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Chinese zodiac fortune predictions: What’s in store for the Year of the Dragon. Lunar New Year falls on February 10 this year. For many, it's a time to consult the stars. Lunar New Year falls on February 10 this year. For many, it's a time to consult the stars. Sawayasu Tsuji/Getty Images Put away those bunny ears and crank up the heat, it’s time to say goodbye to the Rabbit and enter the Year of the Dragon – the only mythical creature among the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. In addition to eating auspicious food and giving/receiving blessings, Lunar New Year – which falls on February 10 this year – is also a time for many to consult the stars and find out what’s in store for the months to come. Enter the Year of the Dragon: A 2024 guide to Lunar New Year Most people know the basics: The 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar cycle is represented by 12 different animals, in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Your zodiac animal is determined by your year of birth, meaning those born in 2024 will fall under the Dragon sign. Those born in 2025 will be Snakes, and so on. But that’s only the start. For faithful followers of the system, a year isn’t just categorized by its animal. There’s also a complex sexagenary cycle made up of 10 heavenly stems and 12 earthly branches. 2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon Every year, a heavenly stem (one of five elements, which fall into the yin or yang category) is paired with an earthly branch (one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals). This year combines the heavenly stem “Jia” – which represents yang wood – and the earthly branch “Chen” which represents the Dragon. That makes 2024 the Year of the Wood Dragon. Depending on what the elements represent and how they interact with each other, followers believe one can gain insights into what the coming months may hold. “Jia symbolizes wood and the Dragon is a very earthy creature,” says Thierry Chow, a Hong Kong-based consultant who blends traditional Chinese geomancy with modern design elements. “The relationship between the two elements tells us a lot about the year. In the five elements, we say wood restricts earth. That means, in 2024, industries in the wood category would likely suppress those in the earth category.” Longevity noodles: the lucky Lunar New Year dish 00:59 - Source: CNN Chow says industries with a strong wood presence – including culture, publishing and floristry – will be more likely to thrive than earth industries such as property development and mining. Regardless of which heavenly stem the Dragon is paired with, the sacred creature is a very popular zodiac sign, especially in Asia. “It’s believed that the Dragon represents strong and great leadership. A lot of people are looking to have Dragon babies this year,” says Chow. China’s spectacular fire dragon dance tradition is hundreds of years old. Here’s why it continues to dazzle “This year will also be significant because it’s the year when the world enters a new chapter from the eighth period to the ninth period of Xuan Kong flying star.” She explains that there are nine Xuan Kong flying stars that affect the feng shui of the world. Each of them lords over us for two decades before passing the torch to the next star. The year 2024 marks the beginning of the next 20-year reign under the ninth flying star. “The number nine star represents feminine energy – so ladies are going to take over in a lot of the areas. It also represents technology, art and design as well as spirituality,” says Chow. The nine stars could also help you decide which direction you should travel in the months to come. Chow encourages travelers to explore places in the southwest, northwest and east – doesn’t matter if these southern destinations are within their city or outside their country. The ‘Grand Duke of Jupiter’ lords over your luck As for individual luck, followers believe that their zodiac animal’s fortune depends on the positions of the Tai Shui – the stellar deities thought to rotate parallel to and in the opposite direction of Jupiter. To calculate how each person will be affected in a particular year, a Chinese geomancy consultant will look at one’s birth chart, which is composed of a wide range of elements based on different stars’ positions on the day and time of their birth, and see how their elements interact with the year. These combinations play an important role for those who follow them, helping them make huge life decisions for the year ahead, such as whether they should get married or start a business. Dragon dance performers take a quick break during the Lunar New Year Parade in Barcelona, Spain on February 3. Workers assemble dragon lanterns at a production workshop in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China on January 24. Lanterns and light installations illuminate the City Walls in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China on February 1. Lanterns and light installations illuminate the City Walls in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China on February 1. Stringer/VCG/Getty Images Barongsai Lion Dance entertains students at Widiatmika School in Jimbaran, Indonesia on February 7. A woman walks past dragon-themed lanterns in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China on February 7. A man takes photos of blooming plum blossoms at the Summer Palace in Beijing, China on February 5. Performers dance in the Grebeg Sudiro festival as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Solo City, Indonesia on February 4. Lanterns set up for celebrations at Dharmayana Temple in Bali, Indonesia on February 3. Crowds flock to the Spring Festival Light Show in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China on February 3. A lantern fair illuminates Guangzhou in China's southern Guangdong Province on February 3. Dragon dance performers take a quick break during the Lunar New Year Parade in Barcelona, Spain on February 3. Workers assemble dragon lanterns at a production workshop in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China on January 24. Lanterns and light installations illuminate the City Walls in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China on February 1. Barongsai Lion Dance entertains students at Widiatmika School in Jimbaran, Indonesia on February 7. In pictures: Lunar New Year celebrations 1 of 10 PrevNext While each individual will of course interact differently with the stars, most agree that analyzing Tai Sui’s position over each zodiac sign offers a general snapshot of the year to come. If your zodiac sign is out of favor with Tai Sui – aka the Grand Duke of Jupiter – that year, the experts say you might find yourself facing more disruptions and changes than usual. Chow says those impacted should remember the calendar is a rotating cycle. “I believe for every yang, there is always the yin, too. So don’t worry too much and just be mindful of how the world may shift, and it’ll help you with what you’re doing anyway,” says Chow. To resolve clashes, one could go to a Chinese temple and make offerings to representations of Tai Sui. While Chow recommends everyone visit a temple to bring positive thoughts, she especially encourages people born in the Year of the Dragon, Ox, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Horse to get some extra blessings this year. The complicated story behind longevity noodles, a popular Lunar New Year dish Dragon Dragons will want to brace for more disruptions and changes in the coming months. Dragons will want to brace for more disruptions and changes in the coming months. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock Every 12 years, we all have to face our “Ben Ming Nian” – the year when our own zodiac sign matches up with that of the current year. On February 10, we enter the Year of the Dragon. Unfortunately, that means more disruptions and changes could happen to those who were born in Dragon years. “For those who are born in the Dragon year, you would experience more rocky luck and a bit more limitations with work, relationships, etc, in general,” says Chow. “It’s a good year to stay low-profile and humble. The higher profile you try to be, the harder it’ll hit you.” At work, you may feel more competition than in previous years and money may not come as easily as before. “Stay grounded and try to save money as it’s going to be a tough year,” she says. “Let’s just do more window shopping and less actual shopping.” Not everything is negative, though. She lists switching jobs, getting married and giving birth as changes that could offset the Ben Ming Nian impact. Dragons could also try to attend more happy events to lure positive energy, with Chow pointing to an old Chinese proverb as a source of hope: “One fortunate event would cancel out three disasters.” Snake It will be a fairly auspicious year for Snakes -- but they shouldn't sit around and wait for luck to come. It will be a fairly auspicious year for Snakes -- but they shouldn't sit around and wait for luck to come. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock All of you Snakes will face several changes within the family area this year, says Chow, but luck will be in your favor at some point. “You will generally enjoy good relationships this year. You will potentially get some admirers and meet some good new friends,” she says. When faced with difficulties, Snakes should remember that challenges can lead to growth and wisdom. But Chow warns that doesn’t mean you can be lazy and wait for luck to come. She encourages people born under the Snake years to put in the work if they want to harvest the rewards. “You’ll have the opportunities – don’t waste the potential,” says geomancy consultant. Hard work will also translate into more income this year. As for romance, Chow says things will be stable but Snakes are encouraged to participate in social events. Horse Horses should take some trips for better luck in the Year of the Dragon. Horses should take some trips for better luck in the Year of the Dragon. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock This year, a special star called Yi Ma Xing will shine over people born in the Year of the Horse. It’s the star of movement, meaning Horses will likely have more chances to hit the road than they did last year. “Whether you’re working or studying, you should travel – near or afar – as much as you can. Travel would bring luck and opportunities for you,” says Chow. If you’re feeling a bit lonely, Chow says all that travel could even lead to romance. Even though Horses don’t clash with Tai Sui this year, the geomancy consultant recommends people born under this zodiac sign visit the temple for some extra blessings as well. Goat It's a great time for Goats to make some changes in their lives. It's a great time for Goats to make some changes in their lives. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock People born in the Year of the Goat will need to plan their schedules wisely, otherwise stress and busy schedules will take a toll on their mental and physical health, says Chow. “If you have been doing things the same way the past years, it is time to change and build a new plan,” she says. Though they are in a negative position with Tai Sui, Goats will generally find joy in pleasant relationships with friends and colleagues. It may be the year Goats will have a breakthrough or a promotion at work – money and fame could follow when that happens. If you are looking for love, you may find someone very compatible through your friends this year. Monkey Monkeys hunting for love could find their match in 2024. Monkeys hunting for love could find their match in 2024. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock Monkeys are going to have a relatively stable year. “Maybe you won’t feel like having the opportunity to shine too much but that’s OK,” says Chow. “You just embrace what you have for now and know that better things will come later during the year.” Monkeys will find it easy to make money – and spend it. Hence, Chow advises those under this sign to be diligent about money management this year. As for all your Monkeys in search of love, she says it’s a good year to get serious or find someone who is compatible. Rooster When it comes to relationships, Roosters should experience a good year. When it comes to relationships, Roosters should experience a good year. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock People born in the Year of the Rooster will enjoy a harmonious relationship with Tai Sui this year (He Tai Sui). That generally symbolizes a fortunate year for Roosters in terms of meeting new friends and finding suitable life partners if they don’t already have one, says Chow. Generally, Roosters will enjoy a pleasant, stable year. “It’s better to stay put in the first half of the year, like if you want to change jobs. It’s good to wait till the second half of the year to find good opportunities,” says Chow. It’s a good year to rake in some money as well. Related article Chinese travelers stranded as winter storms throw Lunar New Year travel into chaos Dog Dogs should think thrice before making key decisions. Dogs should think thrice before making key decisions. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock People born in the Year of the Dog will be clashing with Tai Sui this year, which means more changes and barriers in life. “It’s a big year for Dogs. You may feel tired both physically and mentally, for you will be going through quite a lot of changes,” says Chow. “It’s better to move instead of staying put, such as changing jobs, moving homes or going traveling. These will help alleviate the negative impact (from the clash with Tai Sui),” says Chow. It’s also a year to practice prudence in life, she adds. That means it’s better to stay low profile and observe things from a distance before making any big decisions. People born in the Year of the Dog may face more arguments in their relationships this year, she notes, but it’s not all bad. “When there’s a negative side, there’s always a positive, too. Challenges will bring growth,” Chow says, reminding Dogs to take a deep breath and remember this as they face any challenges in the coming months A visit to the temple will also help Dogs catch some positive energy. Pig Hard work will translate into monetary gains for Pigs this year. Hard work will translate into monetary gains for Pigs this year. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock “This year, you may have to work a bit harder and work longer hours than usual. But remember, when there are bigger challenges, your wisdom and growth will come in way faster,” says Chow of people born in the Year of the Pig. But hard work also means more income – Pigs just have to be mindful of not losing their hard-earned money carelessly. Meanwhile, Pigs’ personal relationships will likely be more stable. “It’s a good year to slow down and embrace the person they are with,” says Chow. Looking for a new love interest? Chow urges Pigs to attend more social events organized by friends. Rat People born in the Year of the Rat will find support and assistance when they need them most this year. People born in the Year of the Rat will find support and assistance when they need them most this year. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock “It isn’t the worst year but there are going to be some challenges. The good news is, they are also going to find a lot of guardians who will assist them at their lowest,” says Chow of those born in the Year of the Rat. As a result, Rats should keep their eyes open for people offering support and advice. At work, relationships with bosses and co-workers are generally stable. Rats may even get an opportunity to shine and gain some much-deserved admiration. Rats may have an opportunity to save quite a bit of money this year. Because of this, Chow says it could be a good time to think about opening a new business if that’s one of their goals. “Again, just don’t rush into doing too much at the same time too soon,” says Chow. In terms of romance, she says Rats looking for love should socialize with friends and travel more. Related article 14 places our editors can’t wait to visit in 2024, from Doha to Hawaii Ox The geomancy consultant advises Oxen to steer away from high-risk activities. The geomancy consultant advises Oxen to steer away from high-risk activities. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock People born in the Year of the Ox will face “Xing Tai Sui” this year. This means their sign is in a punishing or torturous relationship with Tai Sui. “Although it sounds very scary, it actually means that Oxen should be more mindful of their health and safety,” says Chow. Avoiding high-risk sports and activities is advised, according to the expert. “You’ll be working a lot more but don’t be afraid of changes that may come. It’s going to help you get out of your comfort zone and you’ll grow really fast this year,” says Chow. It’s also a year to be cautious with your investments and stay humble. Whether single or in a relationship, Oxes should be mindful of how they communicate with others as they are more prone to conflicts from misunderstandings. Like Dragons, Oxen could alleviate the impact by attending happy events and wearing warmer colors instead of all black and white. Related article Enter the Year of the Dragon: A 2024 guide to Lunar New Year Tiger Tigers might find themselves getting into conflicts this year. But they may find love easier, too. Tigers might find themselves getting into conflicts this year. But they may find love easier, too. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock “According to ancient Chinese philosophy, Tigers and Dragons have a complicated relationship. Tigers and Dragons fight. A lot of times, this is a metaphor to tell Tigers that there will be more conflicts in life,” says Chow. That it’s essential to make an effort to maintain cordial relationships with friends and family and be more aware of your own emotions this year, she advises. Work-wise, Tigers have the opportunity to stand out but may attract jealousy at the same time. Money-wise, Tigers should be more conservative as they’re susceptible to overspending if they aren’t careful, says Chow. For Tigers who are born in the first half of the year, it is more likely they will find love in the second half of the year. Those born in the latter half of the year may have a good shot with romance earlier in the year. “It’s because the Tiger is a sign very heavy in wood and fire elements – and even more so if you’re born in the first half of the year. When it’s too much, you have to wait until this (surplus of wood and fire) subsides a bit before more good luck will come in the second half of the year,” Chow explains. Rabbit Rabbits will enjoy greater luck this year. Rabbits will enjoy greater luck this year. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock All you Rabbits can give yourself a pat on the back. You made it through the year, your ‘Ben Ming Nian’ is about to be over. Those who had a trying year should remember their luck will change slowly at first – but they’ll see a noticeable change in the second half of the year, says Chow. It’s a good year for self-improvement and to learn some new skills, which could prove helpful for your career in the future. “Try not to gamble too much but make money in a very grounded way. Work hard and you will get the rewards,” Chow reminds Rabbits. As for those who are romantically attached, it may be the perfect year to think about marriage and babies if that’s part of their life plan, says Chow.

