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DeSantis promises Florida will ‘hunt down’ fentanyl traffickers as bust seizes 15,000 deadly pills

FIRST ON FOX: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is hailing law enforcement efforts and promising to “hunt down” fentanyl traffickers after the successful seizure of a massive 15,000 pills disguised as OxyContin by Florida authorities on Thursday. “Fentanyl flowing over our southern border is a direct result of the Biden Border Crisis and in Florida, we will not allow it to take the lives of innocent people,” DeSantis said in a statement to Fox News Digital.  “In Florida, we will hunt down anyone who brings fentanyl into our communities and puts lives at risk,” DeSantis, who is also running for the 2024 Republican White House nomination, said. “I am thankful to the officers who continue to put the safety of their communities first and apprehend these criminals.” His comments came after the Florida Highway Patrol Criminal Interdiction Unit arrested a suspect on Thursday and seized the haul of drugs in Osceola County.  SENATE REPORT SOUNDS ALARM ON SURGE IN FENTANYL DEATHS AMONG OLDER AMERICANS: ‘SILENT EPIDEMIC’  According to the state, troopers stopped a white Mercedes driving recklessly and pursued it going over 100 miles an hour, hitting other vehicles and driving on the wrong side of the highway. The driver, Jonathan Nicola, crashed and was taken into custody for traffic offenses. During the subsequent search of the vehicle, officers found a loaded handgun, drug paraphernalia and 15,000 pills in a vacuum-sealed bag. The vehicle was determined to have been stolen. Nicola has since been charged with drug trafficking and possession, as well as vehicle and weapons charges. Illicit fentanyl is typically manufactured in Mexico using Chinese precursors and then moved across the U.S. land border. While the majority of seizures take place at ports of entry, officials have warned about fentanyl being smuggled in between ports and past overwhelmed Border Patrol agents who are dealing with a historic migrant crisis. DOJ RENEWS SCOTUS PUSH TO ACT AFTER TEXAS SEIZES BORDER AREAS, BLOCKS BORDER PATROL FROM ENTERING  “Despite the unabated flow of Fentanyl flowing into our nation through the open southern border, State Troopers wake up every day willingly putting themselves in high-risk situations like this, so that they can put evil people behind bars,” Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner said in a statement.  “Despite the advantages the drug cartels reap from the open border, the Florida Highway Patrol will never back down from the mission Governor DeSantis has assigned us; keep our communities safe, and fight back against the cartel driven devastation,” he said. Of the over 107,000 overdose deaths in 2021, 75% involved an opioid, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC.) The drug can be fatal in tiny doses due to it being 50 times stronger than heroin, and is often either mixed with, or disguised as, other drugs, so users are unaware they are ingesting fentanyl. The Biden administration has put the increase in seizures of the drug down to better screening and technology at ports of entry, and has said it needs more funding. But Republicans have said it is due to an increase in attempts as a result of the border crisis, meaning that more of the drug could be getting through. 

World reacts to Taiwan election as China says reunification ‘inevitable’

