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Former FBI informant will plead guilty to lying about phony bribery scheme involving the Bidens
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former FBI informant is set to plead guilty on Monday to lying about a phony bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden and his son Hunter that became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress.
Alexander Smirnov is expected to make the plea in Los Angeles to a felony charge in connection with the bogus story, along with a tax evasion charge stemming from a separate indictment accusing him of concealing millions of dollars of income, according to court papers.
Smirnov has been behind bars since his arrest in February on charges that he told his FBI handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma had paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015.
Prosecutors and the defense have agreed to recommend a sentence of between four and six years in prison, according to the plea agreement.
Smirnov had been an informant for more than a decade when he made the explosive allegations about the Bidens in June 2020, after “expressing bias” about Joe Biden as a presidential candidate, prosecutors said.
But Smirnov had only routine business dealings with Burisma starting in 2017, according to court documents. An FBI field office investigated the allegations and recommended the case be closed in August 2020, according to charging documents.
No evidence has emerged that Joe Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current role or previous office as vice president.
While his identity wasn’t publicly known before the indictment, Smirnov’s claims played a major part in the Republican effort in Congress to investigate the president and his family, and helped spark a House impeachment inquiry into Biden. Before Smirnov’s arrest, Republicans had demanded the FBI release the unredacted form documenting the unverified allegations, though they acknowledged they couldn’t confirm if they were true.
During a September 2023 conversation with investigators, Smirnov also claimed the Russians likely had recordings of Hunter Biden because a hotel in Ukraine’s capital where he had stayed was “wired” and under their control — information he said was passed along to him by four high-level Russian officials.
But Hunter Biden had never traveled to Ukraine, according to Smirnov’s indictment.
Smirnov claimed to have contacts with Russian intelligence-affiliated officials, and told authorities after his arrest earlier this year that “officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story” about Hunter Biden.
The case against Smirnov was brought by special counsel David Weiss, who also prosecuted Hunter Biden on gun and tax charges. Hunter Biden was supposed to be sentenced this month after being convicted at trial in the gun case and pleading guilty to federal charges in the tax case. But he was pardoned earlier this month by his father, who said he believed “raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.” | https://keyt.com/news/national-world/2024/12/15/former-fbi-informant-will-plead-guilty-to-lying-about-phony-bribery-scheme-involving-the-bidens/ | 2024-12-16T05:53:23Z |
The indiatimes.com privacy policy has been updated to align with the new data regulations in European Union. Please review and accept these changes below to continue using the website. We use cookies to ensure the best experience for you on our website. | https://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/relationships/a-cute-birthday-message-from-baby-claire-105832.html | 2024-12-16T05:53:25Z |
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://kesq.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2024/12/15/seven-hotel-guests-hospitalized-after-drinking-cocktails-at-5-star-fiji-resort/ | 2024-12-16T05:53:27Z |
Germany’s Scholz faces a confidence vote. It’s expected to lead to an election in February
Associated Press
BERLIN (AP) — Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces a confidence vote in the German parliament on Monday that he’s expected to lose, paving the way for the European Union’s most populous member and biggest economy to hold an early election in February.
Scholz’s notoriously rancorous three-party government collapsed on Nov. 6 when the chancellor fired his finance minister in a long-running dispute over how to revitalize Germany’s stagnant economy, and the minister’s pro-business party quit the coalition. That left the remaining two center-left partners without a majority in parliament.
Leaders of several major parties then agreed that a parliamentary election should be held on Feb. 23, seven months earlier than originally planned. Post-World War II Germany’s constitution doesn’t allow parliament’s lower house, or Bundestag, to dissolve itself — so a confidence vote is needed to set in motion the early election.
What is likely to happen?
Scholz’s Social Democrats hold 207 seats in the Bundestag and are expected to vote for the chancellor. Their remaining coalition partners, the environmentalist Greens, have 117 and plan to abstain. That should mean Scholz gets nowhere near the majority of 367 in the 733-seat chamber needed to win the confidence vote.
If Scholz loses, it will up to up to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to decide whether to dissolve the Bundestag. Steinmeier, who said last month that “this country needs stable majorities and a government that is capable of acting,” has 21 days to make that decision. Once parliament is dissolved, the election must be held within 60 days.
In practice, the campaign is already well underway.
Who is in the race?
As he formally requested the confidence vote on Wednesday, Scholz said that voters will “decide in the election how we answer the big questions that we face.”
Those, he said, include whether Germany decides to “invest strongly in our future,” secure jobs and modernize its industry, keep pension levels stable and “come closer to a just peace in Ukraine without Germany being drawn into the war.” Germany has become Ukraine’s biggest military supplier in Europe, but Scholz also has refused to supply long-range Taurus cruise missiles over concerns of escalating the war with Russia.
Center-right challenger Friedrich Merz on Saturday predicted “one of the hardest election campaigns” in modern German history, as Scholz’s Social Democrats “have their backs to the wall.” He said that it’s crucial to make the economy more competitive, because “the competitiveness of our economy is the precondition for everything else.”
Polls show Scholz’s party trailing behind Merz’s main opposition Union bloc. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, whose Greens are further back, is also bidding for the top job.
The far-right Alternative for Germany, which is polling strongly, has nominated Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor but has no chance of taking the job because other parties refuse to work with it.
Confidence votes are rare in Germany, a country of 83 million people that prizes stability. This is only the sixth time in its postwar history that a chancellor has called one.
The last was in 2005, when then-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder engineered an early election that was narrowly won by center-right challenger Angela Merkel. | https://keyt.com/news/national-world/2024/12/15/germanys-scholz-faces-a-confidence-vote-its-expected-to-lead-to-an-election-in-february/ | 2024-12-16T05:53:29Z |
Iceland: World’s Friendliest Country
Iceland has been named the most welcoming holiday destination in the world, a new study has found.
Iceland has been named the most welcoming holiday destination in the world, a new study has found.
Despite its cold weather, visitors to Iceland will not receive a chilly reception - the country was named the world's friendliest, followed by New Zealand and Morocco.
In the list of 140 countries ranked by the World Economic Forum, Australia was beaten by countries such as Yemen, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australia came 27th on a list ranking countries' friendliness towards overseas visitors. The least friendly countries were, in descending order, Latvia, Kuwait, Russia, Venezuela and Bolivia coming in last.
The countries were rated by the WEF on a score of one to seven, measuring the extent to which a country and society were open to tourism and foreign visitors. Top-ranked Iceland scored 6.8, while Australia scored 6.5 and bottom-of-the-list Bolivia 4.1. (ANI)
Top 10 friendly countries:
1. Iceland
2. New Zealand
3. Morocco
4. Macedonia
5. Austria
6. Senegal
7. Portugal
8. Bosnia & Herzegovina
9. Ireland
10. Burkina Faso | https://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/travel/iceland-worlds-friendliest-country-105846.html | 2024-12-16T05:53:32Z |
What’s next for the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO
By Ashley R. Williams, Gloria Pazmino, Kaitlan Collins, Rebekah Riess, Chris Boyette, Dalia Faheid and Kara Scannell, CNN
(CNN) — The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in Manhattan remains in a Pennsylvania state prison, while a possible indictment looms in New York as a grand jury considers evidence on charges he faces there, including one count of murder.
Luigi Mangione, who faces a possible sentence of 15 years to life in prison if convicted on the charge of second-degree murder, is set to appear in a Pennsylvania court for a preliminary hearing next week on state charges following his December 9 arrest at a McDonald’s in Altoona.
Mangione, 26, has been fighting extradition to New York after being accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4, but Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Friday it is possible the suspect could soon waive his right to fight being handed over to New York authorities.
“Indications are that the defendant may waive, but that waiver is not complete until a court proceeding, which my understanding from court officials in Pennsylvania cannot happen until Tuesday,” Bragg said. “So until that time, we’re going to continue to press forward on parallel paths and we’ll be ready whether he is going to waive extradition or whether he’s going to contest extradition.”
Here are the latest developments in the case:
- After a San Francisco Police Department officer recognized Mangione from a surveillance photo as the possible suspect on December 5, the day after the shooting, they shared the tip with the FBI.
- Mangione has retained attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a former Manhattan prosecutor, to represent him in New York.
- A Center for Internet Security report released Saturday found “widespread support” of Thompson’s killing could lead to potential copycats of the shooting likely to feel “emboldened and encouraged.”
- A defense fund set up on Mangione’s behalf raised more than $115,000 by Sunday, according to a campaign page on GiveSendGo. It is unclear whether his defense team will accept the funds.
Authorities tracked down Mangione in Altoona last week after being alerted he looked similar to the person who gunned down Thompson in front of a Midtown Manhattan hotel as the health care executive prepared to attend his company’s investors’ conference.
Mangione faces charges in both Pennsylvania and New York. He remains in custody in Pennsylvania Monday on charges related to a gun and fake ID police say they found at the time of his arrest.
In New York, prosecutors have charged him with one count of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of second-degree possession of a forged document and one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to online court documents.
Investigators in New York believe Mangione, a former high school valedictorian and Ivy League graduate born into a well-to-do family, appeared to be driven by anger against the health insurance industry and “corporate greed,” according to an NYPD intelligence report obtained by CNN.
Mangione is scheduled to appear at a hearing in Pennsylvania on December 30 in response to his petitions for writ of habeas corpus and imposition of bail, court documents from Thursday show. The habeas corpus petition is a key factor in whether Mangione can be extradited to New York.
Thomas Dickey, Mangione’s attorney in Pennsylvania, denied his client’s involvement in Thompson’s killing and said he anticipates a not guilty plea from Mangione to the charges he faces in New York.
Dickey also said Mangione, who was denied bail last Tuesday at an extradition hearing, plans to plead not guilty to the charges in Pennsylvania.
Following Bragg’s comments on Mangione possibly backing down from the extradition fight, CNN has sought comment from Dickey regarding whether he and his client have changed their position on extradition.
Mounting evidence against suspect, authorities say
New York authorities have executed as many as three search warrants as part of their investigation, including at least two warrants for a backpack found in Central Park and a burner phone discovered along Mangione’s believed getaway route away from the crime scene, sources told CNN.
The mounting evidence against the suspect accused of killing Thompson, authorities say, includes a 3D-printed gun they allege Mangione had when he was arrested, which matches three shell casings found at the crime scene.
Mangione’s fingerprints match those found on items near the scene, New York City’s police commissioner has said, and investigators discovered a three-page handwritten “claim of responsibility” and writings in a spiral notebook pointing to the suspect’s involvement, a law enforcement source briefed on the matter told CNN.
Three 9 mm shell casings from the crime scene had the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” written on them, according to NYPD’s Chief Detective Joseph Kenny. The words are similar to a title of a 2010 book critiquing the insurance industry.
Dickey has said he wants to see the ballistics and fingerprint evidence for himself.
“Those two sciences, in and of themselves, have come under some criticism in the past, relative to their credibility, their truthfulness, their accuracy, however you want to do it,” Dickey said on CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront” on Wednesday.
Business leaders to discuss safety in wake of Thompson killing
The office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is convening business leaders and law enforcement to discuss safety this week.
Kathryn Garcia, Hochul’s director of operations and infrastructure, will hold a call with several business leaders and law enforcement on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the governor’s office told CNN.
Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, a nonprofit organization which represents New York City’s global business leaders and major employers, told CNN the call will include top State Police officials and counterterrorism law enforcement.
A source familiar with the planning told CNN the state is also considering setting up a hotline for CEOs so they can call to report security concerns or threats.
The hope is the call will “provide a forum for questions and sharing of best practices regarding threats to business leaders around the city,” Wylde said.
Approximately 200 people, mostly security people as well as some CEOs are expected to join, according to Wylde.
The call comes as C-suite leaders across the country are left shaken in the wake of Thompson’s killing and reassessing preparedness for potential threats.
The NYPD, in an intelligence report obtained by CNN last week, said it believed Thompson’s killing was a “symbolic takedown” and could inspire others to act violently toward business leaders.
CNN’s Jason Hanna, Karina Tsui, Steve Almasy, Andy Rose, Brynn Gingras, Michelle Watson, Bonney Kapp, Dakin Andone, Emma Tucker, Meg Tirrell and Jason Carroll contributed to this report.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | https://keyt.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2024/12/15/whats-next-for-the-suspect-in-the-killing-of-unitedhealthcares-ceo/ | 2024-12-16T05:53:35Z |
5 Recipes to Try This Navratri
This Navratri, gorge on these delicious dishes that won't make you break your vrat. Note down the recipes of Moong Dal Halwa, Kuttu Ke Parathe, Sabudana Khichdi, Kela Barfi and Kala Chana Sundal.
You don’t have to depend only on fruits while fasting. This Navratri, gorge on these delicious dishes that won’t make you break your vrat. Note down the recipes of Moong Dal Halwa, Kuttu Ke Parathe, Sabudana Khichdi, Kela Barfi and Rajma Sundal.
Moong Dal Halwa
Ingredients: Yellow moong dal, milk, saffron, ghee, sugar, cardamom powder
Method:
-Soak the moong dal in water for 3-4 hours
-Make a paste of the dal by draining and grinding.
-Heat milk in a utensil and add saffron to it.
-Now, take non-stick pan, heat it and put ghee in it.
-Add the moong dal paste to the pan.
-Add the saffron milk and a cup of warm water. Keep stirring until the water is gone.
-Add sugar.
-Add more saffron and cardamom powder and mix well.
-Serve in a bowl and serve hot.
__PAGEBREAK__Kuttu Ke Parathe
Ingredients: Kuttu flour (Buckwheat flour), chopped coriander leaves, potatoes, green chilli, salt, ghee
Method:
-Knead the flour and add potatoes, green chilli, coriander leaves and salt.
-Make parathas and put them on a heated pan.
__PAGEBREAK__Sabudana Khichdi
Image Credit: Vegbowl
Ingredients: Sabudana (sago), peanuts, green chillies, potato, ghee, cumin seeds, salt, lemon juice, coriander leaves, curry leaves
Method:
-Soak sabudana for 3-4 hours.
-Peel the peanuts and roast it on a hot tawa. Grind the peanuts.
-Chop the chillies, coriander and boil the potatoes.
-Take a pan, add ghee to it. Put curry leaves, cumin seeds and chopped green chillies. Keep stirring.
-Add chopped potatoes. Keep stirring for 3 minutes.
-Add sabudana and peanuts.
-Add salt and lemon juice. Mix it well.
-After removing from the heat, garnish it with coriander leaves. Serve hot.
__PAGEBREAK__Kela Barfi
Ingredients: Bananas, milk, almonds, ghee
Method:
-Boil the bananas
-Take ghee in a bowl. Heat it.
-Add milk and smashed bananas to the ghee.
-Add almonds to the mixture.
-Heat the mixture until it becomes semi-solid.
-Turn the heat off and let the mixture cool down
-Start making square barfis out of the mixture.
__PAGEBREAK__Kala Chana Sundal
Ingredients: Kala chana (chickpea), mustard seeds, urad dal, red chillies, asafoetida, and grated coconut, curry leaves, salt.
Method:
-Soak the kala chana in water overnight.
-Next morning, put the chana in a pressure cooker and give two whistles.
-Drain the water and keep the chanas aside.
-Take oil in a pan and heat it.
-Add mustard seeds and ural dal.
-Add curry leaves, red chillies and asafoetida.
-Add black chana and salt.
-Stir and sauté for 4-5 minutes
-Garnish with grated coconut and serve. | https://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/work-and-life/navratri-special-5-recipes-to-try-this-navratri-105640.html | 2024-12-16T05:53:38Z |
ADVERTISEMENT
Now that Jaguar has gotten a get out of jail pass with the news of two networks merging, all of ad land is now discussing the Omnicom and Interpublic enshittification.
Sure, you’ll get the biggest network, but will it be the best?
Will they remember they’re in the business of Advertising?
Or will it be a fine attempt at yet another bunch of acronyms, another veil of data and tech and AI blah blah word salad?
I read somewhere on LinkedIn that business transformation figured high up on the list. Among some other absolutely Tech Bro, Consulting Bro and anything but Advertising or Creative Bro stuff.
Very weird isn’t it?
Big and good used to be a thing. Ogilvy under Neil French. JWT under Craig Davis. DDB under Amir Kassaei. Powerful networks that each had a maestro at the helm, making some of the most iconic work ever. (While French and Davis are amazing ad men, check out Amir’s life story it is straight out of a film. I admire the man to have achieved so much despite what he endured.)
And now, rather like WPPs collapse into itself, like a tired Parisienne accordion player at day’s end, the new merged network is going to be a complete bloodbath of layoffs and cost cuts. There’ll be a soulless CEO at the end when the dust settles and the CCO will be some anodyne sort who spouts all the cliches necessary to be appointed to the post, rather than having any passion at all for real work on real clients and the biggest ideas on the biggest brands.
We’ve seen this movie before in short. The Empire Strikes Back.
But this Empire doesn’t even have the vitality, the purpose or the philosophy of the Sith. The only purpose is to make money on the stock market by providing investors the latest buzz words du jour.
In short, this Empire is equivalent to the fag end of the Roman Empire. And we all know how that went down. Or for that matter, how the Sith got blindsided by the Jedi.
Sometimes in life, you have to choose, whether you want to work upon a Death Star or if you’d rather be a Rebel Jedi doing the things that actually matter. Like Steve Jobs said, always a pirate, never the merchant navy.
So, who are the pirates in the biz? The ones for whom Advertising still matters. Brand building still matters. Sales and results and effective creative that persuades matters. I think some good desi examples would be the home grown Famous Innovations next door to us, Talented and TGTHR. Further afield, I’m a huge fan of Anselmos Ramos of Gut. Then there’s Orchard, Layfayette American, Good Conduct, Sukle, Cactus, Humanist, Art & Letters, 72 & Sunny, Quality Meats, Bandolier Media, Mojo and others Stateside, with Mother UK being my favourite Indie agency in Ol’ Blighty.
Young talent used to aspire to get into the big network agency as a form of badge value upon their CVs. Make no mistake, in 2025 it’s increasingly going to be the little piranhas that make the biggest creative impact. And that, is what Advertising does best, to drive sales. RIP Interpublic. It was a good long run, with truth well told. And for young creative, I urge you to watch Return Of The Jedi. Think Small, as Bernbach put it. | https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/inspiraytion-17-will-the-biggest-agency-network-be-the-best-50471.htm | 2024-12-16T05:53:40Z |
For the families of Syria’s disappeared, hope fades but the demand for justice grows
By Raja Razek and Tim Lister, CNN
(CNN) — More than a week after Bashar al-Assad fled Syria and his regime collapsed, hundreds of thousands of Syrians still have no answer to two questions that have haunted them for years, even decades.
What happened to family members and friends after they vanished or were detained by Assad’s secret police? And how do we bring their torturers and killers to justice?
Some 150,000 people in Syria are unaccounted for, most of whom were kidnapped or detained by the Assad regime or its affiliates, according to the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). CNN cannot independently verify this number.
With every passing day, Syrians’ slim hopes finding a loved one still alive are fading. But they want some form of closure; they scour prison and hospital walls where lists of names and images of bodies are posted. They cling to a sliver of hope, yearn for a miracle.
But they also want retribution.
One of those waiting for news was Hazem Dakel from Idlib, who is now in Sweden. His uncle Najeeb was arrested in 2012 and was later confirmed by the family as having been killed. His brother Amer was detained the following year. Former detainees at the horrific Saydnaya prison near Damascus said Amer had disappeared in mid-April 2015 after being tortured there. But the regime never acknowledged his death.
“Now that people are able to talk, they are naming people, and I got details of exactly what happened in prison, and the torture, who tortured him, who interrogated him,” Dakel told CNN of his brother,
“I want this (new Syrian) country to stand on its feet so we can hold them accountable through the law and courts.”
Amid the celebrations in Idlib after the fall of Assad, he said, there was also mourning. “They are mourning their children. Yes, the regime fell after resistance and struggle, but there was sorrow—like, where are our children?”
“Justice is coming, and our right will not be erased no matter how long it takes,” Dakel posted on Facebook. The family is now “certain” Amer died under torture in Saydnaya, he said.
Human rights groups have begun visiting the many prisons and detention centers across Syria where those perceived as regime critics were confined. An Amnesty International team scoured security branches of the former regime around Damascus this week.
Mazjoub also posted photographs on X of instruments of torture left behind.
“Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw,” said one of the team, Aya Mazjoub. In a series of posts on X she described “underground labyrinths (that) are literally hell on earth. They were overcrowded, crawling with cockroaches and other insects, lacked ventilation. They still smell of blood and death.”
“This is ‘bisat ar-reeh’, a notorious torture device where detainees would be strapped to a wooden slab that would be folded until their back cracked,” she wrote.
“This is the ‘doulab’. Detainees would be stuffed into the tyre and beaten, usually on the soles of their feet.”
Identifying the bodies that are found will require a legion of forensic pathologists. “Many are beyond recognition, mutilated by years of torture and starvation,” said Mazjoub.
Desperate relatives have taken to social media with details of sons, brothers, fathers and sisters who disappeared.
In a video posted on X, Lama Saud said her brother Abdullah was detained in 2012. Regime records had registered his death in 2014, but she said she still had hope he might be alive. “There are many detainees whose families were told they were dead but were later found to be alive,” she said.
Mahmoud Al Shahabi, a Syrian living in exile, told CNN he had been waiting for news of his brothers Hikmat and Amir for 12 years.
“We hope to find them, my situation is like hundreds of thousands of Syrian families who are waiting for news about their loved ones, and we will not give up hope until now.”
So far, he has found no trace.
Al Shahabi also asked on Facebook where the recordings of surveillance cameras at regime security branches had gone, why some documents had been destroyed and why human rights groups had not done more to protect records.
Preserving whatever evidence is left in prisons and around possible burial sites is critical to documenting what happened and tracking down the perpetrators.
But following that trail of evidence is also a race against time. Several human rights groups issued a joint appeal last week, saying: “The real toll will only be known after mass graves and documents from the detention centers are examined and authenticated by trained experts. This documentation must be preserved from destruction.”
Based on the accounts of former prisoners, doctors and regime personnel, it said that an “olive-green Honda with a closed shed that could accommodate around 50 bodies” was used to take the bodies to a site in Najha near Damascus – “which has been called cemetery no.1 (the term used by regime forces is ‘cemetery of the bastards’).”
Bodies at the military hospital stayed for two or three days until there were “enough to transport to Najha graveyard, and sometimes to Al Qutayfah graveyard,” and other sites, according to the report.
The Association of Detainees and the Missing at Saydnaya prison, which describes itself as a coalition of prison survivors, victims, and their families, has meticulously documented what has happened there in recent years, based on witness accounts and other evidence, such as satellite imagery. It reported last year how bodies were taken from the prison and a military hospital to a mass burial site.
In 2020, a man known as “the Gravedigger” told a German court he was recruited by the Assad regime to bury hundreds of bodies in mass graves, including Najha, according to the International Commission on Missing Persons.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said burial sites or mass graves “must be protected and preserved to allow organized exhumation” as soon as possible. “This is also crucial to identify and ascertain the fate of those missing and provide the much-awaited answers to their families.”
After its investigators found documents strewn all over Saydnaya prison, the ICRC appealed for all records to be safeguarded at hospitals and in security centers run by the ousted regime.
The ICRC has also asked relatives of the missing – abroad and in Syria – to register with it, as the mammoth task of identifying the dead begins.
The conflict had killed more than 350,000 since 2011 – an “under-count of the actual number of killings,” a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said in 2021 – and sent nearly six million refugees out of the country. Other groups put the estimated number of dead higher. An Amnesty International investigation published in 2017 said that as many as 13,000 people, most of them civilians believed to be opposed to the government, were hanged in secret at Saydnaya between 2011 and 2015 alone. With reports of civilians killed under torture in the detention centers and prisons for decades, the numbers of those who have lost their lives are still being counted.
In all likelihood, the vast majority of the missing are indeed dead.
In a tearful statement on Syrian television last week, the head of The Syrian Network for Human Rights, Fadel Abulghany, said: “I apologize for the tenth and thousandth time, before this announcement…Most of the forcibly disappeared in Syria are dead – and I am sorry.”
Now the almost overwhelming mission is to find those who died, and to identify them and their killers.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | https://keyt.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2024/12/15/for-the-families-of-syrias-disappeared-hope-fades-but-the-demand-for-justice-grows/ | 2024-12-16T05:53:42Z |
Your Daily Horoscope
Discover what's in store for you today. Here's our daily horoscope for the 12 astrological sun signs...
Discover what's in store for you today. Here's our daily horoscope for the 12 astrological sun signs...
Aries
Today, the stars put you on high alert... and not for nothing. You will save yourself from being swindled. Though you will easily manage to stay ahead of others, you may make a few enemies on your way. It's not a good day if you're looking to buy a house or vehicle, says Ganesha.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
Taurus
Impulsive action kicks in as you work and interact today. Do not let the pressure and strain cloud your thoughts, and instead focus on acting on the things at hand. If you find things spiralling out of control, take a break and listen to some music that soothes your heart, suggests Ganesha.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
__PAGEBREAK__Gemini
Today, you will decide to become a bit more conscious about your health. You may or may not join a gym or measure your calories, but you will definitely sit up and take notice of your lifestyle and unhealthy food habits, predicts Ganesha. A new job is also likely, which will pen a completely new chapter in your life.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
Cancer
Today, you will be extremely impulsive and spontaneous, feels Ganesha. You better get rid of your negative thoughts and beliefs and start taking charge of things at hand. Also, stop focussing so much on the pitfalls, and start working. Listen to music that speaks to your heart and you will be at peace with yourself.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
__PAGEBREAK__Leo
If one were to put an earnest spirit and a frank attitude together, the result would be a Leo; its like your hallmark. And with qualities like these in your kitty, don't be surprised if you happen to reach a milestone or two today. Will it be marital bliss or career success? No matter what the area is, be assured that your societal standing shall get a heady boost today, assures Ganesha. Just don't let the success go to your head.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
Virgo
The booster rockets of your ambitions and spirit to work will kick in at the maximum today. Seek recreation after a hard days work and look to relax at private parties, social-dos and even weddings, says Ganesha.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
__PAGEBREAK__Libra
Every man has specific natural abilities, said Aristotle. This seems to be true for you today. Your natural talents will be acknowledged and documented at work. This might prompt your equals to hold you up above the rest, and for your seniors to positively encourage you to scale greater heights. But as always, be careful to make sure that success does not make you heady with arrogance, cautions Ganesha. Keep yourself firmly grounded, and remember that, pride cometh before the fall.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
Scorpio
You will find yourself thinking with your heart rather than your head today, says Ganesha. You may not be able to repress your feelings, and you should not even try. But you should be careful about how you express them, particularly in public as people may judge you wrongly on the basis of it, advises Ganesha.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
__PAGEBREAK__Sagittarius
Today, your superiors at work are going to trust you with many complicated assignments. But, after exerting yourself, you are sure to come out with flying colors and have your work appreciated. Do not be surprised if cash incentives come your way. Such may indeed be your fortune, says Ganesha.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
Capricorn
Duping the wisest with your extraordinary power of convincing may have been your forte, but you may have to prove yourself all over again, for Ganesha says you will be tested today. This apart, you are likely to find answers to questions lingering in your subconscious mind for long. The outburst of creativity in the second half of the day will draw the attention of your peers, and this will also be the best time to seek their support, advises Ganesha.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
__PAGEBREAK__Aquarius
For a moment, it seems that you're swamped with problems. But you are brave enough to deal with any ugly issue that crops up suddenly. Ganesha hints at a romantic evening, which may just be time together in a jacuzzi, or simply preparing a meal together. Pure ecstasy!
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
Pisces
All the dieting that you have been undergoing will finally begin to show results, with compliments galore coming your way from your friends. Your energy and enthusiasm levels are likely to be high. A bright and beautiful day waits, says Ganesha.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here. | https://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/work-and-life/your-daily-horoscope-105661.html | 2024-12-16T05:53:45Z |
December 15, 2024
In Week 15, the Philadelphia Eagles won their tenth straight game against the tough and rugged Pittsburgh Steelers. As always, win, lose, or tie, we hand out 10 awards.
The Eagles only had three drives in the second half. They were as follows:
That would be 47 plays, 209 yards, 24:10.
The Steelers only had two possessions.
That would be 11 plays, 62 yards, 5:50.
The 11 offensive plays for the Steelers in the second half are tied for the fewest of any team in the last 10 seasons.
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) December 16, 2024
Second-fewest of any team in a game since at least 2000. https://t.co/8mEfMAdHRF
The Eagles have been choking teams out in the fourth quarter with game-sealing drives all season, but this one was a little different in that they weren't punctuated by long Saquon Barkley TD runs.
"It wasn't pretty," Lane Johnson said. "It wasn't super explosive in the run game, but we kept attacking.
"I know [the last drive] started at the f***ing three yard line. We had a pass play [to start it off] and I was thinking, 'Do not let this guy f***ing sack Jalen.' So that's all I was thinking. It wasn't pretty but we ended up making plays, keeping drives alive. I'm exhausted. It was a tough game."
The final drive of the game ate up the entire rest of the clock (10:26 in game time), plus all three of the Steelers' timeouts, plus the two-minute warning.
"It felt like a year," Cam Jurgens said. "I don't care how many plays it was. It felt longer.
"I just think this team in general thrives in situations like that, where you can hang your hat and say, 'We're the tougher team. We're the grittier team.' We got a motto. Anyone can be the tougher player for one rep, but can you be the tougher player longer? Who's tougher longer? That's the team that's gonna win."
That's not the only motto the offensive line has. When hearing that the final drive was 21 plays, Jordan Mailata said, "Tough. Detailed. Together."
"I'm serious," Mailata said. "Tough. Detailed. Together."
Mekhi Becton, eavesdropping in the background added his own "Tough. Detailed. Together."
"That's grit," Mailata said. "That's grit. That's 'want to.' That's what it tells me about this team."
A week after A.J. Brown said that "passing" was what the offense needed to improve on, and Brandon Graham's subsequent comments that Brown's relationship with Jalen Hurts had changed, Brown and Hurts made sure to let everyone know that they're still the bestest of friends ever by doing the "Kid and Play" after a TD.
This TD celly from Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TN2CRihTqJ
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 15, 2024
Smith had 11 catches on 12 targets for 109 yards and a TD.
It's Smitty's turn 🕺@DeVontaSmith_6 | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/AhyiOWtCHA
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 15, 2024
That was the first time Smith has gone over 100 yards in a game this season.
The Steelers sought to pack the box and slow down Saquon Barkley, which they mostly did, daring the Eagles to beat them through the air. Hurts responded by finishing 25 of 32 for 290 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 INTs.
The Eagles have relied on their run game recently, because, I mean, why not with the way Barkley has been running it?
But the passing game also just felt off. It was on today.
"It's what we needed to do to win this football game," Nick Sirianni said.
Facing a 4th and 7 down 14 from the Eagles' 46 yard line with 10:40 to play, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers incomprehensibly punted.
The Steelers hang their hat on forcing turnovers, and perhaps Tomlin trusted his defense to make a big play more than he trusted his offense, but, uhhhh, nope. He never got the ball back again.
Jalen Carter lost his damn mind on the aforementioned punt and was flagged for an unnecessary roughness call, for doing this:
Lol. The Steelers were initially awarded a first down on that penalty, but it was eventually called a post-possession foul, which merely moved the ball from where it was downed at the 6 yard line half the distance to the 3.
Carter was extremely lucky that he didn't give the Steelers a new set of downs.
Big Dom and defensive line coach Clint Hurtt had to step in between Carter and a livid Nick Sirianni after the play.
Carter is a terrific player, but that can't happen.
Gainwell had 7 carries for 20 yards, as well as 3 catches on 3 targets for 40 yards. Those numbers don't sound super impressive, but all 3 of his receptions were clutch plays on third downs.
He even had this highlight reel spin move:
Kenneth Gainwell shakes 'em!
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
📺: #PITvsPHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/suz65wqdEK
Gainwell has quietly had a nice season as the RB2.
The Steelers had just 163 yards, 10 first downs, 4.0 yards per play, they were 3 for 10 on third down, and they only possessed the football for 20:08.
There wasn't any one obvious star player for the Eagles' defense in this game. It was just an excellent team effort against a quarterback in Russell Wilson who was previously 6-0 against the Eagles.
With a win or tie next Sunday in Maryland against the Commanders, the Eagles will win the NFC East and at least the 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. Their "magic number" in the NFC East is 1.
The Lions lost to the Bills, bringing their record to 12-2. The Eagles are now also 12-2 after their win over the Steelers, which means that the Eagles AND Lions are both 12-2. Trust me, I did the math on that.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Lions still hold the tiebreaker over the Eagles for the 1 seed, as do the 11-2 Vikings in most scenarios should they win the NFC North and finish with the same record as the Eagles. A quick snapshot of the tiebreaker scenarios, via Deniz Selman.
Updated NFC 1 seed scenarios: #Eagles are just one more DET loss + one MIN loss away from controlling their own fate for the NFC 1 seed. pic.twitter.com/BosS7e0guF
— Deniz Selman (@denizselman33) December 16, 2024
There's still work to do, but the Birds took a big step in the right direction with their win over the Steelers and the Lions' loss to the Bills.
Follow Jimmy & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @JimmyKempski | thePhillyVoice
Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice Sports
Add Jimmy's RSS feed to your feed reader | https://www.phillyvoice.com/handing-out-10-awards-eagles-steelers-game-2024/ | 2024-12-16T05:53:46Z |
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Cherry Chaplin (actor Rajesh Puri), who is lying next to Heavy (Satish Shah), wakes up in a cheery mood. He is all set to rock the day and wants to look like a gentleman, for which he needs, among other things, a shiny black shoe. But to his dismay, he finds that the edges of his shoe are torn. To salvage the situation, he picks Heavy’s shoes and polishes them using Cherry Blossom. The TVC, which mimics the look of a Charlie Chaplin film, ends with the tagline: `The perfect gentleman. He always wears a Cherry smile.’
The ad, part of a three-film campaign released in 1984, went on to gain recognition at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Genesis
Anand Bhardwaj, Former Group Head at Lintas, in a conversation with Storyboard18, spoke about how Cherry Blossom had 90 percent market share, and if anyone thought of shoe polish, the first name that popped up was Cherry Blossom as opposed to Kiwi, which too was available in the market.
But, there came a period when for almost a decade the brand’s sales stagnated and people found polishing shoes to be a ‘boring chore.’
“This whole concept of polishing your shoes every day was actually dying and people would wear scruffy shoes. At best, they would polish their shoes once a week or get them polished outside,” Bhardwaj recalled.
Till then, Cherry Blossom ads were matter-of-fact, with a mouthful of copy that went something like: ‘Whether the going is smooth or rough, polish your shoe with Cherry Blossom and it'll keep the leather lasting long, it'll give you a good shine.’
