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The prospect of tariffs in the new Trump administration is dividing businesses around the country.
Some are scrambling to avoid the potential import taxes or preparing to pass the cost on to their customers. Others, however, are welcoming tariffs as a defense against foreign competition.
Here's a look at how three businesses are bracing for the tariffs.
The domestic manufacturer
Mark McClelland is in the pro-tariff camp.
If you've ever sat in the bleachers to watch a high school football game, you may have come in contact with McClelland's product. His company, Tower Extrusions, manufactures bleacher seats and thousands of other aluminum products.
"Think of a big Play-Doh machine," McClelland says of the manufacturing process. "We take a log of aluminum and push it through a die in the shape of some form."
McClelland's business, based in Olney, Texas, operates eleven aluminum presses, cranking out bleachers, window frames, car parts and more.
"It's kind of one of those old-line businesses that people don't really think about, but when you look around, our product is kind of everywhere," he says.
Starting around 2010, McClelland's company and others the industry began to face increased competition from China. They fought back and won anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese aluminum products, but the import threat soon metastasized.
"What used to be just a China problem now has spread," McClelland says, with surging imports from Vietnam, Turkey, India, and Mexico. "And of course Mexico is the one I really worry about, because there's a direct route to our market."
Foreign companies now supply about 35% of the extruded aluminum products in the U.S., McClelland adds, nearly double their share from five years ago.
"They're selling at prices we can't compete with," McClelland says. "It's going to shut down our industry if we don't do something."
President-elect Donald Trump has proposed adding a tax of 10% to 20% on all imports, and McClelland is counting on those sweeping tariffs to provide a more level playing field.
He acknowledges, however, that import taxes are a double-edged sword. His company has to pay more for the raw aluminum that goes into its products now because of tariffs that Trump imposed the last time he was in the White House.
"It drove up our raw material costs by 10%, whether we imported them or not," McClelland recalls. "Even if it was produced domestically, it raises your costs 10%."
The importer
Among those business owners who face higher costs is Bobby Djavaheri.
He worries that tariffs will raise the cost of his popular air fryers and other appliances, most of which are manufactured in China.
"I don't think the American consumer understands what's at stake here," says Djavaheri, whose company, Yedi Houseware Appliances, is based in Los Angeles.
If Trump makes good on his threat to impose a 60% tariff on imports from China, he estimates that "a $130 item will turn into something way above $200."
"Americans are directly being taxed with these tariffs, not the Chinese," Djavaheri says.
Some have suggested that Trump is merely using the threat of tariffs as a bargaining chip and that import taxes are unlikely to take full effect — but Djavaheri isn't counting on that.
"I take it very seriously," he says. "We're trying to ramp up our imports prior to the president-elect getting sworn in."
Other importers are also racing to stockpile products before any tariffs take effect.
"If companies have the wherewithal to pull this product forward, to build up inventory and get their cost basis down before the new tariffs are put in, they're trying it," says Gene Seroka, executive director at the Port of Los Angeles. The port is busier than usual this time of year, unloading hundreds of thousands of shipping containers from Asia each month.
One of Djavaheri's suppliers has also considered moving his factory from China to Mexico to avoid the steepest tariffs.
But that may not necessarily work. Last month, Trump proposed slapping a 25% tariff on imports from both Mexico and Canada, two of the United States' biggest trading partners.
The discounter
Peter Elitzer is another business owner worried about the impact of tariffs.
He says even a 10% tariff would be painful for the customers who shop at his discount clothing stores. Bargain-hunters who frequent Elitzer's Label Shopper stores on the East Coast and in the Midwest are already cautious about spending money.
"They're only buying when they need to have something," Elitzer says. "So it's cold and they need a sweatshirt or jacket, they'll come out and get it. If it's too cold in the spring and they don't need to buy T-shirts, they don't buy T-shirts."
That makes Elitzer wary about filling warehouses ahead of the potential tariffs with clothes that might not sell and run the risk of falling out of fashion. He'll take his chances on imports from India, Indonesia and Cambodia, knowing that if tariffs do come, he'll have to raise prices.
"There's no question in my mind this is not going to be good news for the consumer at all," Elitzer says. "Particularly if they're trying to get inflation under control. It's the worst possible time to do that."
Most of the clothing items in his stores sell for $19.99 or below — less than he was charging a decade ago.
"The overwhelming majority of Americans don't shop in the high-end department stores," he says. "They're shopping in Walmart and they're shopping in the Label Shoppers of the world. And they're looking for value."
Copyright 2024 NPR
|
https://www.kdll.org/npr-news/2024-12-15/trumps-tariffs-threat-is-dividing-business-owners-across-the-country
| 2024-12-16T05:08:12Z
|
Charbonnet had eight carries for 54 yards and a touchdown while adding one reception (on four targets) for 12 yards in Sunday's 30-13 loss to Green Bay.
The entirety of Seattle's offense was stymied by Green Bay's defense aside from Charbonnet's 24-yard touchdown scamper early in the fourth quarter. The surging sophomore has thrived in his last two starts sans Kenneth Walker (calf), unearthing 259 yards from scrimmage with three touchdowns as the Seahawks' primary back. Walker could potentially return in Week 16, which would put a significant dent in Charbonnet's value at a crucial point of the fantasy campaign. Until the former is officially ruled active, managers should hang on to the talented backup in the event he draws another start against the Vikings next Sunday.
More News
-
Seahawks' Zach Charbonnet: Trending towards another start
• -
Seahawks' Zach Charbonnet: Shines in lead role Sunday
• -
Seahawks' Zach Charbonnet: In line for big role Week 14
• -
Seahawks' Zach Charbonnet: Scores in close win
• -
Seahawks' Zach Charbonnet: Puts up 22 yards
• -
Seahawks' Zach Charbonnet: Inefficient in divisional win
•
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https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/seahawks-zach-charbonnet-scores-teams-only-td-on-snf/
| 2024-12-16T05:08:12Z
|
Dec 15, 2024
Explore this Web Story on eight high-paying jobs immune to AI disruption, including healthcare, education, and creative professions. Discover why these careers remain essential in a tech-driven world.
Image Source: Getty
Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses provide essential care that goes beyond AI capabilities. They demonstrate empathy, critical decision-making, and personalised treatment, ensuring patients receive both physical and emotional support in complex medical scenarios.
Image Source: Getty
Mental health specialists rely on understanding human emotions, empathy, and communication skills. While AI can assist in diagnosis, it cannot replicate the nuanced interpersonal connection vital for effective therapy and counselling.
Image Source: Getty
From visual artists to writers, creativity thrives on originality and cultural understanding. Although AI aids in content generation, human creativity remains unmatched in storytelling, artistic expression, and designing nuanced, audience-specific works.
Image Source: Getty
Teachers foster critical thinking and personal growth, inspiring students through mentorship and interactive learning. Their ability to adapt teaching styles to individual needs is an irreplaceable element of the educational process.
Image Source: Getty
Leaders in management are indispensable for strategic planning, team dynamics, and fostering organisational culture. These roles require creativity, complex decision-making, and empathy that AI lacks.
Image Source: Getty
Attorneys navigate complex legal systems, interpret laws, and craft compelling arguments. Their critical thinking and ethical decision-making ensure AI cannot replace their nuanced understanding of legal intricacies.
Image Source: Getty
Building lasting client relationships, understanding market trends, and creating persuasive campaigns require human insight, emotional intelligence, and adaptability—qualities AI has yet to replicate effectively.
Image Source: Getty
HR professionals handle recruitment, talent development, and employee welfare with a human-centred approach. Their ability to assess interpersonal dynamics and mediate conflicts ensures their roles remain vital in any workplace.
Image Source: Getty
Thanks For Reading!
Read Next
|
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/web-stories/8-lucrative-careers-ai-cant-replace-anytime-soon/photostory/116338592.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:08:13Z
|
The Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors combined to make an NBA-record 48 3-pointers on Sunday, as Dallas pulled out a 143-133 win in San Francisco.
The previous mark of 44 had just been tied by the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns the night before, and was originally set by the Sacramento Kings and LA Clippers in a 176-175 triple-overtime game in February of 2023. The Warriors also made a franchise-record 18 3-pointers in the first half on Sunday, and the 27 3s for the game -- tied for the most in franchise history -- were the most ever by an NBA team in a loss. Teams were previously 11-0 when making 27 or more 3-pointers.
The offense got going early and often, as the Mavericks eviscerated the normally stout Warriors defense for 46 first-quarter points and carried a 81-74 lead into halftime. Notably, the Warriors scored just 90 total points in their previous game, a loss to the Houston Rockets.
The Dallas offense was powered by a masterful performance from Luka Doncic, who finished with 45 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds on 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. Klay Thompson had another strong showing against his former team in his second trip to Chase Center as a visitor, putting up a season-high 29 points on 7 for 11 from deep. He also made the shot that set the record from the right wing.
KLAY FOR HISTORY IN THE BAY 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) December 16, 2024
The Mavericks and Warriors have combined for an NBA-record 45 3PM tonight!
DAL-GSW | NBA TV & NBA League Pass
📲 https://t.co/yWuwsOIUUa pic.twitter.com/6e7J8mJfXd
Golden State was led by Stephen Curry's seven 3s, while Andrew Wiggins was the high point man with 29 on 5-for-9 from long distance. Draymond Green made five 3s in a game for the first time since an April win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here's the breakdown of both teams' historic 3-point shooting:
Mavericks
- Klay Thompson: 7 for 11
- Luka Doncic: 6 for 11
- Quentin Grimes: 4 for 8
- P.J. Washington: 2 for 4
- Olivier-Maxence Prosper: 1 for 2
- Kyrie Irving: 1 for 4
- Spencer Dinwiddie: 0 for 1
- Total: 21 for 41 (51%)
Warriors
- Stephen Curry: 7 for 13
- Andrew Wiggins: 5 for 9
- Draymond Green: 5 for 9
- Lindy Waters III: 4 for 7
- Buddy Hield: 3 for 8
- Jonathan Kuminga: 2 for 3
- Brandin Podziemski: 1 for 3
- Gary Payton II: 0 for 2
- Total: 27 for 54 (50%)
NBA teams entered Sunday averaging 37.5 3-point attempts per game, the most in league history and an increase of 2.4 per game from last season. For reference, the increase was only 0.9 from 2022-23 to 2023-24 and teams actually took fewer 3s in 2022-23 than they did in 2021-22. This season's proliferation of 3-point shooting essentially meant that the previous record had no chance of survival, and this one will immediately be in peril.
We saw the opposite side of the coin on Friday, when the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets combined to miss 75 3s, the most ever in a regulation game.
That makes it clear that teams are committed to hoisting 3s at a record pace, whether they're going in or not.
|
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/mavericks-warriors-combine-for-nba-record-48-3-pointers-as-klay-thompson-goes-off-against-former-team/
| 2024-12-16T05:08:18Z
|
The Kolkata International Film Festival 2024 showcased
Bhanu
, a crowdfunded film marking 150 years since the emergence of Bhanusingha,
Rabindranath Tagore’s iconic pseudonym. Directed by Ayananshu Banerjee, the film focuses on two formative years of Tagore’s adolescence, exploring the moments that shaped the young poet and thinker.
Rooted in a community-driven effort,
Bhanu
highlights Tagore’s lasting influence while reflecting on the collective passion behind its creation. Screened in the Bengali Panorama section, the film received appreciation for its thoughtful portrayal of a key chapter in Tagore’s life and work. The screening was almost houseful with cinephiles of all ages flooding the hall and praising the initiative.
|
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/bhanu-celebrates-150-years-of-bhanusingha-at-kiff-2024/articleshow/116339151.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:08:19Z
|
The NFL is heading into the homestretch of the seaosn with the conference races heading up. The Philadelphia Eagles have tied the Detroit Lions for the top seed in the NFC, but the Lions currently hold the tiebreaker due to having a better conference record. There are still plenty of games to sort out the race for home-field advantage in the NFC, as the Minnesota Vikings can also enter the picture with a victory on Monday night.
In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs lead the Buffalo Bills by two games for the top seed in the conference -- yet Buffalo has an easy schedule to end the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have set themselves up for another battle for first in the AFC North next week while the Denver Broncos are on the verge of clinching a playoff berth.
The Houston Texans were the latest to clinch a playoff berth by winning the AFC South on Sunday.
Below is a breakdown of the conference standings with Week 15 nearly in the books.
AFC playoff picture
y- clinched division
x- clinched playoff berth
e-- eliminated from playoffs
1. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)
The Chiefs are up two games over the Bills for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. A Chiefs win and Bills loss in Week 16 would give Kansas City home-field advantage in the conference.
Remaining schedule: vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos
2. Buffalo Bills (11-3)
Buffalo trails Kansas City by two games for home-field advantage, but has the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Bills have one of the easiest schedules the rest of the way.
Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
The Steelers lead the Ravens by one game in the AFC North after their loss to the Eagles (they also have the head-to-head tiebreaker over Baltimore), but travel to Baltimore on Saturday.
Remaining schedule: at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals
4. Houston Texans (9-5)
The Texans clinched the AFC South with their win over the Dolphins and the Colts loss to the Broncos. They remain the No. 4 seed in the AFC and will have a home game in the wild card round of the playoffs.
Remaining schedule: at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans
5. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
The Ravens hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Broncos for the the No. 5 seed in the AFC and are one game behind the Steelers in the AFC North (Pittsburgh owns the tiebreaker).They host the Steelers on Saturday.
Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns
6. Denver Broncos (9-5)
The Broncos are a win away from clinching a playoff spot. They lose the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Ravens for the No. 5 seed.
Remaining schedule: at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs
7. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
The Chargers fall to the No. 7 seed in the AFC after their loss to the Buccaneers. The Chargers play the Broncos next week with playoff seeding -- and a potential playoff clincher -- on the line.
Remaining schedule: vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders
8. Indianapolis Colts (6-8)
The Colts are two games out of the final wild-card spot in the AFC, even with their loss to the Broncos (the Chargers lost to keep them alive). The Colts have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Dolphins for the No. 8 seed by virtue of their Week 7 victory and own the tiebreaker over the Bengals based on having a better conference record (5-5) than Cincinnati (3-6).
Remaining schedule: vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars
9. Miami Dolphins (6-8)
The Dolphins' AFC playoff hopes are still alive, even with their loss to the Texans. Miami is two games behind Los Angeles for the final playoff spot and hold the conference-record tiebreaker (5-5) over Cincinnati (3-6).
Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers, at Browns, at Jets
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-8)
The Bengals remain the No. 10 seed in the AFC, needing significant help to earn a playoff berth. Cincinnati needs to jump multiple teams and win out to have a shot at the playoffs, as the Bengals are two games back of the Chargers and don't have the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Remaining schedule: vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, at Steelers
Eliminated from playoff contention
Six teams are eliminated from the playoff race in the AFC: the Raiders, Patriots, Titans, Jets, Jaguars and Browns.
NFC playoff picture
x- clinched playoff berth
e-- eliminated from playoffs
1. Detroit Lions (12-2)
The Lions remain the No. 1 seed in the conference even with their loss to the Bills due to having a better conference record (8-1) than the Eagles (7-2). They lead the division over the Vikings (own the head-to-head tiebreaker) no matter what Minnesota does on Monday.
Remaining schedule: at Bears, at 49ers, vs. Vikings
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-2)
The Eagles remain in the hunt for home-field advantage thanks to the Lions loss, but Detroit still has the conference-record tiebreaker. Philadelphia can clinch the NFC East and the No. 2 seed with a win next week.
Remaining schedule: at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6)
The Buccaneers still lead the NFC South after their win over the Chargers. Tampa Bay (6-3) holds the conference-record tiebreaker over Los Angeles (5-5) for the No. 3 seed. Atlanta has swept Tampa Bay this season, but the Buccaneers can take a commanding lead in the division with a Falcons loss on Monday.
Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs. Saints
4. Los Angeles Rams (8-6)
The Rams take over the NFC West lead with the Seahawks loss to the Packers. Los Angeles holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Seattle, which is how the Rams gained the division lead.
Remaining schedule: at Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks
5. Minnesota Vikings (11-2)
Minnesota remains the top wild-card team in the conference, but can tie Detroit for first place in the NFC North with a win over the Bears Monday. Detroit will still have the division lead via the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Remaining schedule: vs. Bears, at Seahawks, vs. Packers, at Lions
6. Green Bay Packers (10-4)
The Packers remain the No. 6 seed in the NFC after their win over the Seahawks and lead Seattle by a game for the final playoff spot. They can clinch a playoff berth as soon as next week.
Remaining schedule: vs. Saints, at Vikings, vs. Bears
7. Washington Commanders (9-5)
The Commanders lead the Rams by one game for the final layoff spot in the conference. They remain three back of the Eagles in the NFC East.
Remaining schedule: vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, at Cowboys
8. Seattle Seahawks (8-6)
The Seahawks lose the NFC West lead with their loss to the Packers, as the Rams own the head-to-head tiebreaker for the division lead. They remain one-game back of the Commanders for the final wild card spot.
Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings, at Bears, at Rams
9. Arizona Cardinals (7-7)
The Cardinals remain in the NFC West and wild-card hunt after their win over the Patriots. Arizona is two games behind Washington for the final wild card spot.
Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots, at Panthers, at Rams, vs. 49ers
10. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
The Falcons need a win over the Raiders on "Monday Night Football" to keep pace with the Buccaneers in the NFC South.
Remaining schedule: at Raiders, vs. Giants, at Commanders, vs. Panthers
11. San Francisco 49ers (6-8)
The 49ers' slim playoff hopes are still alive, even with their loss to the Rams. They are three games out of the final playoff spot, so their wild card chances are almost nonexistent. Even though they are last in the division, they are two game sout of the NFC West if Seattle loses to Green Bay.
Remaining schedule: at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Cardinals
12. Dallas Cowboys (6-8)
The Cowboys are still in the playoff hunt after their win over the Panthers on Sunday. One more loss by Dallas will eliminate the Cowboys from playoff contention.
Remaining schedule: vs. Buccaneers, at Eagles, vs. Commanders
13. New Orleans Saints (5-9)
The Saints are three games out of the NFC South lead with three games to play. They will be eliminated from playoff contention with another loss.
Remaining schedule: vs. Commanders, at Packers, vs. Raiders, at Buccaneers
Eliminated from playoff contention
The Bears and Panthers are officially eliminated from the playoffs with losses in Week 15. They join the Giants as teams eliminated form the playoffs in the NFC.
|
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-playoff-picture-standings-eagles-tie-lions-for-first-in-nfc-texans-clinch-afc-south/
| 2024-12-16T05:08:25Z
|
The Kolkata International Film Festival witnessed a historic moment with the city’s first screening of
The Shameless, the film that earned Anasuya Sengupta the Best Actress Award in the Un Certain Regard category at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Sengupta made history as the first Indian actress to receive this honour, and her performance as Renuka—a woman navigating the complexities of survival, love, and guilt—garnered global acclaim.
The film’s cast, including Anasuya Sengupta and Omara Shetty, graced the screening and later participated in a press conference. Anasuya, a proud Kolkata girl, reflected on her journey: “Seeing my name at Nandan is a full-circle moment.” Omara, who plays Devika, a 17-year-old entangled in a forbidden romance with Renuka, experienced Kolkata for the first time and expressed her gratitude for the warm reception: “It felt like I belong here.”
Celebrating the film’s success, Omara commended Anasuya’s groundbreaking win, adding, “An artist should never feel insecure about such achievements.” The screening not only celebrated a remarkable cinematic work but also highlighted the global achievements of Indian talent, making it a memorable event at KIFF 2024.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/cannes-glory-comes-home-as-kolkata-girl-anasuya-senguptas-the-shameless-premieres-at-kiff-2024/articleshow/116339112.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:08:26Z
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Sen. Lindsey Graham says Hegseth has pledged to release accuser from confidentiality agreement
By Jack Forrest, CNN
(CNN) — Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday that Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, promised to release the woman who accused him of sexual assault from a confidentiality agreement.
Graham told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Hegseth “told me he would release her from that agreement,” adding, “I’d want to know if anybody nominated for a high-level job in Washington legitimately assaulted somebody.”
Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News anchor, has faced a tough confirmation process as allegations emerged related to his workplace behavior and treatment of women, including a surfaced sexual assault allegation from 2017. Hegseth has denied the allegation, and no charges were brought.
Years later, Hegseth reached a settlement with the accuser that included a confidentiality clause. His lawyer, Tim Parlatore, told CNN last month that Hegseth settled because it was during the #MeToo movement and he didn’t want to lose his job at Fox News if the accusation became public.
Graham, a South Carolina Republican, said the accuser would need to make her claims publicly for them to be considered. “If people have an allegation to make, come forward and make it like they did in Kavanaugh. We’ll decide whether or not it’s credible,” he said, referring to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was confirmed despite accusations he assaulted a woman when they were teenagers in the 1980s.
CNN has reached out to Trump’s transition team for comment.
Graham’s Sunday comments come after Parlatore told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on “The Source” this month that he sent a notice to the accuser’s attorney that the settlement agreement — which mandated confidentiality from both parties — “no longer has any force in effect” because it has been breached.
“If she wants to go and talk about it, she can do it. I mean, certainly, she would do it at her own peril of a further defamation lawsuit,” Parlatore said of the woman. He said Hegseth’s legal team would consider bringing a civil lawsuit against the woman if Hegseth is not confirmed.
Hegseth’s nomination appeared to be in jeopardy over the 2017 sexual assault allegation as even Trump’s allies in Congress expressed concerns. The president-elect has continued to back Hegseth, however, setting up a challenge for any GOP senator who might go up against the pick. Hegseth has been meeting with senators crucial to his confirmation chances and has made headway among some potential holdouts, CNN previously reported.
Graham said Sunday he is “in a good place” with Hegseth and will vote to confirm him “unless something I don’t know about comes out.”
“He’s given me his side of the story. It makes sense to me. I believe him,” Graham said. “Unless somebody’s willing to come forward, I think he’s gonna get through.”
CNN’s Kaanita Iyer, Clare Foran, Manu Raju, Lauren Fox and Kristin Chapman contributed to this report.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
|
https://krdo.com/news/2024/12/15/sen-lindsey-graham-says-hegseth-has-pledged-to-release-accuser-from-confidentiality-agreement/
| 2024-12-16T05:08:30Z
|
Seven hotel guests hospitalized after drinking cocktails at 5-star Fiji resort
By Hilary Whiteman, CNN
(CNN) — Seven tourists are being treated for suspected poisoning after drinking cocktails at a bar in an upscale Fiji resort that’s now being investigated by police.
Four Australians ages 18 to 56, along with other three people believed to be foreign nationals, were taken to the hospital after being served drinks made at a bar at the Warwick Fiji on Saturday.
The tourists suffered nausea, vomiting and “neurological symptoms,” according to a statement from Fiji’s Health Ministry, and as of Monday were in a stable condition.
The case comes just weeks after six tourists died from methanol poisoning after drinking at a bar in Laos, in a case that prompted safety warnings about consuming alcohol abroad.
Asked whether methanol was to blame, Dr Jemesa Tudravu, permanent secretary for Fiji’s Ministry of Health & Medical Services, said it was too soon to tell.
“We don’t have the results of the investigation yet and we don’t know if it was spiking or any other cause until we complete our investigations,” he said in a briefing Monday.
Sydney resident David Sandoe told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation he’d received a call saying his daughter and granddaughter were among those hospitalized. He said they were among a group of people who drank a piña colada cocktail before falling ill.
“There was a group of them in the lounge of this resort and they had a similar cocktail and unfortunately, seven people came down with the symptoms that have been talked about,” Sandoe said.
He said his relatives were scheduled to fly home late Monday.
Australian media reports suggested one of the ill tourists was American. The US embassy in Fiji told CNN that it was aware of the reports but had nothing to add.
‘Isolated’ occurrence
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Viliame R. Gavoka assured travelers to the Pacific nation that the incident was “extremely isolated.”
“No other incidents have been reported either at the resort, or across Fiji. The resort has been operating in Fiji successfully for many years and holds a strong reputation, particularly among our Australian visitors,” he said in a statement Monday.
“The resort management has assured us that they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests,” he added.
The Warwick Hotels and Resorts operates luxury accommodation worldwide, including in the US, Europe and the Middle East.
In Fiji, king suites offering views of palm trees and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean cost roughly $500 a night.
In a statement, Warwick Fiji said it was taking the matter “very seriously.”
“At this moment, we do not have conclusive details, but we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests,” the hotel said.
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed that four Australians were receiving support from department officials.
He said the situation was “very concerning” and pointed to updated travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs to be wary of drink spiking and alcohol poisoning in Fiji.
“Don’t leave your drinks unattended. Pay attention when your drinks are being mixed and get urgent medical help if you suspect that something is wrong,” he said.
Gavoka, who is also Fiji’s tourism minister, said close to a million tourists visit the island every year and thousands of tourists were currently holidaying on the Pacific Island.
“This is the only reported case of its kind that we’ve experienced in recent memory, and certainly nothing like this has been experienced this year,” he said.
“While we understand the concern, we want to emphasize that the tourism experience in Fiji is typically very safe, and we have acted immediately to try and discover the cause of what made these guests, at this resort, fall ill.”
In November, the deaths of two Australian teenagers, a British woman, an American man and two Danish women after drinking shots in Laos prompted warnings from several Western nations about the potentially fatal consequences of drinking tainted alcohol.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
|
https://krdo.com/news/2024/12/15/seven-hotel-guests-hospitalized-after-drinking-cocktails-at-5-star-fiji-resort/
| 2024-12-16T05:08:31Z
|
Kolkata paid a tribute to
Marlon Brando on his centenary by screening two of his most iconic films,
The Godfather (directed by
Francis Ford Coppola) and
Viva Zapata! (helmed by
Elia Kazan), as part of the Kolkata International Film Festival. The legendary actor, renowned for his transformative performances, drew a house-full crowd to Nandan 1, even at the early hour of 9am for
The Godfather.
Fans, clad in Al Pacino t-shirts and
The Godfather hoodies, created an electrifying atmosphere. Cheers erupted and applause filled the hall during the film’s iconic moments, particularly when Brando’s unforgettable dialogue, “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse,” resonated through the theatre. The three-hour screening of
The Godfather, often regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, held the audience spellbound.
However, the extended runtime did cause scheduling delays for subsequent films, a hiccup that left a few festival-goers grumbling. Despite this, the overwhelming response proved Brando’s enduring influence on cinema and his place in the hearts of movie lovers. The screening marked a rare opportunity for Kolkata’s cinephiles to witness Brando’s unparalleled artistry on the big screen, rekindling the magic of classic Hollywood and celebrating a century of an actor who forever changed the craft.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/centenary-tribute-marlon-brandos-legacy-celebrated-at-kolkata-film-festival/articleshow/116338903.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:08:32Z
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Trump dares Republicans to challenge his playbook on RFK Jr., Gabbard and Patel
Analysis by Stephen Collinson, CNN
(CNN) — America’s new rulers are putting on a show of intent and unity as Donald Trump turns from his so-far-successful rescue of Pete Hegseth to three more of his provocative Cabinet choices.
The complex dynamics driving the most empowered presidential transition in modern history went public Saturday as the president-elect presided over his political clan at the Army vs. Navy football game beside his pick to lead the Pentagon.
The event — which was the latest show of Republican dominance that will steer America on a vastly different path within a few weeks — brought together the president-elect, Vice President-elect JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson and incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
With Hegseth on hand, Trump made a firm statement about his desire to see his embattled pick confirmed after the former Fox News anchor rode out an initial storm over alleged transgressions in his past that he has denied. Tulsi Gabbard, whom Trump has chosen for director of national intelligence, also stood close to Trump — in a sign he doesn’t care about reservations that some Republican senators harbor about her attitude toward Russia and Syria.
It was perhaps the most visible showing of power football hosted in the Washington area since late Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke corralled the politically connected, rich and famous in his box at RFK stadium in the 1980s and 1990s. When Trump, Vance and the congressional leaders — as well as the ubiquitous Elon Musk — peered over the loudly welcoming crowd and waved, the country’s new establishment looked almost like a politburo of the MAGA movement.
There was, however, no sighting of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick to run the Health and Human Services Department. His past skepticism of child vaccines that have saved millions of American lives could make him the next Trump Cabinet selection to face a political storm on Capitol Hill, with meetings expected with senators this week.
The attendance of Republican congressional leaders was significant. Johnson, who hitched his wagon to Trump early in his tenure, has been rewarded with the president-elect’s patronage but faces a tough job in shepherding the new administration’s hardline agenda through a tiny House majority. And Thune may have one of the hardest jobs in Washington in piloting controversial nominees through the Senate and preserving the chamber’s, albeit rather eroded, prerogative to check likely power grabs by a new president who knows no limits.
Musk hovered just over Trump’s shoulder, personifying the extraordinary entry into the president-elect’s inner circle of the world’s richest man and one of its most influential sources of non-state power. The SpaceX pioneer’s presence is a reminder of the massive conflicts of interests likely to permeate the new administration.
Becoming a president in all but name
Trump’s appearance at the game Saturday was the latest photo-op in a remarkable process in which the former and future president has been assuming power as the current commander in chief, Joe Biden, fades from the scene ahead of his last Christmas in the White House.
So far, Trump has had only one major reversal — the loss of his first attorney general pick, Matt Gaetz, and has been effectively taking control of future US foreign policy by initiating trade showdowns with Mexico and Canada, meeting world leaders and striding back onto the world stage with a trip to Paris.
Trump’s controversial Cabinet choices are a show of defiance against a political establishment he believes thwarted his most aggressive instincts during his first term. And his refusal to abandon Hegseth – and support for Gabbard, Kennedy Jr. and FBI critic Kash Patel to lead the bureau – is an uncompromising omen about the administration that will begin next month.
