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Land Rover Classic launches loads of new parts for the old workhorse, including an excellent roof tent on the ‘Expedition Camper’ The very last Land Rover Defender rolled off the production line in Solihull in January 2016. Not to make you feel old or anything, but that was almost eight years ago. A horrifying thought. And yet, Land Rover hasn’t given up on its oldest child. In fact, it’s still coming up with new parts for it. The latest batch of new bits has just been introduced by Land Rover Classic and was shown off at this year’s Goodwood Revival earlier in September. There’s some cool stuff too, particularly on a car that Land Rover calls the ‘Expedition Camper’. The EC does exactly what it says on the tin – converts the Defender into a proper overlander. Of course, people have been doing just that for decades, but Land Rover Classic has now partnered with TentBox to create an official, branded roof tent that should be available in 2024. We’re told that will be compatible with both the Classic Defender 90 and 110 when it’s launched, and there will also be the option of a ‘Land Rover Classic approved’ interior conversion. That’s carried out by a company called The Ply Guys and adds a bed, a kitchen area and much storage space into the rear of the Defender. The Expedition Camper also shows off some LED headlights, side steps, black Sawtooth wheels and a black exterior pack that murders out the grille, headlight surrounds and heritage badging. Inside there are premium front seats, a natural birch roof lining, and a Harris Tweed centre console and rear bench. It’s not just camper conversions that will benefit from this new addition of parts though. There’s also a new Silver Exterior Pack, LED rear lights, a rubber boot liner, an expedition roof rack and ladder combo, new winches and too many other bits to name. Seems there’s still big money in the old Defender for Land Rover after all… Link
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The announcement came as the Ukrainian leader met with President Biden and other top U.S. leaders in an appeal for continued aid. WASHINGTON — The U.S. will provide Ukraine with an additional $325 million in military aid, President Joe Biden announced Thursday during a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The package includes air defense capabilities, cluster munitions, anti-tank weapons and other equipment. "Today I approved the next tranche of U.S. security assistance to Ukraine including more artillery, more ammunition, more anti-tank weapons and next week, the first U.S. Abrams tanks will be delivered to Ukraine," Biden said. "We also focused on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities to protect the critical infrastructure that provides heat and light during the coldest and darkest days of the year." The announcement was made during Zelenskyy's visit to Washington, D.C., where he appealed to lawmakers and administration officials for more assistance. Zelenskyy thanked Biden for the new aid following the announcement. He said Americans are “together with us, with Ukrainians, with ordinary people, all of us.” “Thank you so much,” he added. Ahead of the meeting, National Security Council senior director for Europe, Amanda Sloat, discussed the aid package on MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports." "It’s the fourth package that we will have announced in six weeks," Sloat said, adding that air defense "is the most critical capability that the Ukrainians need now." Sloat added that the new package will not include long-range ballistic missiles that are equipped with cluster munitions — tiny bomblets that disperse widely on a target. She noted, however, that Biden has not ruled out providing them in the future. This package is separate from the additional $24 billion that the president wants Congress to approve for Ukraine. Before the meeting began in the Oval Office, Biden and Zelenskyy gave brief remarks to the reporters. Biden said that no nation will be secure if the U.S. does not help Ukraine in defending its territory against Russia. Zelenskyy thanked Biden and Congress for frank and constructive dialogues during their meetings on Thursday. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska at the White House on Thursday. Biden's meeting with Zelenskyy comes as part of the Ukrainian leader's second trip to Washington since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian president met with a bipartisan group of House members and met with about 70 senators shortly after. A number of Republicans, especially those in the House, are skeptical about approving more aid to Ukraine. In the meeting with senators, Zelenskyy took half a dozen questions on topics including a plan for victory and what Ukrainians need most from the U.S. in terms of financial and military aid. Follow live updates on the Zelenskyy visit After Biden and Zelenskyy met in the Oval Office, both then joined an expanded bilateral meeting in the East Room with other top administration officials including Vice President Kamala Harris. The first ladies of both nations participated in the visit as well. Zelenskyy's trip to Washington also included a meeting at the Pentagon with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley. In his Tuesday speech at the United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, Biden reiterated support for Ukraine and emphasized that "Russia alone bears responsibility for this war." "If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? I’d respectfully suggest the answer is no," Biden said in his speech. "We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow." Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Thursday that he declined a request from Zelenskyy to address a joint session of Congress because of time constraints given the busy legislative week, in remarks first reported by Punchbowl News. McCarthy also noted that Zelenskyy had already addressed Congress. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pose together at the Capitol on Sept. 21, 2023. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., blasted McCarthy for his decision not to hold a joint address for Zelenskyy, telling NBC News that “there was a possibility that we could have had a joint session, but apparently the House decided that they didn’t have time to do it, which is disappointing.” “Guess they have their hands full,” Rounds quipped. Zelenskyy's visit comes the same day a group of congressional Republicans sent a letter to Director of the Office of Management and Budget Shalanda Young about Ukraine's funding request, arguing that "it would be an absurd abdication of congressional responsibility to grant" it without having further details about how the money is used, the Ukrainians' strategy and Biden's exit plan. The letter was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. In Washington, Zelenskyy met for a little more than an hour with senators on Capitol Hill. He spoke entirely in English, without the use of translators, according to two Senators in the room. “He was exceptionally good today,” said Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., who has questioned and voted against aid for Ukraine in the past. Zelenskyy was “extremely personable,” Rounds said, adding that the closed-door nature of the meeting allowed senators to have a more intimate conversation with the Ukrainian president. Asked if there was concern that Congress would not approve aid, Rounds shot back that there was “more than enough” support in both chambers. Both Biden and Zelenskyy attended the U.N. General Assembly this week, and in July they met during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Zelenskyy visited Washington in December and delivered an address to a joint meeting of Congress. He also met with Biden at the White House during the December trip. “Ukraine is alive and kicking,” he said in his previous speech to Congress. “Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender.” Congress has appropriated more than $113 billion for the U.S. response to the war in Ukraine, according to a March release from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. Link
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Rupert Murdoch said his son Lachlan (R) would head both Fox and News Corp Media mogul Rupert Murdoch says he is stepping down as chairman of Fox and News Corp, with his son Lachlan to head both companies. In a memo to employees, Murdoch said "the time is right" for him to take on "different roles". Murdoch, 92, launched Fox News in 1996. It is now the most watched TV news channel in the US. Murdoch said he will transition to the role of Chairman Emeritus of both firms in mid-November. "Our companies are in robust health, as am I. Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges," he wrote. "We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years - I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them." Profile: World's most influential media tycoon Murdoch's succession drama reaches its finale Lachlan Murdoch, 52, is the son of Rupert Murdoch and his second wife, Anna Maria dePeyster. The billionaire patriarch has been married four times and has six children - many of whom followed their father into the family business. The question of succession had largely come down to the second, third and fourth - Elisabeth, Lachlan and James. Lachlan, 52, emerged as the heir apparent during his time as an executive in the late 1990s. However, he left the business in 2005 after a feud with then boss of Fox News, Roger Ailes. Lachlan returned to his father's empire in 2014 and has held top positions ever since. James Murdoch, the more liberally-minded son, quit the News Corp board in 2020 because of "disagreements over certain editorial content" and other grievances with the direction of the company. Elisabeth, 55, held various high-ranking roles in the business but started her own television company, Shine, which produced shows like MasterChef and The Biggest Loser. The transition comes during a turbulent year for Fox, which in April agreed to pay a $787.5m (£634m) settlement after being sued by voting machine company Dominion over its reporting of the 2020 presidential election. The network is still facing