Bhardwaj stated, “That really didn't change the fact that the consumer found polishing shoes very boring.”
Hence, to revive the brand, Reckitt approached Lintas. Apart from people thinking of Cherry Blossom as the first brand when it came to shoe polish, the brief also was to make polishing shoes an interesting experience. The other aspect of the brief also was to not highlight the longevity of the brand or the benefits one would derive by using the product.
Per media reports, the agency presented five-six ideas to Shyamal Ghose, then Marketing Director, Reckitt, which included concepts like ‘bright new morning,’ `four year child polishing father’s shoes,’ etc. Then they presented the concept of Cherry Chaplin, who enjoys polishing his shoes.
The moment the team presented the Charlie Chaplin concept, Ghose "loved it,’’ said Bhardwaj. Now it came to making the film, and ad filmmaker, Sumantra Ghosal, who was a bit of an expert on Chaplin, was roped in.
In Chaplin’s films, there is typically a large, burly man, who’s usually a bully. Shah was signed up for the role, while Puri was chosen to portray Chaplin.
Puri, whose background is in theatre, had moved from Delhi to Mumbai and formed Ekjute, a theatre group, with a few of his colleagues. Ghosal had seen Puri in a play.
“He liked my energy and the kind of get-up I’d worn, which was similar to Chaplin’s,” said Puri.
Ghosal took his screen test, went to Lintas, and showed it to Alyque Padamsee, the former CEO of the agency. Padamsee gave a thumbs up, and the work began.
A lot of Chaplin’s films were devoured and attention was paid to how he used to shoot. This was followed by rehearsals.
The TVC was very well received. “But what was even more heartening was that after a decade, the sales of Cherry Blossom picked up,” Bhardwaj said. According to reports, business had jumped by about 25 percent.
Print and outdoor ads were released as well, featuring a sketch of Cherry Chaplin. But, the brand decided to put most of its money behind television advertising, because it was the film which really brought the brand to life, explained Bhardwaj.
The second and third films in the series were rolled out in the following years, and featured the actor Keith Stevenson, among others.
After the release of the first two films, Ghosal heard that Puri had put on weight, making him unfit for the third TVC. Hence, while Ghosal called in other actors for auditions, he also asked Puri to come over.
Puri said that when he went to meet him, veteran actor Annu Kapoor was also present. Kapoor asked him, “You’ve come for this?”, and he replied, “Yes”. Hearing which, Kapoor said, “Why would I do this if you’re there? You are a perfect fit for it. I am nowhere near you. I should not do it because you are better than me.”
The campaign also had its share of controversy. The Charlie Chaplin Museum Foundation in the USA owns the rights to the work of the legendary comedian, and they alleged the ads violated their copyrights.
In a media report, Ghose had stated that though the company did not own any copyright, they had not used any assets or properties or photographs of Chaplin, nor had they used any clip from any of his films. Reaffirming their admiration for the thespian, he said that they had created their own storyline.
As the first 90-second commercial released in India (TVCs are usually 60-seconds long at best), the ad led to speculation that a lot of money was spent on it.
“We ran a 90-second commercial and that created the impression that we were spending huge amounts. But we were only spending what Reckitt would generally spend on Cherry Blossom as a brand.” | https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/when-cherry-chaplin-made-a-brand-blossom-50466.htm | 2024-12-16T05:53:46Z |
‘It’s as if an atomic bomb fell on Mayotte:’ Widespread destruction after 100-year cyclone pummels French territory
By Lex Harvey, CNN
(CNN) — Reports of widespread damage are emerging from Mayotte after a 100-year cyclone ripped across the French archipelago Saturday, inflicting devastation that one resident likened to an atomic bomb, with hundreds and possibly even thousands of feared victims.
“The situation is catastrophic, apocalyptic,” Bruno Garcia, owner of Hotel Caribou in Mamoudzou, Mayotte’s capital, told CNN-affiliate BFMTV.
“We lost everything. The entire hotel is completely destroyed,” Garcia said. “There is nothing left. It’s as if an atomic bomb fell on Mayotte.”
Mayotte lies in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, just west of Madagascar. Made up of two main islands, its land area is about twice the size of Washington DC.
Cyclone Chido, a category 4 storm, tore through the southwestern Indian Ocean over the weekend, impacting northern Madagascar before rapidly intensifying and slamming Mayotte with winds above 220 kilometers per hour (136 miles per hour), according to France’s weather service. It was the strongest storm to hit the islands in more than 90 years, Meteo-France said.
Chido then continued into northern Mozambique where it continued to cause damage, though the storm has now weakened.
The cyclone – the worst to hit the territory of just over 300,000 in at least 90 years – flattened neighborhoods, knocked out electrical grids, crushed hospitals and schools and damaged the airport’s control tower.
“Honestly, what we are experiencing is a tragedy, you feel like you are in the aftermath of a nuclear war… I saw an entire neighborhood disappear,” Mohamed Ishmael, a Mamoudzou resident, told Reuters.
At least 11 people have been confirmed dead by the French Interior Ministry, but the true death toll is expected to be much higher, with local officials predicting the number of victims could be in the hundreds or even thousands, the Associated Press reported.
“I think there are some several hundred dead, maybe we’ll get close to a thousand. Even thousands … given the violence of this event,″ Mayotte Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville told TV station Mayotte la 1ère.
The worst damage was to neighborhoods composed of metal shacks and informal structures that are found across Mayotte, Bieuville said.
Of the official death toll, Bieuville said “this figure is not plausible when you see the images of the slums.”
“Everything has been razed”
Debris from the storm has blocked access to roads across the archipelago, making aid delivery challenging and hindering the search for survivors, BMFTV reported.
About two thirds of the island is currently unreachable, Estelle Youssouffa, member of parliament for the first constituency of Mayotte told BMFTV.
“We must not confuse the villages that are cut off from communication (…) and the shanty towns, where there is very little chance of there being survivors. Everything has been razed,” Yousouffa said.
Desperate family members took to social media to search for news of their loved ones after the storm disrupted telecommunications networks.
As of Monday morning, Mayotte had been almost entirely offline for over 36 hours, according to the website NetBlocks.
Located about 5,000 miles from Paris, Mayotte is the poorest place in the European Union and has long struggled with poverty, unemployment, social unrest and water shortages.
Over 100,000 undocumented migrants live in Mayotte, according to France’s Interior Ministry.
Hundreds of rescuers, firefighters and police have been sent to the territory from France and the nearby French territory of Reunion, though damage to the airport’s control tower means only military planes can land there, the Associated Press reported.
Cyclones, also known as typhoons and called hurricanes in North America, are enormous heat engines of wind and rain that feed on warm ocean water and moist air. Cyclone season in the southwest Indian Ocean typically runs from mid-November to the end of April, according to France’s weather agency.
Scientists say climate change is making tropical cyclones more destructive, in part due to rising sea levels caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2019, two powerful cyclones, Idai and Kenneth, pummeled Mozambique over a period of two months, killing hundreds and leaving millions in need of humanitarian assistance.
Chad Youyou, a resident in Hamjago in the north of Mayotte, posted videos to Facebook showing flattened trees and extensive damage to his village, the Associated Press reported.
“Mayotte is destroyed … we are destroyed,” he said.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | https://keyt.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2024/12/15/its-as-if-an-atomic-bomb-fell-on-mayotte-widespread-destruction-after-100-year-cyclone-pummels-french-territory/ | 2024-12-16T05:53:48Z |
Your Daily Horoscope
Discover what's in store for you today. Here's our daily horoscope for the 12 astrological sun signs...
Discover what's in store for you today. Here's our daily horoscope for the 12 astrological sun signs...
Aries
Since you want to examine things and carry out some research, you will get all the required equipment ready today. You will also be very irritable, and anyone posing a hurdle will face your wrath. Ganesha advises you to be more caring and considerate about the needs of your near and dear ones.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
Taurus
You will be particularly warm and intimate to your friends and family members. Ganesha says that you will miss no opportunity to show them how much they mean to you. Your superiors and, back at home, your elders are likely to be unusually benign and well disposed towards you. Later, you will settle down with your family members and sort out domestic effectively, to everyone liking and satisfaction.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
__PAGEBREAK__Gemini
Your heightened sensitivity could be the cause of many a problem today. You need to curb your emotions and keep your feelings in check. You will pay attention to your family and spend more time with them. An auspicious and progressive day awaits you, so make the most of it, says Ganesha.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
Cancer
The stars look fiery today, says Ganesha. Now what does that imply? There is a definite possibility of conflicts and an outburst of anger at your workplace. Try to steer clear of arguments and sticky situations as far as possible. You may also need to get your blood pressure checked, for you may feel too restless. Try your hand in adventurous or creative activities like trekking or painting. This will soothe your ruffled feathers.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
__PAGEBREAK__Leo
While the schedule you have planned for today will see some major changes, you will still stick by your decisions resolutely. If you suspect anyone of wrongdoing, now is the time to clear your misgivings. The day may start off on a tense note but by evening, things will be peaceful and calm, says Ganesha.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
Virgo
Today you will serve to be an example of sincerity and punctuality. However, Ganesha warns that the operative word should be: Caution. Ganesha advises you to pay heed to even the smallest of details and read between the lines when it boils down to contracts. Precaution is better than regretting later.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
__PAGEBREAK__Libra
Ganesha says higher officials at work will shower you with appreciation and praise for your efforts. You may even be able to get a promotion or a pay rise today. There may be intensive arguments with your enemies. New relationships will get a chance to blossom today. Your competitors will be defeated today as it is a success-filled day for you.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
Scorpio
Not so good, not so bad, is what you would feel after the day gets over. And average day at business with no major loss, foresees Ganesha. A feeling of insecurity may upset you, making you restless. Try to divert your mind by reading a self-help book. Await for a new dawn in your life.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
__PAGEBREAK__Sagittarius
Like a true Archer, targets are your aim today and focus, the buzzword. On the business front, the fast buck that you expected may not materialise. Though love may portray a rosy picture for you, today you end up having a tough time managing relationship. Be patient, advises Ganesha.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
Capricorn
You will fully utilise your talents and earn a reputation of perfectionist in your area of work. If you are stuck in a legal battle or dispute, it will come an end on a positive note. You will understand the importance of constructive criticism and learn to improve upon your behaviour, foresees Ganesha. Your opponents will get the hint that you are better than them.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
__PAGEBREAK__Aquarius
It is the day of the creative people like musicians, artists, and orators. You will look beyond the criticism coming your way and develop an understanding to aim for a better future. With unmatched enthusiasm and charm you will outshine others at work. It is your day, make the most of it, advises Ganesha.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here.
Pisces
You might leave for an unplanned work related or social journey today. Small things will give you happiness today. In short, your day after noon time will be easy going and lucky. Ganesha assures you of success at work.
For Your Weekly, Monthly and Yearly forecast, click here. | https://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/work-and-life/your-daily-horoscope-105864.html | 2024-12-16T05:53:51Z |
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In a historic move set to reshape the global media and advertising landscape, the Omnicom Group and the Interpublic Group (IPG) announced their merger this week, aimed at creating a global advertising and marketing powerhouse.
Optimism about the news drove IPG’s share price up 10 percent. The deal would reduce the Big Four of advertising (WPP, Publicis, Omnicom, and IPG) to just three. This is not the first time Omnicom has pursued consolidation on such a scale. In 2013, Omnicom and Publicis Groupe made headlines with a proposed merger valued at $35 billion, which would have created the world’s largest advertising company. However, the deal fell apart within months due to regulatory challenges.
The implications of the current merger extend far and wide signalling the start of a new era, with the combined entity poised to challenge the prevailing market structure and potentially reshape India's media and advertising landscape.
According to reports, globally, the combined 2023 revenue of Omnicom and Interpublic stands at $25.6 billion, surpassing that of WPP, which reported revenues of $18.87 billion. But in India, with WPP reigning supreme for now, will this merger shift the market dynamics? CVL Srinivas, WPP’s Country Manager for India doesn’t think so. "In fact, it’s a good thing," he said.
WPP has announced further investments in India as it scales up its Global Delivery Centre (GDC).
Edited excerpts from the interview with Srinivas.
How does WPP view the merger in terms of its impact on the competitive landscape?
There's consolidation happening all over, both on the media owner’s side and on the agency side. But we don't see that changing anything, in India at least. Having said that, of course, we respect all our competitors and wish them very well.
Do you see the IPG-Omnicom merger impact WPP's market share in India?
We don't see any impact as far as market share is concerned. If you look at the client relationships we’ve built over the years, and given that we did well in 2024, I don't see any impact.
For any business to stay relevant, it's important to be on your toes. If anything, this merger has probably put the spotlight on us even more, as a leader in this market. We've seen some of the commentary about the fact that we've been able to continue to grow our business and that despite running a really large group we work pretty seamlessly across our agencies.
In your view, is the current regulatory framework enough to manage the complexities that come with such large mergers, given competing clients and more? About 10 years back we saw the proposed merger between Publicis and Omnicom fall apart.
I would not want to comment on that because there are probably a host of reasons why that may not have worked out.
Obviously, the regulatory authorities will do their job and look at this (merger). But what is the point about client conflict? I think client conflict was probably a challenge some years ago. Today there are enough ways of ensuring that that doesn't happen. It's more about how you stay relevant and give the best talent to different clients.
With the IPG-Omnicom deal, there could be fewer, larger players dominating the space. What will be the future role of smaller, independent agencies and specialised firms?
Every agency has a role to play. We partner with a lot of startup agencies and do very creative work with them. Of course, some of them, sooner or later, find it difficult to survive independently because they need to scale, etc. But having said that, what has really helped us thrive over the last many years is the fact that we have a portfolio of agencies.
It's like a T20 team. You need all kinds of hitters to grow in the market. The industry itself is getting redefined with the kind of players that are coming in. Earlier, it was easier to define marketing as a discipline in itself. Today it has changed so much. You have consulting firms, tech companies, etc., involved because of how the industry's evolved.
It's exciting. It just keeps us charged up to come back every day and do something. | https://www.storyboard18.com/agency-news/ipg-omnicom-merger-has-put-the-spotlight-on-us-even-more-cvl-srinivas-wpp-50352.htm | 2024-12-16T05:53:53Z |
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://keyt.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2024/12/15/seven-hotel-guests-hospitalized-after-drinking-cocktails-at-5-star-fiji-resort/ | 2024-12-16T05:53:55Z |
Typhoon Fitow Hits Asia: PICS
Many people were killed and hundreds of thousands evacuated after Typhoon Fitow hit eastern China, destroying houses and farmlands and closing ports and airports.
Many people were killed and hundreds of thousands evacuated after Typhoon Fitow hit eastern China, destroying houses and farmlands and closing ports and airports.
Huge wave hits the dike as Typhoon Fitow moves to make its landfall in Wenling, east China's Zhejiang province on October 6, 2013. China was on its highest alert for Typhoon Fitow on October 6, with tens of thousands evacuated as the storm was set to slam into the east coast. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO
An aerial view shows houses and streets partially submerged by floodswaters in Yuyao, in east China'... Read More
An aerial view shows houses and streets partially submerged by floodswaters in Yuyao, in east China's Zhejiang province Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Although Typhoon Fitow landed Monday in the southeastern province of Fujian, the neighboring province of Zhejiang has been hit the hardest. (AP Photo) CHINA OUT
Read LessWENZHOU, CHINA - OCTOBER 07: Vehicles are trapped in a flooded street after typhoon Fitow made landfall on October 7, 2013 in Wenzhou, China. At least five people were killed and four others missing after typhoon Fitow made landfall in Fujian province on Monday morning.
A man holds a baby as they get onto a raft pushed by rescuers on a flooded street in Yuyao, in east ... Read More
A man holds a baby as they get onto a raft pushed by rescuers on a flooded street in Yuyao, in east China's Zhejiang province Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Although Typhoon Fitow landed Monday in the southeastern province of Fujian, the neighboring province of Zhejiang has been hit the hardest. (AP Photo) CHINA OUT
Read LessPeople wade through a flooded street in Yuyao, in east China's Zhejiang province Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Although Typhoon Fitow landed Monday in the southeastern province of Fujian, the neighboring province of Zhejiang has been hit the hardest. (AP Photo) CHINA OUT
WENZHOU, CHINA - OCTOBER 07: People row a piece of plastic foam in a flooded street after typhoon Fitow made landfall on October 7, 2013 in Wenzhou, China. At least five people were killed and four others missing after typhoon Fitow made landfall in Fujian province on Monday morning.
Commuters ride on a tricycle cross a flooded road outside a subway station in Shanghai, China Tuesda... Read More
Commuters ride on a tricycle cross a flooded road outside a subway station in Shanghai, China Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013. Typhoon Fitow slammed into southeastern China on Monday with powerful winds and heavy rains that killed at least five people, cut power, canceled flights and suspended train services. (AP Photo) CHINA OUT
Read LessWENZHOU, CHINA - OCTOBER 07: A man tries to install a door in a flooded street after typhoon Fitow made landfall on October 7, 2013 in Wenzhou, China. At least five people were killed and four others missing after typhoon Fitow made landfall in Fujian province on Monday morning.
Security guards cordon off an overflow area near the West Lake in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang ... Read More
Security guards cordon off an overflow area near the West Lake in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang province Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013. Typhoon Fitow slammed into southeastern China on Monday with powerful winds and heavy rains that killed at least five people, cut power, canceled flights and suspended train services. (AP Photo) CHINA OUT
Read LessResidents travel on a bulldozer as others walk amid a flooded street after Typhoon Fitow hit Yuyao, ... Read More
Residents travel on a bulldozer as others walk amid a flooded street after Typhoon Fitow hit Yuyao, Zhejiang province October 9, 2013. Torrential rains caused by Typhoon Fitow continued to lash Shanghai City and Zhejiang Province in eastern China, inundating roads, houses and causing river dike breaches. From Saturday to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Zhejiang saw average precipitation of 201 mm, with 717 mm in worst-hit Yuyao City, Xinhua News Agency reported. REUTERS/Lang Lang (CHINA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT DISASTER)
Read LessLoad More | https://www.indiatimes.com/news/asia/typhoon-fitow-hits-asia-pics-105850.html | 2024-12-16T05:53:57Z |
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WPP and Universal Music Group (UMG) announced a strategic partnership that will provide clients’ brands with cutting-edge audience engagement strategies leveraging the power of music. The new partnership brings together UMG’s family of artists and labels, and its global data and insights team, with WPP’s creative scale and extensive client network.
The collaborative partnership offers WPP clients’ new opportunities to connect with some of the world’s most popular artists and their music, and access to UMG’s music catalogue to unlock additional areas of amplification through data-driven and technological innovation. In addition, WPP and UMG will work together to responsibly explore new ways that AI can better help brands and artists connect and create authentic cultural moments, stated the company in a statement.
The announcement builds upon the history of successful collaboration between WPP and Universal Music Group for Brands (UMGB), as exemplified by their ongoing partnership with The Coca-Cola Company. Working together, WPP and UMG have collaborated on global initiatives such as the award-winning “Coke Studio” and “Sprite Limelight” music platforms.
Stephan Pretorius, chief technology officer, WPP, said: "Music is becoming an even more powerful cultural force, and technology is rewriting how we experience it. This partnership with UMG will allow us to leverage emerging technologies and data insights to create truly innovative music-driven campaigns for our clients, shaping the future of brand engagement."
Michael Nash, chief digital officer & executive vice president, Universal Music Group, said: “This collaboration provides benefits to stakeholders of each company. On one hand, combining innovative new technologies with UMG’s industry-leading data insights, we can create significant new commercial opportunities for our artists and songwriters. In addition, working together with WPP, we will harness and amplify the unmatched power and reach of music for WPP’s clients and brands through new strategic initiatives and programmes.” | https://www.storyboard18.com/agency-news/wpp-partners-with-umg-to-offer-music-and-entertainment-solutions-to-brands-50387.htm | 2024-12-16T05:53:59Z |
A plan to buy and rehabilitate Lindenwood Apartments, 1105 Linden Street in Cape Girardeau, has won tax credit approval from the Missouri Housing Development Corporation (MHDC).
The December 17 approval of $525,000 in federal and $367,500 in state low-income housing tax credits will allow Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri (CP-SEMO) to become owner of the 67-unit, six-story not-for-profit senior housing development originally built in 1983.
CP-SEMO is partnering with St. Louis' Sansone Group and developer Chad Hartle of RCH Development on the multi-million dollar project.
Hartle said the bid for state tax credits was competitive this year, telling the Southeast Missourian MHDC considered 127 applications and approved 36 for 2020.
"We knew going in that the process would be very competitive because there are simply not enough resources available to address the affordable housing shortage," said Hartle.
Leading Age, a trade association for elderly services operating in 38 states, noted on its website seniors represent two-thirds "of the recent increase in worst case housing needs," adding homelessness among the poor is rising among America's oldest adults.
Lindenwood Apartments qualifies for 100% assistance, meaning government rent and utility supplements allow low-income residents aged 62 and over to pay down to approximately 30% of their fixed incomes.
"We are thrilled to hear of (MHDC's) decision to move forward," said Melissa Stickel, CP-SEMO's executive director, noting the go-ahead green-lights her organization's plan to provide services to seniors by having a full-time case manager on site.
"Not only will this (project) improve the building's condition but will allow us to integrate our senior supportive services (there) and will also lift up the surrounding neighborhood," she added.
Hartle said securing MHDC's "reservation" for tax credits launches a timeline.
"It will take at least five months to get to the closing table and start construction," he said, adding that he hopes the project will be complete by the middle of 2022.
In October, RCH Development and Sansone estimated the total price of the project will be $10.8 million, including property purchase, engineering, architectural work, construction and associated "soft" costs.
The Lindenwood project was endorsed by a 6-0 vote October 5 by Cape Girardeau City Council.
Part of the vision of the project, Hartle said, is to rework the exterior aesthetics of a building considered "state of the art" when built in the early 1980s.
"We want to get away from the institutional look (Lindenwood) has (because) it looks too much like a hospital or a nursing home -- we want it to look like a 'home-home'," Hartle said at the time.
A fire protection upgrade is in the plans, he added.
"Currently, there are only sprinklers in the common areas (but) we'll put sprinklers in bedrooms, kitchens and living areas in every unit," Hartle said, noting LED lighting is planned throughout the mid-rise structure along with updated plumbing fixtures.
Additionally, Hartle said the 26-year old windows will be brought to what he termed the bronze level of the National Green Standard for energy efficiency.
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here. | https://www.semissourian.com/news/affordable-housing-proposal-for-cape-okd-by-state-agency-2855246/ | 2024-12-16T05:54:03Z |
US Scientists Win Nobel Chemistry Prize
Martin Karplus, Michael Levitt and Arieh Warshel have won this year's Nobel Prize in chemistry for laying the foundation for computer models used to understand and predict chemical processes.
Three U.S. scientists won the 2013 Nobel Prize for chemistry on Wednesday for laying the foundations for development of computers to understand complex chemical processes from the purification of exhaust fumes to photosynthesis.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in a statement, when awarding the prize of 8 million crowns ($1.25 million), that Martin Karplus, Michael Levitt and Arieh Warshel had pioneered the use of computer models that mirror chemical reactions.
The work helps in complex processes such as the development of drugs.
"Chemical reactions occur at lightning speed; electrons jump between atomic nuclei, hidden from the prying eyes of scientists," the academy added.
"The Nobel Laureates in Chemistry 2013 have made it possible to map the mysterious ways of chemistry by using computers. Detailed knowledge of chemical processes makes it possible to optimize catalysts, drugs and solar cells."
Karplus, a US and Austrian citizen, researches at the University of Strasbourg and Harvard University. Levitt, a U.S. and British citizen, is at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Warshel, a U.S. and Israel citizen, is a professor at the University of Southern California.
Chemistry was the third of this year's Nobel prizes. The prizes for achievements in science, literature and peace were first awarded in 1901 in accordance with the will of businessman and dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel.
Reuters | https://www.indiatimes.com/news/europe/karplus-levitt-warshel-win-nobel-chemistry-prize-105826.html | 2024-12-16T05:54:04Z |
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For Mitali Maheshwari, Head of Product and Marketing, TATA Starbucks, the definition of a good leader stems from understanding people, respecting their individuality, giving them opportunities to learn, keeping room for innovation and lateral thinking, fostering collaboration, bringing the team closer to looking at the larger picture, and leading by example.
In a conversation with Storyboard18, Maheshwari said, “They (good leaders) inspire creativity and encourage ownership. At Starbucks, we aim to reflect the company’s core values and build on our Third Place Experience within the team as well as to our customers. As a leader, leading with empathy and resilience helps me drive to achieve my best and motivates others to do the same.
Edited Excerpts
If you can list five of your favourite quotes on marketing and leadership?
1. The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do: Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple.
2. You have to be authentic; you have to be true, and you have to believe in your heart that this is going to work: Howard Schultz, Former CEO, Starbucks.
3. I believe in giving more than 100 percent on the field, and I don't really worry about the result if there's great commitment on the field. That's victory for me: Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
4. A brand is no longer what we tell the customer it is – It is what the consumers tell each other it is: Scott Cook.
5. The distance between number one and number two is always a constant. If you want to improve the organization, you have to improve yourself and the organization gets pulled up with you. That is a big lesson: Indra Nooyi, Chairperson and CEO, PepsiCo.
In your free time, what kind of marketing-related content do you consume
In my free time, I enjoy exploring marketing-related content on platforms like Marketing Minds, Social Media Dissect and more. Exploring such content not only keeps me updated with the latest in the field but also inspires fresh perspectives and fuels my passion for sharpening my expertise in marketing. It’s a balance of staying informed and staying curious.
What were the last five videos you viewed on any social platform
I’ve always been drawn to videos that strike an emotional chord or inspire through storytelling. The last few videos I watched included Rafael Nadal’s emotional farewell to his incredible tennis journey, and the rise of Diljit Dosanjh, celebrating his global success as one of the biggest Punjabi artists in our country.
I’ve also been diving into content on coffee roasting and brewing innovations, both from brands and user- generated sources. Additionally, Instagram feeds me with content that aligns with my love for food, especially showcasing unique dining experiences from experiential restaurants and bakeries.
Who are your favourite creators and what draws you to them
I’m captivated by creators who master storytelling, creativity, and authenticity across diverse interests.
Dancers like Shakti Mohan and Terence Lewis inspire me with their raw passion and artistry.
Similarly, creators championing women in leadership by sharing stories of breaking barriers resonate deeply with me. Influencers like Ananya Birla, Shreya Krishnan, and Vani Kola embody this spirit. For those lighter, relatable moments, I find joy in the work of comedy creators like Kusha Kapila and Dolly Singh, for their witty, refreshing take on life.
Influencers like Shivesh Bhatia and Kamiya Jani captivate me with their travel stories, as they are always accompanied by their signature cup of coffee.
What is your sport/fitness/wellbeing routine
My fitness routine is a mix of strength and cardio to keep it balanced and enjoyable. I exercise four to five times a week and focus on strength training during weekdays to build resilience and endurance. On weekends, I switch it up with spinning or a dance routine to keep it fun and dynamic. It’s a routine that keeps me energised and motivated while making wellness a priority.
How does your routine weekend go? What does your favourite kind of weekend look like?
On routine weekends, I spend time with family, catch up with friends, visit cafes, and dive into activities like music, reading, and dance/spinning workshops. On the other hand, my ideal weekend is a quick escape from Mumbai - enjoying good coffee, wine, and clear skies in a peaceful spot.
What have you been watching on weekends
I love catching up on some of the most iconic films and TV shows like The Godfather, Friends, and The Office. These classics never fail to entertain and inspire me. At the same time, I like to stay updated with new and upcoming movies as well.
What are you reading? Any recommendations
I recently finished Ikigai, which explores the Japanese concept of finding purpose in life, and it is an insightful read. Another book I enjoyed reading was Emotional Intelligence for Leaders, which offers valuable lessons on leadership and self-awareness.
Any work or life hack you swear by + What's your advice to avoid personal and professional burnout
To avoid burnout, I focus on maintaining a balance that includes personal growth and professional development. Taking guilt-free breaks, whether it’s visiting cafes and restaurants, travelling, meeting people or pursuing hobbies helps recharge my energy and sparks new insights. These moments of downtime feed back into my creativity and productivity.
A piece of professional wisdom you would like to share with next-Gen marketers
My advice to next-gen marketers is threefold:
1. First, don’t be afraid to take risks. While safer strategies may guarantee certain results, stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something different is what will truly set you apart as a marketer.
2. Second, focus on attention to detail. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to rush to solutions, but thorough research and a deep understanding of the problem are critical to creating impactful strategies.
3. Lastly, always keep in sight what builds great brands. While data and performance metrics are crucial factors, remember that brand loyalty comes from emotional connections and the art of brand building. Trust your gut—it’s often as valuable as the numbers.
What’s the best advice you’ve got or heard on life
The best advice I’ve heard is to step out of your comfort zone and explore the unknown, even when it feels uncomfortable. A quote by Friedrich Nietzsche that says, “Those who can’t hear the music think the dancer is mad,” reminds me that we all have our own rhythm. Don’t be afraid to dance to the music and leave the safe space behind. Doing so opens up new opportunities and helps you unlock your true potential. It’s about taking that leap, and trusting yourself on a consistent basis will eventually lead to growth.
According to you, what makes a good leader?
A good leader understands people and respects their individuality, gives opportunities to learn keeping room for innovation and lateral thinking, fosters collaboration bringing the team closer to looking at the larger picture, and leads by example. They inspire creativity and encourage ownership. At Starbucks, we aim to reflect the company’s core values and build on our Third Place Experience within the team as well as to our customers. As a leader, leading with empathy and resilience helps me drive to achieve my best and motivates others to do the same. | https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/a-good-leader-gives-room-for-innovation-and-lateral-thinking-mitali-maheshwari-tata-starbucks-50419.htm | 2024-12-16T05:54:06Z |
Passenger Lands Plane After Pilot Dies
When the pilot of his small plane collapsed in the cockpit, passenger John Wildey took the controls of the Cessna 172 over England, and suddenly began his first experience of landing — with some help from instructors on the ground.
When the pilot of his small plane collapsed in the cockpit, passenger John Wildey took the controls of the Cessna 172 over England, and suddenly began his first experience of landing — with some help from instructors on the ground.
"I hadn't a clue what to do to get down," the 77-year-old Wildey told the BBC on Wednesday. "I've never flown a plane before."
Officials at Humberside Airport in northwest England put emergency plans into place and flight instructors were called in to help Wildey after the mayday call went out Tuesday evening.
Soon after he landed, his friend the pilot, the only other person aboard the aircraft, died.
Wildey praised the flight instructors who talked him through several attempts to land before he touched down in the dark in what he described as a "controlled crash."
He said he began to veer off the runway as he was attempting to reach the brakes and could see a wall rapidly approaching.
"I thought 'I ain't going to do it,' but we managed to stop in the end," he said.
Emergency services were waiting when the plane touched down, after a few bumps.
Rob Murray, one of the flight instructors, said he was glad to have helped and that Wildey did a "remarkable job," given he had never flown a plane before.
"It's a fantastic feeling, knowing I have achieved something and probably saved somebody's life," Murray said.
He said the atmosphere in the control tower was tense and there were handshakes but no cheers when the plane touched down.
The emergency landing occurred not far from Sandtoft Airfield, where the plane had planned to return after a short flight.
At a news conference at Humberside Airport, commercial director Paul Litten expressed his condolences to the family of the man who died. Police said an inquest will be carried out to establish what caused the pilot's death.
AP | https://www.indiatimes.com/news/europe/passenger-lands-plane-after-pilot-dies-midflight-105914.html | 2024-12-16T05:54:10Z |
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Gurpreet Singh Bhatia has been appointed as “CEO & President” of Advanced Materials Division of Arvind Ltd.
Bhatia, BE in mechanical engineering by qualification, brings over 33 years of diverse experience in the oil, energy, and manufacturing sectors. He has held senior leadership roles, including MD & CEO of Livguard Energy, where he drove business growth, innovation, and operational excellence, and vice president – B2B at Castrol India, managing key business portfolios and strategic partnerships.
He also gained international exposure during his tenure with Shell, where he honed his expertise in global energy markets and operational strategies, stated the company in a statement. His career spans sales, marketing, brand building, and operational leadership across global and multicultural teams, with contributions in energy transition, OEM marketing, and channel management. He has also led new market entries, global contract negotiations, and largescale organizational transformations. | https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/arvind-ltds-advanced-materials-division-appoints-gurpreet-singh-bhatia-as-ceo-president-50484.htm | 2024-12-16T05:54:13Z |
10 Most Googled Indian Politicians
BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has emerged as the most searched politician on the Internet in the country during March-August period, according to search giant Google. Top 10...
BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has emerged as the most searched politician on the Internet in the country during March-August period, according to search giant Google. Top 10...
BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has emerged as the most searched politician on the Internet in the country during March-August period.
He was followed by Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi.
UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi occupies the third position
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is fourth on the list.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal is fifth.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa occupies the sixth position.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav ranks seventh.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is eighth most searched.
Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj is ninth on the list.
Congress leader Digvijay Singh completes the top 10. | https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/10-most-googled-indian-politicians-105721.html | 2024-12-16T05:54:16Z |
Cambridge, Oxford's Lawsuit Against DU
The lawsuit, filed by Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press and Taylor & Francis against Delhi University and the shop threatens production of "course packs" -- de facto "textbooks" made of photocopied portions of various books.
A cramped, one-room shop tucked away in Delhi University seems an unlikely battleground for a publishing war that, academics warn, threatens quality of and access to education in the world's second most populous nation.
The busy shop, where photocopiers churn out papers for a steady stream of students for a small fee, is at the centre of a court battle brought by three venerable academic presses over the interpretation of India's copyright law.
The lawsuit, filed by Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press and Taylor & Francis against Delhi University and the shop threatens production of "course packs" -- de facto "textbooks" made of photocopied portions of various books.
Course packs are common throughout much of the developing world -- where most university students cannot afford to purchase new or even second-hand textbooks -- and are seen as key to the spread of education there.
Distinguished Indian academics have lined up to express dismay over the suit, including Nobel Prize winner and Harvard University professor Amartya Sen, warning that these packs could become expensive, or unavailable altogether, hitting students hard.
"As an OUP (Oxford University Press) author I would like to urge my publisher to not draw on the full force of the law to make these course packs impossible to generate and use," Sen wrote in an open letter last September, a month after the case was filed in the Supreme Court.
"Educational publishers have to balance various interests, and the cause (access to) of education must surely be a very important one," he wrote.
Experts fear that the case could set a precedent that forces the closure of such shops in India. Universities that still want to provide packs to their students could instead be forced into potentially expensive licencing arrangements with publishers to reproduce the texts.
Amita Baviskar, associate professor at the Institute of Economic Growth at Delhi University, who has campaigned against the suit, calls it "a case of big-name publishers bullying academics, students and a small shop to make more profit".
