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Greenland again tells Trump it is not for sale
Greenland has once again said it is not for sale after US President-elect Donald Trump said he wanted to take control of the territory.
"Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland," its prime minister said on Monday, a day after Trump repeated comments about the Arctic island that he first made several years ago.
Greenland, which is an autonomous Danish territory, is home to a large US space facility and lies on the shortest route from the US to Europe, meaning it is strategically important for America.
There was no immediate response to Trump's comments from Denmark.
Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday, the US president-elect said: "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."
His comments prompted a sharp rebuke from Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede, who said: "We are not for sale and we will not be for sale."
"We must not lose our long struggle for freedom. However, we must continue to be open to co-operation and trade with the whole world, especially with our neighbours," he said.
Trump's controversial remarks came hours after he announced that he intended to nominate Ken Howery, his former ambassador to Sweden, to be the new ambassador to Denmark.
Mr Howery said he was "deeply humbled" by the nomination and looked forward to working with the staff at the US embassy in Copenhagen and the US consulate in Greenland to "deepen the bonds between our countries".
Trump's original suggestion in 2019 that the US acquire Greenland, which is the world's largest island, led to a similarly sharp rebuke from leaders there.
The then Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederickson, who still holds the role, described the idea as "absurd", leading Trump to cancel a state trip to the country.
He is not the first US president to suggest buying Greenland. The idea was first mooted during the 1860s under the presidency of Andrew Johnson.
Separately on Sunday, Donald Trump threatened to reassert control over the Panama Canal, one of the world's most important waterways - accusing Panama of charging excessive fees for access to it.
Panama's president later said "every square metre" of the canal and surrounding area belonged to his country.
BBC apologises after abortion trial collapse
The trial of a woman accused of illegally aborting her baby collapsed due to "appalling and sloppy" reporting by the BBC, a judge has said.
Sophie Harvey, 25, and her boyfriend Elliot Benham, 25, accepted they had purchased abortion pills online, but she denied taking them.
The couple stood trial at Gloucester Crown Court in May, but the jury was discharged after an application by their lawyers who cited inaccurate reports of the proceedings by BBC Points West.
The BBC apologised to the court for the "unintentional" errors.
The court heard the opening headlines of the Points West episode on 16 May had shown archive footage of a property in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, with a tent and scenes of crime officers working, and stated: "The remains were found in the garden."
Later in the report of that day's trial proceedings, a TV reporter said that Harvey had taken the pill.
She had insisted she gave birth to a stillborn child in the bathroom of her home in Cirencester in 2018 and had not taken an abortion pill.
'Errors in reporting'
Tom Godfrey, representing Harvey, applied for the jury to be discharged due to the reporting, saying it would go to the issue of his client's credibility as she maintained she did not take the abortion pill.
Judge Ian Lawrie KC said it was "appalling and sloppy" reporting from the BBC, before dismissing the jury.
A BBC spokeswoman said: "The BBC apologised to the court for the unintentional errors in some of our reporting of the trial in May 2024.
"Our apology was accepted by the judge hearing the case."
A new trial had been fixed for February 2025, but Harvey and Benham pleaded guilty to a new offence of conspiracy to procure a poison with intent to procure a miscarriage and were sentenced to 18-month community orders.
Research Finds Vaccines Are Not Behind the Rise in Autism. So What Is?
The Trumpian Attitude at the Heart of the Gaetz Report
The Trumpian Attitude at the Heart of the Gaetz Report
专栏 | 夜话中南海:习近平坑农害农政策的替罪羊唐仁健该当何罪?