“Donald Trump won. He won overwhelmingly. He said what he was going to do, and that’s what he’s doing,” retiring Sen. Mitt Romney, a longtime Trump critic, told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview that aired on “State of the Union” on Sunday. “This is a team of people who are very, very different, extraordinarily different backgrounds, different perspectives on issues, in some cases, I think even than the president, so an unusual collection of individuals, not the people I would have chosen,” the Utah Republican said.
As Washington gears up for contentious confirmation hearings in January, Romney warned that the Senate has a responsibility to ensure that there is no “skeleton” haunting Cabinet picks that could embarrass the country. But in a sign of the populist transformation of the GOP, Romney – the defeated 2012 presidential nominee – won’t be in the Senate to play that role.
Will Trump deploy the Hegseth playbook on Gabbard, Patel and Kennedy?
Trump’s team is increasingly confident after the furor diminished around Hegseth, who faces a sexual assault allegation, which he denies, and concerns over his past drinking, which he insists is not a problem. The Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran is pledging to shake up race and gender diversity programs in the Pentagon if confirmed. His chances look far healthier now than a few weeks ago, after public endorsements by Trump and a conservative media pressure campaign on Republican senators like Iowa’s Joni Ernst, who registered early disquiet about his selection.
“I think he made it through the gauntlet, I think he stood in, he fought, he defended himself,” senior Trump adviser Jason Miller told Newsmax on Friday, listing the kind of qualities that the president-elect reputedly likes to see in his Cabinet picks.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday that Hegseth had told him he would release from a confidentiality agreement a woman who accused him of a 2017 sexual assault in which charges were never filed. Graham said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that anyone who had a complaint to make should “come forward.” Hegseth’s lawyer, Tim Parlatore, told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins this month that anyone who did make allegations against his client “would do it at her own peril of a further defamation lawsuit.” CNN has reached out to Trump’s transition team for comment.
But attention is turning to Trump’s other picks, and Kennedy is facing a new flare-up over his past vaccine skepticism. Outgoing Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell warned Friday that anyone seeking Senate confirmation should avoid “appearance of association with” efforts to discredit proven medical cures. The statement, which did not mention Kennedy by name, was especially poignant since the Kentucky senator suffered from polio as a child and still lives with complications — a fact that was widely noted after he suffered a fall last week.
McConnell’s warning was not an empty threat. It would take only four Republicans to block Kennedy’s nomination, assuming all Democrats oppose, and the long-time leader’s stature and personal story might offer other senators cover. Kennedy’s past attacks on some vaccines are also coming into focus after The New York Times reported that one of his associates, lawyer Aaron Siri, filed a petition with the US Food and Drug Administration to revoke approval of the polio vaccine used in the United States. Siri made the petition on behalf of the Informed Consent Action Network, or ICAN, a nonprofit that challenges the safety of vaccines and vaccine mandates. He has been working with Kennedy to choose officials to serve in the incoming administration. CNN has reached out to ICAN and the Trump transition.
Trump praised the polio vaccine in a “Meet the Press” interview on NBC last week as “the greatest thing” and said someone would have to work very hard to get him to revoke it. But the president-elect also said in a Time magazine interview conducted in late November and published last week that he’d hold a “big discussion” about the rising rate of autism diagnoses and would consider getting rid of some vaccines for children. Scientists have repeatedly debunked the theory that vaccines cause autism. But despite that evidence, many anti-vaccine advocates have called for greater research into the subject.
In a letter to the Senate on Sunday, a group boosting Kennedy touted his support from hundreds of doctors. “His unwavering commitment to scientific transparency and his determination to address the root causes of illness make him uniquely qualified to lead HHS,” read the letter, which was released by Make American Healthy Again Action and was signed by the likes of Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The Kennedy selection reflects Trump’s fondness for contrarianism, and willingness to mock the consensus of the Washington health and political establishments. It fits into a pattern of elevating well-known skeptics of Covid-19 guidelines during the pandemic to senior administration posts.
But the growing controversy around Kennedy leaves open the question of whether Trump will fight as hard for the former Democrat as he did for Hegseth. The spectacle of a confirmation hearing next year that devolves into a showdown over polio vaccines could have the potential to change the trajectory of the nomination.
There are also questions over whether Kennedy’s campaign to take on US food giants over unhealthy processed products could weaken his support among some senators whose states depend on the multi-billion-dollar industry. Trump’s team has already been strategizing about how to allay GOP fears about Kennedy’s past support for abortion rights, which could scramble his support in unpredictable ways. With this in mind, Kennedy’s selection could turn into a test case of one of the most important factors that will define Trump’s new administration — how willing is the new president to spend his personal political capital on fights or nominees that may not be popular?
Democrats wrestle with diminished power to oppose Trump
Kennedy will follow in the footsteps of Gabbard and Patel on Capitol Hill, who both got fairly smooth public receptions. Republican senators seem in no hurry to split with their president-elect over Cabinet picks in the knowledge that Trump intends to shake up Washington as never before.
Missouri GOP Sen. Eric Schmitt, for instance, called Gabbard “a patriot” on ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday. “She served our country honorably. She, I think, fits the reform agenda. President Trump ran on disrupting permanent Washington and having people who are going to view things differently,” he added.
Graham, meanwhile, signaled support for Patel, despite the former Capitol Hill staffer’s past vows to purge the FBI and to go after Trump’s political opponents and journalists. “What do I want in an FBI director now? Somebody that can clean it up,” Graham said on “Meet the Press.” He added: “Get back to the job of fighting crime. Don’t have your thumb on the political scale.”
Still, Patel’s critics fear that in the guise of draining the bureau of political influence, he will further weaponize it to express his loyalty to Trump. California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff said on ABC that Patel was “someone who demonstrated, sadly, a principle of the first Trump administration, and that is you rise to the level of your sycophancy. And the bigger the sycophant, the higher you rise.”
Schiff also criticized Gabbard over her echoing of Russian propaganda over the war in Ukraine, her 2017 visit to deposed Syrian tyrant Bashar al-Assad, and her lack of experience in the intelligence community. “Someone who had shown that kind of poor judgment is not necessarily someone you want advising this president.”
Schiff’s comment reflected two coming themes in Washington — the first is the extent to which Democrats will try to rebound after a disastrous election by portraying Trump’s Cabinet picks as extreme, dangerous and unqualified.
But secondly, it will be up to Republicans to decide who gets to serve and, more broadly, much of what gets done in Washington – for at least the next two years heading into the midterms. That was the message that Trump and his cohorts spelled out high above the field in Landover, Maryland, as Navy surged to a 31-13 victory over Army to lift the commander in chief’s trophy.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
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https://krdo.com/news/2024/12/15/trump-dares-republicans-to-challenge-his-playbook-on-rfk-jr-gabbard-and-patel/
| 2024-12-16T05:08:37Z
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Winter is here, and so are wedding invitations and year-ender parties. Ditch frumpy sweaters for faux fur, drape yourself in pashmina, or strut in boots to ooze confidence. CT tells you how to stay warm and slay like a true diva at the same time.
Green is inLayering to perfection: Team up a chequered brown blazer with a silk, emerald green salwar kameez to balance comfort and style
Accessorise it right: Bold, chunky earrings and suede boots can add a new dimension to the soiree look
Pic: Tathagata Ghosh
Fiery & fabLayering to perfection: Red Benarasis are timeless favourites. Pair one with a Jamawar pashmina to look stylish
Accessorise it right: Gather the pashmina with a bangle and brooch for a chic look. Wear a choker and flowers in your hair for a glam touch
HMUA Rohini Aich says, “Hydrate your skin before makeup. Go for a creamy blush. Bold eyes and lip shades like berry, and dark pink are in. Don’t forget your signature scent”
Royal radianceLayering to perfection: A cropped fur jacket with a lehenga choli can be a showstopper at any winter wedding. Opt for bright colours like emerald green, purple, or burgundy, and save the muted tones for summer.
Accessorise it right: Choose layered neckpieces to keep the focus on your neckline. Complete the look with boots
Styling tips:- Swap a shawl for a blazer or pair a short jacket with your salwar suit for a stylish, warm layered look
- Pair a pashmina shawl with a silk sari; accessorise with bold jewellery
- Trench coats and wool blazers add elegance to saris—perfect for a winter brunch, with minimal pearl jewellery such an outfit can look classy
- Polo-neck tees with saris keep you warm while looking sharp
- Fleece, wool, and polyester blends are perfect for winter
- Bomber jackets, pullovers, and blazers are winter wardrobe essentials– inputs by Ayan Hore, stylist
Quotes:
I can’t think of a glam winter look without my woollens. This year, being blingy is my style statement, be it with my jewellery, jacket or makeup– Ankita Singh, modelI can’t think of a glam winter look without my woollens. This year, being blingy is my style statement, be it with my jewellery, jacket or makeup– Ankita Singh, modelPics: Tathagata Ghosh; model: Ankita Singh; makeup and hair: Rohini Aich; styling: Ayan Hore; outfit and jewellery: Sujata Mukherjee
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/faux-fur-boots-and-pashminas-master-the-art-of-winter-layering/articleshow/116335500.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:08:38Z
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Colorado Springs firefighters respond to apartment fire, two people sent to hospital
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - The Colorado Springs Fire Department sent two engines and two trucks out to fight a kitchen fire in the top unit of an apartment building on Strawberry Field Grove.
Firefighters say they saw heavy smoke coming from the top apartment when they arrived on the scene.
Two people who were inside the apartment when the fire was blazing were sent to the hospital for treatment. One person with severe burns and the other with smoke inhalation
The fire department tells KRDO13 the fire was contained to the kitchen and the hazmat team responded as a precaution.
Investigators are now arriving on the scene to determine the cause of the fire.
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https://krdo.com/news/krdo-breaking-news/2024/12/15/colorado-springs-firefighters-respond-to-apartment-fire-two-people-sent-to-hospital/
| 2024-12-16T05:08:43Z
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Turning 90 is a significant milestone but for some like filmmaker
Shyam Benegal, it is just another day marked by daily routines and ongoing work commitments. Benegal heralded the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s with a body of work that is known for its realism and social commentary, breaking away from the conventions of mainstream
Indian cinema.
The filmmaker, who made path breaking films such as "Ankur", "Nishant", "Manthan", "Bhumika", "Junoon", and "Mandi", turned 90 on Saturday.
"We all grow old. I don't do anything great (on my birthday). It may be a special day but I don't celebrate it specifically. I cut a cake at the office with my team," Benegal told PTI.
Despite the physical challenges that come with age, including frequent hospital visits for dialysis three times a week, Benegal is committed to his passion for filmmaking.
"I'm working on two to three projects; they are all different from one another. It's difficult to say which one I will make. They are all for the big screen," said the director, whose most recent film was the 2023 biographical "Mujib: The Making of a Nation".
December 14 also marks the 100th birthday of
Raj Kapoor, the legendary actor and filmmaker, regarded as the greatest showman of Indian cinema.
"He was a brilliant actor; he had a fine mind. I've seen his films, I liked 'Shree 420'," Benegal said about the cinema icon.
He revealed that he did held discussions for a possible collaboration with Raj Kapoor in the past.
"There was clearly a (plan) but that was a long time ago," he added.
The Kapoor family celebrated Raj Kapoor's 100th birth anniversary with the RK Film Festival, which was kickstarted on Friday with the premiere of his movies like "Awara", "Shree 420", "Sangam", "Mera Naam Joker", and "Bobby".
The three-day retrospective will showcase ten films by Raj Kapoor, including "Aag," "Barsaat," "Awaara," "Shree 420," "Jagte Raho," "Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai," "Sangam," "Mera Naam Joker," Bobby, and "Ram Teri Ganga Maili", at select PVR INOX theatres in 40 cities.
National Award-winning filmmaker Shyam Benegal's both kidneys have failed, undergoes dialysis at home: Report
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/filmmaker-shyam-benegal-turns-90-says-he-is-working-on-2-3-projects/articleshow/116334206.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:08:44Z
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Burglar beats elderly man with tire iron, Colorado Springs Police searching for suspect
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is searching for a man who broke into a home on Sunday, December 15, 2024, just before 2:30 a.m.
CSPD received a report of a home invasion at a residence in the 700 block of Sahwatch Street.
Officers responded and determined that a suspect had broken into the front window of the residence, armed with a crowbar.
The burglar used a tire iron to get it and beat a man over the head. The elderly couple was watching their 9-year-old granddaughter at the time of the burglary.
A shattered window is all that’s left on the couple’s porch.
"The sound of breaking glass, something tipping over, and a break-in was the last thing I thought about," said, Neal Davis, the man who was attacked by the burglar.
He says he got up to check what it was and that's when he was faced with the suspect in his kitchen.
"The two of us kind of met, and he just started hitting me on top of the head," said Davis.
The two began to fight and he called for his wife.
"I was shocked. Absolutely shocked," recounted Susan Adams.
Davis's wife, Susan Adams, had never imagined the scene she’d walk out to. She described blood all over the floor and on some of their furniture. Adams tried to help Davis only to be hit by the burglar.
"He kicked me twice. He kicked me in the stomach," said Adams.
The suspect and her husband ended up wrestling on the floor.
"I was luckily able to get the tire iron away from him and, and give it to her (Susan) and then she said I'm calling the police. And he got out as soon as he could and went back through the window," said Davis.
Despite multiple stitches and a massive headache, Davis is less focused on his health, rather he hopes police find the man to get him connected to the resources he needs.
"We genuinely hope he's okay and that he gets the help he needs," said Davis, "It could have been so much worse. We're grateful."
The couple says it’s a good reminder to be aware and lock your doors and windows. They also wanted to warn the neighborhood of the break-in.
Davis and Adams also shared the kind efforts of their neighbors to help fix their window in the middle of the night, their family driving out to check on them, and the quick response of local police officers.
CSPD says the suspect and victims did not know one another. The motivation for this burglary is not known at this time, and the suspect is still outstanding.
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https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2024/12/15/burglar-beats-elderly-man-with-tire-iron-colorado-springs-police-searching-for-suspect/
| 2024-12-16T05:08:49Z
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The Kolkata International Film Festival 2024 commemorated the centenary of Harisadhan Dasgupta, a pioneer of Indian documentary filmmaking and a founding member of the Calcutta Film Society. The festival honoured his contributions with a special screening of his acclaimed work
Eki Ange Eto Rup (1965), widely regarded as a landmark in India’s documentary landscape.
Eki Ange Eto Rup delves into cultural and social themes with an unflinching realism, capturing the essence of India during its post-independence evolution. The film’s exploration of identity, heritage, and human complexity resonated with the audience, reaffirming its relevance even today.
Dasgupta’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the growth of independent and documentary filmmaking in India, particularly during the formative years of the nation’s cinematic history. His role in shaping the Calcutta Film Society also underscored his dedication to fostering a vibrant film culture in the country. The tribute brought to light the impact of Dasgupta’s work, celebrating his visionary approach and the timeless relevance of his storytelling.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/harisadhan-dasgupta-honoured-at-kolkata-international-film-festival/articleshow/116338987.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:08:50Z
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Colorado Springs police say car meet-up turned violent, officers now searching for shooter
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - A person is now recovering in the hospital after they were shot at a car meet that turned violent on the southeast side of Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs Police say they found a person shot inside a vehicle on Airport Rd and took them to the hospital.
After further investigation, officers say they determined that person was actually shot on Aeroplaza Dr where officers found multiple shell casings.
Officers believe the shooting stemmed from a car meet-up.
CSPD says the victim is expected to survive the gunshot wound.
The police are still searching for a suspect in the case.
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https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2024/12/15/colorado-springs-police-say-car-meet-up-turned-violent-officers-now-searching-for-shooter/
| 2024-12-16T05:08:51Z
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The Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) 2024 honoured outstanding cinematic works across multiple categories, with a mix of international and Indian films capturing the spotlight.
In the
International Competition: Innovation in Moving Images,
Tarika by Milko Lazarov took the
Best Film award, while the
Best Director was awarded to Ana Endara for
Querido Tropico. A special mention from the jury went to
Arillo De Hombre Muerto (Dead Man's Switch), directed by Alejandro Gerber Bicecci. The
FIPRESCI Award also went to
Tarika.
In the
Competition on Indian Language Films,
Lachhi, directed by Krishnegowda, was recognised as
Best Film, with the
Best Director being awarded to Aaryan Chandra Prakash for
Aajoor. A
Special Jury Award was presented to
Nukkad Naatak (A Street Play) by Tanmaya Shekhar.
In the
Bengali Panorama,
Dhruvor Aschorjo Jibon by Abhijit Chowdhury emerged as the
Best Film.
Lastly, in the
Asian Select (NETPAC Award),
Putulnama by Ranajit Ray claimed the
Best Film award.
The event celebrated both global and local talent, showcasing a diverse range of films that pushed the boundaries of storytelling and creativity.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/kiff-2024-announces-its-winners/articleshow/116339219.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:08:56Z
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Early morning fire decimates Colorado Springs RV
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - A recreational vehicle is now cinders and smoldering pieces after a fire off of Union and Highway 24 in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs Firefighters posted this picture of the fire on social media.
The RV is almost unrecognizable. Firefighters say the fire also burned through nearby trees and vegetation around a 50-square-foot area.
Thankfully fire crews were able to put out the blaze before anyone was hurt.
Throughout the day on Sunday, crews continued working on putting out hot spots left behind.
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https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2024/12/15/early-morning-fire-decimates-colorado-springs-rv/
| 2024-12-16T05:08:57Z
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Deputies looking for missing man who suffers from Dementia
BATON ROUGE - Deputies are looking for a man who suffers from Dementia and went missing on Saturday.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office said 76-year-old Bobby Calvery was last seen leaving 22551 Greenwell Springs Road around 4 p.m. in a blue Tacoma with the license plate LA Y360082 and has not been seen since.
Calvery was wearing a black shirt, blue jeans and white slip-on shoes. Deputies said he relies on life-saving medical equipment that he needs.
Trending News
Anyone with information about his whereabouts can call (225) 398-5000.
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https://www.wbrz.com/news/deputies-looking-for-missing-man-who-suffers-from-dementia
| 2024-12-16T05:09:00Z
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“If you and your partner regularly use these phrases, it’s a sign that you’re already a mentally strong couple,” (psychotherapist Amy Morin) says. “And if you don’t yet, you can start implementing them and find that you’ll grow stronger both individually and as a unit.” —MSN
“I’m going to tell you something that may be upsetting to hear”
“I need your support right now”
“It’s understandable you feel that way”
“I never thought of things that way”
“I’m sorry for the part I’ve played in this”
“Let’s find a solution”
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https://jerz.setonhill.edu/blog/2024/12/15/couples-in-successful-relationships-always-use-these-6-phrases-youll-grow-stronger-both-individually-and-as-a-unit-therapist-says/
| 2024-12-16T05:09:00Z
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ASR Africa has commenced the reconstruction of the Mallam Abdulkarim Jummat Mosque in Zaria. This historic event was organized by the Zazzau Emirate Council, under the leadership of the Emir of Zazzau, His Highness Mal. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli CFR, LLD.
The groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a remarkable journey and has distinguished personalities in attendance including the Chairman of ASR Africa and BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, royal fathers, Government officials, the Zazzau emirate council, and public members.
The Governor of the State, His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani who was the host of the event acknowledged the presence of the royal fathers present, especially His Excellency, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, as well as other special guests of honor including Abbas Tajudeen GCON, Speaker of the House of Representative, Mallam Balarabe Abass Lawal, Honourable Minister for Environment and Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu CFR, CON, Chairman ASR Africa, and the BUA Group.
The Governor expressed immense appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the reconstruction of the mosque and prayed for the blessings of the Almighty Allah on them. He added that the edifice will serve not just as a place of worship but will attract tourists to the State. The Emir of the Zazzau Emirate Council, His Highness Mal. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli acknowledged the effort of all committee members who have worked tirelessly towards the reconstruction of the edifice. He specially thanked the Chairman of ASR Africa for taking up the huge financial responsibility of the reconstruction of the mosque.
This architectural edifice was initially built in 1836 and was a testament to the rich history and architectural heritage of the region. Upon the collapse on August 10th, 2023, the Chairman of ASR Africa, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu took up the reconstruction of the mosque to give a new significance to the region. The mosque will accommodate a total of 2,000 worshippers on two floors, with a large courtyard space accommodating an extra 5,000 worshippers. Other facilities will include an ablution area, a library, and ICT center office spaces to provide administrative support to the mosque.
Other guests present at the event praised the Chairman of ASR Africa for his generosity and prayed for more persons to emulate his kind gesture towards humanity.
The brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa
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https://championnews.com.ng/2024/12/16/asr-africa-kicks-off-the-re-construction-of-mallam-abdulkarim-jummat-mosque-at-a-groundbreaking-event-in-zaria-city/
| 2024-12-16T05:09:00Z
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The Kolkata International Film Festival 2024 spotlighted the groundbreaking works of French cinema, featuring two monumental films that have left an indelible mark on the history of films.
The Smiling Madame Beudet (1923), a silent masterpiece by pioneering feminist filmmaker Germaine Dulac, captivated audiences with its bold exploration of gender roles and the limitations placed on women. Dulac's innovative narrative style and avant-garde approach to filmmaking made this a landmark piece of feminist cinema.
Also showcased was
L'Atlante, the only feature-length film by Jean Vigo, a director whose tragic early death left a lasting void in cinema.
L'Atlante is hailed as a crucial work in the development of modern cinema, with its poetic realism and bold visual style influencing generations of filmmakers. These screenings offered a rare opportunity to appreciate the vision of two of France’s most iconic filmmakers, whose works continue to inspire and shape the future of cinema.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/kiff-2024-focuses-on-france-by-celebrating-pioneering-filmmakers/articleshow/116339175.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:09:02Z
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Kids make holiday arts and crafts at Shaw Center on Sunday
BATON ROUGE - Kids and adults got in the spirit of Christmas at the Shaw Center on Sunday afternoon while doing arts and crafts.
They painted ornaments, made snowmen and even decorated Rudolph's sleigh. A couple of kids gave WBRZ a sneak peek of what they made.
"I drew five hearts representing the five days before Christmas," Kerri Bates said.
"Holidays mean the most to me than ever. Birthdays and Christmas, it's presents and candy. That's what means the most to me," Kyleigh Bates said.
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Kerri, Kyleigh and the rest of the kids got to bring home their new crafts.
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https://www.wbrz.com/news/kids-make-holiday-arts-and-crafts-at-shaw-center-on-sunday
| 2024-12-16T05:09:06Z
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The technology will continue to improve so that that simulated gymnastics videos will look less and less bizarre, but people who can use AI to create flawless gymnastics videos aren’t actually learning gymnastics. No human being will become a better gymnast thanks to a better AI simulation of a gymnastics routine.
More convincing AI-generated simulations of artistic performances, news reports, solutions to math problem sets or drafts of college research term papers will continue to devalue the efforts of actual human beings who are putting in actual effort to get good at those valuable things.
On Tuesday, OpenAI officially unveiled the production-ready version of Sora and released it to its $20-a-month Plus and $200-a-month (lol) Pro subscribers. Or, at least, the company did for a few hours. As technology commentator Ed Zitron noted on Bluesky Wednesday, “mere hours — maybe even less — after saying Sora was out, OpenAI stopped accepting new account registrations with no clear timeline. OpenAI bait-and-switched the entire tech media. There’s no way this company can afford to have their video generator available to the public.” —Digital Trends
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https://jerz.setonhill.edu/blog/2024/12/15/students-are-trusting-software-like-this-to-do-their-work/
| 2024-12-16T05:09:07Z
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The Kolkata International Film Festival 2024 paid a heartfelt tribute to two towering figures of Bengali cinema and theatre, Utpalendu Chakraborty and Manoj Mitra, both of whom passed away in Kolkata earlier this year. The festival celebrated their invaluable contributions through special screenings of their iconic works.
Utpalendu Chakraborty’s
Chokh (1983), a searing portrayal of social injustice, highlighted his unique voice in Bengali cinema. Known for addressing themes of oppression and inequality, Chakraborty’s work resonated deeply with audiences, making him a pioneer of politically charged storytelling in Indian films.
The screening of
Banchharamer Bagan honoured Manoj Mitra, the legendary playwright and actor whose wit and nuanced portrayal of human dilemmas left an indelible mark on Bengali culture. Mitra’s Banchharam, a character etched into the collective memory of Bengali audiences, remains a testament to his brilliance as both an actor and a storyteller.
The tribute served as a poignant reminder of the artistic legacy of these stalwarts, whose works continue to inspire and influence generations of filmmakers, playwrights, and audiences. The screenings evoked nostalgia and admiration, ensuring their legacies live on in the hearts of cinephiles.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/kiff-2024-paid-special-tribute-by-remembering-utpalendu-chakraborty-and-manoj-mitra-through-cinema/articleshow/116339057.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:09:09Z
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The Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS has given Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger six months, from January 29 to July 29, 2025, to reconsider their decision to exit the regional bloc.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, announced the six-month grace on Sunday in Abuja after the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
“The Authority takes note of the notification by the Republic of Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali and Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.
“The Authority acknowledges that by the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from January 29, 2025.
“The Authority decides to set the period from January 29, 2025 to July 29, 2025, as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period.
“In this regard, the Authority extends the mandate of the President of Togo and the President of Senegal to continue their mediation role up to the end of the transition period to bring the three member countries back to ECOWAS.
“Without prejudice to the spirit of the opening, the Authority directs the President of the Commission to launch withdrawal formalities after the end of the deadline of January 29 2025 and to draw up a contingency plan covering various areas.
“The Authority directs the Council of Ministers to convene an Extraordinary Session during the 2nd quarter of 2025 to consider and adopt both separation modalities and the contingency plan covering political and economic relations between ECOWAS and the Republic of Niger, Republic of Mali and Burkina Faso,” Touray read from the communiqué.
ECOWAS leaders commended the exemplary diplomatic engagement of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, as well as the diplomatic efforts of the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu, and other individual member states toward the three countries.
In his closing remarks, President Tinubu commended the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government for spirited discussions throughout the Summit.
He noted that the collective resolve underscored their strength to address the region’s pressing challenges.
“As we move forward to implement the outcomes of this Summit, let us remain united in our determination and steadfast in our commitment to the principles that bind us together as a Community.
“I call on all Member States to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the decisions reached here translate into tangible benefits for our citizens,” he said.
The Nigerian leader encouraged the leaders to carry forward the optimism and the resolve that guided the deliberations.
“Together, let us continue to champion the cause of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa, to build ECOWAS as a community of peoples anchored on the ideals of freedom, justice, democracy, and a vision of good governance that addresses the legitimate aspirations of our people,” he said.
President Tinubu congratulated the outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, as he attended his valedictory session as AUC Chair.
He further praised Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, whom he fondly called “Mr. Democrat,” and wished him resounding success.
He said ECOWAS will continue to draw from President Akufo-Addo’s fountain of wisdom.
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https://championnews.com.ng/2024/12/16/ecowas-gives-burkina-faso-mali-and-niger-six-months-to-reconsider-withdrawal/
| 2024-12-16T05:09:08Z
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Plaquemine in the dark Sunday night after truck hits utility pole
PLAQUEMINE - Plaquemine residents were in the dark Sunday night after a truck ran into a utility pole.
City officials said the crash happened along Bayou Road near Oak Street around 8:20 p.m.
A large part of the city lost power due to the pole having multiple feed lines, but as of 9:30 p.m. power had been mostly restored. Officials said it may take a few hours to get everyone back on.
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The Plaquemine Police chief said the driver had minor injuries and no impairment was suspected.
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https://www.wbrz.com/news/plaquemine-in-the-dark-sunday-night-after-truck-hits-utility-pole
| 2024-12-16T05:09:12Z
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Sean Payton reflects on Broncos first winning season since 2016
Dec 15, 2024, 6:22 PM
The Denver Broncos, led by head coach Sean Payton, secured their first winning season since 2016 on Sunday.
The Broncos 31-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts was not a pretty game, but they all count the same. Denver outscored Indy 21-0 in a pivotal fourth quarter to move to 9-5 on the season.
A nearly decade-long and ugly streak has been snapped, as the Broncos will win more games during the 2024 season than they lose.
Yes, the team has higher expectations than simply going 9-8, but this was a symbolic step.
After the contest, Payton was asked about the accomplishment. And he chose to reflect on why he took the job in Denver more than anything else.
“The appeal to me was the tradition here. The years of sustained success here and the importance of this game here,” Payton said.
Broncos Country expects greatness, and the three Lombardi Trophies for the franchise are proof of it. Payton mentioned some of the greats who have worn orange and blue, including two legendary quarterbacks.
“There were certain things that were really important. And the football tradition and history here was very appealing to me. Look, I’ve known Peyton (Manning) and John (Elway) forever. But it was somewhere where the fanbase, like the expectations were high,” Payton said.
With the Broncos moving ahead of the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC standings, the playoffs look to be nearly a lock. All Denver has to do is win one more game this year and the postseason will be a reality for the first time since 2015.
“If you’re in this industry you want to be somewhere where it’s really important and the expectations are high. So, it’s nice to get the ninth win. We’ll have some cupcakes for you guys as you leave and then we’ll go from there,” Payton said.
That last comment from Payton was met with a chuckle, as nine wins is a benchmark, but not the final destination.
And while there will be plenty to dissect from a bizarre game with the Colts, Sean Payton helping the Broncos secure a winning record for the first time in forever was important to the fanbase.
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https://denversports.com/2116307/sean-payton-reflects-on-broncos-first-winning-season-since-2016/
| 2024-12-16T05:09:13Z
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Dubai: The world of music and arts is in collective mourning after the passing of Ustad Zakir Hussain, the iconic tabla maestro, at the age of 73. The virtuoso, who had been battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, died in a San Francisco hospital early Monday morning on December 16. His death marks the end of an era for Indian classical music and global fusion, leaving an indelible void.