"If the court rules in favour of the publishers, access to educational material will become more expensive and the quality of students' learning will suffer. Students will struggle without course packs," Baviskar told AFP.
Indian copyright law already allows students and academics to photocopy textbook excerpts freely for educational use, under a "fair dealing" provision, according to Baviskar.
Publishers, however, argue that this provision, while allowing an individual to copy small numbers of pages for academic use, doesn't extend to a profit-making photocopying shop generating entire course packs.
According to Sudhir Malhotra, president of the Federation of Indian Publishers, "a photocopying shop which copies excerpts from various books and then sells the resulting course pack for a profit...this is not fair use, this is commercial exploitation of private property".
"It's not as if photocopiers are doing it for free. So why blame publishers for wanting their share?" Malhotra told AFP.
The practice of copying textbook excerpts is "typical of emerging economies", according to copyright experts like Jeremy de Beer, associate professor of law at the University of Ottawa in Canada.
__PAGEBREAK__His published work on the issue includes a 2010 book on copyright law and access to education in eight developing nations, including South Africa, Senegal, Egypt and Kenya.
"What I found was that most universities lack the resources to buy brand-new copies of academic books, so photocopying is integral to the education there," de Beer told AFP in a phone interview.
Most libraries de Beer visited housed only one copy of each textbook on the syllabus, making it necessary to photocopy whole books, he said.
Licensing deals long resisted
Publishers do not expect a massive boom in textbook sales even if the lawsuit succeeds, he said. Instead Indian universities are expected to be pushed into new copying arrangements with publishers.
"As far as this case in India is concerned, publishers have an ulterior motive. They want to create a system whereby the university obtains a copying licence from the publisher in exchange for a flat fee per student," he said.
So far, universities have been reluctant to sign licence deals, saying they can rely -- through their small photocopy shops -- on "fair use" legal provisions to photocopy material.
The Supreme Court of Canada in 2004 ruled on a similar case filed by three legal publishers against the Law Society of Upper Canada. Its verdict supported the Law Society's right to photocopy library materials.
The crucial issue, according to de Beer, is whether an Indian court will regard a privately-held photocopying shop in the same light as a not-for-profit library, and whether the court supports licencing deals.
"If the court in Delhi supports licencing then publishers can use India as an example to drive a global trend," he said.
"In the past, Indian courts have set precedents with important implications for other emerging economies," he said, citing landmark rulings on issues like pharmaceutical patents that helped expand access to cheap drugs in developing nations.
"This case has the potential to create similar shock waves."
Prem Vipin said his shop in Delhi University, with its six-odd photocopiers and mounds of papers, remains open as the court battle drags on. But he fears for the future, not just for his business but for the students too.
"We face tough times. But it is the students who will suffer the most," he said.
AFP | https://www.indiatimes.com/news/more-from-india/cambridge-oxfords-lawsuit-against-delhi-university-105915.html | 2024-12-16T05:54:17Z |
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As a seasoned advertising professional, Mohit Mishra's career has spanned over 20 years, with stints at some of the biggest names in the industry, including WPP, Publicis, Lintas, and Cheil. But his transition to the real estate sector was driven by a desire to tackle new challenges and build experiences from the ground up. Speaking exclusively with Storyboard18, Mishra reflects on how his advertising experience shaped his approach to marketing in the commercial real estate sector, particularly at DLF.
Edited Excerpts
What inspired you to transition into the real estate sector, and how has your perspective on marketing evolved in this industry?
I was an advertising professional for about 20 years of my career, having worked with agencies like WPP, Publicis, Lintas, and Cheil to name a few. Rather than working on established players and brands, I was always kicked about building newer categories and turning challenger brands into leading brands.
Laying a foundation of the marketing ecosystem from scratch and working with partners to create brand identities and content platforms have always excited me more than becoming another cog in the wheel in the marketing journey of an established brand.
B2B marketing for the commercial real estate office segment was exactly the kind of challenge I wanted to pick up when I decided to don the marketing hat, leveraging the Integrated Communication Management experience of my advertising days.
Pre-pandemic, it was an organized but unbranded category with little or no strategic contribution of Marketing to the Business Impact but the microenvironment has changed drastically in the last 4. Today it's not just the product that matters but also the brand, its differentiators, and its affinity to the core decision-makers beyond transactions.
What unique marketing strategies have you employed to differentiate DLF’s office business in a competitive market?
The differentiators for DLF Office business come from the core of the company’s ethos of delivering world-class sustainable, safe, social, and scalable space solutions to our esteemed tenant workforce comprising Fortune 500 and 1000 companies.
We believe in making and operating workplaces that respect ecology, optimize the usage of energy and water resources, and reduce waste. Our workplaces enable wellness and good health apart from being operationally safe and secure. The social infrastructure that we provide has a good blend of retail amenities with ease of connectivity and transport.
With hybrid work models becoming the norm post-pandemic, how is DLF adapting its office spaces to cater to the changing needs of businesses and employees?
The people who come to work in offices spend approx. 10 hours of their active life on the premises. Our endeavour is to make them as ‘social spaces’ rather than just workstations with amenities and infrastructure to connect and collaborate. Thus we give a special emphasis to more open areas, places to converge and work collectively.
What parallels do you see between promoting consumer electronics and marketing office spaces? Are there any lessons you've carried over?
Both the categories are valued and non-impulsive buys. Please do extensive research, evaluate the brand fit, and then decide on what compliments their vision. The customer journey post-purchase/lease also lasts normally a decade and thus the experiences in the post-purchase journey define their affinity with the brand and the likelihood of a repeat buy.
How is DLF incorporating green initiatives in its office business, and how do you communicate this to your audience?
We walk the talk on our Green Initiatives. DLF Offices is the world leader in Sustainable workplaces, with the entire portfolio being certified LEED Platinum by the US Green Building Council. Our endeavours to build sustainable communities in Gurugram and Chennai have bagged us LEED Platinum for Cities and Communities.
Our initiatives to reduce waste led to LEED Zero Waste certifications for Hyderabad, Chennai, and Gurugram and the water conservation practices have resulted in a LEED Zero Water certification for 45 of our projects.
The above becomes the backbone of my sustainability and green initiatives communication to my audience through social media, direct tenant connect and displays in the building lobbies.
As someone who has led teams across various organizations, what is your approach to fostering creativity and innovation within your marketing team at DLF?
I like mentoring people more than managing them. My team is a bunch of young energetic lot who are candid with their expressions and vocal with their point of view. I encourage them to change the status quo and contribute with initiatives and ideas that may be norms in traditional real estate communication but are appreciated by my target audience.
I also encourage them to learn new MarTech tools as their learning curve is much steeper owing to their young age. Once trained, they need to leverage their learnings on live cases.
Is there a particular quote or philosophy that you like and motivates you?
I live by the philosophy of ‘Planet before Profit’. I had inherited a much cleaner and liveable environment from my ancestors and want to leave the planet in a better condition than what it is now.
Outside of work, what are your favourite hobbies or activities? Are there any books, movies, or experiences that have significantly shaped your perspective?
I am an ardent fan of Indian Yoga and Ayurveda. I am trying to imbibe the learnings of Yoga, both in my fitness practice as well as my thought process. | https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/cmo-weekender-planet-before-profit-mohit-mishras-philosophy-that-motivates-him-50058.htm | 2024-12-16T05:54:20Z |
Delhi Building Collapse: PICS
At least two people were killed and one person was injured when a 50-year-old three-storeyed building collapsed in Delhi.
At least two people were killed and one person was injured when a 50-year-old three-storeyed building collapsed in Delhi.
An Indian rescue worker walks over the debris of a collapsed building as he speaks on his phone in N... Read More
An Indian rescue worker walks over the debris of a collapsed building as he speaks on his phone in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. The three-story home was located in a crowded residential area of northern New Delhi, where narrow roads made rescue and cleanup efforts difficult. At least two people were killed in the collapse, according to local sources. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)
Read LessIndian women watch from the window of their house as rescue workers clean up the debris of a collaps... Read More
Indian women watch from the window of their house as rescue workers clean up the debris of a collapsed building in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. The three-story home that collapsed in India’s capital was located in a crowded residential area of northern New Delhi, where narrow roads made rescue and cleanup efforts difficult. Two people are reported dead. At least two people were killed in the collapse, according to local sources. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)
Read LessIndian rescue workers remove debris after a three-story building collapsed in New Delhi, India, Wedn... Read More
Indian rescue workers remove debris after a three-story building collapsed in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. The building was located in a crowded residential area of northern New Delhi, where narrow roads made rescue and cleanup efforts difficult. At least two people were killed in the collapse, according to local sources. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)
Read LessA tiger toy lies in the debris of a collapsed building in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013.... Read More
A tiger toy lies in the debris of a collapsed building in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. The three-story home was located in a crowded residential area of northern New Delhi, where narrow roads made rescue and cleanup efforts difficult. At least two people were killed in the collapse, according to local sources. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)
Read LessA television hangs on the wall of a damaged building as Indian rescue workers stand at the scene aft... Read More
A television hangs on the wall of a damaged building as Indian rescue workers stand at the scene after a three-storey residential building collapsed in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. The home was located in a crowded residential area of northern New Delhi, where narrow roads made rescue and cleanup efforts difficult. At least two people were killed in the collapse, according to local sources. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)
Read LessAn Indian man watches rescue workers clean up debris of a collapsed building in New Delhi, India, We... Read More
An Indian man watches rescue workers clean up debris of a collapsed building in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. The three-story home that collapsed in India’s capital was located in a crowded residential area of northern New Delhi, where narrow roads made rescue and cleanup efforts difficult. At least two people were killed in the collapse, according to local sources. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)
Read LessLoad More | https://www.indiatimes.com/news/more-from-india/delhi-building-collapse-pics-105837.html | 2024-12-16T05:54:24Z |
ASTANA—Marco Alberti, the Ambassador of Italy to Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic, reflected on his transformative three-year tenure in Kazakhstan in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times. He emphasized the two nations’ creative synergy and deepening economic and cultural ties. As his time in Kazakhstan draws to a close, Alberti offers insights into the lessons he has learned and his vision for the future of Italian-Kazakh relations.
Economic and cultural ties flourish
Over the past three and a half years, Italy and Kazakhstan have achieved significant milestones in their bilateral relations, particularly in trade and cultural exchange.
“Italy is still Kazakhstan’s third global commercial partner and the number one in Europe. The trade turnover significantly soared by 40-45% over the last years, with exports of Made in Italy almost doubled. Besides, we remain the largest importer of Kazakh goods,” Alberti said.
The Italian Ambassador emphasized that Italy’s approach to enhancing bilateral relations was crafted by three strategic drivers: diversification, complementarity, and innovation.
“Diversification was, is and will always be essential for our cooperation. Historically, the Italian presence in Kazakhstan has been focused on oil and gas. Good, but not enough. We aimed to expand our presence into different industries, like petrochemicals, agribusiness, tourism, creative industries and renewable energies, to accompany Kazakhstan towards its full decarbonization. I have seen Italy and Kazakhstan working hard to transform their excellent bliateral relations intoa partnership. To that purpose, President’s Tokayev’s visit to Rome in January ‘24 was a realboost,” he said.
The second driver, complementarity, was developed to highlight the strengths of both countries.
“Kazakhstan is a vast country, and we are a small one. You have massive natural resources, while Italy can offer cutting-edge technologies. You have large companies. At the same time, 95% of Italy’s GDP is generated by small and medium-sized businesses. If strategically managed, this diversity can bring additional value,” he said.
Innovation rounded out Alberti’s approach, with Italy adopting new methods to boost exports and build stronger connections.
“Innovation means putting creativity to work. We can do new things or the same things in a new way. In both cases, solid cooperation with public and private partners, Italian and Kazakh, is necessary to build up future-proof relations. Innovation requires the creative energy and resources of the private sector as well as the strong support of the public sector. We have new Italian players in Kazakhstan: the Italian Cultural Institute in Almaty, for example, or Confindustria Kazakhstan, the local subsidiary of the major association of Italian companies. On the other hand, the Kazakh government opened this year a new Kazakh Invest office in Milan, to work with small and medium sized businesses, increase trade turnover and attract new investnents to the country,” he added.
Alberti noted that cultural promotion often intersects with business.
“Cultural promotion fosters open dialogue, friendship and peace but also contributes to business and competitiveness. First, because societal norms, values, and traditions shape entrepreneurship. Different cultures have unique approaches to business, which must be known. Furthermore, cultural promotion generates a positive influence that facilitates business opportunities. Several initiatives of our programs were designed in cooperation with Kazakh partners to promote Italian culture and, simultaneously, to enhance visibility in Kazakhstan,” he said.
“In 2022, along with Kazakh Tourism, we invited an Italian solo piano artist to play inside the Charyn Canyon: we were promoting Italian music while shedding light on one of Kazakhstan’s most popular tourist destinations. The exhibition of La Bella Principessa by Leonardo da Vinci was a strong promotion of Italian culture, but it also positively impacted Astana. Working this way helps me face a critical challenge: navigating new cross-cultural interactions. Some 28,000 visas, of which 2,000 were issued to Kazakh students, in 2024 prove that bilateral relations are growing at every level. A lot has been done, but there is still much to do!” he added.
A nomadic reflection: lessons learned
As his tenure comes to an end, Alberti reflected on the bittersweet nature of being a diplomat.
“Diplomats are nomads. With its nomadic culture, Kazakhstan taught me the importance of cherishing every moment of our lives. We know we will stay for a while, and we know that we will have to leave someday. Being aware that you have limited time pushes you to value every second of your life and invest more deeply in the present,” he added.
Alberti described feeling both happy and sad as he prepares to leave.
“I did my best to offer Kazkahstan the best of Italy. What we achieved, thanks to the great team of the embassy and many Kazakh partners, makes me happy. Yet, I am also sad. The sadness of leaving is somehow positive: it reminds me of the privilege of serving in Kazakhstan at this particular time in history while the country is going through a deep modernization process. Every circumstance has been rewarding, including the difficult ones,” he said.
“Kazakhstan taught me to be perseverant and to value the truth of the saying: ‘The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It’s not about where you are, but who you are,” he added.
“Kazakhstan in 10 Words”: a unique perspective
Alberti’s experiences have inspired him to write a book titled “Kazakhstan in 10 Words”, capturing his insights and reflections.
“I believe that if you have a great experience, you must tell it everyone. Sharing knoewledge, perceptions, feelings, enriches both yourself and those who listen to your story. The book is built around ten words, each of them capturing the essence of the experience I lived in Kazakhstan,” he said.
The concept of the book is collaborative and personal.
“I asked some Kazakh friends to suggest some words that represent their country. Then, I immersed myself in those concepts, by living a real experience linked to the word. Finally, I turned those feelings into written words,” he explained.
Written entirely during working flights across Kazakhstan, the book is concise—50 to 60 pages long—and designed to be read in the time it takes to travel between the country’s cities.
“Life is a journey, and traveling is the essence of our lives, especially if we are nomad by profession, like diplomats are. We have a container, not a yurt. We move by plane, not on horseback. But we are travelers, and the idea was writing a book while traveling,” he said.
One of the keywords in the book is “woman.” Alberti highlighted the pivotal role of women in Kazakhstan’s modernization.
“One of the driving forces of the new Kazakhstan are women. I met very talented women here. Their potential, still partially untapped, is a cornerstone of the country’s future,” he said.
“The road is still long, but something is changing, and I am optimistic,” he added.
A culinary and cultural mosaic
Kazakhstan’s hospitality left a lasting impression on Alberti.
“I was positively shocked by the culture of sharing food. In many places, people invite you to share a drink. Instead, here in Kazakhstan, as in Italy, the guest is primarily invited to share food, which has a deep cultural meaning connected to family and hospitality. Food is feeding: you feed your beloved ones, you feed your guests, you feed your relations with friends, colleagues, stakeholders,” he said.
He also marveled at Kazakhstan’s diverse culinary traditions, which mirror its multi-ethnic society.
“A Kazakh dinner reflects unity in diversity. You experience an incredible mix of recipes and flavors, showcasing the country’s rich heritage,” he said.
Bridging cultures through creativity
“Creativity is not only inspiration. It is the ability to find new solutions to solve complex problems, whatever we do. As the complexity of society grows, creativity becomes a key driver for facing and overcoming challenges,” said Alberti, emphasizing how cultural exchange has been a cornerstone of Italy-Kazakhstan relations.
“In Kazakhstan, I discovered an incredible reservoir of talent and ingenuity, reflecting the same creativity and innovative spirit that defines Italy,” he added.
“Kazakh people have the instinct to explore, which I adore. Yet, instinct is not enough: we need to cooperate to turn ideas into projects and projects into tangible results. Tomas Edison once said: ‘The value of an idea lies in the ability of putting it into practice.’ To the same extent, this is the essence of our bilateral cooperation, as I conceived it over these years: in politics, economics, culture or whatever else sector we are committed to, ideas must become projects and projects have to bring results,” he said.
A poignant example is the artwork “Rosa Caprice.” In 2022, to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Kazakhstan, a symbolic artwork made by the Italian artist Luisa Valentini was unveiled. Initially displayed at the Astana Opera, the rose was later gifted to the Italian Embassy.
“This artwork enshrines a strong symbolic meaning. Having the rose here at the embassy reminds us nothing must be taken for granted. Like flowers, friendship and international relations must be watered and nurtured daily, if we want them to flourish and shine,” he said. | https://astanatimes.com/2024/12/a-testament-to-friendship-italian-ambassador-reflects-on-three-years-in-kazakhstan/ | 2024-12-16T05:54:27Z |
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Nick Lawson, who led EssenceMediacom as global chief executive has stepped down from his position.
Lawson shared in a note, "I first walked through the doors of Media Business on July 1, 1991. While I didn't immediately realise I had found my place, it became clear that I had within that first year. I had joined a company that allowed me to be myself and supported me consistently — a key reason I stayed so long."
He further added, "It's been an extraordinary journey. I was employee number 38; now, we are nearly 10,000 strong, spread across 90 countries. We've evolved from a small independent UK media agency into the largest media agency network globally. Over the decades, I've had the privilege of working in nearly every role you can imagine within an agency, and I've loved every moment. I'm incredibly proud of the company we've built – we always knew we were more than just a 10-minute slot at the end of every creative presentation!"
Lawson began his career at MediaCom as CEO of the UK region and was elevated to the position of worldwide COO. In his past role as global CEO of EssenceMediacom, he led 120 offices across 96 markets, and was responsible for driving the networks business development, marketing and product offers. | https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/essencemediacoms-global-ceo-nick-lawson-steps-down-50456.htm | 2024-12-16T05:54:27Z |
IN PICS: IAF Celebrates Annual Day
The Indian Air Force celebrated its 81st Annual Day Parade on 8th October 2013
The Indian Air Force celebrated its 81st Annual Day Parade on 8th October 2013
Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 Globemaster III, center, and SU-30 MKI fly by during Air Force Day at Hindon, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013.
Indian Air Force (IAF) jets perform a display during Air Force Day at Hindon, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013.
Indian Air Force Sukhoi S30 perform manoeuvres during a parade
ndian Air Force (IAF) Sarang helicopters perform during Air Force Day.
Indian Air Force "Sarang" helicopter display team performs during the Indian Air Force Day celebrations at the Hindon air force station
Paratroopers from the Indian Air Force (IAF) perform during Indian Air Force Day
Indian Air Force C-17
Indian Air Force personnel march during a parade at the Hindon Air Force station
Indian Air Force personnell march past a C-130J aircraft during a parade at the Hindon Air Force station
Indian Air Force soldiers perform during the Indian Air Force Day celebrations at the Hindon air force station
Load More | https://www.indiatimes.com/news/more-from-india/in-pics-indian-air-force-celebrates-annual-day-105727.html | 2024-12-16T05:54:30Z |
If there is one underestimated political trend that defined the global transformations of 2024, it is the erosion of value-based politics. This shift – a growing skepticism toward policies and alliances premised on shared values – has profoundly influenced international relations.
Key developments such as the rise of middle powers, the conservative wave in Europe and the resounding electoral success of Donald Trump in the United States all point to this underlying trend. Value-based approaches, which have underpinned Western foreign policy for decades, are increasingly seen as inadequate foundations for both domestic and international governance. While this perspective has long resonated with states outside Western influence, 2024 marked a watershed moment when the limitations of value-driven policy became undeniable within Western circles as well.
For much of the post-Cold War era, Western nations pursued a foreign policy centered on democratic values, human rights and the rule of law. This approach was instrumental in shaping alliances and fostering international cooperation. However, the global environment has shifted dramatically. Emerging powers in regions like Latin America, Middle East, Indo-Pacific and Central Asia have prioritized pragmatism over values, focusing on tangible economic and security benefits. As these actors gain influence, value-based narratives struggle to remain relevant in a multipolar world.
This erosion does not imply that values hold no benefit; quite the contrary. Democratic and liberal values rose to prominence because of their intrinsic benefits, which are realized in the economic and political gains that Western countries enjoy today. However, in the West, these processes were gradual and tailored to the specific needs of individual countries. Attempting to impose these values on all nations as a one-size-fits-all model often leads to poor outcomes, weakening the appeal of these values and, at worst, provoking pushback and resentment. This dynamic is exacerbated by external actors—some of whom are not benign—that exploit instability as a weapon. From this perspective, value-based policies that seek unity often result in further division.
The resurgence of conservatism in Europe and Trump’s victory in the U.S. underscore the growing appeal of transactional politics over ideological alignment. Leaders increasingly question the practicality of upholding abstract principles in the face of domestic challenges and international competition. Moreover, the dissonance between rhetoric and reality – evident in selective adherence to values – has further eroded the credibility of value-based policies. This disillusionment has created fertile ground for alternative approaches that prioritize national interests and pragmatism.
The problems of value-based politics in a multipolar world
The key problem with value-based politics lies in its origins: it stems from a sense of superiority cultivated during the era of a newly monopolar world. During this time, there was a belief that democratic and liberal values, as interpreted by the West, represented the sole viable path forward for global progress. However, this hypothesis has been tested by time and revealed a far more nuanced reality. The world is not a dichotomy of black and white but a spectrum of diverse shades of grey. In this increasingly complex and multipolar world, value-based politics lacks the depth and flexibility required for consistent and effective implementation. This deficiency has resulted in inconsistent applications and interpretations, which in turn fuel perceptions of double standards.
The contrasting interpretations of the war in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict provide poignant examples. These cases demonstrate how the application of values varies significantly depending on geopolitical interests and alignments. Such discrepancies weaken the credibility of value-driven policies and provoke skepticism or outright resentment from nations and populations that feel sidelined or misunderstood by these frameworks. These policies’ inability to adapt to regional complexities not only diminishes their effectiveness but also exacerbates the sense of alienation and distrust among affected nations.
The focus on shared values as a paramount factor has also deepened societal and political divisions in domestic politics. By framing opposing sides as having fundamentally incompatible values rather than differing interests, these narratives have widened rifts between political parties and their constituencies. The opposing side is often seen not merely as a competitor but as an ideological adversary, leading to an increasingly polarized and adversarial political climate.
This polarization has contributed to a general societal fatigue, evident in phenomena such as the ‘conservative wave’ that swept across Europe. This wave unified disparate groups who opposed various aspects of value-based policies—including globalization skeptics, nationalists, and populists—into a broad coalition of resistance. In the United States, a similar backlash occurred, compounded by widespread disillusionment with the media. The surprising outcomes of elections left many questioning the underlying assumptions about political consensus and societal cohesion.
These developments raise critical questions about the limits of freedom and the consequences of imposing more freedom on those who resist it. Excessive attempts to implement value-based policies can provoke strong negative reactions, not just against controversial measures but even against fundamentally beneficial ones. This pushback underscores the need for a recalibrated approach that acknowledges the diversity of societal contexts and the risks of overreach.
Central Asia and the shift to pragmatic politics
Central Asia—a region historically shaped by its strategic location and intersection of great power interests—offers a unique lens through which to examine the decline of value-based politics. The region’s leaders have long eschewed ideological alignment, opting instead for a multivector approach that balances relationships with major powers such as Russia, China, and the United States. In this context, the erosion of values-driven diplomacy aligns with Central Asia’s established practice of prioritizing stability, sovereignty, and economic development.
The diminishing utility of value-based policies is also evident in that different Western nations apply different strategies to the region. Since 2022, the EU and the U.K. have adopted a much more pragmatic stance on Central Asia, focusing on developing mutually beneficial cooperation alongside the Middle Corridor. Meanwhile, the United States has yet to establish a strategic approach to the region, resulting in inconsistent and sporadic relations. This lack of a cohesive U.S. strategy highlights the challenges of aligning value-based rhetoric with practical engagement in a multipolar world.
The region’s leaders are likely to favor partnerships that deliver concrete outcomes, such as infrastructure investment, energy cooperation, and security guarantees. This pragmatism has already been evident in the growing influence of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Russia’s renewed focus on Central Asia as part of its ‘pivot to the East’.
While pragmatism offers immediate benefits, the abandonment of values-driven policy is not without risks. To adapt to the shifting global order, Central Asia must embrace a nuanced approach that balances pragmatism with the pursuit of shared principles. While immediate priorities may center on economic and security partnerships, the region’s long-term resilience depends on fostering good governance, transparency and regional cooperation.
For Western nations, the decline of values-driven diplomacy calls for a recalibration of their engagement strategies. Rather than abandoning principles altogether, they should integrate them into pragmatic frameworks that align with the priorities of partner states. By demonstrating the tangible benefits of governance reforms and inclusive policies, Western nations can remain relevant players in Central Asia and beyond.
The replacement of value-based approaches with pragmatic, interest-driven policies offers significant benefits for Central Asia. A focus on mutual benefit and concrete outcomes enables the region to deepen relations with the United States under the Trump administration and expand European Union engagement in critical infrastructure projects, such as the Middle Corridor. Crucially, this can be achieved without undermining the fundamentals of Central Asia’s multivector policy or aggravating relations with major regional powers like China and Russia.
Central Asia’s strategic pragmatism—prioritizing stability, sovereignty, and economic development—has already positioned it as a region adept at balancing competing interests. By embracing an approach centered on shared interests rather than imposed values, the region can further its development while maintaining the geopolitical equilibrium necessary for long-term resilience. The focus on pragmatic partnerships also mitigates the risks of external exploitation, ensuring that Central Asia’s unique position in the multipolar world remains an asset rather than a vulnerability.
The author is Miras Zhiyenbayev, the head of the Foreign Policy and International Studies Program at MIND, the Maqsut Narikbayev Institute for Networking and Development, a university-based think tank at Maqsut Narikbayev University. He has authored the book “Widening the Scope: How Middle Powers are Changing Liberal Institutionalism” at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS).
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Astana Times. | https://astanatimes.com/2024/12/failure-of-value-based-politics-implications-for-central-asia/ | 2024-12-16T05:54:34Z |
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By Mangalam Maloo
It’s heartbreaking. Zakir Hussain is no more.
The maestro's family has confirmed that the 73-year-old succumbed to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Had been hospitalised for the last two weeks after having cancelled his tour midway due to his ailment.
His condition worsened before he was moved to the ICU earlier and passed away shortly thereafter.
Zakir Hussain’s passing is personal.
That he was a musical genius who owned rhythm and time, was synonymous with the instrument and had won multiple awards including six Grammys, everyone knows.
What most people will never know — how humble, humorous and respectful he was to everyone around him.
I’ve had the honour of meeting him many times — and have always come back feeling blessed.
I remember three instances in particular, where I was gobsmacked by him as a person.
1. He was a cricket fanatic! Would never miss any opportunity to follow the game, or even play it. But he told me, once, as a child, when he was playing with his friends his father walked towards him and gave him a tight slap. He was told, you can’t hurt your fingers. No matter what! You have to take care of them. The pain of how tough this sacrifice would be on a young boy, reflected on his face as he narrated the story. This tells you about one of the many sacrifices one has to make for success. It’s not about the things you do, it’s also about the things you don’t.
2. This one time, I got the opportunity to meet him before a concert. He was obviously busy with the pre-concert preparations and had just enough time to grab a sip of coffee. It was then, that a gentleman much older than him entered the room. Zakir bhai was not only courteous enough to get up from his chair and escort him in, he was profusely apologetic about something as simple as consuming coffee in front of him, "Maaf kijiyega, main aapke saamne coffee peene ki zarurat kar raha hu, sir" ("forgive me as I am having coffee in front of you, sir) were his exact words. He didn’t sit till the gentleman was in the green room. Tells you about the respect he had for elders.
3. Another time, I curiously asked him — why in a multi-person concert, does he always sit on the side, facing other musicians and never the audience front on? He said very casually, the true nature of the tabla is that of an accompaniment. It’s not the headline, but a side note. I was again floored by his humility. He was never one to show his skill off unnecessarily. He was a master of the craft, but still the servant of his profession. The focus was always on enhancing the concert, one beat at a time. He took his craft seriously, never himself.
His wit, onstage jokes, dealing with the many technical problems in live shows with laughter and banter, puns and the camaraderie he had with the audience told you how humble he was despite the oodles of talent he had.
This time, sir, we won’t hear you play again after shouting our lungs out with “Once More”
We’d meet each time with the promise of an on-record interview the next time he visited. Alas! That day never came and the regret of not doing it, I’ll forever have.
Thank you for gracing this earth with your presence Sir! Heavens await their favourite child.
May you Rest in Rhythm, Zakir Hussain Qureshi, because that’s where you find peace.
Prayers for the family. Condolences and strength in this time of utmost grief.
Mangalam Maloo is the Deputy Editor at CNBC-TV18. | https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/ustad-zakir-hussain-rest-in-rhythm-50498.htm | 2024-12-16T05:54:34Z |
West Ham United have a very tough challenge tomorrow night- a road match at AFC Bournemouth. The Cherries are one of the most pleasant surprises of this season, and look every bit a UEFA Europa League qualification level side.
Welcoming in the Hammers provides a great chance to pick up three more points, for their cause.
West Ham United at AFC Bournemouth FYIs
Kick off: 8pm, Monday Dec 16, Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, UK
West Ham Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction
PL Position: West Ham 14th, 18 pts Bournemouth 7th, 24 pts
Form Guide: West Ham DWLLW Bournemouth LLWWW
Google Result Probability: West Ham 22% FC Bournemouth 56% Draw 22%
It also might mark the end of the Julen Lopetegui era, and if so, wow would that have been very short-lived. Lopetegui will fill out his team sheet for Monday night football aware that he might be coaching for his own job.
So with that in mind…
West Ham United Starting XI Prediction at AFC Bournemouth
Lukasz Fabianski; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, Aaron Cresswell; Tomas Soucek, Edson Alvarez; Mohamed Kudus, Carlos Soler, Crysencio Summerville; Jarrod Bowen
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter. | https://www.thesportsbank.net/football/west-ham/afc-bournemouth-xi-2/ | 2024-12-16T05:54:35Z |
Dylan and Anthony offer an instant reaction to Penn State Football quarterback Beau Pribula making the decision to enter the Transfer Portal and leave the team ahead of the College Football Playoff.
JOIN TODAY AND GET 30 DAYS FREE! | THE LIONS DEN FORUM | PENN STATE FOOTBALL 2025 RECRUITING CLASS | PENN STATE BASKETBALL RECRUITING
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Teachers' March Turns Violent in Rio:PIC
Thousands marched in Rio de Janeiro to support teachers seeking pay hikes before masked anarchists turned to violence, setting fires, breaking into buildings and smashing a City Hall gate.
Thousands marched in Rio de Janeiro to support teachers seeking pay hikes before masked anarchists turned to violence, setting fires, breaking into buildings and smashing a City Hall gate.
A man walks past a burning bus after demonstrators from the group Black Bloc set fire to it during a protest in Rio de Janeiro October 7, 2013. The protest is to demand changes in the public state and municipal education system. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes (BRAZIL - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS EDUCATION)
An indigenous man wears a mask during a march in support of teachers on strike in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013. Teachers have been on strike demanding better pay for almost two months. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Riot police officers walk past a bus set in flames by masked protesters near the Cinelandia square after a march in support of teachers on strike in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013. Teachers have been on strike demanding better pay for almost two months. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
A bus burns after demonstrators from the group Black Bloc set fire to it during a protest in Rio de Janeiro October 7, 2013. The protest is to demand changes in the public state and municipal education system. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes (BRAZIL - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS)
A demonstrator from the group called Black Bloc throws a tear gas bomb as he clashes with riot polic... Read More
A demonstrator from the group called Black Bloc throws a tear gas bomb as he clashes with riot police outside the Municipal Assembly during a protest supporting a teachers' strike in Rio de Janeiro October 7, 2013. The protest is to demand changes in the public state and municipal education system. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes (BRAZIL - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS EDUCATION)
Read LessA demonstrator from the group called Black Bloc kicks a tear gas bomb as he clashes with riot police... Read More
A demonstrator from the group called Black Bloc kicks a tear gas bomb as he clashes with riot police outside the Municipal Assembly during a protest supporting a teachers' strike in Rio de Janeiro October 7, 2013. The protest is to demand changes in the public state and municipal education system. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes (BRAZIL - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS EDUCATION)
Read LessBlack Bloc demonstrators attempt to set a bus on fire during a protest in Rio de Janeiro October 7, 2013. The protest is to demand changes in the public state and municipal education system. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes (BRAZIL - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS EDUCATION)
Riot policemen try to extinguish a fire in a bus after demonstrators from the group Black Bloc set f... Read More
Riot policemen try to extinguish a fire in a bus after demonstrators from the group Black Bloc set fire to it during a protest in Rio de Janeiro October 7, 2013. The protest is to demand changes in the public state and municipal education system. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes (BRAZIL - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Read LessBlack Bloc demonstrators attempt to set a bus on fire during a protest in Rio de Janeiro October 7, 2013. The protest is to demand changes in the public state and municipal education system. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes (BRAZIL - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS EDUCATION)
Demonstrators with their faces covered take cover behind a sign that reads "Memorias Postumas, Macha... Read More
Demonstrators with their faces covered take cover behind a sign that reads "Memorias Postumas, Machado de Assis" or "The Posthumous Memoirs-Machado de Assis," near the Cinelandia square after a march in support of teachers on strike in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013. Teachers have been on strike demanding better pay for almost two months. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Read LessLoad More | https://www.indiatimes.com/news/rest-of-the-world/brazil-teachers-march-turns-violent-pics-105664.html | 2024-12-16T05:54:37Z |
Jeremy Lin in Philippines NBA Pre-Season
Asian-American NBA sensation Jeremy Lin soaked up the adulation from a basketball-obsessed Philippines Tuesday, as the Houston Rockets geared up for the new season that many fans now expect them to win.
Asian-American NBA sensation Jeremy Lin soaked up the adulation from a basketball-obsessed Philippines Tuesday, as the Houston Rockets geared up for the new season that many fans now expect them to win.