本月10日,中共最高检察院官网比新华社早3小时发布了对十四届中央委员,农业农村部原党组书记、部长唐仁健的逮捕决定。
查中共农业农村工作部官网,今年4月17日的“中央第二巡视组农业农村工作部党组工作动员会”上,唐仁健还以部党组书记和部长身份主持会议并讲话。中央第二巡视组组长孔圣根在动员讲话里特别强调要“紧盯权力和责任,加强对‘一把手’的监督”,并宣布根据巡视工作条例规定,中央巡视组主要受理反映农业农村部党组领导班子及其成员、下一级党组织主要负责人和重点岗位人员问题的来信来电来访,重点是关于违反政治纪律、组织纪律、廉洁纪律、群众纪律、工作纪律和生活纪律等方面的举报和反映……。
当时这位被习近平钦点的中央第二巡视组组长孔圣根还宣布了巡视组将在农业农村部驻扎三个月,结果刚过了一个月就宣布提前“完成任务”。就在该巡视组提前撤出农业农村部的当天,中纪委网站就宣布了唐仁健“涉嫌严重违纪违法,正在接受审查调查”的消息。
次日,《网易》刊登了《罕见!农业部长任上落马》一文,说唐仁健是二十大后首个任上落马的正部级官员。文章解释说:按常规,中央的正部长都是调离任上再调查处理,而这次唐仁健却是任上被查,显然事发紧急,事态严重,之所以决定当机立断,说明背后问题不小。
据此,文章作者怀疑唐仁健的突然落马或许与如下两件事情有关。其一是唐仁健落马的前一周,已经在中石化董事长位置上退休的任建新突然被抓。此人在位时曾于2017年完成了对瑞士农化和种子巨头先正达的收购。此项收购耗时两年,耗资约430亿美元,创下中企海外单笔收购金额最高纪录。也被墙内舆论强烈质疑为“赔本买卖”。
笔者在网上查到了2019年时任中国驻瑞士大使耿文兵在接受瑞士当地媒体采访的内容,他说如果自己早一年就来瑞士当大使,中国化工集团对瑞士农化巨头先正达的收购将不会发生。
这位耿大使还说:“如果瑞士想要收回先正达,我会劝中国化工集团撤回这笔投资,但现在瑞士还有任何人想把它买回去吗?“
网易文章说的可能与唐仁健的突然落马有关的第二件事情是今年1月曝光的某农业科技公司朱某某窃取中国杂交水稻亲本种子间谍案,严重影响了国家粮食安全。
中纪委上月15日发表的开除唐仁健公职、党籍,取消二十大代表资格的决定通报内容中说他“涉嫌严重职务犯罪”,不知是否与如上《网易》文章所列出的两件“种子”事件有关。如果有关的话,那么通报内容中诸如“违规收受礼品礼金,多次接受宴请和旅游安排”;“利用职权为亲属经营活动提供帮助”;“默许身边工作人员利用其职权谋取私利”以及“贪欲膨胀,利用职务便利为他人在企业经营、项目承揽、职务调整等方面谋利,并非法收受巨额财物”等指控内容,也许都能和“种子”事件联系在一起。
笔者注意到,如上《网易》文章中所说的任建新被中纪委宣布涉嫌严重违纪违法,正在审查调查“的具体时间是今年4月11日,6天后中纪委巡视组就奉命进驻了农业农村部。当时与任建新一起被中纪委”留置“的还有他长年的副手杨兴强,此人是对瑞士农化和种子巨头先正达收购案的具体操盘手。唐仁健是2016年6月被从外放”镀金“的广西调回中央农业农村工作领导机构,具体职务是中央农村工作领导小组副组长兼办公室主任、中央财办副主任。
说明一下,当时的中共中央的农村工作领导小组的组长是国务院分管农业的副总理,几个副组长中只有一个是专职,那就是以副组长身份兼任办公室主任的唐仁健,他是有资格直接向习近平和中央政治局汇报农业农村工作情况的。当时担任这个职务的唐仁健虽然暂时还没有被明确为正部长级,但当时的农业部长事实上是要接受唐仁健代表中央“对口”领导小组对他发号施令的。
而当年任建新和杨兴强顶着强大的非议强推的先正达收购的关键几步,正是在唐仁健实际主持中央农村工作领导小组日常工作期间完成的。
当时的这笔交易耗资3100亿元人民币,如果唐仁健确实是在推动批准这项交易的过程中“拿了好处”,单笔受贿额就过亿的可能不是没有。
不过呢,与种子相关的两件事情在中纪委宣布对唐仁健双开并移交司法的通报发出后已经不再是热议内容,无论是墙内还是墙外媒体,都把关注焦点放在了中纪委通报内容中“贯彻党中央‘三农’工作决策部署不力” 和“在脱贫攻坚中搞盲目决策”两句。
查唐仁健的官颁简历,除了他中央农村工作领导小组办公室主任职务的前任以及他农业农村部部长的前任陈锡文和韩长赋,唐仁健应该是中共政权里资格最老的“三农”官。
此人出生于1962年8月,1979年考入四川财经学院,毕业后即进入原国务院农牧渔业部,此后15年内,由政策法规司科员逐步累迁至农业部产业政策与法规司副司长。1998年9月,唐仁健转岗中央财经领导小组办公室,又花了15年时间熬成了中央财经领导小组办公室副主任兼中央农村工作领导小组办公室副主任,跻身副部级。同时还兼任国务院扶贫开发领导小组副组长,被当时的中共媒体形容为“位高权重的农村政策制定者”。
2014年,唐仁健“空降”广西,当上党委常委、政府常务副主席。离正省部级只差半步之遥。
2016年6月,唐仁健奉命返京出任中央农村工作领导小组正部长级副组长兼办公室主任,同时再次担任中央财经领导小组办公室副主任。
2017年4月,他再被外放为甘肃省委副书记、省长。
2010年12月,因为习近平特批延长了一年退休年龄的韩长赋退居二线,唐仁健奉调回北京,在接替韩长赋农业农村部部长、党组书记的同时, 也还兼任了中央农业农村工作领导小组办公室主任,直到2023年6月,才把中央农办主任位置交由时任中央财办专职副主任,二十届中央委员韩文秀兼任。
有墙内媒体总结说:唐仁健仕途凡41年,35年都在农业系统,两度下放地方,两度上调中央,也都是从事三农工作。他从事农村政策和理论的研究,多次参与起草中央和国务院有关农业农村方面的文件。而其中最为臭名昭著的就是《农业综合行政执法管理办法》。
