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Milan’s Via MonteNapoleone usurps New York’s Fifth Avenue as world’s most upscale shopping street
MILAN (AP) — Shoppers laden with bags from Fendi, Loewe, Prada and other designer labels clog the narrow sidewalks of Milan’s swankiest shopping street, bringing joy to the purveyors of high-end luxury goods this, and every, holiday season.
There’s even more to celebrate this year: a commercial real estate company has crowned Via MonteNapoleone as the world’s most expensive retail destination, displacing New York’s Fifth Avenue.
The latest version of American firm Cushman & Wakefield’s annual global index, which ranks shopping areas based on the rent prices they command, is a sign of Via MonteNapoleone’s desirability as an address for luxury ready-to-wear, jewelry and even pastry brands.
The average rent on the Milan street has surged to 20,000 euros per square meter ($2,047 per square foot), compared with 19,537 euros per square meter ($2,000 per square foot) on an 11-block stretch of upper Fifth Avenue.
Via MonteNapoleone’s small size — just 350 meters (less than one-quarter mile) long — and walking distance to services and top cultural sites are among the street’s key advantages, according to Guglielmo Miani, president of the MonteNapoleone District association.
“Not everything can fit, which is a benefit’’ since the limited space makes the street even more exclusive and dynamic, said Miani, whose group also represents businesses on the intersecting side streets that together with Via MonteNapoleone form an area known as Milan’s Fashion Quadrilateral.
The biggest brands on the street make 50 million euros to 100 million euros in annual sales, Miani said, which goes a long way to paying the rent. Tiffany & Co. is preparing to take up residence on Via Montenapoleone, and long-time tenant Fendi is expanding.
The MonteNapoleone District says 11 million people visited the area this year through November, but there’s no way to say how many were big spenders vs. window shoppers. The average shopper on Via MonteNapoleone spent 2,500 euros per purchase between August and November — the highest average receipt in the world, according to the tax-free shopping firm Global Blue.
The street is a magnet for holiday shoppers who arrive in Maseratis, Porsches and even Ferraris, the sports car’s limited trunk space notwithstanding. Lights twinkle overhead, boutique windows feature mannequins engaged in warm scenes of holiday fun, and passersby snap photos of expertly decorated cakes in pastry shop displays.
A visitor from China, Chen Xinghan, waited for a taxi with a half-dozen shopping bags lined up next to him on the sidewalk. He said he paid half the price for a luxury Fendi coat that he purchased in Milan than he would have at home.
“I got a lot,’’ Chen acknowledged. “It’s a fantastic place, a good place for shopping.”
A few store windows down, Franca Da Rold, who was visiting Milan from Belluno, an Italian city in the Dolomites mountain range, marveled at a chunky, meters-long knit scarf priced at 980 euros.
“I could knit that in one hour, using 12-gauge knitting needles as thick as my fingers, and thick wool. Maximum two hours,’’ Da Rold said, but acknowledged the brand appeal.
Despite upper Fifth Avenue getting bumped to the No. 2 spot on the Cushman & Wakefield list, the organization that serves as the Manhattan street’s guardian and chief promoter had praise for MonteNapoleone’s achievement.
“Milan’s investment in its public realm is paying off, which is a win for their shoppers, businesses and city as a whole,’’ Madelyn Wils, interim president of the Fifth Avenue Association, said.
But she also expressed confidence that with new investments and a record year for sales on Fifth Avenue, “we’ll be back on top in no time.”
By COLLEEN BARRY
Associated Press
|
https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/east-europe/3472806/milans-via-montenapoleone-usurps-new-yorks-fifth-avenue-as-worlds-most-upscale-shopping-street.html
| 2024-12-16T05:58:28Z
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SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
Seeing a total solar eclipse along its path of totality is a rare, often once-in-a-lifetime event. It only lasts a few minutes, which is enough time to wow and awe observers but not nearly enough time for scientists who study the sun and its outer atmosphere called the corona. A new mission from the European Space Agency wants to solve this problem. Last week, a pair of satellites rocketed into orbit with a simple goal - to create more solar eclipses, ones that last hours instead of minutes. Here to tell us more about this and how it works is Damien Galano. He's the project manager for this mission, called Proba-3. Welcome.
DAMIEN GALANO: Thank you for having me.
DETROW: Let's just start with a question that I think anybody hearing that introduction is asking - how exactly does this work? How do two satellites create solar eclipses?
GALANO: So there are two satellite, and basically, we want to recreate the condition of a total solar eclipse. So the first spacecraft - we call it the Occulter spacecraft and - plays the role of the moon and to block out the light from the sun. And the other spacecraft - that we call the Coronagraph - will have to be positioned precisely in the shadow cast by the Occulter spacecraft at a distance of about 500 feet.
DETROW: So this is creating an eclipse for the second satellite. How much beyond that will this eclipse last and reach? I mean, somebody might be thinking, can I see this from Earth? I assume the answer is no, but I want to ask.
GALANO: No, no. This will be done when the spacecraft are at their maximum altitude at about 40,000 miles. And when they are far from the gravity of the Earth, that is a perturbation for us to be able to control precisely the spacecraft. And they will maintain this formation for about six hours.
DETROW: Six hours - and will this be a one-time experiment or will this be able to be recreated over and over with these two satellites?
GALANO: We expect to be able to recreate it every orbit. So the period of the orbit is 20 hours.
DETROW: Oh, wow.
GALANO: So every orbit, every 20 hours, we expect to be able to have a consecutive six hours of eclipse condition.
DETROW: I love this image of two satellites almost dancing with each other in this aligned orbit. Can you tell us why you want to do this, though? What are you looking for? What does a solar eclipse allow scientists to study?
GALANO: So the solar corona matters because it's intimately linked to the sun, the way the sun - our star - works and all the physics. We know that it's in the corona that originates the solar wind, so the constant flow of charged particles expanding from the sun. So observing the corona help the solar physicist to better model how the sun works and to better understand the activities inside this corona and how it can affect the Earth. That's through what we call the space weather.
DETROW: So the satellites launch, they're in orbit now. When are you expecting the first attempt at creating an eclipse?
GALANO: So we are performing at the moment the commissioning of the spacecraft. So little by little, we are activating the different equipment, the different functions on board. We expect if everything goes well that in March, we should be able to have the two spacecraft aligned to observe for the first time and take the first images of the corona with our system.
DETROW: That's Damien Galano, the project manager for the Proba-3 mission at the European Space Agency. Thanks so much, and good luck.
GALANO: Thank you, Scott. Bye-bye.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
|
https://www.wvasfm.org/science/2024-12-15/how-satellites-are-helping-scientists-study-the-sun
| 2024-12-16T05:58:29Z
|
Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Boxster 982 My20 2.0L Petrol 2D Roadster
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
- Automatic Stop/Start
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- 19 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Black Brake Calipers
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Convex Mirror Right Side
- Communication Management System
- Connect App Services
- Connect Plus
- Convertible Top Colour
- Digital Audio Broadcast Radio
- Dynamic Drive
- Door Handle Courtesy Lights
- Digital Instrument Cluster
- Driver Mode Selection
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Door Sill Finishers - Embossed/Personalised
- Dry Sump Lubrication System
- Electrically Heated Windscreen
- Exterior Mirrors - Auto Dimming
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Head Airbags
- Head Airbags - Front Seats (side)
- Headlights - Auto On/Off Function
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Windshield
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- LED Indicators
- Light Pack
- Multi-function Display
- Multi-function Steering Wheel - Heated
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Navigation System
- Park Assist 2
- Paddle Shifters on Steering Wheel
- Power Front Seat Driver 14 Way
- Positioning Lights LED
- Power Mirrors With Folding
- Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Power Steering
- Power Front Seats 14 Way with Memory
- Powered Sports Seats
- Power Soft Top
- Power Soft Top - Remote Operation
- Power Windows
- Power Windows With One-Touch Operation
- Rain Sensor
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rollover Mitigation System
- Rollover Protection System
- Reversing Camera
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Storage Compartment - Centre Floor Console
- Solar Control Glass Roof
- Sports Exhaust System
- Side Front AirBags
- Side Impact Protection
- Sound Package Plus
- Sound System with 6 Speakers
- Sports Steering Wheel
- Stainless Steel Exhaust System
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Thorax Airbag(s)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Tinted Windows
- Vehicle Stability Management System
- Wind Deflector
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Windscreen With Sunband
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,570
- Aluminium Gear Selector - $1,110
- Air Intake Grilles Painted - $1,060
- Aluminium Gear Knob - $500
- Alcantara Sunvisors - $860
- Alcantara Steering Wheel - $1,580
- Alloy Pedals - $550
- Adaptive Sports Seats Plus - 18 Way - $2,850
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System Plus - $1,150
- Climate Control Panel - Leather - $1,220
- Climate Control Panel - Painted - $1,220
- Ceramic Brakes - $15,370
- Carbon Floor Mats - $1,490
- Coloured Instrument Dials - $1,030
- Carbon Onboard Folder - $1,630
- Customization Package Gear Lever - $1,630
- Coloured Seat Belts - $570
- Carbon Sill Guards - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $2,440
- Carbon Steering Wheel Special - $930
- Coloured Tailpipes - $1,120
- Extended Leather Pack - $1,090
- Embossed Headrests - $470
- Exterior Pack - Painted - $2,960
- Gear Lever - Carbon - $1,050
- Home Link - $600
- Interior Pack - Painted (non leather) - $1,220
- Interior Pack - Painted (leather) - $1,460
- Interior Pack - Wood (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Wood (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Carbon (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Carbon (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (non leather) - $1,250
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (leather) - $1,470
- Interior Trim Pack - $4,250
- Interior Trim Special - $5,750
- Keyless Entry & Drive - $1,470
- Leather Accented Upholstery
- Leather Backrests Sports Seats Plus - $2,810
- Lane Change Assist - $1,220
- Leather Dashboard - $2,520
- LED Dynamic Light System - $2,330
- Leather Interior Exclusive - $7,680
- Leather Interior Pack (without leather interior) - $1,290
- Leather Interior Pack (with leather interior) - $1,540
- Leather Interior Pack Partial Leather Seats - $830
- Leather Int Pack Partial Leather Seats - Two Tone - $1,200
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - $4,410
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - Premium - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Premium Two-tone - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Natural Leather - $6,910
- Leather Int Pk Leather Seats - Nat Leath Two-tone - $7,680
- Leather Interior Two-Tone - $4,410
- Leather Steering Column Surround - $940
- Leather Sill Guards - Special - $1,210
- Leather Sports Steering Wheel - $570
- Leather Sunvisors - $860
- Leather Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery Special - $1,000
- Metallic Paint - $1,870
- Metallic Paint Special - $18,490
- Porsche Active Suspension Management - $3,000
- Painted Alloy Wheels - Premium - $2,500
- Paint Colour Special - $4,920
- Painted Key - $840
- Rollover Bars - Painted - $1,060
- Seatbelt Buckles - Leather - $1,000
- Seatbelt Passage - Painted - $1,030
- Sports Chrono Instrument Dials - $720
- Sports Chrono Package - $3,770
- Sports Design Black Pack - $6,220
- Sports Design Pack - $5,250
- Special Identifying Badging - $540
- Solid Paint
- Solid Paint Special - $18,490
- Sports Seats - Bucket - $6,870
- Sports Seats - Special - $3,060
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - Illuminated - $1,370
- St/Steel Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $1,760
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - $500
- Surround Sound System Premium - $8,220
- Surround Sound System - $2,470
- Tail Lights - Special - $1,290
- Torque Vectoring Differential Rear - $2,750
- Ventilated Front Seats - $1,950
- Wood Gear Selector - $1,050
- Wheel Centres - $340
- Wood Steering Wheel Special - $930
|
https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-boxster-982-my20-petrol-2d-roadster-qg6Xyy65h4
| 2024-12-16T05:58:28Z
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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+5:302024-12-16T10:55:12+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.
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
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https://www.lokmattimes.com/technology/swachh-bharat-mission-drives-toilet-cleaner-usage-in-india-by-53pc-in-2024-2/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:34Z
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Former FBI informant will plead guilty to lying about phony bribery scheme involving the Bidens
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.”
By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER
Associated Press
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https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/national/3472798/former-fbi-informant-will-plead-guilty-to-lying-about-phony-bribery-scheme-involving-the-bidens.html
| 2024-12-16T05:58:35Z
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SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
Some things are easier to learn when you're a kid, like an instrument or a sport. NPR's Avery Keatley visited a gymnastics class outside of Washington, D.C., to find out why it's important to keep learning new things, no matter your age.
AVERY KEATLEY, BYLINE: On a dark, rainy Tuesday night, the Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center in Arlington, Virginia, is brightly lit and absolutely buzzing. The gymnastics floor is mobbed with kids wearing bright leotards, taking turns on the vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor. It is loud as the kids tumble across the floor and parents wait in the bleachers overlooking the gymnasium. But as the kids' classes begin winding down, a different group files in.
GAELEN WOOD: (Inaudible) forward rolls, so arms up.
ERIN WEISENBERGER: This is the worst one because it really hurts your head. When I was a kid, this didn't hurt, but it really gives me a headache doing it. I don't know why.
KEATLEY: That's 32-year-old Erin Weisenberger. She's warming up doing somersaults across the gymnastics floor along with the rest of her class. It's a group of nearly all women ranging in age from their late 20s to their early 40s, and they're all here trying something a little different.
WOOD: So we're going to learn something new today.
KEATLEY: They're part of an adult beginner gymnastics class. It's a bit of a rarity in the gymnastics world, where most classes are geared towards kids and teens.
WOOD: And if you're lefty, you're going to jump, land on your right foot, extend your left foot into your lunge.
KEATLEY: That's Coach Gaelen Wood. Tonight, they're learning how to power hurdle. It's a move that helps generate momentum for tumbling, and the footwork is a little complicated.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: So think about jumping off of two feet and just land on your right foot.
WEISENBERGER: Just land on my right foot. Just land on my right foot.
(LAUGHTER)
KEATLEY: While Erin tries to master the power hurdle, classmate Shateela Winters has a simpler goal in mind.
SHATEELA WINTERS: So my goal is to not injure myself. I have a bad back amongst other things. But if I could pick the dream thing that I had learned to do, if I could just do one back handspring, I'd be incredibly happy.
WOOD: Awesome.
KEATLEY: After warming up on the floor, the class files over to a trampoline that stretches almost halfway across the gym.
WOOD: All right, we're going to straddle jumps. So remember, either straddle jumps can go out to the side or straddle jumps can come up in front of you, OK?
KEATLEY: Gymnastics program supervisor Alex Asante-Dean says that for adult beginners, breaking out of their normal patterns of movement, like jumping really high in the air on a trampoline, can be uncomfortable.
ALEX ASANTE-DEAN: When we start, some of the things are really jarring 'cause you're moving your body in ways that hasn't been done before.
KEATLEY: And it's not just physical movements.
ASANTE-DEAN: When we get older and we have, you know, routines that we're used to, gets hard to break those habits.
KEATLEY: That's an observation backed up by research.
RACHEL WU: Adults might have a more fixed mindset in terms of thinking, if I'm not good at something now, I'm never going to be good at it.
KEATLEY: Rachel Wu is an associate professor of psychology at University of California, Riverside. She studies the way children learn and how those patterns might help adults learn too. She says that in some ways, learning is easier as an adult. Adults generally grasp concepts more quickly. They're less distracted, and they have better motor control than kids. But learning as an adult requires time, money and quality teachers, which can all be harder to find. She also says adults are often convinced they simply lack a talent for something.
WU: I've never been good at languages, or I've never been good at art, or I don't have a musical ear or something like that - that kind of, like, very fixed mindset. So you're either born with some talent or you're not.
KEATLEY: But continuing to learn as an adult has serious brain benefits.
WU: You will increase a lot of different types of cognitive abilities - your attention, memory. You have existing neurons that can be strengthened and existing pathways between neurons that can be strengthened as well.
KEATLEY: She says physical activities can be especially helpful in growing new neurons, which help the brain remain healthy and flexible later in life. Community can also play a big role in supporting adult learning.
WU: Learning new stuff is really hard, and if you're doing it with other people, it may be less depressing (laughter) in some ways because those people can help hold you accountable. You can see through how other people are struggling that you're not the only one struggling.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: There you go. Yes. Pull, pull, pull, pull, pull. Good.
KEATLEY: Back in the gym, the class is practicing on the uneven bars.
WEISENBERGER: The Olympians make it look so smooth and so easy and just like a walk in the park. But it is not (laughter).
KEATLEY: Erin Weisenberger says that even though class is challenging, she gets a lot out of it.
WEISENBERGER: Just proud of myself for trying something that I thought I would be really bad at.
KEATLEY: Coach Gaelen Wood says that for him, seeing adult students achieve something new is one of the best parts of the class.
WOOD: I love when people are nervous of something, and they finally take that step forward, and they're like, I can do this.
KEATLEY: As class winds down, one of those moments unfolds as Erin successfully pulls herself all the way over the uneven bar for the first time.
WEISENBERGER: I did it.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: There you go. Yay.
KEATLEY: Avery Keatley, NPR News.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
|
https://www.wvasfm.org/sports/2024-12-15/learning-as-an-adult-can-be-hard-its-even-harder-on-a-balance-beam
| 2024-12-16T05:58:35Z
|
Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster Gts. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Boxster Gts 982 My19 2.5L Petrol 2D Roadster
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
- Automatic Stop/Start
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Alcantara Trim
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- 20 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Black Alloy Wheels
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Convex Mirror Right Side
- Communication Management System
- Connect App Services
- Connect Plus
- Convertible Top Colour
- Digital Audio Broadcast Radio
- Driver Foot Rest
- Door Handle Courtesy Lights
- Digital Instrument Cluster
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Daytime Running Lights - LED
- Door Sill Finishers - Embossed/Personalised
- Dry Sump Lubrication System
- Electrically Heated Windscreen
- Exterior Mirrors - Auto Dimming
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Head Airbags
- Head Airbags - Front Seats (side)
- Headlights - Auto On/Off Function
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Windshield
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Leather Armrest - Front
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- LED Indicators
- Light Pack
- Multi-function Display
- Multi-function Steering Wheel - Heated
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Navigation System
- Park Assist 2
- Porsche Active Suspension Management
- Power Front Seat Driver 14 Way
- Positioning Lights LED
- Power Mirrors With Folding
- Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Power Steering
- Powered Sports Seats
- Powered Sports Seats 2 Way
- Power Soft Top
- Power Soft Top - Remote Operation
- Power Windows
- Power Windows With One-Touch Operation
- Rain Sensor
- Rear Apron - Painted
- Red Brake Calipers
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rollover Mitigation System
- Rollover Protection System
- Reversing Camera
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Storage Compartment - Centre Floor Console
- Solar Control Glass Roof
- Sports Chrono Package
- Sports Design Pack
- Sports Exhaust System
- Side Front AirBags
- Side Impact Protection
- Sound Package Plus
- Sports Pedals
- Sound System with 6 Speakers
- Sports Steering Wheel
- Stainless Steel Exhaust System
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Thorax Airbag(s)
- Tail Lights - Special
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Torque Vectoring Differential Rear
- Tinted Windows
- Vehicle Stability Management System
- Wheel Centres - Special
- Wind Deflector
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Windscreen With Sunband
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,570
- Aluminium Gear Selector - $1,110
- Air Intake Grilles Painted - $1,060
- Aluminium Gear Knob - $500
- Alcantara Sunvisors - $860
- Alcantara Steering Wheel - $1,580
- Alloy Pedals - $550
- Adaptive Sports Seats Plus - 18 Way - $2,850
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System Plus - $1,150
- Climate Control Panel - Leather - $1,220
- Climate Control Panel - Painted - $1,220
- Ceramic Brakes - $15,370
- Carbon Floor Mats - $1,490
- Coloured Instrument Dials - $1,030
- Carbon Onboard Folder - $1,630
- Customization Package Gear Lever - $1,630
- Coloured Seat Belts - $570
- Carbon Sill Guards - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $2,440
- Carbon Steering Wheel Special - $930
- Coloured Tailpipes - $1,120
- Extended Leather Pack - $1,090
- Embossed Headrests - $470
- Exterior Pack - Painted - $2,690
- Gear Lever - Carbon - $1,050
- Home Link - $600
- Interior Pack - Painted (non leather) - $1,220
- Interior Pack - Painted (leather) - $1,460
- Interior Pack - Wood (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Wood (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Carbon (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Carbon (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (non leather) - $1,250
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (leather) - $1,470
- Interior Trim Pack - $4,250
- Interior Trim Special - $5,750
- Keyless Entry & Drive - $1,470
- Leather Accented Upholstery
- Leather Backrests Sports Seats Plus - $2,810
- Lane Change Assist - $1,220
- Leather Dashboard - $2,520
- LED Dynamic Light System - $2,330
- Leather Interior Exclusive - $7,680
- Leather Interior Pack (without leather interior) - $1,290
- Leather Interior Pack (with leather interior) - $1,540
- Leather Interior Pack Partial Leather Seats - $830
- Leather Int Pack Partial Leather Seats - Two Tone - $1,200
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - $4,410
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - Premium - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Premium Two-tone - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Natural Leather - $6,910
- Leather Int Pk Leather Seats - Nat Leath Two-tone - $7,680
- Leather Interior Two-Tone - $4,410
- Leather Steering Column Surround - $940
- Leather Sill Guards - Special - $1,210
- Leather Sports Steering Wheel - $570
- Leather Sunvisors - $860
- Leather Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery Special - $1,000
- Metallic Paint - $1,870
- Metallic Paint Special - $18,490
- Painted Alloy Wheels - Premium - $2,500
- Paint Colour Special - $4,920
- Painted Key - $840
- Rollover Bars - Painted - $1,060
- Seatbelt Buckles - Leather - $1,000
- Seatbelt Passage - Painted - $1,030
- Sports Chrono Instrument Dials - $720
- Sports Design Black Pack - $6,220
- Special Identifying Badging - $540
- Solid Paint
- Solid Paint Special - $18,490
- Sports Seats - Bucket - $6,870
- Sports Seats - Special - $3,060
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - Illuminated - $1,370
- St/Steel Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $1,760
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - $500
- Surround Sound System Premium - $8,220
- Surround Sound System - $2,470
- Ventilated Front Seats - $1,950
- Wood Gear Selector - $1,050
- Wheel Centres - $340
- Wood Steering Wheel Special - $930
|
https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-boxster-gts-982-my19-petrol-2d-roadster-5LFj4XEfBY
| 2024-12-16T05:58:35Z
|
As Trump threatens mass deportations, Central America braces for an influx of vulnerable migrants
SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras (AP) — As dozens of deported migrants pack into a sweltering airport facility in San Pedro Sula, Norma sits under fluorescent lights clutching a foam cup of coffee and a small plate of eggs – all that was waiting for her in Honduras.
The 69-year-old Honduran mother had never imagined leaving her Central American country. But then came the anonymous death threats to her and her children and the armed men who showed up at her doorstep threatening to kill her, just like they had killed one of her relatives days earlier.
Norma, who requested anonymity out of concern for her safety, spent her life savings of $10,000 on a one-way trip north at the end of October with her daughter and granddaughter.
But after her asylum petitions to the U.S. were rejected, they were loaded onto a deportation flight. Now, she’s back in Honduras within reach of the same gang, stuck in a cycle of violence and economic precarity that haunts deportees like her.
“They can find us in every corner of Honduras,” she said in the migrant processing facility. “We’re praying for God’s protection, because we don’t expect anything from the government.”
Now, as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office in January with a promise of carrying out mass deportations, Honduras and other Central American countries people have fled for generations are bracing for a potential influx of vulnerable migrants — a situation they are ill-prepared to handle.
‘We don’t have the capacity’
Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, which have the largest number of people living illegally in the U.S., after Mexico, could be among the first and most heavily impacted by mass deportations, said Jason Houser, former Immigration & Customs Enforcement chief of staff in the Biden administration.
Because countries like Venezuela refuse to accept deportation flights from the U.S., Houser suggests that the Trump administration may prioritize the deportation of “the most vulnerable” migrants from those countries who have removal orders but no criminal record, in an effort to rapidly increase deportation numbers.
“Hondurans, Guatemalans, Salvadorans need to be very, very nervous because (Trump officials) are going to press the bounds of the law,” said Houser.
Migrants and networks aiding deportees in those Northern Triangle countries worry their return could thrust them into even deeper economic and humanitarian crises, fueling migration down the line.
“We don’t have the capacity” to take so many people, said Antonio García, Honduras’ deputy foreign minister. “There’s very little here for deportees.” People who return, he said, “are the last to be taken care of.”
Making their way back to the US
Since 2015, Honduras has received around half a million deportees. They climb down from planes and buses to be greeted with coffee, small plates of food and bags of toothpaste and deodorant. While some breathe a sigh of relief, free from harsh conditions in U.S. detention facilities, others cry, gripped with panic.
“We don’t know what we’ll do, what comes next,” said one woman in a cluster of deportees waiting for their names to be called by a man clacking at a keyboard.
Approximately 560,000 Hondurans, about 5% of the country’s population, live in the U.S. without legal status, according to U.S. government figures. Of those, migration experts estimate about 150,000 can be tracked down and rapidly expelled.
While García said the government offers services to help returnees, most are released with little aid into a country gripped by gangs. They have few options for work to pay off crippling debts. Others like Norma have nowhere to go, unable to return home because of the gang members circling her home.
Norma said she’s unsure of why they were targeted, but she believes it was because the relative who was killed had problems with a gang.
Despite the crackdown, García estimates up to 40% of Honduran deportees make their way back to the U.S.
A looming humanitarian crisis
Larissa Martínez, 31, is among those who have struggled to reintegrate into Honduran society after being deported from the U.S. in 2021 with her three children. Driven by economic desperation and the absence of her husband, who had migrated and left her for another woman, the single mother sought a better life in the U.S.
Since her return to Honduras, Martínez has spent the past three years searching for a job, not just to support her kids, but also to pay off the $5,000 she owes to relatives for the trip north.
Her efforts have been unsuccessful. She built a wobbly wooden home tucked away in the hilly fringes of San Pedro Sula, where she sells meat and cheese to get by, but sales have been slim and tropical rains have eaten away at the flimsy walls where they sleep.
So she’s begun to repeat a chant in her head: “If I don’t find work in December, I’ll leave in January.”
César Muñoz, a leader at Mennonite Social Action Commission, said Honduran authorities have abandoned deportees like Martínez, leaving organizations like his to step in. But with three deportation flights arriving weekly, aid networks are already stretched thin.
A significant uptick could leave aid networks, migrants and their families reeling. Meanwhile, countries like Honduras, heavily reliant on remittances from the U.S., could face severe economic consequences as this vital lifeline is cut.
“We’re at the brink of a new humanitarian crisis,” Muñoz said.
Trump’s return has been met with a range of reactions by Latin American nations connected to the U.S. through migration and trade.
Guatemala, a country with more than 750,000 citizens living unauthorized in the U.S. , announced in November it was working on a strategy to take on potential mass deportations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico is already beefing up legal services in its U.S. consulates and that she would ask Trump to deport non-Mexicans directly to their countries of origin.
Honduras’ Deputy Foreign Minister García expressed skepticism about Trump’s threat, citing the economic benefits immigrants provide to the U.S. economy and the logistical challenges of mass deportations. Aid leaders like Muñoz say Honduras isn’t sufficiently preparing for a potential surge in deportations.
Even with a crackdown by Trump it would be “impossible” to stop people from migrating, García said. Driven by poverty, violence and the hope for a better life, clusters of deportees climb aboard buses on their way back to the U.S.
As deportations by both U.S. and Mexican authorities spike, smugglers are offering migrants packages in which they get three tries to make it north. If migrants get captured on their journey and sent back home, they still have two chances to get to the U.S.