"I'm definitely feeling the love in the Philippines," Lin said as he was mobbed by dozens of reporters and photographers in his first visit to a country that considers basketball its national sport.
James Harden may be the Rockets' top scorer, and the team may now have the NBA's best big man in Dwight Howard, but Lin was the star turn as Houston turned up for practice in Manila ahead of Thursday's pre-season game against the Indiana Pacers.
He recounted a visit on the team's arrival Monday to a shopping mall to look at NBA-themed merchandise and eat sushi at a restaurant, saying: "I've walked around the mall where people are so polite and respectful... I've been blown away."
Lin, 25, became an overnight sensation with the New York Knicks early last year when an injury to the starting point guard thrust him into surprise stardom.
His life story was turned into a film, "Linsanity", which began showing at theatres across the US this week.
AFP | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/basketball/jeremy-lin-in-philippines-nba-preseason-105824.html | 2024-12-16T05:54:38Z |
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the people on Independence Day on Dec. 16, saying that this holiday symbolizes the revival of Kazakhstan’s statehood and the embodiment of people’s dream of freedom.
“We all recognize on this day how crucial it is to uphold the values of our forefathers and assume accountability for the country’s future. Independence is our common priceless asset, which underlies all our achievements. Independence is above all. It is the duty of every citizen to protect it like the apple of their eye,” Tokayev said.
According to Akorda, Tokayev stressed that Kazakhstan is steadily enhancing its power in the global arena while moving forward confidently and adhering to a defined strategic course. This results from the diligence and unity of the country’s people.
“I am convinced that by maintaining our unity, peace and stability in society, we will overcome all challenges and reach new heights on the path of progress. I wish everyone good health and well-being!” said Tokayev. | https://astanatimes.com/2024/12/kazakh-president-congratulates-nation-on-independence-day/ | 2024-12-16T05:54:40Z |
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The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has invited three industry bodies—the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA), and the Motion Picture Association (MPA)—to discuss issues surrounding OTT content. However, OTT platforms have not been invited to share their perspectives on content censorship.
The committee, chaired by Lok Sabha member Nishikant Dubey, is set to deliberate on the topic, "Emergence of OTT Platforms and Related Issues," on November 20. Sources familiar with the matter have expressed concerns about the government’s stance on regulating OTT content.
A source close to the development stated “On one hand, the government via Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is organizing global event like WAVES, which is primarily aimed to showcase India’s M&E industry in general and the OTT industry in particular is on the other hand, making efforts to censor OTT content will be seen as a significant contradiction by the government".
A stakeholder working closely with the government, stated that the CBFC is expected to highlight during the Parliamentary Committee meeting that it lacks government authorization to censor OTT platforms. Meanwhile, the Motion Picture Association is likely to advocate against censorship of OTT platforms, citing global standards. Interestingly, the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) is the only industry body that will push for OTT content to be regulated in the same way as films.
OTT platforms have strongly opposed content censorship, arguing that new regulations in this rapidly growing sector could hinder progress and deter investment. An OTT platform representative, speaking anonymously, commented, “Regulations designed for traditional media cannot be applied to OTT, which is a new-age, online curated content medium. Investments in local original content have grown exponentially, with over 50% of entertainment spending going toward pay TV, excluding movies and sports.”
The stakeholders also noted that telecom operators have greatly benefited from the industry, as OTT content drives over 70% of data traffic. OTT platforms emphasize that their content is accessed by subscriber choice, unlike broadcast content, which is actively pushed to audiences.
According to VODLIX report, globally, the OTT market is on a steep upward trajectory. By 2027, OTT earnings are expected to exceed $476 billion. The U.S. is leading this charge with projected revenues reaching $126.5 billion in 2023 alone. Meanwhile, India's OTT market is set to grow from $3.67 billion in 2023 to $5.25 billion by 2027, underscoring the global appeal and expansion of OTT services.
Another OTT player noted that government is deliberately trying to regulate OTT platforms which is still in its nascent stage. “The government’s aspiration to become a global leader could be undermined by such regressive policies. OTT platforms are key vehicles for promoting Indian culture and creativity on global stages.”
A spokesperson for an OTT platform added, “OTT platforms are already self-regulated, with strict parental control guidelines and content tailored to meet these standards. Additional regulations would complicate business operations and hinder the sector’s growth.”
Recently, the Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, responded to Parliamentarian Arun Govil by stating that under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, streaming platforms are prohibited from transmitting illegal content. They are also required to classify content for appropriate age groups and implement age-gating mechanisms to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content.
In a written response, the minister revealed that the government had blocked 18 streaming platforms in March 2024 for “publishing obscene and vulgar content” under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act. Additionally, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) blocked 19 websites, 10 apps, and 57 social media accounts for violating Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986; Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code (sale of obscene books, etc.); and Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act. | https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/parliamentary-committee-ott-meet-will-it-hinder-mib-effort-to-make-india-global-content-hub-50344.htm | 2024-12-16T05:54:41Z |
Indians to Watch Out For Against Aussies
Here are the five Indians who can be a cause of headache for the visiting Australians.
1. Rohit Sharma
Here are the five Indians who can be a cause of headache for the visiting Australians.
The man who led Mumbai Indians to Champions League Twenty20 triumph will be a keen to continue his good form and luck.
__PAGEBREAK__
2. Yuvraj Singh
The come-back man is in good form. He is fitter and hungrier and will attempt to claim a permanent spot in the team.
__PAGEBREAK__
3. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
He is India's only bowler for all seasons and conditions. He has been the most consistent bowler in recent times.
__PAGEBREAK__
4. Ravindra Jadeja
An all-rounder in true sense, but failed to impress in the Champions League Twenty20. With India amidst experimental mode for the 2015 ICC World Cup, a poor show will make his stay in the team difficult.
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5. Shikhar Dhawan
The aggressive opener is amidst the form of his life. He impressed one and all during his short stint in Team India and the recently concluded Champions League Twenty20. | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/indians-to-watch-out-for-against-australia-105835.html | 2024-12-16T05:54:44Z |
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Please try searching for what you are looking for or you could go to the home page and start from there. Or you may be interested in today's top stories. | https://abc7news.com/post/north-carolina-educ/ | 2024-12-16T05:54:47Z |
Women’s college hooper pulled off one of the nastiest moves ever
Rutgers guard Kiyomi McMiller on Sunday set social media ablaze with one of the slickest moves basketball fans have seen in quite some time.
Rutgers led Wagner 24-14 early in the second quarter at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, N.J. McMiller brought the ball up the right wing and sized up her, Wagner guard defender Keana Foz.
McMiller crossed over from right to left to get Foz leaning one way. Then in one quick motion, McMiller flung the ball back to her right while spinning 360 degrees to catch her defender completely off guard. Words can’t fully express how sick McMiller’s move was, as seen below.
Greatest in game basketball move of all time pic.twitter.com/cGhMJO99Ic
— Deuce (@DeuceThomas) December 15, 2024
McMiller’s move looked like it came straight out of an AND1 mixtape. It’s the type of play fans usually see from the Harlem Globetrotters.
Even the announcers may have been faked out by McMiller. They hardly even reacted to the nasty display of dribbling when it happened. Mike Breen or Ian Eagle would have been flexing their cranial thesauri to find words to describe what McMiller had just done.
McMiller also deserves credit for still making the shot to put her team up 26-14. Had she missed, the highlight would not have been nearly as awesome. She finished with 24 points on 10/20 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Sunday’s showing was no outlier for McMiller. The Scarlet Knights’ freshman phenom entered the contest averaging 19.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 44.9% shooting. She also converts on nearly 40% of her three-point tries.
With Caitlin Clark no longer playing college hoops and Paige Bueckers expected to move on next season, players like McMiller and USC’s JuJu Watkins could take center stage in the years to come. | https://larrybrownsports.com/college-basketball/kiyomi-mcmiller-rutgers-nastiest-womens-college-move/643785 | 2024-12-16T05:54:47Z |
T20 PREVIEW: India Face Australia
A full-strength India lock horns with a relatively inexperienced Australian side in the one-off Twenty20 game in Rajkot on Thursday.
Rajkot: Comeback man Yuvraj Singh will be the cynosure of all eyes as a full-strength India lock horns with a relatively inexperienced Australian side in the one-off Twenty20 game here on Thursday, aiming to gain early momentum ahead of the upcoming seven-match ODI series.
The match, which is expected to set the tone for a gruelling season ahead, promises to be an exciting face-off at the SCA Stadium, with Australia keen to test their young players before the return Ashes showdown with England.
The elements, though, could play spoilsport. The state has been experiencing heavy downpour and the Met department has forecast more rains till tomorrow.
The hosts, with most of their players having got into the groove for the long international season ahead by taking part in the Champions T20 League or by playing for India A, start as favourites against the visitors led by Tasmanian George Bailey.
The two teams have faced off in seven previous T20 games, with Australia holding a slightly better record at 4-3.
India last played a T20 match against Pakistan at Ahmedabad in December.
After a two-month break from international cricket, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will look to re-start his stint at the helm with a win. He had warmed up nicely with a good outing for Chennai Super Kings in the CLT20.
However, the focus will be primarily on Yuvraj, who would be eager to prove a point after being recalled to the squad following a string of good scores for India A against the Windies A and a solid display for India Blue in the Challenger Series.
The 31-year-old had also scored a quick-fire 52 off 35 balls against the West Indies A in a T20 game in Bangalore.
Apart from his explosive batting, Yuvraj's left-arm spin will also be handy in the shortest form of the game.
PTI | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/t20-preview-india-face-australia-in-rajkot-105809.html | 2024-12-16T05:54:51Z |
Everyone said the same thing about Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury
Several fans think Patrick Mahomes’ latest injury setback is a good omen for the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl hopes.
Mahomes was bent out of shape in the fourth quarter of the Chiefs’ Sunday contest against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The two-time MVP got tackled by two defenders as he tried to convert a pass on fourth down (video here).
The Chiefs ruled Mahomes questionable to return. Backup Carson Wentz eventually replaced him and Mahomes did not take the field again. Mahomes went 19/38 for 159 yards with 2 touchdowns before his exit.
Injuries are obviously never a good thing for athletes. But some fans on X could not help but notice that Mahomes has been down this road before. Many joked that it was all part of the script en route to the Chiefs pulling off a historic three-peat.
Patrick Mahomes suffering his annual sprained ankle that he fights through to win the Super Bowl
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) December 15, 2024
Mahomes high ankle sprain run in the playoffs again? pic.twitter.com/EplIJdtYs9
— Carson Hudkins chiefs szn (13-1) (@Chiefsszn__25) December 15, 2024
mahomes running back the 2022 ankle gimmick https://t.co/4A2ilgWJXw pic.twitter.com/j8fylLkqbn
— 𝔇𝔞𝔫𝔦𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔞🏳️⚧️🎀 (@sexton_is_GREAT) December 15, 2024
Patrick Mahomes having an “ankle” injury every playoff cycle for the last 3 years is the script that needs the biggest rewrite— pic.twitter.com/WTtgGXYrLq
— IamMSkye Thee unofficial Hype woman of the WNBA🦋 (@iammskye1) December 15, 2024
Fans clearly remember how Mahomes had suffered what appeared to be a severe ankle injury in Kansas City’s January 2023 divisional round playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Chiefs still ended up winning the Super Bowl that season.
Jokes on supernatural football forces aside, the Chiefs may still be in good shape based on the latest update on Mahomes’ ankle injury. | https://larrybrownsports.com/football/everyone-said-the-same-thing-about-patrick-mahomes-ankle-injury/643782 | 2024-12-16T05:54:53Z |
Dilshan Retires From Test Cricket
Sri Lanka opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan is retiring from test cricket to make way for the next generation...
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan is retiring from test cricket to make way for the next generation but will still be available for the shorter forms of the game.
Sri Lanka Cricket said in a media release on Wednesday Dilshan would hold a news conference on Thursday to officially announce his retirement.
"I have decided to take this decision to allow Sri Lanka cricket to groom another youngster in my place," said Dilshan.
"I was to announce my retirement after the Zimbabwe test series but unfortunately the tour was postponed."
Sri Lanka were to play two tests on their tour of Zimbabwe from October.
The aggressive opener made his test debut in 1999 against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo and appeared in 87 tests. In an international career spanning 14 years Dilshan scored 5,492 runs at an average of 40.98.
His 16 test centuries included a career best 193 against England at Lord's in 2011 as captain.
The 36-year-old will continue to play in the shorter 50 overs and Twenty20 formats for his country.
"I will discuss my future with the national selectors and if they need me I will play till the 2015 World Cup," he said.
Reuters | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/tillakaratne-dilshan-retires-from-test-cricket-105774.html | 2024-12-16T05:54:58Z |
Mike Macdonald had the funniest reaction to Packers touchdown
The Green Bay Packers got a big road win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 on Sunday night, and some of the game left Mike Macdonald dumbfounded.
Green Bay went up 14-0 early in the contest and led 20-3 at the half. Seattle made it a 10-point game in the fourth quarter, but the Packers iced it with a touchdown with 4:59 left.
Jordan Love threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs to help the Packers go up 30-13, which ended up as the final score in the matchup. Doubs made a great catch in the end zone and did not drop the ball despite going to the ground to make the grab. NBC flashed to Macdonald after the touchdown, and the Seahawks head coach couldn’t believe it.
Seahawks offense: (scores touchdown)
Mike Macdonald: hold on what pic.twitter.com/gVlds0P0QP— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) December 16, 2024
The replay showed that Doubs made a clean grab.
“HOW DID DOUBS CATCH THAT?!” 😱
An INSANE grab in the back of the end zone.
📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/PoalStVKPR
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 16, 2024
That was all she wrote.
Doubs caught both of Love’s touchdown passes in the win. The Packers are now 10-4, while Seattle is 8-6 and had their four-game winning streak ended. Seattle has some other issues to be concerned about now too, and that has to do with the fan support at the game. That’s typically not a concern for the Seahawks, but it was on Sunday night. | https://larrybrownsports.com/football/mike-macdonald-reaction-romeo-doubs-packers-touchdown/643783 | 2024-12-16T05:54:59Z |
Mexico Could Miss First WC Since 1990
Mexico's new coach Victor Manuel Vucetich must deliver a victory against Panama, or Mexico could fail to qualify for the World Cup for first time since 1990.
MEXICO CITY: Talk about World Cup pressure. In his first game in charge, Mexico's new coach Victor Manuel Vucetich must deliver a victory on Friday at home against Panama, or Mexico could fail to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1990.
Vucetich has taken over from Jose Manuel De la Torre, who was fired after a loss in September against Honduras.
Mexico has yet to win at Azteca stadium in this qualifying cycle, a previously unthinkable statistic as the venue located at 2,250 meters (7,400 feet) in Mexico City has always been an imposing venue for visiting teams.
"We know we have not done things very well so far," Vucetich said Tuesday. "But we have a great chance - it's the last chance we have to correct things." Talking with reporters, Vucetich repeated several times: "We have to win. We have to win."
The United States and Costa Rica have claimed two of the three automatic qualifying berths from the North American, Caribbean and Central American region. Honduras holds the third automatic spot with 11 points. Panama and Mexico have eight points and Jamaica has four.
The fourth-place team in the group faces a playoff against New Zealand for a spot in Brazil, and right now - with a better goal difference - that's Panama.
In the final round of games on Tuesday, Mexico plays at Costa Rica and Panama is home against the United States. Panama had never beaten Mexico in an official game until the recent Gold Cup, where it won twice, before earning a draw in a recent World Cup qualifier.
"It's all up to us," Vucetich said.
Missing the World Cup would be a psychological blow to Mexico, which has yielded the top spot in the region to the United States. The Americans defeated Mexico 2-0 in the United States and then managed a 0-0 draw in Mexico City.
AP | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/football/mexico-could-miss-first-world-cup-since-1990_-105823.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:04Z |
- A slim majority of economists — 13 out of 24 — polled by CNBC expects the Bank of Japan to stand pat after its two-day policy meeting ends on Thursday.
- The same majority predicts the central bank will raise rates in January.
- Analysts see the yen strengthening to 147.4 against the U.S. dollar by end-2025 from around 154 currently.
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is likely to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged this week as it awaits greater clarity on domestic wages and spending trends as well as policy changes by the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, according to a survey of economists polled by CNBC.
Watch NBC6 free wherever you are
>A slim majority of 13 out of 24 economists, or 54%, said BOJ is likely to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.25% at the end of its two-day meeting on Thursday. The same number of economists expect the Japanese central bank to raise rates in January. The survey was conducted between Dec. 9-13.
The BOJ, which last raised rates in July, has signaled its readiness to tighten further if wage growth and prices align with its projections. In a recent media interview, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda suggested another rate hike is "nearing in the sense that economic data are on track," but he also noted risks, including wage trends next year and potential changes in U.S. economic policy.
Get local news you need to know to start your day with NBC 6's News Headlines newsletter.
>Japanese interest rates are the lowest among developed countries due to the BOJ's longstanding policy of supporting the country's moribund economy. The policy has kept the yen weak against most major currencies, boosting exports and tourism and spurring the so-called "carry trade" when investors borrow yen to bet on higher-yielding assets. These trends could reverse as Japanese interest rates rise while central banks elsewhere begin to lower rates.
Many economists told CNBC they believe that recent data indicates Japan's economy is broadly on track to achieve the central bank's 2% inflation target, driven by wage growth. However, they noted the BOJ might prefer to wait another month to evaluate wage-driven inflation dynamics, focusing on momentum from next year's spring wage negotiations and Trump's trade and tariff policies.
The BOJ has yet to gain confidence in its outlook, according to Akira Otani of Goldman Sachs Japan. He noted the central bank lacks sufficient clarity on whether small and medium-sized enterprises can sustain wage increases, a risk flagged by the BOJ as crucial to achieving its inflation target. Japanese unions typically negotiate wage increases in the first three months of the calendar year ahead of the financial year that begins in April.
Money Report
The view that the central bank is likely to hold rates this week also gained traction after recent media reports suggested policymakers wanted more time to monitor overseas risks and gather additional clues on Japan's wage outlook.
"The BOJ's confusing communications" now suggests a likely outcome of the central bank leaving rates unchanged to await additional information from the spring wage negotiations and U.S. policy developments, Shigeto Nagai, head of Japan Economics at Oxford Economics, said in a note last week.
Regular wages in Japan have been growing annually at a rate of 2.5% to 3%, with inflation staying above the BOJ's 2% target for 30 consecutive months. While authorities are keen to normalize monetary policy, they are also wary of raising rates too quickly following more than two decades of deflation. Indeed, Japanese household spending has declined for three straight months as of October, while factory output has been volatile.
Teppei Ino, head of Tokyo Global Markets Research at MUFG Bank, also highlighted shifting market expectations due to media reports. Overnight swap markets have significantly reduced bets on a December rate hike, assigning a 77% probability of no change as of Monday morning – much higher than the about 35% likelihood of standing pat priced in at the end of November.
"Judging from the (media) reports so far, it seems the likelihood of a rate hike being postponed has increased," Ino told CNBC on Friday.
"However, considering the current trend of yen depreciation and the upcoming FOMC meeting just before the BOJ meeting, we should keep in mind that there remains a possibility of an abrupt decision to raise rates if the USD/JPY reaches levels like 155," Ino said, referring to the Federal Open Markets Committee meeting scheduled this week.
The yen was trading around 154 to the dollar on Monday morning.
To be sure, some economists still expect the BOJ to tighten policy this week.
Nomura expects the BOJ to raise its policy rate by 25 basis points on Thursday, citing fundamentals such as the economy and prices being on track. However, it also acknowledged that a hike might be delayed due to uncertainties surrounding U.S. policy.
"We think the BOJ could also decide to put off any rate hike if it decides to place greater emphasis on uncertainties, including U.S. policy conduct and market trends (in the forex market in particular) during the Christmas season, when markets tend to be quiet," research analyst Kyohei Morita said in a Dec. 11 note.
The brokerage also pointed to uncertainty around the government's fiscal support for households as a potential factor that might prompt the BOJ to hold off its rate increase. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose government lacks a parliamentary majority, is currently in negotiations with opposition parties over the size of a proposed increase to the minimum annual taxable income threshold.
Currency Risks
Many analysts highlighted the Japanese yen as a key factor influencing their outlook on the BOJ's decisions.
"The most important and likely driver that could change my outlook is the yen," said Kazuo Momma, executive economist at Mizuho Research, who said the BOJ is likely to stand pat this week and raise the benchmark rate by 25 basis points in January. "Accelerated yen depreciation would upset the public and the federal government, forcing the BOJ to adopt a more aggressive stance on hiking," he said.
Jun Takazawa, Asia Economist at HSBC, emphasized risks from both directions.
"On one hand, a stronger U.S. dollar driven by fiscal, monetary, and trade policies in the U.S. could weigh on the yen and accelerate the BOJ's policy normalization process. On the other hand, a weaker yen — within limits — supports Japan's reflation efforts, so excessive yen strength could delay rate hikes."
According to CNBC's survey of 24 analysts, the yen is forecast to average 147.4 against the U.S. dollar by the end of 2025. The dollar rose 2.4% against the yen last week as traders scaled back bets on a BOJ rate hike this month. | https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/business/money-report/bank-of-japan-expected-to-keep-rates-on-hold-this-week-cnbc-survey/3495408/ | 2024-12-16T05:55:05Z |
Netflix is removing a large number of movies in December 2024
Catch them before they disappear
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Your support makes all the difference.Every month, Netflix removes a large number of movies and TV shows from its library.
While the streaming service regularly adds a bursting list of titles to its service, it also takes things down – and does so without warning subscribers in the UK.
This means that certain things you’ve been meaning to get around to viewing after adding them to your watchlist may suddenly disappear. Netflix Original titles are no longer safe from these removals, either.
The Independent has compiled a full list of every single movie and TV series being taken down in December 2024 – and the full list of everything being added here.
NB: We put this list together with help from What’s on Netflix.
Movies
1 December
Accident – UK/US
Ali – US
Araham – US
Battleship – UK
The Battleship Island – US
A Beautiful Life – UK/US
The Berlin File – US
Blood and Bone – US
Cat Burglar (Netflix Original) – UK
Chhota Bheem Aur Mahavinashini ka Vinaash – US
Chhota Bheem ki Citi Pitti Gul – US
Choose Love – UK
The Devil’s Own – US
Diary of a Mad Black Woman – US
Donnie Brasco – UK
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – UK/US
Downton Abbey (2019) – US
Erin Brockovich – UK
Frances Ha – US
Glengarry Glen Ross – US
Hunter Killer – US
It Chapter Two – US
The Little Things – US
Kicking and Screaming (1995) – UK
Layer Cake – UK
Life Without Principle – UK
Look for a Star – UK/US
The Matrix Resurrections – US
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool – UK
National Security – US
Nocturnal Animals – UK
Offline: Are You Ready for the Next Level? – UK/US
Once a Gangster – US
Pain & Gain – US
Point Break (1991) –US
The Quick and the Dead – US
Risen – UK
SDU: Sex Duties Units – UK/US
Snitch – UK
Space Jam: A New Legacy – US
Switch – UK
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby – UK
Tears of the Sun – UK
Tee Shot: Ariya Jutanugarn – US
Terminator Salvation – UK
That’s My Boy – UK
To Leslie – US
Troy – US
Two Weeks Notice – US
Tyler Perry’s Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor – US
The Unjust – US
Veteran – US
Villains – UK
What to Expect When You’re Expecting – US
Whiplash – UK
2 December
U Turn (2021) – UK
White Girl – UK/US
3 December
The Commuter – US
4 December
Green Lantern – UK
True North – UK
5 December
The Best of Enemies – UK
A Dog’s Purpose – UK
I Can Only Imagine – US
Living – US
6 December
Let’s Dance (Netflix Original) – US
Reminiscence – US
7 December
Trolls – US
9 December
Amsterdam to Anatolia – UK
Facing Mecca – UK
10 December
Dear Son – UK/US
Falafel – UK/US
Haifa Street – UK
Last Men in Aleppo – UK
RIPD – UK
Safe House – UK
200 Meters – UK
11 December
Ezra – UK/US
The War Below – UK
12 December
Fun Size – UK
The Guest – UK
15 December
Boyz n the Hood – UK
FREDI – UK
Holy Expectations – UK
U-571 – UK
16 December
Darkest Hour – US
Hizia – UK
Mortal Kombat (2021) – US
17 December
Bad Boys for Life – UK
18 December
Emma (1996) – UK
19 December
Random Hearts – UK
20 December
Aquaman – UK
Lang Tong – UK
Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken – US
Rush Hour – UK
Rush Hour 2 – UK
Rush Hour 3 – UK
21 December
Kiss the Girls – UK
Once Again – UK
The Flash – US
24 December
Uradi – UK
25 December
Black and Blue – UK
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical – UK
28 December
A Twelve Year Night (Netflix Original) – US
TV
1 December
Basketball Wives season three and four – US
Big Brother season six and 17 – US
Blind Detective season one – UK/US
Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Great Christmas Roast – UK
Haunted House season one – UK/US
Inborn Pair season one – UK/US
Meteor Garden season one (Netflix Original) – UK/US
Sonic X season one and two – UK/US
2 December
Nightflyers season one – US
Supermodel Me: Revolution season one – UK/US
5 December
Costco at Christmas – UK
The Prince of Tennis: Match, Tennis, Juniors season one (Netflix Original) – UK/US
6 December
Greggs: What’s Really In It? – UK
Teasing Master Takagi-san season one (Netflix Original) – UK/US
7 December
Voltron: Legendary Defender season one to eight (Netflix Original) – UK/US
9 December
How to Get Away with Murder season one to six – UK
15 December
The Hills season one and two – UK/US
27 Deecember
The Moon Embracing the Sun season one
She Was Pretty season one
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo season one
W – Two Worlds Apart season one
Kids
21 December
Sonic Boom season one – UK
23 December
Badanamu ABC TV – UK
Badanamu Pop – UK
Interactive
Animals on the Loose: A You vs Wild Movie – US
Barbie Epic Road Trip – UK/US
The Boss Baby: Get That Baby! – UK/US
Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile – UK/US
Captain Underpants Epic Choice-o-Rama – UK/US
Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal – UK/US
Cat Burglar – UK/US
Choose Love – UK/US
Escape The Undertaker – UK/US
Headspace: Unwind Your Mind – US
Johnny Test’s Ultimate Meatloaf Quest – UK/US
Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Hidden Adventure – UK/US
The Last Kids on Earth: Happy Apocalypse to You – UK/US
Spirit Riding Free: Ride Along Adventure – UK/US
Stretch Armstrong: The Breakout – UK/US
Trivia Quest – UK/US
Triviaverse – UK/US
We Lost Our Human – UK/US
You vs Wild: Out Cold – US
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Contractual workers in Indian manufacturing sector see 5.6 pc annual pay growth
By IANS | Published: December 16, 2024 11:11 AM2024-12-16T11:11:34+5:302024-12-16T11:15:11+5:30
Bengaluru, Dec 16 The contractual employees in the Indian manufacturing sector saw their compensation packages grow at a ...
Bengaluru, Dec 16 The contractual employees in the Indian manufacturing sector saw their compensation packages grow at a 5.9 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from FY21 to FY24, according to a report on Monday.
This growth was driven by inflation, increased demand for skilled workers, and the need for competitive pay to retain talent, according to the report by TeamLease Services, India’s leading staffing solutions company.
Moreover, the sector’s workforce is predominantly young, with most individuals in the 28-37 age group (43.6 per cent).
The expansion of the manufacturing sector in the country is led by industries like electronics manufacturing, automotive, textiles, and chemicals.
“To unlock its potential, the sector must prioritise inclusive policies and invest in upskilling for Industry 4.0. Strategic workforce outsourcing can help reduce costs and address operational inefficiencies,” said Subburathinam P, Chief Operating Officer of TeamLease Staffing.
“
As the manufacturing sector aims to achieve a $1 trillion valuation by 2025-26, addressing workforce dynamics will be pivotal in ensuring sustained growth.
This growth is led by strategic government initiatives, technological advancements, and an evolving workforce landscape.
The workforce is also diverse in terms of educational backgrounds, with nearly half being graduates.
Both genders show the highest representation at the graduation level, 48.5 per cent for males and 46.4 per cent for females.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra (17.2 per cent) and Tamil Nadu (14.6 per cent) are the leading states in contractual workforce contributions, followed by Uttar Pradesh (9.6 per cent) and Karnataka (9.4 per cent), the report mentioned.
“A significant 89.5 per cent of employees in temporary roles are male, highlighting a significant underrepresentation of women. Females in the workforce, however, demonstrate higher representation in postgraduate qualifications (24.3 per cent compared to 10.5 per cent of males),” it noted.
The report highlighted that companies are encouraged to enhance workplace safety, foster inclusivity, and invest in career development initiatives such as structured mentorship programmes.
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Seven foreign tourists were hospitalized in Fiji after drinking cocktails at a resort bar, Fijian authorities said on Monday.
The cause of their illness was not known and officials said it was too soon to know if tainted alcohol was involved.
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>Those who became ill at the five-star Warwick resort near the town of Sigatoka on Saturday included Australians and an American, according to local news reports. They were hospitalized with nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms, said Jemesa Tudravu, a Fiji Health Ministry spokesperson.
Two people remained in the hospital, conscious and in stable condition, Fiji's Tourism Minister Viliame R. Gavoka told reporters on Monday. One person was discharged on Sunday and four others on Monday.
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>David Sandoe, an Australian man who said his daughter and granddaughter were hospitalized, told Sky News Australia that his relatives had been released from the hospital and were due to fly home on Monday night.
Local news outlets reported on Sunday that the cause of the foreigners' illness was suspected alcohol poisoning, similar to a case in Laos in November in which six tourists — including two Australian teenagers — died after consuming tainted drinks.
But Tudravu said no cause had been identified in the Fiji episode. Police have ordered toxicology tests and are awaiting results — which are expected to take three or four days — Gavoka said.
U.S. & World
The bar was full of customers on Saturday night and many had ordered piña coladas, the drink consumed by those who became ill, said the official.
Gavoka said no other reports of similar illness were recorded at the resort or across Fiji, a South Pacific island nation of 930,000 people.
“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,” Gavoka said. The hotel, located on the picturesque Coral Coast of the largest island, Viti Levu, has operated for many years and “holds a strong reputation,” he added.
“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,” Gavoka said.
Australia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that officials are providing consular assistance to two Australian families in Fiji.
The ministry did not comment on the cause of the Australians' illness, but its website advising tourists was updated on Monday to caution travelers about “potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks.”
A spokesperson for the resort, Savaira Molaucake, said staff were “conducting a thorough investigation” of the incident and were working closely with authorities. | https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/national-international/7-foreign-tourists-hospitalized-in-fiji-after-drinking-cocktails-at-a-resort-bar/3495402/ | 2024-12-16T05:55:11Z |
Netflix’s new adaptation of this beloved book is pretty much perfect
‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’, Gabriel García Márquez’s seminal novel, weaves superstition, sex and the surreal into an unparallelled Spanish-language epic. Helen Coffey assesses whether a new Netflix show can possibly do justice to the original
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Your support makes all the difference.Four episodes into Netflix’s new adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s seminal novel One Hundred Years of Solitude, I’m still reeling. Partly at the hugely ambitious, lavishly filmed series itself – but mainly at the fact that it ever got made in the first place.
A sprawling masterclass in magic realism, the 1967 novel spans seven generations of the fictional Buendía family, weaving together sex, superstition, and the downright surreal. It’s a complex series of warped, bizarre and at times grotesque tales, propelled by deep-rooted, unshakeable desires and the doomed characters’ inability to escape their fate – a kind of intergenerational curse that passes from parents to children (including, more often than not, the proclivity to copulate with their own relatives).
Set in the make-believe Colombian town of Macondo from the early 1800s onwards, the book charts how a streak of endless civil wars, freak climate events and imperialist plantation owners shape this geographically nebulous corner of Latin America for over a century. Márquez paints this world with such vivid, visceral strokes that, years after reading his novel, it stayed seared into my imagination: Rebeca shovelling handfuls of dirt into her mouth; mad José Arcadio tied to a chestnut tree and muttering in Latin; a naked Remedios the Beauty painting animals on the walls with her own excrement.
It’s utterly bewitching, but not what you’d call an “easy” read: a non-linear 400+ pager in which the story jumps around through time and half the characters have some variation of the same name. The multi-generational clan is so hard to keep straight, in fact, that there’s famously a family tree printed at the front of the book.
In a world, then, where algorithms, not humans, rule the roost when it comes to commissioning decisions, it seems almost inconceivable that this challenging masterpiece would get green-lit. This is a streaming ecosystem in which relentless seasons of Emily in ... [insert European city here] are churned out without pause or remorse. In which the same rehashing of “career woman from big city returns to small town and falls in love with simpler life/grumpy but warm-hearted local” is turned into a staggering number of films per year. In which safety trumps risk when it comes to reward.
One Hundred Years of Solitude isn’t just a world away from all that: it resides in a different universe entirely. Márquez himself basically declared it unfilmable while he was alive, granting the rights to Harvey Weinstein on the condition that he “film the entire book, but only release one chapter – two minutes long – each year, for 100 years”. I would have bet good money on Netflix not touching it with a bichero (barge pole), never mind picking up a big-budget, 16-episode, Spanish-language epic.
And yet, here we are. It feels nothing short of miraculous. As does the fact that the creators have achieved the seemingly impossible: remaining faithful to the source material while artfully translating it into a piece of visually gorgeous storytelling.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such a perfectly crafted literary adaptation. From spot-on casting to the sparse yet carefully chosen dialogue; from camera shots that move with purpose to follow the characters and immerse the viewer to music that summons forth a world steeped in magic and mysticism – there’s an ethereal, fairytale-like quality that grabs your attention by the throat and won’t let go.
The first episode starts at the end of the story – we see the Buendía house ravaged by time; the ominous, blood-stained shape of a corpse under a sheet; armies of ants colonising every surface – before we’re plunged into the past. The opening line exactly mirrors that of the book: “Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.”
This is a major factor in explaining why the tangled tapestry of stories genuinely works on screen – much of the dialogue is lifted directly from the original, Márquez’s evocative, sumptuous language placed in the mouth of a narrator to guide us through the strange and sweeping narrative. This exterior, omnipotent voice is crucial in explaining what the characters themselves would struggle to show not tell, and vital in establishing a tone that keeps us at one remove from naturalism.
It’s the same tactic employed by the 1981 ITV dramatisation of Brideshead Revisited, often held up as the gold standard for literary adaptations; in that, too, the beauty of the original text was treated with a quiet reverence, quoted directly by Jeremy Irons’s narrator as he describes Oxford as “a city of aquatint” that “exhaled the soft airs of centuries of youth”.
