Indonesia’s Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto Widens Lead In Presidential Race, Survey Shows

 December 27, 2023

BenarNews

By Nazarudin Latif

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and his running mate widened their lead in the 2024 presidential race, a new poll held after the candidates’ first televised debates showed.

Prabowo and his vice presidential pick, the Indonesian president’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, got 46.7% of the vote in the survey conducted by Indikator Politik over the weekend.

The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s presidential nominee, former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo, and his running mate, Mohammad Mahfud MD, followed with 24.5%.

Former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan and his running mate, Muhaimin Iskandar, trailed at 21%.

The survey polled 1,217 respondents across Indonesia on Dec. 23-Dec. 24. Indonesians will on Feb. 14, 2024,  elect the successor to Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.

In the first debate – the presidential one – on Dec. 12, Anies impressed 35.5% of respondents as the best and most eloquent candidate. Prabowo trailed with 28.9% and Ganjar with 26.9%, Indikator said.

But Prabowo was seen as the candidate with the most solid program on the debate.

The survey also found that except for Central Java, where Ganjar has the edge, Prabowo dominates all regions of Indonesia. 

He has the support of all ethnic groups as well, except for the staunchly-Muslim Minang people in West Sumatra, who favor Anies, it said.

The survey found that 7.8% of respondents were undecided or swing voters, who could influence the outcome of the election.

“If [Prabowo-Gibran] managed to capture most of the swing voter base, they could avoid a run-off,” Burhanuddin Muhtadi, the director of Indikator, told reporters on Tuesday.

Indonesia’s presidential election system requires a runoff between the top two candidates if no one secures more than 50% of the votes in the election.

Burhanuddin said that the second and third places were too close to call, as Ganjar and Anies were within the 2.9% margin of error of the survey. 

He said that either of them could join Prabowo in the runoff if the election is not decided in one round. 

Voter dynamic ‘always shifting’

Prabowo and Gibran have gained more support from the public because of Jokowi’s popularity, said Wasisto Raharjo Jati, a political analyst at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). 

“The presidential race is always changing, especially with the undecided voters who have not made up their minds,” he said.

He added that the candidates would try to win over the swing voters to either catch up or secure their victory.

“I cannot say for sure that it will be one round because the voter dynamics are always shifting [and will] until the last minute before Feb. 14,” he said.

However, Prabowo appears to be the clear frontrunner. 

Various other surveys released this month and conducted before the debates also showed him ahead of his rivals in the race.

The 72-year-old retired general, who was accused of human rights violations during the Suharto dictatorship and the 1998 riots, had been Jokowi’s main rival in the past two elections, losing narrowly in both. 

Now, Prabowo is believed to have Jokowi’s backing after choosing his son Gibran as his running mate, even though the president has not publicly revealed his preferences.

Poltracking Indonesia gave Prabowo 45.2% of the vote, followed by Ganjar with 27.3%, and Anies with 23.1%. 

According to a Litbang Kompas poll, Prabowo led with 39.3% of the vote, while Anies had 16.7% and Ganjar had 15.3%. 

Meanwhile, Gibran exceeded some expectations during his debut on the national stage Friday as he squared off against seasoned politicians Mahfud and Muhaimin in the vice presidential debate. 

Gibran, 36, the mayor of Solo, has been criticized as a novice and privileged politician who benefits from his father’s popularity and influence. 

His candidacy is widely seen as a continuation of his father’s legacy. 

Gibran’s bid has attracted controversy because of a perceived conflict of interest and accusations of nepotism in a court decision that enabled him to run for vice president.

During the debate, he outlined plans for further industrialization and addressed the pressing issues of digital policy and economic growth while stressing the importance of cybersecurity and data protection.

Two more presidential debates and an additional vice presidential debate are set to be held before the election.

Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto. Photo Credit: Mehr News Agency

BenarNews’ mission is to provide readers with accurate news and information that reflects the complex and ever-changing world around them. With homepages in Bengali, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia and English, BenarNews brings timely news to its diverse audience. Copyright BenarNews. Used with the permission of BenarNews

Angst grows among youth voters over Biden's Israel policy

26th December 2023

By Kayla Epstein

BBC News

The 2024 presidential election promises to be one of the most polarising political contests in living memory. But as the war in Gaza rages, President Joe Biden's unequivocal support of Israel is putting him at odds with some of his key supporters - younger voters.

Abdul Osmanu, 22, is not sure he can cast a ballot for President Joe Biden again. Much of that hesitation, he said, involves the Biden administration's support of Israel as it continues to bombard the Gaza Strip.

The young Connecticut voter told the BBC that he was weighing whether to vote for a third-party candidate or leave his presidential ballot blank in 2024. The decision is difficult, however, as he - and many other young voters - do not want to see Donald Trump elected again.

