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Enugu State is emerging as a beacon of innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria, championing a digital and economic renaissance through the domestication of the Nigerian Startup Act and the imminent passage of the Enugu Startup Bill. Spearheaded by the visionary leadership of Governor Peter Mbah and the strategic efforts of the Enugu SME Center, the groundbreaking initiatives are setting the stage for the state’s transformation into a hub for innovation, tech-driven solutions, and inclusive growth. The recent Nigeria Startup Bill Domestication Workshop highlighted the state’s commitment to adapting the Act to its unique local dynamics, catalyzing an unprecedented ecosystem of collaboration between startups, investors, academia, and public sector players. The framework is poised to unlock Enugu’s potential in achieving a $30 billion GDP by 2031, leveraging its competitive human capital, burgeoning digital infrastructure, and SME-driven economy. Building the Enugu startup ecosystem At the heart of the Enugu Startup Bill lies a bold vision to position the state as Nigeria’s foremost innovation hub. The initiative includes the establishment of key infrastructure projects like the Enugu Innovation and Outsourcing Hub, which will house among other facilities: a state-of-the-art co-working space to empower entrepreneurs; a creativity and animation hub, designed to nurture talents in 2D/3D animation and the broader creative economy; a Digital Skills Enhancement Zone (D-SEZ) for continuous training in cutting-edge technology; and outsourcing floors dedicated to Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and IT-enabled services. The above facilities will foster collaboration, create thousands of jobs, and attract global investments. The government’s US$10 million Startup Seed Fund, combined with a target to train 300,000 youths in tech skills by 2031, will fuel innovation, reduce unemployment, and ensure that Enugu remains competitive on the global stage. Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser on MSMEs and Digital Economy and director-general, Enugu SME Center, emphasized, “The Enugu Startup Bill is a transformative tool to empower our youth and SMEs while creating a thriving ecosystem of innovation. This is a leap toward positioning Enugu as the go-to destination for investors, technologists, and entrepreneurs in Africa.” Harnessing competitive human capital Enugu’s strength lies in its rich human capital. With over 1.2 million registered SMEs, the state’s vibrant business ecosystem is fueled by a young, educated, and entrepreneurial population. Local startups such as XendFinance, Wicrypt, and Asset Chain are already gaining international recognition, demonstrating the ecosystem’s capacity for global impact. Ugochukwu Aronu, founder, XendFinance, remarked, “Enugu’s competitive advantage is its human capital. By investing in digital skills training and fostering a culture of innovation, the state is not just positioning itself as a regional leader but as a global contender in the tech and entrepreneurial space.” The Enugu SME AltSchool Training Programme (ESAST), which is a Fullstack Development Programme, the Enugu SME Learnable Training for Web 3 and Product Design, and the Magic Labs 2D and 3D Animation Training exemplify Enugu State’s dedication to cultivating Industry-ready talent that can drive transformative projects like the statewide fiber optics installation. These programmes, focusing on cutting-edge software and digital skills, are complemented by the TVET Vocational Skills Training, which equips participants with practical skills in hardware components such as electrical installations, network cabling, and Telecommunications infrastructure. Together, these initiatives provide a holistic approach to workforce development, ensuring that both the hardware and software needs of the fiber optics project are met. By integrating software expertise with robust hardware skills, Enugu State is building a workforce capable of implementing, maintaining, and upgrading critical digital infrastructure, reinforcing its position as a leader in Nigeria’s digital transformation. Research labs for the future Recognizing the need for innovative solutions to societal challenges, Enugu State is partnering with academia and the private sector to establish research laboratories. The labs will focus on next-generation ideas, fostering innovation in critical areas like renewable energy, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and agritech. By positioning itself as the client for these solutions, the government is ensuring that the research directly addresses pressing needs while creating a pipeline for market-ready technologies. “Our partnerships with academia and private enterprises aim to create a hub Oo groundbreaking research that not only solves today’s problems but anticipates the challenges of tomorrow. This is innovation with purpose,” Chilo-Offiah stated. Digital transformation and infrastructure Enugu’s digital transformation agenda is powered by its Fiber Infrastructure Development Plan, targeting 75 percent broadband penetration by 2031. This initiative will underpin smart city projects, enhance public services, and attract global tech giants. The operationalization of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and the Digital Industrial Park (DIP), in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will further bolster the state’s digital economy. The Smart School Initiative, which has already trained over 4,000 civil servants and 10,000 teachers, is transforming education through technology, preparing the next generation for a digitally-driven world. Beyond the Startup Bill The Enugu Startup Bill lays the foundation for a future-ready state, but its impact will extend far beyond legislation. By aligning policies with global trends and leveraging local strengths, Enugu is creating an ecosystem where startups can thrive, investors can find value, and communities can prosper. In the words of Chilo-Offiah, “This is not just about passing a bill; it is about building a legacy of innovation, resilience, and growth that will define Enugu for decades to come.” Enugu’s digital renaissance is a testament to the power of visionary leadership, collaborative efforts, and strategic investments. As the Enugu Startup Bill moves through the final stages of adoption, the state invites global investors, technologists, and entrepreneurs to be part of this transformative journey. Together, we can shape a future where Enugu stands as a global hub for innovation and economic excellence.
