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jililuck The president of the International Criminal Court lashed out at Monday at Russia for targeting its prosecutors and judges over the panel’s investigation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and slammed comments by a U.S. senator threatening the court. Judge Tomoko Akane said in her address to the annual meeting of the world's top war-crimes court that attacks against the ICC were shameful — referring to Russia's arrest warrants for the court’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan and several of its judges. These individuals are "subjected to arrest warrants from a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, merely for having faithfully and diligently carried out their judicial mandate per the statutory framework and international law,” she said. Moscow issued warrants for Khan and the others in response to the ICC investigation and arrest warrants for Putin over the war in Ukraine. The Japanese judge also had harsh words for U.S. officials, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has called the court a “a rogue and politically motivated organization” after the judges last month issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Graham said he was confident Donald Trump's incoming administration would “respond forcefully” to these actions by the court. “The court is being threatened with draconian economic sanctions by another permanent member of the Security Council as if it was a terrorist organization,” Akane said, without elaborating. During his last term in office, Trump had sanctioned the court’s previous prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, with a travel ban and asset freeze for investigating American troops and intelligence officials in Afghanistan. Monday's meeting marks the start this week of the Assembly of States Parties, which represents the ICC’s 124 member countries, of the ICC's 23rd conference to elect committee members and approve the court’s budget against a backdrop of unfavorable headlines. The ICC was established in 2002 as the world’s permanent court of last resort to prosecute individuals responsible for the most heinous atrocities — war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. The court only becomes involved when nations are unable or unwilling to prosecute those crimes on their territory. To date, 124 countries have signed on to the Rome Statute, which created the institution. Those who have not include the United States, Israel, Russia and China. The ICC has no police force and relies on member states to execute arrest warrants. The decision to issue warrants for Netanyahu and Israel’s former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has been denounced by critics of the court and given only milquetoast approval by many of its supporters, a stark contrast to the robust backing of an arrest warrant for Putin last year over war crimes in Ukraine. President Joe Biden called the warrants for Netanyahu and the former defense minister outrageous and vowed to stand with Israel. A year ago, Biden said the warrant for Putin justified and said the Russian president had committed war crimes. France said it would “respect its obligations” but would need to consider Netanyahu’s possible immunities. When the warrant for Putin was announced, France said it would “lend its support to the essential work” of the court. Another member country, Austria, begrudgingly acknowledged it would arrest Netanyahu but called the warrants “utterly incomprehensible.” Italy called them “wrong” but said it would be obliged to arrest him. Germany said it would study the decision. Member Hungary has said it would stand with Israel instead of the court. Global security expert Janina Dill expressed concern such responses could undermine global justice efforts, saying they really have “the potential to damage not just the court, but international law.” Milena Sterio, an expert in international law at Cleveland State University, told The Associated Press that sanctions against the court could affect a number of people who contribute to the court’s work, such as international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. Clooney advised the current prosecutor on his request for the warrants for Netanyahu and others. “Sanctions are a huge burden,” Sterio said. Also hanging heavy over the meeting in The Hague are the internal pressures that Khan, the chief prosecutor, faces. The 54-year-old British lawyer faced allegations that he tried to coerce a female aide into a sexual relationship and groped her, according to an AP report in October. Two co-workers in whom the woman confided reported the alleged misconduct in May to the court’s independent watchdog, which says it interviewed the woman and ended its