As news of his passing broke, tributes began pouring in from all corners of the globe.
Actor Akshay Kumar expressed his sorrow, saying, "Very pained to know about the sad demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Saab. He was truly a treasure for our country's musical heritage. Om Shanti."
Veteran actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan also shared his condolences on social media, writing, “Zakir Bhai! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art. Goodbye and Thank you.”
Bollywood actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar remarked, "Zakir Hussain's contributions transcended music; he was a cultural ambassador who brought Indian classical music to the global stage."
Actress Hema Malini and BJP Lok Sabha MP Hema Malini posted, “The world mourns the passing of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain in the US yesterday. He brought name and fame to his land of birth with his exemplary skill with the tabla. Farewell to a much loved son of India.”
Actress and singer Shruti Haasan commented, "His rhythms spoke a universal language, touching hearts across the world. An irreplaceable loss to the arts."
Bollywood Actor Riteish Deshmukh expressing his grief posted, “The irreparable loss of Zakir Hussain Sahab is a devastating blow to India and the global music community. Sir, Your music was a gift, a treasure that will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come. Your legacy will live on. May your soul rest in eternal glory, surrounded by the rhythms and melodies. Condolences to the family and loved ones of the legendary Zakir Hussain Sahab.”
Musicians remember a maestro
Renowned tabla player Sandeep Das expressed his sorrow, stating, "The world has lost a rhythm that cannot be replaced. Ustad Zakir Hussain's legacy will continue to inspire generations."
Sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar shared her grief, noting, "His music was a bridge between cultures, a testament to the universality of art. He will be deeply missed."
American drummer Mickey Hart, who collaborated with Hussain on the Grammy-winning album Planet Drum, stated, "Zakir was not just a collaborator but a brother in rhythm. His genius and spirit will resonate forever."
Jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, who performed with Hussain, reflected, "Playing with Zakir was like conversing with the universe. His mastery and humility were unparalleled."
A Personal Legacy
Hussain is survived by his wife, Kathak dancer Antonia Minnecola, and their two daughters, Anisa and Isabella. Zakir Hussain’s passing is not just a loss for India but for the global music fraternity.
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https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/music/global-tributes-for-ustad-zakir-hussain-a-musical-icon-remembered-1.1734320781471
| 2024-12-16T05:09:13Z
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Updated December 15, 2024 at 19:06 PM ET
OMAHA, Neb. — A tornado near a mall in central California swept up cars, uprooted trees and sent several people to the hospital. In San Francisco, authorities issued the first-ever tornado warning.
Elsewhere, inclement weather plagued areas of the U.S., with dangerous conditions including heavy snow in upstate New York, a major ice storm in Midwest states and severe weather warnings around Lake Tahoe.
The ice storm beginning Friday evening created treacherous driving conditions across Iowa and eastern Nebraska on Friday and into Saturday and prompted temporary closures of Interstate 80 after numerous cars and trucks slid off the road. In upstate New York, more than 33 inches (84 centimeters) was reported near Orchard Park, which is often a landing point for lake-effect snow.
On Saturday, a tornado touched down around 1:40 p.m. near a shopping mall in Scotts Valley, California, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) south of San Francisco. The tornado overturned cars and toppled trees and utility poles, the National Weather Service said. The Scotts Valley Police Department said several people were injured and taken to hospitals.
In San Francisco, some trees toppled onto cars and streets and damaged roofs. The damage was due to 80-mph (130-kph) straight-line winds, not a tornado, weather service meteorologist Dalton Behringer said Sunday.
Roger Gass, a meteorologist in the weather service's office in Monterey, California, said the warning of a possible tornado in San Francisco was a first for the city, noting an advanced alert did not go out before the last tornado struck nearly 20 years ago.
"I would guess there wasn't a clear signature on radar for a warning in 2005," said Gass, who was not there at the time.
The fast-moving storm prompted warnings for residents to take shelter, but few people have basements in the area.
Heavy snow fell at some Lake Tahoe ski resorts, and a 112-mph (181-kph) gust of wind was recorded at the Mammoth Mountain resort south of Yosemite National Park, according to the weather service's office in Reno, Nevada. Up to 3 feet (91 centimeters) of snow was forecast for Sierra Nevada mountaintops.
The weekend Tahoe Live music festival at Palisades Tahoe ski resort in California went ahead as planned in spite of a snowstorm Saturday. Lil Wayne and Diplo were scheduled to perform Sunday, the festival's website said. The resort said it has received 3.5 feet (1 meter) of snow since Friday. An avalanche warning was in effect at least until Monday morning in the area.
Interstate 80 was closed along an 80-mile (130-kilometer) stretch from Applegate, California, to the Nevada line just west of Reno on Saturday. The California Highway Patrol reopened the road in the afternoon for passenger vehicles with chains or four-wheel drive and snow tires.
The severe weather in the Midwest resulted in at least one death. The Washington County Sheriff's office in Nebraska said a 57-year-old woman died after she lost control of her pickup on Highway 30 near Arlington and hit an oncoming truck. The other driver sustained minor injuries.
Businesses announced plans to open late Saturday as temperatures rose high enough in the afternoon to melt the ice in most places.
"Luckily some warmer air is moving in behind this to make it temporary," said Dave Cousins, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's office in Davenport, Iowa.
Copyright 2024 NPR
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https://www.kdll.org/npr-news/2024-12-15/storms-across-u-s-bring-heavy-snow-dangerous-ice-and-a-tornado-in-california
| 2024-12-16T05:09:13Z
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The Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) 2024 has unveiled an exceptional selection of films from prestigious international festivals, offering cinephiles a rare opportunity to experience some of the most acclaimed titles in world cinema. This year’s programme includes standout works from Venice, Cannes, and Berlinale, along with other remarkable films from various competitions.
From the Venice Film Festival, KIFF screens four notable titles: Pedro Almodóvar’s
The Room Next Door, Maura Delpero’s
Vermiglio, Yeo Siew Hua’s
Stranger Eyes, and Lav Diaz’s
Phantosmia—the latter presented out of competition. Meanwhile, the Cannes Film Festival selection is particularly impressive, featuring 14 films, including
The Seed of the Sacred Fig by Mohammad Rasoulof, Jacques Audiard’s
Emilia Perez, and Paolo Sorrentino’s
Parthenope, all of which are in competition. Other Cannes highlights include
The Girl with the Needle by Magnus Von Horn,
Marcello Mio by Christophe Honoré, and
Motel Destino by Karim Ainouz, to name a few. Notably,
The Shameless by Konstantin Bojanov made waves in the Un Certain Regard section, while
Everybody Loves Touda by Nabil Ayouch premiered at the festival.
In addition to these high-profile films, KIFF 2024 also features
Suspended Time by Olivier Assayas, a major title from the Berlinale Main Competition. Other noteworthy films from various festivals include
Sisters by Marianna Brennand,
Hunting Daze by Annick Blanc, and
When Fall is Coming by François Ozon. This carefully curated selection promises to bring an exciting blend of genres, stories, and perspectives to the KIFF audience, celebrating the best of international cinema.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/kiff-2024-presents-stellar-international-lineup/articleshow/116339250.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:09:15Z
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Latest newsLatest News from Champion Newspapers, December 16, 2024 by Peter AnayoDecember 16, 2024084 Share0
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https://championnews.com.ng/2024/12/16/latest-news-from-champion-newspapers-december-16-2024/
| 2024-12-16T05:09:16Z
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Broncos shoutout Colts star Taylor after ‘significant’ gaffe
Dec 15, 2024, 6:28 PM
The Denver Broncos should have been down 20-7 early in the fourth quarter on Sunday but Indianapolis Colts star rusher Jonathan Taylor dropped the ball, literally.
The Broncos, who are now on the verge of a playoff berth and just secured their first winning season since 2016 are thanking Taylor for the huge error. He took a stretch to the right side and cut it back, exploding for a 41-yard rushing touchdown to put the visitors up two scores. The Mile High faithful saw rookie quarterback Bo Nix struggle and some nightmarish thoughts likely started to pop up while the broadcast went to commercial as Denver may have needed a miracle at that point—or maybe just a giant mistake.
While there was a break in the action the officials called for a review and determined that Taylor didn’t finish off his touchdown. The 25-year-old actually started his celebration and dropped the ball a yard or so outside the end zone. It took a touchdown off the board and gave Denver the ball.
“That was significant, I don’t get it but I’m not going to try to,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said dumbfounded after the game. “That was something.”
The Broncos out-scored the Colts 24-0 after that moment, to give the team a ninth win on the back of a 31-13 effort.
“That was a crazy play from Jonathan Taylor,” Jonathon Cooper said. “Shoutout to him.”
The play is obviously crazy and had a huge impact on the game given what the score would’ve been and what happened afterward. Even stranger than dropping the ball before a score is how not unique it is. The same thing happened elsewhere in the NFL earlier on Sunday when Bengals defender Jordan Battle’s scoop-and-score was taken off the board because he dropped it before going in.
IT HAPPENED AGAIN!
This time it's Jonathan Taylor, erasing a huge Colts TD. 🏈🤦 #NFL pic.twitter.com/VCV1XMaMix https://t.co/AqBZS7sXxL
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 15, 2024
“It was a mistake it hurt us but he’s one of our leaders sometimes that happens in football,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said of Taylor’s blunder. “He’s our guy.”
There was a good YouTube video from Isaac Punts made about the play earlier this year documenting just how often this actually happens.
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https://denversports.com/2116310/broncos-shoutout-colts-star-taylor-after-significant-gaffe/
| 2024-12-16T05:09:19Z
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Cam Newton Makes Bold Statement on Lakers’ Bronny James G League Hype
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James is trending upwards following his recent notable G League performances with the South Bay Lakers.
James is showing signs of development and consistency as he’s now averaging 14.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He’s proving himself to be an impact on the floor showing signs of improvement on playmaking and scoring.
The internet was sent into a frenzy following James' most notable performance in which he finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Throughout James' entire transition into the NBA, he’s been met with a load of fans and spectators who have questioned his abilities and whether or not he was deserving to be in the league.
It’s been a different feeling these days on social media, as many are now flooding social media timelines with encouraging messages and praise for the young 19-year-old star.
One NBA fan in particular, who just so happens to be former NFL MVP Cam Newton, joined in on the positivity towards the rookie saying scoring 30 points is never an easy feat.
“Bronny James, bro. You are representing so many people. You are representing so many kids. Do right by it. Keep working dog. We're seeing it. 30 points, that ain't easy to do. I don't give a damn if it was in the D-League. It's done. And you gotta keep getting your reps."
Continuing to get the reps seems like that’s the plan as James seemingly hasn’t taken his foot off the gas. Following his career-high performance, Bronny came right back out the next game and dropped an impressive 16 points against the Valley Suns on Friday.
The Lakers guard has now put together three strong consecutive performances averaging 20.6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists over the stretch.
James’ had an interesting start to his career bouncing back and forth from the G League to the NBA. He’s also missed a few games already suffering from a nagging foot injury, ultimately keeping him off the floor for a couple of weeks.
However, as the Rookie continues to improve, the Lakers are met with an important decision concerning Bronny’s future on the team. Some fans, celebrities, and commentators have encouraged the team to call the young guard back up to the main team, while others feel he may not be ready yet.
With the G-League Showcase coming up, the Lakers are still reportedly weighing on the decision to have Bronny play with the South Bay Lakers or not.
"Sources: The Lakers are still determining whether Bronny James will play for the South Bay Lakers at next week's G League Showcase in Orlando," NBA correspondent Marc Stein reported on X. "LA's day-to-day health picture will be a prime factor. James just had 30 points for South Bay in Phoenix."
More on Bronny James; Former Lakers Guard Leaves EuroLeague Game Early With Ankle Injury
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https://www.si.com/onsi/ball-around/news/cam-newton-makes-bold-statement-on-lakers-bronny-james-g-league-hype-01jf616tzxhf
| 2024-12-16T05:09:19Z
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Dubai: Indian tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, the legendary percussionist and multiple Grammy award winner, remains in critical condition at a San Francisco hospital due to serious heart-related ailments. His family and close associates have urged the media to refrain from spreading unverified news after false reports of his demise surfaced on Sunday.
Hussain, 73, has been in the hospital's intensive care unit for over two weeks, confirmed his manager Nirmala Bachani, according to Indian media. Several media outlets reported his death late Sunday, prompting widespread tributes, including posts from Union Ministers and Chief Ministers on social media platform X. However, Hussain's family swiftly denied the claims.
"My brother is deeply ill at this time. We are asking for all his fans around India and around the world to pray for him, to pray for his health. But as one of India's greatest-ever exports, do not finish him off just yet," Zakir Hussain's sister, Khurshid Aulia, told Press Trust of India. She also criticized the misinformation circulating online, saying, "He is very, very critical, but he's still with us. I feel so bad watching all this wrong information on Facebook."
Ameer Aulia, Hussain's nephew, also addressed the rumors via X: "I am Zakir Hussain's nephew, and he has not passed away. We ask for prayers for my uncle's health. Can you please remove this misinformation? He is in a serious condition, and we ask for all his fans around the world to pray for his health."
Renowned flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, a close friend of Hussain, told the media, "He is unwell and admitted in the ICU right now. We all are worried about the situation."
Following the denial from the family, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting deleted its earlier tribute post on X.
Born in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain is the eldest son of tabla legend Ustad Allah Rakha and has carved a global reputation for his unparalleled artistry and virtuosity. Known for his innovation and technical brilliance, Hussain's illustrious career began when, at just 13, he independently accepted his first concert booking—a story he once fondly shared.
Hussain's exceptional talent and influence have made him a household name worldwide. Describing his performance at Carnegie Hall in 2009, The New York Times wrote, "Zakir Hussain, the peerless North Indian tabla player, favors an impish strain of virtuosity... a fearsome technician but also a whimsical inventor, devoted to exuberant play."
As news of his condition spreads, prayers and support continue to pour in from fans, peers, and admirers across the globe, hoping for the recovery of one of India's most celebrated musicians.
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https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/music/indian-tabla-maestro-zakir-hussain-critical-but-alive-family-denies-reports-of-death-1.1734279517722
| 2024-12-16T05:09:20Z
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GOALMarcos MorenoClub America seal historic three-peat after sealing second leg Liga MX Final victory over MonterreyMonterrey vs CF AmericaCF AmericaLiga MXMonterreyLas Águilas defeated Rayados and achieved history in first team to achieve a three-peat in the Apertura/Clausura era.América defeated Monterrey in the Apertura 2024 finalRichard Sánchez scored the championship goalLas Águilas achieved the first three-peat in the history of short tournamentsArticle continues below
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https://www.goal.com/en-sa/lists/club-america-liga-mx-final-champions-apertura-2024-monterrey/blta904233a942639a4
| 2024-12-16T05:09:20Z
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The Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) 2024 celebrated the enduring legacy of India’s parallel cinema with the screening of restored classics, offering a rare opportunity for modern audiences to experience the profound impact of this movement. The remastered versions of these films, which have shaped the landscape of Indian filmmaking, were a testament to the vision of their directors and a powerful link between cinema’s past and present.
Among the highlights were
Manthan (
Shyam Benegal) and
Thampu (
G. Aravindan), two pivotal works of the parallel cinema era.
Manthan, Benegal’s 1976 film that tells the story of the rural milk cooperative movement, continues to inspire with its themes of empowerment and collective action. Its restoration brought renewed life to the stark realism of its rural backdrop.
Thampu (1978), directed by G. Aravindan, mesmerised audiences with its haunting portrayal of a travelling circus and the transient nature of life. The restored print showcased Aravindan’s minimalistic and visual storytelling prowess, highlighting the film’s subtle emotional depth.
Other significant restorations included
Tero Nadir Parey (Barin Saha),
Ishaanou (Aribam Syam Sharma),
Maya Miriga (Nirad N. Mohapatra), and
Ghatashraddha (Girish Kasaravalli), each being a crucial piece in understanding the evolution of Indian cinema. These films continue to break away from mainstream norms, offering narratives that are socially conscious and artistically bold.
The screenings at KIFF served as a reminder of the artistic depth, innovation, and cultural significance of parallel cinema, honouring the filmmakers who reshaped Indian film with their visionary work.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/restored-indian-classics-a-tribute-to-parallel-cinema-at-kiff-2024/articleshow/116338886.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:09:21Z
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By Wayne Cole
SYDNEY (Reuters) -Asian stock markets were in a wary mood on Monday as surging bond yields challenged equity valuations, particularly for the richly priced tech sector, in a week packed with central bank meetings and major economic data.
Figures from China out on Monday showed retail sales rose just 3.0% in November, compared to a year earlier, well below market forecasts of 4.6% and evidence of the need for much more aggressive stimulus. Industrial production was much as expected, while house prices were still falling, though at a slower pace.
China's blue chip index eased 0.4%, having dropped more than 2% last Friday.
Over the weekend, an official at China's central bank said it had room to further cut the reserve requirement ratio, though credit numbers out last week showed past easing had done little to boost borrowing.
Interest rates are expected to fall in the United States and Sweden later this week, and hold steady in Japan, the UK and Norway.
The Federal Reserve will lead the pack on Wednesday with markets pricing a 96% probability it will cut rates by 25 basis points to a new range of 4.25% to 4.50%.
More important will be any guidance on future easing, including the "dot plot" forecasts of Fed members for rates over the next couple of years.
"We look for the updated dots to signal a median expectation for three cuts next year, down from four in the September projection," said JPMorgan economist Michael Feroli. "The median longer-run dot, which was 2.875% in September, we see moving up to 3% or maybe even 3.125%."
"That said, given the vagaries of trade and other policies next year, the signal from the dots may be even less useful than ordinarily."
Investors have been steadily scaling back expectations of how far rates may fall, in part reflecting solid economic news and speculation President-elect Donald Trump's plans for tax cuts and tariffs would expand government borrowing while putting upward pressure on inflation.
Futures imply only two more cuts next year and rates bottoming out at around 3.80%, much higher than just a few months ago. That outlook took a heavy toll on the Treasury market last week, where longer-dated yields recorded their largest weekly rise this year. [US/]
Yields on 10-year notes were up at 4.39%, having climbed 24 basis points last week alone, and threatening to breach a major bear target at 4.50%.
Rising yields make bonds more attractive than equities while lifting the level that future cash flows are discounted at and possibly the cost of capital for companies.
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https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/asia-wary-fed-rate-outlook-003005100.html
| 2024-12-16T05:09:21Z
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Awards
Forbes Travel Guide ranks Maldives among top destinations for 2025
Maldives has been named one of Forbes Travel Guide’s top destinations for 2025, solidifying its position as a premier global travel hotspot. Known for its pristine beaches, overwater villas, and unrivalled natural beauty, the Maldives continues to capture the imagination of travelers seeking far-flung luxury and wellness experiences.
Forbes Travel Guide’s selection reflects a growing trend among travellers gravitating toward remote locales and wellness-focused getaways. Highlighting this shift, Forbes notes, “From the tranquil beaches of the Maldives to the vibrant cultural landscape of Bhutan, these destinations offer a diverse range of experiences that go beyond a typical vacation.”
Travel to the Maldives is set to become even more seamless with the anticipated 2025 completion of renovations at Velana International Airport. The expansion will include a new passenger terminal, an additional runway, and a state-of-the-art seaplane terminal, significantly enhancing connectivity and convenience for international travellers. These upgrades aim to complement the Maldives’ allure as a destination that epitomises exclusivity and ease.
The Maldives is increasingly recognized as a leader in wellness tourism, offering transformative experiences that prioritise personal well-being and connection with nature. Forbes highlights two Five-Star resorts that are setting benchmarks in this sector:
- JOALI BEING: Renowned for its immersive wellness programs, JOALI BEING offers a comprehensive approach to personal transformation, with tailored experiences that cover everything from mindful nutrition to restorative sleep therapies.
- Velaa Private Island: The recently launched Velaa Wellbeing Village is redefining wellness luxury. With a focus on Ayurvedic, osteopathic, and medical services, the facility includes a Pilates and yoga studio, as well as a healthy dining option, ensuring holistic care for guests.
While the Maldives’ resorts are iconic, the destination’s appeal extends far beyond luxury accommodations. The archipelago’s rich marine life, vibrant coral reefs, and unique cultural heritage provide unparalleled opportunities for exploration and discovery. From snorkelling with manta rays to enjoying traditional Maldivian cuisine, visitors are immersed in experiences that highlight the natural and cultural treasures of this idyllic destination.
Being featured among Forbes Travel Guide’s top destinations for 2025 underscores the Maldives’ enduring appeal in the international travel landscape. With enhancements to infrastructure and a growing emphasis on wellness, the Maldives is poised to welcome discerning travellers seeking the ultimate blend of luxury, tranquility, and personal enrichment.
As Forbes aptly puts it, “The Maldives makes for the ultimate faraway dream vacation.” With 2025 on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to start planning your escape to paradise.
Awards
Atmosphere Core celebrates multiple wins at NSURE Safety and Sustainability Awards
International hospitality company Atmosphere Core achieved significant recognition at the prestigious Recognition of Safety and Sustainability Achievements Awards 2023-2024, organised by NSURE, a leading authority in Food Safety, Health and Safety, and Sustainability in the Maldives.
Atmosphere Core received the prestigious ‘Outstanding Overall Performance Award for Resort Group 2023-2024’ award for the unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest food safety standards across its properties and setting a benchmark in the hospitality industry. Anupam Banerjee, Vice President Food & Beverage at Atmosphere Core, accepted the accolade on behalf of the company, reflecting the collective drive across the portfolio of nine resorts to ensure excellence in food safety.
OBLU SELECT Sangeli received the ‘Innovative Sustainability Project 2023-2024’ award, which acknowledges the resort’s exceptional contributions to sustainability and its dedication to preserving the pristine ecosystem it calls home. Representing the OBLU SELECT Sangeli team, Marine Biologist Giorgia Maggioni and Executive Assistant Manager Sribanta Kumar Acharya accepted the awards.
The awards also honoured outstanding individual contributions. Sourish Bishnu Jana, Learning and Development Manager from Atmosphere Kanifushi was celebrated for his dedication, receiving the award for ‘Outstanding Commitment by an L&D Manager in Food Safety 2023-2024’. His efforts in leading food safety training have been pivotal in maintaining high standards within the resort.
Mei P. Pun, General Manager at VARU by Atmosphere, was honoured as the 1st Runner-up for the ‘Outstanding Leadership by a General Manager in Food Safety’ award. The 1st Runner-up accolades also included Ravikant Reddy, from VARU by Atmosphere, for ‘Outstanding Commitment by an L&D Manager in Food Safety’ and Chef Chaitanya Sharma from OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI for ‘Exceptional Leadership by An Executive Chef in Food Safety’.
The award ceremony was also attended by four nominees from Atmosphere Core. Chef Sandeep Kumar from OBLU SELECT Sangeli and Chef Ajay Sahoo from OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, who were both were nominated for ‘Exceptional Leadership by an Executive Chef in Food Safety’ award. Baiju Asokan from OBLU SELECT Sangeli and Rahul Pillai from VARU by Atmosphere were nominated for ‘Outstanding Leadership in Engineering for Safety Excellence’ award.
Ashwin Handa, Senior Vice President of Operations at Atmosphere Core, said “I am immensely proud of our team’s dedication to upholding the highest standards across our resorts, ensuring exceptional experiences for our guests while staying true to our ethos of Joy of Giving. This philosophy drives us to create meaningful and memorable moments for our guests, teams, and communities alike, while fostering a culture of responsibility and innovation. These accolades reflect our unwavering commitment to safety, sustainability, and excellence”.
NSURE, renowned for its rigorous evaluation and high standards, acknowledged Atmosphere Core’s ongoing efforts in integrating sustainability and safety into its operations while delivering exceptional guest experiences. These accolades serve as a reflection of the company’s unwavering dedication to leading by example in the hospitality sector.
Awards
Universal Resorts’ Huvafen Fushi, Baros, Kurumba receive World Travel Awards 2024
Universal Resorts has announced that three of its eight properties have secured top honours at the prestigious World Travel Awards 2024, cementing their status as pioneers in international travel and innovation.
This year’s 31st edition of the awards – renowned as the travel industry’s highest accolade – was hosted on Thursday 24 November at a glittering ceremony in Funchal, Madeira. Huvafen Fushi, Baros and Kurumba were recognised for their groundbreaking excellence in hospitality, receiving the following titles:
- Maldives Leading Boutique Resort 2024 – Huvafen Fushi Maldives
- Maldives Leading Water Villa Resort 2024 – Baros Maldives
- Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort 2024 – Kurumba Maldives
In addition to these awards, Baros was nominated for:
- Maldives’ Leading Water Villa Resort 2024
- Maldives’ Leading Boutique Resort 2024
- Maldives’ Leading Resort 2024
- Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort 2024
- Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort 2024
Huvafen received a nomination for Maldives’ Leading Boutique Resort 2024, while Kurumba was nominated for Maldives’ Leading Beach Resort 2024, Maldives’ Leading Family Resort 2024 and Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort 2024.
Another Universal Resort, Velassaru Maldives, celebrated for its sophisticated simplicity and beachfront allure, was nominated for Maldives’ Leading Resort 2024.
The three resorts’ success reinforces the Maldives’ status as the World’s Leading Destination, a title it proudly secured for an unprecedented fifth consecutive year in the awards, solidifying its position as the ultimate paradise for discerning travellers. This achievement reflects the nation’s pristine natural beauty, unmatched experiences and world-class service.
Adding to its accolades, the Maldives was also named the World’s Leading Green Destination 2024, showcasing its commitment to sustainability and eco-conscious tourism practices. This recognition highlights the nation’s dedication to preserving its fragile ecosystems while offering travelers an exceptional yet environmentally responsible experience.
As the pioneers of high-end tourism in the Maldives, Universal Resorts has been creating unforgettable experiences for over five decades. Each of our award-winning resorts embodies the essence of Maldivian hospitality, offering unique escapes on naturally beautiful islands.
- Huvafen Fushi: redefining luxury with its intimate setting, Huvafen Fushi boasts private plunge pools in every room, the world’s first underwater spa and dedicated butler service, ensuring an unparalleled level of personalised attention. With fewer than 50 rooms, this is a five-star resort that epitomises the intimacy of a private island getaway.
- Baros: this iconic classic, renowned for its exceptional diving and underwater experiences, provides a tranquil sanctuary where guests can explore vibrant coral reefs, indulge in bespoke dining under the stars and unwind in an array of overwater villas boasting private pools and uninterrupted ocean views.
- Kurumba: blending laid-back luxury with vibrant energy, just a short trip from Malé, Kurumba has pristine beaches, tranquil gardens, water sports, cultural experiences and a dedicated kids’ club for families. Renowned as a premier MICE destination, Kurumba also excels in hosting world-class business events.
Universal Resorts began its journey in 1972 with Kurumba, the Maldives’ first-ever resort. While much has changed since those early days, the spirit of pioneering adventure remains at the heart of everything we do. Today, our collection of eight resorts continues to lead the way, each offering a unique and bespoke experience.
Visha Mahir, Chief Operating Officer of Universal Resorts Management, commented: “Achieving these top honours at the World Travel Awards is an absolute delight. It’s a powerful endorsement of our passion for crafting extraordinary experiences in a destination that continues to redefine luxury travel. The Maldives, with its breathtaking natural beauty and innovative spirit, sets the stage for unforgettable journeys, and we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”
The World Travel Awards accolades follow October’s Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 triumph in which Universal Resorts properties Huvafen Fushi, Milaidhoo and Baros secured top rankings in the “World’s Best Resorts – Indian Ocean” category.
In 2023, Baros celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking a legacy of genuine Maldivian hospitality and an unwavering dedication to exceeding guest expectations.
Huvafen Fushi, meanwhile, recently revealed a series of exclusive partnerships with renowned international beauty brands, including Natura Bissé, Aromatherapy Associates, Margaret Dabbs, Gentleman by Obsidian for Men and Cochine. These collaborations are integral to the extensive enhancement of this secluded island sanctuary, which reopened in October 2023 following a comprehensive renovation.
Kurumba Maldives has recently unveiled a range of exciting new experiences. The newly certified and Worldwide Kids-recognised Kurumba Kids Club offers innovative activities like an AR Sandbox and Coconut Kitchen for young explorers. At the spa, a refreshed menu introduces global beauty icons like Aromatherapy Associates, Obsidian Skincare for men, Margaret Dabbs London and Cochine in a serene, eco-conscious setting. Dining takes a bold turn with new executive chef Pedro Pecego, whose international flair shines in unique creations, including South American grill nights at Thila; an immersive ‘Omakase’ experiences at Hamakase; Middle Eastern flavours at Al Qasr; and North and South Indian-inspired dishes at Mahal.
Awards
Maldives celebrates record wins at World Travel Awards 2024
The Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has announced that the Maldives received recognition in nine prestigious categories at the World Travel Awards 2024. Tourism leaders and dignitaries from across the globe gathered in Madeira, Portugal, for the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2024, which celebrated excellence, innovation, and prestige in the travel and tourism industry.
The Maldives secured the following accolades:
- World’s Leading Destination 2024
- World’s Leading Green Destination
- World’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2024 – Trans Maldivian Airways
- World’s Leading Airport Resort 2024 – Hulhule Island Hotel
- World’s Leading Boutique Airport Hotel 2024 – JEN Maldives Malé by Shangri-La
- World’s Leading Luxury Honeymoon Resort 2024 – Vakkaru Maldives
- World’s Leading Luxury Island Resort 2024 – The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
- World’s Leading Private Island Resort 2024 – Velaa Private Island
- World’s Leading Water Villa Resort 2024 – Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa
Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards are widely recognised as one of the most prestigious honours in the travel and tourism industry. These awards symbolise excellence and aim to celebrate achievements across all sectors of global tourism. The Grand Final Gala Ceremony, held in Madeira, honoured representatives from the Maldivian government and local properties.
These accolades are expected to further solidify the Maldives’ reputation as a premier luxury travel destination. They also reflect the confidence and admiration of visitors toward the destination. MMPRC expressed pride in showcasing the Maldives’ dedication to delivering exceptional visitor experiences and in promoting and advancing the country’s tourism industry.
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https://maldives.net.mv/62407/forbes-travel-guide-ranks-maldives-among-top-destinations-for-2025/
| 2024-12-16T05:09:22Z
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…..as AHBN commends media role over health systems devt.
By AKOR SYLVESTER-Abuja
The Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency, (NASHIA) has reiterated its commitment to providing healthcare delivery to all citizens, especially the vulnerable ones in the state.
NASHIA executive Secretary, Dr Yahaya Bawa Ubam who spoke at the annual conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHej) in Abuja at the weekend, also advocated for the collaboration of the Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and philanthropists in the provision of accessible and affordable healthcare services to the people.
He used the occasion to share the remarkable strides and ongoing efforts of the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency to achieving the Universal Health Coverage in the state.
The Executive Secretary said the occasion underscored the critical role that effective communication and informed reportage play in shaping the landscape of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
He said: “As champions of the pen and the microphone, your work sheds light on the successes, challenges, and aspirations of healthcare systems across the country.
“Today, I am here to provide an overview of NASHIA’s journey so far—a story of transformation, resilience, and commitment towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“It is a story we are proud to share and hope will inspire renewed collaboration and support as we collectively work towards accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all Nigerians”.
Informing that NASHIA was officially launched five years ago, under the leadership of Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, building upon the foundational NASHIA Law No. 10 of 2018, enacted by the previous administration of Alhaji Umaru Tanko Almakura, the NASHIA boss said the strategic legislative framework underscored the state’s unwavering commitment to providing quality and affordable healthcare to its residents, particularly the vulnerable populations.
“In the past five years, NASHIA has become synonymous with hope and transformation in healthcare access across Nasarawa State. Key achievements include: Enrollment growth: The number of enrollees has risen to an impressive 275,756 individuals. This growth is a testament to the trust and awareness generated through NASHIA’s efficient service delivery.
“Affordable Premiums: Contributions have been structured to ensure accessibility. Civil servants pay only 3% of the total treatment cost, while individuals and households in the informal sector contribute N12,000 and N50,000 annually, respectively.
“Service Expansion: Enrollees have access to a range of services, including consultancy, maternal and pediatric care, and surgeries.
“Cross-State Recognition: NASHIA’s success story has attracted interest from sister states seeking to replicate its model”.
He however said despite the achievements, challenges persist, particularly around funding and the inclusion of the informal sector.
To address the challenges, he informed that NASHIA is exploring more flexible payment options to increase accessibility for informal sector participants.
He said while the government remains committed to ensuring that the poor and vulnerable are carried along, the effort requires a collaborative approach.
The Executive secretary urged Philanthropists, NGOs, and public-spirited individuals to adopt and enroll more underprivileged individuals into the scheme.
“Together, we can achieve Universal Health Coverage and make quality healthcare a reality for all. NASHIA stands as a beacon of what is possible when vision meets commitment.
“The agency’s remarkable journey has demonstrated that with determination and collaboration, even the most ambitious healthcare goals are within reach.
“As journalists, your role in telling this story and amplifying its impact cannot be overstated. Your platform can catalyze more support for initiatives like NASHIA and drive the narrative towards achieving healthcare equity in Nigeria.
“Let us all take a step forward today, not just as witnesses but as active participants in this journey towards a healthier Nasarawa State and a more inclusive Nigeria”.
On his part, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, the Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), recognized the crucial role that health journalists play in the development of the health systems and the protection of citizens’ rights.
He said: “Your work in educating the public, holding policymakers accountable, and ensuring that health issues remain on the national agenda is indispensable, not just in Nigeria, but across the continent. You are, in many ways, the bridge between complex health policies and the communities who need to understand and benefit from them.
“As a proud partner of several ANHeJ initiatives, we have witnessed first-hand the impact of your work in driving meaningful dialogue around health financing, health equity, and universal health coverage. We are especially proud of the strides ANHeJ has made in strengthening the capacity of journalists to report on health budgets and policies with depth, accuracy, and a focus on transparency. This is an area we at AHBN are deeply passionate about, as we know that sound health policies are only possible when they are well-funded, efficiently implemented, and properly communicated.
“Our continued support for ANHeJ is grounded in a shared commitment to improve the health and well-being of Nigerians, as well as the larger African community. We recognize that a free, independent, and vibrant media is essential to achieving meaningful change in the health sector. Your work not only educates the public but also holds governments and organizations to account for their promises and actions.
“It is for this reason that AHBN is proud to partner with ANHeJ in strengthening health journalism and promoting the transparency and accountability that our health systems so desperately need”.
Continuing, he said, “we remain committed to supporting ANHeJ’s work and the continued professional development of health journalists across Nigeria. Together, we will work towards an informed, engaged public and a more transparent, equitable healthcare system”.
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https://championnews.com.ng/2024/12/16/nashia-reiterates-commitment-to-achieving-uhc-reels-out-achievements/
| 2024-12-16T05:09:23Z
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Broncos QB Bo Nix hopes this was ‘last game’ throwing three picks
Dec 15, 2024, 7:13 PM
Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix threw three interceptions against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
That’s the bad news.
The overwhelmingly good news is that Nix threw three touchdowns and Denver won 31-13 to improve its record to 9-5 on the season.
Still, it was a sloppy effort at times from Nix, one that looked more like the rookie quarterback in September than the guy who’s grown in a big way over the last few months.
After the victory, even Nix himself mentioned he was doubting his confidence at times.
“It gets to where you feel like, ‘man every time I throw it is it going to be picked?’ And you know, you start having those mental thoughts. But it’s challenging, it’s probably the toughest part of our position,” Nix said.
To his credit, Nix found Nate Adkins and Courtland Sutton for key second-half touchdowns as the Broncos began to pull away. That helped, as he reminded himself he’s in this position for a reason.
“You know what you’re capable of, you know the read, you know your footwork, you know how to go through it. You’ve just got to keep from being gun-shy. Don’t let one turn into another, false vision, and see things that aren’t actually there” Nix said.
Nix added that he thought he saw the game well on Sunday. After each pick he went back to the sideline, regrouped and his teammates encouraged him. Nix finished the afternoon 20-33 through the air for 130 yards with the three touchdowns and three picks.
He hopes this doesn’t happen again, but knows it probably will.
“Unfortunately, it’s not the first time I’ve thrown three in a game. Hopefully it’s the last, but football will tell you it’s not going to be if you play it long enough. Just gotta move on to the next play and get the next completion,” Nix said.
That’s the right perspective from the rookie. Rather than let it spiral, Bo Nix recovered nicely. And the Broncos are hunting the playoffs, needing just one more win to secure their ticket to the postseason.
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https://denversports.com/2116315/broncos-qb-bo-nix-hopes-this-was-last-game-throwing-three-picks/
| 2024-12-16T05:09:25Z
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Former Lakers Guard Leaves EuroLeague Game Early With Ankle Injury
Former NBA and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kendrick Nunn suffered a severe ankle injury during Sunday night's game in Round 10 of Greece’s Stoiximan GBL.
He did not return against Lavrio DHI after hurting his right ankle.
The 29-year-old former NBA guard finished with just eight points, three assists, two rebounds, and one steal.
“The doctor told me it’s not very serious,” mentioned head coach Ergin Ataman during a postgame interview with Greek public television, ERT, “We will see tomorrow if he will be ready for this double-week.”
The injury forced him to exit the game early after only playing 17 minutes, and his status for the rest of the week is unclear.
Nunn averages 18.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in the EuroLeague in 14 games played this season. Nunn played his first game this week after missing Efes match in the EuroLeague due to suspension.
On top of being suspended, Nunn received a fine of 8,000 euros for ‘acts that show a lack of respect toward a member of the officiating crew during the game between Partizan Mozzart Bet’, in Round 14 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.
Nunn is a former undrafted player from the University of Oakland in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Golden State Warriors took a chance on him, signing him to a partially guaranteed contract. It guaranteed him at least a spot on their Summer League roster, an invitation to their fall camp, and some money.
After the 2018-19 season, the Miami Heat signed him, and he spent the next two years in South Beach. Nunn was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month after averaging 16.4 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest in Dec. 2019.
After two years in Miami, Nunn signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Lakers. It was arguably one of the worst contracts Lakers general manager and vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka signed someone to. Nunn was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right knee and was expected to miss multiple weeks, and those weeks turned into months as he missed the entire 2021-22 season.
The next season, he played 39 games with two starts in L.A. before he was traded to the Washington Wizards alongside three future second-round draft picks in exchange for Rui Hachimura.
After the 2022-23 season, Nunn signed with the EuroLeague powerhouse Panathinaikos.
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https://www.si.com/onsi/ball-around/news/former-lakers-guard-leaves-euroleague-game-early-with-ankle-injury-01jf653nc8vy
| 2024-12-16T05:09:25Z
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A scheduled public hearing before the Jackson Planning & Zoning Commission, scheduled for 6 p.m. today, has been canceled.
According to Jackson administrative services director Rodney Bollinger, the meeting was canceled after Cambridge Estates LLC withdrew its application to rezone a 1.73 acre tract on West Independence Street immediately northwest of Cambridge Estates Subdivision, Phase III.
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
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https://www.semissourian.com/news/jackson-pz-commission-cancels-public-hearing-2835155/
| 2024-12-16T05:09:26Z
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The Kolkata International Film Festival 2024 honoured the centenary of Sergei Parajanov, a revolutionary filmmaker whose work reshaped cinematic language and defied conventional norms. His magnum opus,
The Color of Pomegranates, was screened, showcasing his unparalleled ability to blend art with storytelling.
Parajanov, renowned for his bold deviation from socialist realism, introduced a groundbreaking visual style that remains influential to this day. His films are rich tapestries of cultural and mythological references, breaking away from linear narratives to embrace poetic, non-linear storytelling.
The Color of Pomegranates stands as a testament to his mastery, offering a dreamlike exploration of Armenian poet Sayat-Nova’s life through striking imagery and symbolism.
Though often controversial in his time, Parajanov’s work has been celebrated as a triumph of artistic freedom, paving the way for filmmakers to experiment with form and content. The centenary screening brought his visionary genius to the forefront, reaffirming his place among the greatest filmmakers of all time.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/sergei-parajanov-honoured-at-kolkata-international-film-festival/articleshow/116339036.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:09:27Z
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Bitcoin has surged to a new record high, extending a rally that has seen the cryptocurrency's price rise by more than 50% since Donald Trump's victory in the 5 November election.
The world's largest cryptocurrency briefly passed $106,000 (£83,890), before falling back to around $104,500 in Asia trade on Monday.
The incoming Trump administration is seen as being far more friendly towards cryptocurrencies than the Biden White House.
On Thursday, the US president-elect reiterated that he is considering creating a national stockpile of the digital currency, similar to the country's strategic oil reserve.
"The Bitcoin rally since the election has been parabolic and the FOMO - or fear of missing out - rally is gathering momentum," Peter McGuire from trading platform XM.com told the BBC.
"Many investors believe $120,000 is achievable by the end of the year and then in 2025 there's talk of greater than $150,000 by mid-year".
Earlier this month, Trump named Silicon Valley entrepreneur David Sacks as his artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency tsar.
Mr Sacks is former PayPal executive and a close friend of Trump adviser and mega-donor Elon Musk.
Trump has also said he would nominate pro-cryptocurrency Washington attorney Paul Atkins as the new head of the Wall Street regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Last month, the SEC's current head, Gary Gensler, said he would resign from the role on the day of Trump's inauguration, on 20 January next year.
"I thank President Biden for entrusting me with this incredible responsibility. The SEC has met our mission and enforced the law without fear or favour," Mr Gensler wrote on the social media platform X.
Trump had previously revealed plans to sack Mr Gensler on "day one" of his new administration after the SEC chairman took legal action against cryptocurrency firms, sparking controversy in some quarters.
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https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin-jumps-record-high-more-023606730.html
| 2024-12-16T05:09:27Z
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Former NBA Star Paul Pierce Wants to See Bronny James Out of G League
One of the biggest storylines from the NBA season has been the play of Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Bronny James. James has been shuffling between the NBA and the G League as the team puts him through a development plan.
Being the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, Bronny has dealt with all sorts of criticism already. But the rookie has kept his head down and simply just continued to work on his game.
Over the past few games, we have seen Bronny improve his performance in the G League, even dropping 30 points in one contest. It has been a welcomed sight and has people around the NBA buzzing.
Former NBA star forward Paul Pierce reflected on Bronny and gave an interesting take on the rookie. Pierce said that he wants the Lakers to bring Bronny up from the G League and give him reps in the NBA.
The former player specifically wants to see more of Bronny and LeBron together on the floor.
"This season was about Bron playing with Bronny, and we wanted all to see that," Pierce noted during the "Ticket & The Truth" podcast with Kevin Garnett. "We want to see a little more of that. ... Enjoy the greatness of LeBron while you can. If you can trade AD and get some pieces for the future, maybe you do that."
"This year is not about winning. This is about Bron, Bronny. Let's develop and connect," he said. "Let's see what we got. ... Bron has broken every record, he has nothing else to prove. All he wanted to do for years was, 'I want to play with my son.' We allowing that to happen, let's get him [Bronny] out of G League, bring him up for the rest of the season because we not going anywhere this year. ... Let's bring Bronny up.
If Bronny continues to play at a high level in the G League, he could see an increased role on the Lakers down the line. But for now, Los Angeles remains committed to him getting more reps in the G League as he hones in on his game.
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https://www.si.com/onsi/ball-around/news/former-nba-star-paul-pierce-wants-to-see-bronny-james-out-of-g-league-01jf60qqyqz5
| 2024-12-16T05:09:32Z
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Thinking of Him, an Indo-Argentine cinematic gem, premiered at the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), seamlessly blending
Rabindranath Tagore’s personal life with his enduring educational philosophy. The film explores his friendship with Argentine writer Victoria Ocampo, reflecting on the universal relevance of his ideas.
The event was marked by a Baul performance, evoking the spirit of Santiniketan. Director Pablo Cesar, actress Eleonora Wexler, and the Argentine Ambassador addressed the audience, which included both young cinephiles and Tagore enthusiasts.
Filmmaker Goutam Ghose shared, “Tagore and Victoria Ocampo’s friendship has fascinated us since schooldays. Today, we witness Pablo’s interpretation of this extraordinary bond.”
Pablo Cesar, recalling his 30-year connection with Kolkata, said, “Thinking of Him has been an eight-year-long journey, commemorating Tagore’s 1924 visit to Buenos Aires.”
Eleonora Wexler, who played Ocampo, said, “It’s a privilege to be here and witness the audience’s enthusiasm.”
Indian filmmaker Suraj Kumar, whose debut feature was shot in Santiniketan and Kolkata, added, “This film has been an incredible journey, and my next project will also be set in West Bengal.”
The screening concluded with heartfelt applause, as the audience rediscovered Tagore’s timeless legacy.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/tagores-legacy-comes-alive-on-screen-as-thinking-of-him-captivates-kolkata-at-kiff-2024/articleshow/116339197.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:09:33Z
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Canada Post says operations will resume on Tuesday, Dec. 17 after the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered a return to work.
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon on Friday directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order the 55,000 picketing employees back to work if a deal wasn't doable before the end of the year.
Canada Post says the board determined negotiations between the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are at an impasse after two days of hearings over the weekend.
In the meantime, Canada Post says it has agreed with the union to implement a five per cent wage increase, retroactive to the day after the collective agreements expired.
The union did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the resumption of work.
It said on Friday that MacKinnon's intervention was part of a troubling pattern in which the government lets employers off the hook for bargaining in good faith with workers and their unions.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15, 2024.
The Canadian Press
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https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/canada-post-union-case-labour-205153460.html
| 2024-12-16T05:09:34Z
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Former Spurs Player Could Earn NBA Deal After Scintillating EuroLeague Performance
The NBA has a lot of former players overseas. If you take a look at rosters in the CBA, NBL, and EuroLeague, it's littered with guys who used to play in the NBA. Some of them are older guys who just love playing basketball. Others are trying to get back into the NBA.
One of the former NBA players who falls into the latter category is former Spurs player Lonnie Walker IV. Walker IV was in the NBA as recently as preseason. He was cut by the Boston Celtics despite a strong preseason. It was somewhat surprising when he was cut right before the regular season.
Since being let go by the Celtics, Walker IV signed a deal with Zalgiris Kaunas. He wasn't able to start the season healthy, so he has only played in eight games so far with the team. That hasn't stopped him from being extremely productive, though. In fact, he has been their best player.
Through those eight games, Walker IV is averaging 16.9 points per game, which leads the team. He's also shooting a blistering 44.9% from three, which is second-best on the team. Walker IV also has a Performance Index Rating (PIR) of 13.1, which is tied for best on the team.
Walker IV is showing just how good of a player he is. If he keeps up this level of play, there's a chance that he could earn an NBA contract before the season even ends. He has played for three different teams in his NBA career and is still just 26 years old. It's surprising that no team signed him after being cut in Boston.
Walker IV will likely end up back in the NBA next season at the latest. He is too good to be in Europe. There is a chance that he will decide to stay in Europe because of the kind of contract that he signs. He might get paid more staying in the EuroLeague than he would if he comes back to the States.
If Walker IV can stay healthy and keep that hot three-point shooting going, he will be a coveted bench player by a lot of NBA teams in the offseason. It's not easy to find someone so young with that much NBA experience who can make outside shots at that high of a clip.
More Ball Around News: Mychal Thompson Praises Lakers' JJ Redick For Mimicking Legendary NBA Coaches
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https://www.si.com/onsi/ball-around/news/former-spurs-player-could-earn-nba-deal-after-scintillating-euroleague-performance-01jf622prqd3
| 2024-12-16T05:09:38Z
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The Kolkata International Film Festival 2024 paid a heartfelt centenary tribute to legendary filmmaker
Tapan Sinha, whose profound storytelling and cinematic vision has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Four of his masterpieces –
Kabuliwala,
Nirjan Saikate,
Harmonium, and
Galpo Holeo Satti – were showcased to packed houses.
Galpo Holeo Satti, a timeless gem, was chosen as the inaugural film of the festival.
Adding to the tribute, a special screening of
Banchharamer Bagan celebrated not only Sinha’s cinematic brilliance but also honoured playwright and actor Manoj Mitra, whose portrayal of Banchharam remains iconic in Bengali theatre and cinema.
Audiences flocked to the screenings at Nandan and other festival venues, drawn by Sinha’s ability to weave universal human emotions into compelling narratives. The response was overwhelming, with many applauding his works as benchmarks of Bengali cinema.
The festival atmosphere turned nostalgic as viewers reflected on classics like
Kabuliwala, with its poignant portrayal of human connections, and
Harmonium, which showcased Sinha’s nuanced understanding of everyday life.
Nirjan Saikate and its evocative storytelling further underscored his mastery of the medium. This centenary tribute reaffirmed Tapan Sinha’s enduring legacy, celebrating a filmmaker whose art transcends time and continues to inspire cinephiles across generations.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/tapan-sinha-honoured-with-centenary-tribute-at-kolkata-international-film-festival/articleshow/116338933.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:09:39Z
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By Florence Tan
SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Oil futures eased from their highest levels in weeks as traders took profit while waiting for a meeting of the Federal Reserve later this week for indication of further rate cuts.
Falls were limited, however, by concerns of supply disruptions in the event of more U.S. sanctions on major suppliers Russia and Iran.
Brent crude futures fell 21 cents, or 0.3%, to $74.28 a barrel by 0424 GMT after settling at their highest level since Nov. 22 on Friday.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 30 cents, or 0.4%, to $70.99 a barrel after reaching its highest settlement level since Nov. 7 in the previous session.
"After last week's +6% rally, and with crude oil trading towards the top of recent range highs, we are likely seeing some light profit-taking," IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said.
"Also it is likely a lot of trading books at banks and funds shut up shop at the end of last week and have reduced appetite for positions over the festive season."
Oil prices were bolstered by new European Union sanctions on Russian oil last week and expectations of tighter sanctions on Iranian supply, he added.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Reuters on Friday that the U.S. is looking at further sanctions on "dark fleet" tankers and will not rule out sanctions on Chinese banks as it seeks to reduce Russia's oil revenue and access to foreign supplies to fuel its war in Ukraine.
Fresh U.S. sanctions on entities trading Iranian oil are already driving prices of the crude sold to China to the highest in years. The incoming Trump administration is expected to ramp up pressure on Iran.
Oil prices were also supported by key central bank interest rate cuts in Canada, Europe and Switzerland last week and expectations the Fed will cut rates this week, Sycamore said.
The Fed is expected to cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point at its Dec. 17-18 meeting which will also provide an updated look at how much further Fed officials think they will reduce rates in 2025 and perhaps into 2026.
Lower interest rates can boost economic growth and demand for oil.
Still, forecasts of ample supply in 2025 by the International Energy Agency and CNPC's forecasts of oil demand decline in China, the world's second-largest consumer, after consumption peaked in 2023 are factors that will continue to weigh on global oil markets.
(Reporting by Florence Tan; Editing by Stephen Coates)
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https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/oil-eases-highest-weeks-investors-011707249.html
| 2024-12-16T05:09:40Z
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Mychal Thompson Praises Lakers' JJ Redick For Mimicking Legendary NBA Coaches
The Los Angeles Lakers are in shambles as we approach the quarter-mark of the 2024-25 season. They are not in a good spot as things stand, and a trade is inevitable for a team that is always in the mix to upgrade its roster in some way, shape, or form.
While the roster is not a championship one, many are big fans of first-year head coach JJ Redick. Redick is not only in his first year as head coach of the Lakers but also his first year as head coach.
Redick was thrown into the fire, and while his first year thus far is not going well, former Lakers champion Mychal Thompson is still a big fan.
Appearing on the Outkick podcast Don't @ Me With Dan Dakich, Thompson raved about Redick and said he loves how he mimicked the coaching styles of legendary NBA coaches like Gregg Popovich and Pat Riley.
“I like him because he's not afraid to challenge his players," said Thompson. "I see him get in the face of everybody on the team from LeBron right down to the 15th man on the team. He challenges this team. He's not afraid to be a Gregg Popovich type coach or Pat Riley and demand these guys and hold these guys to account to their responsibility so he doesn't back down from anybody. So this is just his first go around. I think he's learning on the job and doing a good job – we’re 13-11, blown some games that we should be 4 or 5 wins better, but that comes as a learning experience. But I like the way he coaches this team is not afraid to challenge these guys.”
Thompson is a former No. 1. overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He spent the first nine seasons of his career in Portland and the San Antonio Spurs before he was traded to the Lakers in Feb. 1987.
Thompson was acquired as a backup center and power forward. He did his part and then some as he helped the Lakers win back-to-back titles in 1987 and 1988. He spent the next three-plus years in L.A. before he retired in 1991. Thompson is now the Lakers' color commentator for their flagship radio station, ESPN 710.
Redick seems to be the right guy for the job, and the hope is that the Lakers will stick with him instead of rotating coaches every two to three seasons as they have in the past.
More Ball Around: How Many Points Did Bronny James Score in Second G League Game vs Valley Suns?
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https://www.si.com/onsi/ball-around/news/mychal-thompson-praises-lakers-jj-redick-for-mimicking-legendary-nba-coaches-rks97
| 2024-12-16T05:09:44Z
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State or government account for 51% of Swisscom AG's (VTX:SCMN) ownership, while individual investors account for 33%
Key Insights
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The considerable ownership by state or government in Swisscom indicates that they collectively have a greater say in management and business strategy
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51% of the company is held by a single shareholder (Switzerland)
A look at the shareholders of Swisscom AG (VTX:SCMN) can tell us which group is most powerful. We can see that state or government own the lion's share in the company with 51% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).
And individual investors on the other hand have a 33% ownership in the company.
Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Swisscom.
Check out our latest analysis for Swisscom
What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Swisscom?
Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.
We can see that Swisscom does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Swisscom's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.
Hedge funds don't have many shares in Swisscom. Our data shows that Switzerland is the largest shareholder with 51% of shares outstanding. This essentially means that they have extensive influence, if not outright control, over the future of the corporation. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 3.5% and 2.5%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.
While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.
Insider Ownership Of Swisscom
While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.
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https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/state-government-account-51-swisscom-042852447.html
| 2024-12-16T05:09:47Z
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The 30th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) 2024 became a platform for budding filmmakers to shine, with
Nukkad Naatak
(A street play), a debut feature by first-time director Tanmaya Shekhar, bagging the prestigious Special Jury Award. The festival, held from 4 to 11 December, emphasised the growing contributions of young filmmakers to Indian cinema.
The film, produced under Kayaantaran Studios, revolves around two college students, portrayed by Molshri and Shivang Rajpal, who must enroll five children from a slum into school to atone for a misstep. Both leads, newcomers to the silver screen, brought their theatre roots to life on film.
The cast and crew dressed in black kurtas and red churnis throughout the festival, performed impromptu skits that engaged audiences and underscored the essence of grassroots storytelling. Their enthusiasm not only promoted the film but also demonstrated how younger filmmakers are connecting directly with viewers in innovative ways.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/young-talent-shines-at-kiff-2024-as-a-street-play-wins-special-jury-award/articleshow/116339291.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:09:47Z
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TNT’s Reggie Miller Being Pursued for NBA Commentary Gig on New Network
In preparation for the NBA’s new media rights deal, sources inform Andrew Marchand of The Athletic that NBC/Peacock is on the hunt to land some new high-profile talent, and on their radar is TNT’s Reggie Miller.
The legendary former Indiana Pacers sharpshooter made his transition to television following a prolific, 18-year Hall of Fame career that wrapped up in 2005. He’s become one of the most respected broadcasters in the industry providing fans with in-depth game analysis while also showcasing his magnetic personality.
Miller hit the ground running with TNT, joining the network in 2005. He immediately traded his basketball shoes from a headset serving as color commentator and analyst for the networks coverage of the NBA.
Thursday night broadcasts are typically where you could watch Reggie Miller frequently paired with other legendary play-by-play announcers like Kevin Harlan and Brian Anderson. He’s also covered some of the network’s most profound events including the NBA Playoffs, All-Star Weekend, and the NCAA Tournament.
Now as the NBA prepares to divide its coverage between ABC/ESPN and new platforms NBC/Peacock and Amazon Prime Video, media personalities will now be faced with new competitors aiming to boost ratings and deliver the best live game experience.
NBC/Peacock will begin their 11-year nearly $27 billion dollar deal with the NBA next season, and should be fully staffed with a number of new high profile media personalities. NBC has already finalized a deal with former NBA player and media free agent Jamal Crawford.
Crawford has previously been with TNT and NBA TV prior to the agreement of the new NBA streaming rights, and has been able to garner lots of national television experience before agreeing to sign with NBC.
It’s expected NBC will have a number of broadcast teams meaning there will be a number of new hires between now and the next NBA season. The network already has a number of prolific play-by-play announcers including Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle.
However, since the network currently does not cover professional basketball, it wouldn’t be surprising if fans are introduced to completely new talent to kickoff the start of the new streaming deal.
Should the network be able to land TNT’s lead broadcaster Reggie Miller, it’s likely Miller would be on the broadcast table for the top games surely securing a competitive salary to lure the former Indiana Pacer away from TNT.
During 6-of-11 seasons of the contract, NBC will air one of the conference finals. The new networks will have extended coverage of the playoffs as well.
More Ball Around: Former NBA Lottery Pick Continuing Career with G League Squad
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https://www.si.com/onsi/ball-around/news/tnts-reggie-miller-being-pursued-for-nba-commentary-gig-on-new-network
| 2024-12-16T05:09:53Z
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In a tragic news, veteran Bhojpuri actor Vijay Khare passed away at 4 AM today, December 15. Known for his iconic role as
Gabbar Singh in the Bhojpuri film industry, he had been battling health issues for some time and was undergoing treatment at Cauvery Hospital in Bangalore.
Reports indicate that his condition had been stable, but he suddenly deteriorated and passed away, leaving his fans devastated. Vijay Khare was a highly respected figure in Bhojpuri cinema, having acted in over 200 films and earning widespread admiration from both the industry and his audience.
Poll
Which aspect of Vijay Khare's career do you remember the most?
Originally from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, Vijay Khare had settled in Mumbai, where he also ran the Vijay Khare Academy, an acting school. He gained fame for his roles in films such as Raijzada (1976), Ganga Kinare Mora Gaon (1983), and Hamra Se Biyaah Karba (2003), and will always be remembered for his powerful performances.
In 2019, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his remarkable contributions to Bhojpuri cinema. At the award ceremony, he spoke about the evolving landscape of Bhojpuri cinema and the increasing involvement of the younger generation. Having worked on several projects in Muzaffarpur, he also recommended places like Manika Man for potential film shoots. Khare noted the decline in Bhojpuri cinema, once a rising force, and urged for action to revive its former glory. His lifetime achievement was celebrated by several Bhojpuri stars, including
Ravi Kishan, Nirahua, and Manoj Tiwari.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bhojpuri/movies/news/bhojpuri-actor-vijay-khare-passes-away-was-known-for-his-iconic-role-gabbar-singh/articleshow/116332553.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:09:53Z
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The Arrow Fund hosts 'Howliday' party in Jeffersontown
The Arrow Fund hosts 'Howliday' party in Jeffersontown
The Arrow Fund hosts 'Howliday' party in Jeffersontown
Hannah Kobayashi, the missing Hawaii woman who was found last week in Mexico, has dashed her family’s hopes of a reunion. Kobayashi, 31, whose disappearance sparked a police investigation before she was found to have voluntarily left the country, told relatives she did not want to return to her home state, according to her family. Her sister, Sydni, posted a statement on her Facebook saying that she and her mother have not physically seen Hannah, but have spoken on the phone with her.
