Stalemate at UniAbuja over selection of VCKYIV, Ukraine — With much fanfare, Ukraine was granted permission to fire Western long-range missiles at Russian military targets more than a month ago. But after initially firing a flurry of them, Ukraine has already slowed their use. Ukraine is running out of missiles. It also might be running out of time: President-elect Donald Trump has said publicly that allowing U.S.-made long-range missiles inside Russia was a big mistake. So far, the missiles have been effective in limited ways, but they have not changed the war’s trajectory, senior NATO officials said. The war has also not escalated as some had feared. Although Russia launched a powerful new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile at a Ukrainian weapons facility after the first two volleys of Western long-range missiles, it has since responded to them with its usual mix of drones, missiles and threats. Two U.S. officials said they believed Russia was trying to avoid escalating military operations in Ukraine, especially with the election of Trump, a longtime skeptic of the war, and given Russia’s recent battlefield successes. They spoke on the condition of anonymity, given the political sensitivities. Adm. Rob Bauer, NATO’s most senior military officer, said recently that the strikes by the long-range ballistic Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, had “seriously hit a number” of weapons factories and ammunition depots in Russia. He said that had forced Russia to move many logistics facilities farther back from the front. Related Story: In some ways, what has happened with the ATACMS — pronounced “attack ’ems” — is the story of what has happened with other Western weaponry in the war. Ukraine pressed for months and even years to get Western weapons: HIMARS rocket launchers, Abrams tanks and F-16 fighter jets. But by the time the West granted access to these weapons, Ukraine had lost more ground. And no weapon has been a silver bullet. Western officials also say Ukraine has relied too much on help from the West and hasn’t done enough to bolster its own war effort, especially in mobilizing enough troops. United States Resisted Sending Ukraine Long-Range Missiles The United States had long resisted sending Ukraine long-range ATACMS, with a range of 190 miles, fearing that their use deep inside nuclear-armed Russia would escalate the war. In the spring, President Joe Biden relented. The administration shipped Ukraine as many as 500 missiles from Pentagon stockpiles, the U.S. officials said. While Ukraine couldn’t use them in Russia, they fired them at targets in eastern Ukrainian territories controlled by Russia and in Crimea, seized by Russia in 2014 — aiming at hardened command and control posts, weapons storage areas and some other bunkers. U.S. and NATO officials said those strikes had been effective but also said that they felt Ukraine could have been more judicious in the number of missiles used and more selective with targeting. The U.S. officials said Biden had justified granting permission on Nov. 17 to use the missiles in Russia because Moscow brought North Korean soldiers into the war. There were caveats, though. U.S. officials said the weapons would initially be used mainly against Russian and North Korean troops in the Kursk region of western Russia, where Ukraine was trying to hold onto territory after a surprise Ukrainian offensive in August. Related Story: At that point, Ukraine had only “tens of the missiles” left — maybe about 50, the two U.S. officials said. It had no likelihood of getting more, they said. The limited U.S. supplies had already been assigned for deployment in the Middle East and Asia. Officials in Britain, which allowed Ukraine to use its long-range Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia after Biden’s decision, also said recently that it didn’t have many more to provide. It is unlikely that Trump will step in to fill the gap. He recently told Time magazine that he disagreed “very vehemently” with Ukraine’s use of ATACMS in Russian territory and called Biden’s decision to provide them “foolish.” The next day, the Kremlin said Trump’s position “fully aligned” with Moscow. Since the United States and Britain granted permission, Ukraine has launched at least a half-dozen missile strikes, using at least 31 ATACMS and 14 Storm Shadows, according to the Russian Defense Ministry and Russian military bloggers. The Ukrainian military does not comment on the use of the missiles, but neither the United States nor Ukraine has challenged those reports. The most damaging attack appears to have been from Storm Shadows fired Nov. 20 at a Russian command bunker near Maryino, Kursk, officials and analysts said. Russia Launches Ballistic Missile at Ukraine On Nov. 21, Russia launched its new hypersonic ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, or “hazelnut tree,” at a military facility in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. That was seen as a warning that Russia could hit any part of Europe with the new missile, a message to Europe and America about possible consequences. Six days later, the Russian general who was the architect of the Ukraine invasion called Biden’s top military adviser to discuss concerns about escalation, insisting that its missile test had been long