Lazio have sealed deals for Reda Belahyane and Oliver Provstgaard who have both landed in Rome ahead of their imminent transfers.
The Biancocelesti spent the entire January transfer session hunting a young midfielder. But after recently missing out on Torino’s new signing Cesare Casadei following a back-and-forth transfer saga, they reverted to their original target, Belahyane. The Italian capital side pounced on their good relationships with Hellas Verona to strike a swift agreement.
As reported by Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the 20-year-old French Morrocan was spotted in Rome as he arrives to finalise a deadline-day transfer on Monday. The young deep-lying playmaker is an OGC Nice youth product who joined the Gialloblu a year ago for less than €1 million and made his Serie A debut under Marco Baroni.
Belahyane rose to prominence this season with Paolo Zanetti in charge, cementing himself as a regular feature for Verona. Hence, he should cost Lazio €12-13 million.
Moreover, Claudio Lotito and Angelo Fabiani have also been seeking a new central defender, and have finally found their man in Provstgaard. According to Sky Sport DE journalist Florian Plettenberg, the 21-year-old Dane has also arrived in the Italian capital following an agreement between Lazio and Vejle on a tranfer fee of €4 million.
The young centre-back is blessed with an impressive physical frame and as well as technical attributes, rendering him a modern-day defender. Since both players are under the age of 22, neither will warrant a spot on the club’s congested Serie A squad list.
Lazio fans, get ready to welcome two exciting young talents to the club as they arrive in Rome to complete their transfers!
The first player is a highly-rated midfielder who has been making waves in his home country. Known for his technical ability and vision on the pitch, he is expected to bring a new dimension to Lazio’s midfield.
The second player is a promising forward who has been turning heads with his speed and skill. With a keen eye for goal, he is set to bolster Lazio’s attacking options and provide some much-needed firepower.
Both players are eager to prove themselves in Serie A and help Lazio achieve their goals this season. Stay tuned for the official announcements as these deals are finalized and the players are officially unveiled as Lazio’s newest signings. Exciting times ahead for the Biancocelesti! #ForzaLazio #DoneDeals
Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic – The Battle for Caribbean Luxury: Hyatt Eyes Complete Takeover of Playa Hotels & Resort’s Kingdom! – Travel And Tour World
Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic – The Battle for Caribbean Luxury: Hyatt Eyes Complete Takeover of Playa Hotels & Resort’s Kingdom!
In a move that could reshape the luxury hospitality landscape in the Caribbean, Hyatt Hotels Corporation is reportedly considering a complete takeover of Playa Hotels & Resorts, one of the region’s leading luxury hotel operators.
Playa Hotels & Resorts currently owns and operates a portfolio of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, including popular properties like the Hyatt Ziva and Zilara brands. The company has been a major player in the Caribbean luxury market, offering guests high-end accommodations, gourmet dining, and top-notch amenities.
Hyatt’s interest in acquiring Playa Hotels & Resorts comes at a time when the tourism industry in the Caribbean is rebounding from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. With travel restrictions easing and demand for luxury hospitality experiences on the rise, Hyatt sees an opportunity to expand its presence in the region and capitalize on the growing demand for high-end resorts.
If the acquisition goes through, it could have far-reaching implications for the Caribbean luxury market. Hyatt’s global reach and reputation for excellence could bring new levels of sophistication and service to Playa Hotels & Resorts’ properties, while also opening up new opportunities for growth and expansion in the region.
As the battle for Caribbean luxury heats up, all eyes are on Hyatt and Playa Hotels & Resorts to see how this potential takeover will unfold. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it continues to unfold.
In today’s digital age, data is one of the most valuable assets for businesses and individuals alike. From important documents and sensitive information to precious memories and irreplaceable files, the loss of data can have serious consequences. That’s why it’s crucial to have a reliable data backup and recovery plan in place.
Data backup involves creating copies of your important files and storing them in a safe location. This ensures that even if your original data is lost or corrupted, you can easily restore it from the backup. There are several methods for backing up data, including external hard drives, cloud storage services, and network-attached storage devices.
