) and CB Deommodore Lenoir (knee) underwent MRIs on Monday and the team is waiting for results. ... CB Renardo Green (neck) and LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) are day to day. 11 — The Niners generated only 11 first downs, tied for the fewest in any game in eight seasons under Shanahan. They also had 11 in the 2022 NFC title game loss at Philadelphia when Purdy hurt his elbow and in Week 2 against Seattle in Shanahan's first season in 2017. The 49ers visit Buffalo on Sunday night. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has presided over the annual meeting of the ADNOC Board of Directors. During the meeting, which was held at ADNOC Headquarters, His Highness approved the launch of XRG, a lower-carbon energy and chemicals investment company to accelerate ADNOC’s international growth and drive greater value. XRG will initially focus on investments that meet the growing global demand for natural gas, chemicals and low carbon energies. His Highness praised ADNOC for its achievements in delivering on its international growth strategy and noted that XRG will build on these achievements and ADNOC’s track record in energy and investments to deliver long-term sustainable value for the UAE. The board endorsed ADNOC’s target to drive AED200 billion (US$54.5 billion) into the UAE economy over the next five years through its In-Country Value (ICV) programme, building on AED55 billion (US$15 billion) delivered this year. The ICV programme also created 5,500 jobs for Emiratis in the private sector this year in partnership with the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis). These achievements bring the total value ADNOC has driven back into the UAE economy to AED242 billion (US$65.9 billion), with 17,000 Emiratis employed in the private sector since the programme was launched in 2018. His Highness highlighted ADNOC’s important role as a primary catalyst for the UAE’s growth and diversification and commended the company for continuing to prioritise value creation for the nation and stimulate economic and industrial opportunities for the private sector. As part of these efforts, ADNOC is enabling local manufacturing of critical industrial products in its supply chain. The company has signed local manufacturing agreements with UAE and international companies worth AED72 billion (US$19.6 billion) since 2022, as it delivers on its target to locally manufacture AED90 billion (US$24.5 billion) worth of products in its procurement pipeline by 2030 in support of the UAE’s ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative. The board reviewed ADNOC’s gas growth strategy and commended the company’s progress in harnessing the UAE’s gas resources to meet growing global gas demand. Through the lower-carbon Ruwais LNG project, ADNOC is more than doubling its existing UAE liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity to around 15 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) while building an integrated global gas business with strategic investments in Egypt, Mozambique, Azerbaijan, and the US. The board was updated on ADNOC’s artificial intelligence and digital technology (AIDT) strategy as it aims to become the world's most AI-enabled energy company. The board praised ADNOC for its industry leadership in leveraging digitalisation, advanced technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiencies and future-proof its business. Ahead of the meeting, His Highness visited ADNOC’s world-class AI center, where he was briefed on how the company is integrating AI from the control room to the board room to enhance safety, maximise value, and reduce emissions as it continues to advance the UAE’s thriving AI ecosystem. During the tour, His Highness was shown some of ADNOC’s innovative AI solutions, including the world-first deployment of Robowell, an autonomous well-control solution, as well as the AI Lab, which is set to identify and shape high-value AI use cases across its operations. His Highness was also updated on ENERGYai, a first-of-its-kind agentic AI solution, which ADNOC recently launched in collaboration with AIQ, G42, and Microsoft. His Highness met with a group of young talented Emirati employees driving pioneering AI initiatives. Building on the success of ADNOC’s Trading Academy, His Highness was briefed on how young Emirati commodity traders are being upskilled to create additional revenue streams for the company across its international trading businesses. His Highness praised ADNOC for empowering young Emirati talent and delivering several strategic initiatives to develop its people. His Highness stressed that people are the nation’s greatest asset, and the UAE leadership will continue to prioritise human capital development. His Highness thanked ADNOC employees for their hard work and dedication and emphasised the importance of continuous performance improvement, efficiency, and agility. Attending the meeting were His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi; Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC); Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouie, Member of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office; Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State; Jassem Al Zaabi, Member of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Department of Finance; Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Member of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Department of Energy; and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and Managing Director and Group CEO of Mubadala. Dr. Al Jaber said, “Under the guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the steadfast support of the ADNOC Board of Directors, ADNOC is reinforcing its critical role as a catalyst for the UAE’s economic and industrial growth and a reliable global energy provider. This year has been a transformative period for ADNOC where we have taken important steps to future-proof our business, pivot to new growth opportunities across the energy value chain and the world, and accelerate