Beijing says its stance on ‘national reunification’ remains unchanged as world leaders congratulate William Lai Ching-te. China said “reunification” with Taiwan was still “inevitable” after president-elect William Lai Ching-te won Saturday’s pivotal election on the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own. Lai, from the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), won despite warnings from China not to vote for him. He took 40.2 percent of votes cast, according to results from the Central Election Commission. “I want to thank the Taiwanese people for writing a new chapter in our democracy,” Lai said in his victory speech. “We are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism, we will stand on the side of democracy.” In the run-up to the polls, China denounced Lai as a dangerous separatist, said he would be a threat to peace in the region if he won, and called the elections a choice between “peace and war”. Here are some of the reactions to the pivotal vote: China “Taiwan is China’s Taiwan,” Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua said in a statement carried by state news agency Xinhua, adding that the DPP “cannot represent the mainstream public opinion on the island”. But he added that the vote “will not impede the inevitable trend of China’s reunification”. While Taiwan has been self-governed since the 1940s, China still claims the island and its outlying territories. The vote “will not change the basic landscape and development trend of cross-Strait relations,” Binhua said. Beijing’s stance on “realising national reunification remains consistent, and our determination is as firm as rock.” China “firmly oppose[s] the separatist activities aimed at ‘Taiwan independence’ as well as foreign interference”, he added. United States The United States does “not support” the independence of Taiwan, President Joe Biden said, after being asked by reporters for Washington’s position on Taiwan’s presidential vote. The Biden administration has feared that the election, transition and new administration would escalate conflict with Beijing. In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken saluted Lai on his victory and hailed the “robust democratic system and electoral process” of the self-ruled island. Blinken added that Washington is “committed to maintaining cross-Strait peace and stability, and the peaceful resolution of differences, free from coercion and pressure.” Russia Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement that Moscow continued to view Taiwan as an integral part of China. Moscow has repeatedly shown its support of Beijing’s “One China” policy on the issue of Taiwan. European Union The EU “welcomed” Taiwan’s presidential election and congratulated all the voters who “participated in this democratic exercise”, a statement said, without mentioning president-elect Lai. “The EU remains concerned about growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral attempt to change the status quo,” said the statement by a spokesperson for EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell. “The European Union underlines that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are key to regional and global security and prosperity.” United Kingdom British Foreign Minister David Cameron congratulated Lai and said he hoped Taiwan and China would renew efforts to resolve their differences peacefully. “The elections today are testament to Taiwan’s vibrant democracy,” Cameron said in a statement. “I hope that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will renew efforts to resolve differences peacefully through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion.” Japan Japan congratulated the smooth implementation of the democratic election and Lai on his victory. “We expect that the issue surrounding Taiwan will be resolved peacefully through dialogue, thereby contributing to the peace and stability in the region,” it said in a statement, adding that Taiwan was an “extremely crucial partner” with whom Tokyo aimed to “deepen cooperation.” Adblock test (Why?)

Hundreds of thousands rally globally for Gaza on eve of 100 days of war

Hundreds of thousands of people are taking to the streets across the world to protest against Israel’s war in Gaza, as it nears the 100-day mark on Sunday. People gathered at rallies in Malaysia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Indonesia on Saturday, as well as at other protests in Japan, Italy, Greece and Pakistan. The demonstrations are part of a “global day of action for Palestine” and to call for an end to the bloodshed that has killed 23,843 people and wounded more than 60,317, according to Palestinian health officials. In Kuala Lumpur, people gathered outside the United States embassy to send a message to Israel’s staunch ally, that has vetoed several United Nations resolutions calling for a ceasefire. “We’ve spoken to people here who say they’ve come to show solidarity with Palestinians. People are holding up placards that read: ‘Stop the genocide’, as well as ‘Bombing children is not self-defence’,” said Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi, reporting from Kuala Lumpur. Thousands of people also gathered outside the US embassy in Jakarta, waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags and holding signs that read “Boycott Israel” and “Ceasefire Now”. In Johannesburg, demonstrators gathered outside the US consulate for a protest bolstered by South Africa’s case of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice this week. Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller said many in the crowd accused the US, which has supplied Israel with thousands of tonnes of military equipment since the war started, of “complicity in the bombardment of the Palestinian people”. Thousands of people gathered in central London. Jeanine Hourani, a member of the Palestine Youth Movement attending the march, said protesters are angry over the injustice in Gaza. “We have been taking to the streets every week since October 7,” she told Al Jazeera, saying the British public largely supports a ceasefire but UK politicians “have continued to fund and support the genocide”. “We are going to continue taking to the streets, continue applying pressure, until Palestine is free,” she said. Later on Saturday, more rallies are expected to in Washington, DC and other American cities. Adblock test (Why?)