planned. After that Nov. 27 call, Ukraine didn’t fire ATACMS or Storm Shadows for two weeks. Russia also launched few missile or drone attacks into Ukraine, although Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to launch the Оreshnik at the center of Кyiv, the Ukrainian capital, if Ukraine didn’t stop using ATACMS in Russia. Related Story: Despite his public threats, Putin is trying to react carefully to Ukrainian operations, the U.S. officials said. They believe Moscow will most likely not respond to ATACMS strikes in a way that could risk drawing Washington deeper in the fight or put the new administration in an awkward position as it comes in. Moscow could step up cyber or sabotage operations in Europe, but it is unlikely to directly target U.S. interests, the officials said. Some analysts said Ukraine had slowed its missile use because it had initially targeted Russian facilities it had long wanted to hit. Now, with few missiles remaining, Ukraine is being more deliberate. “We decided to wait and find high-value capability, and that’s natural,” said Mykola Bielieskov, a military analyst at Ukraine’s government-run National Institute for Strategic Studies. “Don’t expect quick returns, because we need to preserve this capability and spend it judiciously and very wisely.” — This article originally appeared in . By Kim Barker, Lara Jakes, Eric Schmitt, Helene Cooper and Julian E. Barnes/Russian Defense Ministry c. 2024 The New York Times Company
The year in review: Influential people who died in 2024
Hardship: Tinubu’s media chat confirms FG’s insensitivity –PDPTexas coach Steve Sarkisian utilized a really nifty trick play to pick up a big fourth down against Georgia in Saturday's SEC championship game in Atlanta. Needing just a yard to keep a drive going early in the second quarter, Sarkisian drew up a fake quarterback sneak that snapped the ball directly to running back Jaydon Blue instead of giving it to Quinn Ewers for the push. Blue made it nearly untouched around Georgia's defense to pick up the first down. The play call was brilliant and rather innovative, and we won't be surprised to see this one used in the NFL sooner than later. It takes a great snap from the center to pull it off, but the reward is key yardage to keep the drive alive. Texas with the fourth down conversion — Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) Texas Fake QB Sneak Direct Snap to RB between the QB’s legs 👀 — Danny Schaechter 🏝️🏈🐾 (@CoachDShack)
Head confirmed for Boxing Day after fitness test
Foreign companies are fast trooping into the country to tap and promote investment opportunities in the car hire industry to keep budding Kenyan market into the global map. Zephiir, a multi-national company specialized in Vehicle-sharing across Africa has touched down in the country to accelerate business opportunities for small and medium enterprise operators to have a slice of the cake in the international market. The marketing firm which introduced a computer application that offers a sharing channel for vehicle owner wishing to lease their cars for hire businesses across Africa and beyond appears to have sparked the interest of the peasants who have been expressed reservations in the highly fluid and fast industry. The inception of Zephiir a global vehicle marketshare platform has rolled out a Vehicle sharing across Africa to promote marketplace for growing transport businesses that empowers millions of small Nancy Afandi, who was the Founder member and CEO of Zephiir expressed fears that the new app had transformed the transport and logistics operations to create opportunities for personalized, effective transport strategies. Preliminary reports indicated that the marketing technology presented a notable milestone in Zephiir’s international expansion opening the visibility of car rental businesses to increase revenue, and improve profitability. “This launch comes at an opportune moment for Africa as transport and logistics is expected to embrace a more digital approach leading to a surge in demand over the coming years, providing vehicle owners/hosts to reach a greater audience,”she said. The goal she added was to “ change the paradigm of how people think about vehicle rentals. Zephiir is Designed and engineered to be the most advanced vehicle sharing marketplace with Unlimited car listings. ‘ We created a company that is very transparent with how much we charge commission to car owners and car the first year, only 5% from every transaction charged The Zephiir MARKETPLACE is a website and a mobile interface designed to create an online Peer-to- Peer vehicle sharing platform enabling guests to rent out Zephiir certified privately owned or company 700 million shares By Wangare Ndirangu
J&K launches 100-day drive to end TB