In One Hundred Years of Solitude, we first journey with José Arcadio Buendía, patriarch of the Buendía dynasty, and his new wife Ursula Iguaran (who just so happens to be his cousin) as they embark upon married life. A battle between superstition and science commences right off the bat: Ursula is initially too frightened to consummate the marriage after being warned by her mother that she will be cursed with deformed children with pig’s tails as punishment for incest.
The fantastical elements of the story aren’t shied away from, and yet somehow never feel bombastic or overblown: doors slam by themselves to show marital discord; when the couple imagine living by the sea, waves wash across the parched, chapped earth in front of them and lap at their feet. Ghosts are presented physically, with a man José Arcadio killed hanging around the house with a hangdog expression and clutching his bleeding neck at every turn, and mystery child Rebeca turning up at the door with a bag of her dead parents’ bones that rattle and shake irritably. This is how you portray magic realism on screen – by embracing it and welcoming it in, without exaggerating or pushing too far into absurdity.
Though they never reach open water, José Arcadio and Ursula set out to escape their demons, and finally set up the town of Macondo after José Arcadio envisions it in a dream. Later, we see their family expand and become embroiled in their own misguided passions, predetermined to make the same mistakes as their forebears over and over, ad infinitum.
It’s a brave person who takes on a book this renowned, this idolised and this elaborate, and the production of the series hasn’t been completely without controversy. Some locals of Aracataca, the birthplace of Márquez, weren’t impressed by the decision to film in the industrial city of Ibagué, 430 miles to the south, instead of in the author’s hometown. Based at the foot of Colombia’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Aracataca is where the Nobel Prize winner lived until the age of eight with his maternal grandparents. Though he went on to live and work in Paris, New York, Mexico City, Caracas and Barcelona, he credited the town of his youth with providing the inspiration for much of his writing, not least One Hundred Years of Solitude.
“We’re disappointed that Netflix decided not to film here, but we all know that anyone inspired by the series will have to come to Aracataca, as the heart of Macondo lies here,” Robinson Mulford, a local high-school teacher, told The Guardian. “They will feel the kindness, the solidarity of the people, and everything else that Gabriel García Márquez said of the Colombian Caribbean. They will all be received with love.”
One can only hope this beautifully made series will be received with love, too, despite the perceived snub. “No matter where you go, you will never escape your fate,” Ursula’s mother warns her daughter in the opening episode. One Hundred Years of Solitude could just be fated to become that rarest of things: a timeless literary adaptation as beloved as the book that inspired it.
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India sees over 90 pc rise in smartphone exports in Nov, Apple leads
By IANS | Published: December 16, 2024 10:12 AM2024-12-16T10:12:37+5:302024-12-16T10:15:08+5:30
New Delhi, Dec 16 India has seen a record smartphone exports in November this year, surpassing the Rs ...
New Delhi, Dec 16 India has seen a record smartphone exports in November this year, surpassing the Rs 20,000 crore mark for the first time in a month, which was led by Apple.
According to industry data, smartphone exports crossed Rs 20,300 crore, a more than 90 per cent rise from the same period last year. Apple led the exports last month, followed by Samsung.
In November last year, the smartphone exports from the country was over Rs 10,600 crore, as per the industry data.
The smartphone market in the country is expected to exit 2024 with a single-digit annual growth.
Meanwhile, riding on the government's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, Apple’s iPhone production in the country reached $10 billion in the seven months of this fiscal (FY25), with $7 billion in exports alone which is a record.
The tech giant manufactured/assembled $14 billion of iPhones in India last fiscal (FY24), with exporting more than $10 billion worth of iPhones.
According to Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, this is yet another milestone for the smartphone PLI scheme in 7 months.
"$10 billion iPhone production by Apple with $7 billion exports. Total smartphone exports from Bharat crossed $10.6 billion in 7 months," the minister had posted on X last month.
India’s smartphone market is estimated to grow 7-8 per cent this year, driven by strong demand for premium, 5G and AI smartphones. The mobile handset market in India is expected to maintain steady growth.
According to industry experts, to achieve the goal of $500 billion local electronics manufacturing by FY30, the industry must prioritise export growth to emerge as one of the top three global exporters in this domain by 2030, led by mobile manufacturing.
As per the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) data, mobile phone production surged from Rs 18,900 crore in 2014-15 to an estimated Rs 4.10 lakh crore in FY24, registering an increase of a massive 2,000 per cent, driven by the PLI scheme.
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Open in app | https://www.lokmattimes.com/business/india-sees-over-90-pc-rise-in-smartphone-exports-in-nov-apple-leads/ | 2024-12-16T05:55:12Z |
It was all thought that Julen Lopetegui would be the next Premier League manager sacked, but Southampton FC, in firing Russell Martin, beat West Ham United to the punch.
That makes perfect sense for Saints, who are falling into a hole that they may not be able to climb out of. They look destined for the drop.
West Ham United at AFC Bournemouth FYIs
Kick off: 8pm, Monday Dec 16, Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, UK
West Ham Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction
PL Position: West Ham 14th, 18 pts Bournemouth 7th, 24 pts
Form Guide: West Ham DWLLW Bournemouth LLWWW
Google Result Probability: West Ham 22% FC Bournemouth 56% Draw 22%
Team News for Both Sides
As for Lopetegui, he will have at least one more match in charge, and almost certainly two more, should he pick up a win tomorrow night. On the flip side, an L on the south coast may just seal his fate.
Lopetegui only has two confirmed absentees here, striker Michail Antonio who was in a serious car accident last weekend.
Antonio is now out of the hospital, and he’s recovering from a lower limb fracture. There is no timeline for his return.
The other confirmed absentee is Emerson Palmieri, who is suspended here. Shifting gears to Bournemouth, they have two new fitness concerns to contend with in Marcos Senesi (who will undergo thigh surgery, and now be out until late in the season) and Marcus Tavernier who has suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him out for a few weeks.
Elsewhere Luis Sinisterra and Julian Araujo (both have a hamstring) as well as Alex Scott (knee) are all ruled out.
However, there is good news with Young American (apologies to David Bowie) midfielder Tyler Adams, who will be in the mix here.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter. | https://www.thesportsbank.net/football/west-ham/lopetegui-antonio/ | 2024-12-16T05:55:15Z |
PICS: 2013 East Asian Games in Tianjin
The sixth East Asian Games is currently underway in the Chinese city of Tianjin.
The sixth East Asian Games is currently underway in the Chinese city of Tianjin.
Chinese performers take part in the opening ceremony of the East Asian Games at a gymnasium in Tianjin on October 6, 2013. More than 2,400 athletes from nine countries are set to take part in the multi-sport event in the harbour city of Tianjin, competing in 24 different sports. (Photo: AFP)
From left to right, Japan's Kazuma Oseto, Hong Kong's Tsui Chi Ho, Taiwan's Chen Yiwei, and South Korea's Oh Kyung-soo compete in men's 100 meter heat at the sixth East Asian Games in Tianjin, China, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013. (Photo: AP)
Ang Gao (R) and Qiyuan Hu (L) of China compete before winning the gold medal in the Men's Synchronized 10m Platform Final at the East Asian Games in Tianjin on October 7, 2013. The East Asian Games which are held every four years see nine countries including China, Japan, South and North Korea participating in 262 events in 22 different sports. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)
Chinese volunteers hold flags during the opening ceremony of the East Asian Games at a gymnasium in Tianjin on October 6, 2013. More than 2,400 athletes from nine countries are set to take part in the multi-sport event in the harbour city of Tianjin, competing in 24 different sports. (Photo: AFP)
Members of a Chinese military band watch a performance during the opening ceremony of the East Asian Games at a gymnasium in Tianjin on October 6, 2013. More than 2,400 athletes from nine countries are set to take part in the multi-sport event in the harbour city of Tianjin, competing in 24 different sports. (Photo: AFP)
Japanese players celebrate after victory in the 6th East Asian Games Women's Football match between Japan and Chinese Taipei at Tianjin Haihe Education Park Stadium on October 7, 2013 in Tianjin, China. (Photo: Getty Images)
A Chinese Beijing Opera actor performs during the opening ceremony of the East Asian Games at a gymnasium in Tianjin on October 6, 2013. More than 2,400 athletes from nine countries are set to take part in the multi-sport event in the harbour city of Tianjin, competing in 24 different sports. (Photo: AFP)
North Korea's Kim Sun Bom and So Myong Hyok compete in the final of the men's 10-meter synchronized platform diving event at the sixth East Asian Games in Tianjin, China, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013. (Photo: AP)
Chinese performers take part in the opening ceremony of the East Asian Games at a gymnasium in Tianjin on October 6, 2013. More than 2,400 athletes from nine countries are set to take part in the multi-sport event in the harbour city of Tianjin, competing in 24 different sports. (Photo: AFP)
Chiaki Otsuka and Suguru Shiraki of Japan compete in the Men's Synchronized 10m Platform final at the East Asian Games in Tianjin on October 7, 2013. The East Asian Games which are held every four years see nine countries including China, Japan, South and North Korea participating in 262 events in 22 different sports. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images) | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/pics-2013-east-asian-games-in-tianjin-105638.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:17Z |
Strictly Come Dancing announces winner for 2024 series
Victorious contestant emotionally dedicated their win ‘to anyone who was told they couldn’t do something’
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Your support makes all the difference.Chris McCausland and his professional partner Dianne Buswell have been crowned the winners of Strictly Come Dancing’s 2024 series.
The comedian, best known for appearing on Have I Got News For You and his titular ITV programme The Chris McCausland Show, has made Strictly history as the first blind contestant to win – and take part in – the competition.
McCausland and Buswell competed against Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec, as well as JB Gill and his pro partner Lauren Oakley in a tear-jerking grand final, which aired on Saturday night.
The stand-up comedian, 47, danced three routines during the live final: a couple’s choice to “Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)” by John Lennon, a show dance to “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals and a waltz to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers.
Once his win was announced by hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, McCausland broke down in tears and hugged his partner, Buswell, who also grew emotional.
Speaking to Daly, McCausland admitted he thought he would have been the first person eliminated from the competition because he didn’t think he could dance.
“We’ve lasted and lasted and Dianne has got so much out of me. She deserves this so much. Every day she’s just positivity and belief and she’s just one of the easiest people to be funny with than I’ve ever met.”
He then joked: “Unless she changes her number, she’s stuck with me.”
McCausland dedicated his dance to anybody who “got told or thought that they couldn’t do something”.
“It shows that with opportunity, support and determination, that anything can happen,” he said.
Buswell said: “This is not for me, this is me and you, Chris. We did this together. This is for both of us, we worked together. And we did it!”
McCausland is the first blind contestant to ever compete in the competition, and before he began training, he admitted that he and Buswell were “winging it” as they adapted teaching methods and training styles for McCausland.
The comedian lost his sight when he was 22 due to a hereditary condition called retinitis pigmentosa.
While appearing on Scared of the Dark, he spoke openly about his experience of going blind, saying that “when it started happening it was scary and embarrassing”.
He added: “I got myself into bad situations because I didn’t want to ask for help. I will never be on a level playing field with everyone else.”
McCausland, who is married and has an 11-year-old daughter, explained that he can “still see light and space” and has “an awareness of the space around me, not in terms of objects and things, but in terms of the room and whether there might be something in front of me.”
In week one of the competition, the comedian admitted Buswell had kicked him in the face during rehearsal, adding they were figuring it out as they went along.
Ahead of his Strictly appearance, he said he did not want to “bang viewers over the head” with his blindness, stating: “It’s great that there’s people coming through who are able to represent disability while also having the experience to do the job properly. There’s no point fast-tracking performers on to TV before they’re ready.”
“My attitude has always been to represent by not banging you over the head,” he told The Independent in September. “I think the best way to represent a disability is to make people forget about it whenever possible. It’s always part of you.”
“But if you can do a show where, say, 80 per cent of it isn’t about being blind, that makes it more impactful and funnier when you do talk about it. I believe in representation within the mainstream.”
Catch up on everything that happened in the live final here.
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Comments | https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/chris-mccausland-winner-strictly-2024-dianne-buswell-b2664855.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:18Z |
PICS: Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders
Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders danced for breast cancer awareness at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders danced for breast cancer awareness at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders wearing Breast Cancer Awareness uniforms perform during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, in Atlanta. (Photo: AP)
Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders wearing Breast Cancer Awareness uniforms during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, in Atlanta. (Photo: AP)
Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders wearing Breast Cancer Awareness uniforms perform during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, in Atlanta. (Photo: AP)
Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders wearing Breast Cancer Awareness uniforms perform during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, in Atlanta. (Photo: AP)
Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders wearing Breast Cancer Awareness uniforms perform during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, in Atlanta.(Photo: AP)
A member of the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders performs during the game against the New York Jets at the Georgia Dome on October 7, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: Getty Images)
Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders wearing Breast Cancer Awareness uniforms perform during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, in Atlanta. (Photo: AP)
Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders perform with Breast Cancer Awareness uniforms before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, in Atlanta. (Photo: AP)
Freddie the Falcon, mascot for the Atlanta Falcons, stands with the cheerleaders prior to the game against the New York Jets at Georgia Dome on October 7, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: Getty Images)
Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders perform with Breast Cancer Awareness uniforms before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, in Atlanta. (Photo: AP) | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/pics-atlanta-falcons-cheerleaders-105781.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:18Z |
Smita Thackeray and Ruma Devi Unite to Empower Women of Maharashtra
By PNN | Published: December 16, 2024 10:44 AM2024-12-16T10:44:52+5:302024-12-16T10:45:03+5:30
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 16: During the grand Rumayana Festival held at the Mukkti Cultural Hub in Andheri, Mumbai, renowned ...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 16: During the grand Rumayana Festival held at the Mukkti Cultural Hub in Andheri, Mumbai, renowned social entrepreneur and founder of the Mukkti Foundation, Smt. Smita Thackeray, met with Nari Shakti Puraskar awardee and traditional handicraft fashion designer, Ruma Devi. The festival, a celebration of India's epic heritage through art, culture, and performances, provided the perfect setting for the duo to discuss a transformative initiative for women's empowerment in Maharashtra.
Speaking at the event, Smita Thackeray said, “The Rumayana Festival is a tribute to our cultural heritage and the values it imparts. Women empowerment has always been a core pillar of the Mukkti Foundation. This is why I felt a deep connection to Ruma Devi's mission and decided to join hands to extend her impactful work to Maharashtra. By providing the necessary infrastructure, we can create meaningful opportunities for skill development while preserving our cultural traditions.”
Ruma Devi expressed her enthusiasm, adding, “The Rumayana Festival beautifully connects us to our roots. Collaborating with Smita ji to extend the vision of women's empowerment to Maharashtra is a privilege. Together, we can create a sustainable model of self-reliance for women while preserving India's artisanal legacy.”
The Mukkti Foundation's commitment to women's welfare and empowerment aligns seamlessly with Ruma Devi's dedication to uplifting rural women through traditional handicrafts. With over 30,000 women already empowered under Ruma Devi's leadership in Rajasthan, this collaboration aims to replicate and expand the model in Maharashtra.
The Rumayana Festival, known for its engaging workshops, live performances, and cultural exhibits, underscored the importance of preserving India's heritage while working toward empowering communities.
The initiative, combining Smita Thackeray's extensive experience in social causes with Ruma Devi's expertise, is expected to take shape in the coming months, marking a significant step toward fostering self-reliance and preserving India's cultural heritage.
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Open in app | https://www.lokmattimes.com/business/smita-thackeray-and-ruma-devi-unite-to-empower-women-of-maharashtra/ | 2024-12-16T05:55:18Z |
Week 15's Sunday Night Football ended in a comfortable one-sided affair.
The Green Bay Packers went on the road and conquered the Seattle Seahawks 30-13 in a game the latter really never founded their footing in.
Watch NBC6 free wherever you are
>Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs found their rhythm early and didn't let up, while Geno Smith struggled before leaving the action early with a knee injury, being replaced by Sam Howell.
Get local news you need to know to start your day with NBC 6's News Headlines newsletter.
>Seattle made it 23-13 in the fourth quarter and increased the pressure slightly on Love and Co., but a Howell interception eventually sealed the deal.
The result moved Green Bay to 10-4 while Seattle dropped to 8-6 in a tight NFC West race. Let's analyze the prime time game further with three takeaways:
Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs shine
The Packers were led to victory by their two best offensive talents. Love stepped up with a clean game, throwing for 229 yards on 20 of 27 completions for two touchdowns and no picks while not taking a sack.
Jacobs carried the rock 26 times for 94 yards and a touchdown, continuing his excellent first campaign with Green Bay.
Romeo Doubs caught both of Love's touchdowns, including a ridiculous low snag that iced the game late in the fourth.
“HOW DID DOUBS CATCH THAT?!” 😱
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 16, 2024
An INSANE grab in the back of the end zone.
📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/PoalStVKPR
Seattle won't go far with Geno Smith
The Seahawks are in position to make the playoffs, whether that's as the NFC West winners or through the wild card. But they're still not that much different with Mike Macdonald as head coach, especially with Geno Smith under center.
Prior to the knee injury, Smith completed 15 of 19 passes for 149 yards, no touchdowns and one pick while being sacked three times. Seattle did give Smith an extension after his play made them relevant in playoff conversations, but he's still not the team's long-term signal caller and a short playoff run, if at all with three weeks to go, is likely.
Young Packers shine on defense
The Packers have become known for deploying several top young prospects on offense, but don't forget about their underrated defense, too.
Leading the way in the win was 23-year-old linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and 24-year-old defensive end Kingsley Enagbare. Cooper led the team with seven total tackles (six solo), one sack, two tackles for loss, two QB hits and two passes defended, on top of a 22-yard interception return on Howell.
Enagbare had five solo tackles (second most for Green Bay) that included three tackles for loss, two sacks and two QB hits. The Packers indicated last season they're built for a deep playoff push. With young talents like this on both sides of the ball, they should be in the mix again. | https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/sports/nfl/packers-seahawks-score-sunday-night-football/3495352/ | 2024-12-16T05:55:18Z |
New on Netflix in December, including the most hyped release of 2024
It’s what everyone’s been waiting for
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Your support makes all the difference.Netflix has an extremely busy month lined up in December.
This month, the streaming service will not only remove a bunch of titles, but add a huge roster of movies and TV shows, new and old, which will keep subscribers entertained right up until 2025.
Among the new releases are Black Doves, an action thriller starring Ben Whishaw and Keira Knightley, Gabriel García Márquez adaptation One Hundred Years of Solitude and Pablo Larraín’s Maria Callas biopic starring Angelina Jolie.
But it’s the second season of Squid Game that most people are anticipating. The follow-up arrives three years after the first season became a surprise hit for the streamer, amassing so many views it became its most-watched title in history.
Find a full list of every movie and TV coming to Netflix this month below.
NB: We compile this list with assistance from What’s on Netflix.
ORIGINAL
TV
4 December
Dinner Time Live with David Chang: Holiday Edition (LIVE at 12am GMT) – UK/US
The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On season three – UK/US
Tomorrow and I season one – UK/US
5 December
Beastars season three – part one – UK/US
Black Doves season one – UK/US
Jentry Chau vs the Underworld season one – UK/US
6 December
Echoes of the Past season one – UK/US
9 December
The Great British Baking Show: Holidays season seven – UK/US
10 December
Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die season one – UK/US
11 December
Dinner Time Live with David Chang: Holiday Edition (LIVE at 12am GMT) – UK/US
One Hundred Years of Solitude season one – UK/US
Queer Eye season nine – UK/US
12 December
La Palma season one – UK/US
No Good Deed season one – UK/US
13 December
1992 season one – UK/US
18 December
The Manny season two – UK/US
19 December
Virgin River season six – UK/US
20 December
UniverXO Dabiz season one – UK/US
26 December
Squid Game season two – UK/US
28 December
Maestro in Blue season three – UK/US
Movies
4 December
That Christmas – UK/US
The Children’s Train – UK/US
6 December
Camp Crasher – UK/US
Mary – UK/US
11 December
Maria – US (will release in UK and Irish cinemas on 10 January)
13 December
Carry-On – UK/US
Disaster Holiday – UK/US
20 December
Ferry 2 – UK/US
The Six Triple Eight – UK/US
Umjolo: Day Ones – UK/US
Documentary
3 December – UK/US
Churchill at War – UK/US
4 December
The Only Girl in the Orchestra – UK/US
6 December
Biggest Heist Ever – UK/US
10 December
Polo season one – UK/US
11 December
The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga – UK/US
Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World – UK/US
17 December
Aaron Rodgers: Enigma – UK/US
18 December
Julia’s Stepping Stones – UK/US
31 December
Avicii – I’m Tim – UK/US
Comedy
3 December
Fortune Feimster: Crushing It – UK/US
10 December
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… – UK/US
17 December
Ronny Chieng: Love to Hate It – UK/US
24 December
Your Friend, Nate Bargatze – UK/US
31 December
Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-Ful Mind at Radio City Musical Hall – UK/US
Music
6 December
A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter – UK/US
31 December
Avicci – My Last Show – UK/US
Sport
25 December
Christmas Gameday: Chiefs vs Steelers (LIVE at 3pm GMT) – UK/US
Christmas Gameday: Ravens vs Texans (LIVE at 8pm GMT) – UK/US
Kids
19 December
The Dragon Prince season seven – UK/US
Games
3 December
The Ultimatum: Choices (iOS and Android) – UK/US
5 December
Civilization VI (iOS and Android) – UK/US
10 December
Monument Valley 3 (iOS and Android) – UK/US
17 December
Squid Game: Unleashed (iOS and Android) – UK/US
LICENCED
TV
1 December
Bunk’d season seven – US
InuYasha: The Final Act – US
Jin season one and two – UK/US
Naruto – UK
The Pembrokeshire Murders series one – UK
The Walk-In series one – UK
5 December
Top Chef – US
Beautiful Life season one – US
10 December
Alaskan Bush People – UK/US
12 December
Deadliest Catch – UK
Happiness season one – US
15 December
Parenthood season one to six – UK
16 December
The Equalizer season one to three – US
19 December
Project Runway – US
21 December
Flipping Out season six to eight – US
31 December
Evil season three – US
The Millionaire Matchmaker season five to seven – US
Movies
1 December
Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday – UK
Burlesque – US
Daddy Day Care – US
Dangerous – UK
The Dark Tower – US
Devil’s Workshop – UK
Faster – US
The First Slam Dunk – UK
The Happytime Murders – US
Little – US
Midway – US
The Offering – UK
One Piece Film Red – US
Open Season: Scared Silly – US
Project X – US
Top Five – US
Transformers – US
Upon Open Sky – US
We’re the Millers – US
Zero Dark Thirty – US
2 December
Kneecap – US
3 December
Sleeping Princess – UK/US
4 December
Maple Leaf Dreams – UK/US
The Star – US
5 December
Compliance – US
Heartbreak Motel – UK/US
Subservience – UK/US
6 December
Scream VI – UK
7 December
80 for Brady – UK
Shiva Baby – US
8 December
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish – UK
9 December
It Ends With Us – US
14 December
The Knock at the Cabin – UK
15 December
Alice, Darling – UK
The Devil You Know – UK
How The Gringo Stole Christmas – UK
Pig – UK
16 December
The Dead Don’t Die – US
17 December
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret – UK
The Batman – UK
Operation Mincemeat – UK
19 December
65 – UK
30 December
Mad Max: Fury Road – US
Documentary
1 December
24 Hours in Waitrose – UK
2 December
30 for 30: This Magic Moment – US
30 for 30: Bad Boys – US
30 for 30: Winning Time – US
30 for 30: This Was The XFL – US
3 December
Borderless: Ae! Groups Debut season one (new episodes Tuesdays) – UK/US
10 December
Undisputed – UK
14 December
Iron Family season one (new episodes Saturdays) – UK
15 December
Saucedo – US
18 December
Married to a Psychopath – UK
Kids
9 December
Rubble & Crew season one – US
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Comments | https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/new-on-netflix-movies-tv-series-squid-games-la-palma-b2664880.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:24Z |
PICS: Bikini Fitness in Russia
A bikini fitness competition for the Samson Cup was held in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk.
A bikini fitness competition for the Samson Cup was held in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk.
Contestants take part in a bikini fitness competition during the 1st "Samson Cup" open amateur tournament in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk October 5, 2013. Participants from Siberian cities and towns took part in the tournament competing in bodybuilding, body fitness and bikini fitness disciplines. (Photo: Reuters)
Contestants take part in a bikini fitness competition during the 1st "Samson Cup" open amateur tournament in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk October 5, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)
A participant prepares backstage before the 1st "Samson Cup" open amateur tournament in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk October 5, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)
Participants prepare backstage before the 1st "Samson Cup" open amateur tournament in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk October 5, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)
Contestants take part in a bodybuilding competition during the 1st "Samson Cup" open amateur tournament in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk October 5, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)
Participants prepare backstage before the 1st "Samson Cup" open amateur tournament in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk October 5, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)
Participants prepare backstage before the 1st "Samson Cup" open amateur tournament in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk October 5, 2013. (Photo: Reuters) | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/pics-bikini-fitness-in-russia-105626.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:25Z |
Swachh Bharat Mission drives toilet cleaner usage in India by 53pc in 2024
By IANS | Published: December 16, 2024 10:51 AM2024-12-16T10:51:23+5:302024-12-16T11:05:07+5:30
New Delhi, Dec 16 Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Mission has driven toilet cleaner usage in Indian ...
New Delhi, Dec 16 Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Mission has driven toilet cleaner usage in Indian households by 53 per cent in 2024, according to a report.
The report by Kantar, a market research firm, showed that the country has seen a dramatic rise in the use of toilet cleaners and floor cleaners. From 19 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively of households using these in 2014, it more than doubled to 53 per cent using toilet cleaners and 22 per cent buying floor cleaners in 2024.
Launched by the government on October 2, 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission is a country-wide campaign initiated to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management and to create Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages.
The report attributed the growth of toilet cleaner usage in households to the mission's success, coupled with marketing efforts. It said the mission significantly improved hygiene awareness and product penetration, particularly in rural areas.
As per the report, over 128 million new households have been added in the toilet cleaners, and 52 million homes in the floor cleaners segment.
The report said the surface cleaner market is about Rs 4,200 crore, with toilet cleaners accounting for half the segment at Rs 2,000 crore.
Kantar said the category was largely urban-centric a decade ago -- that's changed drastically.
A decade ago, 82 per cent of households that bought toilet cleaners were in urban areas, it was 90 per cent for floor cleaners.
"Urban is no longer the dominant source of the category with rural contributing to 52 per cent," said K Ramakrishnan, managing director, South Asia, world panel division at Kantar. "Clearly, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan drove the importance of cleanliness to the Indian households, and simultaneously helped manufacturers to drive penetration of household hygiene categories as well."
Since its inception in 2014, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has led to over 500,000 villages achieving ODF (Open Defecation-Free) plus status with rural sanitation rising from 39 per cent to 100 per cent.
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Open in app | https://www.lokmattimes.com/business/swachh-bharat-mission-drives-toilet-cleaner-usage-in-india-by-53pc-in-2024-3/ | 2024-12-16T05:55:25Z |
Donald Trump Appoints Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes as Chairman of President's Intelligence Advisory Board
BGT 2024-25: Smith and Head Shine with Centuries, Bumrah Claims Fifer as Australia Reach 405/7 at Stumps
Tata Cliq, JioMart, Ajio, Ola, Zomato & Others Commit to 'Safety Pledge' on National Consumer Day 2024 | https://www.thehawk.in/tag/india-vs-australia-brisbane-test | 2024-12-16T05:55:25Z |
Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood shocks fans as he delivers emotional poem to Chris McCausland
‘Chris, you’ve officially broken Craig Revel Horwood,’ declared Claudia Winkleman
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At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.In Strictly Come Dancing’s 20-year history, judge Craig Revel Horwood has developed a reputation for being the pantomime villain of the series – giving out harsh scores and even more scathing criticism.
However, it seems that this year’s winner, comedian Chris McCausland, has been the person to finally break down the ruthless judge. During Saturday night’s final (14 December), Revel Horwood stood up and delivered an emotional speech dedicated to McCausland, and even left his chair to give the contestant a big hug.
Throughout this year’s series, McCausland – who was announced on Saturday night as the first blind person to win the series – has been unafraid to fire back witty jokes at Revel Horwood whenever he dished out brutal criticism. That running dynamic has led the two to strike up a special bond.
During rehearsals for the final, each finalist was assigned a judge to assist them with adding the finishing touches to their routine, such as perfecting their technique and performance style. It was no surprise when Revel Horwood was the judge chosen to help McCausland and his professional partner Dianne Buswell.
After McCausland and Buswell danced their final routine of the series on Saturday – a Waltz to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers – Revel Horwood grew emotional as he reflected on being in the rehearsal room with the pair.
He admitted he liked the experience so much that he even thought about getting the comedian a Christmas card.
“My eyes were made wide open when I came to the studio to coach you guys. I loved every second of it, it was brilliant. It stayed with me – to the point that I really thought that I was going to write you a Christmas card,” he said.
Revel Horwood revealed that he had in fact written “a little something” dedicated to McCausland.
“I thought I’d read it now instead to save money on the card,” he joked.
He began the poem: “In a world of darkness, you’ve learnt to dance and slay / With every step, you’ve found your way / You’ve taught the world anything can be done / As long as you don’t stick out your bum / No shoulders raised with swing and sway / With every heel lead, you discovered the day / A heart that dances, pure and free / Is worth much more than a 10 from me / And Chris, you’re a light that shines for all to see.”
The studio was filled with claps and cheers as each judge grew teary-eyed.
McCausland then opened his arms wide and said, “Come on Craig!”, and the judge got up from his chair and embraced the comedian.
Host Tess Daly joked she had “seen it all now” as Revel Horwood’s affection is a rare occurrence on the dancing show.
Claudia Winkleman later added: “Chris, you’ve officially broken Craig Revel Horwood, and we’re all grateful.”
He responded: “Oh my goodness, it’s so much more than I ever thought. I thought that the show, if it did well, it would be entertaining, I didn’t realise it would be emotional, and that it would move people and connect with people. It’s really hit me.”
Viewers were similarly teary-eyed at home, as one person wrote on X/Twitter: “That poem was possibly the nicest thing I’ve ever seen Craig do on Strictly. No matter his scores for Chris, that is the kindest moment I’ve ever seen.”
Another person wrote a poetic response: “Well, in the Elstree Studious they say – that Craig‘s small heart grew three sizes that day.”
“Chris has got Craig reading poetry,” said one person, sharing a gasping emoji.
Another said: “I am in complete bits. Chris is absolutely wonderful. Diane is pure talent. Then Craig’s poem. Floods of tears.”
McCausland and Buswell lifted the glitterball trophy on Saturday night as they were revealed as the 2024 winners of Strictly. Catch up on everything that happened here.
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Comments | https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/strictly-craig-revel-horwood-poem-chris-mccausland-b2664847.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:30Z |
PICS: The Wild Champagne Party
Boston Red Sox celebrated their win against Tampa Bay Rays with a wild champagne party.
Boston Red Sox celebrated their win against Tampa Bay Rays with a wild champagne party.
Boston Red Sox left fielder Mike Carp (left) and first baseman Mike Napoli (right) pours champagne on each other as they celebrate beating the Tampa Bay Rays of the American League divisional series at Tropicana Field. Boston Red Sox defeated theTampa Bay Rays 3-1. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (right) is sprayed with champagne as they celebrate beating the Tampa Bay Rays in game four of the American League divisional series at Tropicana Field. Boston Red Sox defeated theTampa Bay Rays 3-1. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
Boston Red Sox catcher David Ross (center) and teammates celebrate in the locker room as they pour champagne on them as they beat the Tampa Bay Rays of game four of the American League divisional series at Tropicana Field. Boston Red Sox defeated theTampa Bay Rays 3-1. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz pours champagne on him as he celebrates beating the Tampa Bay Rays of the American League divisional series at Tropicana Field. Boston Red Sox defeated theTampa Bay Rays 3-1. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli (center) and teammates celebrate as they pour champagne on them as they beat the Tampa Bay Rays of game four of the American League divisional series at Tropicana Field. Boston Red Sox defeated theTampa Bay Rays 3-1. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (center) and teammates celebrate in the locker room as they pour champagne on them as they beat the Tampa Bay Rays of game four of the American League divisional series at Tropicana Field. Boston Red Sox defeated theTampa Bay Rays 3-1. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports) | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/pics-the-wild-champagne-party-105756.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:31Z |
SWITCH Mobility to Redefine Urban Mobility across India, Europe and GCC with the launch of two new low floor electric city buses - EiV12 and E1
By ANI | Published: December 16, 2024 11:11 AM2024-12-16T11:11:38+5:302024-12-16T11:15:03+5:30
PRNewswire New Delhi [India], December 16: SWITCH Mobility Ltd, subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and part of the Hinduja Group, ...
PRNewswire
New Delhi [India], December 16: SWITCH Mobility Ltd, subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and part of the Hinduja Group, and a leading manufacturer of electric buses and light commercial vehicles unveiled its contemporary electric bus platform SWITCH EiV12 - the low floor electric city bus for the Indian market on December 11, 2024. It is India's First Low-Floor City Bus with Chassis-mounted batteries, featuring a scalable battery capacity of over 400+ kWh.
* Nitin Gadkari officially unveils the new line up of SWITCH electric buses for India and the world
The vehicle was launched by Nitin Gadkari Minister for Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, in the presence of Ashok P. Hinduja, Chairman of Hinduja Group Companies (India), other dignitaries, and industry leaders.
On the occasion, SWITCH E1, engineered for the European Market, was flagged off virtually. Both these buses share common design philosophies and EV architecture.
The purpose-built SWITCH EiV12 platform is indigenously designed, developed and manufactured for urban city commutes, offering global standards in performance, safety, reliability, and comfort. With seating for up to 39 passengers, the SWITCH EiV12 leads its segment, offering maximum revenue potential for operators.
Ashok P. Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group of Companies (India) observed while launching these vehicles, "These buses are a tribute to the PM's Make in India vision: made in India, for India and the World. SWITCH Mobility is inspired to launch newer vehicles with cutting-edge technology and zero carbon emissions, only because of the wonderful road infrastructure that is coming up in India, owing to visionaries like Modi Ji and implementers like Gadkari Ji."
Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of SWITCH Mobility, said, "The launch of the SWITCH EiV12 and the flagging off of the SWITCH E1 for Spain is a proud milestone for the Hinduja Group and Ashok Leyland, underscoring our commitment to sustainable mobility. In addition to the EiV12 and E1, SWITCH is developing a range of new products to expand our global offerings. At SWITCH Mobility, we are driving a greener future and advancing our long-term vision to democratize electric mobility worldwide."
Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, SWITCH Mobility, said, "At SWITCH Mobility, we're excited to unveil two new products for India and Europe, both built on our Global EV architecture. These innovations harness cutting-edge EV technology to deliver superior efficiency, safety, and passenger comfort. Our low-floor electric city bus, designed for optimal energy performance and accessibility, has garnered an overwhelming 1,800 ordersproof of the market's confidence in SWITCH Mobility's vision for a sustainable urban transport future."