Having a data backup plan is only half of the equation, though. The other half is data recovery, which involves restoring your data from the backup in the event of a data loss. This can be done through various techniques, such as restoring from a backup file, using data recovery software, or seeking professional help from a data recovery service.
The importance of data backup and recovery cannot be overstated. Here are some key reasons why having a solid backup plan is essential:
1. Protection against data loss: Data loss can occur due to various reasons, such as hardware failure, software corruption, malware attacks, or accidental deletion. By regularly backing up your data, you can protect yourself against these risks and ensure that your important files are safe and secure.
2. Business continuity: For businesses, data is the lifeblood of operations. A loss of critical data can disrupt business operations, lead to financial losses, and damage the company’s reputation. By having a reliable data backup and recovery plan in place, businesses can minimize downtime and ensure continuity in the face of a data loss event.
3. Compliance requirements: Many industries have strict regulations regarding data protection and retention. Failing to comply with these regulations can result in hefty fines and legal repercussions. By implementing a data backup and recovery plan, businesses can ensure that they meet regulatory requirements and avoid potential penalties.
4. Peace of mind: Knowing that your data is securely backed up and easily recoverable can provide peace of mind. Whether it’s personal photos and videos or critical business documents, having a backup plan in place gives you the confidence that your data is safe and accessible when you need it.
In conclusion, data backup and recovery are essential components of a comprehensive data protection strategy. By implementing a reliable backup plan and having a solid recovery process in place, you can safeguard your valuable data, ensure business continuity, comply with regulations, and enjoy peace of mind. Don’t wait until it’s too late – start backing up your data today.
To a Bob Dylan noob like me, A Complete Unknown forced me to set down my prejudices and pick up folk music. I cannot do justice to Bob Dylan—artistically, spiritually, or historically; people spend their entire lives appreciating his art. Published, academic papers analyze his lyrics, so profound is his songwriting.
He’s one of Time’s top 100 most influential people of the 20th century: He is a “master poet, caustic social critic and intrepid, guiding spirit of the counterculture generation.” He is the only songwriter to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; he didn’t show up to receive it. In short, I can’t do the man Bob Dylan justice in a short article.
So, let’s stick with reviewing the 2024 film, A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet (Bob Dylan), Monica Barbaro (Joan Baez), Edward Norton (Pete Seeger), and Elle Fanning (Sylvie Russo), directed by James Mangold.
A Complete Unknown: Is it accurate?
Parental guidance is advised. The movie includes profanity, heavy drinking and smoking, and references to sex.
The biopic dramatizes Dylan’s early career, centering around two love interests. One is a historical person, folk singer Joan Baez, and a fictionalized woman, Sylvie Russo, who is nevertheless based on Dylan’s first wife, Sara Lownds. The dramatization focuses on Dylan’s famously cryptic persona and vagabond personality—an artist in the truest sense of the word.
Dylan’s inscrutable psyche is inseparable from his artistic genius. Although his early folk music and brilliant songwriting propelled him to stardom, A Complete Unknown explores his fight to find creative freedom, in the midst of winning—and losing—relationships.
The musical genius of A Complete Unknown
The movie is an outstanding accomplishment on the musical merits alone. Chalamet, Gen Z’s idol and celebrity crush, doesn’t coast in this monumental role. He recorded 40 Bob Dylan tracks for the film. You can listen to the cast’s original performances on the movie’s soundtrack. Their commitment to musical veracity is borderline insane. They used old microphones to capture similar audio quality, archival, period-piece guitars or their replicas, and didn’t use earpieces.
The unadulterated passion for artistry in the film floored me. For artists of any stripe, it’s hard to imagine how this film won’t inspire you.
What can Christians learn from A Complete Unknown?
Very few explicit mentions of religion were made, but existential questions, including those pertaining to the Civil Rights movement and the Cold War, feature prominently in the movie. However, I want to focus on the theme of artistic integrity.