Boeing flight returns to Japan airport due to cockpit window crack

The aircraft is not one of Boeing’s 737 MAX 9 planes which have been in the spotlight after Alaska Airlines blowout. A domestic flight of Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has returned to its departure airport after a crack was found on the cockpit window of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft midair. Flight 1182 was headed to Toyama airport in Japan but headed back to the Sapporo-New Chitose airport after the crack was found on the outermost of four layers of windows surrounding the cockpit, a spokesperson for the airline said on Saturday. There were no injuries reported among the 59 passengers and six crew, the airline added. “The crack was not something that affected the flight’s control or pressurisation,” the ANA spokesperson said. This is the second incident involving a Boeing aircraft in a week. The ANA plane, also a 737 model aircraft, is however not one of Boeing’s 737 MAX 9 aeroplanes which have been in the spotlight since an Alaska Airlines flight suffered a blowout that left a gaping hole in the side of the fuselage last Saturday. While the Alaska flight also landed safely with all 174 passengers and six crew members, flight data showed the plane climbed to 16,000 feet (4,876 metres) before returning to Portland International Airport. Alaska Airlines has said it was grounding its fleet of 737-9 aircraft. Planes ‘grounded’ On Friday, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that all 737 MAX 9 planes would remain grounded until Boeing provides further data following the near-catastrophic Alaska Airlines incident. “For the safety of American travellers the FAA will keep the Boeing 737-9 MAX grounded until extensive inspection and maintenance is conducted and data from inspections is reviewed,” the FAA said in a statement. The regulator has also launched a safety probe into the incident, the first major in-flight safety issue on a Boeing plane since fatal 2018 and 2019 737 MAX crashes that led to a lengthy grounding of the aircraft. “We are working to make sure nothing like this happens again,” FAA administrator Mike Whitaker said. “Our only concern is the safety of American travellers and the Boeing 737-9 MAX will not return to the skies until we are entirely satisfied it is safe.” In a statement on Friday, Boeing welcomed the FAA’s announcement and said the company would “cooperate fully and transparently”. “We support all actions that strengthen quality and safety and we are taking actions across our production system.” Boeing 737 Max jets have been grounded worldwide in the past. In October 2018 they were not let to fly for almost two years after a crash in Indonesia killed 189 people, and another in Ethiopia five months later, which killed 157 people. The aircraft was cleared to fly again after Boeing revamped its automated flight-control system that had activated erroneously in both crashes. Adblock test (Why?)

Indian Army launches ‘Operation Sarvashakti’ to counter Pakistan’s attempts to revive terrorism in J-K

In recent times, Pakistani proxy terrorist groups have tried to revive terrorism in the South of Pir Panjal ranges especially in the Rajouri Poonch sector, where around 20 troops have been killed in attacks by terrorists, with the latest being on December 21, when four soldiers were killed in action

Senate bill would put citizenship question on census, stop non-citizens being counted for redistricting

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., will introduce legislation next week that would put a citizenship question on the census to prevent non-citizens from being counted for congressional apportionment — amid a surge of migrants in recent years due to the ongoing border crisis. The Equal Representation Act, a draft of which was obtained by Fox News Digital, would require a citizenship question to be put on the decennial census asking whether the respondent is a citizen, a resident non-citizen or an illegal immigrant. The bill would then require that the census not count those who are non-citizens for the apportionment of congressional districts. Currently, all people who take the census, including resident non-citizens and illegal immigrants, are counted for redistricting. REP ROSENDALE VOWS TO RESTORE TRUMP-ERA POLICIES WITH IMMIGRATION PACKAGE: ‘BIDEN IS DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY’ It would apply to the census conducted in 2030 and beyond.  The bill comes amid long-standing concerns from Republicans that Democrats will benefit electorally from a surge in illegal immigrants into the country, who then will often flock to liberal areas with broad social services and right-to-shelter laws and sanctuary policies that prevent cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. MAYORKAS TELLS BORDER PATROL AGENTS THAT ‘ABOVE 85% OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RELEASED INTO US: SOURCES  Former President Donald Trump had tried to include a citizenship question on the census but had been rebuked by the Supreme Court, saying the reasoning was insufficient. Trump had considered using an executive order to put the question on the census, but ultimately it went ahead without one. “Think about it, $15-20 billion [on a census], and you’re not allowed to ask if someone’s a citizen,” he said at the time. The question has re-emerged with the massive number of migrants coming through into the U.S. due to the current border crisis, with many flooding to cities like New York City and Chicago. States like California also have their numbers bolstered potentially by larger numbers of illegal immigrants.  There were over 2.4 million migrant encounters in FY 23. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has said that over a million people have been released into the U.S., and he recently told Border Patrol agents that they have been releasing over 85% of migrants into the interior. Comments by Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-NY, went viral recently when she said, “I need more people in my district just for redistricting purposes” and drew the attention of commentators including X CEO Elon Musk. This week, similar legislation was introduced in the House as part of a package of legislation from Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont.

Biden admin issues new natural gas tax in latest fossil fuel crackdown

The Biden administration unveiled a new regulatory proposal Friday that would introduce a new tax on the fossil fuel industry, punishing producers that exceed a certain level of methane emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which spearheaded the proposal, said it will help “tackle wasteful methane emissions” from the oil and gas sector, encouraging facilities with the highest emissions levels to meet or exceed higher levels of performance. The proposed rules would create the so-called Waste Emissions Charge, which begins at $900 per metric ton of wasteful emissions in 2024, and increases to $1,200 for 2025 and $1,500 for 2026 and beyond. “Under President Biden’s leadership, EPA is delivering on a comprehensive strategy to reduce wasteful methane emissions that endanger communities and fuel the climate crisis,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “Today’s proposal, when finalized, will support a complementary set of technology standards and historic resources from the Inflation Reduction Act, to incentivize industry innovation and prompt action.” “We are laser-focused on working collectively with companies, states and communities to ensure that America leads in deploying technologies and innovations that aid in the development of a clean energy economy,” he continued. TOP ENERGY LOBBY GROUP UNLEASHES 8-FIGURE AD CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF US PRODUCTION AHEAD OF 2024 ELECTION The announcement was immediately applauded by green groups and Democratic congressional leaders, including Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Tom Carper, D-Del., who said the proposal would “slow climate change and protect our one and only planet.” Fred Krupp, the president of the Environmental Defense Fund, added that implementing a methane fee was a “common sense” move to cut emissions across the economy. ALASKAN NATIVE AMERICANS UNLEASH ON BIDEN ADMIN’S CLIMATE AGENDA: ‘COMMUNITIES AND CULTURE ARE AT RISK’ For years, environmentalists and Democrats have called for stricter regulations targeting methane, which activists refer to as a “super pollutant” and which is far more potent than carbon dioxide. In its announcement Friday, the EPA added that reducing methane emissions was among the most important actions the U.S. could take to “slow the rate of rapidly rising global temperatures.” However, EPA’s proposal was met with disapproval from the fossil fuel industry, which characterized it as a “punitive tax increase.” “As the world looks to U.S. energy producers to provide stability in an increasingly unstable world, this punitive tax increase is a serious misstep that undermines America’s energy advantage,” American Petroleum Institute senior vice president of policy, economics and regulatory affairs Dustin Meyer said Friday. “While we support smart federal methane regulation, this proposal creates an incoherent, confusing regulatory regime that will only stifle innovation and undermine our ability to meet rising energy demand,” Meyer added. “We look forward to working with Congress to repeal the IRA’s misguided new tax on American energy.” OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS PERMITTING PLUMMETS TO 2-DECADE LOW UNDER BIDEN EPA’s actions come a month after it unveiled separate environmental regulations targeting methane emissions during the recent United Nations climate summit in Dubai. Those regulations include rigorous new standards that force the energy industry to slash methane emissions, mainly by incorporating advanced technology like pollution-control equipment and aerial screening, sensor networks and satellites. It further phases in a requirement to eliminate routine flaring of natural gas, the release of gas produced during oil drilling operations that lack capture technology. EPA said its methane fee unveiled Friday was designed to work in tandem with the regulations finalized last month. “The Waste Emissions Charge will help encourage the oil and gas industry to stay on target to lower emissions,” EPA said in its announcement. “Oil and natural gas operations with methane emissions in excess of the emissions intensity levels established in the Inflation Reduction Act can reduce or eliminate any charge by deploying readily available technologies to reduce harmful and wasteful emissions.” “This program will help to level the playing field for industry leaders already employing best practices and drive near-term opportunities for more widespread methane reductions while EPA and states work toward full implementation of the Clean Air Act standards,” it continued.