2022年11月22日, 中共国务院官网(中华人民共和国中央政府网站)刊登出由部长唐仁健签署的《中华人民共和国农业农村部令2022 年 第 9 号》。内容是:“《农业综合行政执法管理办法》已于2022年11月3日经农业农村部第11次常务会议审议通过,现予公布,自2023年1月1日起施行。”
概括一句话,该“法”实际上就是把地方政府相关部门欺压、坑害农民的恶行合法化,所以全国各地县、市两级政府雷厉风行,很快就在全国各地成立了2,564个“农管队(局)”,在编在岗执“法”人员超过8.2万人。
此后,中国内地网站上不断揭露“农管”比“城管”的恶名是有过之而无不及。被他们执过“法”的农民怨声载道却又无处伸冤。
本月10日最高检察院发出对唐仁健的逮捕令后,《北京日报》及时刊登出标题为《唐仁健被逮捕!长期从事“三农”,是怎样坑农害农的?》的文章。可惜文章内容只是引述了中纪委开除唐仁健通报中的相关内容,未敢深一步揭露。
不过,笔者在腾讯网上读到过一篇标题为《农业部原部长唐仁健被双开,深耕农业系统35年,错漏重重难逃罪责》的文章,文章作者大胆揭露说:开除唐仁健党籍的通报中说他贯彻中共中央“三农”工作决策部署不力;在脱贫攻坚中搞盲目决策。而唐仁健的政治生涯主要在农业领域,部署中央三农决策不力,那中央的三农指示、政策,就发生肠梗阻,无法上传下达,造成严重后果。脱贫攻坚中搞盲目决策,造成巨大浪费,目标无法实现。作为农业部的一把手,他难逃其咎。
该文章还说:有消息称,唐仁健的问题,据说是在广西和甘肃任上被牵扯。执掌农业部长达4年,农业口很多问题,他都脱不了干系。2022年,农业部推出农业综合行政执法管理办法。该办法推行后,各地成立了农管队伍,在执法过程中引发很大争议,引发一些民众不满。就是贯彻中央精神不力的表现,作为时任部门一把手,他需要负主要领导责任。
有网友在该文章后面留言:“农业综合执法政策刚出台就遭千夫所指”;“退耕还林→退林还耕→退耕还林→年复一年,遍地荒野”。
另有网友留言痛斥“老农业干部头,居然是坑农害民专家!”严惩!”
而唐仁健坑农害农的另外一个途经就是“扶贫”。
谁都知道,中共政权前些年的所谓“扶贫帮贫”仅仅局限在农村地区。所以中央“扶贫”领导机构与中央农村工作领导小组和国务院农业农村部一直都是机构交叉。早在2013年6月27日中共发出《国务院办公厅关于调整国务院扶贫开发领导小组组成人员的通知》时,组长是时任副总理汪洋,唐仁健则是以当时的中央财经领导小组办公室副主任和中央农村工作领导小组办公室副主任的身份再兼任国务院扶贫开发领导小组副组长 。
2021年3月,国务院扶贫办更名为国家乡村振兴局,由农业农村部领导管理。改名的原因就是当年的2月25日,中共政权召开了全国脱贫攻坚总结表彰大会。习近平在会上宣布:“经过全党全国各族人民共同努力,在迎来中国共产党成立一百周年的重要时刻,我国脱贫攻坚战取得了全面胜利,现行标准下9899万农村贫困人口全部脱贫,832个贫困县全部摘帽,12.8万个贫困村全部出列,区域性整体贫困得到解决,完成了消除绝对贫困的艰巨任务,创造了又一个彪炳史册的人间奇迹…….。”
既然如此,继续有一个以“扶贫”为名号的中央机构有点讽刺。但是,无论是习近平还是唐仁健,全都清楚这个“全面脱贫”的“人间奇迹“里有多大的水分。所以在将扶贫办改名国家乡村振兴局的同时,就将该局的工作中心定为”防止大面积返贫”。
去年3月,中共当局又宣布撤消了国家乡村振兴局的机构设置,所属人员全部编入农业农村部里的对口司局,将国家乡村振兴局的“防止返贫监测和帮扶”,制定“乡村振兴重点帮扶县和重点地区帮扶政策”等职责划入农业农村部。同时在农业农村部加挂国家乡村振兴局的牌子。也就是说,所谓“三农”工作和过去的“脱贫”、如今的“防止返贫”都是统一在唐仁健的领导之下,这就是为什么中纪委开除唐仁健的通报中,既批他“贯彻党中央‘三农’工作决策部署不力” ,还把习近平亲自领导、亲自指挥的“脱贫攻坚战”事实上没有“打赢”的责任,归咎于他唐仁健“在脱贫攻坚中搞(了)盲目决策”。
当然,无论是“贯彻党中央‘三农’工作决策部署不力” 还是“在脱贫攻坚中搞盲目决策”,都是搬不上司法台面的党内罪责。君不见,虽然中纪委开除唐仁健党籍的通报中说他“严重违反党的政治纪律、组织纪律、廉洁纪律、工作纪律和生活纪律”的恶行已经“构成严重职务违法并涉嫌受贿犯罪”,但最高检察院的逮捕令中却只给他开列了“涉嫌受贿”这一单项罪名。
当然,为了把“全面脱贫攻坚”的假成功,真失败的屎盆子都扣在唐仁健一个人头上,中纪委日后提交给二十届四中全会上的内部通报中,应该会以痛批唐仁健“欺上瞒下”来维护“一尊”的颜面。
(本文仅代表作者个人观点立场)
The Trumpian Attitude at the Heart of the Gaetz Report
修订公司法后引发多起抗议 中国取消追责老股东
中国新修订的公司法规定,即便前股东已经转让股权,仍要为受让人未按期缴纳出资承担补充责任,引发多起抗议。
12月23日,中国最高立法机关宣布审查结果,不得溯及既往,并“督促”有关机关“采取适当措施”,以“推动优化营商环境”。
据路透社报道,此举是在中国十一个城市接连几周爆发十多场抗议活动后,由中国人民代表大会常务委员会法制工作委员会作出的司法解释。法工委认定,修订后的公司法第88条不得适用于在新法于今年七月生效前已出售股份的股东。
华盛顿人权组织自由之家(Freedom House)关注中国公民集体行动的异言网(China Dissent Monitor)项目负责人史凯文(Kevin Slaten)告诉路透社,由于抗议活动攸关政府政策损害人民生计,可能迫使中国政府采取具体措施来平息众怒。