This symptom is often dismissed, which is why it's so important to recognize.
Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has revealed who he believes is destined to lead the Republicans into the next election in 2028. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union Sunday, the Utah senator said he believes vice-president-elect JD Vance will take over the mantle from President-elect Donald Trump. “If you were to ask me who the nominee will be in 2028 I think it’d be JD, Vance,” Romney said. “He’s smart, well-spoken, part of the MAGA movement.”
The Duke of York's 'close confidant' is said to pose a risk to the UK
Jill Jacobson, the actress known for appearances in shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation and Who’s the Boss? has died. She was 70. According to friend and publicist Dan Harary, Jacobson died “after a long illness” on Sunday, Dec. 8 at Culver West Health Center in Culver City, California. “Beautiful, energetic, and positive to …
BEIRUT (AP) — Personal photos of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad have surfaced from his abandoned residences, sparking ridicule among Syrians who until days ago were persecuted for criticizing his carefully crafted public image.
The comedian reminded the audience that Donald Trump is "not playing" while he talked about the billionaire working with the president-elect.
“i would be genuinely embarrassed to admit this,” one person tweeted in response to Kylie’s comments.
Not even President-elect Donald Trump’s aides have an answer for executives who have reached out with concerns about his plans to launch a multi-pronged trade war that could make life more expensive for Americans, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper reported that Trump’s recent, late-night social media posts advocating for tariffs—including a 100 percent levy on goods from Brics countries, notably Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—were the result of the pr
The Princess of Wales would never wear low-slung jeans today, but 19 years ago during a Christmas shopping trip with her mum, Carole Middleton, a 23-year-old Kate hit the shops in Spice Girl-inspired jeans and a pale blue cardigan - see unearthed photos
There's no easy solution.
The Russians have been permanently based here since 2017, propping up the Assad regime and overseeing the war against their many opponents. For now, though, what we do know, is that Russian convoys are withdrawing from bases across Syria and are heading for the Mediterranean Coast. On a dusty road near the main Russian entrance to Hmeimim air base near Latakia, I could see a convoy of Russian military vehicles trundling their way past the Russian-named shops.
The following contains spoilers from the Dec. 13 series finale of CBS’ Blue Bloods, now streaming on Paramount+. TVLine readers have thus far given the Blue Bloods series finale a very impressive average grade of “A-.” But if there is one bone that some have to pick with the ending, it has to do with …
"It turns out that they were not only employees — but also related..."
Video appears to show one of the tankers broken in half and sinking amid a heavy storm, with oil visible in the water.
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has seven goals in his last five games against the Buffalo Sabres
Amid the apparent unfolding failure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s five-part documentary about polo, sources have told the Daily Mail that Netflix executives are “exhausted” from working with Markle, and her future at the streaming giant now rests on her “make or break” cookery show, which still has no premiere date. The Daily Beast has reported that the Sussexes—once heralded as Netflix’s golden duo who promised “content that informs but also gives hope” through a “truthful and relatable l
A University of California, Los Angeles-led research team found that, in certain instances, first-born daughters tend to mature earlier.
A group of the world's leading biologists have called for an immediate halt on a technology you've probably never even heard of — but is so dangerous that it could devastate life itself on this planet. In a nearly three-hundred page technical report published this month, the scientists describe the horrifyingly existential risks posed by what's known as mirror life: synthetic organisms whose DNA structures are a mirror image to that of all natural organisms. Mirror lifeforms are probably a few d
The Bruins have claimed this forward off waivers.
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https://ca.news.yahoo.com/arrow-fund-hosts-howliday-party-044211480.html
| 2024-12-16T05:09:53Z
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If failure is the mother of success – as the title of the recent single by The Wildhearts proclaimed – then success is surely the mother of further success. For The Wildhearts triumphed in our most recent Tracks Of The Week fandango, which augers well for their upcoming album Satanic Rites Of The Wildhearts, which will be out next year.
Second place went to The Damn Truth's single The Willow, while Spiders completed the podium with the excellently titled What’s Your Game (Miss Insane). But hey, the week belonged to Ginger & Co. So here, once again, is Failure Is The Mother Of Success.
Here are our latest eight candidates. Please vote for the one you'd like to invite over for Christmas dinner.
The Darkness - I Hate Myself
If you thought that title would signal a solemn work of inward-looking anguish…erm, it really doesn't – it’s way more fun than that. Part fizzling Status Quo boogie, part sax-parping glam rocker with Christmas-friendly whiffs of Slade and Wizzard, I Hate Myself is the happiest song about self-loathing you’re ever likely to hear. “I think without regrets we stand to learn less from our experiences,” says Justin Hawkins, “to deny them and compartmentalise them is to deny ourselves an opportunity to grow. So, it's time for us to sing this uplifting ode to remorse in the hope that we don't make the same mistakes again and history does not repeat itself.”
Black Spiders - Out Of Order
Black Spiders are in such a good place creatively that their raucous new single isn’t even from their upcoming record – but it absolutely feels like something you'd expect to have been a 'keeper' in the tracklisting process. “We wanted to give people a vibe of where the new album may be heading and have some fun with the video,” explains frontman Pete Spiby. “The song itself is a rant against God. For when things go wrong or not the way you planned and giving us such a shitty life.” Expect dirty, fast-paced rock’n’roll of the cheerfully raging tone we know and love ‘em for. And sock puppets.
Toby And The Whole Truth - Alone With You
Now for a big old boot-stomper with which to fill your…well, your boots with as the festive hibernation period approaches, courtesy of Toby Jepson and chums. Built on a real chest-thumper of a riff – heartier and more bullshit-free than a boxful of jacked up early AC/DC riffs set to ‘party’ mode – Alone With You is so chunky on the surface that its gentler, subtler streaks come as a pleasant surprise (think pretty backing vocal textures, thoughtful melody twists and penetrative sense of yearning… plus a juicy little guitar moment that sounds a bit like Alice Cooper’s School’s Out).
Carol Hodge - Small Crumbs
Fresh off tour with Ginger Wildheart’s band, singer/songwriter/’seven-fingered pianist’ (she was born with cleft type symbrachydactyly, so she only has two fingers on her left hand) Carol Hodge combines fat, fuzzy guitar grooves with splashes of synths and a bright-eyed melody that shapeshifts through proggy turns, clever pop rock bursts and almost Alice In Chains-y shadows in the verses. It’s eccentric and unpredictable, in a way that feels totally natural. Her new album EffortLess Insecurity, from which this is taken, promises to be her heaviest and darkest yet. Check it out on January 31.
Black Eyed Sons - Don’t Throw Me In The Corner
With Spike and his Quireboys enjoying a post-split renaissance with Thunder’s Luke Morley, the other QBs cohort/breakaways now present their own brand of Stones-y, piano-pounding rock’n’roll merriment. “This song covers a range of situations from growing up in the avenues of Blyth to break ups and may just reference certain people in a cryptic fashion!” guitarist Paul Guerin says. “When it came to the music, I’ve always wanted to write something where I modulate the chords a semitone both up and down without anyone noticing, haha! I think I pulled it off. At the end of the day, it’s a rock’n’roll song.”
Those Damn Crows - Still
Frontman Shane Greenhall draws from the depths of his own experience on Still – a delicate, quietly rousing soundtrack to coming back from the brink, steadily built up with strings. "Still is an exact time and place where in my mind the thought of ‘the end’ was more comforting than actually being here,” Greenhall explains. “I don’t reflect with any negativity at all, in fact quite the opposite. Thankfully… through music I’m constantly reminded that all thoughts pass, and all forms are temporary, reinforced when I visit my ‘go to' place on the coast of Southerndown, where I had those thoughts and wrote this song.”
Caleb Johnson - Blind ft. Joe Bonamassa
Caleb Johnson was most recently spotted fronting the Trans Siberian Orchestra, and last year he led Meat Loaf's old band on the terrific Paradise Found: Bat Out Of Hell Reignited, a cover of the whole Bat Out Of Hell album. Now he's back with the extremely tender solo single Blind, which will help raise money for Hurricane Helene relief in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. It's a perfect showcase for the American Idol winner's extraordinary voice and features some equally soulful guitar from Joe Bonamassa. Available now via the excellently named Big Johnson Records.
The Dollheads - Teenage Runaway
The Dollheads are a sibling pop-punk band outta Las Vegas, comprised of Angela (Guitar/Vocals), Samantha (Bass/Backing Vocals) and Austin (Drums), and we're much too old to guess their ages accurately. We do know, however, that they've been going for around eight years, and they formed when Austin was five, so you do the math. While you're doing that you can listen to Teenage Runaway, a tribute to Joan Jett that's so well formed it sounds like an instant classic, with lyrics like "With a bad reputation as a label / And no label that would have her back / She told the music industry to fuck off / And went directly to the pressing plant" telling the story of Jett's career. NOFX's Fat Mike cameos in the video.
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https://www.loudersound.com/features/tracks-of-the-week-december-16-2024
| 2024-12-16T05:10:01Z
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SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
We want to turn back now to the conversation of holiday movies. It is a thing here on ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, and a lot of our staff have strong feelings and opinions about them. But one of our producers, Elena Burnett, might top them all. She has some pretty serious rules about what to watch and when.
(SOUNDBITE OF MONTAGE)
ELENA BURNETT, BYLINE: So the most sacred - on the 24th, Christmas Eve, we watch "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" - the Chuck Jones version, not the Jim Carrey version.
..."Charlie Brown Christmas" - you know, earlier in the season, it's more laid back. We go through "Elf," "Nativity"...
...Claymation Christmas - "Scrooge," "It's A Wonderful Life."
...Some of the more special ones, "A Christmas Story"...
DETROW: So it was very clear we had to continue this conversation in studio. Elena, welcome to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.
BURNETT: Thank you. Bring it on.
DETROW: So we are here to argue about "The Polar Express," which we will do. But before we get to "The Polar Express," walk me through why it is so important to you and your family to watch specific movies on specific dates in a specific order.
BURNETT: I think it's something that kind of just evolved because for me and our - and my family, Christmas movies are so atmospheric. And so for the really - the ones that feel really Christmasy (ph), we got to wait. We got to wait 'cause otherwise it feels like you're starting the season too early.
DETROW: And before we continue, I do have to point out you're wearing reindeer antlers we talk.
BURNETT: Yeah.
DETROW: Yeah.
BURNETT: Yeah. This is my season. This is - I take this seriously.
DETROW: So "The Polar Express," why do you like it? - because I think it is very likely I am watching "The Polar Express" tonight with my family, but I have a lot of problems with it.
BURNETT: You're definitely in the majority. I've definitely, I think, spent more hours of my life defending "The Polar Express" than I have watching it. I feel sad for y'all. For me, it's a beautiful story about growing up.
DETROW: This really puts me on the offensive to dispute that. OK, so here's what I would say. I would say the book by Chris Van Allsburg, it's a beautiful book, one of my favorite books.
BURNETT: Same.
DETROW: The pictures come to life in this dark and mysterious way, and you could feel the three dimensions. You could feel the backstories of the characters, right? So that's that. And then you watch this movie, and it's early Pixaresque (ph) CGI that just doesn't quite click.
BURNETT: So I would say it's motion capture. It came out in 2004, when I think a bunch of studios were trying to do different things. And I will say, I'm not saying the animation's perfect, but I also think they had a hard task in front of them because you have this gorgeous book that I love very much, and they wanted to capture the themes of that. And it's very flat illustrations, and so what happens when you bring flat illustrations to life? It's going to feel a little uncanny valley.
DETROW: Yeah.
BURNETT: I know that's the phrase a lot of people use.
DETROW: In that it's not quite realistic and you know it.
BURNETT: Exactly. Exactly. But I genuinely think the colors and the snow that falls and the way that the steam goes into the cold air and the warmth of the lights from the North Pole, it's so cozy. And that's what settles me into that Christmas feeling.
DETROW: I do think the best part of the movie is when they're at the North Pole, and there's that early 20th century industrial feeling of it all. Like, I do really love that. Are there other favorite parts in the movie for you?
BURNETT: So I - my favorite scene happens at the North Pole, and here's where we're going to go into the weeds. The main character, who's literally in the credits as Hero Boy - that's canon. Hero Boy really wants to believe. You know, he's looking in encyclopedias, trying to figure out if life can exist at the North Pole. He's being skeptical of everything, but he gets on the train. He's hesitant, but he's curious.
And so my favorite scene is everybody is in the - you know, all the elves, all the kids are in the center of the North Pole. The tree's there. And the whole thing with the movie, if you haven't seen it, is Hero Boy cannot hear the bells of Santa's sleigh, and that represents his doubt. And there's - and they bring out these reins with the bells on them. They put them on the reindeer. He can't hear them. Santa shows up. He can't see Santa. And the scene goes all slow motion, and a bell flies off of the reins. And it thunks (ph) on the frozen ground in front of Hero Boy, and he picks it up in his hands. And he says three times...
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "THE POLAR EXPRESS")
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As Hero Boy) I believe. I believe?
BURNETT: And the second time's a question, and that's important. And then he whispers, I believe. And he rings the bell, and he can hear it.
(SOUNDBITE OF BELL RINGING)
BURNETT: And for me, that's what he asked Santa for as the first gift of Christmas. And it's not something material. It's a guide post that he's taking with him to be able to hold that belief as he goes on throughout his life. He loses in on the seat of the sleigh, but it doesn't matter. He still has found within himself whatever he needs to be moving on into this scary adult world. And that's why the bell comes back to him at the end. Even though he doesn't need it, it's always going to be there for those who truly believe.
(SOUNDBITE OF GEEK MUSIC'S "THE POLAR EXPRESS (MAIN THEME)")
DETROW: I will let that be the last word.
(LAUGHTER)
DETROW: That is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED producer Elena Burnett, Christmas season zealot, I feel like...
BURNETT: Sure. Sure.
DETROW: ...And defender of "The Polar Express." Thank you.
BURNETT: Thank you.
(SOUNDBITE OF GEEK MUSIC'S "THE POLAR EXPRESS (MAIN THEME)") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
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https://www.wboi.org/2024-12-15/christmas-movies-the-case-for-the-polar-express
| 2024-12-16T05:10:01Z
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Pavel Buchnevich also scored, and Joel Hofer made 26 saves to win his fourth straight start for the Blues (15-14-3), who had lost their past two games (0-1-1), including 2-1 in overtime to the Dallas Stars on Saturday.
Blues coach Jim Montgomery said prior to the game the Blues needed to have better checking habits, especially in the defensive zone.
"Significantly better," Montgomery said. "Even in the third. They scored two goals. We hadn't given them that much. I just thought we got loose with our intensity and our checking in the third."
Brett Berard and Will Cuylle scored for the Rangers (15-14-1), who have lost four of five, including 5-1 at home to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. Jonathan Quick made 21 saves.
"It's frustrating," New York coach Peter Laviolette said. "It's a loss. We pressed in the third period and we didn't get it done."
New York played without leading scorer Artemi Panarin, who missed his first game this season with an upper-body injury. Forward Kaapo Kakko, the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, was a healthy scratch.
"We were putting fresh legs into the lineup tonight," Laviolette said of Kakko's healthy scratch. "That's based on the decision we made to go with this lineup.
"Those are the things we worked on internally through the day."
Buchnevich made it 1-0 at 18:51 of the first period on a one-timer from the bottom of the right circle off a pass from Jake Neighbours.
"I knew [Neighbours] was there, but that's a hard play for him to make," Thomas said. "He's facing the other way and he's got to spin, saucer pass. ... It's a great play by him."
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https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/new-york-rangers-st-louis-blues-game-recap-december-15-x7065
| 2024-12-16T05:10:01Z
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China's Xi calls on party to 'turn knife inward' to end corruption
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Communist Party must "turn the knife inward" to eliminate problems of discipline, including corruption, President Xi Jinping said, a new call to hunt down corrupt officials and those who corrupt them.
Since coming to power over a decade ago, Xi has cracked down on corruption involving party members, whether they were corrupt high-ranking "tigers" or lowly "flies" who failed to implement government policies.
But despite the sweeping crackdown, the party continues to be plagued by graft, particularly within the armed forces. Two former defence ministers have been purged from the party in the past two years for "serious violations of discipline", a euphemism for corruption.
The party must take counter-measures against any interest group, organisation of power, or privileged class from preying on or corrupting party members, Xi warned in a speech published on Monday by Qiushi Journal, a flagship party magazine.
"As the situation and tasks facing the party change, there will inevitably be all kinds of conflicts and problems within the party," he said.
"We must have the courage to turn the knife inward and eliminate their negative impact in a timely manner to ensure that the party is always full of vigour and vitality."
Xi's call to "turn the knife inward" was part of a speech he gave at a major meeting with the party's anti-graft watchdog on Jan. 8, but had not been disclosed previously.
The excerpts published on Monday suggest a renewed and wider push to instil discipline and hunt down officials seeking personal gain and those who lead them astray.
Last month, the defence ministry disclosed that an admiral who had served on the Central Military Commission, the country's highest-level military command body, was under investigation for "serious violations of discipline".
Last year, about 610,000 party officials were punished for violating party discipline, of which 49 were officials above the vice minister or governor level, according to statistics from the party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
(Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
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https://ca.news.yahoo.com/chinas-xi-calls-party-turn-043423885.html
| 2024-12-16T05:10:01Z
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SALT LAKE CITY — A woman from Aurora sold her car last week, only to see it reposted for sale within an hour — at a higher price and with different details.
“It's mean, it’s vicious and I would hate to have somebody buy that car and then find out that they had to go in and put a new hybrid battery in it,” said Lori Dunne, the original car owner who lives in Sevier County.
Dunne said she received a message about an interested buyer.
"'Please let me be the first to see it. I really would like to buy it from you.' And then I gave them that opportunity and I had them come down and they checked it out and they decided to buy it,” said Dunne.
It was a Honda Civic that she was selling at a lower price because it needed a new hybrid battery.
“This is crazy, and I was like, 'Not happening,' so I went back on the site. I reopened my account just to let people know they’re doing this,“ said Dunne.
She believes the car may have had the mileage rolled back. She sold it with more than 270,000 miles on the odometer, but the new listing said 173,000.
“They turned around and relisted it again, under I would guess is a false name, and they listed it for $2,900,” said Dunne.
The Federal Trade Commission has suggestions as people are car shopping: look for misrepresentations about key information, like price and cost.
"This is happening that people are getting scammed, so I had the one message that I sent to people is if it seems too good to be true, it really is,” said Dunne.
She said it's up for sale again in Orem, and the police department there is investigating.
“Who is doing this? What’s going on? I’ve been trying to contact people to see if they can figure out. At least my car disappeared to. They said that it’s important but people do know it.,” said Dunne.
Dunne just wants others to be aware, so no one is taken advantage of while car shopping.
“I don’t want people to get stuck with things that I have to do major repairs after the fact that that thing that I felt that night and still feel I don’t want people to be scammed,” said Dunne.
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https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/central-utah/utah-woman-warns-others-about-bizarre-car-sales-scam
| 2024-12-16T05:10:02Z
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Depressed by all the official statistics showing Omicron surging out of control? A more precise measure — drawn from New Haven’s wastewater — suggests the Covid-19 variant may have already peaked and is actually declining.
Yale engineers have been analyzing primary sludge (wastewater solid that’s separated by settling to the bottom) at New Haven’s sewage treatment facility since the March 2020 outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. They’ve analyzed the concentration of virus strands in fecal samples to get an advance look at the prevalence of Covid cases before symptoms manifest. The data is considered more accurate than official statistics because the latter are based on results from tests that people have chosen to take, rather than from everyone’s waste. The trends captured in this analysis generally show up in subsequent days or weeks in official case counts.
The latest wastewater analysis, released Thursday based on samples drawn Sunday, shows a concentration of 95,653 Covid copies per milliliter, according to engineering Professor Jordan Peccia, who leads the Yale team.
That’s a dramatic drop from the peak concentration collected just four days earlier, on Jan. 5, when the concentration was 227,095.
That left Peccia “cautiously optimistic” that New Haven’s Omicron outbreak has “started to turn.”
“The wastewater surveillance serves as a good source to assess disease within the city,” said New Haven Health Director Maritza Bond, whose team keeps a close eye on the engineers’ data. Bond shared in the cautious optimism that the local outbreak has passed its peak.
The results mirror those from wastewater samples in Boston, which showed a “sharp decline” in Covid wastewater levels. While reported Omicron cases and Covid-connected hospitalizations are surging nationally, the Northeast, which was hit earliest by the Omicron wave, has started to see signs of a peak and decline.
Similarly, in New Haven, schools, hospitals, and the police and fire departments have reported Covid-related absences dropping dramatically from a week ago.
The latest data also shows that the Omicron variant — which spreads far more rapidly than its predecessors, but also reportedly causes milder symptoms, especially among the vaccinated — now accounts for close to 100 percent of all local Covid cases.
The Omicron wave is still causing havoc: The governor’s office reported Thursday afternoon that while the official test-positivity rate remains above 20 percent in the state (20.27 percent, to be precise). But the number of Covid-positive hospitalized patients dropped by 22 since Wednesday.
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https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/poop_points_to_omicron_decline
| 2024-12-16T05:10:02Z
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ALLENTOWN, — Danielle Krispin, of Tunkhannock, has been named to the dean’s list at Cedar Crest College for the spring 2019 semester. The dean’s kist recognizes students who have earned a grade point average of 3.65 or higher in the academic semester.
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https://www.mydallaspost.com/news/local/38547/danielle-krispin-named-to-deans-list-at-cedar-crest-college
| 2024-12-16T05:10:02Z
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SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
For weeks now, residents in New Jersey and across the Northeast have looked up to the night sky and seen drones, dozens of car-sized drones flying above critical infrastructure like reservoirs and military bases.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #1: ...One low looks pretty close, right?
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #2: So I - this one's going to fly over us right now.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #1: You think so?
DETROW: That is footage captured by one New Jersey resident, U.S. Senator Andy Kim, who spent his Thursday night drone hunting with local police in a rural part of the state and posting about it on social media. Naturally, these mysterious drones have raised some questions. Where are they coming from? Who's flying them? Why? Federal officials say they don't have answers to those questions but say they see no evidence so far of a national security threat. Here's Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas speaking on ABC earlier today.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS: There's no question that people are seeing drones, and I want to assure the American public that we in the federal government have deployed additional resources, personnel, technology to assist the New Jersey state police in addressing the drone sightings.
DETROW: So in the era of see-something-say-something, the Feds seem to be assuring the public that there is nothing to see here. Local firefighters do say do not approach any drones that have crashed into the ground.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
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https://www.wboi.org/2024-12-15/drones-in-new-jersey-skies-something-or-nothing
| 2024-12-16T05:10:07Z
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Ariana Grande recently spoke out about how she and Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo ensured they were treated fairly during contract negotiations. In response to rumours of pay disparity between the two stars, Grande revealed how she and Erivo took the initiative to review their contracts together to ensure their needs were aligned before filming began.
In an SAG-AFTRA Foundation conversation, Grande explained when she got her contract on Wicked, she immediately approached Erivo. She wanted to examine the contract line by line so both of them knew their expectations. She told me that at that time, if the other one needed something or not, she wanted her to need it, and vice versa-that is why she wanted someone who has her back just as much as she's got hers. She expressed the feeling that the two would share their problems equally, as one person's issues would become the other's.
Their collaboration extended beyond just the contracts. Grande revealed that the depth of their connection was established before production even started, and she was thankful for the way they supported each other throughout the process.
This good bonding between the two helped develop on-screen chemistry as Erivo played Elphaba and Grande played Glinda. Within two weeks of release, on November 22, the Wicked adaptation grossed more than $472 million worldwide, ranking one of the highest-grossing films of 2024. The movie, a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, takes the audience through the lives of the two as friends before Dorothy came into their land, Oz.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/ariana-grande-and-cynthia-erivo-make-sure-wicked-contract-talks-are-fair/articleshow/116340030.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:10:07Z
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Damascus students say ‘finally feel free’ after Assad’s ouster
Hundreds of students at Damascus University trampled on a statue of one of Syria’s former rulers on Sunday, expressing jubilation as they returned to class a week after rebels ousted Bashar al-Assad.
“The atmosphere is extraordinary. Everyone is happy — look at how joyful people are,” said medical student Rinad Abdallah, 18. In front of her stood a large statue of Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria after seizing power in a bloodless military coup in 1970, vandalised and brought to the ground.
“I have an old photo where I’m posing in front of the statue. Now, I’m going to pose at the same place, but without the statue,” Rinad said with glee.
Bashar al-Assad ruled from his father Hafez’s death in 2000 until last week when rebels took the capital Damascus, more than 13 years after his repression of pro-democracy protests sparked Syria’s civil war.
Ali Allaham, dean of the arts faculty, told AFP that courses resumed Sunday with around 80 per cent of staff and “a large number” of students.
In the courtyard, hundreds of students gathered, chanting revolutionary slogans and brandishing the three-starred independence flag, a symbol of the uprising that began in 2011.
“We’ve waited a really long time for this moment,” said Yasmine Shehab, 29, an English literature student. Now, “there is no longer this statue that was oppressing us with its presence”, she added.
“We finally feel free! We can finally say what we think without fear,” added Shehab, expressing confidence in Syria’s future. “There will be a place for all the communities who will go forward, hand in hand,” she said.
Schoolchildren back
In a spontaneous rally, thousands of students headed towards the central Ummayad Square, where Syrians for days have been celebrating Assad’s fall.
Head of the transitional government Mohammad al-Bashir this week said the coalition led by rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham would “guarantee the rights of all people and all sects in Syria”, a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional country.
School students too, some in uniform, returned to class on Sunday for the first time since Assad’s ouster. On their way to school, a group of girls gestured the “V” for victory sign. One had drawn a three-starred flag on her cheek, while others proudly waved one in the air.
Mother of three Raghida Ghosn, 56, said, “The school has asked us to send middle and upper pupils back to class. The younger ones will go back in two days”.
Inside a classroom, a large three-starred flag now hangs on the wall — a sight unthinkable in government-held areas during Assad’s iron-fisted rule.
An employee at one school said that “no more than 30pc” of schoolchildren were back in class on Sunday, but that “these numbers will rise gradually”.
Business life has resumed as well, with many people going to work as normal early on Sunday, the first day of the working week in Syria.
An AFP journalist saw around a dozen people queueing outside a bakery in the city’s Rokn-Eddine district.
Street vendors selling cans of petrol were also plying their trade, in a country hit by fuel shortages and where power cuts remain common, with some outages lasting up to 20 hours a day in some areas.
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1878918/damascus-students-say-finally-feel-free-after-assads-ouster
| 2024-12-16T05:10:07Z
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RALEIGH, N.C. - Eric Tulsky, General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has assigned forward Felix Unger Sorum to Team Sweden and forward Bradly Nadeau to Team Canada for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, taking place Dec. 26-Jan. 5.
Unger Sorum, 19, has registered seven points (2g, 5a) in 22 appearances with the Chicago Wolves (AHL) this season. In 2023-24, he recorded 15 points (3g, 12a) in 35 games with Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), adding three points (1g, 2a) in six playoff appearances. The 6’0”, 184-pound right wing spent most of the 2022-23 season in Sweden’s top junior league, recording 46 points (10g, 36a) in 42 games with Leksands IF’s under-20 team and tying for the team lead in assists. He also tallied four points (3g, 1a) in two games at the under-18 level and skated in his first seven SHL games with Leksands IF, making his SHL debut against Lulea on Jan. 3. The Trondheim, Norway native has represented Sweden internationally on several occasions, earning a silver medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and a silver medal at the 2023 IIHF Under-18 World Championship. Unger Sorum was selected by Carolina in the second round, 62nd overall, of the 2023 NHL Draft.
Nadeau, 19, has posted 15 points (6g, 9a) in 22 games with the Wolves in 2023-24. The 5’11”, 172-pound forward made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes on April 16, 2024, at Columbus after signing a three-year, entry-level contract following the conclusion of his collegiate season. Nadeau recorded 46 points (19g, 27a) in 37 NCAA games with the University of Maine in 2023-24 to lead the Black Bears in goals and points and tie his brother, Josh, for the team lead in assists. He was named a 2023-24 Hockey East Second Team All-Star and was also named to Hockey East’s All-Rookie Team. Among all NCAA Division I freshmen, Nadeau ranked tied for fifth in goals, sixth in points and tied for sixth in assists. Nadeau registered 113 points (45g, 68a) in 54 BCHL games with the Penticton Vees in 2022-23, and he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player after leading all BCHL skaters in goals, assists and points. He was also named the BCHL's playoff MVP that season, leading the league in goals (17) and ranking second in points (35). Nadeau won back-to-back league championships with Penticton (2022-23), recording 59 points (28g, 31a) in 34 BCHL postseason games. The St-Francois de Madawaska, N.B., native was selected 30th overall by the Hurricanes in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
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https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-assign-unger-sorum-and-nadeau-to-world-junior-teams
| 2024-12-16T05:10:07Z
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Only Antisemites Disagree with Peter Hotez
... and if you disagree with Hotez, organize to reform the vaccine program, or work to end mandates, you hate your children.
On Tuesday, February 20th, 2018, the Duke Chronicle reported that vaccine researcher, Dr. Peter Hotez spoke at the Duke Global Health Institute in the first lecture of the Victor J. Dzau Global Health Lecture Fund Series, established by Dzau in 2017, as part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Global Health Matching Grant.
Hotez reported remarks includes the claim that, there is no link between autism and vaccines, a statement that is disproved here. He also said that that vaccine safety and choice advocacy groups, including Texans for Vaccine Choice and NVIC, are “[Anti-vaccine organizations] camouflage themselves as a political group, but I call them for what they really are: a hate group,” Hotez said. “They are a hate group that hates their family and hates their children.”