Taiwan votes in closely watched presidential and parliamentary elections

William Lai Ching-te has won Taiwan’s presidential elections, despite China’s warnings not to vote for him. Lai, from the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), took 40.2 percent of votes cast on Saturday, according to partial results from the Central Election Commission after 98 percent of polling stations closed. Lai promised to stand “on the side of democracy” and defend the self-ruled island from “intimidation” from China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory. Lai, the current vice president, was in a three-way race with Hou Yu-ih from the conservative Kuomintang (KMT) and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP). The DPP favours a higher international profile for Taiwan as a de facto independent state, while the KMT promised closer ties with China but potentially better economic relations, and the TPP, which was founded in 2019, offered an untested but new third way between the other parties. Taiwan’s elections carry an outsized importance because of the territory’s disputed political status. While self-governed since the 1940s, China still claims the island and its outlying territories and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve its ambitions. In the run-up to the polls, China denounced Lai as a dangerous separatist, said he would be a threat to peace in the region if he won, and called the elections a choice between “peace and war“. Voters also elected politicians to Taiwan’s 113-seat legislature on Saturday. The DPP has been in power for the past eight years under President Tsai Ing-wen. Some 19.5 million people aged 20 and over were eligible to vote. Adblock test (Why?)

Ukraine says Russia launched barrage of missile attacks nationwide

Mass onslaught took place before France’s new foreign minister’s visit to Kyiv. Russia launched dozens of attacks across Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian air force said, as Kyiv continued its diplomatic efforts to ratchet up support and military aid. “A total of 40 means of enemy air attack were recorded,” the air force said on Saturday, adding that it destroyed eight missiles. “More than 20 devices” failed to reach their targets due to “active measures by means of electronic warfare”. Russia said it destroyed all targets in a barrage of attacks on facilities producing ammunition and drones in Ukraine. The defence ministry in Moscow said its armed forces “carried out a group strike … against facilities of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex”. It said it was targeting places producing shells, gunpowder and unmanned aerial vehicles. “All designated facilities were hit,” it added. No fatalities were reported so far, but Ukrainian authorities said a civilian was wounded in the northeastern Sumy region. According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia fired Kinzhal missiles, perhaps the toughest conventional Russian missile to shoot down, moving at several times the speed of sound. The missiles were shot down in at least five regions across Ukraine, according to local officials from those provinces. Police in the northern region of Chernihiv posted a picture of a large crater made by a downed missile. “As a result of being hit by the debris of an enemy missile, several private homes and non-residential buildings were damaged, one building was practically destroyed,” the police wrote, adding that a dog had been killed but no people were hurt. The air force in Ukraine’s neighbour Poland said it had briefly activated air defence systems due to the increased level of threat. The attacks took place as France’s newly appointed foreign minister, Stephane Sejourne, arrived in Kyiv on Saturday for his first official trip abroad, in a sign of support as the Russian invasion of Ukraine nears its second year. Stephane Sejourne (centre) and Dmytro Kuleba, right, walk to enter the building of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in downtown Kyiv [Roman Pilipey/AFP] Speaking at a news conference in Kyiv, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba praised Sejourne for not “being intimidated by Russia’s latest large-scale missile attack” and reaching the Ukrainian capital so soon after his appointment on Thursday, which he said “says a lot about the priorities of France’s foreign policy”. Sejourne confirmed his visit was a “message to the Ukrainians”. “Ukraine is and will remain France’s priority,” he said. “Our resolve is intact and so is our admiration for the courage of the Ukrainian people during this difficult time.” He added that he would work in the coming days and weeks to fix European Union and bilateral legal issues to help French companies set up more military production facilities in Ukraine, without saying what these legal issues were. Sejourne also encouraged French companies to invest in Ukraine, mentioning the transport, energy, telecoms and water sectors. The visit follows that of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday, where he unveiled new military funding for Ukraine and reassured the country that the West is still providing support. Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a bilateral security agreement for the next 10 years. It will remain in effect until Ukraine acquires its hoped-for NATO membership, Zelenskyy said. Adblock test (Why?)