The film climaxes when Dylan uses a full band and an electric guitar to play at the Newport Folk Festival—and receives violent reactions from the crowd and the festival leaders. Profound, moving art is contentious. It divides. It will, to paraphrase a line in The Complete Unknown, “strike you down to the ground.”
The canon of Christian Scripture, sixty-six books, is art—literature. It is the greatest collection of art in existence. And it surely divides people.
“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
Is Bob Dylan a Christian?
Dylan came to see the Bible as more than just beautiful literature, becoming a follower of Jesus in the late 70s and creating several gospel records. While he’s since been inconsistent, associating with Chabad, a Hasidic Jewish movement, at times, or saying music is his only true faith, he, as recently as 2022, said, “I’m a religious person. I read the scriptures a lot, meditate and pray, light candles in church. I believe in damnation and salvation, as well as predestination. The Five Books of Moses, Pauline Epistles, Invocation of the Saints, all of it.”
My point is not to interrogate Dylan’s faith. Instead, it is to point out that great art is a reflection of God’s creative powers. When we read the Bible as a list of rules, a science textbook, or anything but the kind of literature God inspired the original authors to write and pass down orally, we miss its power and beauty.
The Bible, just like a once-in-a-lifetime artist, like Doestoevksy, da Vinci, or Dylan, will “strike you to the ground.”
But it’s more than that.
Are Artists above the consequences of sin?
Dylan’s erratic lifestyle eventually alienates his two love interests. His quiet, nonchalant persona is admirable regarding his treatment of fame and stardom. Dylan’s commitment to his artistic vision is laudable. Dostoevsky, one of the greatest authors and thinkers in history, was a Christian—and a raging gambling addict. You cannot separate a person’s life from their art, but even so, the greatest artists cannot escape the consequences of foolishness and sin.
I’m sure that Dylan would agree.
Do you appreciate the Bible, not just for how it tells us to live, but for its artistic beauty? Just as we cannot separate the artist from the art, we cannot separate God from his beautiful Word.
How can you give him glory for his Word, today?
In a surprising turn of events, the film “A Complete Unknown” has garnered an impressive eight Academy Award nominations. This indie gem, featuring a relatively unknown cast and crew, has captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike with its captivating storytelling and impeccable performances.
From Best Picture to Best Director, this underdog film has defied all expectations and proven that talent and creativity know no boundaries. The cast, including breakout stars and seasoned veterans, have delivered performances that have left audiences speechless and critics raving.
With nominations in categories such as Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress, “A Complete Unknown” is poised to make a big splash at the upcoming Academy Awards. This film is a true testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of cinema.
Don’t miss your chance to witness the magic of “A Complete Unknown” as it vies for the highest honors in the film industry. Stay tuned for the Academy Awards ceremony to see if this underdog film can pull off a major upset and take home some well-deserved trophies.
It might at first seem obvious why filmmakers won’t leave the subject of Bob Dylan alone. Search “Dylan” and “movies,” and the list — from documentaries like “Don’t Look Back” (1967) to fictionalized treatments like “I’m Not There” (2007) — turns out to be surprisingly extensive. The man was one of our most idiosyncratic and arresting artists during a revolutionary period in our popular music. And for all its diffidence and evasiveness, his was the work most often held up as Important — no small claim in the realm of pop music, especially then — and he was the one ratified as profound, even before the Nobel Committee’s intervention. What actor doesn’t want to play a charismatically elusive genius? What director wouldn’t like to imagine himself or herself as a kindred spirit?
But there are other reasons Dylan remains snagged in our collective consciousness, especially now. Though at least two of his songs — “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’” — have been irrevocably shanghaied as the examples of Protest Songs of the ’60s, his more fundamental role might have been to serve as America’s political songwriter for the apolitical. The lyrics for the albums “Bringing It All Back Home” and “Highway 61 Revisited” are not only irreverently funny and freewheeling in their pillaging of high and low culture, but they’re also sardonic, ambiguous and offhand. They’re the opposite of earnest, and when they point out problems, they do it with a shrug. Like many of his countrymen and women, he periodically registered with clarity or even outrage the state of the status quo, but he mostly dismissed any notion that he should extend his fretting over it.