In the heart of Europe, a movement is stirring, propelled by the resolve of farmers and the symbolic columns of their tractors on highways, marking a profound frustration with the challenges facing the agricultural community today. These protests are not merely local expressions of discontent; they represent a continental cry for help, a manifestation of deep-seated issues that span from Poland and Hungary to Spain and Belgium, highlighting a crisis at the core of Europe's food production. As thousands of tractors slowly traverse Europe's landscapes, from the streets of Poznan to the winding roads of Spain, each demonstration carries a unique message but shares common themes: a battle against rising production costs, unfavorable taxes, stringent environmental regulations, and the increasing burden of EU policies. Intended to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability, these measures have instead led to worrisome uncertainty about many farmers' futures. In Poland and Hungary, farmers' concerns have been amplified by cheap imports from Ukraine, undermining local markets and threatening their livelihoods. Their demand for the reinstatement of permit requirements for Ukrainian truck drivers within the EU is a call for fairness and a level playing field. In Spain and Belgium, roads have been blocked, and cities have woken to the sight of tractors parked in protest against policies perceived to strangle their ability to earn a living and produce food. This movement is more than a protest; it is a story of survival, solidarity, and a quest for change. Farmers, once considered the backbone of Europe's economy, are now fighting for their right to cultivate, harvest, and live on their own terms. They challenge the EU to rethink its vision for agriculture's future and to recognize the critical role that farming plays in the continent's well-being and self-sufficiency. Join us in this in-depth coverage as we explore the heart of farmers' protests across Europe. We delve into the specific demands of various agricultural communities, examine the effects of these demonstrations on local communities and the EU's response, and discuss the broader implications for future agricultural policy. Through interviews, on-site reporting, and a careful analysis of the challenges and opportunities ahead, we offer a comprehensive view of this critical moment in Europe's agricultural history. To make this description even more compelling and informative, consider including personal stories from farmers participating in the protests, expert commentary on EU agricultural policy and its potential future, and an analysis of how these protests might affect global food supply. By integrating these elements, we weave a rich and multifaceted story that not only informs but also engages and inspires the viewer to further reflection and discussion. This narrative unveils the collective voice of Europe's farmers, echoing through the fields and cities, demanding attention, action, and respect. It's a testament to their resilience and a reminder of the essential role they play in feeding the world. As we venture through the roads blockaded by tractors and the passionate crowds calling for justice, we're invited to reconsider the value we place on those who till the land and the policies that shape their fate.

Donald Trump Pulls Ahead of Joe Biden in Latest NBC Poll: Lead Widens to Record High - Survey Details What Biden Needs to Catch Up

Nitish Kumar sworn in as Bihar CM for the 9th time, along with two deputies from BJP Things were not going well... no question of going back now: Nitish Kumar Written by Santosh Singh Patna | Updated: January 28, 2024 22:37 IST Newsguard Follow Us 1 Nitish Kumar takes oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the ninth time. Nitish Kumar takes oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the ninth time. (PTI) Switching sides for the fifth time in just over a decade, JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar returned to the NDA on Sunday, less than 18 months after he left the alliance, and took oath as the Bihar Chief Minister for the ninth time. BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and former Speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha, named as Deputy Chief Ministers, were among the ministers sworn in. Six other ministers, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Santosh Kumar Suman, Independent Sumit Kumar Singh, BJP’s Prem Kumar, and JD(U)’s Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Shravan Kumar, also took oath. Speaking to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony, Kumar said: “I have come back where I was earlier. Now, there is no question of going back.” ADVERTISEMENT Earlier in the day, citing the reason for his decision, which is seen as a big setback for the Opposition INDIA bloc ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, he said “things were not going well”. “I have resigned and put an end to (Mahagathbandhan) government…Things were not going well. Everyone was in favour of breaking this alliance…we had forged a new alliance (in August 2022) but it too was not working well. I had been working a lot for Bihar and also worked for the new alliance (INDIA bloc) but it too, had not been working out well,” Kumar said. Festive offer Though he did not name the INDIA bloc, several JD(U) leaders said the party would target the Congress for not “valuing” Kumar, and the INDIA bloc “not being a serious initiative”. Also in Political Pulse | Congress throws ‘Aya Ram, Gaya Ram’ jibe at Nitish, but fears its chances of bettering 2019 tally hit Congratulating Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on ‘X’: “NDA government formed in Bihar will not leave any stone unturned to fulfil people’s aspirations and work for the state’s development. I congratulate Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha for becoming Deputy CMs. I believe this team will work with commitment to serve our people”. ADVERTISEMENT With Samrat Choudhary, a Kushwaha leader, and Vijay Kumar Sinha, a Bhumihar leader, the BJP has decided to go for an OBC-upper caste combination in its choice of Deputy Chief Ministers. Bihar BJP sources said Modi is likely to address a rally in Sugauli in East Champaran on February 4, which Kumar is likely to attend in a show of solidarity. The PMO, however, is yet to confirm the date for the rally. BJP president J P Nadda was among those who attended the swearing-in ceremony, which saw supporters raising slogans of “Jai Shri Ram”. In a gesture that appeared to be aimed at placating the fears of smaller coalition partners, he brought along Chirag Paswan, a staunch NDA ally but a vocal critic of Kumar. ADVERTISEMENT Addressing a press conference later, Nadda said Kumar was a “natural” alliance partner. “The people of Bihar had given the mandate in the last Assembly polls to our natural alliance with Nitish Kumar. Bihar has gained whenever we have been in power together, be it in terms of law and order or economic development,” he said. “Bihar will again see growth propelled by a double engine, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm at the Centre,” he said. “We are confident that the NDA will sweep the Lok Sabha polls and win all the 40 seats in Bihar. We will also form the next government in the state after the Assembly elections,” he added. Since 2013, this is the fifth time that Kumar has changed sides. After snapping ties with the BJP in 2013, Kumar got outside support from parties like the Congress, CPI, and a disgruntled faction of the RJD. A year later, though, he stepped down, taking moral responsibility for the JD(U)’s drubbing in the Lok Sabha elections. In less than a year, he was back as Chief Minister, elbowing out his rebellious protege Jitan Ram Manjhi, this time with ample support from the RJD and Congress. The Grand Alliance that came into being with the JD(U), Congress and RJD coming together, won the 2015 Assembly polls, but came apart in just two years. ADVERTISEMENT Kumar returned to the NDA in 2017, hoping to get some traction after taking a stand against the corruption taint on his then deputy Tejashwi Yadav. In August 2022, he again snapped ties with the BJP, accusing it of trying to “split” the JD(U), and joined the Mahagathbandhan. He formed a new government with a multi-party coalition that included the RJD and Congress. ADVERTISEMENT In the current 243-member Bihar Assembly, JD(U) has 45 MLAs and the BJP 78. Kumar also has the support of one Independent member. Jitan Ram Manjhi-led Hindustani Awam Morcha, which is already a part of the NDA, has four MLAs. The RJD (79) along with the Congress (19) and the Left parties (16) have a combined 114 MLAs, eight short of a majority.

Biden considers halting some US military aid to force Israel to scale back its offensive in Gaza

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said protests organized by families of hostages in Gaza were helping Hamas, say reports. Speaking at a Tel Aviv press conference on Saturday night, Netanyahu criticized the hostage families' protests. "I understand that it is impossible to control one's emotions," he said. But, the hostages' protest movement "doesn't help" and only "hardens Hamas' demands and delays the results that we all want," The Jerusalem Post reported. The hostages' families hit back in a statement, per The Jerusalem Post. it said the "Prime Minister should remember that he is an elected official whose job it is to correct the mistakes" — a reference to the security failings on October 7 and the terror attacks on Israel by Hamas — "not to scold those whose family members were kidnapped." Advertisement Netanyahu added that the goal of his government was to eliminate Hamas, and the war would not end until the mission was completed. "There are people among us who doubt our capabilities, but they are a minority," he added, per a report by Anadolu Agency, the Turkish state news outlet. Related stories Israel drops leaflets on under-siege Palestinians asking for their help to find Israeli hostages, as Gaza death toll hits 25,000 Israeli military officials say Israel has a choice: Defeat Hamas or save the hostages Germany leaps to the defense of Israel at the International Court of Justice, rejects South Africa's accusation of Gaza genocide He also said that investigations into Hamas' October 7 attacks "should be opened after the end of the war, not during its peak," per the report. Jonathan Pollard, a former US Navy intelligence analyst who was convicted of spying for Israel, previously said the families of those taken captive in Gaza should have been silenced. Advertisement "When Israel declared war, the first thing that the government should have done was declare a state of national emergency and told all the hostages: 'You will keep your mouth shut or we will shut them for you,'" he said. "If that means imprisoning to silence certain members of the hostage families, then so be it — we're in a state of war," he continued. During a temporary ceasefire in November, Hamas released 105 hostages from Gaza. Israeli tank Gaza A destroyed Israeli tank in Gaza City, Gaza on October 7, 2023. Hani Alshaer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images The Palestinian militant group's October 7 attacks killed around 1,200 people in Israel, while about 240 others were taken hostage. Advertisement Israel responded to the attacks by bombarding the Gaza Strip with airstrikes and launching a ground invasion of the territory. Its strikes have destroyed more than 60% of the homes in Gaza and left the area "uninhabitable," according to a report from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. UN experts also said that Gazans now make up 80% "of all people facing famine or catastrophic hunger worldwide," per the report.

French farmers aim to put Paris 'under siege' in tractor protest. Activists hurl soup at 'Mona Lisa' Threat comes hours after activists hurled soup at the “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre. BySYLVIE CORBET Associated Press January 28, 2024, 11:58 AM A farmer drives his tractor on a highway, near Agen, southwestern France, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. French farmers have vowed to continue protesting and are maintaining traffic barricades on some of the country's major roads. The government announced a series of measures Friday but the farmers say these do not fully address their demands. (AP Photo/Fred Scheiber) A farmer drives his tractor on a highway, near Agen, southwestern France, Saturday...Show more The Associated Press PARIS -- France's interior ministry on Sunday ordered a large deployment of security forces around Paris as angry farmers threatened to head toward the capital, hours after climate activists hurled soup at the glass protecting the “Mona Lisa” painting at the Louvre Museum. French farmers are putting pressure on the government to respond to their demands for better remuneration for their produce, less red tape and protection against cheap imports. Speaking after an emergency meeting on Sunday evening, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 15,000 police officers are being deployed, mostly in the Paris region. Darmanin said he ordered security forces to “prevent any blockade” of Rungis International Market — which supplies the capital and surrounding region with much of its fresh food — and the Paris airports as well as to ban any convoy of farmers from entering the capital and any other big city. He said that helicopters will monitor convoys of tractors. Darmanin said possibly all eight highways heading to Paris will be blocked Monday from midday and urged car and truck drivers to “anticipate” blockades. “Difficulties will obviously be very important,” he said. Farmers of the Rural Coordination union in the Lot-et-Garonne region, where the protests originated, said they plan to use their tractors Monday to head toward the Rungis International Market. France's two biggest farmers unions said in a statement that their members based in areas surrounding the Paris region would seek to block all major roads to the capital, with the aim of putting the city “under siege,” starting Monday afternoon. Earlier on Sunday, two climate activists hurled soup at the glass protecting the “Mona Lisa” in the Louvre museum and shouted slogans advocating for a sustainable food system. In a video posted on social media, two women with the words “FOOD RIPOSTE” written on their T-shirts could be seen passing under a security barrier to get closer to the painting and throwing soup at the glass protecting Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece. “What’s the most important thing?” they shouted. “Art, or right to a healthy and sustainable food?” “Our farming system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work,” they added. Louvre employees could then be seen putting black panels in front of the Mona Lisa and asking visitors to evacuate the room. Paris police said that two people were arrested following the incident. On its website, the “Food Riposte” group said the French government is breaking its climate commitments and called for the equivalent of the country's state-sponsored health care system to be put in place to give people better access to healthy food while providing farmers a decent income. Angry French farmers have been using their tractors for days to set up road blockades and slow traffic across France. They also dumped stinky agricultural waste at the gates of government offices. On Friday, the government announced a series of measures that farmers said don't fully address their demands. Those include “drastically simplifying” certain technical procedures and the progressive end to diesel fuel taxes for farm vehicles. France's new prime minister, Gabriel Attal, visited a farm on Sunday in the central region of Indre-et-Loire. He acknowledged that farmers are in a difficult position because “on the one side we say ‘we need quality’ and on the other side ’we want ever-lower prices.'” “What’s at stake is finding solutions in the short, middle and long term,” he said, “because we need our farmers.” Attal also said his government is considering “additional” measures against what he called “unfair competition” from other countries that have different production rules and are importing food to France. He promised “other decisions” to be made in the coming weeks to address farmers' concerns.

Statement from President Joe Biden on Attack on U.S. Service Members in Northeastern Jordan Near the Syria Border HOME BRIEFING ROOM STATEMENTS AND RELEASES Today, America’s heart is heavy. Last night, three U.S. service members were killed—and many wounded—during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border. While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq. Jill and I join the families and friends of our fallen—and Americans across the country—in grieving the loss of these warriors in this despicable and wholly unjust attack. These service members embodied the very best of our nation: Unwavering in their bravery. Unflinching in their duty. Unbending in their commitment to our country— risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism. It is a fight we will not cease. The three American service members we lost were patriots in the highest sense. And their ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by our nation. Together, we will keep the sacred obligation we bear to their families. We will strive to be worthy of their honor and valor. We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism. And have no doubt — we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing.

Family of 85-year-old Woman Killed by Alligator Sues Florida Retirement Village for Negligence

Jury Verdict: Trump Ordered to Pay $83.3 Million to E. Jean Carroll

Vote for Donald J. Trump to secure the future of our country.

Swedish PM Kristersson to Meet Hungary’s Orban for Talks on NATO Bid - 25 jan, 2024

Special Address by Javier Milei, President of Argentina at Davos 2024 | World Economic Forum

Turkish Parliament Approves Sweden's NATO Application on January 23, 2024

Palestinian death toll in Gaza surpasses 25,000 while Israel announces the death of another hostage Gaza urgently needs more aid or its desperate population will suffer widespread famine and disease, the United Nations has warned. (Jan. 19) Photos 11 BY NAJIB JOBAIN AND SAMY MAGDY Updated 7:48 PM CET, January 21, 2024 Share RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Palestinian death toll from the war between Israel and Hamas has soared past 25,000, the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip said Sunday, while Israel announced the death of another hostage and appeared far from achieving its goals of freeing more than 100 others and crushing the militant group. The deaths, destruction and displacement from the war are without precedent in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The war has divided Israelis while the offensive threatens to ignite a wider conflict involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen that support the Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he stressed in his conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday that he rejects Hamas demands for a cease-fire, Israeli forces’ withdrawal and the release of Palestinians held by Israel in exchange for the remaining hostages. He said that agreeing means another devastating Hamas attack “would only be a matter of time.” Netanyahu also rejects calls from U.S, its closest ally, for postwar plans that would include a path to Palestinian statehood. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the refusal to accept a two-state solution unacceptable. ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR Protesters attempt to block a street during a demonstration to demand the release of the hostages taken by Hamas militants into the Gaza Strip during the Oct. 7th attack, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday Jan. 20, 2024.(AP Photo/Leo Correa) Israel’s Netanyahu rejects any Palestinian sovereignty in post-war Gaza, rebuffing Biden Emergency services work at a building hit by an air strike in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. Syrian and Iranian state media outlets say an Israeli strike on t Damascus killed four Iranian advisers. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki) An Israeli airstrike on the Syrian capital killed at least 5 Iranian advisers, officials say FILE - Palestinians rescue a child from under the rubble after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip has the Mideast simmering, raising the temperature on tensions across the region and increasing the risk that seemingly localized conflicts could spin out of control. (AP Photo/Abed Khaled, File) Women and children are the main victims of the Israel-Hamas war with 16,000 killed, UN says “The Middle East is a tinderbox. We must do all we can to prevent conflict igniting across the region,” Guterres added. “And that starts with an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to relieve the suffering in Gaza.” In the latest of near-daily clashes between Hezbollah forces and Israeli troops along the Lebanese border, an Israeli airstrike Sunday hit a car near a Lebanese army checkpoint in the southern town of Kafra, killing one person and injuring several others, Lebanese state media reported. Israel’s military said its aircraft and tanks struck a number of Hezbollah targets, and that an anti-tank missile launched from Lebanon hit a house in Avivim in northern Israel. No injuries were reported. GAZA DEATH TOLL CLIMBS The war began with Hamas’ attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took about 250 hostages back to Gaza. Israel’s military announced the death of 19-year-old Sgt. Shay Levinson, who was among the hostages. His date of death was given as Oct. 7, but there were no further details. According to Israeli media, his body is still in Gaza. Israel has responded to the Oct. 7 attack with a bombing campaign and ground invasion that laid waste to entire neighborhoods in northern Gaza and spread south, striking some areas where it told civilians to seek refuge. Ground operations are now focused on the southern city of Khan Younis and built-up refugee camps in central Gaza dating to the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation. “The plumes of smoke from tanks, artillery and the planes of the air force will continue to cover the sky over the Gaza Strip until we will achieve our goals,” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said. Israel’s military said the demolition last week of a key building at Israa University in Gaza was under review, and asserted that preliminary findings indicated Hamas had used the compound for military purposes. The university has said the “attack” came weeks after Israeli forces occupied the building. Since the war started, 25,105 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, while another 62,681 have been wounded, the Health Ministry said. The toll included the 178 bodies brought to Gaza’s hospitals since Saturday, Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said. The overall toll is thought to be higher because many casualties remain buried under rubble or in areas that medics cannot reach, Al-Qidra said. The Health Ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its figures but says about two-thirds of the people killed in Gaza were women and minors. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, but its casualty figures from previous wars were largely consistent with those of U.N. agencies and even the Israeli military. The Israeli military says it has killed around 9,000 militants, without providing evidence, and blames the high civilian death toll on Hamas because it positions fighters, tunnels and other militant infrastructure in dense neighborhoods. The military released footage of a tunnel under a residential neighborhood in Khan Younis where the army believes at least 20 hostages were kept at different times. The war has displaced some 85% of Gaza’s residents, with hundreds of thousands packing U.N.-run shelters and camps in the south. U.N. officials say a quarter of the population of 2.3 million is starving as a trickle of humanitarian aid reaches them because of the fighting and Israeli restrictions. Israel said 260 trucks of aid entered Gaza on Sunday, the highest number since the war began. About 500 entered daily before that, according to the U.N. “Bread does not suffice for one hour,” said Ahmad Al-Nashawi, who accepted donated food at a tent camp in the southern city of Rafah. “You can see how many children we have other than women and men. What matters most for a child is to eat.” ISRAELIS INCREASINGLY DIVIDED Some top Israeli officials have begun to acknowledge that Netanyahu’s goals of “complete victory” over Hamas and returning the remaining hostages might be mutually exclusive. A member of Israel’s War Cabinet, former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, said last week that the only way to free the hostages was through a cease-fire. But Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners push him to step up the offensive, with some calling for the “voluntary” emigration of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the re-establishment of Jewish settlements there. Hamas is believed to be using the hostages as shields for its top leaders. Israel has rescued one hostage, and Hamas says several have been killed in Israeli airstrikes or during failed rescue operations. Israel’s government faces growing pressure from hostages’ families, who want an exchange like the one during a weeklong November cease-fire. Other Israelis are frustrated by the security failures ahead of the Oct. 7 attack and by Netanyahu’s handling of the war. Near the site of an Oct. 7 massacre during a music festival, families of Israeli victims planted trees. “What happened after 109 days? Nothing. We’re just still waiting,” said one father, Idan Bahat.

CNN — The race for the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary appears to be former President Donald Trump’s to lose, according to a new CNN poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire following Trump’s 30-point win in Iowa’s caucuses last week. Trump holds 50% support among likely Republican primary voters in the Granite State, while his closest competitor, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, stands at 39%. Both have gained supporters since the last CNN/UNH poll in early January – when Trump held 39% to Haley’s 32% – as the field of major contenders has shrunk from six candidates to three. Both Trump and Haley now hold their highest level of support in UNH polling on the race since 2021. But Haley’s sharp gains since late last summer have not been enough to catch Trump, as the gap between them has once again widened to double digits. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who led the race in UNH’s polling in early 2023 but has recently pulled back his efforts in the state, stands at just 6% in the poll, below the 10% minimum support he would need to win delegates there per the Republican Party’s rules. For Trump’s opponents, New Hampshire has long appeared to be the place in the early primary calendar that offered the best shot at knocking him off track in his bid for a third straight GOP presidential nomination. It was the only early state where polls consistently found Trump without majority support, and where voters often showed the most openness to his rivals. But this latest survey suggests that Trump’s popularity within the GOP base and the commitment of his supporters outweigh the appeal of his challengers. New Hampshire’s traditional independent streak and more moderate pool of likely primary voters, when compared with other states whose nominating contests land ahead of Super Tuesday, are part of why some Trump rivals fixated on the state as the place to stand out. And Haley has won over those groups. She holds 58% support among those who are registered as undeclared (New Hampshire’s term for independent voters) and plan to vote in the GOP primary, and 71% support among those who consider themselves ideologically moderate. She also stands ahead of Trump among voters who hold college degrees (50% Haley to 38% Trump). But each of these groups on its own makes up a minority of likely GOP primary voters in New Hampshire: 47% are registered undeclared, 33% are at least college graduates and just about 3 in 10 describe themselves as moderate. Trump has largely consolidated his support among the larger flip sides of each of those groups. He has the backing of 67% of registered Republicans, 71% of conservatives and 55% of those who do not have a college degree. And among Trump’s supporters, 88% say they have definitely decided to support him compared with 74% of Haley supporters who are similarly locked in. That translates to 45% of the electorate being firmly decided Trump supporters, compared with just 30% who are equally decided Haley backers.