Pro-Palestine protests held around the world as Gaza war nears 100 days

Hundreds of thousands of people are taking to the streets across the world to protest against the war in Gaza, as it nears the 100-day mark, and to demand an end to Israel’s offensive. At rallies on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, people gathered at the United States embassy to send a message to Israel’s staunch ally. The US has vetoed United Nations resolutions backed by a vast majority of the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire. “We’ve spoken to people here who say they’ve come to show solidarity with Palestinians. People are holding up placards that read: ‘Stop the genocide’, as well as ‘Bombing children is not self-defence’,” said Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi, reporting from Kuala Lumpur. The demonstrations are part of a “global day of action for Palestine” and to call for an end to the bloodshed that has killed 23,843 people and wounded more than 60,317, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel on Friday rejected accusations of genocide in Gaza during a public hearing at the International Court of Justice, claiming the case filed by South Africa with the top UN court was a distortion of truth that amounted to libel. Its arguments were based on its alleged right to self-defence following the attack by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7, which killed 1,139 people, as well as a lack of genocidal intent against the Palestinian people. Last month, Malaysia’s government said it would no longer allow Israeli-owned ships to dock in Malaysian ports. It also said any vessel en route to Israel would not be allowed to unload cargo at any Malaysian port. The protest movement in Malaysia, organised in collaboration with dozens of NGOs, said it aimed to educate people not only about the atrocities that are happening in Gaza, but also about the history of the occupation. Thousands of people also gathered outside the US embassy in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags and holding signs that read “Boycott Israel” and “Ceasefire Now.” Demonstrators gathered outside the US consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa, where Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller said many in the crowd accused the US, which has supplied Israel with thousands of tonnes of military equipment since the war started, of “complicity in the bombardment of the Palestinian people”. The protest has been bolstered by South Africa’s case at the ICJ, Miller said. Roshan Dadoo, a leader of South Africa’s Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement, who attended the protest, said: “We’re going to be here until we can make sure there is a ceasefire and sufficient humanitarian assistance for Gaza.” Rallies were also expected to kick off in world capitals including Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Amman and Washington, DC. Jeanine Hourani, a member of the Palestine Youth Movement attending the march in London, said protesters are angry over the injustice in Gaza and determined to keep marching for Palestinian rights. “The sentiment is one of rage and frustration” she told Al Jazeera. “We have been taking to the streets every week since October 7.” Hourani said that while the British public largely supports a ceasefire in Gaza, “the UK’s politicians have continued to fund and support the genocide.” “Ultimately, we know that in the grand scheme of things – in the long arc of justice – we are winning,” she said. “We are going to continue taking to the streets, continue applying pressure, until Palestine is free.” Thousands gathered at Bank Junction in central London, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said. The seventh National March for Palestine featured an appearance by Little Amal, a giant puppet of a Syrian child refugee, joining a group of Palestinian children. ‘Little Amal’, a puppet of a Syrian refugee girl, has become an international symbol of human rights [File: Tom Nicholson/Reuters] The 3.5-metre puppet, whose name means hope in Arabic, became an international symbol of human rights after she journeyed 8,000km (4,970 miles) from the Turkish-Syrian border to Manchester in July 2021. About 1,700 officers were on duty to police the march in London, the Metropolitan Police said. Adblock test (Why?)