The India electric city bus market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21% by 2030 with an EV penetration of 70%. The total parc for electric city buses is likely to cross 70,000 units by 2030.
The SWITCH EiV12 sets a new benchmark in passenger comfort, safety, and technology, reshaping the EV landscape. Its low-floor entry with a kneeling mechanism ensures easy ingress and egress, while the automated wheelchair ramp and dedicated spaces make it accessible for differently abled passengers. Designed with women's safety in mind, it is equipped with 5 CCTV cameras with no blind spots and includes 5 dedicated seats for women. The expansive panoramic glass area, the largest in its segment, offers superior visibility, naturally lit interiors, and enhanced safety. Powered by SWITCH iON, the proprietary telematics system, the SWITCH EiV12 offers real-time vehicle health monitoring, ITMS and efficient fleet management. Its efficient rear-end dual-gun charging interface not only ensures rapid recharging but also optimizes depot spaces, while an IP67 rated battery lets the bus deal with flooded roads with ease.
The SWITCH E1, the latest innovation designed specifically for the European market, showcases cutting-edge engineering with a lightweight monocoque construction, ensuring optimal efficiency and performance. The SWITCH E1 features in-wheel motors and a flat gangway layout throughout the bus, providing seamless movement and accessibility for passengers. With its triple-door configuration (front, center, and rear), the bus offers unmatched convenience for quick boarding and alighting, perfectly suited for urban transit systems. Capable of accommodating up to 93 passengers, including standees, the SWITCH E1 sets a new benchmark in sustainable, passenger-centric public transportation.
About SWITCH Mobility
SWITCH Mobility, part of the Hinduja Group and a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, is a global electric bus and light commercial vehicle manufacturer committed to advancing green mobility. Formed through a strategic collaboration between the engineering expertise of the Indian powerhouse Ashok Leyland and the British bus maker Optare, it seamlessly integrates the very best innovators and cutting-edge technology to deliver unrivalled product choices on a global scale. In 2014, SWITCH (then Optare) introduced the first British built, pure electric buses to London's roads and since then has put over 950 EVs on the road, clocking up over 130 million kilometers globally.
SWITCH Mobility's accomplishments are underscored by numerous awards, such as Most Trusted Brand of India, Company of the Year, L&ICV People Mover of the Year, Star Electric Bus of the Year, Sustainability Award, Best PR Campaign, and Most Trusted Brand of the Nation. Recognized as a Great Place to Work, SWITCH Mobility cultivates a corporate culture that values agility, innovation, and responsibility.
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Open in app | https://www.lokmattimes.com/business/switch-mobility-to-redefine-urban-mobility-across-india-europe-and-gcc-with-the-launch-of-two-new-low-floor-electric-city-buses-eiv12-and-e1/ | 2024-12-16T05:55:31Z |
Donald Trump Appoints Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes as Chairman of President's Intelligence Advisory Board
BGT 2024-25: Smith and Head Shine with Centuries, Bumrah Claims Fifer as Australia Reach 405/7 at Stumps
Tata Cliq, JioMart, Ajio, Ola, Zomato & Others Commit to 'Safety Pledge' on National Consumer Day 2024 | https://www.thehawk.in/tag/gen-aak-niazi-surrender | 2024-12-16T05:55:32Z |
Fans spark debate on concert etiquette after Billie Eilish was hit with a necklace at her latest concert
‘Crowd incidents are becoming too frequent,’ one angry fan writes
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Your support makes all the difference.Conversations about concert etiquette have been sparked once again as Billie Eilish becomes the latest artist to be hit on stage by a flying item.
From Lady Gaga to Harry Styles and Taylor Swift, within the last two years, several musicians have had objects thrown at them by someone in the crowd during their performances. Items have ranged from food to electronics including cabbage, cell phones, and roses.
Last night (December 13), a chunky necklace came close to hitting the “Birds of a Feather” star’s eye inside Glendale, Arizon’s Desert Diamond Arena.
In footage shared on X/Twitter, Eilish, 22, is seen on stage singing “What Was I Made For?” as the purple bead accessory catapults toward her.
Eilish flinches before the necklace bounces in front of her legs. Before continuing, Eilish sighed and flashed the crowd a disappointed look.
Frustrated fans took to social media to shame the concertgoers who think it’s a good idea to chuck random things at performers.
One woman mourned the days when people respected artists at concerts. “I miss concert etiquette, why is this allowed?” she asked on X.
Another said: “Crowd incidents are becoming too frequent.”
“People need to chill at concerts,” a third fan wrote, while a fourth agreed: “So cringe and disrespectful.”
Meanwhile, one person offered an opposing argument. “I personally think throwing things on stage can be fun and lead to great interaction but it’s always up to the artist. If they don’t support it (clearly she doesn’t), don’t do it. But like others like pink who welcome it, do it! it’s fun when consensual.”
“We stopped doing that in 2023…,” another individual disagreed.
Back when Harry Styles was touring in 2022, the “As It Was” vocalist was the target of many objects thrown, one of which was a skittle. During a show in Los Angeles, a fan chucked a single skittle that flew right into his eye.
Videos from the concert show the former One Direction bandmember waving at the crowd before the small candy scratched his left eye. Styles squinted as he bowed and navigated his way off stage, unable to open the injured eye.
Afterward, fans were outraged, arguing the 30-year-old artist might’ve been seriously injured.
“Whatever it was, only an idiot could throw things at a performing person. Just in case Harry had an injury that prevented him from going on another tour, or worse, permanent damage. This is not how love for an artist is shown in a civilized society,” one upset woman wrote under a YouTube video of the incident.
During Taylor Swift’s Buenos Aires leg of her Eras Tour in 2023, the “Fifteen” singer asked fans to stop this behavior for her own safety and that of her dancers. “Just because communication means having gentle, healthy boundaries, it really freaks me out when stuff gets thrown on the stage, because if it’s on the stage then a dancer can trip on it,” she said. “I love that you brought presents and that is so nice, but just can you please not throw them on the stage. I love you so much!”
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Comments | https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/billie-eilish-necklace-glendale-concert-etiquette-b2664879.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:36Z |
Synergy Quantum Provides World's Most Advanced QRNG to C-DAC, Driving India's Quantum-Ready Future
By ANI | Published: December 16, 2024 11:02 AM2024-12-16T11:02:02+5:302024-12-16T11:05:03+5:30
PRNewswire New Delhi [India], December 16: Synergy Quantum, a global leader in military-grade quantum secure communication technologies, has announced ...
PRNewswire
New Delhi [India], December 16: Synergy Quantum, a global leader in military-grade quantum secure communication technologies, has announced the successful deployment of a state-of-the-art Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), India. This strategic collaboration marks a pivotal step in strengthening India's national cryptographic resilience and advancing Post-Quantum Encryption (PQE) capabilities.
At the core of this breakthrough lies Synergy Quantum's proprietary Source-Device Independent Self-Certification (DISC™) protocol, redefining how randomness is generated and verified in quantum systems. Unlike conventional methods, DISC™ leverages unique properties of quantum photonics to ensure that every random number generated is inherently secure, even under environmental disturbances. This pioneering capability prevents vulnerabilities common in other QRNGs, ensuring robust security for cryptographic applications.
The integration of Synergy Quantum's cutting-edge QRNG, powered by a Source-Device Independent Self-Certification (DISC™) protocol, addresses the growing need for high-quality random number generation in secure communications and cryptographic applications. This initiative is set to drive groundbreaking research in quantum technology, fortifying India's position in the global quantum research landscape.
The Importance of Robust Randomness in Post-Quantum Encryption
With the advent of quantum computing, traditional encryption methods face existential vulnerabilities. Ensuring the integrity of Post-Quantum Encryption requires an unassailable foundation: the random seed. Weaknesses in randomness can render even the most advanced encryption systems vulnerable. Synergy Quantum's QRNG, powered by the DISC™ protocol, ensures that every random number generated is:
* Genuinely Random: Intrinsic randomness verified in real-time using advanced quantum photonics
* Hardware Independent: Free from reliance on specific hardware, eliminating vulnerabilities from silent failures
* Scalable and Resilient: Compact photonic architecture enabling seamless integration into diverse systems
A Leap Forward in India's Quantum Security Infrastructure
The QRNG sold to C-DAC is designed to play a critical role in India's mission to achieve quantum resilience. By providing cryptographically secure randomness, it enables the creation of robust encryption keys essential for PQE and other secure communication protocols. This deployment aligns with India's strategic focus on building self-reliant, future-proof quantum technologies.
"Fortifying India's Quantum Ecosystem" - Jay Oberai, Founder & CEO, Synergy Quantum.
"We are proud to partner with C-DAC to deliver the world's most advanced QRNG technology, tailored to meet India's urgent need for secure communication in a post-quantum era," said Jay Oberai, Founder & CEO of Synergy Quantum. "Randomness is the cornerstone of cryptographic security, and our DISC™-powered QRNG is unmatched in its ability to provide true randomness at scale. This collaboration represents a shared commitment to enabling India's leadership in quantum research and technology."
Unparalleled Security and Performance for India's PQE Journey
The QRNG supplied by Synergy Quantum delivers:
* Uncompromising Security: True randomness to support encryption protocols that can withstand quantum attacks
* High-Performance Key Generation: Capable of meeting demanding operational needs with exceptional throughput
* Versatile Applications: Designed for secure communications, digital signatures, and critical data protection
Building the Foundations of India's Quantum Revolution
This deployment reinforces India's position as a rising force in the global quantum technology landscape. Synergy Quantum's QRNG will catalyze groundbreaking research and innovation at C-DAC, empowering India to protect sensitive information and critical systems in an increasingly uncertain cybersecurity environment.
About Synergy Quantum
Synergy Quantum (SQ) pioneers military-grade quantum-secure communication technologies to address the vulnerabilities posed by quantum computing. The company's expertise spans Post-Quantum Encryption, Quantum Key Distribution, and Quantum Communication Infrastructure, providing advanced solutions that transcend the limitations of traditional cryptography.
About C-DAC
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is a premier R&D organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), India. A hub for innovation in areas such as quantum computing, AI, and high-performance computing, C-DAC plays a vital role in advancing India's technological leadership.
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Open in app | https://www.lokmattimes.com/business/synergy-quantum-provides-worlds-most-advanced-qrng-to-c-dac-driving-indias-quantum-ready-future/ | 2024-12-16T05:55:38Z |
PICS: Torch Relay for Sochi Olympics
The Sochi Winter Olympics torch is passing through the historically, culturally and ethnically rich Russian cities.
The Sochi Winter Olympics torch is passing through the historically, culturally and ethnically rich Russian cities.
Olympic torches with the St. Bazil's Cathedral at the background during a relay in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013. The relay for the Sochi Winter Games, which began Monday in Moscow, will pass through many cities that showcase the historical, cultural and ethnic richness of Russia. (Photo: AP)
Iosif Kobzon (R), Russian singer and a deputy of the State Duma, Russia's lower house of Parliament, and Yuri Kosovan (L), deputy director general of TV Tsentr (TV Centre) Russian television channel, take part in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic torch relay, with the Kremlin wall seen in the background, in central Moscow October 8, 2013. The torch relay will take the flame to the North Pole and outer space before the Olympics begin in the Black Sea resort on February 7. (Photo: Reuters)
Participants take part in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic torch relay, with the Christ the Saviour Cathedral seen in the background, in central Moscow October 8, 2013. The torch relay will take the flame to the North Pole and outer space before the Olympics begin in the Black Sea resort on February 7. (Photo: Reuters)
A torch bearer carries an Olympic torch in front of the Moscow State University during a relay in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013. Moscow's Kremlin is at the background. The relay for the Sochi Winter Games, which began Monday in Moscow, will pass through many cities that showcase the historical, cultural and ethnic richness of Russia. (Photo: AP)
A torch bearer carries an Olympic torch in a park during a relay in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013. The relay for the Sochi Winter Games, which began Monday in Moscow, will pass through many cities that showcase the historical, cultural and ethnic richness of Russia. (Photo: AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putinlights lights a torch in Moscow on October 5, 2013, to start the relay across Russia, as the Olympic Flame for the XXII Winter Olympic Games Sochi 2014 arrived in Russia . (Photo: AFP)
One of the Olympic torches rises in front of a poster with the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic logo just outside the Red Square in Moscow, on October 7, 2013, during a ceremony to kick off the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic torch relay across Russia. (Photo: AFP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin takes a torch in Moscow on October 5, 2013, to start the relay across Russia, as the Olympic Flame for the XXII Winter Olympic Games Sochi 2014 arrived in Russia . (Photo: AFP)
Three-time world champion and two-time Olympic champion in gymnastics, Svetlana Khorkina, carries the Olympic torch just outside the Red Square in Moscow, on October 7, 2013, during a ceremony to kick off the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic torch relay across Russia. (Photo: AFP)
Olympic champion and synchronised swimmer Anastasia Davydova (R) carries a torch during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic torch relay in central Moscow October 7, 2013. The torch relay will take the flame to the North Pole and outer space before the Olympics begin in the Black Sea resort on February 7. (Photo: Reuters) | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/pics-torch-relay-for-sochi-olympics-105631.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:37Z |
FORMULA ONE PICS: Sexy Korean Grid Girls
Grid girls stole the show during the Formula One Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam.
Grid girls stole the show during the Formula One Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam.
Two Formula One grid girls pose for photographers before the Korean F1 Grand Prix at the Korea International Circuit in Yeongam, October 6, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)
Grid girl stands in front of the car of Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing before the Korean Formula One Grand Prix at Korea International Circuit on October 6, 2013 in Yeongam-gun, South Korea. (Photo: Getty Images)
Grid girl for Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Scuderia Toro Rosso is seen before the Korean Formula One Grand Prix at Korea International Circuit on October 6, 2013 in Yeongam-gun, South Korea. (Photo: Getty Images)
Grid girl for Jean-Eric Vergne of France and Scuderia Toro Rosso is seen before the Korean Formula One Grand Prix at Korea International Circuit on October 6, 2013 in Yeongam-gun, South Korea. (Photo: Getty Images)
Grid girl for Jean-Eric Vergne of France and Scuderia Toro Rosso is seen before the Korean Formula One Grand Prix at Korea International Circuit on October 6, 2013 in Yeongam-gun, South Korea. (Photo: Getty Images)
Grid girl stands in front of the car of Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing before the Korean Formula One Grand Prix at Korea International Circuit on October 6, 2013 in Yeongam-gun, South Korea. (Photo: Getty Images)
Grid girls pose for photographs ahead of the third practice session of the Formula One Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam on October 5, 2013. (Photo: AFP)
South Korean grid girls walk on the track during a drivers track parade ahead of the start of the Formula One Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam on October 6, 2013. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)
A South Korean grid girl poses on the track during a drivers track parade ahead of the start of the Formula One Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam on October 6, 2013. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)
A South Korean grid girl poses on the track during a drivers track parade ahead of the start of the Formula One Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam on October 6, 2013. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images) | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/motorsport/formula-one-pics-sexy-korean-grid-girls-105566.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:38Z |
Husband sparks ‘food sharing’ debate after getting angry at his wife for eating his fruit
‘I buy stuff specifically for my husband and just don’t touch it unless he offers,’ one reader admits
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Your support makes all the difference.One husband admitted he can’t stand when his wife eats his favorite snack.
In a recent submission in Reddit’s Am I The A**hole forum, the candid man confessed his wife has been eating his persimmons, and he’s not happy about it.
For context, the Reddit writer explained how his wife adores Fuyu persimmons while he’s more of a Hachiya guy. She also prefers her fruit to be “firm,” but he likes it when the persimmon resembles “pudding.”
“So I leave mine to ripen, which can take days to weeks sometimes. Neither of us likes the other’s style much,” he continued.
In the past, their individual preferences have worked out where neither of them goes for the other’s choice. Recently, this hasn’t been the case.
“This week, we got a bunch of each at the farmer’s market. I left mine be in a basket in the corner of the kitchen,” he said. “She ate all of hers by midweek, and I got her more at the market, and she ate those too.
“I just started eating mine today and offered her a bite,” the Redditor continued. “She said, ‘No, I’ll get my own.’ And I said, ‘No way, those are mine.’”
According to the husband, he’d been “saving” his persimmons, waiting for them to turn mushy because that’s what he likes. And while his wife doesn’t usually eat hers that way, she still wanted to eat his.
“She got upset at this and said this has been my thing our whole marriage,” he wrote. “I designate food as mine. ‘All food should be anyone’s to eat if that person wants it at that moment,’ she says.”
The Reddit writer admitted he “disagreed” with this principle of hers. “I live my life leaving her what is hers, whether it’s half of the leftovers or half a piece of cake or whatever,” he explained.
“I don’t just eat things. I consider her. And I do my best to make sure she has what she likes around.”
What’s more, the Redditor claimed the times he’s eaten his wife’s designated food, she’s gotten upset with him.
Questioning whether he was in the wrong for “keeping some fruit” to himself, the husband asked Reddit readers for their opinion, sparking widespread debate on sharing food in marriages.
One harsh reader commented: “If my husband buys something specifically for himself and asks me not to touch it, I don’t because I’m not a selfish little gremlin.”
“I buy stuff specifically for my husband and just don’t touch it unless he offers,” a second agreed.
Another person wrote: “I do think your wife is being a little childish. She is expecting you to share all of your food while she shares none of her own.”
“She doesn’t get to be fruit queen,” a reader remarked before suggesting: “I would start eating her fruit until she screams, bring up this situation you tried to solve, and then make a formal agreement on how it works going forward.”
One individual argued: “People should be able to eat food that’s available. But if I know my partner really likes a particular food and got it ‘for himself,’ I’m gonna ask before I take some!”
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The Indian team began its first innings on the third day of the Gabba Test in Brisbane. After Mitchell Starc dealt significant blows, Josh Hazlewood delivered a major setback to Team India by dismissing Virat Kohli. Kohli was caught out by a delivery outside the off-stump from Hazlewood. This continues to be a recurring issue for Kohli, who has often been dismissed by deliveries outside his off-stump. Despite working on it in net practice, he is frequently seen losing control when faced with such balls in matches.
This persistent flaw in Kohli’s game is not only costing him but also putting Team India in a difficult position. With India on 22 runs, Hazlewood struck again, delivering a blow to Kohli's defense and dismissing him for just 3 runs.
Hazlewood, who returned to the Gabba Test after missing the second Test, once again dismissed Kohli in a similar fashion. By consistently bowling at an off-stump length, Hazlewood forced Kohli to make the same mistake once again. This dismissal pattern has been a consistent issue for Kohli, who was dismissed in a similar manner by Hazlewood during the Perth Test. The same mistake occurred in the Pink Ball Test, where Kohli fell to balls outside the off-stump when it wasn’t necessary.
In the first innings of the Perth Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Hazlewood had also dismissed Kohli in the same manner, forcing the Indian captain to walk back after scoring just 5 runs. Kohli had bounced back with a century in the second innings, but his troubles resurfaced in the second Test, where he struggled in both innings, scoring 7 and 11 runs, respectively. Again, his downfall came from playing at deliveries outside the off-stump. This continued issue with out-swinging deliveries has seen Kohli fail in the fourth innings of three consecutive matches.
Kohli’s repeated failure to cope with deliveries outside the off-stump has become a glaring weakness. The opposition bowlers have now identified this pattern and exploited it with consistency. The "secret" to Kohli’s dismissals is no longer a mystery. Until Kohli addresses this flaw in his game, it seems he may continue to face struggles in future matches. | https://www.lokmattimes.com/cricket/news/australia-vs-india-3rd-test-virat-kohlis-off-stump-weakness-exposed-again-by-josh-hazlewood-watch-video-a510/ | 2024-12-16T05:55:44Z |
PICS: Sebastian Vettel's Nissan Date
Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel took part in a series of Nissan events in Japan.
Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel took part in a series of Nissan events in Japan.
Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany smiles during an event at the Nissan Motor Co.'s global headquarters in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Vettel is in Japan for the Japanese Formula One race in Suzuka, western Japan, on Sunday. (Photo: AP)
Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany smiles and waves at his fans during an event at the Nissan Motor Co.'s global headquarters in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Vettel is in Japan for the Japanese Formula One race in Suzuka, western Japan, on Sunday. (Photo: AP)
Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany, right on the stage, speaks during an event before his fans at the Nissan Motor Co.'s global headquarters in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Vettel is in Japan for the Japanese Formula One race in Suzuka, western Japan, on Sunday. (Photo: AP)
Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany hands out brochures with his autographs to his fans during an event at the Nissan Motor Co.'s global headquarters in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Vettel is in Japan for the Japanese Formula One race in Suzuka, western Japan, on Sunday. (Photo: AP)
Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany, right, takes a photo of his fan during an event at the Nissan Motor Co. headquarters in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Vettel is in Japan for the Japanese Formula One race in Suzuka, western Japan, on Sunday. (Photo: AP)
Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany smiles at his fans during an event at the Nissan Motor Co.'s global headquarters in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Vettel is in Japan for Sunday's Japan Grand Prix race in Suzuka, western Japan. (Photo: AP)
Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany attends an event at Nissan Motor Co's global headquarters in Yokohama, south of Tokyo October 9, 2013. German three-time Red Bull Formula One world champion Vettel attended the event to meet his fans, as a Director of Performance of Nissan's luxury performance brand "Infiniti". (Photo: Reuters)
Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany signs his autograph for a fan after speaking at an event at Nissan Motor Co's global headquarters in Yokohama, south of Tokyo October 9, 2013. German three-time Red Bull Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel attends an event to meet his fans, as a Director of Performance of Nissan's luxury performance brand "Infiniti". (Photo: Reuters)
Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel (C) of Germany walks in the Matsuya Ginza department store to attend a pre-launch event for Nissan Motor's NV200 Taxi, New York city's next-generation yellow cab, in the Tokyo's Ginza shopping district October 9, 2013. The Nissan NV200 is scheduled to enter New York city's taxi fleet near the end of October 2013, the automaker said. (Photo: Reuters)
Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany poses with Nissan Motor's NV200 Taxi, New York city's next-generation yellow cab, during its pre-launch event at the Matsuya Ginza department store in the Tokyo's Ginza shopping district October 9, 2013. The Nissan NV200 is scheduled to enter New York city's taxi fleet near the end of October 2013, the automaker said. (Photo: Reuters) | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/motorsport/pics-sebastian-vettels-nissan-date-105787.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:45Z |
SNL spoofs office Christmas parties and fans are relating to the ‘unfortunately very true’ scenes
The comedy sketch features office characters such as ‘the shy girl from marketing’ and ‘Dana from sales’
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From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
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Your support makes all the difference.Never mind your friend’s party or family traditions, have you ever rung in the festive season at an office-sponsored holiday event?
With the holidays in full swing, many companies are putting on their annual celebration for all their employees. Depending on the workplace, these parties can be impressive or underwhelming between open bars at fancy restaurants and cake in the office after-hours, but people agree they’re always entertaining.
Last night (December 15), Saturday Night Live parodied a stereotypical “office Christmas party extravaganza” in an all-too-relatable skit that’s prompted many fans to share their “unfortunately very true” experiences at their company party.
The skit, starring Heidi Gardner, Marcello Hernández, Sarah Sherman, and guest host Chris Rock, starts by focusing on an office during “the most insane event of the year.”
“Sixty employees and seven interns all going hard in the same space they were working in fifteen minutes ago,” the voice-over exclaims as “co-workers” awkwardly stand against the wall, sipping on drinks from their red solo cups in Santa hats.
“It all kicks off at 5:45 p.m. when your drab, boring office is utterly transformed into your same drab, boring office but with a few lights turned on,” the voice continues. “With music by Ja-Ja-Ja-Jason’s laptop as soon as he can figure out how to pair a speaker with it.”
Characters include “the shy girl from marketing who has one drink and reveals too much about herself” and “the guy who brought his kid and immediately regrets it,” while the harsh reality of the food and drinks is chalked up to “ice warm beers” and “the soggiest food you’ve ever seen.”
“Dana from sales,” played by Heidi Gardner, pretends to kick off a 45-minute-long “Secret Santa” swap before someone’s “quiet” boyfriend is introduced.
The drama begins when a male coworker, played by Chris Rock, introduces his wife to his “work wife,” the woman he’s closest with at the office.
“Drinks will be drunk, H.R. complaints will be created, and someone here is getting a DUI, but it’s not who you think,” the skit added before noting: “And just when you thought the party couldn’t rage any longer, it doesn’t cause it’s Tuesday night, and all y’all got work tomorrow.”
Immediately after watching SNL’s skit, viewers flocked to the comments section on TikTok, confessing the reality of their company’s Christmas party.
“Ours was during work. Catered food. We all grabbed a plate and went back to our workstations to eat. A multimillion-dollar company. Oh yeah, we got 50 bucks,” one candid woman wrote. Another said the SNL sketch was “unfortunately very true.”
A third admitted: “We had a remote working Christmas party on teams. It was a grueling 1.5-hour meeting with mandatory cameras.”
“One of my coworkers brought her newborn baby to the company Christmas party this year lol,” a fourth shared.
Meanwhile, one individual said: “We went to lunch at a restaurant, and all had to pay our bills separately. There was 40 of us.”
Another viewer claimed her Christmas party experience was “worse” than SNL’s portrayal. “Mine got worse at the clerb,” she wrote before explaining how her office was expected to meet at 7 p.m. at the venue after leaving work an hour earlier. And to make matters worse, everyone was expected to be in the office the next day (Wednesday) at 8 a.m.
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Brisbane [Australia], December 16 : In a rain-curtailed session, Australian skipper Pat Cummins increased India's woes with Rishabh Pant's dismissal during the third day of the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test on Monday.
At the stroke of Tea, India managed to crawl its way to 48/4, trailing by 397 runs, with KL Rahul and skipper Rohit Sharma unbeaten with scores of 30(52) and 0(1), respectively.
The consistent rain in Brisbane didn't help India one bit. The constant interference of the weather gods made the passage of play short, and at that moment, Rishabh Pant lost his wicket to Australian skipper Pat Cummins.
While the break allowed Australian pacers to stay fresh, the Indian batters struggled to find their rhythm due to the limited time at the crease.
Pant returned to The Gabba three years after bringing down the walls of Australia's fortress. India's situation was not good right from the beginning, and it became more difficult after Virat Kohli's bat was silenced by Josh Hazlewood.
With India in dire need of a similar act of heroism from Pant, the southpaw showed signs of promise by picking up three runs on his first deliver of the match.
Rain interrupted the session again, but Pant remained consistent in his approach of picking up runs on loose deliveries that fell in his hitting arc.
As Pant and Rahul started to gain momentum with the odds stacked against them, rain once again came in to take away all of it. The duo returned once the rain let off.
Rahul arguably played the shot of the day with a cover drive straight out of the cricket textbooks off Cummins. With the scoreboard regularly ticking and the partnership becoming a threat to the Australians, Cummins upped the ante to extend the dominance exuded by the hosts.
The Australian skipper had worked out his angles and pitched the delivery beautifully to draw Pant (9) out. He nipped the ball away from Pant enough to catch the outside edge straight through to Carey.
Rahul tried to take the fight back by reeling off a four off Mitchell Starc, which turned out to be the final action in the second session.
Earlier in the day, in a start-stop session utterly dominated by Australia, Indian players were once again asked to reflect on their flaws as the impending doom of defeat started to linger in Brisbane.
It was A-Lister Jasprit Bumrah who paved the way for India by removing Mitchell Starc in the opening hour. Starc looked deadly the moment he smoked the ball into the stand with a picture-perfect slog-sweep off Ravindra Jadeja.
Bumrah sensed the threat radiating from the Starc and forced out an edge from the southpaw in the next over. Starc's feet were stuck on the ground as he attempted to push the ball away.
A loose waft from the Australian was enough to pick up a nick as the ball travelled into the safe gloves of Rishabh Pant.
With Alex Carey on the field, Nathan Lyon resisted the temptation to go after the Indian attack, as rain made its presence felt at irregular intervals.
With the tempo of the day set, Mohammed Siraj broke the shackles and managed to breach Lyon's defence to hit the middle stump.
With just a wicket left, Carey decided to charge at Akash Deep but ended up mistiming his shot, forcing Australia to wrap up its inning on 445.
In reply, Indian batters continued to live through the nightmares inflicted in Adelaide, with Starc being the driving force of the Australian pace attack.
His first victim of the day was Yashasvi Jaiswal, a player he has developed a rivalry with since the Perth Test. The young Indian southpaw managed to avoid a golden duck by edging the ball to the boundary, but Starc retaliated by swinging the ball and using the scrambled seam delivery to its effective use.
He picked up Jaiswal's wicket on his second ball of the match after the Indian chipped it away straight into Mitchell Marsh's hands. Shubman Gill (1) was next to return cheaply after he edged it away to Marsh, who took a flight and snaffled it with both hands.
Virat Kohli (3) soon joined the duo's company after being tempted by Hazlewood to chase the outside off delivery and edge it away towards the wicketkeeper.
Brief Score: Australia 445 (Travis Head 152, Steven Smith 151; Jasprit Bumrah 6-76) vs India 48/4 (KL Rahul 30*; Mitchell Starc 2-24).
Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor | https://www.lokmattimes.com/cricket/news/bgt-3rd-test-pat-cummins-adds-to-indias-misery-with-pants-dismissal-day-3-tea/ | 2024-12-16T05:55:50Z |
Sebastian Vettel Poised for F1 Greatness
Sebastian Vettel has endured boos and his dominance has been called boring but he stands on the verge of true Formula One greatness by sealing his fourth straight world title this week.
Sebastian Vettel has endured boos and his dominance has been called boring but he stands on the verge of true Formula One greatness by sealing his fourth straight world title this week.
One more crooked-finger victory salute from Vettel, coupled with an off-day by nearest rival Fernando Alonso, and the Red Bull man joins Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher as only the third four-in-a-row champion.
The amiable German, still only 26, would also tie Alain Prost's career haul of four titles, and lie one off Fangio's total of five compiled in the 1950s. And yet another world championship next year in his rampaging Red Bull would see Vettel match Schumacher's five in a row won with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004.
After unsavoury booing greeted Vettel's irresistible form, including victories in the last four grands prix, debate has raged over whether fans should salute his mastery or yearn for more competitive days.
Vettel's victory from pole position in South Korea last Sunday opened a 77-point lead, and with only 125 points available from the remaining five races he is home and dry if Alonso cannot reach the top eight on Sunday.
The Spaniard has all but thrown in the towel, even if he does manage to postpone Vettel's celebrations until India or Abu Dhabi, the next two races after Japan. "The championship is a low priority at the moment," said Alonso, champion with Renault in 2005 and 2006. "Second in the constructors' championship is more realistic."
And Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has already congratulated Red Bull on their expected victory.
"We know it is almost impossible to win the title, so congratulations to him (Vettel) and to what they are doing because at the end of the day if they have (the title) they deserve that," he said.
Vettel has racked up eight victories out of 14 this year and is on course to beat his previous season best of 11 in 2011, when he also clinched the title at Suzuka, his favourite track.
"Even though it looks very good, it's still not over so we shouldn't feel too comfortable," said Vettel. "There's still a chance for Fernando, so we have to stay on top of our game," he added.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Vettel is "right up there" with the greatest of all time, a view that would be strengthened if he wraps up the title with four races left.
AFP | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/motorsport/sebastian-vettel-poised-for-f1-greatness-105821.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:51Z |
Daughter admits she would throw away dirty dishes rather than clean them
TikTok’s latest trend allows family and friends to spill their secrets in a judgement-free environment
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Your support makes all the difference.A young woman has confessed to throwing dirty dishes in the trash instead of washing them.
In a now-viral clip, a college student named Sam Neff sat her parents down to participate in TikTok’s latest trend, “We listen and we don’t judge,” in which each person takes turns revealing secrets they’ve kept from one another. The rule is no one’s allowed to argue, critique, or reprimand anyone for anything they say.
To her parents’ disappointment, Sam’s first reveal had to do with an old habit from when she was in high school.
“We listen and we don’t judge,” the family of three repeated in the December 10 video that amassed over 2.7 million views.
Sam continued: “Okay, this is mostly like high school, but when I would clean my room and I had dishes in there, I would just throw them away.”
Immediately, Sam’s mom gasped, biting her tongue to refrain from saying anything else as her daughter encouraged them to once again say, “We listen and we don’t judge.”
While her mom might’ve been concerned after only the first secret was revealed, Sam thought her parents were more bothered by the final confession she spilled.
“Okay, in like second grade when I had that drooling thing and went to the hospital for that, I was faking it,” she said, prompting both her parents’ jaws to drop.
For the next few seconds, both her mom and dad were speechless, looking around the room not knowing what to say while Sam giggled next to them.
“We paid a lot of money for that,” Sam’s mom finally said through her own laughter.
Sam never offered any further details on the infamous trip to the hospital despite many pleas to elaborate from her viewers. However, she later revealed: “They were not too happy with me after that last one.”
Elsewhere in the video, Sam’s mom told her husband: “Sometimes when I buy chips at the store, I don’t bring them in the house because I don’t want to share them with you.”
“The dance team I’m on at school, I actually quit three months ago and didn’t tell you guys,” Sam added, while her father admitted: “I thought Wicked was stupid.”
Viewers praised Sam and her parents for their hilarious remarks. “I gasped along with your parents omg,” one amused person said.
Another wrote: “This was the best we listen and we don’t judge I’ve seen.”
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Comments | https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/we-listen-and-we-dont-judge-trend-daughter-parents-tiktok-b2664876.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:54Z |
US Embassy in India pays tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain following his passing
By ANI | Published: December 16, 2024 10:48 AM2024-12-16T10:48:19+5:302024-12-16T10:56:36+5:30
Washington [US], December 16 : The world of music has lost one of its most transcendent figures with the ...
Washington [US], December 16 : The world of music has lost one of its most transcendent figures with the passing of Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla virtuoso, at the age of 73.
The news was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the Hussain family.
Zakir Hussain, who had been battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, passed away in San Francisco, leaving behind a legacy that has profoundly influenced music across the globe.
A global icon of Indian classical music, Hussain was renowned not just for his unparalleled skill on the tabla but also for his groundbreaking contributions to fusion music.
His collaborations with international artists, including John McLaughlin, Mickey Hart, and Ravi Shankar, helped bring Indian music to the world stage and created a lasting impact on the global music landscape.
Fans and celebrities across the world have flooded social media with tributes, remembering the maestro's immense influence on music and culture.
The official US Embassy in India X account also paid tribute to the late musician, sharing a poignant throwback video that featured Hussain performing the tabla during celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of US-India relations.
"Forever in our hearts, Wah Ustaad Wah! We pay our tributes to Ustad Zakir Hussain, a true maestro who touched millions of hearts worldwide with this special video we created with him to celebrate 75 years of the U.S.-India relationship," the Embassy account shared.