"As a lover of peace, a Muslim, and a black man, it's terrible to see the repression of the Palestinians," Mr Osmanu, who was elected to his local town council in 2021, said. "It'd be tough for me, in my conscience, to vote for a president aiding and abetting that in many ways."

An increasing number of young Democratic voters, like Mr Osmanu, appear to be breaking with President Biden over the issue of Israel and its conflict in the Gaza Strip. It's a cause for concern for Democrats, as their opposition to Mr Biden's continued support for Israel's war effort could threaten a key pillar of support that the elder statesman leaned on during the 2020 election.

For the past two months, young voters have seen in the news and on social media images of war and destruction from within Gaza. They have followed the death toll as it climbed to over 20,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

At the same time, they have watched as Mr Biden publicly backed Israel's stated effort to eradicate Hamas after the terror group killed 1,200 people in Israel on 7 October. The militant group continues to imprison an estimated 100 hostages in Gaza.

The BBC reviewed polling research and spoke to six young Democratic voters and organisers from across the United States. Data and interviews appear to show a growing sense of political discord among young voters ahead of the 2024 election.

The Biden campaign declined to comment.

But registered voters aged 18-29 said they are more likely to support the Palestinian cause over Israel, a recent New York Times/Siena poll found. The survey showed voters aged 18-29 had critical views of Israel and its counteroffensive against Hamas across the board, while older generations had more favourable views of the country.

Though a clear majority of registered voters - 57% - disapprove of the way Mr Biden is handling the conflict, young voters have the greatest objections. A total 72% of voters aged 18-29 disapprove of Mr Biden's efforts, the Times/Siena poll found.

One possible reason for the divide is that young Democrats, particularly progressives, are also more likely to connect the cause of Palestinian statehood to the fights for social justice playing out in the United States

Anna Bosking, a 22-year-old Iowa native, plans to vote for Mr Biden again. But after taking a Middle Eastern politics course at university, speaking to classmates from Gaza, and seeing eyewitness accounts on social media, she has become more critical of America's relationship with Israel.

"Before this conflict I always thought Israel was a consistent ally that we would always support, and I never had any issues," she told the BBC. "But I think the American people have been forced to consider the historical context in the situation."

Democrats relied on young voter turnout to propel them to victory in the 2020 presidential election and the 2022 midterms. The Democratic apparatus typically pours millions of dollars into youth outreach and engagement to shore up support.

Multiple young voters told the BBC that they were torn over the 2024 election, despite seeing seeing Joe Biden as the "lesser of two evils" when compared to Donald Trump.

But not all young voters criticised Mr Biden's position towards Israel.

Jessica Schwab, a 20-year-old student at Columbia University in New York, said she did not want to see Mr Trump re-elected and thought Mr Biden was handling the conflict well.

"He's standing with Israel and providing them with military supplies, and general funding in their defence," she said. "But I do like how he is also asking for humanitarian pauses, and inserting some sort of breathing room to reduce the amount of casualties that are occurring in Gaza."

Mr Biden's backers also argue that the 2024 election is nearly a year away, and that young Democrats would come back to the fold if presented with a choice between Mr Biden and Mr Trump.

"It's a choice between two candidates," said Jack Lobel of the Gen-Z voter advocacy group Voters of Tomorrow.

"And so while President Biden's policies towards Gaza might be upsetting some young people, that's not going to change the fact that he and Donald Trump are two very different people."

‘Explosions’ Alert After Houthi Drones, Missiles Hit Red Sea Ships

 December 27, 2023 

By Arab News

By Saeed Al-Batati

At least two commercial ships are believed to have been hit by drones and missiles launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen on Tuesday as the militia’s leaders pledged to confront a US-led international naval task force in the Red Sea. 

The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations authority received information from a ship on Tuesday afternoon saying an explosion had been heard and missiles spotted 60 nautical miles from Yemen’s Red Sea port of Hodeida.

An alert was also issued three hours earlier by UKMTO saying that a vessel had reported two explosions 15 minutes after seeing drones roughly 50 nautical miles west of Hodeidah. 

The Houthis have not yet claimed responsibility for the attacks as of late Tuesday.

The Yemen militia has launched ballistic missiles and drones against commercial and naval ships in the Red Sea in a bid to force Israel to end its assault on Gaza.

Houthi threats to hit Israeli-linked vessels have forced some major shipping firms, including Maersk and MSC, to reroute ships away from the key trade route.

The US is leading a global task force coalition to protect the crucial maritime link from Houthi strikes.

At the same time, the Houthis have repeated their threat to strike US-led forces or any other group if Yemen is attacked or if action is taken to stop the militia targeting ships bound for Israel.