inquiry after five days when she opted against filing a formal complaint. Khan was never questioned. He has denied the claims. The Assembly of States Parties has announced it will launch an external probe into the allegations. Khan, who took the floor after Akane, did not address the accusations against him or the threats against the court beyond saying the institution was facing “unprecedented challenges.” He instead highlighted his office's request last week for an arrest warrant against the head of Myanmar’s military government, senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, for attacks against the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority. Judges have yet to decide on that request. Khan also said he planned to request warrants related to Afghanistan and Sudan in the coming months. Late last week, six countries including France, Luxembourg and Mexico asked Khan’s office to look into possible crimes in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control in 2021. While Khan isn’t obligated to open an investigation in response to such a request, historically court prosecutors have done so. The court, which has long faced accusations of ineffectiveness, will have no trials pending after two conclude in December. While it has issued a number of arrest warrants in recent months, many high-profile suspects remain at large. Also, ICC member states don't always act — Mongolia, an ICC member, refused to arrest Putin when he visited in September. Sudan’s former President Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the ICC over accusations related to the conflict in Darfur, but his country has refused to hand him over. “It becomes very difficult to justify the court’s existence,” Sterio said.When Microsoft introduced its Copilot+ PC initiative, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X chipsets were the first to receive Microsoft’s official blessing. They’ve so far proven to be very fast and efficient and give Windows laptops a boost against Apple’s MacBooks . They’re also a bit less expensive than Intel machines, a side benefit that shouldn’t be ignored. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 is a good example. It’s still a midrange machine coming in between $850 and $1,000, so it’s not inexpensive. But you’ll pay a few hundred dollars more for Intel, in many cases. And the IdeaPad 5x is an attractive laptop in some important areas, not the least of which is in its performance and battery life. It might not make our list of the overall best laptops , but it has a number of strong points that make it worth considering, especially for laptops under $1,000 . Specs and configuration As with many of the early Qualcomm laptops, there aren’t a bunch of configuration options with the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1. The entry-level model is $850 for a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 14-inch FHD+ OLED display (the only option). For $895, you can upgrade to a 1TB SSD. An active pen is a $20 option. When Lenovo originally offered the laptop for review, it was priced at $679. That would be a very attractive price for this laptop, and Lenovo says a sale price like that might show up around the holidays. A list price of $850 is attractive enough, though, when some other Qualcomm laptops list for more. An example is the HP OmniBook X at $1,090 with a 14-inch IPS display but a faster Snapdragon X Elite chipset. That machine is currently on sale for $780, though. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x starts at $1,080 with OLED and a Snapdragon X Elite. Then there are Intel Lunar Lake laptops to consider, such as the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 that lists for $1,450 with a higher-res 2.8K OLED display and an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V that’s on sale for $1,000. The bottom line is that the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 is a good value even at full price, and if you manage to grab one on sale, you’re getting a pretty good bargain. Design It’s rare that I come across a poorly built laptop lately. Granted, I’ve been reviewing mostly midrange or premium laptops where you expect decent builds, but it wasn’t that long ago when even laptops close to $1,000 could suffer some poor quality. The IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 is constructed of a mix of aluminum and plastic, but it didn’t have any bending, flexing, or twisting in the lid, keyboard deck, or chassis. It certainly didn’t feel like a laptop partially made of plastic, and I wouldn’t say the more expensive OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 — an extremely well-made laptop — was all that noticeably better. The MacBook Air 13 , which nobody would call poorly made, has a lid that’s more flexible. There