Those two albums were recorded roughly in the period covered by James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown,” the most recent cinematic tribute to Dylan, starring Timothée Chalamet, and the latest stone added to the Everest of such works. Though the drama begins and ends with Dylan’s devotion to Woody Guthrie’s work, the movie makes vividly clear how much more anarchic and exciting Dylan seemed than folk music’s other standard bearers, singer-songwriters like Pete Seeger and Joan Baez, since they were stuck not only lamenting injustice but also promoting an agenda for social change. Dylan’s lyrics, on the other hand, mostly seemed to suggest It’s All Absurd or, more pointedly, They’re All Assholes, a sentiment that adorned more than a few political lawn signs in 2024. A huge number of our cultural heroes, fictional and otherwise, have prided themselves on not being political, on their individuality as their ultimate value. Think of our western heroes, or our private eyes, or the way so many presidential candidates, the very definition of the triumphant insider, try to position themselves as outsiders. And as anyone who has attended one of his concerts knows, the central characteristic of Dylan’s career has been to not do what’s expected of him, even to the extent of putting out one of the most godawful Christmas albums in the history of the genre. Dylan’s version of rebellion much more resembles that of Brando’s in “The Wild One.” When asked, “Hey, Johnny, what are you rebelling against?” Brando famously replied “Whaddaya got?”
In “A Complete Unknown,” that same orneriness causes Dylan to rebel against the expectation that he will be a crusader for social justice, a rebellion we’re encouraged to support. Bob Dylan should be allowed to be Bob Dylan, after all, and we Dylan fans know that going electric enabled some of his greatest music. Poor Pete Seeger and Joan Baez are portrayed as sweet and well meaning but also comparatively pallid and hopelessly unprepared for the ferocity of the tumult that’s about to upend American life. But while valorizing yourself as unwilling to dance to someone else’s tune might make you sound like a revolutionary, and even make you sympathetic to revolutionary impulses, it also most likely leaves you poorly suited to contributing to collective action.
Bob Dylan’s music has always been a reflection of the times, with his lyrics often containing political messages and social commentary. In his latest release, “A Complete Unknown,” Dylan’s political beliefs are once again at the forefront.
Throughout his career, Dylan has been known for his outspoken views on various political issues, from civil rights to war to environmental concerns. In “A Complete Unknown,” he continues to explore these themes, blending his signature poetic lyrics with his thoughts on the current state of the world.
The title itself, “A Complete Unknown,” hints at the uncertainty and chaos of the modern political landscape. Dylan’s lyrics are filled with references to division, injustice, and the struggle for change. He paints a picture of a world in turmoil, where the lines between right and wrong are blurred and the future is uncertain.
As always, Dylan’s music serves as a call to action, urging listeners to think critically about the world around them and to take a stand for what they believe in. In “A Complete Unknown,” his politics are as relevant and powerful as ever, blowing in the wind and inspiring change.
So whether you’re a longtime fan of Bob Dylan or just discovering his music, “A Complete Unknown” is sure to leave a lasting impact and spark important conversations about the state of our world today.
“See the Ashes ignite” was the experience Cricket Australia promised fans in an attempt to persuade them to turn up to watch this series. It was a tagline that promised a hard-fought, thrilling contest. Instead, locals have had the opportunity over the past three weeks to watch England’s batting, fielding abilities and reputation go up in smoke.
The culmination was no more than England deserved: utter annihilation in front of a crowd of more than 10,000 in Melbourne, as Australia sealed victory in the Test by an innings and 122 runs with a day to spare to claim the first whitewash of the multi-format era. Thus ends the worst overseas tour by England Women in living memory.
England had actually shown some fight in the first session of the day. Beth Mooney successfully brought up her hundred, but England then induced an Australian collapse of five wickets for nine runs, led by a wily Sophie Ecclestone, who finished with five for 143 – making England’s decision to field only one frontline spinner look very foolish indeed.