the adoption of AI to drive efficiency and unlock greater value. With the support of all my colleagues across the ADNOC Group, we will build on this momentum to deliver more energy with fewer emissions to empower lives and fuel economies while delivering long-term sustainable value and growth.” ADNOC’s strong sustainability performance and its efforts to decarbonise and drive low-carbon growth was also highlighted by the board. The board directed ADNOC to double down on its 2030 sustainability strategy and its industry-leading net zero by 2045 ambition. ADNOC ranks among the least carbon-intensive oil and gas producers in the world and is further reducing its carbon intensity by 25% and targeting near-zero methane emissions by 2030. Follow Emirates 24|7 onBarcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal wins 2024 Golden Boy AwardKendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay woman $250K in sexual assault case, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has found that mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor sexually assaulted a woman in a hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The Dublin jury awarded the woman more than $250,000 for her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her on Dec. 9, 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified he never forced her to do anything and that the woman had fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. The jury found for the woman on Friday. At least 15 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 15 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 160,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat this week after Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.” Shohei Ohtani wins third MVP award, first in NL. Aaron Judge earns second AL honor in 3 seasons NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points.
In today's Daily Fix:According to a Bloomberg report, Sony is getting back into the handheld business in a big way. The company is working on a handheld PlayStation to rival the Nintendo Switch, but it's still years away. Based on that loose timeline, it will likely face competition from a possible Xbox handheld, as well. Sony recently released the PlayStation Portal, but that was more of a PS5 accessory than a standalone gaming system, since it requires either a PS5 or a PS Plus subscription and very good wifi. In other news, Troy Baker will have a very big part in Naughty Dog's upcoming game, which shouldn't come as a surprise since he's the co-lead in one of the studio's biggest games (The Last of Us Part 1). And finally, we have a brand new Sonic 3 trailer.President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money convictionCelebrities can spark change when they speak up about their health
Syrians celebrate in central Damascus during first Friday prayers since Assad's fallNone
Liverpool: Liverpool beat Real Madrid 2-0 on Wednesday to move back to the top of the Champions League standings with a perfect record of five victories from five. Second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo were enough to give Arne Slot's team victory, with both Kylian Mbappe of Madrid and Mohamed Salah missing from the spot. Defeat leaves holders Madrid in 24th spot.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is saddled with investigating financial crimes in Nigeria. However, this report detailed how their aggressive mode of operation has put countless citizens at the receiving end of harassment, assaults and arbitrary arrests. It was around 5 am. Agabi, 31, and his wife, three months pregnant, were deep asleep, lulled by the early morning breeze in Kwalkwalawa, Sokoto State when a loud commotion from outside their apartment jolted them. They had recently discovered they were expecting twins, and their hearts were filled with excitement. But that morning's travail would soon rob them of their joy. The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a mission to apprehend suspected internet fraudsters raided their estate of 20 flats on August 25, 2023. Many of the residents, mostly students, were arrested that morning. A few days earlier, the couple had gone to the hospital for a routine checkup and received the good news that they were expecting twins. Agabi began preparing for fatherhood and started buying baby supplies. Little did they know that a devastating raid that would tear their dreams apart was looming. "It was still dark outside when the door was forced open," Agabi recalled. He sat up and was barely awake when an EFCC agent barged into their bedroom which had his wife lying naked on the bed. Despite his confusion as to what warranted the presence of the agent in his bedroom, Agabi bore the humiliation, requesting the agent to leave whilst they got dressed. However, the agent barked orders at him to dress quickly and follow them to their office. They confiscated his laptop and phone and dragged him into their vehicle. Along the way, one of them struck him from behind, bidding him to quicken his pace. They brought him to their Hilux and squeezed him into the midst of other suspects before they zoomed away. Meanwhile, they left his wife behind, alone in the apartment, to suffer the physical and emotional trauma of the drama that unfolded before her eyes. Agabi At the state EFCC facility, the agents subjected Agabi and his neighbours from the estate, whom they also arrested, to hours of interrogation. Despite finding nothing incriminating about him, they treated Agabi with hostility and went as far as threatening to beat him. “When we got to their state headquarters, the director came out, started recording everyone’s face, and asked for our names. I told him not to publicize my name or face because no investigation had been carried out, and I had nothing to hide,” Agabi said. He recalled that the director assured him that they would not make the footage public, but, days later, he would find his name in a list on the EFCC’s website, which he considered a damage to his reputation. “I remember