Freshly returned to Honduras, 26-year-old Kimberly Orellana said she spent three months detained in a Texas facility before being sent back to San Pedro Sula, where she waited in a bus station for her mother to pick her up.
Yet, she was already planning to return, saying she had no choice: her 4-year-old daughter Marcelle was waiting for her, cared for by a friend in North Carolina.
The two were separated by smugglers crossing the Rio Grande, in hopes to increase their chances of successfully crossing over. Orellana vowed to her daughter that they would be reunited.
“Mami, are you sure you’re coming?” Marcelle asks her over the phone.
“Now, being here it’s difficult to know if I’ll ever be able to follow through with that promise,” Orellana said, clinging to her Honduran passport. “I have to try again. … My daughter is all I have.”
____
Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
By MEGAN JANETSKY
Associated Press
|
https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/national/3472802/as-trump-threatens-mass-deportations-central-america-braces-for-an-influx-of-vulnerable-migrants.html
| 2024-12-16T05:58:41Z
|
Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster Gts. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Boxster Gts 982 My19 2.5L Petrol 2D Roadster
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
- Automatic Stop/Start
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Alcantara Trim
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- 20 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Black Alloy Wheels
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Convex Mirror Right Side
- Communication Management System
- Connect App Services
- Connect Plus
- Convertible Top Colour
- Digital Audio Broadcast Radio
- Dynamic Drive
- Driver Foot Rest
- Door Handle Courtesy Lights
- Digital Instrument Cluster
- Driver Mode Selection
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Daytime Running Lights - LED
- Door Sill Finishers - Embossed/Personalised
- Dry Sump Lubrication System
- Electrically Heated Windscreen
- Exterior Mirrors - Auto Dimming
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Head Airbags
- Head Airbags - Front Seats (side)
- Headlights - Auto On/Off Function
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Windshield
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Leather Armrest - Front
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- LED Indicators
- Light Pack
- Multi-function Display
- Multi-function Steering Wheel - Heated
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Navigation System
- Park Assist 2
- Porsche Active Suspension Management
- Paddle Shifters on Steering Wheel
- Power Front Seat Driver 14 Way
- Positioning Lights LED
- Power Mirrors With Folding
- Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Power Steering
- Powered Sports Seats
- Powered Sports Seats 2 Way
- Power Soft Top
- Power Soft Top - Remote Operation
- Power Windows
- Power Windows With One-Touch Operation
- Rain Sensor
- Rear Apron - Painted
- Red Brake Calipers
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rollover Mitigation System
- Rollover Protection System
- Reversing Camera
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Storage Compartment - Centre Floor Console
- Solar Control Glass Roof
- Sports Chrono Package
- Sports Design Pack
- Sports Exhaust System
- Side Front AirBags
- Side Impact Protection
- Sound Package Plus
- Sports Pedals
- Sound System with 6 Speakers
- Sports Steering Wheel
- Stainless Steel Exhaust System
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Thorax Airbag(s)
- Tail Lights - Special
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Torque Vectoring Differential Rear
- Tinted Windows
- Vehicle Stability Management System
- Wheel Centres - Special
- Wind Deflector
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Windscreen With Sunband
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,570
- Aluminium Gear Selector - $1,110
- Air Intake Grilles Painted - $1,060
- Aluminium Gear Knob - $500
- Alcantara Sunvisors - $860
- Alcantara Steering Wheel - $1,580
- Alloy Pedals - $550
- Adaptive Sports Seats Plus - 18 Way - $2,850
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System Plus - $1,150
- Climate Control Panel - Leather - $1,220
- Climate Control Panel - Painted - $1,220
- Ceramic Brakes - $15,370
- Carbon Floor Mats - $1,490
- Coloured Instrument Dials - $1,030
- Carbon Onboard Folder - $1,630
- Customization Package Gear Lever - $1,630
- Coloured Seat Belts - $570
- Carbon Sill Guards - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $2,440
- Carbon Steering Wheel Special - $930
- Coloured Tailpipes - $1,120
- Extended Leather Pack - $1,090
- Embossed Headrests - $470
- Exterior Pack - Painted - $2,960
- Gear Lever - Carbon - $1,050
- Home Link - $600
- Interior Pack - Painted (non leather) - $1,220
- Interior Pack - Painted (leather) - $1,460
- Interior Pack - Wood (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Wood (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Carbon (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Carbon (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (non leather) - $1,250
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (leather) - $1,470
- Interior Trim Pack - $4,250
- Interior Trim Special - $5,750
- Keyless Entry & Drive - $1,470
- Leather Accented Upholstery
- Leather Backrests Sports Seats Plus - $2,810
- Lane Change Assist - $1,220
- Leather Dashboard - $2,520
- LED Dynamic Light System - $2,330
- Leather Interior Exclusive - $7,680
- Leather Interior Pack (without leather interior) - $1,290
- Leather Interior Pack (with leather interior) - $1,540
- Leather Interior Pack Partial Leather Seats - $830
- Leather Int Pack Partial Leather Seats - Two Tone - $1,200
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - $4,410
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - Premium - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Premium Two-tone - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Natural Leather - $6,910
- Leather Int Pk Leather Seats - Nat Leath Two-tone - $7,680
- Leather Interior Two-Tone - $4,410
- Leather Steering Column Surround - $940
- Leather Sill Guards - Special - $1,210
- Leather Sports Steering Wheel - $570
- Leather Sunvisors - $860
- Leather Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery Special - $1,000
- Metallic Paint - $1,870
- Metallic Paint Special - $18,490
- Painted Alloy Wheels - Premium - $2,500
- Paint Colour Special - $4,920
- Painted Key - $840
- Rollover Bars - Painted - $1,060
- Seatbelt Buckles - Leather - $1,000
- Seatbelt Passage - Painted - $1,030
- Sports Chrono Instrument Dials - $720
- Sports Design Black Pack - $6,220
- Special Identifying Badging - $540
- Solid Paint
- Solid Paint Special - $18,490
- Sports Seats - Bucket - $6,870
- Sports Seats - Special - $3,060
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - Illuminated - $1,370
- St/Steel Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $1,760
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - $500
- Surround Sound System Premium - $8,220
- Surround Sound System - $2,470
- Ventilated Front Seats - $1,950
- Wood Gear Selector - $1,050
- Wheel Centres - $340
- Wood Steering Wheel Special - $930
|
https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-boxster-gts-982-my19-petrol-2d-roadster-C3axnazPCE
| 2024-12-16T05:58:43Z
|
Mumbai: India’s most controversial reality show, Bigg Boss 18, hosted by Salman Khan, is inching closer to its highly-anticipated grand finale, which is set to take place on January 19. With just a few weeks left, the competition is heating up and 14 contestants are still in the race following Tajinder Bagga’s elimination last week.
Bigg Boss 18 Week 10 Nominations
This week’s nomination list has left fans in shock as a whopping 8 contestants face the threat of eviction. The nominees for week 10 are:
- Rajat Dalal
- Chahat Pandey
- Shilpa Shirodkar
- Yamini Malhotra
- Karanveer Mehra
- Digvijay Rathee
- Shrutika Arjun
- Chum Darang
With so many contestants nominated, speculation is rife that the makers might opt for a double elimination this week. Fans are also buzzing with theories that the show might skip an elimination round next week during Christmas and New Year.
Who do you think will get eliminated next? Comment below. Stay tuned to Siasat.com for more interesting scoops and updates on Bigg Boss 18.
|
https://www.siasat.com/bigg-boss-18-more-than-6-people-face-eviction-threat-see-list-3148818/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:45Z
|
KeSTine told David Hennesy about his new album, being inspired by seeing how they celebrated life at his grandmother’s funeral in Nigeria and being the victim of a racist attack at a festival in Cork.
Cork hip-hop star KeSTine recently released his latest album, Another Season.
The album followed Options, a deeply personal track that contemplated the crossroads everyone can face in life, urging listeners to find strength amid grief and hardship.
Drawing from his own experiences following the recent loss of his grandmother, Options saw KeSTine reflect on the celebration of life he witnessed during his return to Nigeria.
Witnessing Nigerian funeral rituals shifted KeSTine’s view on death, transforming sorrow into an appreciation for life’s fleeting beauty and imbuing the single with themes of hope and acceptance.
Influenced by the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Kojey Radical, and the rich textures of South African Amapiano, KeSTine’s evolution from a young Cork rapper to an award-winning artist recognized at the Rome Music Video Awards reflects a journey steeped in resilience and passion.
He has played Electric Picnic, Indiependence, and other major UK and Irish festivals.
You may have seen him at this year’s St Patrick’s Day concert in Trafalgar Square.
It was a young age that KeSTine was moved by the music of artists such as Michael Jackson after his father recorded some music videos hoping he could pick up some English having moved to Cork from Germany where he was born.
He picked up the English but a lot more besides.
His solo EP Reflection was released in April of 2021, and received high appraisal from Hot Press Magazine, Golden Plec, Irish Times, Echo live and the Irish examiner.
He has also endured hard times telling us that he was the victim of a hate crime and a assault so severe he was doused with lighter fluid and lost his hearing for a period.
But that is all behind him now as he is back making music and smiling again.
It is certainly a reflective album, isn’t it?
“Absolutely, Another Season is just me putting it all together: Being appreciative of what I have right now and looking to the future, choosing to not be angry, to let go, to be happy and at peace with what I have right now.”
There is also grief in there, you were inspired by going to Nigeria and seeing how they celebrate life..
“I’ve been in Ireland for the past 25, 26, 27 years.
“I was brought up here.
“I’ve been here since the age of six or seven so in terms of culture and adapting to tradition, I know what the Irish know.
“It was a celebration of life and the impact that she had.
“I really adhered to that and something that I took back home to be like, ‘Look, regardless of my ups and downs’- And I’ve gone through a load of ups and downs in this season in particular- It’s to really put a smile on and be like, ‘You know what? I’m still here. I’m still standing at the end of the day, we’ll make it through’.
“Because the title of the project is called Another Season.
“I’m grateful that I have one more season to be with my family.
“I’m grateful for the seasons that have gone by and while I’m here, I’ll just appreciate every aspect of it: The good, the ugly, everything about it.
“We’ll live through it and we just appreciate what we have.”
Time seems to be another theme of the record..
“Yeah, absolutely.
“Because time is so short.
“In a twinkle of light, anything could happen.
“I’m just reminiscing because my birthday was on Sunday so I was just reflecting back over the last 30 years, just being like, ‘Wow, look at how far me and my family have come’. And again, just being so, so grateful reflecting back on my childhood, on the sacrifices my mum and dad made just to put me on this path that I am on right now.
“I can say I’m a rapper but I’m a scientist at the same time.
“How many people can say that?”
Happy birthday. 30 is a big one, how does it feel?
“It’s weird.
“My dad’s a preacher and we were at church.
“My dad was just flashing through a couple of memories.
“There was one memory in particular that he mentioned.
“Because we didn’t have a car back then, he had the bike and we were cycling through and it was a wet day, and we fell and I started crying.
“My dad picked me up and I was sad, and he told me, ‘Look, it’s not going to be like this forever. We’re going to be better’.
“Now we’re in a situation where everyone in the family has a car.
“Again, it was just being reflective and like, ‘Oh, wow, look at how far we’ve come’.”
Let’s go back to the beginning of your story. You were born in Germany and came to Ireland when you were very young, that must have been a culture shock…
“It was.
“It really was.
“I was speaking German outside of the household.
“My dad would record these American music videos just to help with my English.
“I’m not sure how much English I picked up but with that, I fell in love with the music.
“I fell in love with Michael Jackson in particular.
“It was just a huge culture shock and then coming here, just kind of trying to adapt, trying to belong, trying not to be an outsider.
“We really made a home for ourselves.”
When you want to be a rapper, where do you go if you’re in Cork? I’m guessing there was no such thing as an Irish hip hop scene then..
“There wasn’t.
“From the age of seven, eight, I always told my mum, ‘I’m going to be a rapper and I’m going to be a doctor’.
“And that’s what I said.
“Growing up there wasn’t a scene but I think everybody that grew up at my time was influenced by was the Eminems and 50 cents.
“There would be a scene that was bubbling but of course, when I was growing up, there wasn’t anybody that I could look to apart from the Americans.
“That was my influence, the Americans and then slowly but surely, I was able to adapt my own sound and interpretation of what I thought to be hip hop.
“Yes, I am Nigerian but there’s a bit of Irish flavour in there.
“And yes, you’ve got the American influence, of course the church influence because I grew up in the church.”
But where could you go with it? When you’re a rapper in Cork, it’s not the case that you can get a gig in a local pub and away you go..
“Not at all, I’m part of a collective called Outsiders Entertainment, and one of the pillars of what we’re trying to do is set up the scene, establish a scene for any upcoming artist.
“Though there wasn’t much of a scene and opportunity for myself- Now, if you are a rapper or any type of artist coming up, you can come to us down at Outsiders Entertainment.
“We rent out Cypress Avenue.
“Last time we were able to sell out again, give opportunities for anybody that’s from any genre that really kind of wants to start off.
“Like I said, there’s a scene bubbling here now and there’s something definitely much more established than what was there when I grew up.
“If you are an upcoming kid who wants to start rapping, you’ve got a platform to definitely show your skills and talents.”
I wanted to ask about the song Forgiveness is a Lonely Road, can you tell us what inspired that?
“I was performing at Midsummer Festival (in Cork) and I got attacked.
“I got lighter fluid thrown on me.
“My left ear got burnt.
“I was taken to the hospital.
“I’m six foot two, 105 kg right now.
“I’m a big fella, I was crying and shout out to my brother Outsider YP who held me up while I was being rushed to the ICU.
“I lost my hearing for some time and in that period, I was angry because it was a hate crime.
“What I was hired to do at the time was reinterpret an 18th century German poet and put a nice hip hop spin into it.
“Unfortunately, I was the only black Irish feen that was kind of listed to perform.
“Gardai did mention that, ‘We’re going to categorise this as a hate crime’.
“I was angry, just because of the reaction I saw from my mother, my wife, who were bawling crying, God forbid he had a lightere on hand.
“It could have gone to a very, very dire situation.
“Thank God that my hearing is back.
“I’m a musician, I need my ears to do my job but thankfully, I got my hearing back.
“And thought the culprit was not caught, I had to let go. I had to be grateful the situation that I was in where I have my hearing back.
“Worse case scenario, something worse could have happened bu the best happened in the worst situation.
“I had to let go.
“The second aspect (to that song) was my grandmother’s death because I was very disappointed in myself.
“I’m always constantly busy and the week of her death I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll give her a call, I’ll give her a call, I’ll give her a call’.
“I never rang her and we got the call she passed.
“I was so annoyed at myself because I let life, I guess, get the best of me and there was a sense of guilt.
“Then unfortunately I have two very close female friends of mine who had miscarriages and then I was just kind of questioning, ‘Why? Why is this happening to people that I love, that I care about?’
“And I put myself in their scenario where, if my missus kind of went through the scenario that they went through, how angry I would feel.
“But for you to grow, you had to let go for something better to happen, you had to let go.
“I could have held on to the fact that I got attacked.
“I could have held on to the guilt of losing my grandmother.
“My two close female friends could have held on to the guilt of losing their child or not being able to go the full nine months but, at the end of the day, for growth to happen, for something better to happen down the line, they have to forgive themselves and they had to let go.
“That’s where that song came from.”
I’m shocked to hear about that attack..
“Just very unfortunate, very unfortunate. It was a representative of the alt right movement, I believe.
“But here we are. Here we are better, and we’re grateful.”
You say it took your hearing, the very tools of your trade..
“Exactly, because music is all I know.
“Music is all I know.
“It’s my heart, it’s my very fibre and it would have been very difficult to accept not being able to do it to the level that I am doing it and especially because I’m seeing the fruits of my labour.
“I’m seeing certain things come off and me being put in certain conversations and me being put on certain platforms because of the passion and because of the talent I’ve been blessed with and having that taken away from me would have been very, very difficult.
“Hence why I was so angry at the process of my recovery but at the end of the day, I had to let go.”
You have dealt with themes such as racism in your work in the past.
It may seem silly to ask after the story you have just told but where do you think Ireland is with it some years on from the period of reflection that came after George Floyd and with tensions now rising regarding immigration?
“Ireland, at the end of the day, will always be my home.
“There’s just a weird feeling of tension. There’s a weird feeling.
“And it’s weird because the Irish went through what blacks went through.
“Look at what happened in London: ‘No blacks, no Irish, no dogs’.
“The way that black people were suppressed is the same way the Irish were suppressed if you go through the history so I find it funny that some people just kind of forget what happened in the past.
“But right now there is definitely tension, especially what happened in Dublin. There was huge Dublin riots, again the basis of that was race so it is scary.
“What I’ve been saying to all my people is at the end of the day, we have to put the best foot forward and regardless of this, the majority of people in Ireland are lovely, are welcoming.
“That doesn’t take from the fact that there is that scary sense I could be put at risk because I’m not the only one that’s been attacked.
“We’ve heard several people in Dublin, in Cork, black people that have been attacked.
“But at the end of the day, we need to stand together.
“We need to stand strong and regardless of this hate, we need to overcome.
“It was shocking, but we’re okay.
“Ireland has been amazing.
“I’ve had my interactions of, ‘Oh, you’re black’.
“I’ve had that, but never to the point where I’m physically attacked so it was scary.
“But all I can say is I’m grateful that I have my hearing back.
“I’m grateful it wasn’t a worse situation.
“There was lighter fluid. Yes, I had a burning sensation, lost my hearing, but like I said, I could have ended up in a burn unit.
“It could have gone much, much worse.”
You say you have encountered racism. I imagine growing up you were one of very few if not the only black face in the school yard…
“It got me in a lot of fights because I was the outsider, really just kids being kids, looking to pick on me because, again, I was the outsider.
“I lost a couple of flights, I won a couple of flights. But that attack of mine just reminded me that I am a black man in a white man’s country and as much as this is my home, I’m different. I am an outsider.
“I will always represent Cork and Ireland to the best of my abilities.
“But it was just a sudden reminder, ‘Please be careful because you are different’.”
Let’s talk about something nicer and the day I met you at Trafalgar Square for the Mayor’s St Patrick’s party. That day there was no issues or tensions as everyone was green that day..
“We were all green that day, celebrating Paddy’s day.
“It was amazing.
“We were all there celebrating as one in unity and it didn’t matter what colour you were, we were all representing the green.
“And every act that went up there put their best foot forward. The crowd were great.
“I was really happy that the weather held up as well.
“If it was lashing, it would have been a different story but the weather held up and the atmosphere was high.