The Best of the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show. https://gearjunkie.com/technology/2024-ces-consumer-electronics-show We went to CES in Las Vegas to find all of the cool new tech gear you'll be coveting this year. Written by Kraig Becker Jan 19, 2024 6:59 p.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Jackery Solar Rooftop Tent(Photo/Jackery) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More The 2024 Consumer Electronics Show took place in Las Vegas this past week, with thousands of tech companies on hand to unveil a staggering number of new products. Unsurprisingly, AI and VR were the buzzwords (buzz acronyms?) most commonly heard on the show floor, although plenty of TVs, laptops, electric vehicles, and other gadgets were on display as well. The GearJunkie team spent several long days combing the Las Vegas Convention Center halls, looking for the latest tech to enhance our outdoor adventures. We found plenty of drool-worthy gadgets at the show, along with a few that left us scratching our heads. But by the time we left the event, there were a few standout products that we couldn’t wait to get our hands on. Our Top Picks in Tech Gear From CES 2024 Jackery Rooftop Tent With Solar Panels (Photo/Jackery) Jackery’s big reveal at CES wasn’t a new power station. Instead, the company showed off a rooftop tent with 1,000W solar panels. That’s enough to generate about 5kWh per day, powering everything from portable coffee makers and refrigerators to laptops and smartphones. The tent is currently just a prototype, but Jackery expects to start producing a consumer version later this year at a price yet to be determined. EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra Jackery and Goal Zero didn’t introduce any new power stations at CES, but EcoFlow introduced a powerful new model. The Delta Pro Ultra is a backup power solution for your home, cabin, or RV, offering up to 90kWh of capacity. That’s enough electricity to run most houses for up to a month. The base unit offers 6,144Wh and can produce 7,200W of output while accepting as much as 36,000W of input from solar panels alone. The device and its expandable battery packs are available now, with the inverter starting at $5,799. For a limited time, early adopters can save $800 off MSRP. Bluetti AC180T Power Station Bluetti also showed off a new power station, albeit one with more modest specs. The AC180T offers a 1,433Wh capacity and 1,800W output with a max surge of 2,700W. Those are fairly pedestrian numbers, but what makes this unit stand out from the crowd is its removable battery packs. The power cells can be hot-swapped in and out of the device as needed, in theory, giving it nearly infinite power storage. We’re told those same batteries will power other future Bluetti products, including a portable refrigerator that the company displayed in its booth. Pricing is unavailable; watch for it coming soon. Urtopia Carbon 1 Pro E-Bike With ChatGPT (Photo/Urtopia) If you think we exaggerated when we said artificial intelligence was everywhere at CES, think again. Case in point, a company called Urtopia introduced a new e-bike with an AI assistant powered by ChatGPT. While this sounds like a gimmick, it seems surprisingly useful. The chatbot can create personalized riding routes, track a rider’s performance and fitness metrics, answer questions, provide weather updates, and more. The bike also has built-in LTE networking for over-the-air updates, GPS tracking, and theft-deterrence features. It comes to the U.S. in March with a price tag under $3,000. Garmin HRM-Fit Women’s Heart Rate Monitor For years, female athletes have had to make do with heart rate monitors that were designed for men. But Garmin is rectifying this oversight with the HRM-Fit, a device designed to clip onto a medium- or high-support sports bra. This approach provides more accurate readings and is more comfortable to wear, too. The device is available now for $150 — and our female running editors are stoked to try it. Scosche PowerUP 600 (Photo/Kraig Becker) We’ve seen portable battery packs that can jumpstart a vehicle before, but the Scosche PowerUP 600 is the smallest we’ve come across yet. The unit is roughly the size of a smartphone and can generate up to 600A of power, allowing it to start 4L gas and 2L diesel engines even when their batteries are completely dead. Not bad for a device that easily fits inside your glove compartment. The gadget goes on sale in late January with an MSRP of $120. Segway Navimow Robot Lawnmower (Photo/Segway) Robot lawnmowers aren’t entirely new, but they were definitely more prominent at CES 2024. At least five or six companies had new models on display, but none were more impressive than the Navimow from Segway. (Yes, that Segway!) The AI-powered lawn care assistant interfaces with your smartphone to learn the boundaries of your yard and automatically stays within the perimeter. It also uses an onboard camera to avoid obstacles and detect edges, adjusting its route accordingly. Segway says it will start shipping in March of this year; MSRP is unknown. Catalyst Dog Collar for AirTag The brand introduced a new dog collar at CES with a built-in waterproof case designed to securely hold an Apple AirTag. This allows iPhone owners to track their pup’s whereabouts at all times, making it much easier to find them should they sneak out of the yard or wander away from the campsite. The collar will come in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes and ships later this month for $40. Pebble Flow Electric Travel Trailer While this trailer concept got out in November 2023, there still weren’t any actual units built yet. So, one of the highlights of the show was getting a tour of the Pebble Flow all-electric travel trailer in person. The high-tech camper includes 1kWh of solar panels that feed power to a massive onboard battery pack built to provide energy independence while camping off-grid. The vehicle also has a suite of electric appliances, air conditioning, heating, and a comfy bedroom that converts into an office. The model we saw is a prototype, but the company hopes to go into full production starting in 2024. Goal Zero Alta Series Portable Refrigerators (Photo/Kraig Becker) After a 4-year hiatus, Goal Zero was back at CES with some interesting new products on display. The company’s biggest reveal was a line of portable refrigerators that are available in two sizes. Both the smaller Alta 50 and larger Alta 80 are impressively built and can maintain an internal temperature ranging from -4 to 50 degrees F. The Alta 80 can reportedly hold up to 130 cans of your favorite beverage and has two climate zones with individual temperature settings. Both models will be available on January 30 for $800 and $1,000, respectively. Verdict From CES Goal Zero and TAXA Outdoors; (photo/Kraig Becker) These were the products that impressed us the most on the floor at CES 2024. These products expand on the current trends in AI, power generation, and innovative, efficient solutions to bringing tech off the grid. We hope to get our hands on these devices and provide full reviews once they become available. Stay tuned for our thoughts once we’ve had a chance to put this exciting new tech through its paces. a sign at an rei co-op store REI Announces Slate of New Locations Opening in 2024 and 2025 By 2025, REI expects to have 11 new stores open across the country, including three that were announced today. Read more… a GearJunkie green logo with a mountain and the text "top stories of 2023" on a wooden background Mountaineering Record Upset, Amphibious Plane, and the Wonderful World of Knives: GearJunkie Top Stories in 2023 Last year's biggest GearJunkie headlines included a hunting scandal, AI writers, and the best tent we've seen in years. 2023, surprisingly, isn't too far off. Read more… TAGS Gadgets Technology e-bikes power station kraig becker Kraig Becker Kraig Becker is a writer and editor who covers the outdoor industry, travel, and tech. He has contributed to a number of print and digital outlets, including Popular Mechanics, Digital Trends, Business Insider, Outside magazine, GearJunkie, and numerous others. The author of five books, this world traveler has been to Everest base camp, traveled through Mongolia on horseback, swam in the Amazon, and climbed Kilimanjaro twice. If he’s not outside running or mountain biking, he’s probably researching the latest tech trends or testing some new gadget. Join our newsletter. Get adventure news and gear reviews! SUBSCRIBE NOW TOP 6 Popular 1 The Best of the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show 2 La Sportiva Opens First Retail Location in North America 3 Westfalia Wave: Iconic Brand Debuts First New Campervan for US in 20 Years 4 Train Like Alex Honnold for a Week: The Results 5 Performance-Oriented Snowboard Boots Never Felt So Comfortable: Nitro Chase Dual BOA Review 6 Evacuation From Powder Mountain: Atomic Skis, a Yurt Village, and Too Much Snow The Ultimate Birding Binocs? Swarovski’s AX Visio Uses AI to Identify 9,000 Species, Mark Location — And Take Photos With the AX Visio, you can ditch the camera and smartphone, and spend more time 'in the moment' with nature. Written by Andrew McLemore Jan 12, 2024 3:55 p.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) swarovski ax visioFind, identify, and snap a photo: All possible with the AX Visio from Swarovski; (photo/Swarovski) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More Unless you’re BFFs with David Attenborough, it’s hard to imagine a better way to go birding than the new binocs from Swarovski. The luxury brand’s powerful new birding tool, unveiled this week at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, combines an impressive number of features into one sleek product. If you’re looking for stellar optics from long distances, the AX Visio 10×32 binoculars should have that covered, as Swarovski has a stellar reputation. But they also have built-in artificial intelligence (AI) to immediately identify a bird from its internal database of 9,000 species. Moreover, the binoculars can shoot photos and videos, mark the location, and then give visual directions for another user to find the same bird. Rick Bateman, a birding writer tapped by Swarovski to test the gear, called that last feature “truly revolutionary.” “The AX Visio was full of surprises,” Bateman wrote in a blog for Swarovski. “It allowed me to observe, identify and document birds in a whole new way. The more familiar I became with the AX Visio, the more I came to appreciate its unique advantages.” Swarovski AX Visio: 3 Devices in 1 For birders, the minimum modern kit might include binoculars to find the animal, a camera with a telephoto lens to snap a photo, and a smartphone to identify the species. Experienced birders get comfortable constantly switching between their binoculars, and — in recent years — using apps like Merlin Bird ID to identify the species. Still can’t figure out the species with your phone or bird guide? Then you’ll have to reach for the camera and try to snap a long-distance image before the bird decides to fly off. swarovski ax visio Meet the multifunctional binoculars from Swarovski: The AX Visio; (photo/Swarovski) With the AX Visio from Swarovski, you can do all of that — with just the binoculars. In his review, Bateman said that allowed him to feel more “in the moment” while birding. It only takes about 5 seconds for the binoculars to identify the species through the binocs, which incorporate the Merlin Bird ID technology. (Note that the binocular’s database can also identify some mammals.) “At its best, the AX Visio allows the traveling birder to focus on the birds without having to switch between the smartphone, camera, and binoculars,” Bateman wrote. “Best of all, the AX Visio gave me access to these sightings on my smartphone screen, so I could identify a tricky bird at my leisure, either back at the lodge or while traveling. So while I had the option to use my Smartphone in the field, it wasn’t a must!” Swarovski AX Visio: Other Features The “share discoveries” function offers birders another streamlined approach for fieldwork. Users can mark the animal or object of interest and pass the binoculars to a companion. The AX Visio then displays red arrow markings on the screen, visually guiding them to the exact location of your discovery. The binoculars come with a bag, strap, extra battery, and several other accessories; (photo/Swarovski) Additionally, the binoculars include a compass function with an integrated tilt angle, aiding in orientation during outdoor adventures. Users can also capture photos and videos of their wildlife encounters, which can be managed and shared seamlessly through the Swarovski Optik Outdoor App. The app can connect the AX Visio to a user’s smartphone, enabling easy management and sharing of images and videos. It also provides more information about discoveries and allows for personalized customization of the binocular settings. Specs: Magnification: 10x Effective objective lens diameter: 32 mm Field of view m at 1,000m / ft at 1,000yds: 112 m/1,000m Light transmission: 88% Camera resolution: 13MP (4208 x 3120px) Battery operating time during normal / maximum operation: 15 hours / 2 hours Swarovski AX Visio: Pricing & Availability The AX Visio aims to redefine how animal lovers connect with nature — and it’s certainly a big, impressive swing in that direction. Given that this cutting-edge product is from Swarovski, you’ll also have to fork over some bucks. It costs about $5,000 for the binoculars (converted from the online price of 4,600 euros). However, a serious birder could easily spend several thousand dollars on camera equipment (which these binocs could ostensibly replace). It’s a tool that will likely be welcomed by many explorers — as long they’re not in the business of making bird guidebooks. how to use binoculars How to Choose Binoculars for Birding, Stargazing, and More Whether you’re birding, wildlife watching, or hunting, binoculars can be extremely helpful for seeing things up close. But because of all the features, buying your first pair of binoculars can be confusing. Read more… TAGS News Outdoor Technology swarovski andrew mclemore Andrew McLemore Andrew McLemore is a staff writer at AllGear Digital. Andrew has more than 10 years of experience covering a range of beats including government, education and business, with specializations in criminal justice and investigative journalism. He has worked for newspapers across Texas, including The Austin American-Statesman, The Dallas Morning News, and The Fort Worth Weekly. He also spent several years in PR, working for nonprofit organizations including the Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Andrew brings his writing experience to outdoor gear and adventures throughout the Americas. When he’s not writing, playing gigs or exploring the outdoors, he’s hanging out with his dog Campana. Aventon Recalls Sinch.2 Folding E-Bike Due to Crash Hazard From ‘Accelerating Unexpectedly’ No injuries have been reported thus far among the 2,300 affected bikes impacted by the recall, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Written by Andrew McLemore Jan 12, 2024 2:32 p.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Aventon Sinch folding e-bike(Photo/Aventon) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More More than 2,000 of Aventon’s popular e-bikes have been recalled, the company announced last week. Owners of Sinch.2 bicycles should stop using them and seek a free repair as soon as possible, according to an announcement from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These folding, 500W e-bikes were available in quicksilver and sapphire colors. They were sold at various locations, including bicycle stores nationwide and online retailers, from April to August 2023 with a price tag of about $1,800. The recall, which affects about 2,300 bikes, was initiated over concerns regarding unexpected acceleration in the Aventon Sinch.2 e-bikes, which could lead to a loss of control, posing potential crash and injury hazards. Although the CPSC reports that Ride Aventon Inc. has received six reports of the e-bikes “accelerating unexpectedly,” no injuries have been reported so far. Free repairs are available through a Ride Aventon authorized dealer. That involves a software update to the controller to address the acceleration issue. For more information about the recall, contact Ride Aventon at 866-300-3311 during their business hours or reach out via email at info@aventon.com. Further details can also be found on the Aventon recall page. Yellow Aventon Soltera.2 Aventon Soltera.2 Review: An Ideal Urban E-Bike on a Budget Relatively light and packing features often found on higher-end e-bikes, the Aventon Soltera.2 is a value for those who want easy-to-manage transportation on a budget. Read more… TAGS Biking News recalls andrew mclemore Andrew McLemore Andrew McLemore is a staff writer at AllGear Digital. Andrew has more than 10 years of experience covering a range of beats including government, education and business, with specializations in criminal justice and investigative journalism. He has worked for newspapers across Texas, including The Austin American-Statesman, The Dallas Morning News, and The Fort Worth Weekly. He also spent several years in PR, working for nonprofit organizations including the Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Andrew brings his writing experience to outdoor gear and adventures throughout the Americas. When he’s not writing, playing gigs or exploring the outdoors, he’s hanging out with his dog Campana. AI Predicts Cycling’s Future, but Ron’s Not So Sure We asked AI: “What are some wild predictions for the bike industry in 2024?” But long-standing cycling industry stalwart Ron Frazelle is skeptical. Written by Ron Frazelle Jan 11, 2024 2:30 p.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) hoverbike AI imageAI has some funny ideas about what's ahead for the cycling industry, like this AI-generated 'hoverbike'; (image/Midjourney) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More A version of this story originally appeared on BikeRumor. This time of year, it’s common to see a number of posts predicting what the bike industry will send our way in 2024. Most of these articles are written by industry experts who have been around long enough to somewhat accurately predict what’s coming next. But what happens when you ask artificial intelligence to predict the bicycle’s future? That’s right. This is a list that’s been generated by our good old buddy, AI. Well, this ought to be good. I’m a fan of AI (that’s “Artificial intelligence,” kids) when it comes to Google Assistant on my phone or at home to turn on and off the lights or pull up a recipe. But an AI-generated bike industry prediction list? What’s that even going to look like? And just to calm everyone down, this article is, in no way, an endorsement or a nod to the use of AI-generated content. It’s just for some fun, you know, some S’n’Gs (that’s shits and giggles, kids). To be clear, I will be commenting on what AI thought 2024 would look like in the bike world. The question that we asked AI: “What are some wild predictions for the bike industry in 2024?” Let’s get bananas! An AI-generated image of what a future cyclist will look like. Admittedly, those threads do look spiffy! (image/AI) Hoverbikes AI (Think of a robot voice): Imagine bikes that use advanced levitation technology, allowing them to hover above the ground. While this may seem like something out of science fiction, breakthroughs in antigravity or magnetic propulsion systems could lead to the development of hoverbikes. Ron: Let’s talk about the jet packs and flying cars that we were promised when we were kids. Let’s tackle that issue first, and then we can talk about hoverbikes. Augmented Reality (AR) Cycling AI: AR integration in cycling gear, such as smart helmets and glasses, could provide cyclists with real-time information about their surroundings, navigation assistance, and performance metrics displayed directly in their field of view. Ron: This would be pretty cool. I mean, not for me, though … I don’t need a “heads-up display” to tell me how slow I’m going, although turn-by-turn directions might be neato. And a “smart helmet” with some built-in commuter safety, like working brake lights and turn signals … I dunno, I’m just spit-ballin’ with AI. This isn’t that far-fetched, as we’ve already seen a number of smart glasses and smart helmets that offered this to some extent. Self-Repairing Bike Frames AI: Advanced materials and nanotechnology might lead to bike frames that can self-repair minor damages. Imagine a bike frame that can mend small cracks or scratches on its own, extending the bicycle’s lifespan. Ron: Quit buying plastic bikes, and this becomes a non-issue. Just sayin’. #ridemetal Will bike tech reach the Iron Man levels of this AI-generated image? It’s certainly possible; (image/Midjourney) Biometric Integration AI: Bikes equipped with biometric sensors could provide riders with real-time health and performance data. This data could be used to optimize training, track fitness levels, and even alert emergency services in case of a medical emergency. Ron: This could be (or already is) done, to an extent, through your bike’s computer with body sensors and whatnot … right? Next. Solar-Powered E-Bikes AI: Integrating solar panels into bike frames or accessories could provide a continuous power source for electric bikes. This innovation might extend the range of e-bikes and reduce dependency on traditional charging methods. Ron: I got nothin’ for this one … it’s a solid idea. I mean, the solar panels would have to be pretty big (I would imagine) to hold the capacity to charge the bike continually. Good one, AI! Personalized 3D-Printed Bikes AI: Advances in 3D printing technology could lead to the creation of fully customizable, personalized bikes. Riders can design their bike frames, choosing materials, shapes, and features tailored to their preferences and needs. Ron: LOL, could you imagine what we’d see on the trails and roads — as if designing and producing a bike is easy and anyone with a 3D printer could get it done. I fear everything would end up looking like this. Rejected! Air resistance might be a potential problem for this “solar-powered e-bike” imagined by AI; (image/Midjourney) Smart Bike Networks AI: Enhanced connectivity could lead to the development of smart bike networks. Bikes could communicate with each other and with traffic infrastructure to optimize traffic flow, enhance safety and reduce congestion in urban areas. Ron: This tech is really on the way. Tyler Benedict of BikeRumor wrote a story about something similar last year. It would be awesome if this came to fruition. Good guess, AI! Invisible Bike Gear AI: Utilizing advanced materials, bike gear like helmets and protective clothing could become nearly invisible, providing a sleek and stylish look while maintaining high levels of safety and functionality. Ron: Well, I’m not sure what AI is smokin’ on this one. But combining the words “cycling” and “invisible” makes me cringe. I get what AI’s sayin’ here, but I think we are a little far from safety gear that disappears or is unnoticeable while being worn by the user. Not quite, AI … Reader Beware: This Gear Review Was Written by an AI Bot GearJunkie editors explore the great unknown and see just how advanced artificial intelligence is when it comes to writing a gear review. Read more… TAGS Biking News Technology artificial intelligence Shooting While Shredding: Go Behind the Scenes With Jackson Hole’s Keegan Rice Wonder what it takes to film Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's best snowboarders? Rice is here to show you. Written by Andrew McLemore Jan 11, 2024 11:32 a.