At the time, Professor Mary Holland, then head graduate legal studies at NYU Law School, penned a letter to Dr. Hotez on behalf of vaccine safety advocates to demand an apology from Dr. Hotez for his smear of vaccine injury families and the organizations who represent them in their fight for full informed consent in vaccination.
Mary S. Holland
22 Washington Square North,
B-16 New York, NY 10011
(212) 998-6212February 20, 2018
Dr. Peter Hotez, M.D.
Dean, National School of Tropical Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TXDear Dr. Hotez:
It is with sadness and distress that I read of your inaugural Victor J. Dzau Global Health Lecture Series at Duke University. Based on reporting in the February 20, 2018 Duke Chronicle, I understand that you accused those whom you brand “anti-vaccine” as “a hate group that hates their family and hates their children.” Let me explain why I find your remarks both offensive and off-the-mark.Like you, I am the parent of a young adult with autism. Unlike you, I believe that vaccine injury is by far the most plausible explanation for my son’s onset of autism in his second year of life. Through extensive education and work with groups that you dub “anti-vaccine,” I came to understand that vaccine-induced encephalopathy, which can manifest with “features of autism,” is a well-known phenomenon. Indeed, colleagues and I revealed that the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has been compensating such cases of brain injury, with concomitant autism, since the program’s inception in 1988.
My mother, the late Dr. Jimmie C. Holland, a psychiatrist, was an early female graduate of Baylor College of Medicine in 1952; she was one of three women in her class. In 1992, the College honored her with its Distinguished Alumni Award. I regret that she died at the end of 2017, but until that time, she loved her grandson with autism with all her heart. She actively supported my advocacy to look more deeply into questions of vaccine-induced autism, making invaluable contributions to the Elizabeth Birt Center for Autism Law and Advocacy, the Autism Action Network, the Center for Personal Rights, and Health Choice, all organizations focused on the links between the autism epidemic and the sharp rise in infant vaccines since the late 1980’s. Was my mother, a distinguished alumna of Baylor College of Medicine an “anti-vaxxer who hated her family”? Really?
The powerful #MeToo movement has made the country understand that for too long, girls’ and womens’ assertions of sexual violence and abuse have been marginalized, disparaged and rejected. Doctors, like Dr. Larry Nasser, and prestigious universities, like Michigan State University, have played shameful roles in these crimes against children and women. The parallel to the female-dominated vaccine choice and vaccine safety movement is all too obvious. Ad hominem (or more accurately ad hominae) arguments, like labeling those who disagree with you as “hate groups,” does your viewpoint no favors.
The appropriate role for vaccines in national public health deserves serious discussion among all stakeholders, including those who advocate for vaccines, those who oppose them, and every stripe in between. This is a serious, contentious debate, implicating fundamental questions of prior, free and informed consent; the medical principle of ‘first do no harm;’ public health; science; and even the role of government itself. Academic institutions and leaders should be embracing this conversation, not seeking to squelch it.
I would welcome the opportunity to debate these questions with you in an open, respectful, academic setting. I would be pleased to invite you to come to the NYU School of Law, where I am on the faculty, or I would be pleased to come to Baylor or Duke or any place else to engage in such discourse.
I believe we would make far more progress in this thorny area by openly discussing the issues together than by making inflammatory, hurtful and simply false attributions to those with whom we disagree.
Sincerely yours,
Mary S. Holland, Esq.Cc: Dr. Linda A. Livingstone, President, Baylor University
If you know anything about Professor Mary Holland, she is one of the most upright, dignified, circumspect women that you are ever likely to come across. One of my proudest accomplishments in my strange “career” is working so closely with Mary. And one of my true blessings has been that she is my friend.
I can attest to bearing witness to her enduring respectability and responsibility over the last 15 years as she worked on behalf of children and families in very difficult academic terrain, where she retained respect in a very hostile environment.
So I was decidedly shocked at Hotez’s truly bizarre response to her.
From: "Hotez, Peter Jay" <hotez@bcm.edu>
Date: February 20, 2018 at 8:33:33 PM EST
To: "hollandm@mercury.law.nyu.edu" <hollandm@mercury.law.nyu.edu>
Cc: "linda_livingstone@baylor.edu" <linda_livingstone@baylor.edu>, "Corrigan Jr, Robert" <corrigan@bcm.edu>, "Hotez, Peter Jay" <hotez@bcm.edu>Subject: Your email and letter
Dear Ms. Holland: I was profoundly disappointed (and disgusted) to receive your letter of intimidation. It's hard to believe that in this day and age a member of the NYU faculty can be so filled with misinformation, sanctimony, and profound disregard for science and the welfare of children. Your threats remind me of why my family fled fascism and antisemitism in 20th century Europe. I've referred your letter to Baylor legal counsel. Sincerely, Peter
Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, FASTMH, FAAP
Dean, National School of Tropical Medicine
Professor, Pediatrics and Molecular & Virology and Microbiology
Head, Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Texas Children’s Hospital Endowed Chair of Tropical Pediatrics
Director, Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development
University Professor
Department of Biology, Baylor University
Baker Institute Fellow in Disease and Poverty, Rice University
Co-Editor-in-Chief, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
E-mail: hotez@bcm.ed
Twitter: @peterhotez
Dang that is a LOT of titles you got there Pete!
Mary and I were gobsmacked!
“Peter Hotez is Jewish?!” I exclaimed.
This is “disgusting, sanctimonious, antisemitic, fascist misinformation that rises to the level of legal action?” Mary reacted.
“Seriously, How is Hotez a Jewish name?” I perseverated.
Did I mention that Professor Holland was a Human Rights Advocate and cut her teeth on defending dissident Russians in the Soviet Union?
It was a clear case of academic bullying, and he was beginning to master his skill at being the bully and the victim at the same time.
I could only conclude he had some - troubles - and that he didn’t really belong at a university. Or if so, he belonged in a lab, not interacting with members of the public.
Mary contacted the President of Baylor, who responded that she had no control over the medical school.
Because he was just kind of a pest, and because Professor Holland was the dignified woman that she is, we published her letter, left his out, and went on with our work. We honestly thought that with his immaturity, childish tempter tantrum, and social awkwardness, he would just slip into the background.
Mary has retired from NYU and is now the President and General Council of Children’s Health Defense.
But Covid has given Hotez his big break. As he seems to be angling to replace Fauci as the Don of Medical Corruption, I thought we should point out that Hotez is even less suited to work in government medicine than Fauci was.
Enter Dr. Simon Goddek, .PhD in Biotechnology.
Scrolling through Twitter last week I saw this:
Dr. Goddek was labeled, for his challenge to Pete’s “science” and “ethics", you guessed it, antisemitic.
But I will let you read his twitter thread for the whole story.
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https://gingertaylor.substack.com/p/only-antisemites-disagree-with-peter
| 2024-12-16T05:10:07Z
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SALT LAKE COUNTY — Former educator Sheri Harris didn’t realize she was a part of the Granite School District employees and students whose personal information was compromised after a security breach, until she saw an old coworker’s Facebook post about it last Tuesday.
“As a retiree and a former employee, I received no notification whatsoever,” said Harris, a former education specialist at Wilson Elementary School. “I’m very disappointed in Granite. A company of that size isn’t watching out for their former employees who gave them so many years of hard work and loyalty. You know, we’ve just been pushed aside.”
Harris, a Granite School District employee for 10 years, retired last May. She said the security breach forced her to cancel her main bank account that she’s had for 20 years. It’s an account that she uses to pay major bills.
“It’s time-consuming, it’s complicated,” she said. “It’ll probably take weeks to get everything cleared up that goes through that account. It’s very irritating and anxiety-producing.”
Ricky Ratzlaff, a manager at the computer security service Arctic Wolf, suggests that people start thinking about their “cyber hygiene.”
“You’re going to establish backups. You’re going to teach people who are using your systems to not click on phishing links. Don’t click on things you’re not sure about. Don’t try to run unauthorized software,” Ratzlaff said.
Ratzlaff suggests using VirusTotal.com and URLScan.IO to analyze unknown URLs.
“Be a little more skeptical about emails you receive even text messages you receive. When you search in a search engine for something, don’t simply trust the first thing that comes up. Be a little bit more willing to examine stuff carefully,” he said. “Even just that could save a lot of trouble.”
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https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/former-employee-cyber-security-expert-discuss-granite-school-district-data-breach
| 2024-12-16T05:10:08Z
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City of Oskaloosa to decide whether to pause plans for regional airport in Mahaska County
City of Oskaloosa to decide whether to pause plans for regional airport in Mahaska County
City of Oskaloosa to decide whether to pause plans for regional airport in Mahaska County
BEIRUT (AP) — Personal photos of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad have surfaced from his abandoned residences, sparking ridicule among Syrians who until days ago were persecuted for criticizing his carefully crafted public image.
Not even President-elect Donald Trump’s aides have an answer for executives who have reached out with concerns about his plans to launch a multi-pronged trade war that could make life more expensive for Americans, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper reported that Trump’s recent, late-night social media posts advocating for tariffs—including a 100 percent levy on goods from Brics countries, notably Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—were the result of the pr
President-elect Donald Trump’s frequent calls for new tariffs on foreign goods may have overshadowed another massive trade-related pledge he made about a month before the November election: renegotiate the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Charlie Angus, a member of the Canadian Parliament, wasn't having it with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump "playing for the rage algorithms."
Retirees might want to consider stocking up on items during the busy holiday season while there are endless deals before things could wind up costing a lot more. President-elect Donald Trump has...
Donald Trump has his eye on the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington D.C. which operated under the Trump name until two-and-a-half years ago. He wants to buy back the iconic building that he sold in 2022, according to a report. “Our family has saved the hotel once. If asked, we would save it again,” Eric Trump told The New York Post.
As one southern Alberta community welcomes the crackdown on border security unveiled Thursday by Premier Danielle Smith, some experts question the need for the investment.Randy Bullock is the reeve of Cardston County, which sits on the 298-kilometre border Alberta shares with Montana. He said a two-kilometre-deep border zone that will be policed by the province's new Interdiction Patrol Team (IPT) is an important announcement."We need to be proactive and have safe measures in place to protect fr
In 1940, British forces attacked the fleet of its former ally in French Algeria, killing nearly 1,300 French sailors.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday that Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, promised to release the woman who accused him of sexual assault from a confidentiality agreement.
CNN’s Fareed Zakaria explores what Syria’s stunning fall to rebels says about Russia, one of the Assad regime’s most powerful backers.
CFB SUFFIELD, ALBERTA — A sprawling military training base more than twice the size of New York City in southeastern Alberta appears to be a shadow of its former self while its future use remains up in the air.
NEW YORK (AP) — ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million toward Donald Trump’s presidential library to settle a lawsuit over anchor George Stephanopoulos' inaccurate on-air assertion that the president-elect had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll.
In the early years of Xi Jinping’s war on corruption, the Chinese leader consolidated control over the world’s largest military by taking down powerful generals from rival factions and replacing them with allies and proteges loyal to himself.
Retirement is supposed to be a time of rest, relaxation, and enjoyment. Hopefully, you've worked hard for many decades and you've saved and invested enough money so you can call it quits at work...
President-elect Trump is facing calls from House Republicans to settle a disagreement between the chambers on how the GOP should start tackling its agenda. As some top House Republicans dig in on starting with a reconciliation bill focused on taxes, members of the conference are looking to Trump to set the course. “Ultimately and pretty…
"Only through strength can we together force Russia and its allies to give up terror and achieve a just peace".
The F-35 has often been used to strike terror or militant targets. The strikes against Iran give a better picture of what it can do.
Mitch McConnell took an apparent swipe at Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after reports that one of his top allies petitioned the FDA to withdraw polio vaccine.
Two French Rafale jets intercepted a Russian Ilyushin Il-18 airliner off the coast of Estonia on Friday.
Some federal public servants in Ottawa wait nearly an hour each morning for a coveted spot in one of the city's suburban co-working spaces rather than endure the commute to their government offices downtown.On a recent weekday morning, employees queued outside a co-working office at Place d'Orléans, each hoping to secure one of about 30 workspaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. The office opens at 7 a.m.Some sat on folding chairs as they waited for the door to open, while others
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https://ca.news.yahoo.com/city-oskaloosa-decide-whether-pause-044618788.html
| 2024-12-16T05:10:08Z
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DALLAS TWP. — The Misericordia University Speech-Language Pathology Program’s 2019 graduating class achieved a 100-percent pass rate on the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, which is required for national licensure by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
The Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Misericordia University has had 200 students graduate from the five-year, entry-level Master of Science degree program since 2014. During that time, the program’s students have achieved a six-year average pass rate of 100 percent on the first attempt at taking the national licensure examination.
The Master of Science degree program in speech-language pathology at Misericordia University also features the Speech-Language and Hearing Center in John J. Passan Hall. It is a comprehensive facility that provides diagnostic, and speech, language, and hearing services for children, adolescents, adults and the elderly with communication disorders in the community. Undergraduate and graduate student clinicians provide the services. The clinicians evaluate and treat clients under the direct supervision of faculty and staff certified by ASHA and licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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https://www.mydallaspost.com/news/local/38549/misericordia-speech-language-pathology-programs-2019-class-achieves-100-percent-pass-rate
| 2024-12-16T05:10:09Z
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SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
Seeing a total solar eclipse along its path of totality is a rare, often once-in-a-lifetime event. It only lasts a few minutes, which is enough time to wow and awe observers but not nearly enough time for scientists who study the sun and its outer atmosphere called the corona. A new mission from the European Space Agency wants to solve this problem. Last week, a pair of satellites rocketed into orbit with a simple goal - to create more solar eclipses, ones that last hours instead of minutes. Here to tell us more about this and how it works is Damien Galano. He's the project manager for this mission, called Proba-3. Welcome.
DAMIEN GALANO: Thank you for having me.
DETROW: Let's just start with a question that I think anybody hearing that introduction is asking - how exactly does this work? How do two satellites create solar eclipses?
GALANO: So there are two satellite, and basically, we want to recreate the condition of a total solar eclipse. So the first spacecraft - we call it the Occulter spacecraft and - plays the role of the moon and to block out the light from the sun. And the other spacecraft - that we call the Coronagraph - will have to be positioned precisely in the shadow cast by the Occulter spacecraft at a distance of about 500 feet.
DETROW: So this is creating an eclipse for the second satellite. How much beyond that will this eclipse last and reach? I mean, somebody might be thinking, can I see this from Earth? I assume the answer is no, but I want to ask.
GALANO: No, no. This will be done when the spacecraft are at their maximum altitude at about 40,000 miles. And when they are far from the gravity of the Earth, that is a perturbation for us to be able to control precisely the spacecraft. And they will maintain this formation for about six hours.
DETROW: Six hours - and will this be a one-time experiment or will this be able to be recreated over and over with these two satellites?
GALANO: We expect to be able to recreate it every orbit. So the period of the orbit is 20 hours.
DETROW: Oh, wow.
GALANO: So every orbit, every 20 hours, we expect to be able to have a consecutive six hours of eclipse condition.
DETROW: I love this image of two satellites almost dancing with each other in this aligned orbit. Can you tell us why you want to do this, though? What are you looking for? What does a solar eclipse allow scientists to study?
GALANO: So the solar corona matters because it's intimately linked to the sun, the way the sun - our star - works and all the physics. We know that it's in the corona that originates the solar wind, so the constant flow of charged particles expanding from the sun. So observing the corona help the solar physicist to better model how the sun works and to better understand the activities inside this corona and how it can affect the Earth. That's through what we call the space weather.
DETROW: So the satellites launch, they're in orbit now. When are you expecting the first attempt at creating an eclipse?
GALANO: So we are performing at the moment the commissioning of the spacecraft. So little by little, we are activating the different equipment, the different functions on board. We expect if everything goes well that in March, we should be able to have the two spacecraft aligned to observe for the first time and take the first images of the corona with our system.
DETROW: That's Damien Galano, the project manager for the Proba-3 mission at the European Space Agency. Thanks so much, and good luck.
GALANO: Thank you, Scott. Bye-bye.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
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https://www.wboi.org/2024-12-15/how-satellites-are-helping-scientists-study-the-sun
| 2024-12-16T05:10:13Z
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Actress Cynthia Erivo revealed that she only got to hit the snooze button for about two to three hours at night during the shoot for her film "Wicked".
During a screening of Wicked and Q&A with
Kristen Bell at the Academy Museum's the Ted Mann Theatre in Los Angeles, the actress, 37, shared that she sacrificed sleep while playing Elphaba in the recently released film.
"I think I consciously run towards things that will use me physically, as well as mentally, because I believe that the body and the mind are intrinsically, truly intrinsically linked," Erivo said, reports people.com.
She added: "Sometimes the body is the thing that tells the mind what to do, and sometimes the mind is the thing that will tell the body what to do because I feel like I'm a very physical person. I want both things to be in action. I want both things to be being used."
The actress then shared that she's torn about whether or not pushing herself for her roles is "healthy," as she detailed she would sleep for less than three hours a night while filming "Wicked".
According to the actress, she would first wake up for a two-hour workout, which would be followed by sitting in the makeup chair for up to two hours to be ready for her 5 a.m. call time.
The star explained that exercising routinely was necessary because her body had to be conditioned for the flying stunts.
"I had never flown before. I just knew I wanted to, I'd flown a small amount, but nothing like this before," Erivo said, reports people.com.
"And that requires your core to be the strongest you could possibly be, because the wires will take you from one place to another."
"JoMcLaren, my stunt coordinator, was so good with me. She was like, 'Are you sure you want to do all of this?' And I said, 'Yes,' " she continued. "And so what I would need to do is be ready enough so that when the wires are working to move me from point A to point B to point C, if we're doing a loop to loop, which is that big loop, I have to get myself over and round without my legs just falling behind me."
For Erivo, several "self-inflicted" lifestyle choices have helped to ensure that she can maintain her intense routine.
"I learned that an infrared sauna blanket is very helpful with the bruising on the inside," Erivo said. "I learned that a therapist is also really helpful with the bruising on the inside. I live a little bit like a monk when I'm doing these things."
"I naturally don't drink or smoke or eat meat or any of those things. I'm sorry, I'm very boring, but I am in my house," she continued.
Added Erivo: "I stay indoors and I try to take those moments when I can actually rest. I don't get very much sleep doing these things. So the two or three hours that I do get, I try to make them good quality too."
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/cynthia-erivo-slept-for-2-to-3-hours-at-night-while-filming-wicked/articleshow/116336858.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:10:13Z
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WASHINGTON: Pakistan has made substantial progress in countering terrorist financing and addressing regional extremist networks, a US State Department report states while also highlighting significant security challenges including a sharp rise in terrorist attacks in 2023.
The report released this week commends Pakistan for completing its updated National Risk Assessment (NRA) on money laundering and terrorist financing in 2023. This assessment evaluated 87 terrorist organisations, conducted sectoral vulnerability analyses, and identified donations and extortion as key funding sources for terrorism.
According to the assessment, 41 groups remain active in Pakistan, leveraging cash couriers and illegal money transfer services. Porous borders with Afghanistan are flagged as critical vulnerabilities facilitating illicit financial flows.
The report notes that consistent with its commitment to relevant UN resolutions, Pakistan prosecutes its returning citizens who participated in foreign wars. “There were about 100 Pakistani nationals in northeast Syria” in 2023, it mentions. “To date, Pakistan has declined to repatriate any of its nationals,” it adds.
The State Department underscores Pakistan’s efforts to disseminate the findings to law enforcement and other stakeholders, directing them to implement targeted policy and operational priorities. Notably, Pakistan extradited a dual US-Pakistani citizen to the US in December to face prosecution for terrorism-related crimes.
The US report notes that Pakistan collects biometric information at land crossings through its International Border Management Security System.
The Customs Service attempted to enforce anti-money laundering laws and foreign exchange regulations at all major airports, in coordination with other agencies.
In 2023, Pakistani customs managed the entry of dual-use chemicals for legitimate purposes through end-use verification, while also attempting to prevent their diversion for use in IEDs.
FATF, rising threat
Pakistan’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List in October 2022 is highlighted in Washington as a ‘pivotal achievement’. This followed sustained efforts to address strategic deficiencies identified in 2018.
The FATF acknowledged Pakistan’s improved compliance with international anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) standards, culminating in a strengthened regulatory framework.
Despite advancements in combating terrorist financing, the report paints a grim picture of the security landscape in 2023. Terrorist attacks increased by over 50pc compared to 2022, with civilians and security forces being frequent targets.
Provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan experienced concentrated violence, with groups like the TTP, Balochistan Liberation Army, and local ISIS affiliates employing explosives and small arms in their attacks.
Madressahs’ compliance
The report notes Pakistan’s continued efforts in countering violent extremism, including operating “deradicalisation” camps in KP that provide corrective religious education, vocational training, and counseling.
The National Counterterrorism Authority (Nacta) also expanded its Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) office in 2023, signing an MoU with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to implement CVE initiatives across universities.
However, concerns remain regarding madressahs failing to comply with registration and funding documentation laws, some of which continue to promote ideologies that could lead to violent extremism.
Pakistan’s active participation in multilateral counter-terrorism forums, such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, as well as the inclusion of cities like Karachi and Peshawar in the Strong Cities Network, underscores its commitment to regional stability.
Political, strategic dimensions
Security analysts note that while Pakistan has made progress in countering terrorist financing, its domestic security remains precarious.
“The rise in terrorist activity alongside progress in countering terrorist financing highlights the complex reality Pakistan must navigate,” says Agha Murtaza Haider, a security analyst, while highlighting the dual challenges the country faces.
He also addressed domestic political concerns such as the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s call for US sanctions over alleged democratic backsliding. But he believed Washington’s strategic interests in counter-terrorism and regional stability are likely to take precedence over such demands.
“Washington’s approach has consistently favoured stability over punitive measures,” he observed, adding that Pakistan’s cooperation in addressing terrorist financing remained a key US priority.
While Pakistan’s efforts have earned international recognition, the steep rise in terrorist activity in 2023 underscores the daunting challenges ahead in ensuring both domestic stability and global trust.
Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2024
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1879022/pakistan-has-made-progress-against-terror-financing-us-assessment
| 2024-12-16T05:10:14Z
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EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers came up one goal short in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers last season and understand the stakes will not be as high when the two teams play for the first time since then at Rogers Place on Monday (8:30 p.m. ET; TVAS, Prime, NHLN, SCRIPPS).
Yet, the rematch may provide an indication whether the two teams are on the road toward another collision course in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"It's a regular-season game in the middle of December, so it's not as though it's some type of rematch for the Stanley Cup or anything," Oilers forward Connor Brown said. "But with that being said, it's going to be on everybody's minds on both teams. We're all going to be aware of that elephant in the room and I think the intensity and the energy will be up for sure."
Making it to Game 7 of the Final after falling behind 3-0 in the series, only to lose 2-1, took some getting over for the Oilers. The disappointment bled into this season with Edmonton losing its first three games and five of seven (2-4-1) before gaining traction. Edmonton (18-10-2) is on a five-game winning streak and 8-2-0 in its past 10 games with impressive wins against the Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1), Minnesota Wild (7-1) and Vegas Golden Knights (6-3).
"I like our game right now, I think we're playing well and we're starting to find our roles a little bit," Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl said. "We're starting to find our rhythm a little bit better, and we had good teams coming up and we're looking to continue that."
Draisaitl and captain Connor McDavid are both working their way up in the NHL scoring race. Draisaitl has 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in his past 11 games and ranks fifth in the League with 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists) in 30 games this season.
McDavid has 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in his past 11 games. He is tied for eighth in the NHL with 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) in 27 games, nine behind Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, who leads the League with 50 points (13 goals, 37 assists) in 32 games.
"It's going to be another really good test," Draisaitl said. "They're a really good team and it's going to be another good test for us."
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https://www.nhl.com/news/edmonton-oilers-florida-panthers-set-for-intense-stanley-cup-final-rematch
| 2024-12-16T05:10:14Z
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Clark County Judge Vicki Carmichael announces campaign for Jeffersonville mayor in 2027
Clark County Judge Vicki Carmichael announces campaign for Jeffersonville mayor in 2027
Clark County Judge Vicki Carmichael announces campaign for Jeffersonville mayor in 2027
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https://ca.news.yahoo.com/clark-county-judge-vicki-carmichael-044013593.html
| 2024-12-16T05:10:14Z
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The Misericordia baseball team opened the NCAA Tournament with 8-4 and 14-9 wins against top-ranked Christopher Newport on Friday afternoon in Newport News, Va.
Game 3 of the best-of-five series will be played at noon today with Game 4 to follow, if necessary. Game 5 will be played Sunday if needed.
In Friday’s opener, Misericordia’s Ian McCole improved to 11-1 to set a new school single-season mark for wins. McCole tossed 7.2 innings with four strikeouts and just four earned runs and four strikeouts against the nation’s most potent lineup during the regular season.
Steve Weisensee helped lead the Cougars’ offense with a 3-for-4 day at the plate. Sean Boylan, Conor Smith and Tyler Holzapfel each drove home two runs while Shane Hughes and Billy Kerwien added one RBI. Boylan went a perfect 3-for-3 from the number nine spot in the order.
The Cougars batted around for six runs in the first inning.
In game two, the Cougars scored 14 consecutive runs en route to a win.
Hughes went 2-for-4 with a team-high three RBI and two runs scored while Kenny Jarema, Weisensee, Brady Madden and Boylan each drove home two runs. Jarema reached base five times with four hits and a walk.
Tom Jacob tossed 3.2 innings before giving way to Melahn, who struck out five over 3.1 scoreless innings.
Misericordia improved to 34-11 overall while Christopher Newport fell to 35-9.
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https://www.mydallaspost.com/sports/local-sports/38537/college-baseball-misericordia-wins-two-at-ncaa-tournament-2
| 2024-12-16T05:10:15Z
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This comes after
Denzel Washington indicated that he had inadvertently dropped his involvement in ‘Black Panther 3’ and apologised for messing the director,
Ryan Coogler, up. After all, the veteran was making waves among fans of the sequel when he apparently implied his involvement in the hugely coveted continuation of the film.
In an appearance on the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Washington explained that when he called Coogler to apologize for spilling the beans, he admitted he couldn't remember a reason for making the call and stated it was mainly to confess to spilling the story. Washington shared that he FaceTimed Coogler who at the time was in a relationship with his boyfriend; the two were midway in editing. Washington had apologized, yet still, Coogler remained to reassure him that everything was good.
Washington humorously pointed out Coogler's laid-back nature, saying that the director was a bit reserved in sharing information. He mimicked Coogler's style by saying that Coogler is known for being cautious with words and added that he would be happy to take on whatever role the director wrote for him.
He had earlier indicated that among the projects he would like to do before he retired was ‘Black Panther 3’, which fueled the excitement of his involvement.
The ‘Black Panther’ franchise, which started with the blockbuster 2018 starrer with the late
Chadwick Boseman, went on to deliver a sequel in 2022 titled ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. Much awaited for a long time the sequel released post Chadwick passing was widely critically acclaimed earning five Academy Award nominations where it earned its second Oscar for Best Costume Design won by Ruth E. Carter.As of now, there has been no announcement about the official release date for ‘Black Panther 3’.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/denzel-washington-apologises-to-director-ryan-coogler-for-spoiling-black-panther-3-news/articleshow/116340783.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:10:19Z
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SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
Some things are easier to learn when you're a kid, like an instrument or a sport. NPR's Avery Keatley visited a gymnastics class outside of Washington, D.C., to find out why it's important to keep learning new things, no matter your age.
AVERY KEATLEY, BYLINE: On a dark, rainy Tuesday night, the Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center in Arlington, Virginia, is brightly lit and absolutely buzzing. The gymnastics floor is mobbed with kids wearing bright leotards, taking turns on the vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor. It is loud as the kids tumble across the floor and parents wait in the bleachers overlooking the gymnasium. But as the kids' classes begin winding down, a different group files in.
GAELEN WOOD: (Inaudible) forward rolls, so arms up.
ERIN WEISENBERGER: This is the worst one because it really hurts your head. When I was a kid, this didn't hurt, but it really gives me a headache doing it. I don't know why.
KEATLEY: That's 32-year-old Erin Weisenberger. She's warming up doing somersaults across the gymnastics floor along with the rest of her class. It's a group of nearly all women ranging in age from their late 20s to their early 40s, and they're all here trying something a little different.
WOOD: So we're going to learn something new today.
KEATLEY: They're part of an adult beginner gymnastics class. It's a bit of a rarity in the gymnastics world, where most classes are geared towards kids and teens.
WOOD: And if you're lefty, you're going to jump, land on your right foot, extend your left foot into your lunge.
KEATLEY: That's Coach Gaelen Wood. Tonight, they're learning how to power hurdle. It's a move that helps generate momentum for tumbling, and the footwork is a little complicated.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: So think about jumping off of two feet and just land on your right foot.
WEISENBERGER: Just land on my right foot. Just land on my right foot.
(LAUGHTER)
KEATLEY: While Erin tries to master the power hurdle, classmate Shateela Winters has a simpler goal in mind.
SHATEELA WINTERS: So my goal is to not injure myself. I have a bad back amongst other things. But if I could pick the dream thing that I had learned to do, if I could just do one back handspring, I'd be incredibly happy.
WOOD: Awesome.
KEATLEY: After warming up on the floor, the class files over to a trampoline that stretches almost halfway across the gym.
WOOD: All right, we're going to straddle jumps. So remember, either straddle jumps can go out to the side or straddle jumps can come up in front of you, OK?
KEATLEY: Gymnastics program supervisor Alex Asante-Dean says that for adult beginners, breaking out of their normal patterns of movement, like jumping really high in the air on a trampoline, can be uncomfortable.