“Everybody came in with the mindset of rejoicing and celebrating and it was an epic, epic, epic gig, one of the biggest gigs that I’ve done.
“I’ve performed on a couple of big stages but 1500 people was amazing and for them to resonate with my music.”
Another Season is out now.
For more information, click here.
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https://www.theirishworld.com/a-man-for-all-seasons-2/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:45Z
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Drag Race stars Plane Jane and Roxxxy Andrews have cleared the air.
On 6 December, the popular Drag Queen Christmas tour made its way to San Deigo, California, to deliver fierce performances and holiday cheer.
While the evening was full of sickening moments, it also featured some drama, specifically regarding Plane and Roxxxy.
After the show’s conclusion, an attendee took to the Drag Race Reddit page to spill the tea, revealing that Plane interrupted Roxxxy’s performance.
“Plane came out while Roxxxy was doing a big emotional number, and Plane totally stepped on her moment, and Roxxxy was visibly pissed and walked off without finishing the song, and when she did not return for curtain call it confirmed that she was actually pissed,” they wrote.
Another Reddit user who attended the show gave further context by sharing a video of the incident.
In the brief clip, Roxxxy is performing ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman before Plane eases onto the stage to pull a blue coat off the floor, making some audience members laugh.
Shortly after Plane’s exit, Roxxxy looks to her left before walking off stage in the middle of the performance.
“I was here, and at first I thought this was planned and that this was great because I’ve seen this song done too many times, but then Roxxxy didn’t come back to finish the song,” one fan wrote in the comment section of the Reddit post.
“I thought maybe she was going to go get PJ and slap her or something for taking her coat, instead, we got Nina West apologizing at the end because Roxxxy couldn’t make it out for the curtain call.”
Fortunately, Plane and Roxxxy didn’t let fans speculate for too long, with the former addressing the “Reddit tour drama” on X/Twitter on 7 December.
Regarding the reddit tour “drama,” I love and respect Roxxxy very much—we’ve worked it out on the remix and all is well with us and all the girls backstage. This xmas tour is my first major tour with an ensemble cast of this caliber and all these girls have been a dream come true…
— Plane Jane (@the_planejane) December 8, 2024
“I love and respect Roxxxy very much – we’ve worked it out on the remix, and all is well with us and all the girls backstage,” the season 16 star wrote.
“This Xmas tour is my first major tour with an ensemble cast of this caliber, and all these girls have been a dream come true to work with, truly my sisters away from home. Will be saving my nefarious gremlinous tricks for after the show as opposed to during from now on.”
Plane wasn’t the only one to clear the air on the sitaition.
Taking to her Instagram story, Roxxxy wrote, “Thank u [Plane Jane] all is forgiven”, alongside a bouquet of flowers and a purple gift bag – presumably from Plane.
Fans of the two talents were quick to celebrate the news, with one Reddit user commenting: “Honestly, perfect way for this to be cleared up. No messiness and between the queens themselves.”
Update on the Plane-Roxxxy drama
byu/Ill_Ad_2002 inrupaulsdragrace
Another fan on X/Twitter wrote: “I think I speak for everyone when I say THEY CAN NEVER MAKE ME HATE PLANE.”
A third fan added: “Here’s the thing about Plane. She is not afraid to admit when she is wrong and genuinely apologizes. She even did so with Amanda on and off the show. Love her.”
For more information about the Drag Queen Christmas Tour and upcoming tour dates, click here.
In addition to Plane and Roxxxy, the larger-than-life show includes Angeria Paris VanMichaels, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Crystal Methyd, Gisele Lullaby, Jimbo, Lady Camden, Manila Luzon, Miz Cracker, Nina West, Plasma, Q, Sapphira, Sasha Colby, Shea Couleé, Trinity the Tuck, and Venus.
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https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/drag-race-plane-jane-breaks-silence-on-roxxxy-andrews-tour-drama-roxxxy-andrews/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:45Z
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Germany’s Scholz faces a confidence vote. It’s expected to lead to an election in February
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.
By GEIR MOULSON
Associated Press
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https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/national/general-election/3472804/germanys-scholz-faces-a-confidence-vote-its-expected-to-lead-to-an-election-in-february.html
| 2024-12-16T05:58:48Z
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The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed that Delhi has recorded its cleanest first half of December ever since the compilation of air quality index (AQI) started in 2015. The national capital recorded “very poor” air day in the first half of the month and no “severe” air day.
According to the CPCB data, there were six "moderate” air days in Delhi, which is the highest number for December. The national capital witnessed eight “poor” air days.
Delhi’s average AQI in December was 238
The average AQI between December 1 and December 15 in Delhi was 238, the lowest ever for December. It is the first time the AQI dipped below to 300-mark in nine years. In the last nine years, the average AQI in the first half of December has been over 300.
Earlier, the lowest average AQI in the first half of December was 301, in 2022 against average AQI 327 for the corresponding period last year.
Delhi breathed the cleanest air in six years
Earlier, a report was published in August which also showed improvement in air quality in the national capital. Delhi recorded its cleanest Air Quality Index for any day between January 1 and August 8 during the period from 2018 to 2024.
According to the Centre's air quality panel CAQM, Delhi breathed the cleanest air with an AQI of 53 on August 8, 2024.
The Commission for Air Quality Management in the national capital region and adjoining areas wrote on X, "Delhi recorded its cleanest Air Quality Index (AQI) for any day between January 1st and August 8th during the period from 2018 to 2024."
Also read:
Weather alert: IMD predicts cold wave, dense fog in THESE states | Check details
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https://www.indiatvnews.com/delhi/cleanest-air-in-delhi-in-december-first-time-in-nine-years-check-cpcb-data-on-aqi-2024-12-16-966416
| 2024-12-16T05:58:51Z
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A concerned mother is pleading for justice and the arrest of a gunman who shot her son while he was cutting hair at a barbershop in Mission Hills.
The shooting occurred on Dec. 11 at "Prodigy Barbershop" located at 15519 Devonshire Street. The alleged shooter was caught on surveillance video wearing a hat and mask entering the shop and shooting the barber, Anthony Rodarte.
"My son called me and he told me he was shot," said Michelle Moreno, Rodarte's mother. "That was horrible because I didn’t know where he had been shot. He sounded like he had heavy breathing at the time. So what was a five-minute drive seemed like it was a 30-minute drive."
The gunman fled in an electric scooter before police arrived.
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"He had a client here in the chair and he had his back towards the front door. The door was open, so he passed by it–shot my son while my son’s working, cutting somebody’s hair," said Moreno.
The LAPD says the motive behind the shooting is unknown as they continue to search for the gunman.
"What we think was randomly shot on the left side of his hip area where the bullet went in – is stuck now on his right pelvic bone and completely shattered all the nerves on his lower back spine area," said Moreno.
Local
While Rodarte is still recovering in the hospital, his mother says she grows concerned as the alleged shooter is still at large.
"This is his family, this is his home. He’s here every day," said Moreno. "It’s been really hard but I think more than anything catching this person is the main priority for me right now because he’s still out there."
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https://www.nbclosangeles.com/local-2/mother-pleads-for-justice-after-son-was-shot-while-cutting-hair-in-mission-hills/3583240/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:51Z
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Catholic Social Services has been a pillar of strength and support to thousands upon thousands of people in Edmonton and central Alberta for over 60 years. Tune in to 880 CHED’s Talk To The Experts on Saturday, December 21st from 11:00am to noon as Daryl Hooke sits down with Dr. Troy Davies, CEO of Catholic Social Services, to learn more about this remarkable organization and to have your hearts filled with inspiring stories of vulnerable lives being lifted in lasting ways!
For more, click HERE
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https://globalnews.ca/news/10915419/december-21-catholic-social-services/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:51Z
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Bangladesh To Hold Elections In Late 2025 Or Early 2026
Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who heads the caretaker government installed after an August revolution, said Monday that general elections would be held late next year or in early 2026.
Pressure has been growing on Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus -- appointed the country's "chief adviser" after the student-led uprising that toppled ex-premier Sheikh Hasina in August -- to set a date.
The 84-year-old microfinance pioneer is leading a temporary administration to tackle what he has called the "extremely tough" challenge of restoring democratic institutions in the South Asian nation of about 170 million people.
"Election dates could be fixed by the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026," he said in a broadcast on state television.
Hasina, 77, fled by helicopter to neighbouring India as thousands of protesters stormed the prime minister's palace in Dhaka.
Hundreds of people were killed in the weeks prior to Hasina's ouster, most by police gunfire.
Scores more died in the hours after her toppling, largely in reprisal killings against prominent supporters of her Awami League party.
Her government was also accused of politicising courts and the civil service, as well as staging lopsided elections, to dismantle democratic checks on its power.
Hasina's 15-year rule saw widespread human rights abuses, including the mass detention and extrajudicial killings of her political opponents.
Yunus has launched commissions to oversee a raft of reforms he says are needed, and setting an election date depends on what political parties agree.
"Throughout, I have emphasised that reforms should take place first before the arrangements for an election," he said.
"If the political parties agree to hold the election on an earlier date with minimum reforms, such as having a flawless voter list, the election could be held by the end of November," he added.
But including the full list of electoral reforms would delay polls by a few months, he said.
Key among the reforms needed is an updated voter list, a "complex" challenge after years of turbulent democratic processes, requiring both the stripping of false names from lists, alongside registering first time voters in a rapidly growing youth population, he said.
Yunus said he dreamed of "ensuring 100 percent voter turnout" in polls.
"If this can be achieved, no government will ever dare to strip citizens of their voting rights again," he said.
Bangladesh last held general elections in January when Hasina celebrated victory -- poll denounced as neither free nor fair and boycotted by rivals after a crackdown during which thousands of opposition party members were arrested.
Former opposition groups, such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), are now rebuilding after years of repression under Hasina.
© Copyright AFP 2024. All rights reserved.
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https://www.ibtimes.com/bangladesh-hold-elections-late-2025-early-2026-3755600
| 2024-12-16T05:58:51Z
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Shootout in DOGE City
What can the new sheriffs in town actually do to cut government inefficiency?
The leaders of President-elect Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, have been meeting with Republican lawmakers recently. None of those involved shared details from their meetings, which was off the record by design to allow for brainstorming. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) did say, “Government is too big. It does too many things, and it does almost nothing well.” The speaker also indicated that he believed Musk and Ramaswamy will make government smaller and more efficient.
But how will Elon and Vivek actually seek change? What are their tools to bring to bear? In an op-ed laying out their strategy, the duo said they would link administrative reductions, regulatory rescissions, and cost savings.
Cutting back on the sheer numbers of government employees is a fine starting point for Elon and Vivek. Using the controversial Schedule F, they hope to do away with the unofficial lifetime employment most civil servants enjoy. Civil service rules make firing for cause extremely difficult, and grind broader layoffs to a crawl, if not a full stop. If Schedule F could be implemented early in Trump 2.0 (the plan was started in Trump 1.0 but failed to get any traction), it would be a decisive tool in clearing out civil service deadwood. They will not go easily, and the terms are tough. “This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in government waste, which is a lot of people,” Elon added.
Another strategy for lowering government headcount is attrition. Trump could impose a government-wide hiring freeze, as he did when he took office in 2017, though many feel this may be too blunt an instrument. Musk and Ramaswamy have suggested that the Trump administration implement separation incentives instead, rewarding federal employees who leave on their own initiative. Elon and Vivek also plan to relocate some agencies out of D.C. and to offer generous severance packages to drive workers into retiring instead of moving.
An attrition tactic which has widespread Republican support in Congress is to end or curtail telework, back to at least pre-Covid levels. “If you require most of those federal bureaucrats to just say, like normal working Americans, you come to work five days a week, a lot of them won't want to do that,” Ramaswamy said. “If you have many voluntary reductions in force of the workforce in the federal government along the way, great. That's a good side effect of those policies as well.”
How many feds telework is itself the subject of much discussion; Johnson puts the figure at 99 percent of regular office workers, while the Office of Management and Budget claims that 80 percent of the federal work hours are currently spent in-person and more than half of federal employees do not telework at all.
As for regulatory rescissions, the federal bureaucracy generates thousands of regulations and rules each year, another target for Elon and Vivek. Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL), the House DOGE Caucus co-chair, said that Musk is convinced that the United States has become " bureaucracy, rather than a democracy, and that reforms are needed to ensure that elected officials, rather than unaccountable bureaucrats, are the ones in charge.
Changing things will not be easy. Agencies generally must go through notice-and-comment rulemaking to amend or revoke rules, though Musk and Ramaswamy suggest Trump may be able to revoke some rules unilaterally via executive order. Musk and Ramaswamy also believe Trump could direct agencies not to enforce some cumbersome regulations or those he believes are unlawful in light of recent Supreme Court precedent. The duo says that “we will focus particularly on driving change through executive action based on existing legislation rather than by passing new laws.”
“He might get away with it,” said William Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “Congress’ power of the purse will turn into an advisory opinion.”
One obstacle the duo cannot overcome is the math of the federal budget. Roughly 60 percent of the budget is mandatory spending—things like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Trump promised to protect those programs. Another 10 percent of the budget is spent on paying interest on the national debt, also untouchable. That leaves around 30 percent of the budget "discretionary," though roughly half of that goes to defense spending, which Trump also vowed not to cut. That remaining 15 percent of the budget, non-defense discretionary spending, is already at its lowest level ever as a percentage of GDP.
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That said, Musk and Ramaswamy identified a number of potential reductions. These include several specific appropriations or federal grants they consider to be wasteful, such as for NGOs, DEI training, PBS, NPR, Planned Parenthood, and $1.5 billion in grants to international organizations. Musk previously advocated removing subsidies from all industries. Ramaswamy said DOGE will closely review CHIPS Act contracts, especially those the Biden administration accelerated.
More generally, law firm Gibson Dunn notes Musk and Ramaswamy have said Trump may decline to spend appropriations for which Congress’s authorizations have expired (called impoundment, though confounded by the 1974 Impoundment Control Act.) The Congressional Budget Office identified $516 billion in appropriations for 2024 associated with 491 expired authorizations across a range of agencies, including a number of appropriations administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, State Department, Department of Education, National Institutes of Health, Federal Aviation Administration, and NASA. Withholding such funds is subject to legal challenge. It would also be politically unpopular to cut a number of these programs, such as veterans’ healthcare benefits and Pell Grants.
Musk and Ramaswamy will also scrutinize federal contracts that have “gone unexamined for years,” and conduct “large-scale audits during a temporary suspension of payments.” Ramaswamy said to expect “massive cuts among federal contractors... who are overbilling the government.” Everyone has a list. Sources of potential cuts could also be the Government Accountability Office High Risk List, which identifies programs particularly subject to waste, fraud, and abuse, and a list of thousands of proposed cuts Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) sent to Musk and Ramaswamy.
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https://www.theamericanconservative.com/shootout-in-doge-city/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:51Z
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While welcoming the ouster of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad one needs to be extremely cautious of the Western design because in 1916 many Arabs celebrated the rebellion of the Sharif of Makkah, Husain bin Ali, against the Ottoman Empire. The argument put forward then was almost the same as now against the outgoing despot of Syria.
The Arabs then got so blinded against the Turks that they got trapped in the well-laid and meticulously executed plan of the British. Lawrence of Arabia, an Arabic-speaking British spy, played a pivotal role in fomenting and leading the rebellion. The Arab population from Hejaz to Syria and Palestine supported the invading British and French armies in their occupation of the entire region. Some of the Arabs—not all–woke up when on November 2, 1917, the Balfour Declaration called for the creation of a Jewish state, which ultimately became a reality on May 14, 1948.
The Turk soldiers were either killed or handed over to the Allied army, who in the initial phase of World War I (1914-18) suffered defeat on several fronts in Europe. The Arabs had their point of view as
they were no longer prepared to accept the subjugation of non-Arab Ottomans. Like now once again the very timing of this revolt was intriguing as it took place just after the humiliating rout of the British-
led the Allied army at the hands of Turks in Gallipoli in late 1915. That was the turning point of history.
Ever since then the Palestinians and many other Arabs have been paying the price of this act of Husain bin Ali.
Zionists are more powerful now
Rubbishing away this comparison with the latest development which took place 108 years ago would amount to the over-simplification of history. There is reason to celebrate the downfall of 54 years (just half of 108) of Assads. But one needs to be more cautious as the Zionists have got well entrenched not only in Israel but in almost the entire Arabian Peninsula, where the rulers were more busy in musical concerts while grisly massacres of children, women, and men were going on in Gaza and later in Lebanon.
While Bashar was bailed out by Russia as a compromise with other players, it is the people of Syria who may have to face more difficult times in the days ahead. Israel with the open backing of the lame-duck Biden administration virtually decimated the entire Syrian army, air force, and navy. The Zionist forces are in the vicinity of Damascus, but the Western media is underplaying the havoc they have wreaked. At the
same time, one can not overlook the fact that hundreds of people have lost their lives since December 8 in a fierce battle going on in north Syria between the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army and US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish outfit. All this is happening in the name of bringing in democracy and freedom, ironically exported by tyrants of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar.
Now, it is a fact that no Syrian government would be independent of Israel and the United States. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was recently flexing muscle, would be compelled to dance to the tune of the United States or face destabilization.
The West may now go all out against Houthis (actually Ansarallah) in Yemen and regime change in Iran.
Criticism of cease-fire
Ironically, this sudden development had taken place within days of the Jewish Power Party, a prominent coalition partner in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government strongly criticizing the cease-fire. Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir voted against it and said it was not a victory for Israel. His cabinet colleague of the same Jewish Power Party Amihai Eliyhu (Heritage Minister) said that the cease-fire was agreed upon by Benjamin Netanyahu “under duress” following the country’s failure to defeat Hezbollah.
According to the Times of Israel, a survey done in Israel immediately after the fighting ended on the Lebanese front 19 percent of Israelis believe that Hezbollah had won the war while only 20 percent feel that Israel had won 50 percent are of the view that there was no clear victor. Eleven percent did not respond.
Besides, only 20 percent of voters of the ruling Likud Party-led coalition approved the cease-fire. Netanyahu conceded that his army badly needed a breather and attributed the delay in the supply of weapons and ammunition as another reason. He also said that the most important reason for accepting the cease-fire is that now he wants to concentrate against Iran.
Many in Israel believed that this temporary cease-fire would not work as soon after the 2006 cease-fire Hezbollah once again regrouped on the Lebanon border.
Against this acceptance in Israel of the ground reality, in the Muslim world after December 8 a new narrative is being propagated; that is, Hezbollah got badly defeated in the battle and that is why it
has betrayed Hamas. What is overlooked is that in November 2023 Hamas too went for a temporary cease-fire with Israel and released several hostages in return for its prisoners.