a second, similar lawsuit from another voting technology firm, Smartmatic, seeking an even larger sum of $2.7bn. Then on 25 April, Fox announced it would "part ways" with Tucker Carlson, its highest rated TV host - amid reports the decision came from the very top. The Murdoch move falls a year before the US presidential election, in which right-leaning Fox News has significant influence. The network is hosting a number of debates between Republicans vying to be the party's 2024 White House candidate. How Murdoch ditches politicians... including Trump Journalist Michael Wolff is set to release a highly anticipated tell-all book about Fox's ruling family in just a few days, titled "The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty". A second Murdoch book, by CNN media journalist Brian Stelter, will be published on 14 November. In his memo to staff, Rupert Murdoch vowed to continue to be involved in the "contest of ideas". He also criticised other media outlets as being "in cahoots" with a "rarefied class" of elites who he accused of "peddling political narratives rather than pursuing the truth". In a statement, Lachlan Murdoch said that his father "will continue to provide valued counsel to both companies". The elder Murdoch began his career in his native Australia in the 1950s, eventually buying the News of the World and The Sun newspapers in the UK in 1969. He later purchased a number of US publications including the New York Post and Wall Street Journal. Through News Corp, he remains the owner of hundreds of local, national and international media outlets. His career, however, has not been without its mishaps. In 2005, for example, he bought the social media site Myspace for more than half a billion dollars. It was crushed by Facebook and later sold for just $35m. His most damaging moment in the UK was the notorious phone hacking scandal, which erupted after it emerged that the News of the World had listened to the murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's voicemails. It was a humiliation for Murdoch personally - and came at huge financial cost. His company is reported to have paid more than £1bn in pay-outs to phone hacking victims. Until today's announcement, Lachlan Murdoch had served as the executive chair of Fox Corporation and Nova Entertainment. Fox shares rose almost 2% after the news, while News Corps shares rose a more modest 0.6%. Professor Anat Alon-Beck, a corporate law expert, said that ultimately market reaction to Lachlan's promotion will depend on whether Fox has a "solid and smart" plan that ensures "that the company's leadership isn't jeopardised just because the most powerful person, CEO, leaves the role". While Lachlan was the expected choice to replace his father, it is unclear what will happen when the elder Murdoch dies. Any transfer of shares from Murdoch to his six adult children could potentially set the stage for a battle for the future of the media empire. A 2007 picture shows Rupert Murdoch with three of his children - James (L), Elisabeth, and Lachlan Link
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Nick movie: Incredibles 2 Time: June 5, 2018 Netflix / Amazon / HBO: N/A Duration of the movie: 118 M Trailer:
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The unidentified driver was placing a package at the entrance of a residence in Palm City, Florida, when she was bitten, authorities said. A woman delivering packages for Amazon was seriously injured when a rattlesnake bit her at a residence in Palm City, Florida, authorities said. "The snake bite victim was transported to the hospital where she is in very serious condition," the Martin County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Tuesday. An eastern diamondback rattlesnake was coiled up near the front door of the location and struck as the driver put the package down on Monday, the office said. An eastern diamondback rattlesnake bit an Amazon delivery driver, in Palm City, Fla., on Monday. The worker, who was not identified, was bitten in the back of the leg, just above the knee, it said. "She immediately became ill," the sheriff's office said. She called 911, and dispatchers used her cellphone's GPS coordinates to find her, the sheriff's office said. The sheriff's department described eastern diamondback rattlesnakes as "highly venomous" and common to the area. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Link