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More It becomes clear pretty quickly that Keegan Rice is both a natural photographer and an experienced snowboarder. I make that conclusion based on two quotes from this fun little edit: “I think I got addicted to the sound of the shutter,” and also, “All my homies were throwing down.” Yep! That passes the inspection for “boarder photographer.” More importantly, Rice’s talent gets a well-deserved close-up in this video, made by the always-diverting YouTube channel from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. (Not a shabby place to get some laps in, right?) Like watching sweaty photographers dangle from big walls in “Free Solo,” it’s thrilling to watch Rice shred the slopes with camera in hand, and see how this sport’s shutterbugs keep up with their subjects. And the results of his stellar photography speak for themselves. Check it out, snowboarders! Runtime: 7 minutes a tram ascends above a mountain Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Sells to Local Investment Group The iconic Wyoming resort has been owned by the Kemmerer family for 3 decades. The new owners are also residents of Teton County. Read more… TAGS News Snowboarding Winter Jackson Hole jackson hole mountain resort snowboard film andrew mclemore Andrew McLemore Andrew McLemore is a staff writer at AllGear Digital. Andrew has more than 10 years of experience covering a range of beats including government, education and business, with specializations in criminal justice and investigative journalism. He has worked for newspapers across Texas, including The Austin American-Statesman, The Dallas Morning News, and The Fort Worth Weekly. He also spent several years in PR, working for nonprofit organizations including the Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Andrew brings his writing experience to outdoor gear and adventures throughout the Americas. When he’s not writing, playing gigs or exploring the outdoors, he’s hanging out with his dog Campana. Minnesota to Dissolve State Park and Return Land to Sioux Community It's the latest of several victories for the Land Back Movement, which seeks to return land to Indigenous people. Written by Andrew McLemore Jan 10, 2024 4:40 p.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Upper Sioux Agency State ParkThe entrance to Upper Sioux Agency State Park, which will return to the Sioux Community in March; (photo/Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More At just over 2 square miles, Minnesota’s Upper Sioux Agency State Park is a small piece of land — with a lot of history. For its mostly white visitors, the park’s rolling hills and bent oak trees offer a popular spot for hiking, camping, and “just being in nature.” For the nearby Upper Sioux Community, however, it’s a tragic reminder of the federal office that once withheld food promised by treaty, leading to “starvation and death” and fueling the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, state officials said. After many years requesting the land be returned to them, the Upper Sioux Community will finally get their wish. On Wednesday, January 10, Minnesota officials announced the official closure of Upper Sioux Agency State Park starting February 16, 2024. Soon after, state officials will remove the park’s signage and give the land back to the Sioux. Kevin Jensvold, chairman of the Upper Sioux Community, has spent many years asking state and federal officials to close the park. He argued that a site where people starved should not be used for picnics, the Minnesota Star-Tribune reported. Jensvold began fighting for its closure after a Dakota elder said it was unjust to pay a state fee just to visit the graves of their ancestors. “We’re just a small community,” Jensvold told the Associated Press in September. “We’ve accomplished something that teetered on the edge of impossible.” The park, mostly used for camping and hiking, includes a historical marker and a building rebuilt years after a bloody 1862 war between the Dakota and the U.S. government; (photo/Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) Community Aware of Park’s Troubled History The park transfer finally got approval last year, when Democrats took control of the House, Senate, and governor’s office for the first time in a decade, according to AP. First opened in the 1960s, the 1,300-acre park near Granite Falls, Minn., eventually developed several dozen campsites. But it was mostly used for day trips like hiking and horseback riding. It was one of the least used parks in the state, and needed costly repairs to its visitor center and roads, according to a spokesperson for the state’s parks and trails division. That made it easy to grant the Sioux community’s request, according to state officials. On Wednesday, the department also released the results of its public comment period on the plan to return the park. The summary report suggested that many commenters realized the importance of the site to Native history. Of the 130 comments submitted online, most of the respondents had visited the park. In total, 95% of them classified their race as white, and just 3% as American Indian. “Some of the feedback focused on the importance of Upper Sioux Agency State Park and the Upper Sioux Agency Historic Sites for Indigenous and Minnesota history,” the report said. “Comments emphasized the need to continue to tell the important stories of this place, including the U.S. Dakota War of 1862.” A Victory for Land Back Movement It’s actually the second time a Minnesota state park has been transferred back to a tribal government. In 1989, Little Elbow Lake was given back to the White Earth Nation. However, the lake remains a state park but under indigenous management. The Upper Sioux Agency State Park will not remain open to visitors, instead becoming private property of the Sioux community, parks division spokesperson Sara Berhow said. Returning the park is the latest of several victories for the growing Land Back Movement, which aims to bring more land back under the control of Indigenous tribes. In September, over 12 acres of land were returned to the Gabrielino Shoshone Nation in Southern California. Indigenous leaders there plan to build a community hub for ecosystem restoration. The same month, two parcels of Minneapolis land were transferred back to the control of the Red Lake Nation, which plans to use the area to help the homeless and treat drug addiction. And in a dramatic purchase in October, Northern California’s Winnemem Wintu tribe leveraged $2 million in private donations to purchase 1,080 acres of ancestral land. They’ve been trying for years to reintroduce their sacred salmon, the winter-run Chinook, to the nearby McCloud River. Many state and national parks throughout the U.S. have seen conflict between the U.S. government and Indigenous tribes, but no National Park has ever been transferred back to the control of Native Americans. In Minnesota, decades of tensions exploded into the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, waged between settler-colonists and a fraction of the Dakota people, according to the Minnesota Historical Society. “The war ended on December 26, 1862, when 38 Dakota Indians were hanged in Mankato in the largest mass execution in U.S. history,” the historical society wrote. There’s now a memorial honoring the Dakota men about 110 miles from Upper Sioux Agency State Park. The Upper Sioux Community declined to return a request for comment. bears ears blm tribes agreement Dept. of Interior Agrees to Joint Control of Bears Ears With 5 Native American Nations Five tribes with historic connections to Bears Ears National Monument will co-manage the park under a new agreement. Read more… TAGS News Outdoor indigenous people land back movement sioux andrew mclemore Andrew McLemore Andrew McLemore is a staff writer at AllGear Digital. Andrew has more than 10 years of experience covering a range of beats including government, education and business, with specializations in criminal justice and investigative journalism. He has worked for newspapers across Texas, including The Austin American-Statesman, The Dallas Morning News, and The Fort Worth Weekly. He also spent several years in PR, working for nonprofit organizations including the Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Andrew brings his writing experience to outdoor gear and adventures throughout the Americas. When he’s not writing, playing gigs or exploring the outdoors, he’s hanging out with his dog Campana. Inbounds Avalanche at Palisades Tahoe Kills One, Injures More California ski resort Palisades Tahoe deployed over 100 search and rescue personnel after an avalanche on the morning of January 10. Written by Mary Murphy Jan 10, 2024 3:46 p.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Palisades Tahoe in winterPalisades Tahoe, one property on Alterra Mountain Company's Ikon Pass; (photo/Shutterstock) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More On the morning of January 10, an avalanche struck a recently opened inbounds slope of the Palisades Tahoe Ski area. One skier was killed. While details remain thin, rescuers are currently searching for potentially buried skiers. The avalanche occurred at about 9:30 a.m. in the KT-22 expert terrain area. The KT-22 terrain opened this morning, Palisades Tahoe had announced in an operations update. “An avalanche occurred on the Palisades side, specifically above the GS gully area of KT-22,” the ski resort shared on Instagram late this morning. “Our Patrol and mountain operations teams are performing a search at this time. Both sides of our mountain will be closed for the day.” In addition to the resort’s Ski Patrol, first responders, and Palisades’ Avalanche Dogs team, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office is also responding. The Palisades Ski Patrol also works closely with the Palisades National Ski Patrol (PNSP), an organization of approximately 85 unpaid volunteers trained in rescue and emergency response. Palisades Tahoe did not immediately answer calls seeking further comment. A Sierra backcountry avalanche forecast for today cited the avalanche danger as considerable. “Avalanche danger will quickly increase today with avalanches occurring in a variety of areas by this afternoon,” the report reads. The upper mountain area of Palisades had 2 inches of snow overnight, and the snow is expected to continue. Palisades Tahoe is home to 3,600 skiable acres. The KT-22 terrain, where the avalanche occurred, tops out at just over 8,000 feet, with one lift serving nearby expert terrain, bowls, and chutes. The KT-22 Express is an iconic chairlift serving some of the most difficult terrain on the mountain. Palisades frequently gets 400+ inches of snowfall annually. All lifts on the Palisades and Alpine sides are closed for the day. We will post updates to this story as soon as more information becomes available, or you can find updates at Palisades Tahoe directly. Updated Details on Inbounds Avalanche Incident, Resort Delays Editor’s Update: After our initial reporting, Palisades Tahoe and the Placer County Sheriff’s Office released an update on the incident. This article was updated on January 11, 2024. “Palisades Tahoe Ski Patrol responded immediately to the scene and completed a thorough search of the area with the help of over 100 resort personnel,” it announced. “A male skier sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased by Tahoe Forest Hospital. Three other skiers sustained non-life threatening injuries, and were released after initial treatment. The entire Palisades Tahoe team extend their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those involved in the incident.” Due to recent snowfall and avalanche debris, an access road near the KT-22 terrain is now closed. Because the resort patrol is unable to access that road, “it will take longer to assess all terrain and get everything open,” Palisades reported. “Delays will be more significant than usual.” The cause of the avalanche is still under investigation by local authorities. avalanche dog Avalanche Dogs: Meet the Canine Patrol of Jackson Hole What's better than a cute dog? A cute dog that might just save your life after an avalanche. Read more… TAGS News Skiing Snowboarding Winter avalanche Mary Murphy Mary Murphy Mary Murphy is the Managing Editor of GearJunkie. She has been writing about hiking, running, climbing, camping, skiing, and more for seven years, and has been on staff at GearJunkie since 2019. Prior to that, Mary wrote for 5280 Magazine in Denver while working as an outdoor instructor teaching climbing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and mountain biking. Based in Denver, Colorado, Murphy is an avid hiker, runner, backpacker, skier, yogi, and pack-paddleboarder. Mary also serves as the leader of AllGear Digital’s DEI Committee. REI Announces Slate of New Locations Opening in 2024 and 2025 Arizona, California, and Utah are among the states receiving new REI Co-op locations this year and next. In total, the co-op will have 11 new stores by 2025. Written by Adam Ruggiero Jan 10, 2024 2:53 p.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) a sign at an rei co-op store(Photo/Shutterstock) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More Outdoorsy residents in Glendale, Ariz., Rancho Mirage, Calif., and St George, Utah, will soon have a new place to gear up, with REI announcing today it will open new stores there in 2024 and 2025. The announcement follows previously announced openings coming this year, bringing the total number of new co-ops joining the REI fleet to 11 between this year and next. “Each of these communities has an abundance of easily accessible natural places to play in addition to proximity to iconic national parks where REI currently guides active adventures,” Mary-Farrell Tarbox, REI vice president of stores, said in a press release. “We look forward to serving as a welcoming resource to everyone through our staff’s expertise and broad product assortment.” Tarbox also confirmed that per REI’s standard operating procedure, the co-op would partner with local nonprofits in the new communities to support more people recreating outside. REI Expansion Today’s announcement comes after another banner year for the outdoor industry. At the close of 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce released an economic impact report that valued the outdoor industry at a whopping $1.1 trillion. While that figure includes many expenditures not linked to REI’s business (such as RVs and travel), the report points to overall health in the industry. Looking ahead, REI will open nearly a dozen stores from coast to coast, including Beavercreek, Ohio, and Beaverton, Ore., in the spring; Glendale, Ithaca, N.Y., and Rancho Mirage in the summer; and Albany, N.Y., and Tulsa, Okla., in the fall. Locations in Durango, Colo., and St. George are slated for 2025 opening. REI said three more locations will be announced as contracts are finalized. The co-op said each location will have a full-service bike shop and cater to all manner of outdoor sports. In addition, the co-op noted that St. George will offer a ski and snowboard shop. REI Adds Comfort and Ease for Beginner Backpackers: Trailmade 60 Pack Review REI’s Trailmade collection aims to usher new blood and more diversity (in all shapes and sizes) into the outdoors. The Trailmade pack hauls with comfort and a lot more. Read more… TAGS News Outdoor REI Adam Ruggiero Adam Ruggiero is the Editor in Chief of GearJunkie and host of the GearJunkie Podcast. He cut his teeth as a freelancer, then news reporter for the site in 2015. Along with founder Stephen Regenold and Editorial Director Sean McCoy, Ruggiero graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism. He was the recipient of the 2022 Outdoor Media Summit “Editor of the Year” award, and regularly co-hosts the industry’s “Gear Guide” at both summer and winter Outdoor Retailer trade shows. In addition to accurate and impartial news reporting, and compelling, original storytelling, his interests include camping in all climates and conditions, track cycling and bikepacking, all forms of fitness, the resplendent majesty of coffee, and sports of every kind. Ski Mom Conquers Fear of Heights by Skiing Whistler Blackcomb’s Gnarliest Steeps Age — and a fear of heights — don't stop this ski mom from shredding some of Whistler Blackcomb's steepest lines in this feel-good edit. Written by Andrew McLemore Jan 10, 2024 12:15 p.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More This one’s for all the ski moms out there. I suspect YouTuber James Pavelick (a.k.a. Rise & Alpine) knew what he was doing when he took his 60-year-old mother, Sally, for a trip to the slopes. Despite her fear of heights, Sally has decided to finally try some of the more precipitous slopes at Whistler Blackcomb. She manages Saudan Couloir (45-degree steeps) with aplomb, Spanky’s Ladder with not-great vis, and hardly a hint of the fear that supposedly kept her away from it for so long. Between the frequent cries of jubilation and “I love it!” shrieks, Sally certainly seems to enjoy herself. “That was a great run,” she concludes matter-of-factly after making it down Saudan’s. “It goes to show that you can continue to improve and challenge yourself at any age,” Pavelick wrote. “Way to go, mom!” Watching this, you’ll feel the joy, too — and probably want to hit the slopes immediately. Runtime: 11 minutes A skier atop Whistler's Air Jordan formation Watch This Skier Go for the Dunk on Whistler's 'Air Jordan' Sometimes, you’ve gotta drive the lane and throw it down with both hands. Here's the ski equivalent of an emphatic jam. Read more… aspen fashion week Aspen Skiing Co. Sues Luxury Brand Over ‘Influencer’ Photo Shoots Aspen Ski Company filed a federal lawsuit against British brand Perfect Moment for using its likeness and locations for marketing its products — without getting Aspen's permission first. Read more… TAGS News Skiing Winter whistler blackcomb andrew mclemore Andrew McLemore Andrew McLemore is a staff writer at AllGear Digital. Andrew has more than 10 years of experience covering a range of beats including government, education and business, with specializations in criminal justice and investigative journalism. He has worked for newspapers across Texas, including The Austin American-Statesman, The Dallas Morning News, and The Fort Worth Weekly. He also spent several years in PR, working for nonprofit organizations including the Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Andrew brings his writing experience to outdoor gear and adventures throughout the Americas. When he’s not writing, playing gigs or exploring the outdoors, he’s hanging out with his dog Campana. Filmmaker Cycles Across US — Without Food — To Find Connection in Divided Nation This award-winning documentary arrives on online streaming platforms on January 12 — and it's well worth your time and money. Written by Andrew McLemore Jan 10, 2024 9:32 a.