was also a time when a laptop that was 0.69 inches thick would have been considered very thin. Today, that’s getting into the chunky range, but it’s certainly nothing to complain about. The top and side bezels are small enough, but the bottom chin is pretty big, which isn’t uncommon for 2-in-1s that need a hinge that can switch from clamshell to media, tent, and tablet modes. It’s a small enough laptop and it’s fairly light at 3.28 pounds — again, perfectly fine if not a class leader. Interestingly, Acer has borrowed the reverse notch housing the webcam and infrared camera from Lenovo, which compares to Apple’s display notch that’s a lot more divisive. There’s not a lot to say about the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 in terms of its aesthetics. Many laptops have a certain look today — that is, they’re minimalist without any standout design features or bling. And that’s OK. For many people, a laptop isn’t a fashion statement, and while the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is notably better looking, who cares? The IdeaPad 5x looks just fine in its single dark gray color way, and unless you really want your laptop to stand out in the coffee shop, you likely won’t really care one way or another. Keyboard and touchpad The IdeaPad 5x has Lenovo’s standard keyboard with its easily-identified sculpted keycaps and good spacing. The switches vary from machine to machine, and these are light and springy. I like the keyboard, and it was comfortable when I typed up this review. I could quibble and say Apple’s Magic Keyboard is better, but this one’s very good nonetheless. The touchpad is just OK, though. First, it’s not all that large, with plenty of space on the palm rest for a larger version. And it’s mechanical and not haptic, which is expected at this price. It’s serviceable, but doesn’t stand out compared to much better haptic touchpads on MacBooks and the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14. The display is touch- and pen-enabled, of course, and my review unit included the active pen. It worked well for writing and drawing on the display, although as usual the 14-inch convertible 2-in-1 isn’t nearly as comfortable for such uses as a thin and light tablet like the iPad Pro. Connectivity and webcam There’s plenty of connectivity, including a good mix of legacy ports. The only problem is that there are no high-speed ports, which is a bit surprising. Other Qualcomm laptops have USB4, but there’s none of that here. There’s a microSD card reader, which is a plus. And wireless connectivity is fully up-to-date. The webcam is a 1080p version, which is the new standard. It’s good enough to support the full range of the enhanced version of Microsoft Studio Effects software, and the neural processing unit (NPU) exceeds the 40 tera operations per second (TOPS) requirement Microsoft set for its Copilot+ PC initiative. That means the IdeaPad 5x will support the full range of AI features as they roll out with reasonably fast and efficient on-device performance. Performance The IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 uses the slowest Qualcomm Snapdragon X chipset, the Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100. It’s an 8-core chipset running at 3.2GHz boosting to 3.4 GHz (single-core) and with a 1.7 TFLOPS Adreno GPU. That’s down from the 12-core Snapdragon X Elite running at 3.4GHz with a boost to 4.0GHz (dual-core) and with a 3.8 TFLOPS or faster GPU. It’s up against the 8-core Intel Lunar Lake chipsets that represent Intel’s response to Qualcomm’s more efficient ARM-based chipsets. Of course, running on ARM requires Windows on ARM, which will run some software in emulation that will slow things down, and compatibility issues remain possible. As we can see from our comparison group, the Qualcomm chipsets are faster than Intel’s across the board, while AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 chipset is faster still but not at all aimed at efficiency. The Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 may be the slowest chipset in Qualcomm’s stable, but it’s still meaningfully faster than Intel — at least in CPU performance. Its Adreno GPU is considerably slower, though, even given some variation in the Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics. As we can see, even the entry-level discrete GPU in the Asus ProArt PX13 is a lot faster. What this means is that the IdeaPad 5x is plenty fast for even demanding productivity users. It won’t make gamers or creators, who rely on fast GPUs, very happy. And also notably, the MacBook Air M3 is just as fast in its CPU cores while being a lot faster in its GPU cores. The MacBook Air won’t get the M4 chipset until next year, but that will give it another significant boost. Battery life Even though it’s fast, the