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Plus: there’s a fully-electric version called the BEE ‘capable of revving to 9,000rpm’ Oxfordshire-based restomod specialist Frontline has today revealed two brand new cars, and as you can see, they’re really very old, and one is really very powerful indeed. Welcome the new-old LE60 and the ‘affectionately named’ BEE. To the former. The moniker denotes 60 years of the classic, home-mechanic favourite MGB, and it is the most powerful car Frontline has ever built. An all-new 4.8-litre Rover V8 makes a starring appearance up front, busily churning out 375bhp. Not just ‘a lot’, it’s three times more powerful than the original car. That matches up to a five-speed gearbox, a strengthened chassis (compared to the old LE50), bigger brakes all round, and a limited slip diff. Nitron has lent a hand with the suspension, and we’re told the LE60 and its pressed steel body offer a 50/50 weight distribution and a weight of just 1,122kg. And so to the latter. The BEE is the first fully-electric MGB that Frontline has rolled out, an answer “to the world’s rapidly evolving response to drivers looking for an engaging, fun and driver-focused classic car without the emissions”. Without the weight, too, it appears: astonishingly, the BEE also offers 50/50 weight distribution and comes in at 1,186kg. There’s a 40kWh battery plugged in underneath, that powers a ‘Hyper9’ 100v motor “capable of revving to 9,000rpm”. There’s even a ‘manual gearbox’ that works – apparently – exactly like a normal one, only you can start and stop this one in any gear. Even heel and toe if you fancy. Indeed Frontline is keen to point out the ICE-based characteristics of the BEE, including that revvy motor and ICE-like torque characteristics. Any existing Frontline customers will be able to get an electric conversion, should the mood arise. Naturally each car will be bespoke, from the interior and exterior colour combinations, right down to the seat fitting and specific suspension and steering setup. Frontline founder and chief engineer Tim Fenna said: “The first, the LE60, a tribute to our enduring commitment, is a culmination of years of passion and dedication. It's a testament to the art of restoration and enhancement, a harmonious blend of heritage and modernity. Our journey began over thirty years ago, and today, as we present these special cars, we celebrate every challenge surmounted, every detail perfected, and every dream realised. “The second is an emblem of our vision for tomorrow and sets us forth on an electrifying path. The BEE model line-up captures the essence of the MG's timeless design while propelling us into a future of sustainable mobility. It's a symbol of progress and a momentous celebration of where we've been, where we are, and where we're headed." Link
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Biden's attorneys had requested an arraignment by video, but the judge said in Wednesday's order that the president's son should not receive special treatment. Hunter Biden leaves the courthouse in Wilmington, Del., on July 26. A federal judge on Wednesday ordered Hunter Biden to appear in person for his arraignment next month on felony gun charges, denying his request to appear via video. "Defendant should not receive special treatment in this matter," U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher J. Burke wrote. "Any other defendant would be required to attend his or her initial appearance in person. So too here." In his order, Burke scheduled the arraignment for the morning of Sept. 26. He later issued another order changing the arraignment to Oct. 3. A lawyer for the president's son argued in a court filing Tuesday that Hunter Biden shouldn't have to appear in person, and that a virtual arraignment would help “minimize an unnecessary burden on government resources and the disruption to the courthouse and downtown areas when a person protected by the Secret Service flies across the country and then must be transported to and from a downtown location.” Biden lives in California. The arraignment will take place at a federal courthouse in Delaware. NBC News has reached out to one of Biden’s attorneys for comment on the judge’s order. Biden lawyer Abbe Lowell said in Tuesday's filing that Biden would “enter a plea of not guilty, and there is no reason why he cannot utter those two words by video conference.” Federal prosecutors had opposed Biden's request to appear by video. In a court filing, prosecutors from special counsel David Weiss's office had argued that Biden "should be treated no differently" than other criminal defendants. They also noted that his first appearance on tax and gun charges in July "was anything but routine," a reference to a hearing what was expected to formalize a plea agreement between Biden and prosecutors that fell apart after the judge raised questions. "Although the government anticipates this proceeding should be straightforward since the parties have not reached an agreement to resolve this matter, we believe an in-person proceeding may be more conducive to addressing any unforeseen issues that arise," prosecutors said. In his Tuesday filing, Lowell said he was "not seeking any special treatment in making this request," and that he was "puzzled" by government's opposition. In his ruling, Burke said he agreed with both sides that Biden should not get special treatment, and that "absent some unusual circumstance, he should be treated just as would any other defendant in our court." Biden is facing three counts tied to possession of a gun while using narcotics. Link