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Dominic Zvada kicked a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left and Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday, likely ending the Buckeyes ’ hopes of returning to the Big Ten title game. Kalel Mullings broke away for a 27-yard run, setting up the Wolverines (7-5, 5-4) at Ohio State's 17-yard line with two minutes remaining in the game. The drive stalled at the 3, and Zvada came on for the chip shot. Ohio State (10-2, 7-2, No. 2 CFP) got the ball back but couldn't move it, with Will Howard throwing incomplete on fourth down to seal the Wolverines' fourth straight win over their bitter rival. “You come to Michigan to play this game,” Zvada said. “So, it's the biggest one of the year. It's the one that everyone looks forward to, and to be able to come in here and take the win, it's amazing.” This Ohio State loss in the “The Game” might have been the toughest of the past four because Michigan was unranked and wrapping up a disappointing season. The Wolverines were also playing without a couple of top players: tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson. The Buckeyes were favored by 21 points, the widest point spread for this rivalry since 1978, according to ESPN Stats and Info. Records — and point spreads, for that matter — rarely mean much when these two teams meet. “Our defense played outstanding," Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. "We held a high-powered offense to 10 points, 77 rushing yards.” The Buckeyes were off all afternoon. Howard was 19 for 33 for 175 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions and Jayden Fielding missed two field-goal attempts. The run game was hardly there. “It's hard, man,” an emotional Howard said. “I really don’t have much right now. I do know we're a two-loss team. We're going to get into the playoffs and make a run. But, I mean, this one hurts.” Mullings was Michigan's primary weapon. He rushed for 116 yards and the Wolverines only touchdown of the game in the first half as neither team could get much going offensively on the frigid afternoon. “They made plays, we made plays, so as the game wore on you could definitely, slowly feel them starting to lose confidence, lose that energy and lose that faith,” Mullings said. Howard was clunky all day. In the first half he threw an interception from deep in his own territory that led to Michigan's touchdown. He went out for a play in the second quarter to be checked for a head injury. After the game, he said he was fine. “We're very disappointed, and never thought this would happen right here,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “We expected to win this game and go play in the Big Ten championship game.” After the game, Michigan players attempted to plant their flag at midfield and were confronted by Ohio State players. A skirmish ensued as both teams pushed and shoved before being separated. Michigan: Did just enough and caught Ohio State on an off day. Ohio State: It's inexplicable how badly the Buckeyes played in their biggest game of the season. They would need No. 4 Penn State and No. 10 Indiana to lose later Saturday in order to make it into the Big Ten title game next week. The Buckeyes will fall. There has been talk all season about how many of the Ohio State team leaders, including receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson and defensive end Jack Sawyer, chose to return for another year instead of entering the NFL draft because they wanted to beat Michigan at least once. Those players were inconsolable after the game. One of them, linebacker Cody Simon, was asked how he felt. “I just can't speak that right now,” Simon said. “I feel like we let the whole Buckeye nation down.” Michigan will wait for a minor bowl game. Ohio State, assuming either Penn State or Indiana wins on Saturday, will see how the final College Football Playoff rankings shakeout on Dec. 8. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25
CLEVELAND — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in a Major League Baseball game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt — the AL Manager of the Year. With Cleveland, the 34-year-old Nakken will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. “Nak is a systematic executor of processes and a thoughtful communicator,” Correa said via text message Friday night. “When you combine her skill set with the unique experiences she’s had over the course of her career, it makes her a perfect fit for our player development system. I’m really looking forward to being her teammate again.” Nakken’s exact duties are still being determined. She became a first-time mom welcoming daughter Austyn earlier this year and didn’t travel full-time on manager Bob Melvin’s staff. “We thank Alyssa Nakken for her incredible contributions to the San Francisco Giants and for trailblazing a path for women in sports,” the Giants said in a statement on Friday. “Her leadership, dedication, and passion for the game have inspired countless individuals, and her impact has been truly transformative for the Giants organization and the baseball community. “As she embarks on this exciting new chapter in her career, we have no doubt that she’ll continue to inspire and achieve great things. We wish her and her family nothing but the best.” Nakken is the second on-field female coach hired by the Guardians. In 2023, Cleveland brought in Amanda Kamekona as its hitting development coach for its year-round training academy in Goodyear, Arizona. Last season, she was an assistant hitting coach at Double-A Akron. Kamekona was twice a third-team All-American at UCLA after transferring from Cal State Fullerton.Apiaries abuzz over ruling against widening cross-border trade in live honeybees