Qualcomm’s primary purpose is to offer better efficiency in Windows laptops. That’s Intel’s objective with Lunar Lake, as well. And both platforms succeed, offering up very solid battery life especially when the chipsets aren’t working as hard. The IdeaPad 5x has an OLED display that’s also just FHD+ resolution, which gives it a little more efficiency but awesome quality (see below). The Dell XPS 13 9350 and XPS 13 9345 both had an FHD+ IPS display while the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 had a 2.8K OLED panel. The IdeaPad 5x will easily last a full day of normal work, and even into a second day. Prior to these new chipsets, only Apple Silicon laptops like the MacBook Air M3 could make the same kind of claim. Arguably, the MacBook Air has the longest battery life all around, but there’s no longer nearly as great a delta between Windows and macOS. We’ll have to wait until the M4 chipset hits the MacBook Air in 2025 to see if Apple extends its lead. Display and audio I love OLED displays. They just look so much better out of the box than IPS displays, even though that technology has gotten a lot better over the last several years. OLED’s colors are so much brighter and blacks are so much inkier, that even a 14.0-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) display that I’d usually dislike as not being sharp enough looks great. That’s what Lenovo put in the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1, and it was a great choice. My colorimeter liked the display. Colors were incredibly wide at 100% of sRGB, 98% of AdobeRGB, and 99% of DCI-P3, and accuracy was great at a Delta-E of 1.34 (less than 1.0 is excellent). Contrast was high at 25,920:1 with the usual near-perfect blacks, and the panel was more than bright enough at 381 nits. I’ve seen many brighter displays, including other OLED panels, but this is still more than bright enough for all but working outside under direct sunlight. Again, I do like higher resolution than FHD+ with a 14-inch display, but I doubt that many people will complain. And a lower resolution helps offset OLED for better battery life, which I saw in the battery life results. Audio is provided by four speakers: two upward-firing and two downward-firing. Sound was very clear, with crip mids and highs and zero distortion. The only problem was the system didn’t get very loud, and bass was pretty faint. It’s not the best nor the worst audio you’ll find on a 14-inch laptop, where Apple’s MacBook Pro 14 is the standout performer. A solid laptop at an attractive price At $850, the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 is a great laptop. It has a very good OLED display, so long as you’re OK with the resolution. It’s also quite fast and gets excellent battery life. It’s well-built with an aesthetic that’s kind of boring but certainly isn’t ugly. I wish it had a haptic touchpad, and it doesn’t have a fast USB4 port. But the best thing is, it’s entirely possible that you’ll be able to grab the IdeaPad 5x at an even greater deal at under $700. At that price, the laptop becomes even more than just an easy recommendation.A $204 million grant will help rebuild the sinking Delta-Mendota Canal, improving its water delivery efficiency and capacity. The money from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority will fund the canal fix after decades of over-pumping the aquifer caused the ground to sink. A part of the Central Valley Project, the 117-mile canal brings water south to irrigate land in much of western Fresno County. “This investment will accelerate our mutual efforts to restore the capacity of the Delta-Mendota Canal, ensuring reliable water delivery to communities that produce our nation’s food and technological innovation and the wildlife and wildlife enthusiasts that rely on the Pacific Flyway,” said Federico Barajas, executive director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority. Related Story: Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act Grant The grant is from President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, which set aside $8.3 billion for water infrastructure projects nationally. In November, Reclamation and the water authority to not only fortify the B.F. Sisk Dam but raise it, increasing its capacity.