报道指出,新修订的公司法允许公司要求原始股东对未付款项负责,即便他们已转让了股份。十一月下旬至十二月初,中国抖音平台上的视频显示,中国十一地的高等法院发生抗议活动,要求对法律的变化作出解释,并希望取消其追溯性。目前,大多数视频已遭审查清洗。路透社能够确认异言网提供的几个视频的拍摄地点,但无法确认日期或联系到相关人员。
今年8月,北京海淀法院适用新公司法作出首例判决,认定出售仁和公司的原股东,应就其数次转让却未在期限内缴足出资金额的股份,承担债权人要求的数百万元的赔偿责任。
据路透社报道,中国允许公司在未缴足出资金额的情况下成立,并给予几年的还款时间。今年,房产开发商恒大集团因负债超过3000亿美元被勒令清盘,也凸显中国债权人面临的风险不断上升,引发中国政府对私营企业无法偿还债务或破产时,责任应由谁承担的担忧。
责编:梒青 网编:洪伟
Magdeburg attack offers far right fertile ground despite suspect's backing for AfD
"I feel bad, I still do," said Eidwicht, as she stood in the Christmas market close to the spot where the car sped through on Friday, killing five people and injuring more than two hundred others.
"My granddaughter was here. I rang her because my daughter told me that something had happened here. And she didn't answer for two hours."
There is deep sadness here - and anger directed at the government and migrants. "It can't go on like this," said Eidwicht.
A Saudi refugee aged 50 has been arrested for the attack but the motive is unknown.
Officials say Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, was an "untypical" attacker. Germany's Christmas markets and festivals have come under attack before, mainly from extreme Islamists.
Abdulmohsen has been described as critical of Islam and he also voiced support on social media for the far-right Alternative for Germany party, hailing the party for fighting the same enemy as him "to protect Germany".
The AfD has not commented on those posts - and the party is planning a procession of mourning in Magdeburg later on Monday, with national party leader Alice Weidel attending.
Her party is currently riding high in the opinion polls ahead of federal elections on 23 February, especially in states like Saxony-Anhalt in the former East Germany.
This attack has brought two big elections issues to the fore, security and immigration, and AfD figures have highlighted both since the attack.
Despite the suspect's many statements expressing hostility to Islam, the head of the AfD in Sachsen-Anhalt, Martin Reichardt, said in a statement "the attack in Magdeburg shows that Germany is being drawn into political and religious fanaticism that has its origins in another world".
In a post on X, Weidel said the government's discussion of new security laws following the attack "must not distract from the fact that Magdeburg would not have been possible without uncontrolled immigration. The state must protect its citizens through a restrictive migration policy and consistent deportations!"
