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WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors moved Monday to abandon the classified documents case against President-elect Donald Trump in light of longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. The announcement in an appeals court filing in Florida came shortly after a similar filing was made by prosecutors in Washington, D.C., where they asked to dismiss the case accusing Trump of plotting to overturn the 2020 election . The move amounts to a predictable but nonetheless stunning conclusion to a criminal case that just one year ago had been seen as the most perilous legal threat that he faced. It reflects the practical consequences of Trump’s victory, ensuring he enters office free from scrutiny over his hoarding of top secret documents and conduct that prosecutors said had jeopardized national scrutiny. The dismissal had been foreshadowed in recent weeks by the revelation that special counsel Jack Smith was evaluating how to wind down both that case and a separate pending prosecution he brought charging Trump with plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Justice Department legal opinions dating back decades say sitting presidents cannot be indicted or prosecuted while in office. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith asked a federal judge on Monday to dismiss the case accusing President-elect Donald Trump of plotting to overturn the 2020 election , citing longstanding Justice Department policy shielding presidents from prosecution while in office. The move announced in court papers marks the end of the Justice Department's landmark effort to hold Trump accountable for what prosecutors called a criminal conspiracy to cling to power in the run-up to his supporters' attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Justice Department prosecutors, citing longstanding department guidance that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted, said the department’s position is that “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated.” “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” the prosecutors wrote in Monday’s court filing. The decision was expected after Smith's team began assessing how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case in the wake of Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The Justice Department believes Trump can no longer be tried in accordance with longstanding policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. Trump has cast both cases as politically motivated, and had vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. The 2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing the Republican as he vied to reclaim the White House. But it quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of using “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to President Joe Biden.
Asia stocks mostly fell in thin holiday trade on Monday after tech losses killed off the traditional year-end lift on Wall Street at the end of last week. The "Santa Claus rally" got off to a good start but US stocks then fell across the board on Friday, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq both dropping more than one percent. Tech stocks led the way, with Elon Musk's electric car giant Tesla closing around five percent lower and AI chipmaker Nvidia shedding around two percent. Weighing on investor sentiment were worries about the pace of US interest rate cuts and possible higher import tariffs under incoming US president Donald Trump. "As US stock markets concluded with a downturn on Friday, Asia-Pacific markets are bracing for a slippery penultimate trading day of 2024," said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management. "With US (bond) yields climbing and liquidity essentially non-existent, there's always the potential for outsized moves. This comes during a critical phase of year-end rebalancing, intensified by hefty equity positions across portfolios," Innes said in a note. In Tokyo, the Nikkei was down 0.75 percent at 40,020.00 points on the last day of trading until January 6. The yen was little changed after hitting 158.08 against the dollar on Thursday, the lowest in almost six months. That came after Bank of Japan governor Kazuo Ueda failed to give a clear signal on a possible interest rate increase next month. In Seoul, Jeju Air shares tumbled more than eight percent after one of its planes crashed in South Korea on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people on board. South Korea's transport ministry said on Monday it was "reviewing plans to conduct a special inspection on (Boeing) B737-800 aircraft" after the crash. South Korea was also hit with further political turmoil, with authorities issuing an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon briefly imposed martial law this month and was then impeachment by parliament. Lawmakers also impeached his acting successor Han Duck-soo last week. Chinese stocks also opened lower on Monday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.09 percent at 3,397.12. China's purchasing managers' index (PMI) for manufacturing was due on Tuesday. The reading was expected to stay at 50.3, above the 50 line dividing expansion and contraction, according to Bloomberg. Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.75 percent at 40,020.00 points Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.40 percent at 20,001.00 Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,397.12 Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0423 from $1.0429 on Friday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2577 from $1.2579 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 157.82 yen from 157.89 yen West Texas Intermediate: UP at $70.63 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP at $74.23 per barrelPresident-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak
Google Unveils Gemini 2.0 AI Despite Antitrust BattleSnow pants are highly technical pieces of apparel. They’re designed more for practical outdoor use than they are for earning style points. For those who like to get out and about in the winter season, you’ll need a quality pair to keep you warm. They use waterproof exteriors along with insulated interiors to protect your legs from wet snow and cool temperatures. The best pair is the THE NORTH FACE Sally Pants . Their thick exterior protects you from the wind and snow and their DryVent ventilation system releases excess body heat. There are three types of snow pants . The most common type resembles your everyday pair of pants. Aside from the technical materials, the main difference is that they have a looser fit than normal pants. Snow pants are ideal for maximum mobility when skiing or snowboarding. Some bibs resemble overalls. They have an upper body portion connected to the pants and use straps to go over the shoulders. This gives you more protection from the elements, but it slightly restricts your movement. Then there are one-piece snowsuits, which have a coat and pants in a single slip-on piece. The best material used to make snow pants is polyester. It’s durable, water-resistant and inexpensive. Polyester is the material that makes up the bulk of a pair of snow pants. Many manufacturers will add nylon for even more long-term strength. There’s also elastic, which is used in ankle gaiters and some waistbands. Gore-Tex is another material used in many outdoor products like snow pants because it’s completely water-resistant. Snow pants are sized differently than normal pants. Instead of using numbers, they use small to large distinctions. This makes it easier because they’re sized more generally than your everyday pair of pants. Most brands go from XS to XXL, but some include more variations, such as large long and large short. This way, you can customize your fit based on your body type. Other brands will use inseam measurements if you know exactly how long you’d prefer the pants to be. Boot gaiters are sections of fabric that provide more security around the ankle. Walking through snow can cause your socks to get wet. This is not only uncomfortable but can also affect your body’s temperature. Gaiters use elastic to wrap tightly around your ankle while the exterior of your pants goes over your boots. Some pants have a reinforced seam and patches on the pant leg to prevent wear and tear around the ankle. This will also protect your ankles from bumps and bruises while on the slopes. Baggy snow pants are the best choice if you’re snowboarding or skiing. With more room between your legs and the exterior fabric, you can comfortably wear a pair of insulated tights underneath. Baggy pants also allow for more freedom of movement. With skiing, especially, you’ll need all the flexibility your legs can get. Loose-fitting pants will prevent seams from ripping too easily as well. Professional snowboarders and skiers who focus on tricks will exclusively wear baggy snow pants to give them more mobility. While snow pants are designed to keep you warm, sometimes, the heat can cause sweat to build up around your legs. For this reason, some pants come with built-in ventilation systems. These specially designed vents are woven into the pants and release excess heat. The vent is usually on the rear waist area. This positioning makes it discreet to the naked eye. Also, your coat will cover it most of the time, which prevents any cold air from entering from the outside. Women’s snow pants cost $30-$260. A. GORE-TEX is known for its waterproofing, but the ultra-tight weaves and thick fabric make it windproof as well. A. Most snow pants have two sets of pockets on either hip. They are usually sealed using zippers to keep your belongings protected. THE NORTH FACE Sally Pants What you need to know: These high-quality snow pants from North Face use thick materials to keep you dry. What you’ll love: The pants have a snug fit around the knees with a slight flare at the ankles. There’s a DryVent to prevent your legs from sweating and Heatseeker Eco insulation to protect you from the elements. There are zippered pockets, a belt loop around the waist and boot gaiters near the ankles. What you should consider: The waistband is not as adjustable as other pants. Arctix Insulated Cargo Snow Pants What you need to know: Arctix has the most customizable snow pants with a large selection of colors and sizes. What you’ll love: Key features include boot zippers, three pockets, an adjustable waistline and an O-ring for keys. There are 20 color options, such as Blue Night, Rose, Green Camo and Plum, alongside 45 size options. There are tall, long, short and inseam measurement size types. What you should consider: With all the sizing choices, finding the right one will be more difficult. Columbia Arctic Omni Heat Snow Pants What you need to know: The Omni Heat snow pants are highly insulated to offer the most warmth. What you’ll love: These pants use nylon for excellent durability on the outside. The interior has reflective Omni Heat technology that keeps the heat from leaving the pants. There’s an adjustable waist strap on the inside, zippered pockets at the hips and near the leg, plus a double snap closure at the waist. What you should consider: Some reviewers recommend buying a size up. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. 