The signwriter at the MCG had been kept busy before play started on Saturday adding Annabel Sutherland’s name to the honours board after her history-making century on the second day: on Sunday he will have to get up his ladder again multiple times.
But England were still the small matter of 270 behind on first innings and they faced a mammoth task – bat for four and a half sessions, and save the Test. In theory, they had the personnel to do so. Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont both have the technique and temperament to build Test innings – Beaumont hit a double hundred at Trent Bridge in 2023, while Knight has two Ashes 150s – and they patiently constructed a partnership of 73 for the second wicket.
But then came the duo of Alana King and Ash Gardner, bowling in tandem either side of the dinner break. Gardner struck first: Knight had been solid for two hours, but the intense psychological pressure of knowing that her future as England captain might be at stake eventually told and she sent up a tame catch to Phoebe Litchfield at short leg.
England players look on after the series whitewash. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Then King did exactly what she has done all series, and produced a spell of masterful leg-spin. Nat Sciver-Brunt was trapped leg-before by King’s slider, Sophia Dunkley was bowled by a brilliant leg-break, then Beaumont played on three runs short of a half-century and England were staring down the barrel. Just over a year ago, in Mumbai, England were humiliated by India in a Test because they couldn’t work out how to play spin. Nothing has changed.
Indeed, JonBall – the all-guns-blazing approach to batting advocated by their coach Jon Lewis – has arguably made the problems worse, encouraging aggression even when the match situation, as it did on Saturday, calls for defence. On this occasion, England lost their last nine wickets for 69 runs.
The only remaining question was whether it would be King or Gardner who would trouble the MCG’s signwriter for a fourth time this Test. Laurens Filer and Bell kept everyone guessing for 75 balls – the crowd roaring as a succession of possible chances dropped safe – but it was King who eventually secured the five-for which she had been denied first time around, when Filer chipped up a catch to mid-on.
The day had begun with Mooney, stranded on 98 not out overnight, nervously facing down five balls from Ecclestone. Mooney was beaten twice and tried for a nonexistent single before carving the sixth out past point to score the two runs required to bring up her century.
Ecclestone’s response was to upend expectations by engineering a much hastier than expected end to the Australian innings. Even more surprisingly, England – after spending noticeably longer than usual out on the outfield at the G before play doing fielding drills – actually held on to some catches.
Mooney was bowled playing down the wrong line to Filer, but Tahlia McGrath and Kim Garth were both out caught. As was Ellyse Perry, who had not been expected to bat (and indeed did not take to the field), and was greeted with thunderous applause when she finally walked out to the middle at No 10. But she faced just seven balls before sending up a limp return catch to Ecclestone as Australia extended their overnight lead by just 18 runs.
England could finally claim to have won a session – but it was all too little, too late. The only comfort on offer is that the blessed oblivion of the plane home awaits.
England’s misery was complete as Australia completed a Women’s Ashes whitewash, dominating the series and leaving their rivals in disarray. The Australian team showcased their dominance and skill throughout the series, leaving the England team struggling to keep up.
From the opening match to the final game, Australia showed why they are the top-ranked team in women’s cricket. Their all-round performance was simply too much for England to handle, with their bowlers consistently picking up wickets and their batters scoring runs at will.
For England, it was a series to forget. Despite showing glimpses of promise at times, they were unable to string together a consistent performance and were ultimately outclassed by their Australian counterparts.
As the series came to a close, Australia celebrated their whitewash victory while England were left to ponder what went wrong. It was a stark reminder of the gap between the two teams and a clear indication of the work that lies ahead for England to catch up to the dominant Australian side.
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England cricket, Australia cricket, Women’s Ashes, Ashes whitewash, England vs Australia, cricket news, women’s cricket, sports headlines, England cricket team, Australia cricket team, cricket series, Ashes series, Women’s Ashes whitewash, England cricket defeat, Australia cricket victory
In today’s fast-paced business environment, maximizing return on investment (ROI) is essential for companies looking to stay ahead of the competition. One way to achieve this is by utilizing managed services, which can help streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. In this complete guide, we will explore how businesses can maximize ROI with managed services.
What are Managed Services?
Managed services involve outsourcing certain business functions to a third-party provider who is responsible for managing and maintaining these services on behalf of the organization. This can include IT services, customer support, human resources, and more. By outsourcing these functions, businesses can focus on their core competencies while leaving the day-to-day management of these services to experts.
Benefits of Managed Services
There are numerous benefits to utilizing managed services, including:
1. Cost Savings: By outsourcing services to a managed service provider, businesses can reduce overhead costs associated with hiring and maintaining in-house staff. Managed service providers often operate on a subscription-based model, allowing businesses to pay only for the services they need.
2. Improved Efficiency: Managed service providers have the expertise and resources to efficiently manage and maintain services, leading to improved performance and uptime. This can result in increased productivity and customer satisfaction.
3. Scalability: Managed services can easily scale with the needs of the business. As the business grows, additional services can be added or removed as needed without the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.
4. Enhanced Security: Managed service providers often have advanced security measures in place to protect sensitive data and prevent cyber attacks. This can help businesses avoid costly security breaches and downtime.
Maximizing ROI with Managed Services
To maximize ROI with managed services, businesses should consider the following strategies:
1. Conduct a thorough assessment: Before implementing managed services, businesses should conduct a thorough assessment of their current operations and identify areas where outsourcing can provide the most value. This can help businesses prioritize which services to outsource and set clear goals for the partnership.
2. Choose the right provider: When selecting a managed service provider, businesses should consider factors such as expertise, reputation, and pricing. It is important to choose a provider that aligns with the business’s goals and can deliver the services needed to achieve those goals.
3. Set clear performance metrics: To track the success of the partnership, businesses should establish clear performance metrics to measure the impact of managed services on key areas such as efficiency, cost savings, and customer satisfaction. This can help businesses identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.
4. Continuously evaluate and optimize: Managed services should be viewed as a partnership that requires ongoing communication and collaboration. Businesses should continuously evaluate the performance of the managed service provider and make adjustments as needed to maximize ROI.
In conclusion, maximizing ROI with managed services requires careful planning, strategic decision-making, and ongoing evaluation. By outsourcing certain functions to a managed service provider, businesses can realize cost savings, improve efficiency, and enhance security, ultimately leading to increased profitability and competitiveness in the market. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, businesses can unlock the full potential of managed services and achieve sustainable growth.
Sat Feb 1, 2025 09:57 AM Last update on: Sat Feb 1, 2025 10:03 AM
Star Sports Report
Sat Feb 1, 2025 09:57 AM Last update on: Sat Feb 1, 2025 10:03 AM
Photo: CWI
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Photo: CWI
Bangladesh women’s cricket team were whitewashed in their three-match T20I series against hosts West Indies as the Tigresses suffered a five-wicket defeat in their third and final T20I at Warner Park on Saturday.
After being asked to bat first, Bangladesh could only manage 104 for eight in 20 overs, with skipper Nigar Sultana Joty scoring a team-high 43-ball 33. It was yet another meek batting display by the Tigresses as only three other batters were able to reach double figures — wicketkeeper-batter and opener Dilara Akter Dola hit a 16-ball 21, Murshida Khatun scored 13 off 12 while Taj Nehar scored a run-a-ball 10.
Jannillea Glasgow starred with the ball in hand for the hosts, returning figures of three for 15 in four overs.
Bangladesh, however, got off to a promising start in their defense of a low total as off-spinner Sultana Khatun removed Windies opener Nerissa Crafton (5 off 4) in the second over to leave the hosts at seven for one after 1.2 overs.
The Tigresses managed to remove half of the Windies’ line-up by the 12th over, having the hosts in a spot of bother at five for 61 in 11.2 overs. However, a 44-run unbeaten sixth-wicket stand between Shabika Gajnabi (27 off 25*) and Zaida James (14 off 22*) saw the hosts get over the line with nine balls to spare.