ALEX ASANTE-DEAN: When we start, some of the things are really jarring 'cause you're moving your body in ways that hasn't been done before.
KEATLEY: And it's not just physical movements.
ASANTE-DEAN: When we get older and we have, you know, routines that we're used to, gets hard to break those habits.
KEATLEY: That's an observation backed up by research.
RACHEL WU: Adults might have a more fixed mindset in terms of thinking, if I'm not good at something now, I'm never going to be good at it.
KEATLEY: Rachel Wu is an associate professor of psychology at University of California, Riverside. She studies the way children learn and how those patterns might help adults learn too. She says that in some ways, learning is easier as an adult. Adults generally grasp concepts more quickly. They're less distracted, and they have better motor control than kids. But learning as an adult requires time, money and quality teachers, which can all be harder to find. She also says adults are often convinced they simply lack a talent for something.
WU: I've never been good at languages, or I've never been good at art, or I don't have a musical ear or something like that - that kind of, like, very fixed mindset. So you're either born with some talent or you're not.
KEATLEY: But continuing to learn as an adult has serious brain benefits.
WU: You will increase a lot of different types of cognitive abilities - your attention, memory. You have existing neurons that can be strengthened and existing pathways between neurons that can be strengthened as well.
KEATLEY: She says physical activities can be especially helpful in growing new neurons, which help the brain remain healthy and flexible later in life. Community can also play a big role in supporting adult learning.
WU: Learning new stuff is really hard, and if you're doing it with other people, it may be less depressing (laughter) in some ways because those people can help hold you accountable. You can see through how other people are struggling that you're not the only one struggling.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: There you go. Yes. Pull, pull, pull, pull, pull. Good.
KEATLEY: Back in the gym, the class is practicing on the uneven bars.
WEISENBERGER: The Olympians make it look so smooth and so easy and just like a walk in the park. But it is not (laughter).
KEATLEY: Erin Weisenberger says that even though class is challenging, she gets a lot out of it.
WEISENBERGER: Just proud of myself for trying something that I thought I would be really bad at.
KEATLEY: Coach Gaelen Wood says that for him, seeing adult students achieve something new is one of the best parts of the class.
WOOD: I love when people are nervous of something, and they finally take that step forward, and they're like, I can do this.
KEATLEY: As class winds down, one of those moments unfolds as Erin successfully pulls herself all the way over the uneven bar for the first time.
WEISENBERGER: I did it.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: There you go. Yay.
KEATLEY: Avery Keatley, NPR News.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
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https://www.wboi.org/2024-12-15/learning-as-an-adult-can-be-hard-its-even-harder-on-a-balance-beam
| 2024-12-16T05:10:19Z
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William Douglas has been writing The Color of Hockey blog since 2012. Douglas joined NHL.com in 2019 and writes about people of color in the sport. Today, he profiles Northeastern University defenseman Jackson Dorrington, who was a driving force for its men’s NCAA Division I hockey team hosting a Breaking Barriers Night against the University of New Hampshire on Dec. 6.
When Jackson Dorrington asked Northeastern University athletic department officials why the men’s hockey team had not held an event to recognize its diverse history while other teams on campus had, he was told they were team-driven initiatives.
Dorrington decided to become the driver.
The 20-year-old junior defenseman for the Huskies was the main force behind Northeastern holding its first “Breaking Barriers Night” on Dec. 6 at Matthews Arena.
“The history of the team, there’s been a lot of diversity, and that’s something that we celebrate here,” Dorrington said. “Putting that out to everyone and kind of showing that’s what we do was important.”
Northeastern celebrated the rich and diverse legacy of its men’s and women’s programs in videos and trivia during the game, a 5-3 loss to the University of New Hampshire, and with a ceremonial face-off featuring influential Huskies of color, past and present.
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https://www.nhl.com/news/jackson-dorrington-breaking-barriers-at-nu
| 2024-12-16T05:10:20Z
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• Legislation envisions data from public, private entities being fed into centralised system to improve governance, streamline govt services
• Two new entities, National Digital Commission and Pakistan Digital Authority, envisioned to drive transformation plan
• National Forensics Agency Bill, passed by Senate, also on today’s NA agenda
KARACHI: The government plans to present a bill in the National Assembly today (Monday) to create a digital identity for citizens, with the aim of centralising social, economic, and governance data.
The agenda of Monday’s sitting, issued by the National Assembly Secretariat, stated that the Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, will introduce The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2024.
The legislation would “provide for the transformation of Pakistan into a digital nation, enabling a digital society, digital economy and digital governance,” the agenda stated.
The bill, aimed at digitising the economy and promoting e-governance, was approved by the federal cabinet in June.
According to sources, the government plans to create two new bodies: the National Digital Commission (NDC), headed by the prime minister, including all four chief ministers and heads of organisations like the State Bank, FBR and PTA; and the Pakistan Digital Authority, to be led by top industry experts.
One of the major propositions under the new regime is a digital identity for every citizen. It would include data about an individual’s health, assets and other social indicators.
The bill’s objective, as stated by officials, was to improve access to departments managing ID cards, land records, birth certificates and health records.
The digitisation effort would also target government departments, which will be given goal-oriented plans to improve services.
“The basic objective of this bill is to support the aim of the Global Digital Compact and enable the building of Digital Public Infrastructure [DPI] of Pakistan,” digital expert Habibullah Khan told Dawn.
Mr Khan, who is also the CEO of Penumbra, a digital design studio, explained DPI as a “stack of technologies” comprising three key digital systems — Digital ID, universal payments interface, and data exchange.
The stack enables countries to “accelerate the digitisation” and speed up development efforts by decades, said Mr Khan, who has been involved in DPI research.
When asked why new entities are needed to implement this programme when several organisations with similar functions are already operational, Mr Khan said digital transformation of this scale, which involves several regulators, departments and bodies, cannot be done by any one ministry.
“Eleven out of the top fifteen countries in the UN’s e-gov index have a supra-ministerial body to lead national digital transformation. This is why these bodies are being created,” he said.
He told Dawn that the NDC would be “guiding the digital agenda” while the digital authority would execute the plan to build the DPI.
“NDC will approve the plan and will ensure executive support at all levels for building these critical digital systems that comprise the DPI.”
He said the two supra bodies would lead the planning process, while the implementation would be done by existing organisations.
“For example, Digital ID will still be Nadra’s purview, but it will be upgraded and linked to the Data Exchange Layer and the universal payments interface,” Mr Khan explained.
Similarly, Nadra, FBR, SECP, SBP, power distribution companies, banks, etc., would feed data to the stack.
One of the propositions is to speed up the formalisation of the economy through digital wallets. It will help people to secure bank loans and become part of government schemes, according to sources.
Mr Khan said these initiatives would ensure “equitable access, inclusion of the poor, minorities and women, and creates a robust competitive white economy”.
The move would “aggressively expand” access to education and healthcare and connect people to economic opportunity while also increasing digital payments.
The plan also envisages a ‘civic lab’ to “encourage young people to harness their tech potential”. The lab would support AI-based startups working in healthcare, educational technology, agricultural technology, and climate change, sources added.
Similar models
The new digital ID programme will be along the same lines as the initiatives implemented in the UAE, India and Estonia.
Estonia, which is considered a global success in implementing the digital ID programme, has made electronic ID or eID cards mandatory for every citizen.
The system is based on a personal ID code used to access various services like the police, health authorities, population register, ID and telecom service.
Since the implementation of the e-ID scheme in 2002, services like voting, health records, residency permits and marriage have been made digital.
A similar digital system is operational in the UAE under the name of ‘UAE Pass’, which enables citizens and residents access to services offered by “12,000 government, semi-government and private sector entities” and allows them to digitally sign documents.
Rights concerns
But digital rights experts have called for more clarity on how the government intends to secure the centralised data system.
Asad Baig, a digital rights expert, appreciated the idea, but called for a multi-stakeholder discussion with digital rights organisations, academia and other entities.
“This kind of legislation, when it is related to digital identity, needs to be in a multi-stakeholder format. It can’t be pushed through the parliament in haste.”
Meanwhile, Mr Khan told Dawn that the data stack would “give people the power of consent on who can use their data, creating digital security and negating exploitation”.
Other business
As per the agenda for today’s NA session, the National Forensics Agency Bill, 2024, which has already been passed by the Senate, will be laid before the lower house.
Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2024
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1879028/bill-for-unified-digital-id-to-be-tabled-in-na-today
| 2024-12-16T05:10:20Z
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Scrapping jury trials for some offences may be only way to clear court backlog, says CPS watchdog chief
"Removing the right to trial by jury" and "intermediate courts" may be the only way to clear the crown court backlog in England and Wales, the chief inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate has said.
Speaking exclusively to Sky News, Anthony Rogers says "radical action" is needed urgently.
"The number of cases waiting to be heard in the crown courts is the highest it's ever been.
"It's bringing significant pressure into the whole system. Those we inspect, the Crown Prosecution Service, are under the greatest pressure I've ever seen in 25 years of the existence of the inspectorate.
"The thing that worries me more is I can't see an end to it. I can only see an increasing backlog."
There are 73,105 outstanding criminal cases waiting to be dealt with in the crown courts, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Mr Rogers says: "If you're going to fix a problem on this scale, it needs a radical solution.
"It could be anything from removing the right of election to jury trial.
"It could be looking at an intermediate court between the magistrates court and the crown court, radical could literally mean changing the way that we look at the criminal justice system."
Both suggestions are being considered under a 'once-in-a-generation' independent review announced by the government last week.
Former High Court judge Sir Brian Leveson is leading the major justice review in an effort to tackle the delays.
The government says "nothing is off the table" as jury trials could be scrapped for some offences and "intermediate" middle-tier courts, made up of a judge and two magistrates, are being looked at.
Both are suggestions Mr Rogers says he would support.
"If you did that you would take 20,000 or 30,000 cases out of the backlog.
"You could start by having the simplest cases in the magistrate court, the more serious cases with probably a judge and two lay members in an intermediate court and then have the crown court reserved for the most serious offences like rape, murder, manslaughter, terrorism for example. That is radical, that would solve the problem."
'It was like the court was a circus and he was the ringmaster'
It's a problem Vicki Crawford knows all too well.
Ms Crawford reported historic sexual abuse to the police in 2018. She reached out to Sky News after she waited five years and eight months for her trial to go ahead.
A gruelling wait, she bravely opened up about it.
"With every hearing and every court date, I was nervous and anxious. I had a headache, I felt sick, I couldn't sleep. The run up to it was awful. I had nightmares. In the middle of the night, I would wake up having panic attacks. I just couldn't eat, I just felt awful."
Ms Crawford's abuser was jailed for seven years after the trial eventually went ahead in March this year.
She explained to Sky News it felt like he was profiting from the constant adjournments, while she was being tortured by it.
"It was like the court was a circus and he was the ringmaster."
On at least one occasion the trial was adjourned because her perpetrator claimed to be unwell.
"For me, it felt like he had a lot of control over what was going on during the court process. And it was quite frustrating to watch somebody consistently say I can't come to court today. For such a serious load of charges, I couldn't quite understand how he was allowed to get away with that, like so many times."
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Read more:
Inside the UK's 'wild west' court system
Lawyers warn against more powers for magistrates
Backlog of rape and sexual offences in courts 'totally unacceptable'
As a survivor of sexual abuse, Ms Crawford is entitled to anonymity for life but told us her reason for waiving it.
"The reason I'm waiving my anonymity is because there are thousands of people just like me, look like me, talk like me, think like me, have the same experiences that I'm having in the court system. And nobody puts a face to those people, so, this is me."
Watchdog warned of delays since 2019
Mr Rogers told Sky News that inspectors have been warning about delays since 2019.
The crisis in the criminal justice system is mirrored in almost every crown court in England and Wales.
In Leicester, Sky News spent time with barristers and court staff and observed delay after delay.
We heard from a judge so exasperated at cases being pushed back to 2026, witnessed crumbling court infrastructure, spoke to barristers fed up with constant adjournments and spoke to victims stuck in the middle.
An overhaul of the criminal justice system is coming - and for many, it can't come soon enough.
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https://ca.news.yahoo.com/end-jury-trials-offences-may-025500201.html
| 2024-12-16T05:10:21Z
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SCRANTON – One Lake-Lehman girls relay team lived up to expectations.
Another exceeded them.
As a result, the Lady Knights left the District 2 Class 2A Track and Field Championships with four first-place finishes, including two in the relays.
Lake-Lehman, which earned state medals in the event the last two years, won its fourth straight district 3200-meter relay title. The 400 relay team pulled the surprise, winning the title for the first time in school history despite coming in as just the sixth seed.
“We thought, ‘alright, we’ll get on the medal podium’, but to win it, ‘no’,” Lake-Lehman coach John Sobocinski said when asked about expectations for the 400. “After two legs, we had a pretty good lead and, I thought, if we can just make the (second) and (third) exchanges, we have a chance.”
Abby Paczewski led the way for Lake-Lehman.
The only holdover from last year’s state relay medal-winning lineup, Paczewski’s strong anchor leg in the 3200 relay gave Lake-Lehman the first title decided at the meet. She later won the 1600 and finished third in the 3200.
“I knew I had to do it for my team,” Paczewski said. “We wanted to win. I wanted to get all the other girls a trip to states.”
They aren’t the only ones going.
Sarah Salus repeated her title in the javelin.
Like Paczewski, Mihalko made it to the state meet in an individual event as well as a relay.
Mihalko made it placing second with a triple jump of 36-0.
The top two in each event qualified for Friday and Saturday’s Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Championships at Shippensburg University.
Mihalko, also like Paczewski, anchored the relay win. Senior Kitt Patla led off, before sophomores Gabby Shonis, Keera Naughle and Mihalko did the rest.
“There were four ladies out there on some of those teams that are faster than our four girls, but the handoffs did it,” Sobocinski said. “The chemistry with that group is phenomenal.
“They’ve been working hard all year and they finally put it together.”
They finished in 51.85, one-hundredth of a second off the 10-year-old school record.
The surprise win in the 400 relay helped Lake-Lehman briefly move into the lead in the team standings before slipping back to third.
Holy Redeemer finished strong to move past Western Wayne, 125-103 ½, for the team title. Lake-Lehman had 83 ½ points, 15 ahead of fourth-place Northwest.
Salus repeated her javelin title with a throw of 115-7, 6-9 better than the runner-up.
“It’s better than what I’ve been throwing, so that’s good,” Salus said, “but I hope to throw better at states.”
Lake-Lehman trailed in the 3200 relay from late in the first leg until after Paczewski took the baton for the last two laps.
Paczewski said she did not intentionally change her normal 800-meter pace, just because she was behind, but she ran the fastest lap of any of the 40 relay participants and put together a 2:22.235 final leg that would have better than the meet’s winning time in the individual 800.
“I think it’s easier for me to run because I like to catch up to someone,” she said. “Maybe I do run it harder, but I have no idea.”
Paczewski won the 1600 in 5:17.94, again coming from behind in the final lap, running a 1:14.85 split, and still had enough left to place third in the 3200 in her last race of the day.
“I’m happy with that,” she said of the last race. “I wasn’t expecting anything more.”
Mihalko and Dabsheh also finished fourth in the 1600 relay.
Dabsheh added a fourth in the 800 and Macenzi Barker tied for fourth in the high jump.
Lizzy Blaski, in the 300 hurdles, and Jessica Salus, in the triple jump, each placed fifth. Blaski was also seventh in the 100 hurdles.
Brdaric was sixth in the 1600.
The top six in each event earned medals. The top eight scored points for their team.
Morgan Patla, in the 400, and Casey Dale, in the shot put, were eighth. Patla was also on the fourth-place 1600 relay team, along with Alexa Karlowicz.
CLASS 2A BOYS
Two runners from Dallas, who attend private schools, qualified for the state meet.
Lukas Volpetti was part of the district championship 3200-meter relay team at Holy Redeemer, running the second leg in 2:06.08 to help the team finish in 8:21.53.
Volpetti also placed third in the 1600 and eighth in the 800.
Scranton Prep’s Stephen Postupak finished fourth in the 1600, but will compete in the state meet.
Andrew Healey from Holy Cross, one of the district’s two 1600 qualifiers, withdrew from the event to concentrate on the 3200 at Shippensburg.
Volpetti was offered the district’s second spot as an alternate, but he passed on it to concentrate on the relay. That left an opening for the fourth-place Postupak.
Postupak previously reached state competition in cross country where he helped Dallas win a state title, then made a return trip to Hershey with Scranton Prep last fall.
Postupak was also part of Scranton Prep’s fifth-place 1600 relay.
Lake-Lehman finished 11th in the team standings with 26 ½ points.
Lakeland edged Mid Valley for the team title, 95-90.
Daymond Kovaly, in the 300 hurdles, and the 3200 relay team of Casey Weaver, Ibe Dabsheh, Chandler Longstreth and Nathan Salus finished fourth to lead the Black Knights.
Floyd McRoy finished fifth in the 110 high hurdles and as part of the 400 relay with Matt Sczyrek, Casey Kaminski and Conor O’Brien.
Nathan Salus was sixth in the 800.
Kaminski tied for sixth in the high jump.
All three Lake-Lehman relay teams placed.
Dabsheh, McRoy, Salus and O’Brien were sixth in the 1600 relay.
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https://www.mydallaspost.com/sports/local-sports/38541/lake-lehman-wins-two-of-three-girls-district-track-relay-titles
| 2024-12-16T05:10:22Z
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Taylor Swift turned 35 on December 13, with her boyfriend
Travis Kelce really going the extra mile to make the day one she would remember. The pop superstar celebrated the milestone on Friday, marking it privately with Kelce after the highly successful Eras Tour had wrapped up. According to sources, Kelce "showered" Swift "with a ton of gifts" to make the day special.
Rumors had been circulating that Kelce might miss Swift's birthday as he had to attend a mandatory charity event for his Kansas City Chiefs. However, the NFL star made sure to leave early so he could celebrate with Swift. An insider revealed to Page Six that although his presence at the event was required, he made it a point to make his girlfriend's special day.
Swift ended her record-breaking Eras Tour in Vancouver on December 8, bringing an end to a two-year journey that had grossed over $2 billion in ticket sales. Kelce wasn't able to attend her final show, but he had been planning for her birthday well in advance. According to the source, Kelce had been picking out gifts for several months, listening closely whenever Swift casually mentioned something she would like.
The couple, dating since last summer 2023, had a more private affair, and an insider clarified that Kelce had indeed planned the surprise. Gifts were made to mark the birthday of the singer along with celebrating the end of the monumental tour. The source confirmed that Kelce is someone who will not leave things until the very last minute, which means she ensured everything was perfectly in place for her day.
Last year, Swift spent her birthday in New York City with friends such as Sabrina Carpenter, Blake Lively, Zoë Kravitz, and Gigi Hadid since Kelce had NFL commitments. She later expressed gratitude to her fans on her birthday. This year was different, though, as Kelce made sure to spend his girlfriend's 35th birthday with her. He went all out to ensure that the birthday was an unforgettable one.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/travis-kelce-goes-all-out-for-taylor-swifts-35th-birthday-spoiling-her-with-gifts/articleshow/116336850.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:10:25Z
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SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
Tucked between the Texas State Capitol and the University of Texas campus is the Austin Saengerrunde Hall. German immigrants formed the social club in 1879 with the mission, quote, "to promote German heritage through song." And their tradition is still going strong today. Every year, the club hosts several concerts and festivals, including a Christmas concert. From Austin, reporter Patrick M. Davis brings us the sounds.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
PATRICK M DAVIS, BYLINE: It's a chilly Monday evening in early December in downtown Austin, Texas. The sound of a harp and violin float out of the open door of a 19th-century brick building.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
DAVIS: Austin Saengerrunde's Damenchor, or women's choir, is holding its final rehearsal for its annual Christmas concert.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
HOLLY DALRYMPLE: OK, so if we can hear from Sarah and Anna together at measure nine.
SARAH AND ANNA: (Singing in German).
DAVIS: That's Damenchor conductor Holly Dalrymple, directing the choir and musicians.
SARAH AND ANNA: (Singing in German).
DAVIS: While the Maennerchor, or men's choir, will sing at the concert, too, Damenchor President Danielle Plecash says the Christmas concert is the Damenchor's gift to Austin.
DANIELLE PLECASH: We have a few concerts throughout the year, but the Damenchor really take over, managing the Christmas concert. It's a free concert for the public that we put on. And it's just really fun. We spend a lot of time learning the Christmas songs.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: We're so happy you're here.
DAVIS: A few days later, the Austin Saengerrunde Hall was packed with an audience of over 300 people. After months of preparation, the night of the Christmas concert is here.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
DALRYMPLE: Good afternoon. We're so glad that you joined us this afternoon for our annual Christmas concert. We're going to jump right into some music. This is (speaking German).
AUSTIN SAENGERRUNDE DAMENCHOR: (Singing in German).
DAVIS: The Damenchor and Maennerchor serenade the audience with rich, complex harmonies. Their setlist includes traditional German hymns and compositions by Handel and Brahms.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
AUSTIN SAENGERRUNDE DAMENCHOR: (Singing in German).
DAVIS: To end the concert, the enthusiastic crowd joins both choirs for a sing-along.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
AUSTIN SAENGERRUNDE DAMENCHOR AND MAENNERCHOR: (Singing in German).
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: (Singing in German).
DALRYMPLE: We have a word that we use here that I think encapsulates everything we do, and it's (speaking German). But it means the act of being in community in a kind and warm, receiving place where everybody is a friend. Yes, we come together for the purpose of singing, but that's actually the secondary purpose. It's family and community first. It's a way of being.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
AUSTIN SAENGERRUNDE DAMENCHOR AND MAENNERCHOR: (Singing in German).
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: (Singing in German).
DAVIS: For NPR News, I'm Patrick M. Davis in Austin, Texas.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
AUSTIN SAENGERRUNDE DAMENCHOR AND MAENNERCHOR: (Singing in German).
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: (Singing in German). Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
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https://www.wboi.org/2024-12-15/since-1879-this-austin-texas-choir-aims-to-preserve-their-german-heritage-through-song
| 2024-12-16T05:10:25Z
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With a career NHL record behind the bench of 875-695-157 with 78 ties, he’s been on the winning side more often than not.
But this season, his first back as the Sabres coach, his team is in an 0-7-3 funk that has them in seventh place in the Atlantic Division at 11-16-4.
Ruff is the winningest coach in Sabres history, having set franchise records in regular-season games coached (1,166), regular-season wins (571), playoff games coached (101), and playoff wins (57) during his first stint with the organization from 1997-98 to 2012-13.
Ruff made the playoffs eight times as head coach of the Sabres, including an appearance in the 1999 Stanley Cup Final along with three trips to the Eastern Conference Final in 1998, 2006, and 2007. The Sabres finished with a franchise-record 53 wins and 113 points in 2006-07, claiming their only Presidents’ Trophy in team history.
Ruff won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s coach of the year in 2005-06, when he led the Sabres to a 110-point finish. He was the runner-up for the award in 2006-07.
On April 22, he was hired as Sabres coach, replacing Don Granato. It’s been a roller-coaster ride since then, but he still believes in his players.
To that end, the Sabres arrived at Scotiabank Arena hungry and ready to play on Sunday. They took a 2-0 lead just 2:46 into the game on goals by Jack Quinn and Alex Tuch and controlled play for much of the opening period.
Then, midway through the second period, with Buffalo up 3-1, it all fell apart.
“We took our foot off the gas,” Tuch admitted.
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https://www.nhl.com/news/lindy-ruff-on-buffalo-sabres-recent-play
| 2024-12-16T05:10:26Z
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IT was a day of infamy — unfortunately one of many in this country’s turbulent history. On this day in 2014, the brutal nature of the militant threat in Pakistan painfully manifested itself as terrorists attacked the Army Public School in Peshawar, massacring nearly 150 students and teachers. While terrorists had shed innocent blood in previous incidents as well, APS was the breaking point, when a shell-shocked nation demanded answers from those who rule this land. The cancer of terrorism was fast devouring the country, and unless the state took action, it threatened to spread across Pakistan. Pledges were made — particularly to crush the TTP, which was responsible for the atrocity, and other terrorist gangs — while the National Action Plan was hammered out to cleanse the country of armed militancy and extremism. Ten years later, where do we stand?
Though NAP was updated in 2021, Pakistan is still far from being free of terrorism and violent extremism. While militant attacks on civilian targets have come down, the TTP — as well as other violent actors — have staged a resurgence. These groups were given a big boost after the Afghan Taliban swept into Kabul in 2021. Today, it is primarily security personnel, belonging both to the military and police, who are being targeted by terrorist groups, though civilians have also been hit. In fact, a Pakistani representative told a UN meeting recently, the TTP “poses a direct and daily threat to Pakistan’s security”, adding that the terrorist group was poised to become the “arm” of Al Qaeda in the region. While the Afghan Taliban may be providing the TTP safe havens, the state has failed to evict the group from all of Pakistan’s territory. Moreover, fanatical elements that provide the ideological fuel to violent extremists continue to function, though they may be keeping a low profile. This includes sectarian groups, as well as outfits that have weaponised the sensitive issue of blasphemy to forward their dark agendas. Unless these groups are decommissioned, the battle will be impossible to win.
The heirs of the APS martyrs have time and again demanded that the state fully implement NAP. Indeed, this is the only way to end the menace of militancy and reverse the process of radicalisation. Countering extremism may take a generation or two — the seeds planted during the Zia dictatorship have today turned into tall trees bearing bitter fruit. Yet the state must fully commit itself to these efforts if Pakistan is to be rid of terrorism and fanaticism. Sadly, the state appears more enamoured of silencing the political opposition; counterterrorism does not appear high on its list of priorities. This attitude must change if we are serious about ensuring that the events of that dark day are never repeated.
Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2024
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1879042/remembering-aps
| 2024-12-16T05:10:26Z
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'Everyone is scared now' - Syria's Alawites fear retribution after Assad downfall
By the side of a dusty road, a chair and a table were hurriedly wiped down as eager hands gestured for me to take a seat.
More chairs were brought out and, alongside a side of lamb gently swaying from a hook outside the butcher's next door, I met the leaders of a small, poor community near the city of Jableh.
Like many in Jableh, they are Alawites, a minority from which the Assad family descends.
Syria latest: UK in 'diplomatic contact' with rebel group
For a large part of the civil war in Syria, which started in 2011, they were closeted from much of the violence that swept across the country.
For 50 years, many of the Assad family's main military advisers and commanders were Alawites, and it's impossible to overstate the resentment felt by much of Syrian society towards their communities.
During the conversation, it was clear they're plain scared - scared of sectarian retribution.
Community leader Muhammad Issa Allan told me they want an end to patrols of masked HTS (Hayat Tahrir al Sham) soldiers on pick-up trucks with heavy machine guns.
Instead they want organised patrols with local representatives riding alongside the rebel forces.
"We want one state, and one people, and we wish that things will go on and improve," he explained to me.
"We don't want mafias, we want the Syrian state to be united as one."
I watched as other members of the community nodded in agreement.
"We need security for minorities in Syria, we want civilian police, not masked men, and an acknowledgement of our own rights being a minority," Mahmoud Mahmoud chimed in.
What is interesting is how they all seem to want to be part of the new Syria as long as their rights are protected.
"We just want to live in security because everyone is definitely scared now - nobody is not scared now - but for sure we should all unite to work to overcome the problems and work together, we are all one," Roula Allan told me.
"We are afraid of losing security and having sectarianism. During the era of the criminal we used to live in a segregated way, now we want to live in a secure way, we want security and health."
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The people here claim life for them under Assad wasn't noticeably better than it was for others - although outside the Alawite community I have yet to meet anyone who would agree with them.
In a country where checkpoints were a dreary part of everyday life for decades, it has been refreshing to see very few.
But, at the entrance to Jableh, an armed HTS checkpoint was noticeably present - guarding all entry and exit.
On the main street in the city centre itself, patrols seem remarkably out of place.
Read more:
Children dig up bones where dozens murdered
Jets scream overhead outside Russia base in Syria
The soldiers - some with long black hair and wearing fatigues, or in balaclavas carrying heavy machine guns - feel more like an occupying army than protectors of a new, free country.
There is talk in town that HTS representatives have been arranging meetings with the Alawite community to try to find some common ground, but for those living here there is still a nervous tension.
If the new government want to make this new freedom a success, they will have to acknowledge and protect all the minority communities in Syria, and that could be a real test.
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https://ca.news.yahoo.com/everyone-scared-now-syrias-alawites-010500492.html
| 2024-12-16T05:10:27Z
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SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
By many measures, California is a shining success story. On its own, it boasts the world's fifth-largest economy. It's one of the richest states in the U.S., with one of the country's highest per capita incomes. And California is also a place where Hollywood and Silicon Valley have set a standard for the U.S. and created a mythical, romantic version of the state that looms over pop culture. But in recent years, it is a story that has been told of one as a state in decline. And according to that narrative, the most populous state is overregulated and too expensive to live in, and so much so, according to some, that people are fleeing it in droves. But how true is that story? To answer, I am joined now by Tessa McLean, the California editor at the online publication SFGATE. She dug into this narrative - not just the current one, but previous times that everybody has been talking about California failing. Welcome to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.
TESSA MCLEAN: Thanks for having me.
DETROW: Let's just start with the now - how dire is it? Is the California dream over? Are we packing it up?
MCLEAN: (Laughter) No, the California dream is not quite over yet, though many would say it is dying. The population in the last three years has declined, but it's never declined more than 1%. Each year since 2021, it's declined by a smaller and smaller number, and in 2023, it only declined 0.09%, according to figures from the State Department of Finance. So growth is simply slowing. It has not fully declined.
DETROW: But this led you to take a broader look because, you know, I covered California politics for a couple of years, and I heard this at the time I was there, and it seems like such a constant. This state is too expensive. It's overregulated. It's killing itself, and people are leaving in droves. And yet, the population - big-picture - continues to go up, the economy continues to grow. Why did you want to take a look back at these previous moments of doom and gloom? What was interesting about it to you?