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Gov. Chris Sununu got a holiday wish in the corner office last week after the Executive Council agreed to allow Dartmouth Health to take over operations at Hampstead Hospital. Dartmouth Health will now lease Hampstead Hospital — New Hampshire’s only children’s psychiatric hospital and residential treatment facility — from the state with a seven-year contract. Cinde Warmington, the lone Democrat on the council, voted no. Earlier this month, Sununu acknowledged the model was a first for the state. At Glencliff Home and New Hampshire Hospital, the state-owned nursing home and psychiatric facility, a public-private partnership is in place with Dartmouth. There, the private health provider staffs all the clinical positions while the Department of Health and Human Services retains control over executive positions. At Hampstead, Dartmouth will staff the entire facility from top leaders to clinicians. Morissa Henn, the deputy commissioner for Health and Human Services, said the full takeover will provide stability at the facility after two fraught years since the state purchased it in 2022. “What I believe is powerful about this model is that we have the powerhouse of clinical expertise of Dartmouth Health, as well as their mission alignment,” she said. “So it really is a win-win.” To Warmington, the contract lacked strong enforcement mechanisms. “It’s a half-baked contract in my opinion,” she said. “It just doesn’t have the teeth in it, the reporting requirements, the mechanisms and we’ve seen how bad the outcomes can be.” Dartmouth Health will be required to renew its license each year to operate the facility, as well as report on conditions inside the facility, including the use of restraints and seclusion. The contract also establishes a joint oversight commission, which will include hospital and state staff, to address everything from readmission to staffing levels, said Henn. Two existing oversight commissions — one on children’s services and another on health and human services — will also play a role. In addition, a citizens advisory board will be created to allow for people with lived experience, behavioral health advocates and others to provide advice on hospital operations. “I want to respectfully disagree on the premise that this has inadequate teeth,” said Henn. “There are numerous, layer-upon-layer accountability mechanisms to ensure that Dartmouth Health is providing the highest quality care.” Councilors were up against the clock to make a decision on the contract, as it was the last meeting for Sununu, as well as Warmington and Ted Gastas, a Manchester Republican who is retiring. When Hampstead opened under state ownership, the facility was designed to have 71 hospital beds and 12 more spots for a residential psychiatric treatment facility. Due to staffing shortages and space restrictions, the hospital has never admitted more than 40 patients and only half of the residential beds were filled at a time. The new contract intentionally does not indicate how many beds patients should occupy, said Henn. That is, in part, the first step in recognizing that more beds aren’t necessarily good for children in the state. “If we are going to move to a future landscape where we are serving kids around families and not removing them from their homes to be treated in placements, we need to begin to understand that resources may need to be shifted at any given moment toward the outpatient offerings that Dartmouth health is offering, or toward the system of care with community-based partnerships that exist,” she said. Without an arbitrary number, Dartmouth will have greater flexibility in the services it provides and not be held to mandated occupancy requirements. A provision of the lease will also state that New Hampshire children must be served before out-of-state youth are accepted to the facility. As of Wednesday, Henn reported seven children remained in the emergency room waiting to be admitted. With the new partnership, current staff at the hospital will be offered positions as full-time Dartmouth employees. The hospital is offering 2 percent raises for those who stay on and Henn said state and hospital leaders would be onsite as soon as possible to talk through the transition. “My concern is our staff. We have an incredibly dedicated staff at Hampstead hospital who have been through a lot,” said Henn. “I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to work as hard as they do, and go home at the end of the day not knowing what the model holds. ... I believe we don’t have the time to wait.” Becoming a Dartmouth employee isn’t the desired outcome of over 100 hospital staff, though, who signed a petition presented to the Executive Council at their last meeting, asking to remain as state employees. In the last two years, some employees have seen a carousel of changes to their insurance and pensions under the shifts in leadership. The conversation could continue in the legislative chambers, though, with Erica Layon, a Derry Republican, introducing a bill to establish permanent classified state employee positions for the staff of Hampstead. Joeseph Kenney, a Wakefield Republican, urged the council to avoid letting staffing disputes be the final stumbling block. The state can, and should, go to Hampstead and give clear information to employees about the transition and their benefits. Henn estimates the state will finalize a lease agreement with Dartmouth at the beginning of February. “They’re the best game in town and they’re mission-driven,” said Kenney. “Ultimately, it’s the end user, the child, that we’re trying to provide services for. That’s paramount.”LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland finds that mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor assaulted a woman in a hotel. (CORRECTS: A previous APNewsAlert misstated the claim the jury found him liable for.).