A counter-demonstration will also be held and anti-racism groups in Magdeburg have accused the AfD of exploiting the attack.
David Begrich from Miteinander e.V. said people in the city needed a chance to catch their breath.
"In the migrant communities, there is great concern about being made into a scapegoat," he said. "We don't want that. We want to organise solidarity across society, but at the same time we are also sensitive to the voices of those who are now reacting with fear and uncertainty."
Germans are asking how the attack could have happened, when security was already heightened at Christmas markets and when authorities had clearly investigated the suspect several times in recent years.
The threat he posed was considered "too unspecific", according to one assessment, while one tip-off against him in September 2023 appears to have fallen through the cracks.
In another apparent security failing, the driver was also able to get through a gap that had been left open for emergency access when it should have been filled by a police van.
Stallholders at the Christmas market have now been allowed to come back, to throw away old food and remove their equipment and stocks.
None that I approached wanted to speak to the BBC. It's all too raw.
There has also been hostility towards journalists over the past few days, especially after some 2,000 people joined a protest by the far right in Magdeburg on Saturday night.
The Association of German Journalists said there had been aggression and threats against the press and appealed for greater police protection.
The BBC team joined mourners gathered in Cathedral Square for a live stream of the vigil for victims of the attack and many who spoke to them said it was important to show solidarity at a time of terrible distress.
But one woman struck a note of caution. There are "some Nazis here, who don't like journalists," she said. "Please be careful."
The crocodile from Crocodile Dundee dies in Australia
The crocodile who starred in 1980s hit film Crocodile Dundee has died in Australia.
Burt, who was thought to be over 90 years old, appeared alongside Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski in the 1986 movie.
News of his death was confirmed by staff at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, a reptile and aquarium attraction where Burt had lived since 2008.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the wildlife centre wrote: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Burt, the iconic saltwater crocodile and star of the Australian classic Crocodile Dundee.
"Burt passed away peacefully over the weekend, estimated to be over 90 years old, marking the end of an incredible era."
In the film, character Mick Dundee (Hogan) swaps the Australian outback for the jungle of New York after meeting American reporter Sue Charlton (Kozlowski), who eventually falls in love with him.
The croc is famously seen in the scene where Kozlowski's character is attacked as she kneels next to a creek.
Burt, who was captured in the 1980s in the Northern Territory's Reynolds River, was described by Crocasourus Cove as having a "bold" personality.
"Burt was a confirmed bachelor - an attitude he made clear during his earlier years at a crocodile farm," the centre's statement continued.
"His fiery temperament earned him the respect of his caretakers and visitors alike, as he embodied the raw and untamed spirit of the saltwater crocodile."
"Burt was truly one of a kind. He wasn't just a crocodile; he was a force of nature and a reminder of the power and majesty of these incredible creatures.
"While his personality could be challenging, it was also what made him so memorable and beloved by those who worked with him and the thousands who visited him over the years.
The statement concluded: "Visitors from around the globe marvelled at his impressive size and commanding presence, especially at feeding time."
It's not unusual for saltwater crocodiles to live beyond 70 years old, especially in captivity.
Burt will be honoured with a commemorative sign at the attraction.
Crocodile Dundee remains the highest grossing Australian film of all time, taking $47,707,598 (Australian dollars).
It also spawned two sequels, 1988's Crocodile Dundee II and 2001's Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles.
Hogan and Kozlowski got married in 1990 but later divorced.
A documentary on the making of the film is expected to be released next year.
Greenland again tells Trump it is not for sale
Greenland has once again said it is not for sale after US President-elect Donald Trump said he wanted to take control of the territory.
"Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland," its prime minister said on Monday, a day after Trump repeated comments about the Arctic island that he first made several years ago.
Greenland, which is an autonomous Danish territory, is home to a large US space facility and lies on the shortest route from the US to Europe, meaning it is strategically important for America.
There was no immediate response to Trump's comments from Denmark.
Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday, the US president-elect said: "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."
His comments prompted a sharp rebuke from Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede, who said: "We are not for sale and we will not be for sale."
"We must not lose our long struggle for freedom. However, we must continue to be open to co-operation and trade with the whole world, especially with our neighbours," he said.
Trump's controversial remarks came hours after he announced that he intended to nominate Ken Howery, his former ambassador to Sweden, to be the new ambassador to Denmark.
Mr Howery said he was "deeply humbled" by the nomination and looked forward to working with the staff at the US embassy in Copenhagen and the US consulate in Greenland to "deepen the bonds between our countries".
Trump's original suggestion in 2019 that the US acquire Greenland, which is the world's largest island, led to a similarly sharp rebuke from leaders there.
The then Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederickson, who still holds the role, described the idea as "absurd", leading Trump to cancel a state trip to the country.