josefkubes Investment Thesis GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.'s ( NASDAQ: GEHC ) stock has been flattish since my previous bullish article . The Chinese growth headwinds were a major distraction for the company, which resulted in disappointing stock price performance in recent quarters. However, I Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. This article is written by Gayatri S. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.Former NFL player intentionally infected woman with incurable STD, lawsuit says
The incoming vice-president of the United States, JD Vance, has come to the defence of a Conservative MP who says Canadian Christians are being persecuted and need protection from Ottawa. Durham MP (and former National Post columnist) Jamil Jivani, is promoting a petition that he intends to present in Ottawa in February 2025. In a video posted to the X social media platform, Jivani says he is “sounding the alarm. We must protect Christians in Canada from governments and corporations abusing their power in our country, and from anti-Christian bigotry.” I'm sounding the alarm. We must protect Christians in Canada from governments and corporations abusing their power in our country, and from anti-Christian bigotry. I'll present this petition in Ottawa in the new year. Sign and share if you agree: https://t.co/YqyuQ7IBhL pic.twitter.com/boiE3v7Nyr The project got a boost from Vance, who also happens to have been Jivani’s roommate at Yale Law School, a connection that Jivani wrote about when he was a National Post columnist in a Nov. 2020 article. Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, posted his support for Jivani in a Dec. 8 X post reposting Calgary journalist Max Fawcett, a National Observer columnist who said of Jivani’s tweet: “So much of contemporary Christian Conservatism revolves around cultivating and validating a sense of victimhood in groups that aren’t actually victims.” Within nine hours, Vance’s response had itself been shared more than 6,000 times, and liked nearly 40,000 times: “Canada has seen a number of church burnings in recent years thanks to anti-Christian bigotry. All over the world, Christians are the most persecuted religious group. Jamil is speaking the truth. Shame on journalists who refuse to see what’s obvious.” Canada has seen a number of church burnings in recent years thanks to anti-Christian bigotry. All over the world, Christians are the most persecuted religious group. Jamil is speaking the truth. Shame on journalists who refuse to see what's obvious. https://t.co/LKq146gTGc In his own X video, Jivani stands in front of a Christmas tree somewhere on Parliament Hill. He asks: “What good is a Christmas tree when you have a federal government that will not lift a finger to protect Christians from governments and corporations abusing their power?” As examples, Jivani points to “parental rights” and “conscience rights” that need to be defended and cites widely-reported church arsons and vandalism. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
The GOAT is a big fan of superstar Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion who now serves as the lead NFL color commentator for FOX, recently answered a fan question on social media that Vikings fans will want to see. Brady was asked which current NFL wide receiver that he never played with would he most want to throw to. He initially mentioned Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase as an honorable mention, before naming Jefferson as his pick. Here was the GOAT’s full explanation: “He can do everything from any spot on the field. He goes deep. He goes short. He can catch the ball, catch and run, touchdowns, third downs. He’s a ridiculous player. He reminds me so much of my former teammate and Viking: Randy Moss. So if it comes down to choosing only one, he would be the one right now.” If @TomBrady could throw to any current receiver in the league, who would he choose? 👀✈️ pic.twitter.com/BJ6oPuW1MC That’s high praise for Jefferson, who’s been absurdly productive over his first four-plus NFL seasons. He’s averaging 96.8 receiving yards per game overall, which puts him well on pace to have a Moss-like, Hall of Fame career. Moss averaged 70.1 yards per game over his illustrious 17-year career. Jefferson has already clinched his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season. He accomplished the feat in 2023 (1,074) despite a carousel of quarterbacks and a hamstring injury that limited him to just 10 games. As long as he stays healthy, the Vikings will be a problem for oppositing defenses no matter who is under center. Related Minnesota Vikings stories: Kirk Cousins sounds off on Sam Darnold, loss to Vikings in return to Minnesota Insider: Vikings should plan for future, land 6-foot-3 lockdown corner in 2025 NFL Draft Analyst drops bold take on Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy’s future as Vikings starter Vikings should pay Sam Darnold, follow Packers model at QB with J.J. McCarthy
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Navjot Sidhu writes to President Murmu for Manmohan Singh memorial
Romanian court annuls presidential election amid allegations of Russian online campaignSANTA CLARA — Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, 10 months since tearing his left Achilles in the Super Bowl , is suiting up for his first action since then. The 49ers activated Greenlaw off injured reserve some four hours before today’s 5:15 p.m. kickoff against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Not only is Greenlaw active but so are running back Isaac Guerendo (foot sprain) and defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique, hip), the latter of whom is returning from a three-game hiatus. Greenlaw has put in two weeks of practice and months of rehabilitation to recover from an injury that happened in bizarre fashion. After playing 12 snaps and making three tackles, he pounced off the 49ers’ sideline for their fourth defensive series, only to promptly fold onto the ground and stun everyone. Roughly nine minutes remained until halftime, with the 49ers ahead 3-0 in an eventual 25-22 overtime defeat . Greenlaw battled a right Achilles issue in the preceding two months, only to injure his left in non-contact fashion running onto the field after a punt pinned Kansas City at their 20-yard line. The 49ers’ defense parlayed Sunday’s return of safety Talanoa Hufanga into its best outing of the season, allowing just four yards in the first half of a 38-13 rout of the Chicago Bears. That snapped a three-game losing streak for the reigning NFC champions who are teetering on the brink of playoff elimination and/or contention Ruled out Wednesday from this game are left tackle Trent Williams, safety Malik Mustapha and offensive lineman Ben Bartch, who’s been placed on injured reserve to open a roster spot for Greenlaw’s comeback. Also out quarterback Joshua Dobbs, defensive tackle Khalil Davis, running back Israel Abanikanda and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. DOC EDWARDS HONORED Dr. Harry Edwards, who’s consulted nearly 45 years for the 49ers, has been named their Inspire Change Changemaker, an award reflecting his work toward social justice. Edwards, 82, joined the 49ers under then-coach Bill Walsh in the early 1980s and helped the coach’s diversity-hiring efforts that have become a model across the league. This Changemaker award comes with a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation that Edwards himself will match and give to Heritage Home. A year ago, Edwards disclosed his battle with bone cancer. A UC Berkeley professor emeritus of sociology, he’s played a prominent role in sports protests and encouraged Black athletes to speak publicly about racial injustice, including Colin Kaepernick in 2016.AI Stocks Soar! Political Shifts and Defense Deals Make WavesWASHINGTON, D.C. — A bold step toward tackling the housing crisis in rural America has just been announced. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is injecting $12 million into the hands of five national non-profits under the FY23-24 Rural Capacity Building program , aiming to breathe new life into housing development and community initiatives in underserved areas. This could be the game-changer low-income families in rural communities desperately need. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Affordable housing is a dwindling resource, and rural communities often lack the financial backing or technical expertise to tackle large-scale development projects. This funding will directly address that issue, empowering local entities such as Community Development Corporations (CDCs), Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), local governments, and even Indian tribes to execute projects that otherwise wouldn’t get off the ground. “There is a great need to repair aging homes and build new housing in rural communities, but financing this work can be challenging,” said HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman. “These experienced non-profits will bridge the gap and help ensure we are improving the state of rural housing across the country.” Capacity—that’s what many rural areas desperately lack. The resources, skills, and networks needed to secure federal funds or execute large-scale housing improvements are often beyond reach for smaller, isolated communities. This is where the $12 million will make its mark. The grants, distributed to national intermediary organizations, will turn these barriers into opportunities by offering training, technical assistance, and financial support to local groups. The ultimate beneficiaries? Thousands of low- and moderate-income families, who will soon have access to affordable homes—not just structures, but spaces to live, grow, and thrive. These grants aren’t just about housing; they’re about empowering communities to take the reins and address their own needs with the tools and expertise they’ve been missing. According to Marion McFadden, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, the program specifically targets rural communities confronting these challenges. “The awards announced will help fill that gap and enhance the ability of smaller communities to create more affordable housing. These trusted organizations will use the grants to support local groups in accessing additional federal funds,” she explained. Rural America often gets the short end of the stick when it comes to federal investments. Aging infrastructure, limited resources, and sparse populations make rural housing projects more difficult to justify or complete, leaving countless families stuck in substandard living conditions. But to truly understand why this grant is pivotal, consider the broader implications of improving housing in these areas. Affordable, stable homes are directly linked to better education outcomes, improved health, and stronger local economies. On top of that, housing issues in rural areas often intersect with other pressing concerns such as homelessness, poverty, and economic stagnation, creating a mix that’s as complex as it is urgent. These grants enable local organizations to tackle these challenges more holistically, driving lasting change instead of temporary fixes. This move isn’t an isolated effort—it builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s wide-reaching investments in rural America. Earlier this year, HUD distributed $486 million to address unsheltered and rural homelessness, including $66 million specifically dedicated to rural communities. Around 3,300 Stability Vouchers were added to assist individuals and families at risk of homelessness, including survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Meanwhile, programs like HUD’s Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) highlight the administration’s commitment to rural development. Since 1996, nearly 30,000 homes have been constructed under this initiative, with half located in rural areas. That’s not just progress; it’s proof that these initiatives work when resources are thoughtfully allocated. The $22 million that has been awarded in Rural Capacity Building grants over the past few years (including this latest round) shows HUD’s commitment to scaling impacts where they’re needed most. At its heart, this initiative is about people. Real families—hard-working, low-income individuals who often feel trapped by geography and poverty—stand to gain the most. Aging homes in disrepair will finally get the financing they need for renovations, while entirely new housing developments could appear in areas where “affordable housing” was little more than a buzzword. This isn’t just a housing crisis fix; it’s a lifeline. By empowering rural organizations to handle larger, more advanced projects, the grants also aim to create sustainable systems that will benefit these areas long after the funding is used. The potential upside doesn’t stop at housing—it extends across every facet of rural life. Better homes can lead to more stable families, higher rates of school attendance, and healthier, more productive community members. And as local governments and organizations grow their capacity to manage funds and execute projects, they’ll have the skills and experience to take on more in the future. These grants plant seeds—not just for individual homes, but for the growth of entire communities. HUD’s $12 million capacity-building initiative is more than a grant; it’s an investment in the future of rural America. By addressing housing inequities head-on, this program is laying the groundwork for stronger, more resilient communities that can thrive in the long term. For rural low-income families, this announcement marks the hope of a better future—a future where no family has to wonder if they’ll have a roof over their heads. And with non-profit organizations leading the charge, armed with resources and expertise, that future feels within reach. HUD is giving rural America more than money; it’s giving it the chance to finally turn the page on decades of housing struggles. The question now is, how far can we go? The answer will echo in rural communities for years to come. For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN .
NFL world reacts with excitement, surprise, questions after Bill Belichick is hired to coach UNCMaschmeyer's 34 saves carry Ottawa Charge past New York Sirens, 3-1
Juan Soto introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15-year deal NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto put on a New York Mets jersey and cap for the first time after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized and talked about what made the difference in his decision. He said at his introductory news conference on Thursday that the Mets “showed me a lot of love." Soto was introduced at Citi Field a day after his deal was finalized. Speaking in the Piazza 31 Club, Soto was flanked by Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and his agent, Scott Boras. Bill Belichick 'always wanted' to give college coaching a try. Now he will at North Carolina New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick said he had long been interested in coaching in the college ranks. But it had never worked out until now, as he takes over the Tar Heels program. Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during a 24-year run there that ended last year. University trustees approved terms of a five-year deal for him Thursday morning before he held his introductory news conference on campus. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. Rape investigation that Swedish media say focused on Kylian Mbappé has been closed STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish prosecutors say they have dropped a rape investigation that was launched in connection with soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s visit to Stockholm in October. In a statement, lead investigator Marina Chirakova says there is not enough evidence to continue the investigation into the allegation at a hotel. Prosecutors never publicly named the suspect in the investigation but some Swedish media reported it was Mbappé. The Real Madrid striker visited Stockholm in October during a break in the Spanish league. At the time, Mbappé’s legal team dismissed those reports as false. Travis Hunter, the 2-way standout for Colorado, is the AP college football player of the year BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter is The Associated Press college football player of the year. Hunter received 26 of the 43 votes from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes, and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote. A throwback player who rarely left the field, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. He had four interceptions and 11 passes defensed as a shutdown corner. Hunter helped the the 20th-ranked Buffaloes to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Alamo Bowl against BYU. 2034 World Cup visitors will live in 'a bubble' and not see real life, Saudi rights activist says LONDON (AP) — A Saudi human rights activist says soccer fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” that doesn't reflect real life there. Lina al-Hathloul is a London-based activist whose sister was jailed in Saudi Arabia then banned from travel after campaigning to end a ban on women driving. When FIFA confirmed the kingdom as the 2034 tournament host on Wednesday its president Gianni Infantino acknowledged “the world will be watching” for positive social change. Al-Hathloul says western people “will be very safe” at the World Cup but "will see a bubble of what Saudi Arabia is.” Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A new court filing says NASCAR rejected Front Row Motorsports’ agreement to purchase a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing unless the team and 23XI Racing dropped their federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series. Front Row and 23XI rejected NASCAR's new revenue sharing agreement and have gone to court. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. Hojlund scores twice for Manchester United to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in Europa League Rasmus Hojlund scored twice after coming off the bench and Manchester United rallied to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League. The Denmark striker netted in the 88th minute after collecting Bruno Fernandes’ pass off a free kick to seal the victory. Ahead of the late games, United moved to fifth place with 12 points from six games. Hojlund came on in the 56th to replace Marcus Rashford and scored an equalizer six minutes later. In the Conference League a youthful Chelsea lineup made the most of a long trip to Kazakhstan by beating Astana 3-1 to stay perfect in the third-tier competition. NFL world reacts with excitement, surprise, questions after Bill Belichick is hired to coach UNC Bill Belichick is already the most decorated coach in NFL history. His next challenge is college football after he agreed to a five-year deal to coach at North Carolina. The reaction around the NFL ranged from excitement at seeing him back on the sideline to disbelief. Some of his former players believe his skill set will work at any level. Others caution that the players he brings into UNC should prepare to have their limits tested.An Israeli airstrike flattened a multistory building in central Gaza, killing at least 25 people and wounding dozens more, according to Palestinian medical officials, after strikes Thursday across the Gaza Strip killed at least 28 others. The latest deadly strike hit the urban Nuseirat refugee camp just hours after U.S. President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters in Jerusalem that the recent ceasefire in Lebanon has helped clear the way for a potential deal to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the deadly strike in Nuseirat. Israel says it is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza . The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine in some of the hardest-hit parts of the territory. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 others were taken hostage. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here's the latest: DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli airstrike hit the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing at least 25 Palestinians and wounding dozens more, Palestinian medics said, just hours after President Joe Biden’s national security adviser raised hopes about a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. Photos from the scene of the blast that circulated on social media showed a completely collapsed building with people walking through its mangled and charred remains, smoke rising from piles of belongings strewn over the rubble. Officials at two hospitals in the Gaza Strip, al-Awda Hospital in the north and al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, reported they received a combined total of 25 bodies from an Israeli strike on a multistory residential building in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp. Palestinian medics also reported that over 40 people, most of them children, were receiving treatment at the two hospitals. The al-Aqsa Hospital said that the Israeli attack also damaged several nearby houses in Nuseirat. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the deadly strike. Israel is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza . The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. Israel’s war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames U.N. agencies for not distributing it. The U.N. says Israeli restrictions, and the breakdown of law and order after Israel repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, make it extremely difficult to operate in the territory. UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. food agency is trying to deal with massive needs in Syria not only from escalating war-related food insecurity and an upsurge in displaced people fleeing Lebanon but also the dramatically new environment following the ouster of Bashar Assad, a senior U.N. official says. “It’s a triple crisis and the needs are going to be massive,” said Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Program, in an interview with The Associated Press late Wednesday. The WFP estimated that 3 million people in Syria were “acutely food insecure” and very hungry. However, that estimate was made before the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon pushed many Syrian refugees back to their home country, plus the instability caused by the overthrow of Assad. Due to funding cuts, the WFP had been targeting only 2 million of those people, he said. Because WFP has been working in Syria during the 13-year civil war, he said, it has pre-positioned food in the country. It has 500 staff in seven offices nationwide and has operated across conflict lines, across borders, and with all different parties, he said. Skau said Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group now in control of Syria, has promised to provide security for WFP warehouses. Humanitarian aid supplies had been looted at U.N. warehouses in the disorder after Assad fell. “We’re not really up and running in Damascus because of the continued kind of uncertainty there,” he said. WFP initially thought of relocating non-essential staff but the situation in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, has been “quite calm and orderly," he said. In the short term, Skau said, “what we’re seeing is that markets are disrupted, the value of the currency dropped dramatically, food prices are going up, transport lines don’t work,” and it’s unclear who will stamp required papers for imports and exports. This means that a bigger humanitarian response is needed initially, he said, but in the next phase, the U,N. will be looking at contributing to Syria’s recovery, and ultimately the country will need reconstruction. Skau said he expects a new funding appeal for Syria and urged donors to be generous. JERUSALEM — President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters in Jerusalem on Thursday that Israel’s ceasefire in Lebanon has helped clear the way for another deal to end the war in Gaza. He plans to travel next to Qatar and Egypt — key mediators in the ceasefire talks — as the Biden administration makes a final push on negotiations before Donald Trump is inaugurated. Sullivan said “Hamas’ posture at the negotiating table did adapt” after Israel decimated the leadership of its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon and reached a ceasefire there. “We believe it puts us in a position to close this negotiation,” he said. Sullivan dismissed speculation that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was waiting for Trump to take office to finalize a deal. He the U.S. believes there are three American hostages still alive in Gaza, but it’s hard to know for sure. He also said “the balance of power in the Middle East has changed significantly” since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, especially with the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a key ally of Hezbollah and Iran. “We are now faced with a dramatically reshaped Middle East in which Israel is stronger, Iran is weaker, its proxies decimated, and a ceasefire that is new and will be lasting in Lebanon that ensures Israel’s security over the long term,” he said. KHIAM, Lebanon — An Israeli strike killed at least one person Thursday in the Lebanese border town of Khiam, the Health Ministry said, less than a day after Israeli troops handed the hilltop village back to the Lebanese army in coordination with U.N. peacekeepers, Khiam is the first Lebanese town Israel has pull out of since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants began two weeks ago, and marks an important test of the fragile truce . Lebanon's Health Ministry and state news agency did not provide details on who was killed, and did not report airstrikes elsewhere on Thursday. The Israeli military said an airstrike targeted Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon, without saying if the strike was in Khiam. Lebanese troops deployed in the northern section of the town on Thursday morning and were coordinating with U.N. peacekeepers to finalize Israel’s withdrawal before fully entering into other neighborhoods. An Associated Press reporter who visited Khiam on Thursday observed widespread destruction, with most houses reduced to rubble. Entire neighborhoods were flattened, with collapsed walls and debris scattered across the streets. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, sharply criticized Israel for striking the town less than 24 hours after the Lebanese army returned, saying it was “a violation of the pledges made by the parties that sponsored the ceasefire agreement, who must act to curb Israeli aggression.” The truce was brokered by the U.S. and France. Israel has previously said the ceasefire deal allows it to use military force against perceived violations. Near-daily attacks by Israel during the ceasefire, mostly in southern Lebanon, have killed at least 29 people and wounded 27 others. Khiam, which sits on a ridge less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the border with Israel, saw some of the most intense fighting during the war. The Lebanese army was clearing debris and reopening roads in the northern section of the town. Civilian access to other areas remained challenging as the army clears roads and works alongside the U.N. peacekeepers to ensure the area is free of unexploded ordnance. AQABA, Jordan -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is urging the many players in Syria to avoid taking any steps that could lead to further violence. Blinken spoke to reporters in Jordan on Thursday shortly after meeting King Abdullah II as he opened a trip in the region to discuss Syria's future after former President Bashar Assad's ouster. Blinken will next visit Turkey, a NATO ally and a main backer of Syrian rebel groups. Blinken called this “a time of both real promise but also peril for Syria and for its neighbors.” He said he was focused on coordinating efforts in the region “to support the Syrian people as they transition away from Assad’s brutal dictatorship” and establish a government that isn’t dominated by one religion or ethnic group or outside power. Blinken was asked about Israel’s incursion into a buffer zone that had been demilitarized for the past half century. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the move is temporary and defensive, but also indicated Israel will remain in the area for a long time. Blinken declined to say whether the U.S. supports the move, but said the U.S. would be speaking to Israel and other partners in the region. “I think, across the board, when it comes to any actors who have real interests in Syria, it’s also really important at this time that, we all try to make sure that we’re not sparking any additional conflicts,” he said. ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, arrived in Damascus on Thursday, according to Turkish media reports. Kalin was seen arriving at the Umayyad Mosque to pray, surrounded by a large crowd, according to video shown on Turkish television. The visit is highly symbolic. Turkish officials, who supported the opposition against Syria’s government, had predicted at the start of the civil war in 2011 that President Bashar Assad’s government would fall, allowing them to pray at the Umayyad Mosque. JERUSALEM — Paraguay reopened its embassy in Jerusalem Thursday, becoming one of a small handful of nations to recognize the city as Israel’s capital and marking a diplomatic victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel’s international isolation has increased as the war in Gaza drags on, and Paraguay was the first country to move its embassy to Jerusalem since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that kickstarted the war. The United States, Honduras, Guatemala, Kosovo, and Papua New Guinea are among the few countries with Jerusalem embassies. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in 1967 but it wasn’t recognized by the international community, and most countries run their embassies out of Tel Aviv. Spirits were high at the ceremony marking the embassy’s inauguration Thursday, with Netanyahu and Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar lavishing praise on Paraguayan President Santiago Pena. “My good friend Santiago,” said Netanyahu, addressing Pena. “We’re a small nation. You’re a small nation. We suffered horrible things but we overcame the odds of history...we can win and we are winning.” Paraguay had an embassy in Jerusalem in 2018, under Former President Horacio Cartes. That embassy was moved back to Tel Aviv by Cartes’ successor, Mario Abdo Benitez, prompting Israel to close its embassy in Asuncion. Saar said Israel and Paraguay shared a “friendship based not only on interests but also values and principles.” He and the Paraguayan foreign minister, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, signed a series of bilateral agreements and Saar said he would soon visit Asunción with a delegation from the Israeli private sector. “Israel is going to win and the countries we are standing next to Israel, we are going to win," Pena said. AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is renewing calls for Syria’s new leadership to respect women and minority rights, prevent extremists from gaining new footholds in the country and keeping suspected chemical weapons stocks secure as he makes his first visit to the Mideast since the weekend ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad . Making his 12th trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war erupted lasted year but amid fresh concerns about security following the upheaval in Syria, Blinken emphasized Thursday to Jordan’s King Abdullah II U.S. “support for an inclusive transition that can lead to an accountable and representative Syrian government chosen by the Syrian people,” the State Department said. Blinken also repeated the importance the outgoing Biden administration puts on respect for human rights and international law, the protection of civilians and stopping terrorist groups from reconstituting. Blinken met with the monarch and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Aqaba before traveling to Turkey for talks with Turkish officials on the situation in Syria and the urgency of securing a long-elusive deal to release hostages and end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian territory since October 2023. Abdullah told Blinken that “the first step to reach comprehensive regional calm is to end the Israeli war on Gaza." GENEVA — The U.N. envoy for Syria is calling on authorities to save evidence from detention centers that were a hub of “unimaginable barbarity” that Syrians have faced for many years and cooperate with international investigators looking into such crimes. Geir Pederson referred to new images from the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital, Damascus, after President Bashar Assad fled Syria as armed groups stormed in to overthrow his government over the weekend. “The images from Saydnaya and other detention facilities starkly underscore the unimaginable barbarity Syrians have endured and reported for years,” Pedersen said in a statement. Documentation and testimonies “only scratch the surface of the carceral system’s horrors,” he added. Pedersen urged authorities to cooperate with U.N. bodies like an independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria, which was created in 2011, and an independent group known as the IIIM that was set up five years later to also compile evidence of crimes. ROME — Leaders of the Group of 7 industrialized nations offered their full support for an inclusive political transition in Syria and invited all parties to preserve the country’s territorial integrity. In a message released by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s office, the leaders said they were ready to support a transition that “leads to a credible government, inclusive and not sectarian, that guarantees respect for the state of law, universal human rights, including rights for women, (and) the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities.” The leaders also underlined the importance that ousted President Bashar Assad’s government is held responsible for crimes, citing “decades of atrocities.” They said they would also cooperate with groups working to prohibit chemical weapons “to secure, declare and destroy” remaining chemical arms in Syria. Italy currently holds the rotating presidency of the G-7, which also includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the United States. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military says it struck Hamas militants in two locations in the southern Gaza Strip who planned to hijack aid convoys. Palestinian Health officials had earlier said that the two strikes killed 15 men who were part of local committees established to secure aid deliveries. The committees have been organized in cooperation with the Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza. It was not possible to independently confirm either account of the strikes, which occurred overnight into Thursday. Israel has long accused Hamas of hijacking humanitarian aid deliveries, while U.N. officials have said there is no systemic diversion of aid . U.N. agencies and aid groups say deliveries are held up by Israeli restrictions on the entry of aid and movement within Gaza, as well as the breakdown of law and order more than 14 months into the war between Israel and Hamas. Israel has repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, which maintained internal security before the war. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza, said a U.N. convoy of 70 trucks carrying humanitarian aid in southern Gaza “was involved in a serious incident,” resulting in just one of the trucks reaching its destination. It did not provide further details on the incident but said the same route had been used successfully two days earlier. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has caused vast destruction and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, leaving the territory heavily reliant on international food aid. DAMASCUS, Syria — An American who turned up in Syria on Thursday says he was detained after crossing into the country by foot on a Christian pilgrimage seven months ago. Travis Timmerman appears to have been among thousands of people released from the country’s notorious prisons after rebels reached Damascus over the weekend, overthrowing President Bashar Assad and ending his family’s 54-year rule. As video emerged online of Timmerman on Thursday, he was initially mistaken by some for Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing in Syria 12 years ago. In the video, Timmerman could be seen lying on a mattress under a blanket in what appeared to be a private house. A group of men in the video said he was being treated well and would be safely returned home. The Biden administration is working to bring Timmerman home, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Aqaba, Jordan, without offering details, citing privacy. Timmerman later gave an interview with the Al-Arabiya TV network, saying he had illegally crossed into Syria on foot from the eastern Lebanese town of Zahle seven months ago, before being detained. He said he was treated well in detention but could hear other men being tortured. AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Jordan on his 12th visit to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year and his first since the weekend ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad that has sparked new fears of instability in a region wracked by three conflicts despite a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Blinken was meeting in Aqaba with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday before traveling to Turkey for talks with Turkish officials on Friday. The meetings will focus largely on Syria but also touch on long-elusive hopes for a deal to end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian territory since October 2023. Blinken is the latest senior U.S. official to visit the Middle East in the five days since Assad was deposed as the Biden administration navigates more volatility in the region in its last few weeks in office and as President-elect Donald Trump has said the U.S. should stay out of the Syrian conflict. Other include national security adviser Jake Sullivan and a top military commander who traveled there as the U.S. and Israel have launched airstrikes to prevent the Islamic State militant group from reconstituting and prevent materiel and suspected chemical weapons stocks from falling into militant hands. Blinken “will discuss the need for the transition process and new government in Syria to respect the rights of minorities, facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance, prevent Syria from being used as a base of terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbors, and ensure that chemical weapons stockpiles are secured and safely destroyed,” the State Department said. The U.S. would be willing to recognize and fully support a new Syrian government that met those criteria. U.S. officials say they are not actively reviewing the foreign terrorist organization designation of the main Syrian rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, known as HTS, which was once an al-Qaida affiliate, but stressed they are not barred from speaking to its members. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces will remain in a Syrian buffer zone until a new force on the other side of the border can guarantee security. After the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Israeli forces pushed into a buffer zone that had been established after the 1973 Mideast war. The military says it has seized additional strategic points nearby. Israeli officials have said the move is temporary, but Netanyahu’s conditions could take months or even years to fulfill as Syria charts its post-Assad future, raising the prospect of an open-ended Israeli presence in the country. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement Thursday that Assad’s overthrow by jihadi rebels created a vacuum on the border. “Israel will not permit jihadi groups to fill that vacuum and threaten Israeli communities on the Golan Heights with October 7th style attacks,” it said, referring to Hamas’ 2023 attack out of Gaza, which ignited the war there. “That is why Israeli forces entered the buffer zone and took control of strategic sites near Israel’s border.” The statement added that “this deployment is temporary until a force that is committed to the 1974 agreement can be established and security on our border can be guaranteed.” The buffer zone is adjacent to the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed. The international community, except for the United States, views the Golan as occupied Syrian territory. JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said Thursday that the attacker who fatally shot a 12-year-old Israeli boy in the occupied West Bank overnight turned himself in to authorities. The attacker opened fire on a bus near the Israeli settlement of Beitar Illit, critically wounding the boy, who hospital authorities pronounced dead in the early morning. Three others were wounded in the attack, paramedics said. The shooting took place just outside Jerusalem in an area near major Israeli settlements. JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Indonesian government has evacuated 37 citizens from Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government, officials said Thursday. The evacuees were taken by land from Damascus to Beirut, where they boarded three commercial flights to Jakarta, said Judha Nugraha, director of citizen protection at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The Indonesian Embassy in Damascus said all 1,162 Indonesian citizens in Syria were safe. Indonesian Ambassador to Syria Wajid Fauzi said the situation in Syria has gradually returned to normal. “I can say that 98% of people’s lives are back to normal, shops are open, public transportation has started running,” Fauzi said, adding that most Indonesian nationals living in Syria had chosen to stay. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinian medical officials say Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 28 people in the Gaza Strip, including seven children and a woman. One of the strikes overnight and into Thursday flattened a house in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, where the casualties were taken. An Associated Press reporter saw the bodies at the hospital’s morgue. Two other strikes killed 15 men who were part of local committees established to secure aid convoys . The committees were set up by displaced Palestinians in coordination with the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. The Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis received the bodies and an AP reporter counted them. The hospital said eight were killed in a strike near the southern border town of Rafah and seven others in a strike 30 minutes later near Khan Younis. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames U.N. agencies for not distributing it. The U.N. says Israeli restrictions, and the breakdown of law and order after Israel repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, make it extremely difficult to operate in the territory. UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban . The votes in the 193-nation world body were 158-9 with 13 abstentions to demand a ceasefire now and 159-9 with 11 abstentions to support the agency known as UNRWA. The votes culminated two days of speeches overwhelmingly calling for an end to the 14-month war between Israel and the militant Hamas group . General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they reflect world opinion. There are no vetoes in the assembly. Israel and its close ally, the United States, were in a tiny minority speaking and voting against the resolutions.
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the country is moving towards rapid development after economic stability. Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the entire nation on the weekly inflation rate further decreasing to 3.57 percent. In his message, Prime Minister thanked Allah and the efforts of the economic team. The inflation rate has reached its lowest level in the last six years. Today. The price index was recorded at its lowest level after October 4, 2018. He said that the huge reduction of 39.11 percent in the inflation rate today compared to the current week last year is the result of the day and night hard work of the economic team. “I will keep every promise I made to the people. I have pledged to work day and night to resolve the problems of the people”. Shahbaz Sharif stated that as a servant of Pakistan, he would keep every promise he made. He added that he was taking steps to provide employment, develop the country's industry, and increase foreign investment. The country is moving rapidly towards development after economic stability. The Prime Minister further said that remittances from abroad, increased investment from friendly countries, and stability in diplomatic relations reflect Pakistan's journey of development. Our political sacrifices for the development and prosperity of Pakistan have not gone in vain. All stakeholders are playing their positive role in the country's journey of development.
2d illustrations and photos Real estate stocks bounced back on segment gains as the President-elect Donald Trump makes appointments for his second administration. Trump is said to have picked Scott Turner as secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Turner had served as
The RSM Classic ScoresIt's not a sight you expect to see but trees are turning blue all over the country. In fact, more than a thousand now have the eye-catching appearance. If you've seen such a thing and wondered why, you're not alone. "We were driving one afternoon when we spotted a blue tree," a Canberra woman wrote recently in a Facebook group for bird enthusiasts. It prompted her to Google the phenomenon, but was taken aback by the "overwhelming" negativity others in the group expressed about the peculiar trend. "The blue tree stuff is nonsense, it's environmental vandalism ... Completely ruins the natural beauty of an area too. A ridiculous trend," one person chided. "It completely screws the ability for insects to use and camouflage on the wood," another claimed. What the woman ultimately learned, as she tried to appease the critics, was the fact the blue trees are a symbol spread by an Australian charity in a bid to promote awareness and conversations about mental health. The person behind , CEO Kendall Whyte, started the organisation a year after losing her brother to suicide in 2018. "Like many initiatives there will always be people who don't connect with our cause and mission," she told Yahoo News Australia. "However, the support over the last six years has been overwhelmingly positive." Pointing to the fact that suicide is the leading cause of death in Australians aged 15-49, , the charity seeks to end the social stigma of mental health issues and holds workshops with corporate partners designed to better equip Australian workers to confront the difficult issue. "Outdated attitudes are still deeply ingrained across Australia, which is preventing many from seeking support," Kendall said. "Education is crucial, not only in shifting old attitudes, but also up-skilling ourselves to have the harder and more confronting conversations in life." The idea of painting trees stems from a practical joke her late brother once played by painting a tree on the family's West Australian property to surprise their father. The group now has 1,318 registered blue trees – which are exclusively dead trees known as stags – mostly dotted around WA and other Aussie states. "There is now a blue tree on every continent of the world – making us a global movement," Kendall told Yahoo. The organisation promotes the importance of funding for preventative measures to help bring down the rate of suicide in the country. "Often we don't realise how important our overall well being is, until it's too late, and significant support is needed to get back on track," Kendall said. With Aussies gearing up for the festive season, the public is being reminded to check in with friends and loved ones as Christmas can sometimes be a difficult time for those struggling with their mental health. "Particularly those who are struggling, or who are isolated, or are in conflict with their family and others, it's often a really difficult time," Professor Ian Hickie, the Co-Director of the Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney previously told Yahoo News. "The health care system goes on holiday and many of the people who provide them with support, those services, are reduced to emergency services. "Many people who need support, get less support during that period, and the period in which they're often feeling more isolated and have more difficulties."Salvation Army and Walmart in Burbank threw a holiday party on Friday, Dec. 6 that included a Red Bull freestyle motorcyclist doing tricks and Walmart employees giving gifts to low-income families who enjoyed live music, food trucks and entertainment. The event included the kickoff of the Red Kettle and Angel Tree campaigns for all West Coast Walmart stores, featuring a $3,000 “Spark Good” check presentation to the Salvation Army. Walmart surprised a local Burbank family by fulfilling their wishlist ahead of Christmas. The family of five lives in a two-bedroom apartment, and for the past seven years has relied on the Salvation Army’s Family Service and Food Pantry program for monthly assistance. The family, whose name was not released, received everything they wished for on a list they gave to Salvation Army several months ago. According to a spokesperson, Walmart gave the family “the entire list, including toys, technology, and several pantry items.” Walmart Senior Vice President Steve Schrobilgen attended, as did hundreds of Walmart store managers and associates, local community members, and Salvation Army officers. Schrobilgen said, “For years, we’ve been proud to partner with the Salvation Army because their unwavering dedication to serving local communities aligns perfectly with our commitment to making a difference. We’re honored to kick off the holiday season by celebrating the incredible efforts of the Salvation Army and our associates, who work tirelessly to give back.” Lt. Colonel Mike Dickinson, Southern California divisional commander of the Salvation Army, said in a prepared statement, “With Walmart’s generous support, we can bring stability, hope, and joy to local families in need.”
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