one of them asking me to sit on the floor in a corner. I asked him, ‘Am I a criminal? Why should I sit on the floor?’, and he threatened to slap and beat me up. I told him he had no right to touch me, especially after barging into my house and traumatizing my pregnant wife. I stood my ground, and eventually, he let me be.” By the time they released him in the evening after their investigations revealed that he was indeed innocent, he would find that they had taken more than just his freedom and right to privacy and personal dignity. His wife, whom the events of the day distressed greatly, began feeling unwell and, two days later, started bleeding. The couple rushed to a specialist hospital in the dead of night, only to get the devastating news that she had lost the pregnancy that brought them so much joy. The trauma of the raid had taken a toll on her, and she lost their twins. For Agabi, the cause was clear. The stress and fear that the EFCC raid inflicted on his household was responsible for his wife's miscarriage. This case is not an isolated incident. Over the years, allegations of human rights violations have sprung from different quarters, relating to the operations of the EFCC, especially in their pursuit of suspected internet fraudsters. Agabi and his wife are just one of many families caught in the crossfire of the crude tactics these operatives deploy in the line of their duty. The EFCC was established in 2003 to investigate financial crimes, such as advanced fee fraud (419) and money laundering. However, in recent times, Nigerians have seen this agency develop a predilection for hunting internet fraudsters in a manner that has put innocent citizens at the receiving end of their harassment, assault and arbitrary arrests. Expectedly, citizens have expressed their frustration over it through a series of protests aimed at demanding reforms in the agency. From artistes like Skales and Shallipopi , to former reality show stars, Dorathy and Leo Dasilva , even celebrities have had their share of this plague of intrusion and harassment at the hands of the EFCC. Legal and public affairs experts posit that the tactics of the agency are now becoming more akin to the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force, a notorious unit that employed inhuman means to conduct their duties, a practice that claimed countless lives and ultimately triggered a nationwide #EndSARS anti-police brutality protest in 2020. Norah Okafor, an Abia State journalist, was asleep after a strenuous day when a loud knock from her gate jolted her around 2: am. Her brother, who had come to spend holiday with her, rushed to her room to alert her that there were armed robbers at the gate. They had not the slightest inkling that the invaders were operatives of the EFCC. When they did not respond, about 25 armed men, by her count, clad in black and spotting masks, breached the electric fence surrounding her apartment, leaping into the premises. After gaining entry, they smashed through the door, forcing their way into her apartment. She was in bewilderment and barely had clothes on when the officers stormed her room. Norah Okafor “About seven of them entered my room. I was naked, and they demanded I put on my clothes. They shouted, ‘Lie down! Face down! Where is your phone?’ They damaged my doors and slapped my brother," she told The ICIR, They seized her phone, laptop and car keys before forcing her into the premises where she had parked her car the previous day. They proceeded to harass her neighbours and destroy things in the compound, she alleged. “It was more than one hour, and I was wondering who they were. When we came downstairs and they were to take my car and my brother, I began to ask them, ‘Who are you and why do you want to take my car?’ That was when I saw some of their men in EFCC vests. I asked why they didn’t identify themselves to do their job professionally”. Amidst the turmoil, Norah attempted to retrieve her identity card from her car, and it accidentally dropped on the ground. This was when the agents saw “PRESS” on it and realised they were at the wrong place. The officers hastily returned everything they had taken and drove off, leaving her to bear the damage. When Okafor went public with her story the next day, the EFCC, in their usual style, denied the allegation. “They said I just wanted to trend for no justifiable reason,” she recalled. This is similar to the response of the commission to the accusations of an actor, Helen Duru, who shared a video of herself in her blood and with a fractured skull, alleging that the operatives of the commission broke into her house and took turns to bash her until she bled profusely. The commission responded by saying the actress was merely seeking attention. Norah Okafor's door broken by EFCC operatives However, Okafor subsequently sued the agency for violating her fundamental human rights and demanded the sum of N20 million for exemplary and general damages. She also sought a declaration from the court that the invasion by the masked operatives while she was naked and asleep was unlawful, unconstitutional and an infringement on her rights to the dignity of the human person. Ultimately, the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, ordered the commission to pay her 3.5 million Naira and tender a public apology in two national dailies. However, two years after the ruling, the agency neither obeyed the court order nor appealed the judgement. Like Okafor, many Nigerians, including students, have fallen victim to the crude modus operandi of the EFCC. However, all but a few nursed their woes without involving the judiciary. One of them is *Chukwudi who once lived at a 36-person resident behind the University of Ibadan. He was in Oyo, caring for his sick mother, when his neighbour called around 4: a.m. to report that people were breaking into their rooms. He was glad that, before he left his room, he had already secured his laptop in a drawer and locked the door to his room. However, he tried to reach the neighbour afterwards but couldn’t get through to him. By 6:30 am, another housemate informed him that they had taken away seven housemates after breaking into all the rooms, except one. One of the housemates, whose brother worked as a security in an EFCC facility, confirmed that the agency was responsible. [caption id="attachment_237608" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Chukwudi's room disrupted by EFCC officials When Chukwudi eventually arrived, he found that they had ransacked his room. His MacBook Pro, PlayStation 4, Bluetooth speaker, international passport, University of Ibadan (UI) certificate, important documents, and a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge that held his crypto assets, were missing. His parents sent a lawyer to the EFCC office. There, the officers accused him of escaping and searched his phone for evidence, but they found nothing. Whilst they were able to recover some of his items, his MacBook and Samsung phone remained missing. The agents claimed someone else might have taken them after the raid, but Chukwudi insisted that they left his room unsecured. The head of operations threatened him with detention, but he continued to push for his missing laptop. He continued to vent his frustration via tweets about his situation, creating an unsavoury situation for the EFCC and they soon realised that he was not going to let them be. His story gained traction online, prompting them, assumedly, to intensify their efforts to find his belongings. Four days later, they claimed to have found his MacBook in their raid bus, a story that seemed unbelievable, considering the bus had been used in other operations. Chukwudi recovered his belongings except the Samsung phone and, although he considered suing, he chose not to pursue it further. Some of his housemates endured even worse outcomes. For instance, one of his roommates, a woman, was beaten during the invasion. Though he managed to retrieve his laptop and other items, the experience scarred him and gave him a glimpse of the many unethical practices of the anti-graft commission. *Chukwudi During his frequent visits to the EFCC office, Chukwudi witnessed how the agents would seize suspects' items but not list everything, leaving victims helpless. He also observed the brutality of the operatives, who regularly harassed and beat people, whether they were guilty or not. When Ola Olukoyede took over from Abdulrasheed Bawa, under whose administration allegations of human rights abuses abound, many Nigerians thought the agency’s approach was going to change when its leadership changed hands in June 2023, but cases of arbitrary arrests, assaults and harassment have rather continued to persist. Apart from breaking into people’s homes, their major targets are tertiary institutions and hotels, sparking reactions from student union organisations and hotel owners across the country. EFCC chairman, Ola Olukayode One night in November 2023, EFCC operatives invaded the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Students’ off-campus hostel at the Oduduwa Estate. They went on to apprehend no fewer than 69 students, ferrying them to detention at their Ibadan zonal office. Hafiz, a young and ambitious software engineer, wouldn't forget the day in a hurry. "I was woken by several shouts and loud banging noises that I immediately thought to be gunshots," he narrated. Living in a students' hostel, Hafiz initially thought they were under attack by armed robbers. Peeping through the slits in his door, he saw his fellow tenants lying face down, surrounded by armed men. Fearing for his life, he tried to escape by crawling into the ceiling but soon changed his mind when he suffered a sudden electric shock. The gunmen stormed his room, dragged him downstairs, and ordered him and the others to lay face down on the cold floor, beating them relentlessly. It wasn't until he noticed the jackets of his captors that he realised they were not criminals, but agents of the EFCC. "I had no idea why I was being taken away. I'm not a fraudster. I've never been involved in cybercrime,” he cried. Despite his innocence, they sandwiched Hafiz into a vehicle with other students, forcing them to sit on the laps of one another as the bus brimmed with the addition of suspects from neighbouring hostels. "They warned us not to look up or we would be shot," he looked back at the terrifying moment. 58 students arrested by EFCC operatives at the OAU According to the commission, they arrested the students, following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities, and published their names and photographs in media reports as internet fraudsters. They eventually released 58 of these students , meaning that the evidence found on them was not strong enough for conviction. Expectedly, the mass arrest sparked an outrage, raising many disturbing questions. Following the release of the arrested students, many of the parents demanded an apology from the EFCC for the unlawful clampdown on their wards. They also sought the immediate clearance of their children’s names, pictures and biometrics from the anti-graft body's records. However, the commission did not respond to the clamour that their actions could jeopardize the future of these young ones or address the concerns. Following the outrage that trailed the arrest of the OAU students, the commission ’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, directed its operatives to stop sting operations at night. However, this didn’t stop the officers of the agency from continued raids of businesses and homes or the harassment and arbitrary arrest of young Nigerians. In defiance of its own directive, the operatives stormed various students’ residences at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in a midnight raid and arrested 14 students around 3: am. The Student Union of the institution accused them of destroying property, maltreating and inflicting injuries on some other students. *Christiana, a student of the University, was trying to rest in her hostel after a long spell in the lecture halls. Suddenly, heavy