He is not the first US president to suggest buying Greenland. The idea was first mooted during the 1860s under the presidency of Andrew Johnson.
Separately on Sunday, Donald Trump threatened to reassert control over the Panama Canal, one of the world's most important waterways - accusing Panama of charging excessive fees for access to it.
Panama's president later said "every square metre" of the canal and surrounding area belonged to his country.
How Bath & Body Works Comes Up With Its Holiday Scents
Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to murdering healthcare CEO
The suspect accused of killing UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson has pleaded not guilty to New York state murder and terrorism charges.
Luigi Mangione, 26, appeared in court on Monday to be arraigned on 11 state criminal counts, including murder a crime of terrorism.
He also faces with federal stalking and murder charges that could lead to a death penalty sentence.
Prosecutors allege that Mangione shot Thompson in central Manhattan before going on the run. Authorities later arrested him at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania.
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Mauritius says talks with UK over Chagos Islands are stuck over money
Mauritius's deputy prime minister has hinted that negotiations with the UK over the future of the Chagos Islands are being held up over the amount of money involved.
Under the terms of the original agreement, which was announced in October, the UK would relinquish sovereignty to Mauritius over the archipelago but maintain a 99-year lease for Diego Garcia, home to a major UK-US military airbase.
As part of the deal, the UK said it would provide a package of financial support to Mauritius, including annual payments and infrastructure investment, but neither side has said how much is involved.
However a new government in Mauritius, elected since the agreement was first made, has said it wants to see some changes.
The proposed deal has also attracted criticism in the UK, with the opposition Conservative party calling it a "monumental failure of statecraft".
When the agreement was first made public after years of talks, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the then Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth called it a "seminal moment in our relationship and a demonstration of our enduring commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and the rule of law".
It sought to end decades of uncertainty and dispute over the status of the islands.
- New Mauritian PM sends fresh Chagos proposals to UK
- Chagos deal remains on track, says UK minister
- Trump team hostile to Chagos deal, claims Farage
In a joint statement issued on Friday, the UK and Mauritius said they were committed "to finalising a treaty as quickly as possible" that included both the "secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia and that Mauritius is sovereign over the archipelago".
They added that "ongoing conversations" were productive.
The new Mauritian government, elected in a landslide last month, has not been explicit in public about what exactly its problems with the deal were.
But talking to his constituents on Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger spoke about the money involved.
"This base existed on our land, on our territory... but not only it is [about] our sovereignty. There are some things you can't accept if you're a true patriot. They are trying to make us sign and they are quibbling on a small amount," he said.
Speaking in parliament last week about the negotiations Bérenger admitted that Mauritius needs "money to get out of the economic mess the previous government got us into, but not at any price, not under any conditions".
Addressing MPs on Friday, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said that the UK was keen to complete the deal "before [Donald] Trump swears in as president on 20 January".
Marco Rubio, Trump's pick for secretary of state, has described the deal as a threat to US security.
Last week in the UK's House of Commons, Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel accused the Labour government of putting the UK's national security at risk, ignoring the interests of Chagossians, and "letting our standing go into freefall" in an increasingly dangerous world.
"How much is the British taxpayer going to be liable for each year, and in total, over 99 years?" she asked.
Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty insisted the deal would enhance, not damage UK security, saying it would protect the military base's operation and ensure it was "on a safe footing well into the next century".
In recent years, the UK has faced rising diplomatic isolation over its claim to what it refers to as the British Indian Ocean Territory, with various United Nations bodies - including its top court and general assembly - overwhelmingly siding with Mauritius and demanding the UK surrender what some have called its "last colony in Africa".
The government of Mauritius has long argued that it was illegally forced to give the Chagos Islands away in return for its own independence from the UK in 1968.
Until very recently, the UK insisted that Mauritius itself had no legitimate claim to the islands.
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King's Christmas message to come from ornate former hospital chapel
This year's Christmas message from King Charles will be delivered from a former hospital chapel, in a year in which the King has been undergoing cancer treatment.
The location for the traditional Christmas Day broadcast is the Fitzrovia Chapel in central London, which once served as the chapel of the Middlesex Hospital.
It's the first time in more than a decade that the Christmas speech has been recorded from a place that isn't in a royal palace or estate - and it's understood that the King wanted a location with a healthcare connection.
The ornately-decorated 19th Century former chapel building is now used for exhibitions and community events for people of any faiths and none.
As well as a link to the health services, the building also ties in with the King's interest in trying to build bridges between different beliefs, backgrounds and religions.
The traditional speech from the monarch, recorded earlier this month, will be broadcast as usual on television and radio at 15:00 on Christmas Day.
The Christmas message comes at the end of a year in which the King faced a cancer diagnosis.
His regular sessions of treatment are continuing, as they have for much of this year, but as a sign of a positive response, he has plans for a busy schedule of engagements and overseas trips in 2025.