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) we are all in this together documentaryDaniel Troia bikes across America to find kindness and connection in 'We Are All In This Together,' (photo/Daniel Troia) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More Daniel Troia came up with a simple premise for his latest documentary. He would bike across America without food or money, forcing himself to live without a home and ask for help along the way. The catch? He kept a camera hidden on his chest, recording every kind act and quotidian experience. The result is “We Are All In This Together,” a powerful, intimate film about Americans helping other Americans. In our modern political environment, with a rising tension that seems palpable to everyone, Troia’s film about random acts of kindness feels like a much-needed wake-up call. “The division in our world has been so intense, and issues around homelessness and food insecurity are so complex,” Troia said. “But the people I met showed me that the one thing we can control is how we treat each other. Every single day, we have the opportunity to show up for someone who needs help. On an individual level, this is where change really begins.” That conclusion is one that’s likely difficult for many Americans to feel right now. But for Troia, that’s a matter of perception and experience. “After spending 7 months on the road and meeting all types of people, I realized that there is much more that brings us together, than what separates us,” he wrote. Troia has spent many years making films about alternative lifestyles, but his latest documentary has racked up awards at film festivals across the country in 2023. As he bikes from San Francisco to New York, backed by music from no less than Portugal. The Man, it will quickly become clear why this documentary has resonated so strongly with audiences and critics across the country. Watch the trailer on Troia’s website, and find the entire film for streaming starting January 12 on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Google Play. Runtime: 1 hour, 14 minutes louis citadelle in a yellow long sleeve jersey biking down a rocky trail in the French Alps Stirring Self-Shot Film Makes You Feel the Love of Mountain Biking Don't miss the latest self-shot cycling film from filmmaker and French cyclist Louis Citadelle. Read more… TAGS Biking News Travel daniel troia andrew mclemore Andrew McLemore Andrew McLemore is a staff writer at AllGear Digital. Andrew has more than 10 years of experience covering a range of beats including government, education and business, with specializations in criminal justice and investigative journalism. He has worked for newspapers across Texas, including The Austin American-Statesman, The Dallas Morning News, and The Fort Worth Weekly. He also spent several years in PR, working for nonprofit organizations including the Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Andrew brings his writing experience to outdoor gear and adventures throughout the Americas. When he’s not writing, playing gigs or exploring the outdoors, he’s hanging out with his dog Campana. National Park Service Allows 2 More Weeks for Comment on Policy That’s a ‘Threat’ to Climbing A new policy proposed by federal park officials would allow park managers to remove the gear of climbing routes, worrying the sport's advocates. Written by Andrew McLemore Jan 09, 2024 4:58 p.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) rock climbing anchorClimbing anchors, like those seen above in the Cascade Mountains, could be removed under a new federal proposal; (photo/Shutterstock) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More If you haven’t made your voice heard yet about a federal plan to prohibit bolted climbing — you just got another chance. On Tuesday, the National Park Service (NPS) announced an additional 14 days in the public comment period of its controversial new policy to ban bolts and anchors in wilderness areas. The plan was first revealed on Nov. 16, when the NPS and National Forest Service opened the initial 60-day comment period to the public. At the request of “various stakeholders,” parks officials extended the period to Jan. 30, according to a news release. That allows a total of 74 days, giving “interested parties more time to consider the proposed guidance,” the NPS wrote. In short, the new policy would make bolts and anchors (those little metal things climbers drill into the wall to protect themselves) subject to federal regulation in parks and wilderness areas. It would make all bolted climbing routes undergo a federal approval process, just like fences or other manmade constructions. Climber Sasha DiGiulian testified against the policy in a Nov. 30 hearing of a Congressional committee. “As a climber, it’s incredibly pressing,” DiGiulian told GearJunkie at the time. “The iconic climbs of our history, that have existed for 60 years, are now facing uncertainty. It’s a huge threat.” The Access Fund, which advocates on behalf of climbers, immediately welcomed Tuesday’s decision as a chance to deepen opposition against the policy. If implemented, iconic routes in national parks like Yosemite would become technically illegal for climbers, the group said. “It’s more important than ever for climbers to share their personal stories of how these bolt prohibitions would impact beloved climbing areas and jeopardize climber safety,” said Erik Murdock, the Access Fund’s interim executive director. “America’s climbing legacy and future is at stake.” Both the National Park Service and the National Forest Service have portals for comments, and it’s possible to leave a comment on both platforms. Comment on the National Park Service proposal. Comment on the National Forest Service proposal. Alternatively, you can check out The Access Fund’s “Stop the Bolt Prohibition” page, which offers the same links, as well as suggestions on what the organization thinks climbers should say. No Climbing Allowed: Federal Proposal May Restrict Access Nationwide, Advocacy Groups Warn November 21, 2023 — Climbers have about 2 months to voice their opinion on a federal proposal that could reshape American rock climbing. Last week, the U.S. National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service unveiled a policy that would designate climbing bolts and anchors as “permanent installations,” which are banned under the 1964 Wilderness Act. That caused immediate concern among climbing groups, who said the change could threaten climbing routes across the country, from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park to Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. Under the proposal, any route with fixed anchors (usually bolts drilled into the rock) would have to undergo the same federal approval process as garbage dumps or fence lines, said Erik Murdock, interim executive director of the Access Fund. That equipment has been allowed for 60 years. “It would be a paradigm shift,” Murdock told GearJunkie on Tuesday. “People would still be able to climb, but climbers would have to fight to protect the areas forever. It would mean that any future superintendent could remove all the climbing routes with the stroke of a pen.” A climber on El Capitan, the epicenter of American rock climbing. Even these routes are in danger if federal officials approve a new policy, climbing groups said; (photo/Shutterstock) Many outdoor recreation groups issued statements opposing the federal proposal, including the American Alpine Club, the American Mountain Guides Association, the Outdoor Industry Association, USA Climbing, Outdoor Alliance, and others. UPDATE: In a statement shared with GearJunkie, a National Park Service spokesperson said that the proposed changes would “help park managers create consistency in managing climbing activities in wilderness areas consistent with the Wilderness Act, and give climbers a clear and more predictable process for installing new or replacing existing fixed anchors in wilderness.” “I also want to note that under the proposed guidance, existing fixed anchors may continue to be used,” the spokesperson said. Rule Could Impact More Than Just Climbers It’s not all bad news. The federal proposal does acknowledge that climbing is permitted as “an appropriate use” of national lands. However, the policy also says that park officials can subject all fixed anchors to a federal review. That will determine if the gear is “the minimum necessary to facilitate primitive or unconfined recreation or otherwise preserve wilderness character.” “They’re going to do a federal review for every fixed anchor in the wilderness now? That’s a big deal,” said Bryon Harvison, the director of policy and government affairs for the American Alpine Club. “It’s a massive undertaking, and these agencies are already saying that they’re underfunded and undermanned.” Search-and-rescue teams, like the one above, also need climbing anchors for rescues of hikers and climbers, the president of the American Alpine Institute said; (photo/Shutterstock) But it’s also worth pointing out that the fixed anchors in many climbing areas aren’t just for climbers, said Jason D. Martin, the executive director of the American Alpine Institute. They’re also used by search-and-rescue groups during rescue operations or by canyoneers. “It’s a definite concern that we have,” Martin said. “They’re upset about this stuff when it’s a very limited impact. It has very little impact on animal life or vegetation. A trail is a much bigger impact than a bolt.” This new fight over climbing access comes just before rock climbing groups are advocating in Congress for the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act and the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act. In June, the first bill received unanimous approval from a House committee. “Even Congress voted in support of protecting America’s rock climbing,” Murdock said. “This federal policy goes against the last 60 years of climbing management in the wilderness.” A 60-day comment period for the federal proposal began on Friday. Visit the U.S. Forest Service website to leave a comment. unaweep canyon driggs mansion ruins Access Fund Halts Energy Project in Unaweep Canyon, Future Still Uncertain Climbers scored an access win last week when progress on an energy project succumbed to snags in the world’s only two-mouthed canyon. Read more… TAGS Climbing News Outdoor andrew mclemore Andrew McLemore Andrew McLemore is a staff writer at AllGear Digital. Andrew has more than 10 years of experience covering a range of beats including government, education and business, with specializations in criminal justice and investigative journalism. He has worked for newspapers across Texas, including The Austin American-Statesman, The Dallas Morning News, and The Fort Worth Weekly. He also spent several years in PR, working for nonprofit organizations including the Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Andrew brings his writing experience to outdoor gear and adventures throughout the Americas. When he’s not writing, playing gigs or exploring the outdoors, he’s hanging out with his dog Campana. Falling Tree Causes Austrian Cable Car to Plummet Over 20 Feet, Injuring 6 At least one victim faced life-threatening injuries from the crash, which also injured two more people in a nearby cable car, according to news reports. Written by Andrew McLemore Jan 09, 2024 4:23 p.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) A cable car mast in the Oetz region of AustriaA cable car mast in the Oetz region of Austria; (photo via Shutterstock) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More In an unusual incident near the Hochoetz ski resort in the Austrian Tyrol, a cable car carrying four people crashed 23 feet (7 m) to the ground on Tuesday morning. A falling tree struck the cables of the gondola, causing it to plummet with a 49-year-old father, his 20-year-old son, 19-year-old daughter, and their uncle, 46, ABC News reported. The rescue mission unfolded under difficult circumstances because of the steep slope beneath the gondola, rendering access for emergency personnel “highly difficult,” according to the BBC. Efforts to extract the injured parties involved helicopters, with one of the victims transported to an Innsbruck hospital with life-threatening injuries. More Cable Crash Details Forthcoming Two German citizens aboard a separate gondola also experienced injuries, believed to be a result of cable vibrations, although their current conditions remain unknown. According to local authorities, there were no technical issues detected along the Acherkogelbahn cable car route. The lift operator didn’t report any problems during a test run on Tuesday. Other gondolas were on the route at the time of the accident, according to further news reports. Southwest, Bogus Basin The Soul of Skiing is Alive in Idaho: A Guide to All 19 Idaho Ski Areas 'The way skiing used to be' is the way things still are in the Gem State. Looking to visit Idaho? Add one of these ski areas to your list. Read more… TAGS News Skiing Winter austrian alps andrew mclemore Andrew McLemore Andrew McLemore is a staff writer at AllGear Digital. Andrew has more than 10 years of experience covering a range of beats including government, education and business, with specializations in criminal justice and investigative journalism. He has worked for newspapers across Texas, including The Austin American-Statesman, The Dallas Morning News, and The Fort Worth Weekly. He also spent several years in PR, working for nonprofit organizations including the Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Andrew brings his writing experience to outdoor gear and adventures throughout the Americas. When he’s not writing, playing gigs or exploring the outdoors, he’s hanging out with his dog Campana. Recharge, Repack, Multi-Deploy: Ortovox Avabag Litric Pack Review The Litric Avabag from Ortovox is one of the most user-friendly and versatile avalanche airbags on the market. It's rechargeable, reusable, and TSA-friendly, and it requires no air canister refills. Written by Berne Broudy Jan 09, 2024 2:27 p.m. ET Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) (Photo/Alex Cernichiari) Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More An avalanche airbag pack can double your chances of survival if you’re a skier, rider, snowmobiler, or other winter snow traveler and you’re caught in a slide. In the moving mass of an avalanche, everything that’s sliding — snow, ice, humans, trees, and rocks — shifts. Smaller objects are pushed down and buried deeper in the slide. Larger objects stay closest to the surface. It’s called the principle of “inverse segregation,” and it has cost the lives of countless skiers and riders in the backcountry. However, a human wearing an avalanche pack with an avalanche airbag inflated dramatically increases your size and buoyancy in moving snow. It makes you the biggest particle around and the least likely to be buried. There are a lot of reasons that skiers, riders, and sledders don’t wear one, or do wear one but don’t use it effectively. Ortovox’s Avabag Litric airbag pack addresses almost every one of those reasons, making it a smart investment and a pleasure to ski with. In short: Ortovox’s Litric is a light and powerful system built on Arc’teryx’s Volt Air system. It’s user-friendly, the inflation system takes up minimal space in the pack, and the balloon compartment won’t pop open by accident. It’s rechargeable, it can be deployed multiple times in a row, and you can fly commercially with it. Plus, the pack has stress-reducing and safety-enhancing features as well as accessories that can modify the volume of your backpack. Ortovox Avabag Litric Pack Recharge, Repack, Multi-Deploy: Ortovox Avabag Litric Pack Review Specs Price for full pack $1,250-1,400 Price for zip on pack bags $120-160 Airbag system 2.4 lbs. Airbag volume when deployed 150 L Total backpack weight 4.7-5 lbs. Sizes 16L-40L, including short torso lengths (SL) Back lengths Regular (42-50cm/16.5-19.5") and Short/SL (36-44cm/14-17.3") Styles Freeride, Tour, and Zero* (lightweight) Zip on attachments for varying size packs Berne Broudy CHECK PRICES AT ORTOVOX CHECK PRICE AT AMAZON Ortovox Avabag Litric Pack Review (Photo/Alex Cernichiari) First Impressions Avi airbag packs are heavier than ski packs without an airbag system. But this one is lighter by pack volume than other comparable options on the market. And that’s what I noticed first about this pack. Even though I was testing a 40L-capacity Ortovox Avabag Litric, it felt light. On my scale, it weighs 5 pounds, 9 ounces compared to the Jet Force Halo 28, which weighs 7 pounds, 14 ounces. I also immediately noticed that it has a plastic waist buckle. Every avalanche airbag pack sold until this pack uses a metal waist buckle that’s hard to operate with gloves on, and cold to operate with gloves off. Ortovox Litric Avabag; (photo/Alex Cernichiari) (Photo/Alex Cernichiari) On the Avabag Litric, Ortovox uses a standard, easy-to-operate-without-looking waist buckle on the pack. A bright orange crotch strap attaches from the back of the pack to a reinforced loop on the pack’s left waistbelt with a built-in carabiner. Ortovox doesn’t provide a stuff pocket for that strap because, as Ortovox Product Manager, Snow Safety Patrick Wesch says, “We want people to use that strap every time they wear the pack.” In the Field (Photo/Backbone Media) There are three ways an avalanche airbag pack needs to work in order to be effective. It needs to pack well, carry well, and inflate easily and reliably when you need it to. “Your backpack shouldn’t disturb your sport,” says Wesch. The Litric doesn’t. Features and Configuration The pack’s A-frame ski carry attached skis to the pack at the closest possible point to my back. That kept my skis stable and pointing forward as I hiked, so I could hike without the skis hitting my legs. Extra straps allow for a snowboard carry. Minimalist front loops can also carry two ice axes and a helmet carry sling is included on the outside where it doesn’t interfere with the airbag operation. One of my greatest frustrations with airbag packs is that the motor and fan take up so much space. The usable pack space does not match the claimed pack volume. So, there’s not always enough space for the gear I want to carry. I tested the 40L Litric, which is one of the biggest airbag packs made, and it had loads of space. I tested the 40L pack, which is the largest that Ortovox offers. The good news: the pack bag zips off and lets me swap on other size pack bags as needed. Additional pack bags cost $120-160, with ultralight touring, freeride, and touring options available in a variety of sizes starting at 18 L. I plan to get at least one other bag for side-country and quick missions. Pockets and Storage The Ortovox Avabag Litric 40L pack has two main compartments. There is a shovel pocket and a main compartment. It opens with a long zipper that goes around three sides of the pack. The main compartment fully opens up like a chest. A goggle/glasses zip pocket at the outside top of the pack gave me a place to stash snacks, sunscreen, and more. Zippered and stash pockets on the inside gave me additional organization options. And a small zippered pocket on the bottom outside of the pack held a helmet sling. I missed having a waist pocket — I like to keep snacks, sunscreen, and other small items on my hip where I can get to them without stopping when I’m skinning. So, I added an aftermarket pocket, which works fine. Ortovox Litric Avabag avalanch airbag; (photo/Alex Cernichiari) (Photo/Alex Cernichiari) Safety and Comfort With the bag packed, I loaded it on my back, clipping the adjustable crotch strap to a loop sewn to the hip belt and backed up to the pack frame. I clipped the waist buckle, which was i