Forever in our hearts, Wah Ustaad Wah! We pay our tributes to Ustad Zakir Hussain, a true maestro who touched millions of hearts worldwide with this special video we created with him to celebrate 75 years of the U.S.-India relationship. pic.twitter.com/GvQ2CJpGNf— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 16, 2024
Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain was immersed in music from an early age, inheriting his passion for the tabla from his father, the legendary Ustad Alla Rakha.
Over his almost six-decade career, Zakir Hussain redefined the role of the tabla, turning it from a supporting instrument to a central figure in performances.
Ustad Zakir Hussain's influence extended far beyond the realm of Indian classical music. A pioneer in cross-cultural collaborations, he formed groundbreaking partnerships with international musicians.
His work with guitarist John McLaughlin in the fusion band Shakti and with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart in Planet Drum redefined musical boundaries. The Planet Drum album also won a Grammy Award.
In addition to his musical innovation, Hussain received numerous prestigious honours throughout his career, including the Padma Shri (1988) and Padma Bhushan (2002) from the Indian government, and four Grammy Awards. His recognition also extended to the United States, where he received the National Heritage Fellowship, the highest award for traditional artists in the country.
Zakir Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola; his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi; his brothers, Taufiq Qureshi and Fazal Qureshi; and his sister, Khurshid Aulia.
His influence on the world of music remains unparalleled, and his legacy will continue to inspire countless musicians for generations to come.
Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
Open in app | https://www.lokmattimes.com/entertainment/us-embassy-in-india-pays-tribute-to-ustad-zakir-hussain-following-his-passing/ | 2024-12-16T05:55:56Z |
Murray Pulls Out of ATP World Finals
Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has withdrawn from next month's World Tour Finals in London as he continues his recovery from back surgery.
LONDON: Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has withdrawn from next month's World Tour Finals in London as he continues his recovery from back surgery.
"I'm really disappointed not to be playing this year. I love playing in front of my home crowd, it's a great atmosphere," the British world number three said in a statement on Wednesday.
Murray had surgery last month to clear up a long-standing back problem.
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer have already secured spots at the season-ending event, which is fought out between the top eight qualified players. The tournament runs from November 4-11.
Reuters | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis-and-badminton/andy-murray-pulls-out-of-atp-world-finals-105825.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:58Z |
Jwala Gutta: Victim Or Villain?
One of India's most glamourous sportswoman is all set to be punished, but is it an act of vengeance by the administrators.
When the Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced an "independent" panel to hear Jwala Gutta's case, the damage was already done. She was already slapped a life ban by the BAI in-house 'disciplinary committee', which found her guilty of "misconduct" during the Indian Badminton League (IBL). The punishment smells of an act of vengeance by the all-powerful administrators.
The "independent" panel, comprising Indian Olympic Association (IOA) joint secretary Anandeshwar Pandey, Luge Federation of India president Deepa Mehta and former member of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Swati Shukla will have to give a decision within a month, till when Jwala will not be considered for national or international selection, BAI said recently.
Earlier, the "disciplinary committee" headed by BAI vice-president S. Muralidharan recommended a life ban on Gutta or six years' suspension from all badminton activities in the country or a conciliatory rapprochement in case she submits an unconditional apology, leaving the final decision to BAI president Akhilesh Das Gupta.
During an IBL tie, the Krrish Delhi Smashers, led by icon player Gutta, threatened to forfeit a tie when the Banga Beats tried to replace an injured singles player Hu Yun with Jan O Jorgensen at the eleventh hour. The Smashers protested despite the IBL governing council's go-ahead. Only after the Beats decided to leave out O Jorgensen and play Arvind Bhat instead, did Delhi agree to continue, delaying the tie by half an hour.
__PAGEBREAK__
However if we go by statements form fellow players, the ban on Gutta seems to be an act of vengeance by the BAI. The 2011 World Championship women's doubles bronze medallist has a history of squabble with the BAI.
In a recent interview to Mid Day, Smashers' Prajakta Sawant came out in support of her doubles partner. "We were surprised to see Jan coming in to replace Hu Yun. We were not happy with Bangalore’s decision of replacing this player at the last minute and hence we all (as a team) decided to lodge a protest. The whole team was asked to sign the protest letter. The entire team protested, so it's not Jwala’s fault alone,” the 20-year-old was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile several former players have come out in open support of Gutta and described the BAI disciplinary committee's "life ban" as "ridiculous and harsh". "It is a very harsh decision. I think BAI could have dealt with it in a quieter way and not go to the press and defame her in this way," former national champion Arvind Bhat said.
India's top men's doubles players KT Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas, who played for Pune Pistons in the inaugural IBL, also said it was ridiculous and will affect Indian badminton. "It is ridiculous. Life ban is too much. Whatever delay happened in the match, I don't think Jwala is the only person who has to suffer for that. It was kind of unfair what happened at the last moment. Naturally, anyone who would have been in her place would have reacted," Rupesh said.
Rupesh's doubles partner Sanave Thomas said: "I don't agree with this recommendation of life ban. I think she is such an experienced player, who has performed consistently over the years. Along with V Diju and Ashwini Ponnappa, she has pulled off so many matches for India and life ban will be too harsh."
With Inputs From IANS and PTI | https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis-and-badminton/jwala-gutta-victim-or-villain-105683.html | 2024-12-16T05:55:59Z |
As schools cut back on bus service, parents are turning to rideshare apps
Reliance on school buses has been waning for years as districts struggle to find drivers and more students attend schools far outside their neighborhoods
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From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
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Your support makes all the difference.Ismael El-Amin was driving his daughter to school when a chance encounter gave him an idea for a new way to carpool.
On the way across Chicago, El-Amin’s daughter spotted a classmate riding with her own dad as they drove to their selective public school on the city’s North Side. For 40 minutes, they rode along the same congested highway.
“They’re waving to each other in the back. I’m looking at the dad. The dad’s looking at me. And I was like, parents can definitely be a resource to parents,” said El-Amin, who went on to found Piggyback Network, a service parents can use to book rides for their children.
Reliance on school buses has been waning for years as districts struggle to find drivers and more students attend schools far outside their neighborhoods. As responsibility for transportation shifts to families, the question of how to replace the traditional yellow bus has become an urgent problem for some, and a spark for innovation.
State and local governments decide how widely to offer school bus service. Lately, more have been cutting back. Only about 28% of U.S. students take a school bus, according to a Federal Highway Administration survey concluded early last year. That’s down from about 36% in 2017.
Chicago Public Schools, the nation’s fourth-largest district, has significantly curbed bus service in recent years. It still offers rides for disabled and homeless students, in line with a federal mandate, but most families are on their own. Only 17,000 of the district’s 325,000 students are eligible for school bus rides.
Last week, the school system launched a pilot program allowing some students who attend out-of-neighborhood magnet or selective-enrollment schools to catch a bus at a nearby school’s “hub stop.” It aims to start with rides for about 1,000 students by the end of the school year.
It’s not enough to make up for the lost service, said Erin Rose Schubert, a volunteer for the CPS Parents for Buses advocacy group.
“The people who had the money and the privilege were able to figure out other situations like rearranging their work schedules or public transportation,” she said. “People who didn’t, some had to pull their kids out of school.”
On Piggyback Network, parents can book a ride for their student online with another parent traveling the same direction. Rides cost roughly 80 cents per mile and the drivers are compensated with credits to use for their own kids’ rides.
“It’s an opportunity for kids to not be late to school,” 15-year-old Takia Phillips said on a recent PiggyBack ride with El-Amin as the driver.
The company has arranged a few hundred rides in its first year operating in Chicago, and El-Amin has been contacting drivers for possible expansion to Virginia, North Carolina and Texas. It is one of several startups that have been filling the void.
Unlike Piggyback Network, which connects parents, HopSkipDrive contracts directly with school districts to assist students without reliable transportation. The company launched a decade ago in Los Angeles with three mothers trying to coordinate school carpools and now supports some 600 school districts in 13 states.
Regulations keep it from operating in some states, including Kentucky, where a group of Louisville students has been lobbying on its behalf to change that.
After the district halted bus service to most traditional and magnet schools, the student group known as The Real Young Prodigys wrote a hip-hop song titled “Where My Bus At?” The song’s music video went viral on YouTube with lyrics such as, “I’m a good kid. I stay in class, too. Teachers want me to succeed, but I can’t get to school.”
“Those bus driver shortages are not really going away,” HopSkipDrive CEO Joanna McFarland said. “This is a structural change in the industry we need to get serious about addressing.”
HopSkipDrive has been a welcome option for Reinya Gibson’s son, Jerren Samuel, who attends a small high school in Oakland, California. She said the school takes care to accommodate his needs as a student with autism, but the district lined up the transportation because there is no bus from their home in San Leandro.
“Growing up, people used to talk about kids in the short yellow buses. They were associated with a physical disability, and they were teased or made fun of,” Gibson said. “Nobody knows this is support for Jerren because he can’t take public transportation.”
Encouragement from his mother helped Jerren overcame his fear about riding with a stranger to school.
“I felt really independent getting in that car,” he said.
Companies catering to kids claim to screen drivers more extensively, checking their fingerprints and requiring them to have childcare or parenting experience. Drivers and children are often given passwords that must match, and parents can track a child’s whereabouts in real time through the apps.
Kango, a competitor to HopSkipDrive in California and Arizona, started as a free carpooling app similar to the PiggyBack Network and now contracts with school districts. Drivers are paid more than they would typically get for Uber or Lyft, but there are often more requirements such as walking some students with disabilities into school, Kango CEO Sara Schaer said.
“This is not just a curbside-to-curbside, three-minute situation,” Schaer said. “You are responsible for getting that kid to and from school. That’s not the same as transporting an adult or DoorDashing somebody’s lunch or dinner.”
In Chicago, some families that have used Piggyback said they have seen few alternatives.
Concerned about the city’s rising crime rate, retired police officer Sabrina Beck never considered letting her son take the subway to Whitney Young High School. Since she was driving him anyway, she volunteered through PiggyBack also to drive a freshman who had qualified for the selective magnet school but had no way to get there.
“To have the opportunity to go and then to miss it because you don’t have the transportation, that is so detrimental,” Beck said. “Options like this are extremely important.”
After the bus route that took her two kids to elementary school was canceled, Jazmine Dillard and other Chicago parents thought they had convinced the school to move up the opening bell from 8:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., a more manageable time for her schedule. After that plan was scrapped because the buses were needed elsewhere at that time, Dillard turned to PiggyBack Network.
“We had to kind of pivot and find a way to make it to work on time as well as get them to school on time,” she said.
___
The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. | https://www.the-independent.com/news/ap-chicago-people-kentucky-teachers-b2664872.html | 2024-12-16T05:56:01Z |
Ustad Zakir Hussain: Amitabh Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Bollywood celebs mourn demise of tabla virtuoso
By ANI | Published: December 16, 2024 11:16 AM2024-12-16T11:16:19+5:302024-12-16T11:20:05+5:30
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 16 : Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 on ...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 16 : Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 on December 15, Sunday, in San Francisco. The cause of death was confirmed to be idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease.
Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the family confirmed the news. Ustad Zakir Hussain's passing marks the end of an era. Bollywood celebrities expressed their grief and paid homage to the legendary Tabla maestro.
Amitabh Bachchan took to X and wrote, "a very sad day".
T 5224 - .. a very sad day ..😥— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 15, 2024
'Jab We Met' actress Kareena Kapoor Khan shared a snap on her Instagram story in which Ustad Zakir Hussain was seen shaking hands with veteran actor Randhir Kapoor. She captioned the picture, "Maestro forever' accompanied by a red heart emoji.
Actor Riteish Deshmukh called the demise of the Tabla maestro a 'devastating blow to India and global music community."
While offering his condolences to the family, the actor wrote, "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."
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,… pic.twitter.com/UtH8OUKKtX
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) December 15, 2024
Renowned Guru Gaur Gopal Das shared a beautiful poster on his Instagram story and wrote that the artist will be missed.
"Prayers for your onward journey in the rhythm of the universe. You'll be missed" wrote Guru Gaur Gopal Das.
The 'Khiladi' Kumar of Bollywood, Akshay Kumar called Ustad Zakir Hussain a 'treasure' of the country's musical heritage. Taking to his Instagram handle, the 'Housefull' actor wrote,
"Very pained to know about the sad demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Saab. He was truly a treasure for our country's musical heritage."
Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh paid tribute to the tabla maestro by sharing his photo along with a red heart and folded hands emoji.
View this post on Instagram
Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, India, Zakir Hussain was the son of the iconic tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha.
His collaboration on the Planet Drum album with Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart also earned him a Grammy Award.
Zakir Hussain's contributions to music were recognized by numerous prestigious awards over the years, including the Padma Shri (1988) and Padma Bhushan (2002) from the Indian government, as well as four Grammy Awards.
Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
Open in app | https://www.lokmattimes.com/entertainment/ustad-zakir-hussain-amitabh-bachchan-kareena-kapoor-khan-bollywood-celebs-mourn-demise-of-tabla-virtuoso/ | 2024-12-16T05:56:03Z |
Google Glass Gets Software Update
Google has reportedly given a software update to its much-anticipated wearable computing device Google Glass ahead of its launch.
WASHINGTON: Google has reportedly given a software update to its much-anticipated wearable computing device Google Glass ahead of its launch.
The search giant released another update XE10 for its Google Glass Explorers team across the US.
According to Fox News, the new update allows users to have detailed instructions in step-by-step transit feature from the home screen of the hi-tech eye gear, which also takes into account previous transit modes used by the wearer.
However, the latest mapping update isn't compatible with Apple iOS as yet and works only when paired with an Android device.
The software update also features notifications from particular sites, texts, emails, and tweets, and users can tap on the card and select 'view site' to see the messages.
Another tweak shows up the profile image of the person one is sending a message or comment to behind the text, providing a constant visual reminder of the intended recipient.
The Google Glass is expected to be rolled out to the masses in the next year.
ANI | https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/gadgets/google-glass-gets-software-update-105770.html | 2024-12-16T05:56:05Z |
2024 was big for bitcoin. States could see a crypto policy blitz in 2025 in spite of the risks
The new year will usher in the bitcoin-friendly administration of President-elect Donald Trump and an expanding lobbying effort in statehouses
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Your support makes all the difference.The new year will usher in the bitcoin-friendly administration of President-elect Donald Trump and an expanding lobbying effort in statehouses that, together, could push states to become more open to crypto and for public pension funds and treasuries to buy into it.
Proponents of the uniquely volatile commodity argue it is a valuable hedge against inflation, similar to gold.
Many bitcoin enthusiasts and investors are quick to criticize government-backed currencies as prone to devaluation and say increased government buy-in will stabilize bitcoin's future price swings, give it more legitimacy and further boost an already rising price.
But the risks are significant. Critics say a crypto investment is highly speculative, with so much unknown about projecting its future returns, and warn that investors should be prepared to lose money.
Only a couple public pension funds have invested in cryptocurrency and a new U.S. Government Accountability Office study on 401(k) plan investments in crypto, issued in recent days, warned it has “uniquely high volatility” and that it found no standard approach for projecting the future returns of crypto.
It has already been a landmark year for crypto, with bitcoin hitting $100,000, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approving the first exchange-traded funds that hold bitcoin and crypto enthusiasts being cheered by Trump's promise to make the United States the “bitcoin superpower” of the world.
More legislation on crypto could be coming
Lawmakers in more states can expect to see bills in 2025 to make them crypto-friendly as analysts say crypto is becoming a powerful lobby, bitcoin miners build new installations and venture capitalists underwrite a growing tech sector that caters to cryptocurrencies.
Meanwhile, a new crypto-friendly federal government under Trump and Congress could consider legislation from Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyoming, to create a federal bitcoin reserve on which states can piggyback.
A bill introduced last month in Pennsylvania's House of Representatives sought to authorize the state's treasurer and public pension funds to invest in bitcoin. It went nowhere before the legislative session ended, but it caused a stir.
“I had a friend who is a rep down the road text me, ‘Oh my god, I’m getting so many emails and phone calls to my office,' more than he ever did about any other bill,” said the measure's sponsor, Republican Mike Cabell.
Cabell — a bitcoin enthusiast who lost his reelection bid — expects his bill to be reintroduced by a colleague. And leaders of bitcoin advocacy group Satoshi Action say they expect bills based on their model bill to be introduced in at least 10 other states next year.
But what about public pension funds?
Keith Brainard, research director for the National Association of State Retirement Administrators, said he doesn’t expect many public pension fund investment professionals, who oversee nearly $6 trillion in assets, to invest in crypto.
Pension fund professionals take risks they deem to be appropriate, but bitcoin investing has a short track record, might only fit into a niche asset class and may not fit the risk-to-reward profile they seek.
“There might be a bit of dabbling in bitcoin,” Brainard said. “But it’s difficult to envision a scenario in which pension funds right now are willing to make a commitment.”
In Louisiana, Treasurer John Fleming helped make the state the first to introduce a system by which people can pay a government agency in cryptocurrencies.
Fleming said he's not trying to promote cryptocurrency, but rather sees the step as a recognition that government must innovate and be flexible in helping people make financial transactions with the state. He said he would never invest his money, or the state's, in crypto.
Fleming recalled meeting with a bitcoin lobbyist recently and came away unconvinced that bitcoin makes for a good investment.
“My concern is that at some point it’ll stop growing and then people will want to cash in,” Fleming said. “And when they do, it could tank the value of a bitcoin.”
In Pennsylvania, Treasury Department officials said they have the authority to decide for themselves if cryptocurrencies meet the agency's investment standards under state law and don't need new legislation.
Still, a highly volatile asset is ill-suited to the agency's need for predictability, considering it writes millions of checks a year. The overwhelming majority of the roughly $60 billion it invests at any given time is in short-term, conservative investments designed for an investment period of months, officials there said.
Pension boards, which invest on a 30-year time horizon, may already hold small investments in companies involved in mining, trading and storing cryptocurrencies. But they have been slow to embrace bitcoin.
That could change, said Mark Palmer, managing director and a senior research analyst at The Benchmark Company in New York.
Pension boards got investment tools they like this year when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved the first exchange-traded funds that hold bitcoin and, in October, approved listings of options on those funds, Palmer said.
Many “are likely in the process of getting up to speed on what it means to invest in bitcoin and kicking the tires, so to speak, and that’s a process that typically takes a while at the institutional level,” Palmer said.
Several major asset managers like BlackRock, Invesco and Fidelity have bitcoin ETFs.
Some states already are investing in crypto
In May, the State of Wisconsin Investment Board became the first state to invest when it bought $160 million worth of shares in two ETFs, or about 0.1% of its assets. It later scaled back that investment to $104 million in one ETF, as of Sept. 30. A spokesperson declined to discuss it.
Michigan's state investment board later reported about $18 million in bitcoin ETF purchases while a candidate for New Jersey governor, Steven Fulop, said that if elected he would push the state's pension fund to invest in crypto.
Fulop, the Democratic mayor of Jersey City, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, has been preparing for months to buy bitcoin ETF shares for up to 2% of the city's $250 million employee pension fund.
“We were ahead of the curve," Fulop said. “And I think that’s what you’re eventually going to see is this is widely accepted, with regard to exposure in all pension funds, some sort of exposure.”
___
Follow Marc Levy on X at: https://x.com/timelywriter. | https://www.the-independent.com/news/ap-donald-trump-harrisburg-united-states-invesco-b2664866.html | 2024-12-16T05:56:07Z |
"We Got Funded!" InvoiceQ Raises US$1.2M Pre-Series A Funding Round as it Aims to Expand Further into the GCC With InvoiceQ's solutions, companies are able to comply with tax authorities, get dynamic system integrations, and advanced customization options.
You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
InvoiceQ, a Jordan-headquartered company specializing in providing software as a service (SaaS) in the field of e-invoicing and integration solutions, has successfully raised a pre-series A-funding round of US$1.2 million. The round saw the participation of a number of Jordan-based investors, including Oasis 500, Orange VC, Flat6Labs, as well as Natej Soft and several angel investors.
InvoiceQ finalized the investment process with the support of Kassim Legal, a boutique law firm specializing in startups, entrepreneurs, and emerging enterprises.
Co-founded in 2020 by Muhannad Tobal (CEO), Fadi Al-Jabali (CTO), Amer Ayyad (COO), and Mohammad Baseet (General Manager), InvoiceQ is currently operational in Jordan as well as KSA. Its e-invoicing solutions aim to address the needs of each country's specific requirements so that e-invoicing solutions revolutionize the ways by which invoices are managed and exchanged across the region.
As such, the new capital is expected to be allocated towards the company's geographic expansion goals, including plans to enter Oman, Egypt, UAE, and the wider GCC in an attempt to provide cutting-edge e-invoicing solutions to a wider client base. "We have issued over 50M invoices to date, saving our clients a lot in the process," said Tobal, in a statement. "This investment will empower us to expand our client base and drive significant growth in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region where the demand for digital invoicing solutions is rapidly increasing."
The InvoiceQ system has been developed to support different payment gateways such as SADAD, a KSA-based digital payments platform, and eFAWATEERcom, a Jordan-based online bill payments platform, in addition to supporting payment collections through versatile options such as Visa and Mastercard in an attempt to facilitate the payment collection process for businesses and ensure real-time reconciliation.
In the markets it is currently based in, InvoiceQ has been also formally recognized by the likes of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) in Saudi Arabia and the Income and Sales Tax Department (ISTD) in Jordan. With InvoiceQ's solutions, companies are thus able to comply with tax authorities, get dynamic system integrations, and advanced customization options. The system automates manual processes, thereby increasing efficiency, minimizing errors, and providing accurate data reports in real-time.
Since its inception, InvoiceQ has achieved quite a few milestones in the e-invoicing industry already, having issued over 50 million invoices and achieved a total invoice value estimated at $6 billion. The company also has over 250 clients from various business industries and regions, and has helped these businesses save a significant amount of time and resources through its up-to-date solutions.
Moving forward, the InvoiceQ team aims to uphold its vision is to deliver user-friendly e-invoicing solutions tailored for businesses and organizations of all industries and sizes across the region. "This is what pushes us to develop customer-centric alternatives capable of meeting global systems' demands according to each country's local tax regulations and legislation," Tobal added. "Developing technology that empowers all business users to manage invoices electronically with the minimum effort needed and maximum output received, through solutions that prioritize each business specific needs. This achievement [the pre-Series A investment] now unlocks the door for new opportunities and helps businesses embark on this new revolution in the e-invoicing industry through solutions that consider simplicity, speed, and real-time updates for E-payment solutions."
Related: "We Got Funded!" KSA-Based Lean Technologies' US$67.5 Million Series B Round Marks Silicon Valley-based General Catalyst's Debut Investment in the Kingdom | https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-ae/entrepreneurs/we-got-funded-invoiceq-raises-us12m-pre-series-a/484310 | 2024-12-16T05:56:09Z |
BN TV
Stockfish, Tomato & Pepper Sauce Done Right: Cooking With Ivey Shows How
Stockfish has long been a star ingredient in many traditional Nigerian dishes, especially soups. But with Cooking With Ivey, it takes centre stage in an irresistible stockfish dish cooked in a rich tomato and pepper sauce.
To get started, she carefully washes the stockfish in warm water and salt, ensuring it’s clean and ready to soak up all the flavours. Then, she simmers it with onions and seasoning cubes to enhance its flavour and achieve that perfect tender texture.
For the sauce, Cooking With Ivey blends a mix of bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, scotch bonnet, ginger, crayfish, and uziza seeds. This combination promises layers of flavour that elevate the dish.
In a separate pan, she heats red oil and sautés onions and ginger until fragrant. The blended pepper mix is then added and allowed to simmer, filling the kitchen with its mouthwatering aroma. Once it’s cooked down, she stirs in the tender stockfish, letting the flavours meld together beautifully.
To finish, she sprinkles in scent-leaf, giving the dish a fresh, aromatic twist that makes it truly unforgettable.
Watch how she makes it below: | https://www.bellanaija.com/2024/12/cooking-with-ivey-stockfish-tomatoe-pepper-sauce/ | 2024-12-16T05:56:08Z |
Zakir Hussain Death: Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar Pay Tribute to the Maestro
By Lokmat English Desk | Published: December 16, 2024 10:43 AM2024-12-16T10:43:56+5:302024-12-16T10:46:06+5:30
Zakir Husain, a renowned classical musician, passed away at 73 on Sunday night, marking a significant loss for the ...
Zakir Husain, a renowned classical musician, passed away at 73 on Sunday night, marking a significant loss for the music and entertainment industry. Many prominent figures are struggling to accept his death, mourning the loss of one of the finest tabla maestros. Amitabh Bachchan expressed his sorrow by saying, "A genius...an unmatched maestro...an immeasurable loss...Zakir Hussain...has left us."
Renowned music composer singer AR Rahman took X and wrote a long note with Zakir Husain picture and wrote, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim. His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned an album together. You shall be truly missed. May his family and his countless students worldwide find the strength to bear this immense loss (sic).”Kamal Haasan shared a throwback picture with Hussain on X along with a heartfelt note, “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.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) December 16, 2024
Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim 🌟🌍. His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned…
Bollywood's Khiladi Kumar posted and express his condolence by 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". Kareena Kapoor also took social media and posted throwback pic on Instagram saying, “Maestro forever.”
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 🙏 pic.twitter.com/a5TWDMymfZ
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 16, 2024
Grammy-winner Ricky Kej said, “Shocked, deeply saddened and devastated by the passing-on of the legend Ustad Zakir Hussain. One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakirji was known for his immense humility, approachable nature, and for being responsible for the careers of numerous musicians, who are now forces to reckon with themselves. He was a treasure trove of skill and knowledge and always shared and encouraged the entire music community through collaborations and his actions. His legacy will live on forever, and his influence will be felt for generations. He left us too soon. Kareena Kapoor posted on Instagram saying, “Maestro forever.”
Shocked, deeply saddened and devastated by the passing-on of the legend Ustad Zakir Hussain @ZakirHtabla. One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakirji was known for his immense humility, approachable nature,… pic.twitter.com/FxDeScxrvt
— Ricky Kej (@rickykej) December 16, 2024
National Award-winning actor Nithya Menen remembered Zakir Hussain with these words, "There is one regret I will have - that the day actually won't come where I see this extraordinary artist performing live. What a special soul, with an unadulterated connection to the divine. A true artist. Who didn't take himself so seriously? Such playfulness and lightness in his music and yet, an undeniable intensity that made me forget to breathe. With a classical instrument, he somehow created comedy, made you laugh, and simultaneously marvel at his enormous talent. One of my two favorite people. Both gone now.”
View this post on Instagram
Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco, his family said on Monday, December 16. Hussain died due to complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, according to his family. He was 73. He had been hospitalised for the last two weeks and was later taken to the ICU as his condition deteriorated. Reports of his death had circulated earlier, prompting his sister, Khursheed, to tell the news agency PTI that Hussain was "very very critical" but "very much breathing at the moment."
Open in app | https://www.lokmattimes.com/entertainment/zakir-hussain-death-kamal-haasan-amitabh-bachchan-akshay-kumar-pay-tribute-to-the-maestro-a510/ | 2024-12-16T05:56:09Z |
President Obama compared Obamacare's "glitchy" rollout to the release of Apple's new mobile operating system iOS7. Now, in a new video released by CollegeHumor, the president turns to Apple's Genius Bar to help solve the government shutdown.
The indiatimes.com privacy policy has been updated to align with the new data regulations in European Union. Please review and accept these changes below to continue using the website. We use cookies to ensure the best experience for you on our website. | https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/internet/apple-helps-obama-understand-govt-shutdown-105591.html | 2024-12-16T05:56:11Z |
What to stream: MrBeast jumps to TV, Little Big Town's holiday special and Squid Game: Unleashed
The griping Vatican-based movie thriller “Conclave” about picking a new pope and Stephanie Hsu starring in the dark comedy series “Laid” as a woman whose former lovers keep unexpectedly dying are some of this week’s new streaming entertainment releases
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From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The griping Vatican-based thriller “Conclave” about picking a new pope and Stephanie Hsu starring in the dark comedy “Laid” as a woman whose former lovers keep unexpectedly dying are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Dwayne Johnson stars as Santa’s bodyguard in the movie “Red One,” internet star MrBeast hosts his own reality competition show on Prime Video called “Beast Games” and Little Big Town host a Christmas special on NBC.
NEW MOVIES TO STREAM DEC. 16-22
– What goes on inside the Vatican before white smoke flows out of the Sistine Chapel? “Conclave” (streaming now on Peacock), about the election of a new pope, is a gripping thriller that imagines how the gathering of cardinals could go. The film, directed by Edward Berger and based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, stars Ralph Fiennes as the cardinal tasked with running the conclave. Nominated for six Golden Globes, “Conclave” is a major Oscar contender and one of the rare recent adult-oriented dramas to succeed at the box office. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called it “a deliriously fun watch in the way that tense, smart thrillers with an ensemble of great actors can be.”
– It was easy to miss Clint Eastwood’s “Juror No. 2” in cinemas, but the 94-year-old’s latest arrives Friday, Dec. 20 on Max. And “Juror No. 2,” despite its small theatrical footprint, has been much praised by critics. In it, Nicholas Hoult plays a juror in a murder trial who’s struggling with a moral dilemma.
– A sled-full of new Christmas movies arrive every year, with hopes of establishing themselves as a new holiday classic. Of them, “Red One” (now streaming on Prime Video) is distinguished by being the biggest, most garishly wrapped one yet. In the $250 million movie, Dwayne Johnson stars as the bodyguard for a more militaristic Kris Kringle (J.K. Simmons), who teams up with a deadbeat hacker (Chris Evans) to rescue Santa after he’s kidnapped. In my review, I wrote that “there is ample time during ‘Red One’ to ponder who, exactly, put a Marvel-ized Santa on their wish list.”
– Mati Diop’s “Dahomey,” one of the year’s nonfiction highlights, is not to be missed. Diop, the French Senegalese director of “Atlantics,” documents the return of 26 art works seized by French troops during the 1890s from the African kingdom (now southern Benin). In the film, currently streaming on Mubi, Diop casts a wide and fantastic net in chronicling their voyage home, with a wide array of voices debating the ethics and meaning of reparations — including even those of the Dahomey treasures, themselves.
— AP Film Writer Jake Coyle
NEW MUSIC TO STREAM DEC. 16-22
— ’Twas the week before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. That is, until Monday, when “Little Big Town’s Christmas at the Opry” airs on NBC, available to stream on Peacock the following day! What says “happy holidays” more than some of country music’s modern greats bringing their twang from the famous Nashville stage to the family living room? A group of great guests, probably – and those include Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Sheryl Crow, Kirk Franklin, Josh Groban, Kate Hudson and Orville Peck.
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
NEW SHOWS TO STREAM DEC. 16-22
— A new docuseries on Apple TV+ reveals the habits and behaviors of animals in the wild. Filmmakers spent three years tracking 77 unique species in 24 countries, and capturing everything from jumping spider courtship dances to a killifish in Trinidad breathing through its tail when out of the water. Hugh Bonneville narrates “The Secret Lives of Animals, " debuting Dec. Wednesday.
— Stephanie Hsu stars in a new dark comedy for Peacock as Ruby, a woman whose former lovers keep unexpectedly dying in mysterious, outrageous ways. Ruby and her best friend AJ (Zosia Mamet, doing her wry observational bit) dig into the past to make sense of what’s happening and save lives. The process prompts Ruby to learn hard truths about herself. “Laid” is based on an Australian series. There are also a number of fun guest stars including Finneas O’Connell, Chloe Fineman and Josh Segarra. “Laid” premieres Thursday on Peacock.
— Internet star MrBeast, (real name: Jimmy Donaldson) whose YouTube channel has more subscribers than any other — is now the host of his own reality competition show on Prime Video called “Beast Games.” Contestants wear tracksuits and compete in wild games for a $5 million prize. It’s like “Squid Game,” without the dying. “Beast Games” premieres Thursday on Prime Video.
— Alicia Rancilio
NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
— Season 2 of “Squid Game” drops on Netflix the day after Christmas, but you and your family can get an early start if you’re already itching for a fight to the death. The streamer is inviting subscribers to download Squid Game: Unleashed, an online battle royale for up to 32 players. It includes familiar season 1 competitions like Glass Bridge and Red Light Green Light, as well as deadly new devices like buzzsaws, wrecking balls and lava pits. Last one to survive ... well, you don’t get any money but at least you don’t get squished. The contest begins Tuesday, Dec. 17, on iOS and Android.
— Lou Kesten | https://www.the-independent.com/news/ap-dwayne-johnson-stephanie-hsu-santa-vatican-b2664130.html | 2024-12-16T05:56:13Z |
A Look into the Transformation of the F&B Industry As F&B becomes more deeply embedded in the fabric of daily life, it further strengthens its role as a key driver of social interaction and engagement.
By Simon Wright
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
As we reflect on the key trends that have shaped the hospitality and F&B landscape over the past year, several themes stand out. Many of these trends are not merely fleeting shifts but rather deep-rooted changes in consumer behavior, industry expectations, and the ways in which businesses and developers are approaching the design and execution of dining and hospitality spaces.
The evolution of food halls
One of the most significant trends we've witnessed (and been part of) this year has been the surge in demand for contemporary food halls. These spaces, seen as an evolution of traditional food courts, are now becoming vibrant community hubs that offer not only a diverse range of food offerings but also a broader social experience.
Developers are recognizing the potential of food halls to revitalize underperforming properties, such as malls and urban centers, by transforming them into dynamic destinations that serve a wider, more inclusive audience. Food halls are no longer merely places to grab a quick bite; they've evolved into immersive dining environments that blend high-quality, often upscale food with social spaces and entertainment.
This shift is a response to consumers' growing desire for diverse food options in a communal setting, and it offers solutions for both developers and diners. Developers are able to meet the demand for experiential spaces that integrate dining with social interaction, while diners enjoy the flexibility and variety that food halls provide.
This concept of food as both sustenance and a social experience has redefined what it means to dine out, making food halls a central component of urban life.
The rise of social and interactive dining
Another key trend is the increasing demand for interactive and social F&B and hospitality spaces, which has contributed to the rapid growth of the competitive socializing industry among other things.
This sector, which blends dining with entertainment, is reshaping how people view dining experiences. Many diners now expect engaging, social, and often gamified experiences that turn eating into an event. Concepts like competitive socializing venues, which combine food with activities such as darts, bowling, or trivia, are gaining popularity as they offer a dynamic and interactive experience.
This desire for more engaging dining experiences has also led to significant design innovations. Open kitchen layouts, for example, have become a prominent feature, allowing guests to watch chefs at work and feel more connected to the preparation of their food.
This concept not only enhances the entertainment value of dining but also creates a more immersive environment that blurs the lines between the kitchen and the guest. By creating these highly engaging, social spaces, businesses are able to provide a level of interaction and entertainment that was previously absent in traditional dining settings, offering an exciting new way for guests to connect with both their food and one another.