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You can get a taste of the rich food heritage of Spain without booking a flight to San Sebastián, thanks to Bueno Tapas & Wine. Nestled in the heart of Bonifacio Global City, this Spanish-inspired gem is helmed by Chef Kennedy Alfonso, who honed his craft in the culinary capital of San Sebastián. Together with his team, Chef Alfonso delivers an experience that combines bold Spanish flavors with modern flair—all in an ambiance that transports you to the streets of Spain. Whether you’re craving classic tapas, hearty paellas, or indulgent desserts, Bueno Tapas offers a menu that highlights Spain’s rich culinary heritage. Here are six dishes that will leave you craving for more: 6. Gambas Al Ajillo THIS sizzling dish is a Spanish classic that never fails to please. Fresh shrimps are bathed in olive oil, garlic, and chili, creating an aromatic dish with a hint of spice. The shrimps are perfectly tender, and the flavorful oil begs to be sopped up with fresh bread. Pair it with a crisp glass of Sangria, and you’re in for a treat . 5. Chicharron (Two-Way Crispy Pork Belly) FOR a dish that redefines indulgence, the Chicharron at Bueno is unparalleled. Imagine pork belly slow-cooked to tender perfection, then fried until the skin crackles with crispness. Served on a cloud-like bed of whipped potatoes and finished with a glossy demi-glace, this dish delivers a symphony of textures: the crunch of the pork, the creaminess of the potatoes, and the silky richness of the sauce. Each bite is an explosion of umami, making it a must-order for pork lovers . 4. Estofado de Res (Catalan-Style Braised Beef) Slow-cooked for eight hours, this Catalan-style braised beef is the ultimate comfort food. The tender meat is infused with the flavors of red wine, herbs, and spices, creating a rich and deeply satisfying dish. It’s a prime example of Bueno Tapas’ dedication to traditional Spanish cooking. 3. Paella Alcachofas (Artichoke Paella) Bueno’s Paella Alcachofas is a celebration of earthy, vegetal flavors. The saffron-hued rice, cooked in a rich vegetable stock, is dotted with tender artichokes and other seasonal vegetables, creating a dish that’s as comforting as it is satisfying. The crowning glory is the socarrat—the crispy, caramelized layer of rice at the bottom of the pan that adds texture and a smoky depth of flavor. Paella lovers looking for something unique will find this version irresistible . 2. Arroz Meloso de Rabo de Toro (Oxtail in Creamy Risotto) Here’s another excellent recommendation if you prefer meat over vegetables in your Spanish rice dishes. The Arroz Meloso de Rabo de Toro offers a hearty, comforting alternative to the lighter Artichoke Paella. This creamy, risotto-style dish is packed with the bold, gelatinous flavors of slow-cooked oxtail, which is simmered until tender and infused into every grain of rice. Unlike the traditional dry texture of paella, this dish leans toward a rich, stew-like consistency that melts in your mouth with every bite. Each spoonful delivers an irresistible combination of savory, meaty depth balanced by the creamy texture of the rice. It’s a dish designed for those who crave indulgent, slow-cooked flavors with a luxurious touch. 1. Biscoff Tarta de Queso (Basque Burnt Cheesecake with Biscoff) Bueno Tapas elevates the beloved Basque burnt cheesecake with a bold twist, adding alcohol to balance its sweetness. The cheesecake’s signature creamy interior is contrasted by its deeply caramelized, slightly smoky top, creating a complex flavor profile that feels indulgent but never cloying. The addition of alcohol—subtly infused into the mix—introduces a warm, aromatic layer that cuts through the richness and complements the spiced sweetness of the crumbled Biscoff topping. It’s an exceptional way to end your meal, leaving a memorable impression of Bueno’s innovative take on Spanish cuisine. With dishes like the decadent Biscoff Tarta de Queso down to the artfully executed Gambas Al Ajillo, Bueno Tapas showcases the diversity and depth of Spanish cuisine that balances tradition with innovation. Every dish on their menu reflects the skill and thoughtfulness of Chef Alfonso, who brings the flavors of San Sebastián to life in the heart of BGC. Whether you’re a lover of bold, hearty flavors or prefer delicate, refined bites, Bueno Tapas offers something for everyone. Pair these unforgettable dishes with a glass of their carefully curated Spanish wines, and you’ll leave with memories of a meal worth revisiting.The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — Keller Boothby’s 16 points helped William & Mary defeat Navy 82-76 on Sunday. Boothby went 6 of 8 from the field (4 for 6 from 3-point range) for the Tribe (6-7). Gabe Dorsey scored 16 points and added three steals. Noah Collier went 7 of 9 from the field to finish with 14 points, while adding seven rebounds. Austin Benigni finished with 16 points for the Midshipmen (3-10). Jinwoo Kim added 15 points for Navy. Donovan Draper had 14 points and seven rebounds. The loss was the Midshipmen’s sixth in a row. Collier scored 10 points in the first half for William & Mary, who led 41-33 at the break. William & Mary took the lead for good with 3:03 left in the second half on a layup from Dorsey to make it a 73-71 game. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .