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Title: From Chaos to Order: Exa Turns Internet Search into Your Personal DatabaseOpinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of commentary online and in print each day. To contribute, click here . ••• The long lines on election days across countries and continents suggest dynamic democracies. But despite the calendar aligning for a record-setting number of people worldwide eligible to vote this year, democracy itself is actually imperiled. That’s the clear conclusion from Freedom House, which said in its annual “ Freedom in the World ” report that “flawed elections and armed conflicts contributed to the 18th year of democratic decline.” The “breadth and depth of the deterioration was extensive,” the think tank reported, adding that “political rights and civil liberties were diminished in 52 countries, while only 21 countries saw improvements.” That analysis was amplified in a similarly grim report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, which starkly stated that “conflict and polarization drive a new low for global democracy.” This dire data corresponds with, and may have been caused by, a commensurate retreat in media freedom, as evidenced by Reporters Without Borders’ annual World Press Freedom Index , which warned that “press freedom around the world is being threatened by the very people who should be its guarantors — political authorities.” Indeed, if democracy were a stock, “it would have suffered something of a price correction over the last 20 years,” said Richard Haass , the president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations. Haass, a veteran envoy who served Republican and Democratic administrations, was speaking via video on Tuesday night at a Minnesota Peace Initiative forum called “The World Votes: Global Democracy at a Crossroads.” The event, held in Minneapolis at Norway House (fitting, considering Norway held the top spot in the World Press Freedom Index and along with fellow Scandinavian nations is ranked as the world’s most free by Freedom House), drew a capacity crowd with many more online to hear from Haass, me and three other panelists: Chad Vickery , vice president of global strategy and technical leadership at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems; Aram Gavoor , a former Justice Department official and current professor at the George Washington University Law School; and Thomas Hanson , diplomat-in-residence at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Haass cited several factors for his clear-eyed diagnosis of democracy, including technological transformations that have ushered in an unsettled media landscape. “We live in one of the odd moments in history where there’s never been greater access to information and never been greater access to disinformation,” Haass said, adding that citizens don’t know if information is “accurate, fully accurate, partially accurate or essentially inaccurate.” That’s to autocrats’ advantage, asserted Gavoor, who said that this country’s competitors “have sought to exploit the U.S. democratic system for quite some time.” The “age of technology, especially with social media,” he said, has “taken on a dramatically different dimension.” Mentioned as additional direct democratic threats were distributed denial-of-service attacks and “strategic foreign mis- and disinformation campaigns that oftentimes are quite opportunistic and play on various doubts in the minds of Americans.” Gavoor gave this good news, however: “The federal government has actually gotten quite adept and capable with regard to identifying foreign mis- and disinformation to the extent that there are significant bodies that exist to combat these things,” like the National Security Council and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. But the threat to democracy from domestic disinformation is an even greater challenge, Gavoor said. And, he added, wherever the disinformation originates, the objective is similar. “Keep in mind that the end goal is not just to disrupt an American election or to cause a particular candidate to be advantaged or not. The end goal is to undermine the entire system of American governance and the faith in American democracy and perhaps greater softening of the resolve to maintain a democracy.” Disinformation is just one component corroding democratic norms within some countries, said Vickery. “We’ve learned how autocracy works: First, you have to win an election by popular vote, usually running against the elites in your country.” Next, he said, “you change the election laws, you game the system to make sure you can win again and not be challenged again.” “But then the third thing is you need to harass civil society in many places” — places like Norway House, he said. “After that, you need to pack the courts with judges who are going to support you, and then you want to enrich your cronies with corruption and then you buy up newspapers and television and make this propaganda machine.” If the democracy-tending attendees at Norway House were any indication, that’s not about to happen here. Indeed, the citizen engagement on display was considered a model by moderator Janet Dolan, who co-created the Minnesota Peace Initiative with her husband, William Moore. The other panelists concurred on Dolan’s admiration, and that along with a free press, such civic involvement should be inviolate in this country and the others it tries to inspire toward a democratic form of government. But the beacon that former Foreign Service officers like Hanson projected and protected on behalf of this country may not shine as bright in recent years. “I think many people in the world perceive that the American model of democracy is less compelling than it was, and that makes our work globally much more challenging,” said Hanson, who added, “and we’re beginning to see other narratives of contestation on democracy and on elections.” Hanson, who will hold his highly anticipated and attended Global Minnesota “ 2025 U.S. Foreign Policy Update ” on Jan. 23, began by saying he was “struck by the dichotomy between an agreed ‘recession of democracy’ and an unprecedented number of elections” this year. “I think that shows how elections nowadays are being used to legitimize variants of democracy.” Many “managed democracies around the world hold elections if they predetermine who can participate. This is the case in Russia. This is the case in Pakistan.” And, he added, “I hate to say it, but at the local level in our own country our two parties go to great lengths to prevent any third-party candidate from participating, which is a minor example of what I’m describing.” According to Vickery, those democracies, however managed or free and fair, have had results that can be categorized as “change-of-status elections” like in the U.S., U.K., South Africa, North Macedonia, Botswana, Senegal and others. Next are elections “solidifying power,” such as in Indonesia and Mexico. And more hopefully, there are examples of “bounce-back” democracies that through elections or civic action have gone “in the right direction,” including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. While not as many will queue to choose their leaders next year, Vickery noted that there will be 102 elections in 68 nations affecting 1.2 billion citizens worldwide. So for many, 2025 will truly be an election year, even if globally it isn’t quite a year of elections like 2024. But democracy “is about more than voting,” said Haass. “We the citizens, we the people, have the obligation, and I would argue the self-interest, to exercise our democratic rights, to stay informed, to stay involved, and to make sure that those who are entrusted with outsized political power comport themselves and act consistent with the law, and act consistent with the norms that make our democracy what it is.” What it is can be credited in no small part to the kind of civil, civic engagement from groups like the Minnesota Peace Initiative and the involved, inspiring citizens attending Tuesday’s event.ubet63 ph 。

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The upcoming video conference marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of retirement planning in our country. With an aging population and changing economic landscape, it is imperative that individuals have access to reliable and efficient pension options to secure their financial future. By convening this conference, our bank aims to provide a platform for key stakeholders to discuss the various components of the personal pension system and outline a roadmap for its successful implementation.

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Kaizer Chiefs may pursue interest in several stars in the upcoming January transfer window . Here are four midfielders and their values. Kaizer Chiefs looking for a midfield maestro? Sihle Nduli The South African’s to Siseko Gwegwe reports on Chiefs’ desire to land Stellies midfielder Sihle Nduli’s signature. Apparently he’s got a bit of Andrea Pirlo in him. Estimated transfer value: R10.5 million Bongani Zungu Bongani Zungu, nicknamed Ben10, has 29 Bafana Bafana caps and experience across Europe. He’s strutted his stuff in the top tiers of Scotland, France and Portugal with Glasgow Rangers, Amiens and Vitoria Guimaraes. His stock peaked, according to transfermarkt , in January 2018 when he was valued at €3.5m (R67 million). However, it’s been a steady decline since. Zungu departed for Europe in 2026 and jumped around clubs until 2022 when he made a return to Sundowns. He made his Bafana debut in 2013 which feels like an awfully long time ago. Estimates transfer value: R7 million Sphelele Mkhulise Kaizer Chiefs are keen to approach Sundowns’ technically gifted midfield schemer Sphelele Mkhulise. The 28-year-old from Pietermaritzburg has three goals from eight appearances across all competitions this term. However, he only made 15 league appearances for the champions last term. Overall, he’s made 156 appearances for them, scoring 10 goals and supplying five assists. Although Manqoba Mngqithi has sung his praises, he’s also opened the door to a sale by proclaiming that Mkhulise isn’t productive enough in the final third. That being said, the man is a serial winner who’s been there, done that and got the T-shirt. Could Chiefs do with a guy like that in the dressing room? Estimates transfer value: R13.7 million Estimated values via transfermarkt . Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or emailing info@thesouthafrican.com . You can also send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for your social fix.

As Yilian Technology prepares to deploy its idle funds for acquisitions, the company remains focused on conducting thorough due diligence, evaluating potential targets, and negotiating favorable terms. By adhering to best practices in M&A transactions, the company aims to maximize the value of its investments and ensure a smooth integration process.The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive struggled with officers and shouted on Tuesday while arriving for a court appearance in Pennsylvania, a day after he was arrested at a McDonald’s restaurant and charged with murder. Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, emerged from a patrol car, spun toward reporters and shouted something partly unintelligible, yelling “insult to the intelligence of the American people” while officers pushed him inside. Mangione is contesting his extradition back to New York. He was denied bail at the brief hearing. He has 14 days to challenge the bail decision. Prosecutors, meanwhile, have a month to seek a governor’s warrant out of New York. Mangione, wearing an orange jumpsuit, mostly stared straight ahead during the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair, or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion, but was told to be quiet by his lawyer Thomas Dickey. Mr Dickey questioned whether the second-degree murder charge filed in New York might be eligible for bail under Pennsylvania law, but prosecutors raised concerns about both public safety and Mangione being a potential flight risk, and the judge denied it. Mangione will continue to be housed at a state prison in Huntingdon. Mangione is being held in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Manhattan prosecutors have charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said on Tuesday it will seek a Governor’s warrant to secure Mangione’s extradition to Manhattan. Under state law, New York Governor Kathy Hochul can issue a warrant of arrest demanding Mangione’s return to the state. Such a warrant must recite the facts necessary to the validity of its issuance and be sealed with the state seal. It would then be presented to law enforcement in Pennsylvania to expedite Mangione’s return to New York. Peter Weeks, the Blair County district attorney, said he will work with New York officials to try to return Mangione there to face charges. Mr Weeks said the New York charges are “more serious” than those in Blair County. “We believe their charges take precedence,” Mr Weeks said, promising to do what is needed to accommodate New York’s prosecution first. As prosecutors on Tuesday were beginning to take steps to take Mangione back to New York to face the murder charge, new details emerged about his life and how he was captured. The Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland family was charged with murder hours after he was arrested over the killing of Brian Thompson, 50, who led the United States’ largest medical insurance company. Mr Dickey had declined to comment before the hearing at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg. Mangione was likely motivated by his anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed, a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said. He wrote that the US has the most expensive health care system in the world and that profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of his hand-written notes and social media posts. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, according to the police bulletin. Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania — about 230 miles (370km) west of New York City — after a McDonald’s customer recognised him and notified an employee, authorities said. Officers found him sitting at a back table, wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop, according to a Pennsylvania police criminal complaint. He initially gave them a fake ID, but when an officer asked Mangione whether he had been to New York recently, he “became quiet and started to shake”, the complaint says. When he pulled his mask down at officers’ request, “we knew that was our guy,” Officer Tyler Frye said. Images of Mangione released on Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald’s while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and beanie. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Mangione was carrying a gun like the one used to kill Mr Thompson and the same fake ID the gunman had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione also had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America”. A law enforcement official who was not authorised to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the document included a line in which Mangione claimed to have acted alone. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone,” the document said, according to the official. It also had a line that said: “I do apologise for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.” Pennsylvania prosecutor Peter Weeks said in court that Mangione was found with a passport and 10,000 dollars (£7,839) in cash, 2,000 dollars of it in foreign currency. Mangione disputed the amount. Mr Thompson was killed on Wednesday as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. Police quickly came to see the shooting as a targeted attack by a gunman who appeared to wait for Mr Thompson, came up behind him and fired a 9mm pistol. Investigators have said “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on ammunition found near Mr Thompson’s body. The words mimic “delay, deny, defend,” a phrase used to criticise the insurance industry. From surveillance video, New York investigators determined the gunman quickly fled fled the city, likely by bus. A grandson of a wealthy, self-made real estate developer and philanthropist, Mangione is a cousin of a current Maryland state legislator. After his elite Baltimore prep school, he went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” From January to June 2022, Luigi Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of Waikiki in Honolulu. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder RJ Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Mr Ryan said. “There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Mr Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said. “He went surfing with RJ once but it didn’t work out because of his back,” Mr Ryan said, but noted that Mangione and Mr Martin often went together to a rock-climbing gym. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Mr Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. Mr Martin stopped hearing from Mangione more than six months ago. New York governor Ms Hochul issued a statement on the shooting on Tuesday. “I’m deeply grateful to the men and women of law enforcement whose efforts to solve the horrific murder of Brian Thompson led to the arrest of a suspect in Pennsylvania,” she said. “I am co-ordinating with the District Attorney’s office and will sign a request for a governor’s warrant to ensure this individual is tried and held accountable. “Public safety is my top priority and I’ll do everything in my power to keep the streets of New York safe.”

20 Pieces Of Target Furniture That Look Luxe Without The High Price TagMicrosoft is Updating Copilot for Windows ... AgainUnions attack 2.8% Government pay rise proposal for NHS workers and teachersWhile the incident may have provided some comic relief for viewers, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of safety when it comes to riding electric scooters or any other form of transportation. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and it is crucial to always take precautions and adhere to safety guidelines to prevent mishaps.

GM to retreat from robotaxis and stop funding its Cruise autonomous vehicle unitIn conclusion, while the absence of these key players from today's open training session may have come as a surprise, it is clear that AS Roma is prioritizing the individual needs and well-being of their players in order to achieve success as a team. With a dedicated and determined group of players working towards a common goal, the sky is truly the limit for AS Roma this season.

The European Union's competition watchdog, the European Commission, has launched a probe into Google's activities amid concerns that the company may be abusing its dominant position in the digital advertising space. The investigation comes on the heels of mounting pressure on big tech firms to be more transparent and accountable for their business practices. By allegedly teaming up with Meta to engage in undisclosed advertising agreements, Google may have violated antitrust laws and undermined fair competition in the online advertising market.Lawyer says ex-Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probe

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Oscar, the pioneer guide dog who has touched the lives of many in Shenzhen. Serving as the very first guide dog in the city, Oscar devoted his life to assisting his visually impaired owner in navigating the bustling streets and leading a more independent life.Halo fans around the world have been buzzing with excitement ever since the release of this striking image. The unexpected crossover between the Halo universe and the world of archeology has sparked intense speculation about what the upcoming game may entail. Will players be embarking on a thrilling quest for ancient treasures alongside Master Chief as Dr. Jones? Or will this artwork serve as a mere homage to the classic adventure genre?Reaching 600 Appearances in Serie A: A Remarkable Feat Achieved by Few

Inter Milan, on the other hand, has been feeling the pressure of maintaining their position at the top. Despite their squad depth and quality, the Nerazzurri have shown signs of vulnerability in recent matches, dropping points against lower-ranked teams and struggling to find their rhythm. The added pressure of competing in multiple competitions, including the Champions League, has further stretched Inter's resources and put a strain on their players.Title: Delmair: Multiple Premier League Giants Interested in Enmegha, But Player Unwilling to Leave Dortmund