Women and children victims, Israel-Hamas conflict, civilian casualties, war impact, humanitarian crisis

Trump maintains 17% lead over Haley in latest NH poll Ron DeSantis is still a distant third at 7% with three days until the state's first-in-the-nation primary By Marc Fortier • Published January 20, 2024 • Updated on January 20, 2024 at 7:52 am Getty Images Republican presidential hopeful and former US President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire, on January 19, 2024. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump maintained his 17% lead over challenger Nikki Haley with three days remaining until the state's primary, according to the latest Suffolk University/NBC10 Boston/Boston Globe tracking poll. The survey results, released Saturday morning, have Trump at 53%, one percentage point higher than on Friday. But Haley also jumped 1%, going from 35% on Friday to 36% on Saturday. Ron DeSantis is still a distant third with just 7%, up one percentage point from the day before. Another 1% chose someone else, 4% were undecided and 1% refused to answer. The survey of 500 likely Republican primary voters was conducted from Jan. 18-19. The margin of error is 4.4%. New tracking polls will be released every day leading up to the Jan. 23 primary. Check NBC10Boston.com each day at 5 a.m. to see the latest results.

Thailand sentences man to record 50 years in prison for insulting the monarchy By Helen Regan, CNN 4 minute read Published 11:27 PM EST, Thu January 18, 2024 A protester holds a sign referencing article 112, Thailand's lese majeste royal defamation law, as riot police keep watch during a demonstration in Bangkok on November 14, 2021, after a Thai court ruled that speeches by protest leaders calling for royal reforms amounted to a bid to overthrow the country's monarchy. A protester holds a sign referencing article 112, Thailand's lese majeste royal defamation law, as riot police keep watch during a demonstration in Bangkok on November 14, 2021. Jack Taylor/AFP/Getty Images CNN — A Thai appeal court on Thursday extended a man’s prison sentence to a record 50 years for insulting the monarchy, in what is believed to be the toughest penalty ever imposed under the country’s draconian lese majeste law, according to a legal rights group. Mongkol Thirakhot, 30, an online clothes vendor and political activist from northern Chiang Rai province, was originally sentenced in 2023 to 28 years in prison for social media posts deemed damaging to the king. On Thursday, the court of appeal in Chiang Rai found Mongkol guilty of about a dozen more violations of the royal insult law and added 22 years to his sentence, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said in a statement. Thailand has some of the world’s strictest lese majeste laws, and criticizing the king, queen, or heir apparent can lead to a maximum 15-year prison sentence for each offense — which makes even talking about the royal family fraught with risk. Sentences for those convicted under Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, or lese majeste law, can be decades long and hundreds of people have been prosecuted in recent years. Mongkol, also known as “Busbas,” was arrested in April 2021 over 27 posts he made on Facebook during March and April that year. A criminal court found him guilty of 14 violations of lese majeste and sentenced him in January 2023 to 28 years. It is not clear what the content of the posts contained. The appeal court on Thursday not only upheld Mongkol’s earlier conviction but in addition found him guilty in 11 of the 13 cases that the lower court had earlier dismissed, and so imposed the longer sentence, TLHR said. The court told Mongkol his sentence had been reduced by a third due to his cooperation during proceedings. The Supreme Court denied Mongkol’s bail request but TLHR said he plans to appeal the verdict. “The record-breaking 50-year prison sentence imposed on (Mongkol) for his Facebook posts makes it undeniable that Thailand’s anachronistic lese-majeste law is in dire need of reforms,” said Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate, advocacy lead at TLHR. Akarachai said “it is a wake up-call” to the government to “amend the law and bring it in line with international standards.” “Thailand cannot expect to become a member of the UN Human Rights Council later this year if it refuses to address the elephant in the room,” he said. Draconian law The previous record jail time for a lese majeste conviction was in 2021 when Anchan Preelert, 65, was sentenced to 43 years for sharing audio clips on YouTube and Facebook between 2014 and 2015 that were deemed critical of the kingdom’s royal family. The court initially handed Anchan a sentence of 87 years but halved it because of her guilty plea. For years, human rights organizations and free speech campaigners have said lese majeste has been used as a political tool to silence critics of the Thai government. Anyone – ordinary citizens as well as the government – can bring lese majeste charges on behalf of the king, even if they are not directly involved with the case. But rights groups say the right to freedom of expression in Thailand has come under increased attack since 2020, when youth-led protests erupted across the country demanding constitutional and democratic reforms that included reducing the military’s power and influence in politics and reforms to the powerful monarchy. TLHR said that since the start of those protests in July 2020, at least 1,938 people have been prosecuted for their participation in political assemblies and for speaking out, with 286 of those cases involving children. Parliament member Rukchanok Srinork of Thailand's opposition Move Forward party arrives at criminal court for the verdict for allegedly violating the lese majeste law in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. A court in Thailand convicted and sentenced Wednesday the recently elected lawmaker to six years in prison for defaming the monarchy under a controversial law that guards the royal institution. (AP Photo/Sopha Saelee) RELATED ARTICLE Progressive Thai lawmaker sentenced to six years for insulting the monarchy At least 262 people have been charged with lese majeste during that time, the group added. Among the most high-profile cases is prominent activist and lawyer Arnon Nampa, who in September was sentenced to four years in prison on lese majeste charges for a speech he delivered in October 2020. Arnon was one of the first activists to publicly call for reform of the monarchy during the protests. Earlier this week, the criminal court sentenced Arnon to another four years in prison for three Facebook posts “criticizing the use of Section 112 and the monarchy’s budget,” TLRH said. Thailand’s lese majeste prosecutions continue despite a civilian government now being in power, following almost a decade of military-backed rule. Later this month, former Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat faces two verdicts that could see him banned from politics and the party dissolved. The progressive party won the most votes in last year’s general election but was prevented from forming a government as it failed to win support from parliamentarians over its royal reform agenda. The verdicts include a decision by the Constitutional Court on whether Pita sought to overthrow the monarchy through his election campaign to amend the lese majeste law. Another verdict will decide whether he violated election laws by running for office while holding shares in a media company – a claim he denies.