Setting the speech in this former hospital chapel, which was renovated and reopened in 2016, will be a reminder of those working in the health services and medical research.
The small chapel, decorated in the Gothic Revival style with shimmering mosaics and Byzantine influences, is tucked away in Pearson Square, in a quiet corner of London's West End.
It was built in the courtyard of what was the Middlesex Hospital, serving its staff and patients. When the hospital was demolished the chapel was retained and restored, with a new development built around it.
It's no longer regularly used for services, but is used for community events and concerts and is open to visitors wanting some quiet contemplation.
The run-up to Christmas has seen the King attending a series of seasonal events, including a Christmas market in Battersea, a service remembering those persecuted because of their religion and an event in Walthamstow celebrating the diversity of the local community.
The King's speech on Christmas Day follows a tradition dating back to 1932, when George V made the first Christmas broadcast.
Some Morrisons shops back to normal after discount 'nightmare'
Morrisons customers have been unable to get discounts on their shopping ahead of Christmas after a problem with the More loyalty card.
The supermarket has been advertising heavy discounts on Christmas dinner food, including vegetables, in the last week.
But social media users say their discounts are not working at the till, with one person posting a photo of an error message at the self-checkout, which reads: "We are really sorry some promotions and discounts are not working at this time."
The Morrisons website also appears to be down, with a "502 bad gateway" error message on some pages.
Morrisons has been contacted for comment.
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Biden drops death sentences for 37 out of 40 prisoners
US President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates, switching their penalty to life in prison without parole.
Among those are nine people convicted of murdering fellow prisoners, four for murders committed during bank robberies and one who killed a prison guard.
In a statement, Biden said he condemned the murderers and their crimes, but added he was "more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level".
Biden's decision comes before the return of President-elect Donald Trump in January, who previously resumed federal executions in July 2020 for the first time since 2003.
"Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss," Biden added.
Disgraced former New Orleans police officer Len Davis, who operated a drug ring involving other officers and arranged a woman's murder, is among those who have been shown clemency.
The three remaining on death row include Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who helped carry out the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, and avowed white supremacist Dylann Roof who shot and killed nine Black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina in 2015.
Robert Bowers, who killed 11 Jewish worshippers during a mass shooting in 2018 at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, will also remain on death row.
Biden has campaigned as an opponent of the death penalty, and the Justice Department issued a moratorium on its use at federal level after he became president.
During his first term in office, Trump oversaw 13 deaths by lethal injection during his final six months in power.
There had been no federal inmates put to death in the US since 2003 until Trump resumed federal executions in July 2020.
During his re-election campaign, Trump indicated he would expand the use of capital punishment to include human and drug traffickers, as well as migrants who kill American citizens.
Biden appeared to make reference to Trump's intentions in his statement by saying he could not "in good conscience - stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted".
In US law, these clemency decisions cannot be reversed by a president's successor.
Biden's decision will not impact people sentenced to death in state courts, which is around around 2,250 inmates according to the Death Penalty Information Centre. More than 70 state executions have been carried out during Biden's presidency.
The death penalty has been abolished in 23 of the 50 US states. Six other states, including Arizona, California, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, have moratoriums in place.
Earlier this month, Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 more convicted of nonviolent crimes.
He also pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing sentencing for two criminal cases. He had pleaded guilty to tax charges earlier in September, and was found guilty of being an illegal drug user in possession of a gun in June - becoming the first child of a sitting president to be a convicted of a crime.
The US Constitution decrees that a president has the broad "power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment".
Japanese car makers Honda and Nissan join forces to take on China
Honda and Nissan plan to merge as the two Japanese firms seek to fight back against competition from the Chinese car industry.
The integration would create one of the world's biggest car producers alongside Toyota, Volkswagen, General Motors and Ford.
The potentially multibillion dollar deal to combat "the rise of Chinese power" was a key driver behind the plan, said Honda's chief executive Toshihiro Mibe.
Mr Mibe said a plan to "fight back" needs to be in place by 2030, or they risk being "beaten" by rivals.
Becoming one of the biggest brands in the car industry would allow the firms to claw back space in the growing electric car market, which has been increasingly dominated by Chinese-made electric vehicles, including BYD, which have posed a threat to some of the world's best known car firms.
"There is a rise of Chinese power and emerging forces and the structure of the automobile industry is changing," Mr Mibe told reporters at a press conference announcing the merger talks.
Growing competition in China has left many car makers struggling to compete, as lower labour and manufacturing costs make local firms more nimble and able to price their goods lower than foreign counterparts, making them far more attractive to buyers.
It has led to China becoming the world's biggest producer of electric vehicles.