For Bangladesh, Sultana and leg-spinner Fahima Khatun took two wickets each.
The West Indies Women’s cricket team completed a clean sweep of the series as they defeated the Bangladesh Tigresses by five wickets in the final T20I match.
The Tigresses put up a competitive total of 140/5 in their 20 overs, with Fargana Hoque top-scoring with 45 runs. However, the West Indies bowlers put in a disciplined performance to restrict the hosts and pick up crucial wickets at regular intervals.
In reply, the West Indies got off to a solid start with openers Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin putting on a 70-run partnership. Despite a few hiccups in the middle overs, Kyshona Knight’s unbeaten 35 ensured that the visitors chased down the target with an over to spare.
With this victory, the West Indies completed a 3-0 series sweep and showcased their dominance in the T20 format. The Tigresses, on the other hand, will look to regroup and come back stronger in the upcoming series.
Tags:
WI complete series sweep, Tigresses defeated in final T20I, West Indies vs Bangladesh, women’s cricket, T20 series, WI vs BAN, cricket news
President Joe Biden’s record of handling the U.S. military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, is decidedly mixed. He succeeded in reducing the detainee population he inherited by more than half, but he compounded problems in the military commissions that the Bush administration had invented in the wake of the 9/11 attacks to try people captured in the “war on terror.” Now all the problems at Guantánamo are again President Donald Trump’s.
When Biden took office in 2021, there were 40 prisoners. Today there are 15, the lowest number since the first 20 Muslim men and boys captured in Afghanistan were airlifted to the base on Jan. 11, 2002.
Biden left Trump four people the U.S. will not release but also cannot put on trial – the so-called “forever prisoners.” He also left intact the troubled military commissions system, with three pending criminal cases against a total of six detainees.
In December 2021, former chief military defense attorney Brig. Gen. John Baker testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee: “It is too late in the process for the current military commissions to do justice for anyone. The best that can be hoped for at this point … is to bring this sordid chapter of American history to an end.” Baker made clear that the only viable option is to resolve the cases with plea bargains for the defendants.
Marine Brig. Gen. John Baker tells U.S. senators that there is no opportunity for justice to be done at Guantánamo.
A chance to make progress
There are three cases that have not yet gone to trial – the 9/11 case with four defendants facing charges for their connections with the attacks, the USS Cole bombing in October 2000 with one defendant and the Bali bombing in October 2002 with one defendant.
The 9/11 and USS Cole cases have been stuck in the pretrial phase since Biden was Barack Obama’s vice president. In the summer of 2024, a breakthrough in the 9/11 case appeared imminent: Prosecutors and defense lawyers for three of the four defendants reportedly reached plea-bargain agreements. Khalid Sheikh Mohammad – the alleged “mastermind” of the attacks – Walid bin Attash and Mustafa Hawsawi agreed to plead guilty and accept life sentences in exchange for the government taking the death penalty off the table. There was no deal for the fourth 9/11 defendant, Ammar al-Baluchi.
The deals were approved on July 31 by the top military officer overseeing the Guantánamo commissions, retired Brig. Gen. Susan Escallier. But two days later, Biden’s defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, stepped into the process and overrode Escallier – whom he had appointed. Austin announced that the plea deals were revoked.
The judge, Air Force Col. Matthew McCall, decided to schedule plea hearings for early January. But after some legal back-and-forth that forced a stay, he had to cancel them. Biden left the case against three 9/11 defendants in limbo.
The basement of this government building in Bucharest, Romania, held a secret CIA prison, one of many across the world. AP Photo
Witness to the transition
In mid-January 2025, I made my sixteenth reporting trip to Guantánamo. I came for closing arguments on a motion in the 9/11 case that seeks to suppress statements that Ammar al-Baluchi made to the FBI in January 2007. That was four months after he and 13 others were transferred to Guantánamo from CIA black sites where they were held for years. The litigation to suppress those statements started in 2019.