beams of flashlights pierced through the darkness in her room, and she fell out of her sleep. By the time her vision adjusted to the change in lighting, she saw three men standing. Her thought was that they were thieves or kidnappers. "I woke up with flashlights on me," she recalled with a shaky voice. "I wasn’t wearing anything. I saw three men, and I was just begging them not to touch me. I could not even think they were law enforcement agents." Amid fear, Christiana found herself pleading with the strangers, hoping they wouldn’t harm her. She still couldn't connect the dots when they started asking for her name, her department and whether she lived there. Her words came out in stammers, uncertain of her fate until one of them turned and she saw "EFCC" behind his vest. "He told me to put on my clothes and take them to the rooms of the guys with cars," she explained. "I told them I didn’t know any of the guys with cars. I was just staying there." As she put on her clothes with her nerves around the place, one of the agents remained in the room and watched her. She had no moment of privacy or any sense of safety. When she was ready, he led her outside and continued questioning her about who lived there, but she had no answers. The raid soon spiralled into chaos, with agents knocking down doors. They seized phones and personal belongings, threatening anyone who resisted or asked questions. "Some of them corked their guns, saying that if those guys tried to run, they were going to shoot them," Christiana added, her voice still laced with the fear she felt that night. Later, EFCC operatives, heavily armed, moved to Shauz club and Signatures club, which frequently hosted night parties and events in the state, in a white space bus. Eyewitnesses observed that the officers used excessive force during the operation, entering various clubs and lounges, tear-gassing patrons, and arbitrarily arresting people. The raid resulted in numerous injuries as they fired tear gas canisters inside one of the clubs. In one of them, a bride, groom and his friends, who were at the club for a pre-wedding celebration, found themselves on the anti-graft operatives’ web, facing indiscriminate profiling as internet fraudsters. After the raid, in which the commission arbitrarily arrested 127 people, they claimed that the suspects were attending a gathering related to internet fraud. Photographs from victims of the raids showed the bodies of women at the club who were at the mercy of the masked officers’ rage. These relentless raids would later stir up a youth protest on illegal raids without proof of warrant or authorisation as hotel owners. Angry youths and civil society groups in Akure branded the raids barbaric and unlawful. The commission dismissed the videos and pictures exposing how they assaulted, harassed and destroyed properties at nightclubs as stage-managed. However, a subsequent operation at another hotel in Lagos State validated the widespread allegations of human rights violation against its operatives as they fired shots, injured customers and arrested guests. Hotel staff alleged that the officials broke into rooms, assaulted guests and workers, and took away ATM cards, money and phones. The agency would have discredited the claims, as usual, but CCTV footage capturing about five EFCC operatives in tactical vests breaking into a room through the door was enough evidence. As soon as they entered the room, one of them repeatedly hit a staff member they met inside. CCTV showed an EFCC officer assaulting a woman The footage showed that the woman did not struggle with the operatives and how they led her out after the short scene in the room. Two of them could be seen inspecting drawers in the room with one caught taking some items before leaving the room. Caught red-handed, the commission released a statement ordering the arrest of the officers for further investigation. Regrettably, despite clear evidence, the agency has not meted any sanctions on the officers involved in this assault and the statement did not disclose the names or any other details regarding them. In July, many young Nigerians announced the plan to embark on a protest tagged #ReformEFCC to express their frustration over the continuous and alarming human rights violations by the operatives of the commission and demand for reforms. The protesters outlined six key demands, which include ending indiscriminate arrests and invasion of homes, property destruction during sting operations and, likewise, profiling, assaulting and manhandling of young Nigerians. However, subtle intimidation and threats from the EFCC and other security agencies suppressed the plans. Meanwhile, this is not the first time Nigerian youths have protested over allegations of human rights violations by the operatives of the EFCC. In October 2022, some youths in Delta State protested against them, which claimed three lives. Similarly, some students of the Federal Polytechnic Ede in Osun State, protested their colleagues' arrest after the commission's operatives raided the school. Twenty-seven of these students were later expelled for participating in the protest. Some citizens believe that the agency has narrowed its mandate to merely hunting petty thieves while giving preferential treatment to corrupt politicians who face allegations of looting public funds. Data obtained by The ICIR shows that the EFCC has faced significant challenges in securing successful outcomes in the last five years, despite its aggressive tactics. Out of 58,165 cases investigated, primarily through raids and sting operations, the agency was only able to secure 10,935 convictions. This represents approximately 19 per cent of the entire cases probed by the commission in that period. This implies that the remaining 81 per cent of cases investigated did not lead to convictions. Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of the EFCC’s methods, particularly given the rife allegations of human rights violations reported during their investigations. Similarly, there has been a decrease in the ratio of cases investigated to cases filed in court over the years. Of the 58,165 cases investigated, only 16,115 cases were filed in court between 2019 and 2023. This means that the agency was unable to build a strong case against about 72 per cent of the individuals it investigated, oftentimes through raids, arbitrary arrests and inhuman interrogations. Also, the total number of convictions secured by the agency has shown an increase since 2019, the overall effectiveness when compared to the number of cases investigated, remains concerning. For instance, in 2019, the commission was able to secure only 14 per cent of convictions from the cases it investigated while the conviction rate in 2023 is only 15.21 per cent Interviews with several victims showed that the operatives of the EFCC are violating various national and international laws in their operations. Independent accounts from victims show that operatives met out beatings before concluding the investigation, violating the Torture Act 2017. The Act seeks to ensure that the rights of all persons, including suspects and detainees, are respected at all times. It also stipulates that, no person placed under investigation or held in the custody of any person in authority shall be subjected to physical harm, force, violence, threat or intimidation or any act that impairs their free will. Chapter 4, Section 34 of the Nigerian Constitution also guarantees the right to human dignity and prohibits all forms of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment and slavery or servitude. This section ensures that every Nigerian is protected from actions or conditions that violate their dignity as humans. In addition, the EFCC often arrests individuals arbitrarily and detains them for days whilst attempting to extract evidence for prosecution, rather than conducting a proper investigation before making arrests. This is against section 35 of the constitution, which states that an agency cannot detain anyone for more than 48 hours (or 24 hours, in most cases) without charging them in court. This is also a diversion from similar agencies across the world, where strong intelligence is gathered for crimes before arrests follow. Legal experts interviewed by The ICIR stressed the need for the EFCC to adopt rigorous investigative methods and ensure diligent prosecutions and convictions, without allowing its operatives to violate the law whilst executing their mandate. “EFCC now operates like armed robbers. They break down doors, search without a warrant, intrude on people's privacy and do all sorts of stuff that armed robbers do. Only that theirs is official. EFCC is now the new SARS,” was the deduction of Ridwan Oke, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer who played an important role in the release of several detainees during the October 2020 #EndSARS protests. Oke stressed that Nigerian laws are explicit about how security agencies should operate, without violating fundamental human rights, including the right to human dignity as outlined in the constitution. “What I'm seeing from the EFCC is not much different from how the police have been operating, which we've always criticized,” he said, adding that, “If you want to conduct an arrest, even if you have an arrest warrant, you must do so with thorough respect for the law. That means you don't just break into residences.” He condemned the EFCC’s practice of conducting raids at night without proper warrants, stating that such actions should typically only be carried out during the daytime, which could range from 6: am to 6: pm unless the individual in question has been evading arrest for a prolonged period. Ridwan Oke “However, the EFCC breaks into apartments, beats people up and, sometimes, even steals from them. This is totally against our laws. We have rights to human dignity, rights to privacy, and several other rights that are enshrined and protected. So, it is unacceptable if the EFCC is violating these rights. The level of investigation they claim to be conducting doesn't matter. The EFCC often disregards these legal protections in some of their activities.” On his part, Vahyala Kwaga, a lawyer and Senior Research & Policy Analyst at BudgIT noted that EFCC’s tactics often prioritise performance over justice. He explained that the criminal justice system involves a comprehensive value chain, starting from investigation and arrest, and culminating in prosecution, adjudication and sentencing. He, however, observed that the agency often focuses only on arrests as yardsticks for its performance, which, as he believes, is their motivation for rushing to publish names of suspects without concluding necessary investigations. [c Vahyala Kwaga “The EFCC [and other investigatory agencies] is meant to be guided by their establishing law and court orders. While the president appoints their heads and the legislature confirms them, they are bound by the decisions of courts on procedure and independent of the executive. This is in line with international best practice,” he said. Kwaga implored the EFCC to enhance its compliance with human rights laws, particularly in cybercrime raids. He advised that the agency should make public disclosures of its investigative methods and ensure that its officers ask critical legal questions before conducting raids, such as whether the actions are lawful, necessary and proportionate. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of maintaining detailed arrest records, promptly informing detainees’ families, and providing continuous training to EFCC officers on proper arrest procedures and human rights protections. It took several days to get *Adejobi, to agree to an interview. The 25-year-old, who is amongst the students arrested on February 14, when armed EFCC officers conducted a midnight raid at a student residence in Akure, described the experience as one he wouldn't wish to encounter again. His voice quivered as he recounted his ordeal, showing possible signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Around 2: am, on the fateful day, the officers stormed his hostel, broke down doors and seized personal belongings, including phones, PCs and even a motorcycle. Adejobi’s singular offence was owning a Samsung phone and a laptop. “They took us to the back of the building and said we should open our phones and bags. They started checking everything. Based on their intuition, they decide on who would be going with them or not. If you were using something like Tecno, they would ask you to go but if you were using something like iPhone or Samsung, they would ask you to follow them. It seemed like they were deciding who to take with them based on the gadgets they possessed,” he recalled. The raid was part of a larger operation, with the officers moving from one location to another, hunting for students who matched their profile of internet fraudsters based solely on their possessions. After confiscating their devices, they whisked Adejobi and others off to Benin City, where they arrived after hours of waiting for other buses conveying students, they arrested from other schools to join them. The officers ordered the students to sit on the floor, ransacking their bags and asking them how they managed to get their gadgets and what they used them for. Adejobi, who is a programmer, had to explain his work to clear any suspicion of criminal activity. Despite cooperating, they held them for almost two days. Some of them were tortured by the operatives of the agency. After further questioning and verifying their information, they released some of them, but without providing them any assistance to return to Akure, where they arrested them. Another victim, *Folohunsho said he was detained by the commission for 10 days without being charged after the daughter of an Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in the Nigerian Police Force, reported him to the EFCC over alleged fraud. “I was held without any real evidence, just an accusation. Yet, they kept my phone and laptop for nearly two months.” Folohunsho's time in custody was a nightmare. In his words, "The officers were brutal. We were served meals three times a day, but the food often had flies and maggots. When we complained about. They treated us like animals. I saw men beaten with pipes and belts,” he recalled, saying was just a fraction of his harrowing experience. “I had to transfer ₦200,000 to one of the officers to get my phone and laptop back. My parents told me they paid between ₦350,000 and ₦400,000 for my release. One of my friend's father had to part with N10 million to get us out. It was extortion, plain and simple,” he concluded. The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, claimed that the agency's operatives adhere to extant laws in carrying out their operations. “EFCC is a law enforcement agency. There is a standard practice worldwide regarding arrests. We typically use search and arrest warrants. No case has ever been proven where we just barge into people’s premises. “Our chairman is a lawyer with a deep respect for the rule of law. We follow our standard operating procedure (SOP) and act within legal boundaries. We don’t break into people’s homes; we are neither bandits nor terrorists.” He asserted that most of the people arrested during their operation were convicted, adding that, “If there were no legal grounds for their arrests, they wouldn’t have been convicted. We are working in the best interest of the commission. People need to balance their allegations with an understanding of the law. “These allegations are false. When you want to hang a dog, you give it a bad name. In the EFCC, we have an internal mechanism to address any actions that do not align with our SOP. There is no culture of impunity. We have checks and balances, and our operatives know this. If there is any impropriety, it is dealt with internally.” On continued practice of night-time raids despite the chairman’s directive, Oyewale said, “What our chairman stated was that we would no longer conduct raids. We are not armed robbers or bandits. Sting operations are lawful and conform to international best practices. What people refer to as raids are sting operations. “Sting operations are lawful. You know, they are allowed and conform to international best practices. What our chairman said at that time was that there would be no raid. This thing that we initially raid, that people will just break into people's houses, break their doors; don't do that. We do sting operations.” Note: Names with asterisks have been changed to protect the identities of the victims This story was produced with support from the Tiger Eye Foundation under the On Nigeria programme, funded by the MacArthur Foundation
Nebraska football signing day preview: Potential flips and a 5-star up for grabsE-Prescribing Market to Unlock Revenue of $5.56 Billion by 2029, EHR-Integrated Systems Gaining Popularity in the Market - Arizton 11-25-2024 11:46 PM CET | Associations & Organizations Press release from: ABNewswire E-Prescribing Market Research Report by Arizton According to Arizton's latest research report, the global e-prescribing market [ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/e-prescribing-market ] is growing at a CAGR of 21.87% during 2023-2029. Looking for More Information? Click: [ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/e-prescribing-market ] Report Scope: Market Size (2029): $5.56 Billion Market Size (2023): $1.69 Billion CAGR (2023-2029):21.87% Historic Year: 2020-2022 Base Year: 2023 Forecast Year: 2024-2029 Market Segmentation: Type, Delivery Mode, Modality, Medication, End-Users, and Geography Geographical Analysis: North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa EHR-Integrated E-Prescription Systems: Enhancing Efficiency, Safety, and Patient Care The integration of e-prescription systems with Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is gaining traction, driven by the need for more efficient healthcare operations and improved patient safety. This integration allows seamless communication between healthcare providers, pharmacies, and patients by linking prescription data to a patient's medical record, streamlining clinical workflows and minimizing errors. Benefits include enhanced medication management, improved prescribing decisions, faster prescription approvals, and increased security for controlled substances. With e-prescription capabilities now a standard feature in many EHR systems, this integration is transforming healthcare delivery and patient experience. Rapid Growth in the Global E-Prescribing Market Driven by Innovation and Emerging Players The global e-prescribing market is expanding rapidly, fueled by both established and emerging vendors offering advanced solutions like Clinical Decision Support (CDS) and Electronic Prior Authorization (ePA). Mid-sized vendors such as DrFirst, Qualifacts, and Practice Fusion are gaining traction, especially by offering affordable, standalone solutions for small practices and private clinics. A shift from on-premises to cloud-based and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms is making e-prescribing more accessible and easier to maintain. As the market grows, competition is intensifying, particularly with the expansion into developing regions and increasing regulatory compliance needs. China: Leading the Growth in the APAC E-Prescribing Market China is emerging as a top contributor to the rapid expansion of the e-prescribing market in the APAC region. Driven by advancements in healthcare technology, the country is increasingly adopting innovative solutions like Clinical Decision Support (CDS) and Electronic Prior Authorization (ePA). Local vendors, along with international players, are gaining traction by offering affordable, cloud-based e-prescribing platforms tailored to China's diverse healthcare needs. The shift to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models is making e-prescribing more accessible, especially in smaller clinics and private practices. With strong government support for digital healthcare transformation, China is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of e-prescribing across the APAC region, while navigating the region's regulatory landscape. Looking for More Information? Click: [ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/e-prescribing-market ] Key Vendors * Surescripts * DrFirst * Practice Fusion * RXNT * CoverMyMeds * Greenway Health * Qualifacts * AdvancedMD * Aegis Healthcare * Canada Health Infoway * Change Healthcare * Chetu * Daw Systems * DoseSpot * DrChrono * Henry Schein * MDToolbox * Sisgain * Streamline Healthcare Solutions * CLEO Systems * ModuleMD * MediPro * OmniMD * iA (Innovation Associates) * Foundation Systems * Netsmart * Outcomes * RxMaster Segmentation & Forecast Type * Standard E-prescribing * E-prescribing for Controlled Substances (EPCS) * By Delivery Mode * Web & Cloud Based * On-premises & Desktop Modality * Integrated * Standalone * By Medication * Cardiovascular * Anti-Infectives * Oncology * Pain Medication * Behavioral & Mental Health * Others End-Users * Technology Vendors * Independent & Specialty Pharmacies * Healthcare Facilities * PBM & Payors Geography North America * The US * Canada Europe * The UK * Italy * Spain APAC * China * Japan * Australia * India * South Korea Latin America * Brazil * Mexico * Argentina Middle East & Africa * Turkey * Saudi Arabia * South Africa The Arizton Advisory & Intelligence market research report provides valuable market insights for industry stakeholders, investors, researchers, consultants, and business strategists aiming to gain a thorough understanding of the e-prescribing market. Request for Free Sample to get a glance of the report now: [ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/e-prescribing-market ] What Key Findings Our Research Analysis Reveals? Who are the key players in the global e-prescribing market? How big is the global e-prescribing market? What are the latest trends in the global e-prescribing market? Which region has the largest market share of the global e-prescribing market? Which delivery mode has the largest share of the global e-prescribing market? Looking for Customization According to Your Business Requirement? [ https://www.arizton.com/customize-report/4597 ] Other Related Reports that Might be of Your Business Requirement Global Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Market - Focused Insights 2024-2029 [ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/non-surgical-skin-tightening-market ] Global Probiotics Supplements Market - Focused Insights 2024-2029 [ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/probiotic-supplements-market ] Why Arizton? 100%Customer Satisfaction 24x7availability - we are always there when you need us 200+Fortune 500 Companies trust Arizton's report 80%of our reports are exclusive and first in the industry 100%more data and analysis 1500+reports published till date Post-Purchase Benefit * 1hr of free analyst discussion * 10% off on customization About Us: Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovative and quality-driven firm that offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients worldwide. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services. We offer comprehensive market research reports on consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals, materials, I.T. and media, logistics, and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts. Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports. Media Contact Company Name: Arizton Advisory & Intelligence Contact Person: Jessica Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=eprescribing-market-to-unlock-revenue-of-556-billion-by-2029-ehrintegrated-systems-gaining-popularity-in-the-market-arizton ] Phone: +1 3122332770 Country: United States Website: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/e-prescribing-market This release was published on openPR.None
NoneBattles over books in school libraries have become emblematic of the country’s larger culture wars over race, historical revisionism and gender identity.
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