Biden says Trump’s Iowa caucuses win didn’t mean ‘anything’ BY ALEX GANGITANO - 01/18/24 12:32 PM ET SHARE TWEET President Biden Greg Nash President Biden gives a campaign speech at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pa., on Friday, January 5, 2024. President Biden said Thursday that former President Trump’s GOP primary win in Iowa earlier in the week meant nothing. Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, coasted to victory in the Iowa caucuses, with news outlets declaring him the winner just 30 minutes after caucusing began. “I don’t think Iowa means anything. The president got 50-some-thousand votes, the lowest number of votes anybody who’s won got. You know, this idea that he’s going to run away — he can think anyway he wants, let him make that judgement,” Biden said. Trump secured about 51 percent of the vote in the caucuses, leading other Democrats including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) to also argue that those margins don’t mean he had a big victory. Biden was also asked by reporters Thursday about declining Arab and Muslim support for him. He responded by arguing that Trump wants to put a Muslim ban in place; the former president issued a travel ban on predominantly Muslim nations in his first days in office in 2017 and has vowed to reinstate one again if elected this year. “Look, the president wants to put — the former president wants to put a ban on Arabs coming in the country. We’ll make sure that we understand who cares about the Arab population, number one. Number two, we’ve got a long way to go,” he said. The White House has been under pressure from Democrats, progressives, and Arab and Muslim Americans to call for a cease-fire in Gaza. While Biden’s pro-Israel stance has been steadfast since the deadly Oct. 7 attacks, rifts between the U.S. and Israel have spilled into public view, and U.S. officials have increasingly called on Israel to soften its attacks in Gaza and focus on targeting Hamas while minimizing civilian casualties. Biden’s comments Thursday came as he left the White House for North Carolina, a critical battleground state that Trump won in 2020 and 2016. After Trump’s victory in Iowa, the Biden reelection campaign announced it raised more than $1.6 million in 24 hours. The builds on the more than $97 million it raised in the fourth quarter of 2023. It has $117 million it has on hand. The New Hampshire primary is Tuesday, and Trump is currently leading in polls there. Nationally, the aggregation of polls kept by Decision Desk HQ and The Hill shows Trump with a lead of 1.1 percentage point over Biden in a hypothetical head-to-head contest.

SHOP HERE -->https://amzn.to/48EClMD White House hopeful Nikki Haley eyes New Hampshire in bid to beat Trump Nikki Haley wooed voters in New Hampshire Wednesday as the Republican presidential nomination contest moves to the eastern US state seen as make-or-break for her bid to reel in runaway frontrunner Donald Trump. Issued on: 18/01/2024 - 08:47 3 min Republican presidential candidate and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley holds a rally at the Omni Mt. Washington Hotel & Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. Republican presidential candidate and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley holds a rally at the Omni Mt. Washington Hotel & Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire on January 16, 2024. © Faith Ninivaggif, Reuters By: NEWS WIRES ADVERTISING Once considered an outside bet, the former UN ambassador – the only woman in the race – has emerged as the main threat to Trump’s dreams of a White House return. Her polling numbers, donations and endorsements have surged in recent weeks. But her long-nurtured hope of a one-on-one battle with the ex-president was dealt a blow when Florida governor Ron DeSantis beat her to the runner-up spot in Iowa’s opening nominating contest on Monday. The disappointment ratcheted up the pressure on Haley to put DeSantis in the rearview mirror in New Hampshire on Tuesday, while keeping alive her challenge to Trump as the race moves to her home state of South Carolina. ADVERTISING “If Haley has a good showing in New Hampshire, it’s going to shift the momentum, energy and excitement behind her campaign going into South Carolina,” said Haley backer and former Maryland governor Larry Hogan. Ball game No candidate has ever lost the race after claiming the first two states, and Trump, who crushed DeSantis and Haley in Iowa, would almost certainly declare the Republican nomination over with a win in New Hampshire. That has made the Granite State the whole ball game for Haley, with fundraisers reportedly threatening to jump ship if she falls short of a win or a very close second to Trump. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on January 17, 2024. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on January 17, 2024. © Matt Rourke, AP Speaking Wednesday in the small city of Rochester, Haley told supporters that she voted for Trump twice herself, but that “we can’t have a country in disarray, a world on fire and go to four more years of chaos. We won’t survive it.” “You don’t defeat Democratic chaos with Republican chaos,” she said, hitting out at both Trump and President Joe Biden in one fell swoop. Trump’s race appears to get easier in February as more conservative southern states begin to weigh in ahead of the “Super Tuesday” stampede of results from 16 states and territories on March 5. But he has to get through New Hampshire first, where his support has ebbed as Haley has upped her favorability by spending more time on the ground. One of the factors that makes the state tougher terrain for the real estate tycoon is the large proportion of independents who vote in primaries and typically break for more moderate candidates. Haley has pegged back Trump’s average polling lead from 35 points in the fall to just 14 – and she has dismissed DeSantis, who is running a distant third in New Hampshire, to cast the Republican primary as a two-horse race. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie’s decision to drop out was seen as a boost to Haley, as was an endorsement from New Hampshire’s popular Republican governor, Chris Sununu. But the daughter of Indian immigrants has raised eyebrows on the campaign trail over race first for failing to identify slavery as the cause of the Civil War, and then for asserting on Tuesday that America has “never been a racist country.” ‘Dog whistle’ Trump’s supporters tolerate transgressions that would sink Haley or any other candidate, and his attacks on the former South Carolina governor have taken on a distinctly racial bent. He referred to her by her first name, Nimarata, on Tuesday in what was reported as a racist “dog whistle” drawing attention to her heritage. And he has promoted a post falsely claiming that the 51-year-old was ineligible to run for president because her parents were not US citizens at the time of her birth. Daily newsletter Receive essential international news every morning Subscribe Haley has walked a tightrope between hitting back at Trump over the many controversies surrounding his candidacy and trying to keep his ultra-loyal supporters onside. She has downplayed the 91 felony charges he faces, and declined to weigh in on Trump being found liable for sexual abuse, stating that she hadn’t “looked at” the case. But she sharpened her attacks Wednesday as her campaign circulated a memo depicting Trump as “more vulnerable than commonly believed” and promoted television ads depicting Trump as a bully and a liar. Haley also announced that she would not take part in two debates ahead of the primary unless Trump joined her on stage, reinforcing her message that DeSantis should no longer be seen as a credible candidate.

PUBLISH 19 Jan, 2024 NATO initiates the largest military exercise since the Cold War. 90,000 soldiers are participating.

Intense Israeli strikes in south Gaza city as hostages sent medicine Published 2 minutes ago Share Related Topics Israel-Gaza war Picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on 17 January 2024 IMAGE SOURCE,AFP Image caption, A journalist said there was a "state of panic" among people at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, seen here from nearby Rafah By Yolande Knell BBC News, Jerusalem Residents of Khan Younis in southern Gaza say they have faced one of the most intense nights of air strikes since the start of Israel's offensive. Videos showed flames light up the sky as the sounds of Israeli bombings and gunfire reverberated across the city. Displaced families have been fleeing a local hospital as fighting closes in. Meanwhile, medicines are being sent for Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for more aid for Palestinian civilians under a Qatar-mediated deal. The White House says Qatar has also been overseeing "very serious, extensive discussions" about a possible new hostage release deal, which were joined by a US envoy. "This is the loudest sound of armed clashes [between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian fighters] that I've ever heard," Yasser Zaqzouq, who has been sheltering at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis with his family, told the BBC. "This is the first time we saw such scenes [of air strikes]. We were in terror. All the kids were screaming and crying." A local journalist, Tariq Dahlan, said: "There is a state of panic among the displaced people in the hospital." "People are running away from this area towards the West, but nobody knows where they're going and what his fate will be." Israeli tanks were said to be just metres from the hospital. A woman in southern Gaza, who did not wish to be named, said children could not sleep "because of the sounds of missiles". "We are living in fear and terror," she said told the BBC, adding that many of the children had begun to wet themselves out of fear. On Wednesday the Jordanian army said its military field hospital in Khan Younis had been badly damaged as a result of Israeli shelling in the area. The Jordanian army said it held Israel responsible for a "flagrant breach of international law". The UN says that the war has displaced around 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million people, many of whom have been forced to cram into shelters and are struggling to get basic supplies. In a joint statement, a number of UN special rapporteurs said: "Currently every single person in Gaza is hungry, a quarter of the population are starving and struggling to find food and drinkable water, and famine is imminent." Israel's Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, has said that the intense stage of Israel's military operations against Hamas would "soon" wind down in the south of Gaza, including Khan Younis, where it is thought local leaders of the armed group may be hiding. An injured man is brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip (16 January 2024) IMAGE SOURCE,EPA Image caption, The UN says Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis is at risk of closure due to hostilities in the surrounding area He said that the military had already switched to more targeted action in the north, where it began its ground offensive. However, in recent days, the return of Israeli tanks to parts of the north which ground forces had previously left has led some Gazans - who had been planning to return home - to think again. Israeli military officials have repeatedly warned that the fighting will continue for months. Qatar now says that medicines are being flown from Doha to El-Arish in northern Egypt to be transported to Gaza, as part of a deal it brokered between Israel and Hamas. The plan had previously been announced but was apparently held up by logistical problems. Mother of killed Israeli calls Hamas videos 'psychological warfare' They were Israel's 'eyes on the border' - their warnings went unheard 100 days since unthinkable attack triggered devastating war It is not clear how exactly the medicines will be delivered to some 45 of the remaining more than 100 Israeli hostages, who are reported to be suffering from chronic diseases or in need of other life-saving drugs. The Israeli prime minister's office said "Qatari representatives in the Gaza Strip" would be involved and it is thought that the International Committee of the Red Cross may have a role. The agreement is also said to involve a significant increase in medicines for Palestinians. On Tuesday, the White House spokesman, John Kirby said Washington was "hopeful" that a new deal could soon be reached to free the hostages. Both Qatar and Egypt, who are key mediators, have recently laid out plans that would see them released in exchange for a halt in fighting.