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Russia said it had evacuated 2,000 ethnic Armenians from villages near the fighting Azerbaijan's president has declared that his country's sovereignty has been restored over Nagorno-Karabakh after a 24-hour military offensive against ethnic-Armenian forces. Ilham Aliyev praised the heroism of Azerbaijan's army hours after Karabakh forces agreed to surrender. Some 120,000 ethnic Armenians live in the South Caucasus enclave, recognised internationally as part of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan now intends to bring the breakaway region under full control. Its military launched an "anti-terror" operation on Tuesday, demanding that Karabakh's forces raise a white flag and dissolve their "illegal regime". With no means of support from neighbouring Armenia, and after an effective nine-month blockade, the ethnic Armenians soon gave in. Armenian officials reported that at least 32 people were killed, including seven civilians, and another 200 wounded. However according to a separatist Armenian human rights official, at least 200 people were killed and more than 400 wounded. The BBC has not been able to verify any of the figures. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Yerevan, the Armenian capital, on Wednesday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for his handling of the crisis. Clashes in Armenia after separatist surrender in Karabakh Explained: Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh Nagorno-Karabakh: 'People are fainting in bread queues' Azerbaijan's army said it had captured more than 90 positions from the ethnic Armenians before both sides announced that a complete cessation of hostilities had been agreed through Russian peacekeepers, starting at 13:00 local time (09:00 GMT) on Wednesday. Under the terms of the truce, outlined by Azerbaijan and Russia, which has peacekeepers on the ground, local Karabakh forces must commit to being completely disbanded as well as disarmed. There is also a commitment to Armenian forces pulling out, even though its government denies having any military presence there. Azerbaijan's presidency said officials would meet Karabakh's Armenian representatives for talks on "issues of re-integration" in the Azerbaijani town of Yevlakh on Thursday. President Aliyev said Azerbaijanis had nothing against the po[CENSORED]tion, only their "criminal junta". Yevlakh is some 100km (60 miles) north of Karabakh's regional capital, Khankendi, known as Stepanakert by Armenians. Women and children are among the 32 dead and 200 wounded in Karabakh, local authorities say Civilians flee to airport Marut Vanyan, a journalist in Karabakh, said many families had spent Tuesday night in basements: "I didn't sleep and I didn't eat. It's calm now but it's a strange feeling. Right now, what we need to do is stop this bloodshed and understand what to do next." Russia said its peacekeepers had evacuated 2,000 people from Karabakh villages since the offensive had begun. As the ceasefire was announced, Karabakh officials appealed to residents to remain in shelters and not to leave for the local airport, adjacent to a Russian peacekeeping base. However, a crowd of civilians had soon gathered close to the airport and as darkness fell hours later it was unclear what support they would have. Caucasus specialist Thomas de Waal of Carnegie Europe said the terms of the ceasefire and the coming talks were very much on Azerbaijan's terms and left ethnic Armenians looking unprotected. "This looks like the end of a 35-year-old project, some would say a century-old project, of the Armenians of Karabakh to secede from Azerbaijan," he told the BBC. "We're probably, unfortunately, seeing a project whereby the Azerbaijanis offer so little to the Karabakh Armenians that most if not all of them will leave." Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made clear his government was not involved in the ceasefire text and demanded that Russian peacekeepers take full responsibility for the safety of the local po[CENSORED]tion. On Tuesday he accused Azerbaijan of "ethnic cleansing" in Karabakh. Azerbaijan's presidential envoy Elchin Amirbekov told the BBC that Russian peacekeepers had helped facilitate the ceasefire: "I think they have to be counted on for the implementation part." An ongoing crisis Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia and its neighbour have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous, landlocked region in the south-west of Azerbaijan. The six-week war in 2020 led to several thousand deaths but enabled Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, to recapture territory surrounding and inside the enclave, leaving the ethnic Armenians isolated. For the past nine months, Azerbaijan has conducted an effective blockade of the only road into Karabakh from Armenia, known as the Lachin Corridor. Ethnic Armenians in the enclave complained of shortages of food, medicines and toiletries and Armenia was unable to help. Although some aid was allowed through in recent days, the Karabakh Armenians were very much weakened by the shortages by the time of the Azerbaijani offensive, with little hope of external support. Some 2,000 Russian peacekeepers were supposed to monitor the 2020 ceasefire but Moscow's interest in Armenia has waned during its war in Ukraine, even though Armenia is part of Russia's CSTO military alliance. Last May, the Armenian prime minister was quoted