The Electoral Reform Commission is likely to recommend an investigation into irregularities during the last three national polls held under ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. It is also of the opinion that the election commissioners who oversaw those polls breached their oath of office to preserve the constitution, according to commission Chairman Badiul Alam Majumdar. The reform commission may recommend appointing election commissioners through a search committee with representatives from the government, the opposition, and the third-largest party in parliament. Besides the restoration of the caretaker government system, capping the tenures of a prime minister at two terms and a proportional representation system, the reform commission is likely to recommend giving more powers to the Election Commission (EC). While discussing the updates on the reform commission's work with The Daily Star recently, Badiul said the other points under consideration include increasing women's seats in parliament, the reintroduction of "no vote" on ballot papers, and allowing Bangladeshi migrants to cast their votes from abroad. PUNISHMENT 'A MUST' The last general election in January had been at the centre of controversy as it was not competitive and inclusive due to a boycott by the major opposition parties, including the BNP. The AL had to field dummy independent candidates, many of whom were leaders of the party, to make the polls appear participatory. The 2018 election became controversial with opposition parties alleging ballot-box stuffing the night before election day. In January 2019, the Jatiya Oikya Front alleged before the EC that between 30 and 60 percent of the votes were cast the night before. The same month, Transparency International, Bangladesh in a study found that stamping of ballots took place the night before election day in more than one centre in 33 of the 50 surveyed constituencies. The 2014 election was one-sided, in which 153 lawmakers out of 300 were elected unopposed as most of the opposition, including the BNP, boycotted the election. The AL-led alliance won more than two-thirds majorities in all three national elections held under the Hasina government. A section of police officials on Tuesday admitted that they were under pressure from higher authorities while performing duties during the last three national elections. In a meeting with the reform commission, they also alleged that there were "financial transactions" during the polls. The reform commission members believe that the election commissioners, by overseeing the "controversial" elections in 2014, 2018 and 2024, breached their "oath to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution." Its chief Badiul said everyone is aware of how those elections were conducted. "We are considering these issues so that no one can get the scope to evade accountability for their wrongdoing. Those responsible should be brought to justice and punished. These elections need to be investigated. If the question of justice arises, the matter must be investigated first. These are our considerations while preparing the recommendations," he said. He emphasised the EC's role as a constitutional body and said that the election commissioners took an oath to uphold the constitution and ensure the democratic system will be effective through free, fair, and neutral elections. "By failing to do so [hold fair polls], they have violated the constitution on one hand and breached their oath on the other," Badiul added. The reform commission is also thinking about how to hold the election commissioners accountable if they are involved in irregularities. The reform commission is considering proposing legal provisions to take action against the commissioners through investigation in such cases, said a member of the reform commission, who wished not to be named. MEANINGFUL CHANGES Badiul said that they are considering a recommendation to change the law under which the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners are appointed. The government can appoint its desired people as CEC and election commissioners under the law, he said. "There is weakness in the law, which is not befitting this era". To avoid manipulation of the system, the reform commission chief said, representatives from the opposition and the third-largest party in parliament, along with the treasury bench, should be included in the search committee responsible for selecting nominees for the CEC and other election commissioners' posts. The commission is likely to recommend restoring the provision of the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (RPO) that empowered the EC to postpone elections at any stage after announcing the schedule. After an amendment in July 2023, the EC now can postpone elections only on the polling day. He noted that the RPO includes provisions for taking action against election offenders, but no significant action was seen in the past. Asked about his thoughts on empowering the EC, Badiul said, "We will try to increase the powers of the independent Election Commission. It is under our consideration." He said, "It is also important to mention that we cannot make any individual independent. According to the constitution, the Election Commission is already independent. However, we cannot force someone to act independently if they have a subservient attitude. "That is why we are advocating for a law to ensure the appointment of neutral individuals as the CEC and ECs. If this happens, meaningful changes can take place." PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION Badiul said the reform commission would keep the issue of introduction of a proportional representation system "under serious consideration", along with the restoration of a caretaker government to oversee national elections; and limiting the tenures of the prime minister to two terms. He noted that these issues, as well as the introduction of bicameral legislation, and direct elections to women's seats, are related to constitutional amendments. The government formed a separate commission for constitutional reforms. "Members of the two commissions are discussing ways to ensure coordination between their proposals on such matters," Badiul said. Proportional representation is an electoral system in which seats in parliament are allocated to political parties based on the proportion of votes they receive in an election. About the caretaker government system, Badiul said, "Recently, the High Court issued a verdict regarding the restoration of the caretaker government. This is now a reality, and we are considering it in our recommendations." Asked about increasing the women seats and direct election to these seats, Badiul said that this will ensure women's "true representation" in parliament. The commission is thinking about a rotational voting system for women's seats, he said. If these seats are increased to 100, the total number of parliamentary seats will rise to 400. "These 100 seats would rotate across constituencies over three election cycles, with women competing alongside men for other seats," he said. He said that they are thinking about the reintroduction of "no vote" option on the ballot paper so that none get the chance of being elected unopposed. "No vote" was on the ballot papers in the 2008 polls, and none was elected unopposed in the election. Around 3,82,000 people cast "no vote" in that election, said EC officials. The reform commission is also likely to propose some other changes, including the requirement for candidates to disclose their foreign assets in their affidavits. The interim government constituted the electoral reform commission on October 3 and sought its report within 90 days. Since then, the commission has taken proposals from stakeholders, including political parties, former CECs, members of different citizen platforms, and general people. "We are at the final stage of our work and hopeful that will be able to submit the report within the stipulated time," Badiul said. The Electoral Reform Commission is likely to recommend an investigation into irregularities during the last three national polls held under ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. It is also of the opinion that the election commissioners who oversaw those polls breached their oath of office to preserve the constitution, according to commission Chairman Badiul Alam Majumdar. The reform commission may recommend appointing election commissioners through a search committee with representatives from the government, the opposition, and the third-largest party in parliament. Besides the restoration of the caretaker government system, capping the tenures of a prime minister at two terms and a proportional representation system, the reform commission is likely to recommend giving more powers to the Election Commission (EC). While discussing the updates on the reform commission's work with The Daily Star recently, Badiul said the other points under consideration include increasing women's seats in parliament, the reintroduction of "no vote" on ballot papers, and allowing Bangladeshi migrants to cast their votes from abroad. PUNISHMENT 'A MUST' The last general election in January had been at the centre of controversy as it was not competitive and inclusive due to a boycott by the major opposition parties, including the BNP. The AL had to field dummy independent candidates, many of whom were leaders of the party, to make the polls appear participatory. The 2018 election became controversial with opposition parties alleging ballot-box stuffing the night before election day. In January 2019, the Jatiya Oikya Front alleged before the EC that between 30 and 60 percent of the votes were cast the night before. The same month, Transparency International, Bangladesh in a study found that stamping of ballots took place the night before election day in more than one centre in 33 of the 50 surveyed constituencies. The 2014 election was one-sided, in which 153 lawmakers out of 300 were elected unopposed as most of the opposition, including the BNP, boycotted the election. The AL-led alliance won more than two-thirds majorities in all three national elections held under the Hasina government. A section of police officials on Tuesday admitted that they were under pressure from higher authorities while performing duties during the last three national elections. In a meeting with the reform commission, they also alleged that there were "financial transactions" during the polls. The reform commission members believe that the election commissioners, by overseeing the "controversial" elections in 2014, 2018 and 2024, breached their "oath to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution." Its chief Badiul said everyone is aware of how those elections were conducted. "We are considering these issues so that no one can get the scope to evade accountability for their wrongdoing. Those responsible should be brought to justice and punished. These elections need to be investigated. If the question of justice arises, the matter must be investigated first. These are our considerations while preparing the recommendations," he said. He emphasised the EC's role as a constitutional body and said that the election commissioners took an oath to uphold the constitution and ensure the democratic system will be effective through free, fair, and neutral elections. "By failing to do so [hold fair polls], they have violated the constitution on one hand and breached their oath on the other," Badiul added. The reform commission is also thinking about how to hold the election commissioners accountable if they are involved in irregularities. The reform commission is considering proposing legal provisions to take action against the commissioners through investigation in such cases, said a member of the reform commission, who wished not to be named. MEANINGFUL CHANGES Badiul said that they are considering a recommendation to change the law under which the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners are appointed. The government can appoint its desired people as CEC and election commissioners under the law, he said. "There is weakness in the law, which is not befitting this era". To avoid manipulation of the system, the reform commission chief said, representatives from the opposition and the third-largest party in parliament, along with the treasury bench, should be included in the search committee responsible for selecting nominees for the CEC and other election commissioners' posts. The commission is likely to recommend restoring the provision of the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (RPO) that empowered the EC to postpone elections at any stage after announcing the schedule. After an amendment in July 2023, the EC now can postpone elections only on the polling day. He noted that the RPO includes provisions for taking action against election offenders, but no significant action was seen in the past. Asked about his thoughts on empowering the EC, Badiul said, "We will try to increase the powers of the independent Election Commission. It is under our consideration." He said, "It is also important to mention that we cannot make any individual independent. According to the constitution, the Election Commission is already independent. However, we cannot force someone to act independently if they have a subservient attitude. "That is why we are advocating for a law to ensure the appointment of neutral individuals as the CEC and ECs. If this happens, meaningful changes can take place." PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION Badiul said the reform commission would keep the issue of introduction of a proportional representation system "under serious consideration", along with the restoration of a caretaker government to oversee national elections; and limiting the tenures of the prime minister to two terms. He noted that these issues, as well as the introduction of bicameral legislation, and direct elections to women's seats, are related to constitutional amendments. The government formed a separate commission for constitutional reforms. "Members of the two commissions are discussing ways to ensure coordination between their proposals on such matters," Badiul said. Proportional representation is an electoral system in which seats in parliament are allocated to political parties based on the proportion of votes they receive in an election. About the caretaker government system, Badiul said, "Recently, the High Court issued a verdict regarding the restoration of the caretaker government. This is now a reality, and we are considering it in our recommendations." Asked about increasing the women seats and direct election to these seats, Badiul said that this will ensure women's "true representation" in parliament. The commission is thinking about a rotational voting system for women's seats, he said. If these seats are increased to 100, the total number of parliamentary seats will rise to 400. "These 100 seats would rotate across constituencies over three election cycles, with women competing alongside men for other seats," he said. He said that they are thinking about the reintroduction of "no vote" option on the ballot paper so that none get the chance of being elected unopposed. "No vote" was on the ballot papers in the 2008 polls, and none was elected unopposed in the election. Around 3,82,000 people cast "no vote" in that election, said EC officials. The reform commission is also likely to propose some other changes, including the requirement for candidates to disclose their foreign assets in their affidavits. The interim government constituted the electoral reform commission on October 3 and sought its report within 90 days. Since then, the commission has taken proposals from stakeholders, including political parties, former CECs, members of different citizen platforms, and general people. "We are at the final stage of our work and hopeful that will be able to submit the report within the stipulated time," Badiul said.