In Chapter 10 of my book, “The War in Court: Inside the Long Fight against Torture,” I detail how the litigation on this suppression motion made public previously unknown details and under-acknowledged horrors of the CIA’s rendition, detention and interrogation program.
These closing arguments were the culmination of six years of litigation on the key question in the 9/11 case: Does torture matter in the pursuit of justice in the military commissions?
A drawing by Guantánamo detainee Abu Zubaydah depicts a person being waterboarded. Copyright Abu Zubaydah 2019. Licensed by Professor Mark Denbeaux, Seton Hall Law School
Can Guantánamo be closed?
Of the 780 people ever detained at Guantánamo, 540 were released during the presidency of George W. Bush, who established the detention facility. Obama, who signed an executive order on his second day in office pledging to close Guantánamo within a year, released 200.
The Biden administration had also planned to repatriate a severely disabled Iraqi detainee, Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi, to serve out his plea-bargained sentence in a Baghdad prison. But a federal judge blocked that transfer, ruling that al-Iraqi would not get necessary medical treatment in Iraq and might be subject to abuse there.
Al-Iraqi is one of the 15 that Biden left behind. Three of them – a Libyan, a Somali and a stateless Rohingya – have long been cleared for release. Their continuing detention without charges highlights a key element of the Guantánamo problem: No one can be released unless the U.S. government finds another country willing to accept them.
One of the remaining detainees, Ali Bahlul, is serving a life sentence for conspiracy to commit war crimes. Six others, including the four 9/11 defendants, are awaiting their trials.
There are also four detainees whom the government refuses to transfer but cannot put on trial for lack of evidence.
The U.S. goverment says it cannot release Abu Zubaydah from Guantánamo because he would disclose classified interrogation techniques critics have labeled torture. U.S. Central Command via AP
These so-called “forever prisoners” include Abu Zubaydah, a Saudi-born man of Palestinian descent who was taken into CIA custody in 2002 and was used as the guinea pig for the CIA torture program. The government long ago conceded that Abu Zubaydah was not a top leader of al-Qaida – in fact he was not even a member. But he will not be released because he knows how he was treated by the CIA, and that treatment remains highly classified.
The newest forever prisoner is one of the original 9/11 defendants, Ramzi bin al-Shibh; in September 2023, he was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial. Now he is uncharged, unreleased and untreated for his psychological maladies that were caused by the torture he endured in CIA black sites.
The ‘War on Terror’ is not over
When Biden pulled U.S. troops out of Afghanistan in August 2021, he claimed to have ended America’s longest war – and repeated this claim in a January 2025 speech. But the Guantánamo prison remains open, and as long as it is, the “war on terror,” which first put U.S. troops in Afghanistan in 2001, is not over.
How Trump will deal with Guantánamo is an open question. If he focuses on the death penalty, he will press ahead with military commission trials like his predecessors, hoping for unanimous guilty verdicts and death sentences. If he prioritizes cutting wasteful government spending, he will release additional detainees and allow the three plea bargain agreements to go into effect.
No one I spoke to during my last trip was willing to predict what a second Trump term might bode for Guantánamo – except that it won’t be closed.
As President Donald Trump takes office, he is faced with the daunting task of inheriting the controversial Guantánamo Bay prison. This facility, known for housing alleged terrorists and enemy combatants, has long been a point of contention in American politics.
Among the detainees that Trump will now be responsible for are four individuals deemed “forever prisoners” – individuals who have been deemed too dangerous to release, but cannot be tried in a court of law due to lack of evidence or legal complications.
These four individuals, who have spent years in the confines of Guantánamo, represent the ongoing debate over the ethics and efficacy of indefinite detention without trial. As Trump grapples with the future of the prison and its detainees, he must navigate the delicate balance between national security concerns and upholding the principles of justice and human rights.
The fate of these four “forever prisoners” hangs in the balance as Trump assumes control of Guantánamo Bay. Only time will tell how the new administration will address the complex and contentious issues surrounding the prison and its detainees.
Anne With an ‘E’ – The Complete Collection: Series 1-3 (DVD) (UK IMPORT)
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