as saying his country would be ready to recognise Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan in return for the security of the ethnic Armenian po[CENSORED]tion. "The 86,600 sq km of Azerbaijan's territory includes Nagorno-Karabakh," Mr Pashinyan was quoted as saying, referring to Azerbaijan as a whole. Russia has also been annoyed by Mr Pashinyan's apparent pivot to the West. Earlier this month his wife Anna Hakobyan shook hands with Ukraine's president at a conference in Kyiv, and this week, dozens of Armenian and US soldiers took part in military exercises together. The Kremlin has denied Armenian allegations that it did not do enough to help its ally. President Vladimir Putin said only last week that Russia had no problems with Armenia's prime minister, but added: "If Armenia itself recognised that Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan, what should we do?" Hundreds of protesters in Yerevan called for the prime minister to resign on Tuesday because of his handling of the crisis and he warned of unidentified forces calling for a coup. Link
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[Weekly Songs ♪] - El Master Edwin
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Nick movie: Maleficent Time: May 28, 2014 Netflix / Amazon / HBO: N/A Duration of the movie: 97 M Trailer:
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Looking to ‘personalise’ your new hybridised Ferrari? Maybe this will convince you to think again Mansory has unveiled its take on the Ferrari 296 GTB, and for once the exterior design is actually quite restrained. Well, restrained for Mansory that is. There’s still masses of forged carbon fibre, a strange sideburns spoiler setup, a massive new diffuser and much more, but it’s mostly painted black with a small amount of red detailing and little Italian flags on the end of those winglets. There are new lightweight forged wheels that are 21in up front and 22in at the rear, but they’re also painted black with red brake calipers behind. Is this a new Mansory we’re seeing? Well, perhaps not, because the inside is distinctly more… colourful. This particular ‘Mansory Tempesta’ take on the 296 gets a supremely bright yellow leather retrim of its interior with red detailing and plenty more exposed carbon fibre. Heck, we’re not sure we could handle the 296’s bonkers 818bhp V6 hybrid powertrain while looking at that dash. But wait, because it’s not just the standard 818bhp that’s on tap. Mansory will fit a new sports exhaust system and a new ECU for the 3.0-litre V6 to up the total power to 858bhp and 553lb ft of torque. That means 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds (0.1 seconds quicker than the ‘standard’ car) and a top speed of 205mph. Link
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The Florida congressman, however, told NBC News that his only political goal at the moment is getting Donald Trump elected president in 2024. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The idea that Rep. Matt Gaetz will run for Florida governor in 2026 has been the topic of several conversations in Tallahassee over the past few days, including during a reception Sunday night for the incoming speaker of the Florida House. Gaetz has long been considered on the shortlist of those who will try to seek the Republican nomination for governor, a field that is expected to be crowded because the incumbent, Ron DeSantis, will be facing term limits. DeSantis is currently running for president but would have two years remaining in the governor’s mansion if that run falls short. Gaetz, like most other Florida Republican politicians, was in Tallahassee for the designation ceremony of Miami Republican state Rep. Danny Perez, who starting next year will serve as speaker of the Florida House. As part of those festivities, Perez held a reception Sunday night at an AC Hotel by Marriott near the city’s downtown. At the event Gaetz was seen “kind of holding court,” and he strongly implied several times he would be running for governor, four people at the event told NBC News. “There was a lot of talk about it at the reception last night, and Gaetz was telling people to basically expect him to be in,” one longtime Florida Republican lobbyist said. Gaetz has not publicly downplayed the idea he might run for governor one day, but told NBC News Monday his only political focus at the moment is trying to elect Donald Trump in 2024. “Many did encourage me to consider running for governor one day,” Gaetz said of the Sunday evening event. “But we have an outstanding governor who will be in that position through 2026.” “My only political focus right now is Trump 2024,” he added. Gaetz was a top adviser to DeSantis’ 2018 gubernatorial bid, but the two have since had a falling out. Gaetz has become among the most vocal backers of Trump, whose presidential campaign now leads in most primary polling by significant margins over the rest of the field. “I think he will,” John Morgan, a prominent Florida trial attorney and Democratic political donor, said of Gaetz’s chance of running for governor. Morgan chatted briefly on Monday with Gaetz just outside the Florida House