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French President Emmanuel Macron assembled a new government under Francois Bayrou, his fourth prime minister of the year, on Monday evening. He appointed a cabinet to drag the second-largest EU economy out of a political crisis over budget proposals. Eric Lombard, a finance professional, was appointed finance minister. He is tasked with delivering the country's next budget after the previous government collapsed over contentious budget proposals of €60 billion ($62.9 billion) worth of tax increases and spending cuts. The country has been running without passing a formal budget since. Lombard will aim to quickly pass the 2025 budget and survive the test of a no-confidence motion by the opposition. Finding support for the new budget is expected to be difficult as Macron's party lawmakers are in the minority in the National Assembly. Former prime minister Elisabeth Borne, 63, was appointed the education minister in the new cabinet. Manuel Valls (62), also a former prime minister, returned as overseas territories minister, while former interior minister Gerald Darmanin was appointed justice minister. Macron decided to retain Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot for their current assignment. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, a conservative who has promised to crack down on illegal immigration, and right-wing Culture Minister Rachida Dati also retained their ministries. Bayrou expressed confidence in delivering the budget by mid-February after consulting various groups and stakeholders. The first meeting of the cabinet will be on January 3, and the prime minister will lay out a policy agenda to the National Assembly on January 14. "I believe the path exists — maybe it’s mad optimism — but I can tell you with certainty that if we don’t succeed in this attempt, it’s the last stop before the cliff edge,” Bayrou said in an interview with France 2 television on Thursday. (With inputs from AFP)
WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray told bureau workers Wednesday that he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden's term in January, an announcement that came a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump said he would nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the job. Wray said at a town hall meeting that he would be stepping down “after weeks of careful thought,” roughly three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations, including two that led to separate indictments of Trump last year as well as inquiries into Biden and his son. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day,” Wray told agency employees. “In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.” The intended resignation was not unexpected considering that Trump had settled on Patel to be director and had repeatedly aired his ire at Wray, whom he appointed during his first term. But his departure is nonetheless a reflection of how Trump's norm-breaking style has reshaped Washington, with the president-elect yet again flouting tradition by moving to replace an FBI director well before his term was up and Wray resigning to avert a collision with the incoming administration. “It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway — this is not easy for me," Wray said. “I love this place, I love our mission, and I love our people — but my focus is, and always has been, on us and doing what’s right for the FBI.” Wray received a standing ovation following his remarks before a standing-room-only crowd at FBI headquarters and some in the audience cried, according to an FBI official who was not authorized to discuss the private gathering by name and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. Trump applauded the news on social media, calling it “a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice" and saying that Patel's confirmation will begin “the process of Making the FBI Great Again.” If confirmed by the Senate, Patel would herald a radical leadership transformation at the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency. He has advocated shutting down the FBI's Washington headquarters and called for ridding the federal government of “conspirators," raising alarms that he might seek to wield the FBI's significant investigative powers as an instrument of retribution against Trump's perceived enemies. Patel said in a statement Wednesday that he was looking forward to "a smooth transition. I will be ready to serve the American people on day one.” It's extremely rare for FBI directors to be ousted from their jobs before the completion of their 10-year terms, a length meant to insulate the agency from the political influence of changing administrations. But Trump has done it twice, placing Wray in the job in 2017 after firing Director James Comey amid an investigation into ties between Russia and the Republican president’s campaign. Despite having appointed Wray, Trump had telegraphed his anger with the FBI director on multiple occasions throughout the years, including as recently as the past week. In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, Trump said, “I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home,” a reference to the FBI search of his Florida property , Mar-a-Lago, two years ago for classified documents from Trump’s first term as president. That search, and the recovery of boxes of sensitive government records, paved the way for one of two federal indictments against Trump. The case, and another one charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election, have both been dismissed by the Justice Department special counsel that brought them in light of Trump's November victory. Attorney General Merrick Garland praised Wray for having “served our country honorably and with integrity for decades.” He said: “Under Director Wray’s principled leadership, the FBI has worked to fulfill the Justice Department’s mission to keep our country safe, protect civil rights, and uphold the rule of law.” Natalie Bara, the president of the FBI Agents Association, said in a statement that Wray had led the FBI “through challenging times with a steady focus on doing the work that keeps our country safe. ” Throughout his seven years on the job, the self-professed "low-key, understated" Wray brought a workmanlike approach to the job, repeatedly preaching a “keep calm and tackle hard” mantra to bureau personnel despite a steady drumbeat of attacks from Trump and his supporters. He also sought to avoid public conflict when possible with the Trump White House, distancing himself and his leadership team from the FBI's Russia investigation over errors that took place before he took office and announcing dozens of corrective actions meant to prevent the recurrence of the surveillance abuses that plagued the inquiry. But there were other instances when he memorably broke from Trump — he did not agree, for instance, with Trump’s characterization of the Russia investigation as a “witch hunt." He made known his displeasure when the White House blessed the declassification of materials related to the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide and contradicted a Trump talking point by stating that Ukraine had not interfered in the 2016 election. He repeatedly sought to keep the focus on the FBI's day-to-day work, using the bulk of his resignation announcement to praise the bureau's efforts in countering everything