MCLEAN: I write a lot about the movement of Californians, whether that's leaving the state entirely for a different state like Texas or Montana or whether they're moving around within the state itself. So I really wanted to take a look at the population data and see how big any decline has been in recent years and find out if this was a new phenomenon or if this had in fact been happening for years.
DETROW: Yeah.
MCLEAN: And leading up to the most recent election, it felt like California was in the spotlight more than ever. Kamala Harris was born in the Bay Area. She started her career in California, and that fact was often used against her. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is boasting about how Elon Musk left California for Texas. And Governor Gavin Newsom is sparring with the governors of Texas and Florida, and these conversations are making the national news. I wanted to take a step back and examine America's obsession with California failing.
DETROW: To be clear, though, you're not saying that some of the real problems that are being flagged, like the high cost of living, the cost of housing, in particular, aren't real. It's just that they may be overblown in terms of leading people to flee the state in droves?
MCLEAN: Absolutely. California is an expensive place to live. There's no doubt about it. And that high housing costs and all the cost of living expenses that come along with that are a big reason - the main reason, mainly - why people leave. There's been a lot more migration within the state itself, especially since the pandemic. You know, people might be leaving large coastal metros like San Francisco or Los Angeles for places like the Inland Empire or Sacramento, more so than are leaving the state itself.
DETROW: Why do you think then there's such an impulse over the years - and you're talking about the dot-com bust, you're talking about earlier periods in the 20th century. Why do you think there's such an interest in declaring the death of California?
MCLEAN: California has always been a prosperous place. It's a place that people look to, to go find wealth and success. People have been migrating out to California, looking for the California dream since the Gold Rush. And so I think that idea of the California dream is really important for people, and it really draws people out there.
DETROW: Were there any interesting parallels that you picked up on when you compared these moments?
MCLEAN: Yeah. I mean, the parallels is that the reasons that people are leaving are almost always the same. It's high housing costs. It's traffic. It's overpopulated cities, people just being fed up with the politics of the state. Those reasons never really changed, whether it's 1989 or 2023.
DETROW: That's Tessa McLean, the California editor at SFGATE. Her piece, "America's Obsession With California Failing," is at sfgate.com. Thanks so much for talking to us.
MCLEAN: Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
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https://www.wboi.org/2024-12-15/the-love-hate-tug-of-war-with-california
| 2024-12-16T05:10:32Z
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In a recent
Instagram post, Selena Gomez confirmed that she is engaged to producer Benny Blanco, where she sported her marquise-cut diamond ring. Despite the couple having got engaged in August, they had agreed to keep this news hidden till December since it might steal the spotlight from an important announcement, which is her ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber's first child, reported by Blast.
Sources say that Gomez was quite wary of the public reaction to the news, dreading that it would become unnecessary speculation and divert the public's attention from his personal news. Even though it has been months since the engagement of the couple, they had to wait for the right moment to share their news.
In an Instagram post, Gomez indicated she was excited as the caption that accompanied the photos read "Forever begins now." Also attached to the photos was a heartfelt moment from a video call as Gomez showed off the ring she has been gifted in a beaming posture.
Gomez and Blanco, who have been working together in the music industry for over a decade, started dating in June 2023. Their relationship was only made public in December. Gomez described her bond with Blanco as one of the safest and most fulfilling she's ever experienced.
The engagement announcement brought in a wave of warm wishes from fans and celebrities, including Taylor Swift, who jokingly offered to be the flower girl at the wedding.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/why-did-selena-gomez-benny-blanco-make-it-official-in-december-despite-getting-engaged-in-august-justin-bieber-connection-there/articleshow/116336365.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:10:31Z
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PITTSBURGH -- Just call them Canada’s Colorado Connection.
Indeed, less than two months before the first puck is dropped, forward Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar are preparing to leave their marks on the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.
To that end, when it comes to doing that in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche, they already are.
With the Holiday season upon us, McKinnon finds himself atop the NHL scoring race with 50 points (13 goals, 37 assists) while Makar leads all defensemen in the League with 37 points (nine goals, 28 assists). How’s that for a one-two punch heading into the tournament, which runs from February 12-20 in Montreal and Boston, and features teams representing Canada, United States, Sweden and Finland?
When you watch the way the two stars effortlessly pass the puck to each other, sometimes seemingly without looking, you understand how important their chemistry and familiarity will be in a short event like this where the four teams will have, at most, two or three practices together before the tournament starts. And whatever power-play unit they end up on, it’s a good bet they are on the same one as is the case with Colorado, where they constantly find each other without even stopping the puck.
Both Makar and MacKinnon took time out to discuss all things 4 Nations with NHL.com recently and agreed they could not be more stoked for the tournament. In the process, Makar said he still shakes his head in disbelief sometimes at some of the moves and accomplishments MacKinnon can pull off on the ice, including the forward’s ninth career five-point game (one goal, four assists) in a 6-2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday.
“There’s always something new, something different,” the 26-year-old defenseman said of MacKinnon. “And I think as a top player you’ve got to do that, make sure that you’re working every night.
“Every night, every game, you see different things from him, whether it’s him being creative and trying something new or tweaking things he already does very well.
“It’s fun to keep seeing him evolve every day.”
Both players have had their share of accolades over the years.
In 2021-22, Makar won the James Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP en route to help the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup. For his part, McKinnon is coming off his best statistical season with 140 points (51 goals, 89 assists) and went on to win the 2023-24 Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player.
Now, these two decorated stars will join another Avalanche teammate, defenseman Devon Toews, with Canada.
“I’m really, really excited,” MacKinnon said, showing a rare flash of giddiness not usually seen from the normally composed Nova Scotia native. “And now, obviously, it’s more realistic. It’s not just an image in your head.
“Now that the teams are built, you can kind of picture a lot of combinations and style of our game. What will lines look like? What will the power plays look like? Cale and I have been teammates with the Avs and played together for a while now, both on the power play and at 5-on-5, so that certainly helps.”
MacKinnon works out with fellow Team Canada forwards and Nova Scotia natives Sidney Crosby and Brad Marchand in the Halifax area during the summer and embraces the opportunity to play with them on an international level, hopefully on the same line.
“We know each other very well,” he said. “And if that happens, I just have to play my game. I mean, Sid is so smart, he’ll just read off his line mates like he always does.
“The way he controls the pace is second to none. And for me, I’m going to try to push the pace and get the defense back on its heels.”
So, for that matter, will Makar, a recipe that is sure to give the other teams fits.
“I mean, on the ice, Cale and I definitely will have chemistry,” MacKinnon said. “We play every game together, and we’re on the ice together for most of the game.
“So, that will be cool.”
For MacKinnon and Makar. For their Canadian teammates. And for hockey fans who will be able to see their elite Colorado Connection on such a grand international stage.
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https://www.nhl.com/news/nathan-mackinnon-cale-makar-among-4-nations-face-off-duos
| 2024-12-16T05:10:32Z
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The bull run in Pakistan’s capital market is encouraging, but the outlook for critical long-term investments appears less optimistic. For instance, the multi-billion-dollar copper and gold project at Reko Diq in Balochistan’s Chagi district may face delays in materialising, despite the active involvement of Canadian giant Barrick Gold, which holds commanding 50 per cent stake in the venture.
The recent changes in the ownership structure of the Reko Diq mining project, driven by the expressed interest of key bilateral partner Saudi Arabia and principal investor Barrick Gold, are reportedly contributing to the current delays.
Over the years, Saudi Arabia has consistently expressed interest in investing in Pakistan’s oil and gas sector, along with infrastructure, agriculture and industry. During a visit in October, Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz Al Falih, Saudi Minister for investment, informed that the newly established Manara Mineral Investment Company — backed by Saudi’s trillion-dollar sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the national mining company, Ma’aden — plans to invest $1 billion in the Reko Diq project. He also emphasised the strong relationship of trust and partnership between his country and Barrick Gold.
The Canadian mining giant sought Saudi Arabia’s participation in a major project in Pakistan’s restive region to mitigate the risk of policy shifts. “Barrick believes Riadh’s involvement would serve as a safeguard against abrupt policy changes in Pakistan”, remarked a legal source familiar with the earlier Reko Diq case, speaking off the record.
Finalising the ownership arrangement could be delayed by several months as the government has yet to receive the updated feasibility report to determine the share price
The government has reportedly resolved disagreements over stake allocation by agreeing to transfer 15pc of its 25pc share to Saudi Arabia, a key bilateral partner.
Sources in Islamabad, familiar with the negotiations on reallocation of the federal government’s stakes, informed this scribe that Saudi Arabia sought at least 20pc share while the federal
government was firm on not relinquishing more than 10pc of its holding in the venture. “It took time and persuasion from intermediaries on both sides to reach 15:10 ownership ratio between KSA and the GoP in the Reko Diq project,” a source revealed.
“Ideally, the government should have significant stakes in a project of this nature,” remarked a mining expert. “However, the project is too important for Pakistan to risk its progress, even if it means partially sacrificing its interests”, he added, expressing support for Saudi involvement in the key mining project if it is necessary to reassure Barrick Gold.
Saudi Arabia has announced its intent to invest $1bn in the Reko Diq project. However, the share price is yet to be finalised by a price formation committee established to formalise the deal. The committee has reportedly been tasked with determining a fair share price in collaboration with global experts.
Until then, KSA’s participation in the project will remain uncertain. According to the gathered information, finalising the ownership arrangement could be delayed by several months as the government has yet to receive the updated feasibility report required for determining the share price. If Barrick submits the said report this month, the process of inducting Saudi Arabia into the project is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
The share price will be determined based on the Canadian mining company’s current assessment of the volume and value of copper and gold in the designated mining area.
The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a joint civil-military body overseeing the Reko Diq project and assisting potential overseas investors, was approached for input and comments on the progress. As of the report’s filing, a response from the apex body was still awaited. According to insiders, the SIFC held its 10th executive board meeting last week, during which the matter was discussed in depth.
Efforts to contact Barrick officials in Pakistan were unsuccessful, partly because many members of the initial team have reportedly moved on and are no longer with the company.
Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, former minister for investment and founder of Corporate Pakistan Group, expressed cautious optimism. While acknowledging the value of Saudi participation in the project, he urged attention to the needs of existing overseas investors and local industrialists who hold the potential to transform the resource-rich country.
“Pakistan needs to move beyond ad-hoc measures and crisis management, and instead develop a long-term economic strategy for growth, adhering to it strictly, regardless of which party is in power,” he argued.
He recognised the emergence of positive economic indicators, such as single digit inflation rate and reduced twin deficits, but expressed doubts about the sustainability of these trends unless the necessary inflows of investments begin. He also highlighted the importance of competent teams in the economic ministries.
Elated by Saudi Arabia’s interest in investing in Pakistan, several individuals contacted for comments attempted to claim credit. Multiple sources asserted their role in facilitating business-
to-business and government-to-government engagements. Responses from Finance Minister Aurangzeb Khan and Energy Minister Musadiq Malik were still awaited at the time of filing of this report.
Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, December 16th, 2024
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1879062/reko-diq-potentially-facing-delays
| 2024-12-16T05:10:32Z
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Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
What is Connections?
The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deleted
Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections categories
Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Radios
Green: Kid fights
Blue: Snacks that are also sounds
Purple: Corny joke openers
Here are today's Connections categories
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Types of Radio
Green: Kinds of Play Fights
Blue: Snack Cakes
Purple: Classic Joke Staples
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #554 is...
What is the answer to Connections today
Types of Radio: AM, HAM, SATELLITE, WALKIE-TALKIE
Kinds of Play Fights: FOOD, PILLOW, SNOWBALL, WATER BALLON
Snack Cakes: DEVIL DOG, DING DONG, HOHO, YODEL
Classic Joke Staples: BAR, CHICKEN, KNOCK-KNOCK, LIGHT BULB
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Topics Connections
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https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-december-16
| 2024-12-16T05:10:34Z
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Filipino woman who was on death row in Indonesia will return home after almost 15 years in prison
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A Filipino woman who was on death row in Indonesia — and was nearly executed by firing squad in 2015 — was moved late Sunday to a female prison in Indonesia’s capital, from where she will be flown back to her home country.
Mary Jane Veloso, who spent almost 15 years in an Indonesian prison for drug trafficking, was allowed to return home after Indonesia and the Philippines signed a “practical arrangement” deal on Dec. 6, after a decade of pleading from Manila.
In a tearful interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Veloso described the decision as being “like a miracle when I have lost all hope.”
“For almost 15 years I was separated from my children and parents, and I could not see my children grow up,” she said. “I wish to be given an opportunity to take care of my children and to be close to my parents."
Veloso, who will turn 40 next month, was arrested in 2010 at an airport in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta, where officials discovered about 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin hidden in her luggage. The single mother of two sons was convicted and sentenced to death.
Veloso has maintained her innocence throughout her 14 years of incarceration. She has spent her time in prison designing Indonesian batik clothing, painting, tailoring and learning other skills.
Just before midnight on Sunday, she was escorted through a crush of reporters outside a female prison in Yogyakarta into a waiting van that took her to Jakarta, about 460 kilometers (285 miles) away.
Wearing a black T-shirt and dark pants, she made only a brief comment to reporters, saying, “I’m so happy... Thank you so much and Merry Christmas!” from behind the vehicle's window.
Veloso’s case caused a public outcry in the Philippines. She traveled to Indonesia in 2010 where her recruiter, Maria Kristina Sergio, reportedly told her a job as a domestic worker awaited her. Sergio also allegedly provided the suitcase where the drugs were found.
In 2015, Indonesia moved Veloso to an island prison where she and eight other drug convicts were scheduled to be executed by firing squad despite objections from Australia, Brazil, France, Ghana and Nigeria.
Indonesia executed the eight other convicts, and Veloso was granted a stay of execution because Sergio was arrested in the Philippines just two days ahead of her scheduled execution.
The reprieve provided an opportunity for Veloso’s testimony to expose how a criminal syndicate duped her into being an unwitting accomplice and courier in drug trafficking.
Yogyakarta female prison’s chief warden, Evi Loliancy, said Veloso was involved in various prison activities arranged by correctional officers, including organizing fashion shows featuring designs by inmates and learning how to dance.
“Mary Jane loves helping her fellow inmates, and she is able to motivate them to be creative,” Loliancy said. “She will miss us so much and so do we here.”
She said Veloso was very happy when she learned that she would be reunited with her family, but also a bit nervous and sad when she was about to leave. “But we all cheered her on and wish all the best for her," Loliancy said.
Veloso will need to stay for a few days at the Pondok Bambu female prison in Jakarta while waiting for her flight tickets and travel documents, said Sohibur Rachman, an official at the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections.
Rachman said his ministry was coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta on repatriating Veloso. He has not said when her return will take place but unconfirmed reports said her flight to Manila is scheduled for early Wednesday.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug smuggling hub despite having some of the strictest drug laws in the world, in part because international drug syndicates target its young population.
Indonesia’s last executions were carried out in July 2016, when an Indonesian and three foreigners were shot by firing squad.
About 530 people are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, including 96 foreigners, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections’ data showed as of last month.
Five Australians who spent almost 20 years in Indonesian prisons for heroin trafficking returned to Australia on Sunday under a deal struck between the Indonesian and Australian governments.
Indonesia recently agreed in principle to return a French national to his home country.
___
Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia. Associated Press journalist Dita Alangkara contributed to this report.
Slamet Riyadi And Niniek Karmini, The Associated Press
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https://ca.news.yahoo.com/filipino-woman-death-row-indonesia-050313846.html
| 2024-12-16T05:10:34Z
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Wait, that’s it? Trump supporters are wondering if an editor‘s note is the ‘apology’ they were promised in the ABC News defamation settlement with the President-Elect. ABC News has added a short addendum to the end of a website version of an on-air story that contained lies about President-Elect Donald Trump.
See for yourself.
🚨 THERE IT IS: ABC News issues apology/correction in the story accusing Donald J. Trump of r*pe. pic.twitter.com/v6Xm1xKNJJ
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 15, 2024
President Trump sued ABC News for defamation and was asking for $40 million. The news network settled with Trump for $15 million which goes to his presidential library. George Stephanopoulos falsely stated on air that Trump was found, ‘liable for rape by a jury.’
One poster says the only way to get ABC News to tell the truth is to take them to court.
They only apologized for when the defamation lawsuit happens. Otherwise it would've been another 4 years of, "Trump is breathing air. You know who else breathed air? HITLER"
— Isaac (@IcedViews) December 15, 2024
They need to learn they’ll face legal pressure
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 15, 2024
Many are hoping this sets a precedent for lawsuits Trump has with other news agencies.
Others are surprised ABC News buckled so fast since defamation cases brought by public figures like Trump are usually impossible to win.
Should have been more than $15,000,000 and Trump should have had control over the verbiage used in ABC's public apology, which should have been more detailed as to what ABC lied about.
— TeamThead™ (@TeamThead) December 15, 2024
Agreed but we need to consider that it’s borderline impossible for a high profile official to get media outlets to admit to anything wrong in the court system
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 15, 2024
The burden is enormous
In this case, Trump, as a public figure, had to prove actual malice, which is an extremely high standard. The fact that ABC issued this (rather lame) statement and agreed to settle with $15M (peanuts for Trump), is extremely rare and is an emphatic win. Anyone saying ABC and…
— CR (@CR07100710) December 15, 2024
Still, we were promised an apology. An editor’s note which states ‘we regret’ does not cut it,
Check out the comments.
I don't see the apology (just regret).
— Dan Kraemer (@DanKraemer35776) December 15, 2024
Regret is not an apology. “We’re sorry” or “we apologize” needs to be part of a regret or the only thing they “regret” is having lost the suit.
— 🍊JschottZ 🏵️🚛🚚 (@Jschottz1) December 15, 2024
I want to see a real written apology and not a subscript correction.
— 🇺🇸Alex🔱 (@USNPatriot1776) December 15, 2024
Some want a formal written apology. Others believe that since the lie came out the anchor’s mouth on air, the apology should also.
Take a look.
I don't know about others but I don't think this is good enough. They didn't apologize. Stephanopoulos needs to go in front of a camera and apologize for what he said. He was wrong and he knows it. He tried to ruin a man's life for a paycheck. Disgraceful putz.
— USAmom (@RYJ1976467) December 15, 2024
Apology should have been required to be made by Stephanoupolis on air.
— Rick Myles (@domedog311) December 15, 2024
That’s the worst apology ever. It should be on air and not an editor’s note.
— Michael (@michael_esq1) December 15, 2024
Stephanopoulos was on ABC this morning, but offered no apology. So, is the feeble, non-apologetic editor’s note probably the best we’re going to get? We regret to say, ‘Yes.’
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https://twitchy.com/warren-squire/2024/12/15/abc-news-apology-editors-note-trump-rape-george-n2405239
| 2024-12-16T05:10:37Z
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SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
We want to turn back now to the conversation of holiday movies. It is a thing here on ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, and a lot of our staff have strong feelings and opinions about them. But one of our producers, Elena Burnett, might top them all. She has some pretty serious rules about what to watch and when.
(SOUNDBITE OF MONTAGE)
ELENA BURNETT, BYLINE: So the most sacred - on the 24th, Christmas Eve, we watch "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" - the Chuck Jones version, not the Jim Carrey version.
..."Charlie Brown Christmas" - you know, earlier in the season, it's more laid back. We go through "Elf," "Nativity"...
...Claymation Christmas - "Scrooge," "It's A Wonderful Life."
...Some of the more special ones, "A Christmas Story"...
DETROW: So it was very clear we had to continue this conversation in studio. Elena, welcome to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.
BURNETT: Thank you. Bring it on.
DETROW: So we are here to argue about "The Polar Express," which we will do. But before we get to "The Polar Express," walk me through why it is so important to you and your family to watch specific movies on specific dates in a specific order.
BURNETT: I think it's something that kind of just evolved because for me and our - and my family, Christmas movies are so atmospheric. And so for the really - the ones that feel really Christmasy (ph), we got to wait. We got to wait 'cause otherwise it feels like you're starting the season too early.
DETROW: And before we continue, I do have to point out you're wearing reindeer antlers we talk.
BURNETT: Yeah.
DETROW: Yeah.
BURNETT: Yeah. This is my season. This is - I take this seriously.
DETROW: So "The Polar Express," why do you like it? - because I think it is very likely I am watching "The Polar Express" tonight with my family, but I have a lot of problems with it.
BURNETT: You're definitely in the majority. I've definitely, I think, spent more hours of my life defending "The Polar Express" than I have watching it. I feel sad for y'all. For me, it's a beautiful story about growing up.
DETROW: This really puts me on the offensive to dispute that. OK, so here's what I would say. I would say the book by Chris Van Allsburg, it's a beautiful book, one of my favorite books.
BURNETT: Same.
DETROW: The pictures come to life in this dark and mysterious way, and you could feel the three dimensions. You could feel the backstories of the characters, right? So that's that. And then you watch this movie, and it's early Pixaresque (ph) CGI that just doesn't quite click.
BURNETT: So I would say it's motion capture. It came out in 2004, when I think a bunch of studios were trying to do different things. And I will say, I'm not saying the animation's perfect, but I also think they had a hard task in front of them because you have this gorgeous book that I love very much, and they wanted to capture the themes of that. And it's very flat illustrations, and so what happens when you bring flat illustrations to life? It's going to feel a little uncanny valley.
DETROW: Yeah.
BURNETT: I know that's the phrase a lot of people use.
DETROW: In that it's not quite realistic and you know it.
BURNETT: Exactly. Exactly. But I genuinely think the colors and the snow that falls and the way that the steam goes into the cold air and the warmth of the lights from the North Pole, it's so cozy. And that's what settles me into that Christmas feeling.
DETROW: I do think the best part of the movie is when they're at the North Pole, and there's that early 20th century industrial feeling of it all. Like, I do really love that. Are there other favorite parts in the movie for you?
BURNETT: So I - my favorite scene happens at the North Pole, and here's where we're going to go into the weeds. The main character, who's literally in the credits as Hero Boy - that's canon. Hero Boy really wants to believe. You know, he's looking in encyclopedias, trying to figure out if life can exist at the North Pole. He's being skeptical of everything, but he gets on the train. He's hesitant, but he's curious.
And so my favorite scene is everybody is in the - you know, all the elves, all the kids are in the center of the North Pole. The tree's there. And the whole thing with the movie, if you haven't seen it, is Hero Boy cannot hear the bells of Santa's sleigh, and that represents his doubt. And there's - and they bring out these reins with the bells on them. They put them on the reindeer. He can't hear them. Santa shows up. He can't see Santa. And the scene goes all slow motion, and a bell flies off of the reins. And it thunks (ph) on the frozen ground in front of Hero Boy, and he picks it up in his hands. And he says three times...
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "THE POLAR EXPRESS")
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As Hero Boy) I believe. I believe?
BURNETT: And the second time's a question, and that's important. And then he whispers, I believe. And he rings the bell, and he can hear it.
(SOUNDBITE OF BELL RINGING)
BURNETT: And for me, that's what he asked Santa for as the first gift of Christmas. And it's not something material. It's a guide post that he's taking with him to be able to hold that belief as he goes on throughout his life. He loses in on the seat of the sleigh, but it doesn't matter. He still has found within himself whatever he needs to be moving on into this scary adult world. And that's why the bell comes back to him at the end. Even though he doesn't need it, it's always going to be there for those who truly believe.
(SOUNDBITE OF GEEK MUSIC'S "THE POLAR EXPRESS (MAIN THEME)")
DETROW: I will let that be the last word.
(LAUGHTER)
DETROW: That is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED producer Elena Burnett, Christmas season zealot, I feel like...
BURNETT: Sure. Sure.
DETROW: ...And defender of "The Polar Express." Thank you.
BURNETT: Thank you.
(SOUNDBITE OF GEEK MUSIC'S "THE POLAR EXPRESS (MAIN THEME)") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
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https://www.wemu.org/2024-12-15/christmas-movies-the-case-for-the-polar-express
| 2024-12-16T05:10:37Z
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It’s not a fun exercise when we are talking about the NFL Draft and draft position for the Dallas Cowboys in mid-December. Usually we are discussing playoff seeding and how Dallas needs to finish December strong to earn a higher seed.
Up until this past Monday night versus the Cincinnati Bengals, Cowboys fans had their sights set on catching the Washington Commanders for the final Wildcard spot, but Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase had other ideas. The loss moved the Cowboys’ playoff chances to less than 1%.
No, don’t bring out the Lloyd Christmas gifs. They don’t have a chance. That less than 1% might as well be a whistle to signal it’s time to move on fully into developmental mode. Play the young guys and give them some good reps versus other teams’ starters so they can get used to the speed of the NFL game.
There are also players on the team who are playing for incentives on their contracts. Contract incentives are markers written into the contracts that escalate the player’s pay if said player hits certain milestones during the season.
Other players are playing out the last years of their contracts, and aren’t playing well enough to warrant being brought back. Then, there is another small group of players who are in the last year of their contracts, and have played well enough to earn another.
Today, I want to focus on three players that fall under that category, and whether the Cowboys will be the team to offer the new contract.
DL Chauncey Golston
I have Chauncey Golston listed as a defensive lineman because, throughout his entire career, he has never been able to play just one spot on the defensive line. Golston started his career under DC Dan Quinn in 2021, and was moved all across the defensive line.
He was asked to lose weight one season, then gain weight the next. He has never gotten into a groove with his playing weight to know how he can play best. Now, under DC Mike Zimmer, Golston has been playing primarily defensive end, and has played well.
Golston has improved under Zimmer’s scheme, and is in line for a big payday. Will it be the Cowboys to give it to him? DeMarcus Lawrence is also a free agent next season. Sam Williams will be recovering from his ACL injury. Micah Parsons has been playing more off-ball linebacker when he isn’t rushing the passer.
If Golston and Lawrence both leave in free agency, the week 1 available defensive ends excluding 2025 draft picks will be Marshawn Kneeland and….that’s it. Just Kneeland.
DT Osa Odighizuwa
Osa Odighizuwa is another player who is in line for a payday after his rookie contract expires after this season. Osa has played well for the Cowboys, recording 27 tackles for loss, 12.0 sacks, and 53 QB hits in his career.
The former UCLA Bruin has not been a stalwart in rush defense. At 280 pounds, he is more adept and rushing the passer. Defensive tackles who can rush the passer are gold for defensive coordinators. For that reason, he might be re-signed by the Cowboys, but I wouldn’t put my money on it.
If Osa is allowed to walk in free agency along with Linval Joseph, the only defensive tackles left on the roster who have contributed would be Mazi Smith and…Mazi Smith. Another position group depleted.
OL Brock Hoffman
Brock Hoffman has the chance to add even more to his resume over the last four games of the season. Hoffman started at right guard in place of an injured Zack Martin, and he played great. He also has the flexibility to play center, as he showed us against Cincinnati after Cooper Beebe suffered a concussion.
Hoffman is likely in line for the start at center once again against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday, and his fire and competitiveness on the field are a big reason the Cowboys have been playing tougher and more competitive football recently.
As an undrafted free agent, Hoffman climbed the ranks with hard work and dedication, and now he is a quality starter on the offensive line. He is one that I believe the Cowboys will spend in free agency for him to stay.
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https://insidethestar.com/3-cowboys-who-have-earned-large-contracts-in-free-agency
| 2024-12-16T05:10:37Z
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BOLLYWOOD
Baby John will have multiple cameos, also featuring Diljit Dosanjh and S. Thaman. Talking about Salman’s appearance, Varun said that the superstar character, crafted by filmmaker Atlee, is a unique and original role unlike any seen before.
It is no secret that superstar Salman Khan will be making a power-packed cameo in Varun Dhawan’s upcoming film, Baby John. His special appearance after Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan is highly anticipated in Atlee’s production venture. Amid this, Varun has shared exciting details about his small role, saying that it will be ‘long-lasting’.
Baby John will have multiple cameos, also featuring Diljit Dosanjh and S. Thaman. Talking about Salman’s appearance, Varun said that the superstar character, crafted by filmmaker Atlee, is a unique and original role unlike any seen before. Without divulging more details, Varun hinted that Salman’s impact will be long-lasting.
Speaking at an event in Delhi, Varun opened up about his experience working with Salman. “I think whenever you get a chance to work with such a big superstar, a megastar, such a magnanimous human being, it's amazing,” he said.
Most recently, Baby John makers unveiled the trailer that was lauded by superstar Shah Rukh Khan. “What an exciting trailer. Well done really looking forward to seeing the film….@kalees_dir your #BabyJohn is everything like u. Energetic and full of action. @Atlee_dir go forth and conquer now as a producer. Love u. @Varun_dvn I am so happy to see u like this, all tough. @bindasbhidu deadly u look Jaggu da… @keerthyofficial #WamiqaGabbi all the best….A complete package, wishing goodness to the whole team," he wrote on X. Quickly after Jackie commented, "Coming from you, it’s huge! Keep rocking, keep shining, the way you always do." And Varun responded, "Thank you, @iamsrk sir for your kind words and support for #BabyJohn. Your encouragement is fuel for every artist. Hope to make you proud bade bhaiya."
Meanwhile, Directed by A. Kaleeswaran, Baby John will see Varun in a never-seen-before avatar, alongside Jackie Shroff, Keerthy Suresh and Wamiqa Gabbi. Bankrolled by Jyoti Deshpande, Murad Khetani, Atlee and his wife Priya Atlee, the film also has Rajpal Yadav in a key role. The film marks the Bollywood debut of Keerthy Suresh.
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https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-varun-dhawan-shares-update-on-salman-khan-s-cameo-in-baby-john-claims-superstar-will-have-long-lasting-impact-3122579
| 2024-12-16T05:10:37Z
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