chamber. The two have long known each other, and worked together early in DeSantis' administration on issues related to medical marijuana. “He will be running in a large field. He could win with 30 percent,” Morgan said. “Trump’s endorsement alone gets him that.” A Florida GOP operative said that, though Trump has not addressed the future race publicly, the former president would back his longtime ally. “He’s 100 percent in,” said a Florida Republican operative on Gaetz running for governor. “I think Gaetz is an instant front-runner and from what I hear he’s already won the Trump primary.” Trump has not directly addressed the race — and his campaign declined to comment — but his endorsement played a huge role in helping DeSantis win the 2018 Republican primary. Even aside from Gaetz, several of the former president's political allies are considering a run. Gaetz is currently a central figure in the fight in Washington over a potential government shutdown. He has increasingly fought with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as he tries to negotiate a deal to avoid a government shutdown. Gaetz has been critical of McCarthy, who has not agreed to push for spending cuts Gaetz and other congressional conservatives want as part of the deal. The issue also briefly put him at public odds with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., a Trump ally who is also eyeing a potential bid for governor in 2026. Gaetz tweeted “I will NOT surrender” Sunday night in response to reports that Donalds was on a House GOP conference call outlining a proposed 30-day continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. Other Republicans eying a bid include state Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson; state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis; U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz; and state Attorney General Ashley Moody. Link
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Ukraine is one of the world's biggest suppliers of crops Ukraine has filed lawsuits to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Slovakia, Poland and Hungary over their bans on food imports from Kyiv. It said such restrictions were a violation of international obligations by Ukraine's EU neighbours. They say the bans are needed to protect their farmers from cheap imports. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year all but closed the main Black Sea shipping lanes and forced Ukraine to find alternative overland routes. That in turn led to large quantities of grain ending up in central Europe. Farmers in those countries have since held protest rallies, saying that Ukrainian grain shipments were undercutting them and distorting local markets. The pressure led to the 27-member EU bloc agreeing earlier this year to trade restrictions on Ukraine's imports into Hungary, Poland, Slovakia - as well as Bulgaria and Romania - until 15 September. On the deadline day, the European Commission - the EU's executive body - decided not to extend the ban. But the governments in Budapest, Warsaw and Bratislava defied the Commission's move, announcing their own restrictions. Polish farmers have been blocking roads, protesting against Ukrainian grain imports In a statement on Monday, Ukraine's Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said that "it is crucially important for us to prove that individual member states cannot ban imports of Ukrainian goods. "That is why we are filing lawsuits against them [Slovakia, Poland and Hungary] to the WTO." Ms Svyrydenko added that Ukrainian exporters had "already suffered and are continuing to suffer significant losses" because of the unilateral bans. Poland said it would keep its ban regardless. "We maintain our position, we think it is correct, it results from an economic analysis and powers derived from EU and international law," said government spokesman Piotr Mueller. "A complaint before the WTO doesn't impress us." The European Commission has repeatedly stated that it is not up to individual EU members to make trade policy for the bloc. Poland, Hungary and Slovakia are still allowing Ukrainian grain to transit their countries to other markets. Poland and Slovakia are key Ukraine's allies in its fight against the Russia invasion - but the grain imports row has caused friction. Ukraine is one of the world's biggest suppliers of crops such as sunflower oil, wheat, barley and maize. Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 and blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports trapped some 20 million tonnes of grain meant for export. This caused world food prices to soar, and threatened to create shortages in the Middle East and Africa. A deal was struck in July of that year between Russia and Ukraine to allow cargo ships to sail along a corridor in the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports. Almost 33 million tonnes of grain were shipped from Ukraine under the deal, and world food prices declined by roughly 20% as a result, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. However, Russia pulled out of the deal in July and world grain prices have risen again. Link