Mohammed Al-Ateifi, Houthi defense minister, claimed his fighters are in “full combat readiness” to deal with any military response from the US or other countries, and vowed to continue missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

“The ranges of our strategic deterrent weapons exceed what the enemies expect, and there are no red lines in front of us. All options are available,” the Houthi military leader told a meeting of commanders in Sanaa on Monday.

Meanwhile, Somali pirates captured a vessel carrying 43 Yemeni fishermen 30 miles off the Somali coastline area of Hafun on Sunday, according to Yemeni fishermen in the Red Sea Khokha region in Yemen.

Pirates sailed the seized boat to Somalia, where they freed 34 of the captives and sailed away with the remaining nine, heading to international waters.

“Those fishermen have a license from the Somali authorities to fish in Somali water,” said a relative of one of the abducted fishermen, who asked to remain anonymous. 

Houthi forces hijack cargo ship in the Red Sea. Photo Credit: Houthi Media Center video screenshot

Iran-backed Houthis claim responsibility for attack on Red Sea container ship

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the group had targeted the vessel MSC United, after the crew failed to respond to warnings

The Houthis have been attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea. 

(Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Dubai,UPDATED: Dec 27, 2023 

Posted By: Ajmal Abbas

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militia claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Tuesday on a container ship in the Red Sea and for an attempt to attack Israel with drones.

MSC Mediterranean Shipping said there were no injuries to its crew from the attack on its ship, the United VIII, en route from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan. It said the ship had informed a nearby coalition naval warship that it had come under attack and had taken evasive manoeuvres.

Israel said separately that its aircraft had intercepted a hostile aerial target in the Red Sea area.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea in a televised address said the group had targeted the vessel, which he identified as the MSC United, after the crew failed to respond to warnings.

He also said the Houthis had carried out a military operation targeting Eilat and other areas in Israel, which he referred to as occupied Palestine. He did not say whether any of the targets were successfully hit.

US fighter jets, a navy destroyer and other assets shot down in the Red Sea 12 drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles, and two cruise missiles fired by the Houthis, US Central Command said. There was no damage to ships and no reported injuries, it wrote on social media platform X.

The Houthis, who control much of Yemen including the capital, have since October attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea they say have Israeli links or are sailing to Israel, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Britain's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Authority earlier reported two incidents of explosions in the Red Sea off of the coast of Yemen involving missiles and drones near a vessel. It also said there were no reported injuries.

The reported incidents come a week after the United States announced a multinational maritime security initiative in the Red Sea in response to attacks on vessels by Yemen's Houthis.

Several shipping lines have suspended operations through the Red Sea waterway in response to the attacks, instead taking the longer journey around Africa.

The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel halts the conflict in Gaza, and warned that it would attack US warships if the militia group itself was targeted.

Pirates seize a ship with Posco steel in the Red Sea

This may affect steel supplies to the Middle East region and shake prices for these products

Цей матеріал також доступний українською
26 DECEMBER 2023


In the Red Sea region off the coast of Somalia, a ship carrying steel coils from Korean steelmaker Posco (the company does business through Samsung) was hijacked by pirates.

Source. This was reported by CTS with reference to MMC Center.

The products on board the Maltese-flagged Ruen vessel were intended for Turkish buyers.

According to market sources, the vessel is carrying about 40 thousand tons of steel coils.

The company is negotiating with the pirates to free the bulk carrier.

As of December 13, the Ruen was on its way to the port of Gömlik in Turkey. It entered the risk zone in the Gulf of Aden in the southern Red Sea on December 15. According to ship tracking programs, the bulk carrier has been off the central coast of Somalia since December 18.

A representative of West of England Insurance Services said that they were cooperating with the relevant authorities and could not comment at this time.

Sources at Turkish steelmakers believe that the incident could disrupt supplies from Asia to the region, which would push up prices for coiled steel.

Traders and Turkish buyers speculate that shipowners and charterers may try to avoid the Red Sea and Suez Canal route by choosing a longer and more expensive route around the Cape of Good Hope and along the east coast of Africa. This will also affect the cost of sailing in the Mediterranean region.

As reported, transportation companies have begun to redirect ships from the Middle East region amid more frequent attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Some companies are trying not to send ships to the region at all, instead choosing a route around Africa, which increases the travel time by two weeks.

Risks to shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which about 10% of the world's maritime oil supplies pass, have increased amid Israel's war with Hamas. The Yemeni Houthis have expressed their support for the Palestinians and have been attacking ships in the strait.

Текст: Nadiya Palyvoda, international news editor

The cost Maersk faces by resuming shipments in Red Sea

Nicholas Jacobino and Josh Lipton
Tue, December 26, 2023 

Conflicts in the Red Sea are ongoing, causing major grief for shipments through an area of the world that is responsible for 10% of global trade. Maersk (MAERSK-A.CO, MAERSK-B.CO) is geared up to resume transit through the area, in conjunction with US led multinational Naval operations. Salvatore Mercogliano, Campbell University Department of History Chair, joins Yahoo Finance to give insight into the efforts and costs associated with resuming trade through that area.

Mercogliano explains one of the costs Maersk has to deal with is with war risk insurance: "The war risk insurance had climbed dramatically, it went from 0.02% of the entire value of the cargo of the ship to 0.7% and we are talking about ships that are loaded with billions of dollars, it's one of the reasons why container ships did the diversion because their cargoes are some much more valuable than what you get in a traditional tanker."

For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.

Video Transcript

[AUDIO LOGO]

JOSH LIPTON: Mediterranean shipping company suffering an attack on one of its container ships while transiting the Red Sea. Meanwhile, logistics company, Maersk, gears up to resume transit through the Red Sea with the aid of a US-led multinational naval operation to protect shipments. This comes as the flow of global trade finds itself already under pressure from a severe drought, constraining voyages through the Panama Canal to the World Trade Organization forecasting a hit to global trade growth this year as rising rates dent consumer spending.

Joining us now is Sal Mercogliano, a Campbell University Department of History criminal justice and political science chair. Sal, it's good to see you. I actually want to begin with this headline, Sal, on Maersk, shipping giant, intending to gradually resume service through the Red Sea. I was wondering, Sal, if you saw that, you saw that headline, you saw those reports. Did you see that, Sal, as perhaps a sign of possible normalization and stabilization here?

SALVATORE MERCOGLIANO: I think Maersk is the one who first kicked this whole off. I mean, they were the ones who announced their initial withdrawal from going through the Red Sea. I think Maersk is trying to get back to normal service, but they're also hedging their bets. If you look at the ships that are going to be heading for the Suez right now, it's about a dozen ships out of the Mediterranean in Europe. This is part of their effort to replace and reposition empty containers.

Because of the longer voyage associated with going around Africa, they were going to wind up in a position where they didn't have enough empty boxes to reload back in Asia. So they're trying to get their vessels. And since the US Navy just did a successful series of convoy operations, including three Maersk line ships that are US-flagged, I think Maersk is willing to go ahead and take it. Obviously, what they want to do is get their ships through but because of the high value of the cargo on container ships, the war risk insurance that added little extra insurance that they need is a really high premium for them to pay.

JULIE HYMAN: And so, Sal, what do the economics of all of this look like right now? I mean, basically, will this protection that they are getting make it economically viable again to sail through? Or are they going to have to rethink the model? Is it going to be successful?

SALVATORE MERCOGLIANO: It's really depending-- I got to imagine right now Maersk is going to their insurancers and trying to find out what kind of war risks they can get. The war risk insurance had climbed dramatically. It went from 0.02% of the entire value of the cargo of the ship to 0.7%. And we're talking-- when you're talking about ships that are loaded with billions of dollars, it's one of the reasons why container ships did the diversion because their cargoes are so much more valuable than what you get in a traditional tanker.

Also, at the same exact time, remember, the container liners were going into 2024 in a pretty bad position. They had overcapacity of ships. They had lagging freight rates. And one of the things that this diversion has done is put more ships out in the water carrying cargo. And it's also artificially inflated the freight rates, particularly those between Europe and Asia, because that freight rate is being renegotiated as of January 1st.

‘Resurrection biology’ scientists work to bring back extinct dodo, study ancient ‘zombie viruses’

By Patrick Reilly
Published Dec. 26, 2023, 

Scientists around the world are working to revive ancient ice-capsulated cells to find new sources of life-saving medicine and possibly bring back a long-extinct species, like the dodo bird.

The science, called resurrection biology, has made immense progress over the past year as researchers in the field turn to the past for solutions for the future, CNN reported.

While the scientists aren’t looking to bring back the dinosaurs à la Jurassic Park — although some have goals to resurrect lost plant and animal species — they hope studying the prehistoric cells can reveal new sources for drugs as well as ways to thwart dangerous long-dormant pathogens.

The research also offers a look into human history and how our ancestors lived and died thousands of years ago, according to CNN.

Resurrection biology scientists work on “zombie viruses” found in ancient ice, including the ancient “pandora” virus from thawing permafrost pictured here.

Jean-Michel Claverie/IGS/CNRS-AM

Jean-Michel Claverie, a professor emeritus of medicine and genomics at the Aix-Marseille University School of Medicine in Marseille, France, has been identifying possible “zombie viruses” lurking in the permafrost of Siberia.

Viruses that have been buried for tens of thousands of years could come back and potentially devastate life on Earth as global temperatures rise and the ice melts.

In 2014, Claverie isolated a virus researchers found in the permafrost and revived it by inserting it into cultured cells — making it infectious for the first time in 30,000 years, according to CNN.

Then this past February, he and his team isolated several strains of an ancient virus from multiple samples of Earth representing five new families of previously unknown viruses. They only infected single-cell organisms with the virus in their research as a safety precaution. The samples dated between 48,500 and 27,000 years old.

These zombie viruses pose a significant threat to humanity, Claverie told CNN.

“We view these amoeba-infecting viruses as surrogates for all other possible viruses that might be in the permafrost,” the professor said.

Environmental virologist Jean-Michel Claverie has been identifying viruses dormant for years in the arctic ice. SVFU

“Our reasoning is that if the amoeba viruses are still alive, there is no reason why the other viruses will not be still alive, and capable of infecting their own hosts.”

Other “resurrection biologists” are studying the ancient specimens as a potential source for antibiotics to fight pathogens that have become increasingly resistant to overused conventional treatments.

César de la Fuente, Presidential Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and his team of researchers are analyzing genetic information from Neanderthals and extinct animal species to find small protein or peptide molecules they believe to have bacteria-fighting powers.

“Bacteria from today have never faced those molecules so they may give us a better opportunity at targeting the pathogens that are problematic today,” de la Fuente told CNN.

More ambitiously, biotechnology and genetic engineering startup Colossal Biosciences announced this year its plan to revive the dodo — a flightless bird that has been extinct since the 17th century — and reintroduce it to its natural habitat on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.

Scientists have located viruses tens of thousands of years old in the Siberian permafrost.

AFP via Getty Images

The company is also using groundbreaking DNA sequencing, gene-editing technology and synthetic biology to try to bring back the ice age giant woolly mammoth and the Tasmanian tiger, which went extinct from Australia in the last century.

In their efforts to resurrect the dodo, geneticists discovered cells that act as progenitors for reproductive organs — known as primordial germ cells, or PGCs — of the Nicobar pigeon, the dodo’s closest living relative, that can grow successfully in a chicken embryo, according to CNN.

Scientists will compare the genomes of the dodo and the also-extinct Rodrigues solitaire, a close relative to the dodo, and see how they differ. They will then edit the PGCs of a Nicobar pigeon to give it the physical characteristics of a dodo.

The cells will then be inserted into the embryos of a chicken and rooster, who will theoretically have offspring resembling the dodo.

“Physically, the restored dodo will be indiscernible from what we know of the dodo’s appearance,” Matt James, chief animal officer of Colossal Biosciences, told CNN last month.

If successful, the offspring will not be a true dodo — but rather a hybrid impression of the bird.

“Because of the complexity of recreating a species from DNA, even if it was possible, [it] can only result in a dodo-esque creature,” said Julian Hume, an avian paleontologist and research associate at London’s Natural History Museum.

“It will then take years of selective breeding to enhance a small pigeon into a large flightless bird. Remember, nature took millions of years for this to happen with the dodo,” he told CNN.

Beloved tourist attraction in Taiwan collapses into sea 

Dec 27 2023

One of the most beloved tourist destinations in Taiwan has lost its “trunk” to erosion.

The Shen'ao Elephant Trunk Rock in New Taipei City was once a popular visitor attraction for selfies, but it has collapsed into the sea.

Footage shows the new appearance of the famous rock formation located on Taiwan's northern coast, after it reportedly lost its “trunk” due to strong waves and winds.

Yang Sheng-min, head of the New Taipei Ruifang District Office, which manages the area, said he received a report that part of the rock formation had crashed into the sea.

Yang said in a statement: “At 1.55pm on December 16, 2023, a partial fracture occurred in the elephant trunk portion of the rock due to long-term erosion by seawater and natural weathering.

Footage shows Elephant Trunk Rock before and after it lost its nose.

“The original elephant trunk-like landscape has been lost.

“Due to the current unstable geological conditions and weather in the vicinity of Elephant Trunk Rock, access is now restricted and prohibited.”

The area has since reopened.

Aside from tourists, the region attracts divers and snorkellers from all around the globe because of its coral reefs and amazing scenery.

- ViralPress via AP

Taiwan's Endangered Coastal Landmarks |

TaiwanPlus News

 8 days ago  #TaiwanPlusNews #landmark #rock

A famous natural rock arch on Taiwan's northern coast has collapsed into the sea. 

Geologists are afraid the beloved Queen's Head Rock could be next.

UK

EXCLUSIVE:

Woman 'abused after being spiked' says James Cleverly should be sacked

Gina Miller, who heads the True and Fair Party, described Rohypnol spiking as "one of the worst crimes you can possibly imagine". She said it was "beyond appalling" that the Home Secretary had been heard making light of it
Political activist Gina Miller says it is 'beyond appalling' that the Home Secretary would make light of spiking

 (Image: PA)

By Dave Burke

Political Correspondent

 26 Dec 2023

A political campaigner who says she was "often drugged" and abused in the past has demanded Rishi Sunak sacks James Cleverly over his vile date-rape drug joke.

Gina Miller, who heads the True and Fair Party, described Rohypnol spiking as "one of the worst crimes you can possibly imagine". She said it was "beyond appalling" that the Home Secretary had been heard making light of it.

The Mirror revealed that Mr Cleverly told female guests at a Downing Street event that "a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night" was "not really illegal if it's only a little bit". He also laughed that the secret to a long marriage was ensuring your spouse was “someone who is always mildly sedated so she can never realise there are better men out there.” His comments came hours after his own department announced plans to crack down on spiking.

James Cleverly made the remarks at a Downing Street bash before Christmas

 (Image: Getty Images)

Ms Miller, who said she had been a victim of the drug during an abusive relationship more than a decade ago, said: "This ruins a woman's life, or a young girl's life, when this happens to you. It's not something you wake up and you get over. It literally ruins your life.

"You can't escape it. It is like this ghost on your shoulder that lives with you forever... and then you see somebody in a position of power, not just a teacher or headmaster, this was a Home Secretary here we're talking about, somebody in a position of power, playing it down as a joke."

Following the remarks Mr Cleverly's spokesman said he apologised for "what was clearly meant to be an ironic joke". But Ms Miller said such topics should be off limits, stating: "When you're in that sort of position of responsibility and power everything you say and do matters, because you're leading by example. And that's the thing that's so offensive about it is that we've already got a trend, we've got an epidemic, the data shows that we have an increasing rise of violence against women and girls."

Describing the impact of drugging, Ms Miller, 58, said: "You have no memory, you have memory loss. You have the pain and you know something happened, but you are in no way in control of telling anybody because you can't remember.

"So it absolutely robs you of everything - your memory, your ability to speak out, your ability to complain, your inability to go to the police. You're robbed of everything. You feel as though you're drowning because you instinctively know something that happened, that you have absolutely no recollection of it."

Anti-Brexit campaigner Ms Miller added: "As a survivor, and as a woman, I have no confidence. I don't see how any woman in the UK can have confidence in him as a Home Secretary representing them and looking after their safety."

She earlier posted on Twitter: "Some topics are off limits when it comes to jokes. Rape, domestic abuse, coercive control, use of Rohypnol/roofies is alarmingly on the rise. Women need men as allies to help end this evil- not joke about it.

"Especially not a Home Secretary, at work, home, private or public event." Her post continued: "As a domestic violence survivor who was often drugged so had no idea what was really going on or could not remember huge chunks of my life, you feel as though you are drowning - silent screaming but no one hears you..."

No10 has said the PM has "full confidence" in the Home Secretary despite calls for him to resign. A Downing Street source said the Prime Minister still had confidence in Mr Cleverly despite calls for the top Tory to resign.138437485146

The Home Secretary’s spokesman said: “In what was always understood as a private conversation, the Home Secretary made what was clearly meant to be an ironic joke – for which he apologises.” But the comments triggered a ferocious backlash, with Labour's Yvette Cooper saying it was "truly unbelievable" that the Home Secretary could joke about such a "serious and devastating crime".

Fawcett Society chief executive Jemima Olchawski said: "It's sickening that the senior minister in charge of keeping women safe thinks that something as terrifying as drugging women is a laughing matter. No wonder women don't feel safe. We know that 'banter' is the excuse under which misogyny is allowed to thrive.

"How can we trust him to seriously address violence against women and girls? We deserve better than this from our lawmakers and Cleverly should resign."

IRELAND

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald opens up about hopes for 2024 election


The Sinn Fein chief added she would talk to any and all parties after the polls close, even arch enemies Fine Gael

NEWS By Ferghal Blaney

27 DEC 2023

Mary Lou McDonald

 (Image: Conor Ó Mearáin / Collins Photo Agency)

Leo Varadkar could serve as Tanaiste under Taoiseach Mary Lou McDonald in a Sinn Fein-led government after the next General Election.

Ms McDonald wouldn’t rule it out and added: “I would prefer a different outcome but that would be a question for him.” The prospect of the current Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader playing second fiddle in a Sinn Fein administration is something being contemplated by Ms McDonald.

The Sinn Fein boss also spoke candidly about her friendly relations with Celtic Tiger property developer Johnny Ronan and how the current Government were “absolutely to blame” for the recent Dublin riots.

Read more: Mary Lou McDonald bravely opens up on hysterectomy and says she is 'extremely lucky'

In the exclusive Christmas interview with the Irish Mirror, Ms McDonald explained why government party attempts to keep linking Sinn Fein to their past links to the IRA are “just distraction politics”. The Sinn Fein chief added she would talk to any and all parties after the polls close, even arch enemies Fine Gael, which could see Mr Varadkar serving as her No2 in a coalition.

Sinn Fein is galloping ahead in the polls by an average 10 points at the moment, which means Ms McDonald would logically be given first bite at forming the next government, with her as Taoiseach.

Mr Varadkar has repeatedly said he would not do business with Sinn Fein, but recent Irish political history is littered with examples of old political enemies doing a deal to get power.

These include Fianna Fail going into coalition with the Progressive Democrats from 1989, Labour and Fine Gael, most recently for the 31st Dail from 2011, and finally Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, the oldest rivals in the Dail with their enmity stemming from the Civil War of a century ago, backing each other in power-sharing deals since 2016.

Ms McDonald said: “Look, I’m going to talk to everyone. I think they’ve been indicating that they won’t talk to me, I just think that’s so childish.

“I remember after the last election all that was going on, but I think at some level there has to be some level of respect.

“Whatever about Sinn Fein, the people who vote for us are not second-class citizens, they’re good people, they’re citizens here, they pay their taxes, they go to work, do their thing and their vote is as valuable as anyone else.”

In respect of the recent Dublin riots, Ms McDonald said: “What happened that night reflected that the gardai did their best and fair play to them.

“Some of them were very isolated and left I think in very dangerous circumstances and control was lost in the capital city, that’s quite something, that’s pause for reflection and concern for everybody and not least for people who live in the inner city.

“The story has moved on, but for those communities it hasn’t moved on, they’re still fearful and many of them are very angry.

“Absolutely [the Government are to blame], listen to me, we had more gardai in 2009 than now, even though we’ve a much bigger population.”

Speaking about Johnny Ronan, Mary Lou said: “I’d a good chat with him, I thought he was grand.

“He is who he is, our paths had never crossed, we had a good chat and I said to him what I’ve said to everyone, if I were to boil down what will a Sinn Fein government do, we will build houses.”

Ms McDonald refuted links to criminality or paramilitarism.

Sinn Fein Vows to Expedite Irish Unification Preparations if Elected

By: BNN Correspondents
Published: December 26, 2023 


The leader of Sinn Fein, Mary Lou McDonald, has unequivocally declared her party’s commitment to expedite preparations for the unification of Ireland if they secure power in the subsequent general election. McDonald highlighted that Sinn Fein would press the UK government to delineate the criteria for initiating a vote on constitutional amendments in Northern Ireland, subtly suggesting the feasibility of a border poll within the term of the next Dail. This proclamation asserts Sinn Fein’s unwavering dedication to Irish unity and insinuates a potential shift in the political landscape contingent on the party’s ascension to governmental control.

Reimagining Irish Unity

McDonald’s assertions signal that a Sinn Fein-controlled government would engender a substantial transformation in the approach to unification. This could potentially entail the establishment of a minister of state role to steer unity preparations and the advocacy for the creation of a civic platform, such as a citizens assembly, to delve into the implications of a unified Ireland. Furthermore, she underscored the necessity of ensuring that unionist viewpoints are adequately represented in any discourse concerning unification.

Sinn Fein’s Vision for Ireland’s Future

The Sinn Fein president also deliberated on the potential influence of these initiatives on relations with the UK government, underscoring the party’s conviction in the feasibility of working on powersharing in Northern Ireland while simultaneously laying the groundwork for Ireland’s future. This stance harmonizes with the tenets of the Good Friday Agreement, which accentuates the democratic resolution of the constitutional quandary without compulsion or intrusion.

McDonald’s vision for a Sinn Fein-led government’s role in unification efforts encompasses the active promotion of conversations and preparations for constitutional transition, both north and south of the border. She articulated confidence in the productive nature of these discussions, emphasizing the potential for collaboration and revelation inherent in the process.

Implications for Coalition Partners and Commemorations

McDonald also broached the potential hurdles of securing coalition partners for a Sinn Fein-led government due to the party’s assertive approach to unification. While other political parties may diverge on the timing of a border poll, she stressed that the principle of Irish unity and the democratic adjudication of partition through a referendum are principles widely endorsed among the signatories of the Good Friday Agreement.

As a prospective taoiseach, McDonald conveyed her willingness to partake in commemorative events aligned with the unionist tradition in Northern Ireland, such as Remembrance Sunday. Her commitment to a balanced and respectful representation of all traditions across Irish society was also underscored.

Ultimately, McDonald’s declarations reflect Sinn Fein’s preparedness to take significant strides towards Irish unification if they gain power, emphasizing the importance of transparent criteria for triggering a vote on constitutional amendments, inclusive dialogue, and proactive preparations for the future of Ireland. These insights afford a comprehensive understanding of Sinn Fein’s vision for unification and the potential implications of their leadership within the context of Irish politics.

Sinn Fein victory in Irish election could lead to unification poll, says party leader

SINN FEINMARY LOU MCDONALDIRELAND

HOLDING a referendum on Irish unification could be possible under a Sinn Fein government if they win the next election, party leader Mary Lou McDonald has said.

McDonald said if Sinn Fein secures power following the next General Election in Ireland it would use its mandate to press the UK Government to clearly spell out the criteria for determining the threshold for triggering a vote on constitutional change in Northern Ireland.

One option Sinn Fein would consider if in government would be the creation of a minister of state role with responsibility for driving unity preparations, McDonald added.

Her party has long been calling for the current Irish government to establish a citizens’ assembly to examine what a unified island of Ireland might look like, including how public services would operate or how different traditions and cultures would be incorporated.

McDonald pledged that Sinn Fein would deliver on that if elected, and insisted any such forum would be designed to ensure unionist perspectives are fully heard.

In a wide-ranging interview with the PA news agency, the Sinn Fein president also signalled that, as Taoiseach, she would have no issue attending commemorative events associated with the Unionist tradition in Northern Ireland, such as Remembrance Sunday.

'Constructing a new Ireland'

McDonald said the current Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Green Party coalition in Dublin should have already created a “democratic space” to begin conversations and preparations for “constitutional transition”.

“And certainly Sinn Fein in government would very proactively promote not just that conversation, but real preparations north and south – a real conversation between and across systems around how we maximise the huge opportunity that presents us,” she said.

She added: “There has to be a step-change in that regard, as regards a new Ireland, constructing a new Ireland and creating the drivers for that.”

Pressed on whether it was a realistic proposition that a border poll could be held within the lifetime of the next government in Ireland, McDonald (below) replied: “It could be. But it would certainly require a level of diligence and work.

“One thing for sure is, it will only happen if you have a government that’s actually serious about the proposition and actually fully understands what it can mean for Ireland, and who is ambitious to create that space and those opportunities for our people.”

Asked if the creation of a junior ministry for unification was a possibility under a Sinn Fein-led government, McDonald added “we will consider any and all of those approaches”.

'British government must be more transparent'

Under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the Northern Ireland Secretary of the day is obliged to call a border poll if evidence points to a shift in public mood in favour of constitutional change.

The criteria for assessing public opinion has never been set out publicly, however.

“It’s a question that has been put to successive British prime ministers and they have thus far refused to set out in their view what’s the test, what’s the tipping point,” said McDonald.

“I think people deserve clarity on that point. And I would very much hope that a new British government and incoming British government would be more transparent on that question than has been the case so far.”

If the opinion polling of the last year is borne out when the votes are counted at a general election – one must be held before the spring of 2025 – then Sinn Fein will emerge as the largest party.

However, at that point, it would almost certainly still need to find smaller coalition partners to secure enough seats for a Dail majority.

McDonald rejected the suggestion that such a front-foot approach to unification may create difficulties when trying to find partners willing to sign up to an agreed programme for government.

“When you look at any of the political parties, each of them, at least rhetorically, say that they are for reunification,” she said.

 11 passengers injured after 'freak' turbulence forces UK-bound jet to be diverted to Bermuda

Alex Barton of The Telegraph


  Dec 27 2023

There's a type of turbulence that can’t be seen by pilots, or easily picked up by 

radar or satellite. It could become more prevalent.

Freak turbulence has left 11 passengers injured on a Manchester-bound flight.

About 225 passengers and 13 crew were on board the Maleth Aero flight on Sunday (Monday NZT) after a P&O Caribbean cruise.

The turbulence occurred around two hours after departure from Barbados, with pilots forced to divert the aircraft to Bermuda.

Upon landing, 11 passengers were treated for minor injuries.

Passengers stayed in hotels in Bermuda

Lack of available flights coupled with reduced operational hours over the festive period meant passengers had to stay in hotels in Bermuda over Christmas, a P&O spokesperson said.

A replacement plane was due to take off at 4pm on Boxing Day (local time) and arrive back in the UK in the early hours of December 27.

A P&O Cruises spokesperson said: “A flight from Barbados to Manchester was diverted to Bermuda following freak turbulence.

Maleth Aero is a Maltese passenger charter airline.

‘Very sorry’ for disruption

“Having explored all flying options and due to airport operating times, guests are in hotels today [Dec 25].

“The flight home is due to depart tomorrow morning [Dec 26], following required legislative aircraft checks.

“We are very sorry for this disruption to their journey following their holiday and we are working with the airline and hotels to take care of them and ensure they get home as soon as possible tomorrow.”

Owen Darrell, Bermuda’s minister of national security, said: “We are aware of the situation and are diligently working to ensure the wellbeing of all involved. We are extremely grateful for the quick response of all our emergency services personnel who ensured the safety of the passengers and crew.”

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