Integration of F&B across sectors
One of the most notable trends we've been excited about as a company in recent years is the increasing integration of F&B with other sectors and revenue centers.
Businesses are evolving their offerings by considering how they can incorporate food and beverage into broader concepts. For example, retail brands are developing in-house coffee shops, offering customers a seamless experience that blends shopping with dining. At the same time, major developers and government entities are incorporating F&B Masterplanning into their urban development strategies, recognizing the importance of dining experiences as part of a larger vision for city spaces.
This approach reflects a shift toward a more holistic view of F&B, where food is not just a standalone service but an integral part of a broader lifestyle and cultural experience. The integration of multiple sectors with F&B is not only a smart business strategy but also a response to the changing expectations of consumers, who now see food as a vital part of their overall experience, whether they are shopping, working, or simply spending time in urban spaces.
As F&B becomes more deeply embedded in the fabric of daily life, it further strengthens its role as a key driver of social interaction and engagement.
Related: Here's What The F&B Industry Can Do To Support (And Encourage) Its Female Entrepreneurs
Food as a central component of international events
The demand for "giga-scale" events, which attract attendees from all over the world, is increasing, and with that, the expectations for the food experience are rising.
Organizers and businesses are now tasked with creating not only a memorable event but also a food experience that enhances the overall atmosphere and leaves a lasting impression on attendees.
As a result, the role of food at such events has expanded. It's not just about providing sustenance but also about creating experiences that add magic to the occasion.
Whether it's through exclusive chef-led dining experiences, sustainable menus, or unique food offerings, catering at international events is becoming more experiential, designed to create moments of wonder and delight. This evolution underscores the growing recognition that food plays a critical role in shaping the overall event experience and contributing to its success.
The shift toward conscious dining
Perhaps one of the most enduring trends in F&B is the increasing focus on health-conscious and sustainable dining. Sustainability is no longer a niche concern but a central consideration in concept development, menu creation, and overall business practices.
Consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental and social impact of their dining choices, and businesses are responding by offering healthier, more sustainable options.
From plant-based menus to sustainable sourcing practices, F&B businesses are embracing sustainability across the entire lifecycle of their operations. This includes not only the environmental impact of the ingredients used but also the human elements and how hospitality can provide life-changing opportunities to a broader demographic pf people.
A key element of this evolution is also the human aspect—how F&B and hospitality can be positioned as a catalyst for providing life-changing opportunities across a broader demographic. At TGP, our own Human Hospitality initiative has underscored the importance of investing in this human element.
This focus has resonated across our partnerships and throughout the industry, with many leaders seeking viable ways to integrate sustainable initiatives in a way that not only drives positive societal impact but also contributes to profitability. This intersection of purpose and business will be crucial as the industry continues to evolve.
Looking ahead
As we move into 2025, these trends will continue to shape the future of F&B and hospitality. The demand for food halls as community hubs, the rise of interactive dining, the integration of F&B across sectors, and the importance of food at large-scale events will all play key roles in defining the industry's next chapter.
Ultimately, the future of F&B is one where food is not just a product but an experience—an experience that brings people together, enriches communities, and contributes to a more sustainable future.
The opportunities for innovation are limitless, and businesses that can tap into these trends while staying true to their values will be well-positioned for success in the years to come.
Related: Conscious Dining: Navigating The Intersection Of Sustainability Within The F&B Industry | https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-ae/growth-strategies/a-look-into-the-transformation-of-the-fb-industry/484313 | 2024-12-16T05:56:15Z |
Zakir Hussain: Film industry veterans mourn the demise of the legend
By IANS | Published: December 16, 2024 10:43 AM2024-12-16T10:43:10+5:302024-12-16T10:55:56+5:30
Mumbai, Dec 16 The tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain left for the heavenly abode on December 15, leaving a ...
Mumbai, Dec 16 The tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain left for the heavenly abode on December 15, leaving a huge void in India’s music. With his excellence and humility, the Ustad touched many lives, young and old, people in positions of power and the common man. Such is the impact of one of the greatest tabla players that his demise feels like a personal loss to many.
Several members of the film fraternity like Kamal Haasan, Akshay Kumar, A. R. Rahman, Mohanlal, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Hansal Mehta, and others shared their condolences on his demise.
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar took to his social media and shared an image of Zakir Hussain. He wrote, "Very pained to know about the sad demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab. He was truly a treasure for our country's musical heritage. Om Shanti".
Veteran Tamil megastar Kamal Haasan took to his X, formerly Twitter and shared an old image in which Zakir Hussain could be seen giving the taal to the actor as the latter plays tabla. He wrote, “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”.
Oscar and Grammy-winning music composer A. R. Rahman called Zakir an inspiration and expressed his regret for not collaborating with him in recent years. He wrote, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim. His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned an album together. You shall be truly missed. May his family and his countless students worldwide find the strength to bear this immense loss”.
Veteran Malayalam superstar Mohanlal wrote on his X, “Ustad Zakir Hussain’s passing leaves an irreplaceable void in the world of music. His rhythms united hearts across borders. My deepest condolences to his family and admirers”.
Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who was recently seen along with Akshay Kumar in ‘Singham Again’, also paid tribute to the legendary musician with a heartfelt image that featured her alongside Zakir Hussain and her father, Randhir Kapoor. She wrote, “Maestro forever”.
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who recently directed Kareena in ‘The Buckingham Murders’ also took to his X, and wrote, “The maestro who made so many sleepless nights at Hindustani classical concerts memorable. The man who knew how to engage with an audience through his artistry. The Ustad who made the tabla sexy. Goodbye Ustad Zakir Hussain”.
Playback singer Sonu Nigam expressed his shock at the demise of the late musician, as he took to his Instagram, and wrote, “Zakir bhai… What is this?”.
Actress Nimrat Kaur recalled the last time she saw Ustad Zakir Hussain perform live earlier this year. She took to her Instagram, and shared a picture and a video of the late musician. She wrote in the caption, “On Feb 28th, ’24, when I last watched Ustad Zakir Hussain live at Prithvi Theatre, I recall my heart beating to the beats of the sheer flawless genius of his talent. His international superstardom and the zenith of his achievements are forever here to inspire and energize us”.
“As a human being, to remain the most humble, gracious, and generous through his incomparable life journey is what remains etched as a life goal in my heart. Your kind eyes and mystical being shall outlive generations…rest in glory Ustad ji. Never shall there be another”, she added.
Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
Open in app | https://www.lokmattimes.com/entertainment/zakir-hussain-film-industry-veterans-mourn-the-demise-of-the-legend/ | 2024-12-16T05:56:15Z |
MS Awards Hacker for Exposing IE Bug
Microsoft said it is paying a well-known hacking expert more than $100,000 for finding security holes in its software, one of the largest such bounties awarded to date by a high-tech company.
BOSTON: Microsoft said it is paying a well-known hacking expert more than $100,000 for finding security holes in its software, one of the largest such bounties awarded to date by a high-tech company.
The software maker also released a much anticipated update to Internet Explorer, which it said fixes a bug that made users of the world's most popular browser vulnerable to remote attack.
James Forshaw, who heads vulnerability research at London-based security consulting firm Context Information Security, won Microsoft's first $100,000 bounty for identifying a new "exploitation technique" in Windows, which will allow it to develop defenses against an entire class of attacks, the software maker said on Tuesday.
Forshaw earned another $9,400 for identifying security bugs in a preview release of Microsoft's Internet Explorer 11 browser, Katie Moussouris, senior security strategist with Microsoft Security Response Center, said in a blog.
Microsoft unveiled the reward programs four months ago to bolster efforts to prevent sophisticated attackers from subverting new security technologies in its software, which runs on the vast majority of the world's personal computers.
Forshaw has been credited with identifying several dozen software security bugs. He was awarded a large bounty from Hewlett-Packard Co for identifying a way to "pwn," or take ownership of, Oracle's Java software in a high-profile contest known as Pwn2Own (pronounced "pown to own").
Microsoft also released an automatic update to Internet Explorer afternoon to fix a security bug that it first disclosed last month.
Researchers say hackers initially exploited that flaw to launch attacks on companies in Asia in an operation that the cybersecurity firm FireEye has dubbed DeputyDog.
Marc Maiffret, chief technology officer of the cybersecurity firm BeyondTrust, said the vulnerability was later more broadly used after Microsoft's disclosure of the issue brought it to the attention of cyber criminals.
He is advising computer users to immediately install the update to Internet Explorer, if they do not have their PCs already set to automatically download updates.
"Any time they patch something that has already been used (to launch attacks) in the wild, then it is critical to apply the patch," Maiffret said.
That vulnerability in Internet Explorer was known as a "zero-day" because Microsoft, the targeted software maker, had zero days notice to fix the hole when the initial attacks exploiting the bug were discovered.
In an active, underground market for "zero day" vulnerabilities, criminal groups and governments sometimes pay $1 million or more to hackers who identify such bugs.
Reuters | https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/internet/microsoft-awards-hacker-$100000-for-exposing-ie-bug-105767.html | 2024-12-16T05:56:17Z |
The temptation for President Joe Biden to use his pardon power to benefit his only surviving son was strong, and Biden’s misuse of this power pales beside his predecessor’s. But the pardon of Hunter Biden in violation of the President’s repeated pledge not to do it was disappointing. This Article considers three effects of the pardon—rescuing the younger Biden from possible future prosecution, setting aside his convictions, and saving him from a possible prison sentence. It contends that blocking Hunter’s (HB’s) future prosecution was appropriate; that, apart from the President’s broken promise, limiting HB’s sentence was defensible; and that setting aside his convictions was unjustifiable. Nothing required the President to lump all of these effects together in a single package.
I. The Preemptive Pardon
The President pardoned HB not only for the gun and tax offenses of which he was convicted but also “for those offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024.” Although the President had promised not to pardon the crimes with which HB was charged and not to commute his sentence, he hadn’t promised to allow the incoming administration to add new charges based on what HB already had done.
Biden had good reason to expect the incoming administration to wage lawfare against HB, subjecting him to harassment and expense in the absence of significant evidence. On the day former and future president Donald Trump was arraigned for misusing national security information and hiding subpoenaed documents, he declared: “I will appoint a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the United States, Joe Biden, and the entire Biden crime family.”
Trump’s choice for Attorney General, Pam Bondi, cheered chants of “lock her up” in 2016 and declared before the election of 2024: “The prosecutors will be prosecuted, the bad ones. The investigators will be investigated.” Senators at her confirmation hearing should ask what crimes she suspects prosecutors committed and whether she has even a scintilla of evidence that they committed them.
Trump thumbed his nose at Congress’s effort to make the FBI nonpartisan by firing one FBI director before the end of his 10-year term and by making clear that he intended to dispatch the replacement he appointed. He has announced he will appoint Kash Patel to that position, and Patel has claimed without significant evidence: “Hunter Biden was shown to have been in bed with criminals from Ukraine and China to lobby the US government through the laundering of money that Hunter Biden received and leveraging his relationship with his dad. This DOJ should charge him, but they won’t. So I think that is where we need to focus.”
The language of HB’s pardon was drawn in part from Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon. That pardon forgave “all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or taken part in during the period from [Nixon’s inauguration through his resignation].”
In separate articles, legal scholars Aaron Rappaport and Frank O. Bowman III have maintained that pardons like Nixon’s and HB’s are invalid. They note that the Supreme Court looks to English law as it stood in 1789 to determine the scope of the President’s pardon power, and they observe that several 18th-century legal treatises contain statements like this one of William Blackstone: “A pardon of all felonies will not pardon a conviction . . . but the conviction . . . must be particularly mentioned.”
The requirement of specificity noted in Blackstone’s treatise was never thought to block English kings from granting general pardons of unspecified crimes to celebrate their coronations, jubilees, and other events, and the first clemency granted by an American president similarly failed to specify the crimes it forgave. When George Washington pardoned participants in the Whiskey Rebellion in 1795, he granted “a full, free, and entire pardon to all persons . . . of all . . . indictable offenses against the United States” committed in a specified area before a specified date. I’ve maintained that statements like Blackstone’s applied only to cases in which a defendant claimed that the king had forgiven an offense of which the defendant had previously been convicted. Judges were concerned that, when a pardon failed to specify that offense, the king might not have known about it and might have been duped.
Even the harshest critics of the President’s action have acknowledged its validity. The reason might be that my response to Rappaport and Bowman persuaded them. A more likely explanation, however, is that no one has read any of our articles.
Protecting HB from politically motivated prosecution would have been more clearly justified if the President had found a way to protect others who are similarly threatened. This honor roll is long: Anthony Fauci, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Mark Milley, Mark Esper, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, Jack Smith (and his team), Alvin Bragg (and his team), Fani Willis (and her team), Letitia James (and her team), Juan Merchan, Tanya Chutkan, Brad Raffensberger, Bennie Thompson, Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Adam Schiff, Jamie Raskin, James Biden, Michael Cohen, Jean Carroll, Miles Taylor, George Conway, Bill Kristol, John Bolton, John Kelly, Merrick Garland, Cassidy Hutchinson—and on and on.
Most people on Trump’s enemies list probably wouldn’t want to be pardoned by name and wouldn’t accept a pardon. People might think they’d done something wrong. And finding general language to encompass all or most of them in a form that wouldn’t imply guilt and wouldn’t require acceptance of the pardon is challenging. But I think a pardon of all past offenses whose investigation or prosecution occurs because the defendant criticized Donald Trump, revealed truthful information about Donald Trump, or participated in a criminal or civil proceeding against Donald Trump would be valid and appropriate. And extending the pardon to anyone who’s prosecuted because she criticized, revealed information about, or participated in a lawsuit against any political figure would be even more appropriate.
II. Erasing HB’s Conviction
President Biden claimed that his son was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” and that “the charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them.” His pardon statement explained:
Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form. Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently . . . . No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son.
Consider the facts of HB’s case, as the President suggested. HB’s gun crimes might not have been prosecuted if they had stood alone, but his tax crimes clearly warranted prosecution.
A. The Gun Crimes
On October 12, 2018, HB declared on a federal form that he didn’t use and wasn’t addicted to narcotics. This declaration enabled him to purchase a revolver. As a jury later found beyond a reasonable doubt, HB knew his statement was false.
HB possessed the revolver less than two weeks and never fired it. He was in a relationship with Hallie Biden, his brother’s widow, and Hallie found the gun in the glove compartment of his truck. According to her testimony, she feared that HB would hurt himself. So she placed the weapon in a leather pouch and deposited it in a trash can outside a supermarket.
When HB found the gun missing the next morning, Hallie acknowledged what she’d done. HB, knowing the weapon could be traced to him, asked her to retrieve it, but it was no longer in the trash can. Hallie asked supermarket employees whether they had gun. They didn’t, and they called the police. Police officers found the person who’d removed the gun, and HB’s prosecution followed.
HB’s gun crimes were felonies, and, the Special Counsel, who had read HB’s memoir, could easily prove his guilt. Adding these charges to the tax charges increased both plea-bargaining leverage and plea-bargaining options. The inclusion of these charges in the package the Special Counsel prosecuted wasn’t surprising.
B. The Tax Crimes
The tax charges to which HB pleaded guilty were more serious. HB deliberately failed to file tax returns, deliberately failed to pay $1.4 million he owed (withholding payments well after he regained his sobriety), and falsely claimed as business deductions his daughter’s law school tuition, his own payments for luxury personal goods, and payments to a porn site, exotic dancers, escorts, and girlfriends. Some of the payments to girlfriends were disguised as salary for work that wasn’t performed. Hunter paid his delinquent taxes only after a friend lent him the money,
Former Attorney General Eric Holder declared: “No US Attorney would have charged this case given the underlying facts. . . . Had [HB’s] name been Joe Smith the resolution would have been—fundamentally and more fairly—a declination.” If Holder’s statement had been true and if crimes as culpable as HB’s were regularly given a pass, the federal criminal justice system would be an even greater disaster than I believe it to be.
Judge Mark Scarsi dismissed HB’s tax case in compliance with the pardon. Noting the pardon statement’s misstatements and its implied criticism of conscientious prosecutors, judges, and jurors, Judge Scarsi declared: “The Constitution provides the President with broad authority to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, but nowhere does the Constitution give the President the authority to rewrite history.”
III. Limiting HB’s Sentence
After HB was convicted of his gun crimes by a jury, he pleaded guilty without a bargain to all the tax offenses alleged in his indictment. Earlier, however, HB and the Special Counsel had approved a plea agreement that encompassed both the gun and the tax charges. The parties abandoned this agreement when Judge Maryellen Noreika doubted that the Constitution allowed her to assume the role the parties sought to give her. A judicial hearing on the agreement also revealed that the parties disagreed about whether it barred charges other than the existing charges.
The unimplemented plea agreement provided: (1) HB would plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors; (2) the Special Counsel would recommend a sentence for these crimes of two years’ probation; (3) the sentencing judge would be free to impose a different sentence from the one recommended by the prosecutor; (4) prosecution of the gun charges would be deferred for two years; (5) HB would be subject to restrictions during the deferred prosecution similar to those accompanying his tax sentence; (6) if HB complied with these restrictions, the gun charges would be dismissed; and (7) a judge would determine whether HB had complied with the restrictions. This last provision troubled Judge Noreika, who thought it might allow her to determine whether the gun charges should be reinstated—a decision she thought the Constitution assigned to prosecutors rather than her court.
President Biden’s pardon statement declared: “[A] carefully negotiated plea deal, agreed to by the Department of Justice, unraveled in the courtroom . . . . Had the plea deal held, it would have been a fair, reasonable resolution of Hunter’s cases.”
Why, then, didn’t Biden restore the reasonable deal as nearly as he could? Why excuse HB’s crimes altogether? Biden offered no explanation.
Clemency couldn’t have duplicated the plea agreement in every detail, but it could have left HB’s convictions in place (or could have excused only his gun convictions) while limiting his sentence to a probated two-year term. It could have imposed the conditions on probation HB had previously agreed to.
At the time of the President’s December 1 pardon, HB was scheduled to be sentenced for his gun crimes on December 13 and for his tax crimes on December 16. The President could have awaited HB’s sentences and, if he considered them excessive, commuted them. Moreover, the President could have acted earlier to limit these sentences. When President Bill Clinton commuted both the imposed and unimposed sentences of Paul Prosperi, a Georgetown classmate who had participated in Clinton’s unsuccessful campaign for student body president and later donated to his presidential campaigns, the commutation read: “I hereby commute any total period of confinement that has already been imposed or could be imposed . . . that is in excess of 36 months, and I further commute any such period of confinement to be served in home confinement.”
The plea agreement in HB’s case would have imposed minimal punishment. No penalty at all was only slightly less punishment than the agreement would have required. Yet forgiving HB altogether moved the President’s pardon from generous to indefensible, and an overwhelming majority of Americans apparently disapprove of it.
Retaining HB’s convictions along with some minimal punishment might have mooted much of the criticism. The President could have noted that the Trump-appointed prosecutor who investigated and charged HB considered this punishment sufficient. The agreement collapsed because a judge questioned its enforcement provisions, not because anyone disapproved the punishment both parties had accepted. A remark Senator Joe Biden made about the clemency President Clinton granted supporters and cronies on the President’s last day in office comes to mind: “I think either the President had an incredible lapse in memory or was brain dead.”
IV. A Silver Lining
At the time of HB’s pardon, President Biden appeared likely to end his presidency having approved less clemency than any president since 1900 other than George H.W. Bush. But 12 days after the pardon, Biden commuted the sentences of 1,499 people who had been released to home confinement during Covid and remained law abiding since, and he pardoned 39 others who long ago had completed their sentences for nonviolent offenses. Biden declared: “I will take more steps in the weeks ahead. My Administration will continue reviewing clemency petitions to advance equal justice under the law, promote public safety, support rehabilitation and reentry, and provide meaningful second chances.”
There is more the President can do. More than 150,000 people are confined in federal prisons, and none were included in his recent clemency grants. Since he became President, Biden appears to have approved the release of only 31 inmates. (See this presentation at minute 4:18 and following.) The White House is reported to have received many favorable recommendations from the Justice Department. Every recommended grant has survived the Department’s thorough investigation and rigorous winnowing, and the President probably should approve them all. He also should grant a blanket preemptive pardon in the form suggested above.
While campaigning for office, Biden promised to end the federal death penalty, and no executions have occurred during his presidency. But 40 federal prisoners are on death row, and the incoming President appears to favor their rapid execution. These prisoners are guilty of mass shootings and other heinous crimes, and commuting their sentences to life without parole would offend many. Biden, however, is the lamest of ducks and could consider that action.
As Christmas approaches and President Biden’s term and political career draw to a close, he is granting clemency more generously. His farewell pardons could be seen cynically as an effort to make his favoritism for his son appear less extreme. HB’s pardon, however, might have prompted the President to reflect on the many American families who have suffered in the same way his family has. He might have been moved to relieve some of their anguish. | https://verdict.justia.com/2024/12/16/the-three-pronged-pardon-of-hunter-biden | 2024-12-16T05:56:18Z |
“He Is With the Love of His Life”: Woman Vents About Boyfriend’s Disappearing Act in Video
- A South African woman posted a video expressing frustration over her boyfriend's thoughtless behaviour
- The emotional clip showed her heartbreak as she contemplated the future of their strained relationship
- Social media users flooded the comments section, urging her to reclaim her self-worth and walk away
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Yoh, dating an inconsiderate person is the pits. One woman’s mjolo drama had her venting on TikTok after her boyfriend didn’t come home.
Woman complains about bae's whereabouts
The clip on her page @lucia_makhudu showed her visibly upset. She fought back tears while narrating her struggles. The lady said she is considering leaving and returning home to her family.
The heartbreaking video got over 209,000 views and 600 shares on the platform in just one day.
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Watch the video below:
Mzansi weighs in with advice
The comments section lit up with women urging her to choose herself. Others shared their own stories of bouncing back from toxic relationships.
Read a few comments below:
@Chimurenga said:
"Guys why are you scared of being single?"
@Koketjo wrote:
"If ke mopedi, he's already in Limpopo girl."
@AngiliqueOlifant commented:
"Y’all are still young to experience such. 😔"
@Mbalenhle_peace mentioned:
"Thinking he went to see Chris brown is just being delusional. 🤣😭😭 This video is so funny."
@Elisheva stated:
"Men prioritise their happiness. Choose yourself and go home."
@Sandie shared:
"I married a man that would do this at least 2/3 times a month on weekends. It hurts but I’m glad I’m no longer with him. Weekends used to give me so much anxiety."
@Basetsana_Monnapula typed:
"Now I am fully judging you if you stay my sister. 😭😭"
@VeronicaMorgets added:
"He is with the love of his life. 😩"
@MuofheVanessa suggested:
"Go home sesi, he’s not worth it."
3 Mzansi women facing mjolo woes
- A woman tearfully shared the sudden end of her relationship in a video that has garnered widespread sympathy online.
- Expressing her frustration with a terrible relationship, a woman declared she was tired of her boyfriend, making her story relatable to many in Mzansi.
- After her husband failed to come home for two days, a woman took revenge, capturing the attention of viewers online.
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Source: Briefly News | https://briefly.co.za/people/family-relationships/205342-woman-vents-about-boyfriend-who-didnt-come-home/ | 2024-12-16T05:56:18Z |
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Zakir Hussain, one of India's most accomplished classical musicians, dies at 73
Zakir Hussain, one of India’s most accomplished classical musicians who defied genres and introduced tabla to a global audience, has died
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Your support makes all the difference.Zakir Hussain, one of India's most accomplished classical musicians who defied genres and introduced tabla to global audiences, died on Sunday. He was 73.
The Indian classical music icon died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, at a hospital in San Francisco, his family said in a statement.
“His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians. He hoped to inspire the next generation to go further. He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians of all time,” the statement read.
Hussain was the most recognizable exponent of tabla, a pair of hand drums that is the main percussion instrument in Indian classical music.
Considered the greatest tabla player of his generation, Hussain had a career that spanned six decades in which he collaborated with the likes of singer-songwriter George Harrison, jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, drummer Mickey Hart and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
The son of legendary tabla artist Ustad Alla Rakha, Hussain was born in 1951 in Mumbai and was taught how to play the instrument by his father at the age of 7. A child prodigy, he began performing alongside India’s classical music legends during his teens.
In 1973, Hussain formed the Indian jazz fusion band “Shakti” with jazz guitarist John McLaughlin. The band played acoustic fusion music that combined Indian music with elements of jazz, introducing a new sound to Western audiences.
In 2024, Hussain became the first musician from India to win three Grammy awards in the same year.
Hussain’s “Shakti” won Best Global Music Album, and his collaboration with Edgar Meyer, Béla Fleck and flutist Rakesh Chaurasia won Best Global Music Performance and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. He had earlier won a Grammy in 2009.
In 2023, Hussain received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.
Hussain is survived by his wife and two daughters. | https://www.the-independent.com/news/ap-india-new-delhi-george-harrison-san-francisco-b2664848.html | 2024-12-16T05:56:19Z |
Top 10 Android Apps for Navratri
Check out some of the best Android apps in the market for Navratri!
1. Goddess Durga Temple
Check out some of the best Android apps in the market for Navratri!
So what if you have no Maa Durga temple in your vicinity? You have your smartphone! A phone which brings the temple right to you! The app brings a Maa Durga temple to your phone with all the features like Durga devotional songs, Aarti, setting bhajans as your alarm, etc. Goddess Durga Temple App is a basic app but serves all features and functions.
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2. Sampoorna Navratri Poojan
What are the tradtitions to be followed during Navratri? How does one perform the pooja? Sampoorna Navratri Poojan gives an idea of all pooja ceremonies to be followed during Navratri.
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3. Navratri Aartiyan & Chalisa
Lose yourself in the tunes of Navratri Aartis with this app. The app supports multiple Aartis and also chants the holy Chalisa. Navratri Aartiyan & Chalisa app comes with the most popular Navratri bhajans.
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4. Navratri Ramzat
Feativals are always accompanied by wishing loved ones and giving blessings. But in the modern era, SMS has replaced the visits and Whatsapp emoticons the actual feet-touchings and blessings. Navratri Ramzat is an application that let's you read and send holy and devotional SMSes right from the app.
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5. Navratri Vrat Kathayein
Fasting this Navratri? Make your fast easier listening to tales and stories of Navratri Vrats. Navratri Vrat Kathayein app tells you the significance and importance of each day of fasting.
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6. Dandiya Masti
What's Navratri without some Dandiya? And do not worry if you didn't get passes to the fests this year. Just download the Dandiya Masti app and groove to the tunes of Dandiya with your best buddies!
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7. Navratri Garba Videos
So what if you can't play? Enjoy some of the best Garba videos using the Navratri Garba Videos app. Who knows? You might pick up a few good moves too!
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8. Navratri Raas Garba Special
Now that you've decided to groove to the tunes of Garba, why wait? Oh, you still don't have the elaborate dress in place? Don't worry? There's an app for that too! Navratri Raas Garba Special comes with Garba ringtones, some Navratri cholis and dresses.
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9. Navratri Package
Don't want multiple apps but want it all? Navratri Package gives you everything from Maa Durga aartis to the katha and vrat significance in one app!
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10. Navratri Festival
You have everything in place and are fasting for Navratri. But bored of the same old food? Navratri Festival app not only brings you a history of the festival with aartis and bhajans but even interesting recipes! | https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/internet/top-10-android-apps-for-navratri-105759.html | 2024-12-16T05:56:19Z |
Rani R. Raad, CEO of IMI, on Building a Forward-Thinking Global Media Powerhouse "Between the advancements in artificial intelligence and the proliferation of audiences across social media platforms, the media industry —especially legacy brands— must reinvent themselves completely or face being left behind or even becoming extinct."
By Tamara Pupic
You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
To begin with, please give us an overview of the media sector locally/regionally and globally.
There has never been a more exciting time for our sector. Between the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the proliferation of audiences across social media platforms, the media industry—especially legacy brands—must reinvent themselves completely or face being left behind or even becoming extinct. Equally, media owners and brands are more in touch with their audiences and are constantly evolving to improve their chances of thriving. In this new era, creativity and content will be critical. We've seen how individuals—podcasters, YouTubers, TikTokers, and other content creators—can shape public opinion and even influence global events. Media organizations need to adapt by embracing these new platforms and recognizing the power of authentic personalities to engage and build trust with audiences.
Regionally, the Middle East is uniquely positioned to lead in this transformation. The UAE and Saudi Arabia, for instance, are among the top users of platforms like TikTok, reflecting the region's digital-savvy, mobile-first population. The demand for interactive and culturally relevant content is growing rapidly, and this presents incredible opportunities for innovation and growth.
How is IMI positioned in the media industry, regionally and globally?
Regionally, we have a distinguished portfolio of leading media brands, which include Sky News Arabia, The National, Al-Ain News, and CNN Business Arabic. Each of these brands has its own identity and unique consumer proposition, but share a commitment to delivering high-quality, best in class journalism with a digital-first mindset.
We also focus on ensuring our journalism covers all sides of any given story, empowering our audiences with the information they need to make informed decision about the world around them. Globally, via our investment vehicle Redbird IMI, we are investing in world class, profitable media assets in the news, sports and general entertainment space to ensure we have a robust portfolio of local, regional and global assets that position IMI as a global media powerhouse.
Finally, our commitment to talent development and fostering the next generation of media leaders is something we take very seriously. Through initiatives like the IMI Media Academy, we are shaping the next generation of media professionals, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of creativity, innovation, and excellence.
With IMI, you aim for the UAE and the region to play a bigger game in the global media sector. How is this ambition translated into IMI's current and future offerings?
As a leading media group, we recognize our responsibility to support the advancement of the media sector. With audiences at the heart of what we do, our content strategy focuses on producing stories that resonate with both local and international audiences. We prioritize authenticity, ensuring that our coverage reflects the diverse perspectives of the Middle East while making these narratives accessible and relevant to global audiences.
Technology also plays a key role in achieving this ambition. We are integrating AI and data-driven tools to personalize content, improve audience engagement, and enhance the overall media experience. These innovations not only strengthen our offerings but also position us as leaders in the industry.
At the same time, we are investing in people. By empowering talent— whether through training programs, collaborations, or partnerships—we are ensuring that the region's brightest minds are driving this transformation. Our goal is not just to participate in the global media landscape but to shape it.
What are some of the most important metrics that you focus on to assess IMI's performance and growth potential?
At IMI, we believe that success goes beyond traditional metrics like reach. We are increasingly focused on metrics that reflect long-term engagement and impact. The region has one of the most crowded news media landscapes in the world. To cut through the clutter and the noise, it is essential that our content is relevant, relatable, authentic, and credible. Coupled with creative execution, smart tech, and powered by data and insight, this ensures we are targeting the right audiences, and this is what drives engagement. Talent is another key metric for us. Building a strong organizational culture that attracts, retains, and nurtures top talent is a major priority. I firmly believe that our people are our greatest asset, and their success is a direct reflection of our organization's success.
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced in reaching your goals for IMI?
One of the biggest challenges is time. Building a strong culture and aligning teams around a shared vision is not something that happens overnight. Transformations like this require patience, perseverance, and a willingness to navigate resistance to change. Another challenge is data. While digital platforms provide more data than ever before, making sense of it and integrating it into a cohesive strategy can be complex. We've had to focus on building the right infrastructure and expertise to ensure that our data is actionable and aligned with our goals. Finally, adopting new technologies like AI comes with its own set of challenges. It's not just about implementing these tools but ensuring that they're used effectively and ethically. This requires significant investment in training and creating a culture that embraces innovation.
What are some of the most important projects you are focusing on right now?
There are several exciting initiatives underway at IMI. First, we're making significant investments in AI and other technologies to enhance productivity and improve our storytelling capabilities. AI is not just a tool for efficiency; it's a way to create more engaging and impactful content for our audiences. We're also moving to a new headquarters, which represents a fresh chapter for IMI. It is a state-of-the-art building that features various unique, immersive experiences for our visitors and will foster collaboration, creativity, and innovation amongst our people, empowering our teams to do their best work. On the content front, our brands are continuing to innovate in what they deliver to audiences, with a host of new programs and content lined up for the months to come.
'TREP TALK IMI CEO Rani R. Raad Advises Media Executives in the UAE
FIRST, EMBRACE INNOVATION, but do so with purpose. It's not enough to adopt the latest technology for the sake of it. Focus on how these tools can enhance audience engagement, build trust, and make your content more relevant.
SECOND, FIND THE BALANCE BETWEEN LOCAL RELEVANCE AND GLOBAL APPEAL. The UAE has a unique voice, and staying connected to local narratives while thinking globally can elevate your organization's impact.
FINALLY, PRIORITIZE YOUR PEOPLE. Talent is the backbone of any successful media organization. Foster a culture of learning, collaboration, and inclusivity. Invest in your teams, and they will drive your success. | https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-ae/growth-strategies/rani-r-raad-ceo-of-imi-on-building-a-forward-thinking/484204 | 2024-12-16T05:56:21Z |
Zakir Hussain: The Ustad of the Ustads
By IANS | Published: December 16, 2024 10:11 AM2024-12-16T10:11:21+5:302024-12-16T10:15:10+5:30
Mumbai, Dec 16 The world of music lost a gem with the demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain. The ...
Mumbai, Dec 16 The world of music lost a gem with the demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain. The renowned tabla player passed away due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in San Francisco, California at the age of 73. The late musician rendered new dimensions to Indian music as he took the culture and the humility associated with our music, across the world.
Zakir, who was born on March 9, 1951 in Mumbai, was the eldest son of tabla player Alla Rakha, and is widely considered as one of the greatest tabla players of all time. As much as a great musician he was, the Ustaad was also known for his nature, his conduct on stage and his respect for the art and fellow artists.
He struck a chord with every generation and every set of listeners owing to his exceptional skills, his charm and the ability to blend in with every genre. The sight of him belting out his prowess on tabla for a tea brand is a core memory of every 1990s kid.
While the space of Indian television commercials were still walking on its wobbly legs, it was Zakir, who gave it the required strength with his stellar screen presence, his unmatched brilliance on tabla and the way with which he said, “Waah Taj”.
His presence was truly global as he not only elevated Indian music to great heights but also collaborated with many international artists like George Harrison of the iconic band, The Beatles, on the 1973 album ‘Living in the Material World’ and John Handy for the album ‘Hard Work’. He also performed on Van Morrison's 1979 album ‘Into the Music’ and ‘Earth’.
His illustrious body of work was feted with several awards like four Grammy Awards, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, Government of India's Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, Ratna Sadsya, United States National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship, the highest award given to traditional artists and musicians.
Zakir Hussain continues to leave a deep impact on India’s music and its cultural heritage.
Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
Open in app | https://www.lokmattimes.com/entertainment/zakir-hussain-the-ustad-of-the-ustads/ | 2024-12-16T05:56:22Z |
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