from violent crime and cyberattacks to Chinese espionage and terrorism. Yet as he leaves office at a time of heightened threats , much of the public focus has been on the politically sensitive investigations of his tenure. Besides the inquiries into Trump, the FBI in recent years also investigated Biden's handling of classified information as well as Biden's son Hunter for tax and gun violations. Hunter Biden was pardoned by his father last week. A particular flashpoint came in August 2022, when FBI agents searched Mar-a-Lago — an action officials defended as necessary given the boxes of documents that were being concealed at the Palm Beach property and the evidence of obstruction that the Justice Department said had been gathered. Trump railed against the FBI over that search and has kept up his criticism ever since. Trump was angered by Wray's comment at a congressional hearing that there was “some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel” that struck Trump's ear during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July. The FBI later stated unequivocally that it was indeed a bullet. Before being named FBI director, Wray worked at a prestigious law firm, King & Spalding, where he represented former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during the “Bridgegate” scandal. He also led the Justice Department’s criminal division for a period during President George W. Bush’s administration.SERAP Asks Tinubu, Shettima, Others To Make Asset Declarations PublicHegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate
Thickness of color coated plate and how to pick the color of color coated coilWASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled more than $194 million in funding to support economic development projects across 14 states, Puerto Rico, and Tribal communities. The announcement, highlighted by USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden, reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to assisting historically underserved rural and Tribal communities through the Rural Partners Network (RPN). RPN, launched in April 2022, is an initiative designed to bridge gaps in federal funding and ensure equitable access to resources for rural and Tribal areas. Since its inception, RPN has facilitated over $8.5 billion in federal investments, including $1.5 billion directly from the USDA, to address long-standing challenges such as infrastructure, housing, connectivity, and health care. “The Rural Partners Network has broken down barriers so underserved rural communities and families can access the resources they need to prepare for the future,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Today, we’re celebrating several more examples of how aligning those resources with local blueprints for success will keep rural and Tribal communities across the country thriving for generations to come.” Economic Impact and Key Projects The latest investment will fund 118 projects focused on fostering economic growth, reducing costs for families, and modernizing critical infrastructure in rural communities. Specific initiatives range from transitioning to clean energy to addressing workforce shortages and enhancing water and sewer systems. Highlights include: Southeast Alaska : Improvements to a hydroelectric plant on Prince of Wales Island will boost clean energy production, while a biobased economic development program aims to create jobs in the timber industry. Southern Georgia : A technical college will invest in technology and training systems for heavy equipment operators and welders to address regional labor gaps. Kentucky : Appalachian communities will benefit from upgraded sewer systems, job creation efforts, and energy cost savings through solar technology. West Virginia : Investments will support telehealth services, family businesses transitioning to clean energy, and water infrastructure modernization. Puerto Rico and Other Regions : Projects will target sustaining local businesses, addressing environmental challenges, and improving household water systems. Streamlining Access to Grants USDA also emphasized its efforts to simplify the grant application process through the Better Grants Better Service initiative. By gathering feedback from applicants and staff, the agency has identified 33 recommendations to improve program accessibility and streamline funding opportunities. The USDA and its collaborative partners remain focused on addressing the unique needs of rural communities, ensuring they have the tools and resources necessary to build sustainable economic futures. For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN .
LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland finds that mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor assaulted a woman in a hotel. (CORRECTS: A previous APNewsAlert misstated the claim the jury found him liable for.).
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Kolkata, Dec 30 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be visiting Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district on Monday -- a first since the sexual harassment controversy broke out earlier this year. Several local women had made allegations of sexual harassment and land grabbing by local Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan -- who has since been suspended by the party -- and his two aides, Shibu Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar. The Chief Minister on December 26 announced that she would be going there to attend an official programme on December 30 and hand over documents of public services to 100 beneficiaries there. On Monday, 20,000 individuals will be handed over such papers from different camps established there on that day," Banerjee said. Earlier, when the controversy broke out, doubts were raised from different quarters, including the opposition parties in the state, as to why the Chief Minister was avoiding a visit to Sandeshkhali. Political observers feel that the Chief Minister's visit to Sandeshkhali now is significant as she is expected to make important announcements there. On January 5, Sandeshkhali hit the headlines as a group of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and their escorting Central Armed Forces Personnel (CAPF) personnel were attacked after attempting a raid and search operations at the residence of Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with the multi-core ration distribution case in West Bengal. After that, the local people whose land was allegedly grabbed by Shahahjan and his associates and the women, who had become victims of sexual harassment by them, came out on the streets protesting the issue. The Trinamool then said the allegations of sexual harassment were politically motivated and meant to defame the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The BJP, however, claimed the allegations were an example of the Trinamool misrule and exploitation of women. In the Lok Sabha election, the Trinamool Congress won the Basirhat seat, within which the Sandeshkhali Assembly constituency is located. Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested on February 29 after he managed to evade the police for around two months. Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition, BJP's Suvendu Adhikari has announced that he would hold a 'Jana Sanjog Yatra' in the area a day after the Chief Minister's visit.
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