In October, EU officials said the Chinese state was unfairly subsidising its EV makers and announced big taxes on imports of EVs from China to the EU, after the majority of member states backed the plans. The tariffs are set to rise from 10% to 45% for the next five years, but there are concerns it could raise EV prices higher for buyers.
"Capabilities to fight"
The total sales of Nissan and Honda is more than $191bn (£152bn), said Nissan's chief executive, Makoto Uchida.
In March, the two Japanese car makers agreed to explore a strategic partnership for electric vehicles (EVs).
"The talks started because we believe that we must build up capabilities to fight them, including the current emerging forces, by 2030. Otherwise we will be beaten", said Mr Mibe.
He added that the deal was not a bailout of Nissan, which has been struggling with falling sales.
In November, Nissan said it will cut around 9,000 jobs as it slashes global production to tackle a drop in sales in China and the US. The cuts mean its global production will be reduced by a fifth.
Nissan, once a symbol of Japan's car making strength, has spent the past few years trying to regain its footing after the arrest of longtime chief executive Carlos Ghosn. Mr Ghosn faced charges of financial misconduct when he fled Japan in 2019, and is currently the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, which is a request to law enforcement worldwide to find and arrest a person. Mr Ghosn, currently in Lebanon, told reporters in December that Nissan's merger plans were an act of panic and desperation.
Mr Mibe said that any merger would be dependent on the turnaround of Nissan.
The merger, which would include Mitsubishi - of which Nissan is the biggest shareholder- would allow all three companies to share resources against other electric vehicle competitors such as Tesla. Honda and Nissan agreed in March to cooperate in their EV businesses, and in August deepened their ties, agreeing to work together on batteries and other technology.
However, any deal is likely to come under intense political scrutiny in Japan as it may result in job cuts, whilst Nissan is likely to unwind its alliance with French auto firm Renault.
German Christmas market attack offers far-right fertile ground despite suspect's support
"I feel bad, I still do," said Eidwicht, as she stood in the Christmas market close to the spot where the car sped through on Friday, killing five people and injuring more than two hundred others.
"My granddaughter was here. I rang her because my daughter told me that something had happened here. And she didn't answer for two hours."
There is deep sadness here - and anger directed at the government and migrants. "It can't go on like this," said Eidwicht.
A Saudi refugee aged 50 has been arrested for the attack but the motive is unknown.
Officials say Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, was an "untypical" attacker. Germany's Christmas markets and festivals have come under attack before, mainly from extreme Islamists.
Abdulmohsen has been described as critical of Islam and he also voiced support on social media for the far-right Alternative for Germany party, hailing the party for fighting the same enemy as him "to protect Germany".
The AfD has not commented on those posts - and the party is planning a procession of mourning in Magdeburg later on Monday, with national party leader Alice Weidel attending.
Her party is currently riding high in the opinion polls ahead of federal elections on 23 February, especially in states like Saxony-Anhalt in the former East Germany.
This attack has brought two big elections issues to the fore, security and immigration, and AfD figures have highlighted both since the attack.
Despite the suspect's many statements expressing hostility to Islam, the head of the AfD in Sachsen-Anhalt, Martin Reichardt, said in a statement "the attack in Magdeburg shows that Germany is being drawn into political and religious fanaticism that has its origins in another world".
In a post on X, Weidel said the government's discussion of new security laws following the attack "must not distract from the fact that Magdeburg would not have been possible without uncontrolled immigration. The state must protect its citizens through a restrictive migration policy and consistent deportations!"
A counter-demonstration will also be held and anti-racism groups in Magdeburg have accused the AfD of exploiting the attack.
David Begrich from Miteinander e.V. said people in the city needed a chance to catch their breath.
"In the migrant communities, there is great concern about being made into a scapegoat," he said. "We don't want that. We want to organise solidarity across society, but at the same time we are also sensitive to the voices of those who are now reacting with fear and uncertainty."
Germans are asking how the attack could have happened, when security was already heightened at Christmas markets and when authorities had clearly investigated the suspect several times in recent years.
The threat he posed was considered "too unspecific", according to one assessment, while one tip-off against him in September 2023 appears to have fallen through the cracks.
In another apparent security failing, the driver was also able to get through a gap that had been left open for emergency access when it should have been filled by a police van.
Stallholders at the Christmas market have now been allowed to come back, to throw away old food and remove their equipment and stocks.
None that I approached wanted to speak to the BBC. It's all too raw.
There has also been hostility towards journalists over the past few days, especially after some 2,000 people joined a protest by the far right in Magdeburg on Saturday night.
The Association of German Journalists said there had been aggression and threats against the press and appealed for greater police protection.
The BBC team joined mourners gathered in Cathedral Square for a live stream of the vigil for victims of the attack and many who spoke to them said it was important to show solidarity at a time of terrible distress.
But one woman struck a note of caution. There are "some Nazis here, who don't like journalists," she said. "Please be careful."