Repeat of history
Thus, after the Arab revolt following the victory of Turkey in Gallipoli in late 1915, it was now the rebels who backstabbed the Palestinian cause after Hamas and Hezbollah gave a bloody nose to Israel.
Never in its history had Israel faced so many threats about its existence than in the 14 months of this longest war fought with two non-state actors. The gravity of the situation can be measured by the fact that Israeli PM Netanyahu’s house was bombed twice within months.
Iran and Hezbollah may have committed strategic mistakes by going too far in support of Assad in the early years of the civil war yet there is no denying the fact that it was they and the Shia militant groups of Yemen and Iraq who came to the help of Sunni Hamas. The problem is that the Western media and TV channels in the Gulf countries are highlighting a one-sided picture.
True, the Bashar al-Assad regime indulged in all sorts of barbarity yet it is also a fact that all the parties involved in the 13-year conflict were equally responsible for the present condition of Syria.
Turks and Kurds
Turks and Kurds are still locked in blood-letting in the northern part of Syria. At the same time, how can one forget the mindless killing and cruelty committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in both these countries? ISIS fighters not only fought with the Iraqi and Syrian regime but with other rebel groups too. It is a fact that initially, ISIS got the full backing of Saudis and Americans, but when
things went out of control in Iraq and Syria the United States rushed its forces into Syria, where it still has a base.
As ISIS was said to be extremist Salafis who initially enjoyed the backing of the US and out and out against Shias, it was natural for Iran and Hezbollah to fight it. Iran had invested heavily in Syria since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, not out of love for Assads as is being falsely propagated by the West and many Sunni public opinion-makers, but to fight the Israelis. It was in doing so that Tehran lost the balance and the message went out that it was supporting the Alawite dictator. The fact is that the Assad family was divided and engaged in fighting, first between President Hafez al Assad and his younger brother and deputy Rifaat and then after 2000 between Rifaat and his nephew, Bashar. The truth must be told loud and clear that many of those who are now in the opposition ranks and have now emerged as the champions of democracy and freedom were earlier with the Bashar regime and were responsible for the war crimes in the past.
Those who have been closely observing the civil war in Syria since 2011 are aware of the fact that the money power of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, etc., and manpower and technology of the West and Turkey played a very significant role in paralyzing Syria. The scorched earth policy adopted by all the parties opposed to Bashar al-Assad was one day bound to have its economic impact. So, the regime collapsed like a house of cards.
No champions of democracy
These oil-rich Gulf dictators are not at all champions of democracy. Who in the world is not aware that Saudi Arabia invaded Yemen for no reason whatsoever? Riyadh and UAE committed much bigger crimes in Yemen and Sudan. In Sudan, the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (earlier known as Jan Jawid) have been locked in a bloodbath since April 15, 2023 (Ramadan). Can anyone explain why and at whose behest Saudis are supporting the Sudanese army while the UAE the RSF? Surely, the death toll due to wars and subsequent famines in these two countries is larger than in Syria.
The need of the hour is not just to highlight the war crimes committed by Assads, but also to expose the sinister design of the Gulf protégés of the United States.
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https://www.siasat.com/conundrum-syria-how-history-is-repeating-itself-in-the-middle-east-3148819/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:51Z
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Theatre director Ben Barnes spoke to David Hennessy before he comes to the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith with his reading of Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These featuring Andrew Bennett (An Cailín Ciúin) and Eleanor McEvoy.
Following the critical success of the film starring Cillian Murphy, Claire Keegan’s Booker Prize-nominated novel Small Things Like These will come to the stage with a reading at the Irish Cultural Centre with Andrew Bennett (Seán in the Oscar-nominated An Cailín Ciúin which was also adapted from Claire Keegan’s Foster) accompanied by new music from well known singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy.
Small Things Like These is staged by Four Rivers Theatre Company and directed by former artistic director of the Abbey Theatre, Ben Barnes.
The Hammersmith show is part of a run of dates that also includes shows in Wexford, Dun Laoghaire, Bray, Waterford and even Paris.
Small Things Like These has been described as an unforgettable story of hope and heroism.
Described as ‘resonant and deeply moving’ by Hilary Mantel, the story is set in a rural Irish town in the 1980s in the run up to Christmas.
As coal merchant Bill Furlong does his rounds, he discovers a girl locked away in terrible conditions in the local convent.
Unlike the silent majority, he decides to do something about it.
The Irish World caught up with director Ben Barnes ahead of the reading coming to London.
What inspired you to stage the novella in this way?
“I’m very familiar with Claire’s work.
“I’m a great admirer of just how clear and how spare her writing is, and yet how evocative it is.
“I met her at the Kilmore’s Write by the Sea Arts Festival a couple of years ago and we got talking.
“I came up with the idea that it would be lovely to do a staged reading of Small Things Like These.
“Claire thought about it for a while and then she agreed and thought it was a good idea.
“One of the things that I wanted to do rather than just simply read the play on the stage was to provide some sort of atmospheric music to accompany it or to underscore some of the passages.
“I had worked with Eleanor McEvoy on a number of occasions, on various projects.
“I engaged Eleanor to write incidental music that underscores the words and Andrew Bennett, who audiences would probably know from the movie An Cailín Ciúin and many theatre productions, agreed to do the reading.
“I was delighted about that because Andrew has a very attractive speaking voice.
“We staged the work last year at the Wexford Arts Centre and subsequently in the Pavilion in Dun Laoghaire and in St Michael’s in New Ross where the book is set, and a couple of other venues.
“It had been nominated for the Booker Prize and everybody was talking about it.
“It was very much in the ether at the time when we did the reading, we weren’t surprised that all the performances that we did in every venue we went to sold out.
“It was a wonderful atmosphere in the theatre.
“I think we’re so used to things that are so spectacular and so visual in the films and on television these days and indeed in the theatre with musicals and big stage productions- It’s just wonderful for people to sit and, almost in an old fashioned way, listen to a story being effectively read to them albeit with some nice lighting.
“We rang some changes in the course of the reading.
“I didn’t want to complicate it too much but we just put in small things to create a sense of momentum in the piece, a sense of a change from chapter to chapter.
“It was quite mesmeric to me because you could hear a pin drop in the theatre, there was a very positive reaction to it.
“I think that the actor’s voice, Eleanor’s music and the small notes in the staging really created quite a special atmosphere.
“It proved very popular and we decided to revive it this year.
“We’re opening again at the Wexford Arts Centre next week and then we play two performances at the Pavilion in Dun Laoghaire and then we’re over to the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith and we’re very much looking forward to our performances there.
“We’re very much looking forward to bringing it to London and subsequent to that, we’re bringing it back to Ireland and then we finish up in Paris at the Centre Culturel Irlandais on 25 January.”
Ben consulted the author as the reading developed.
“There were some small changes from one edition to the other and I consulted her on those because I wanted to make sure that every word that came out of the actor’s mouth were her words and not anybody else’s.”
The subject matter of Ireland’s dark past of mother and baby homes etc is a familiar one…
“People are very aware of that.
“In the last 20 or 30 years, we’ve had so many reports in this country into what happened within the church, what happened within the Magdalene laundries and within abuse in schools and so on.
“I think they’ve absorbed it through the reports that have come out, through the newspapers, through the TV and so on but when something like this comes along, which is a book that tells that story from the perspective that it does, I think it unlocks an emotion in people.
“They’re affected much more by a work of art than they are necessarily by a report that comes out that they may be aware of, or if they may have read the newspaper or seen on TV.
“So I do think every Irish person who would see this reading, it will resonate with them because they will know somebody, whether it’s through their own family or some associate or friend of theirs who has been touched by those experiences.
“It’s a very timely book in a lot of ways but it would be important to say that there’s great humanity in the book and the characters are drawn so wonderfully.
“It’s ultimately quite a shocking story but it’s so beautifully told that you feel the love that the writer has for her characters as well as anything censorious that’s in the book.
“It’s miraculous in that regard in that it’s something that you love to read even though it’s painful ultimately to read that story, it’s still uplifting in a funny kind of way.”
Furlong is a hero in the true sense of the word, isn’t he?
“Absolutely, he’s a working class hero if you want to put it like that.
“He’s not somebody who would take that mantle on.
“You get this thing in the course of the book where there’s something missing for him.
“There’s a feeling he has: ‘My life is going on. I’m not really making any difference’.
“And he just goes in a mundane way from day to day but there’s something that troubles him.
“When he goes to the convent and he sees what’s going on there, he walks away from it but it sort of still niggles at him.
“It niggles at him in a way that he worries.
“What’s really troubling him is that what he’s witnessed in the convent and that he hasn’t done anything to alleviate that situation.
“Of course he acts decisively in the way that he does so he’s a very moral man but a very humble man with that.
“I think that humility and yet that moral rectitude is a very attractive mix in Furlong in all sorts of small ways: The way he helps the children in the street, the way he talks about the town drunk, in kind of compassionate terms as opposed to censorious terms.
“We lived in very censorious times in provincial Ireland in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and Furlong is very much a counter to that, I think.
“He is a rather luminous character.
“I think he’s a very charismatic character in a quiet way.
“I think Furlong is someone that we would recognise in a lot of people in small towns in rural Ireland.
“I grew up in Wexford and would be familiar with New Ross where the book is set.
“I think the book sort of captures that period, captures the dilemma, captures the atmosphere of the town so well.
“I think the character of Furlong is such an attractive character in his own right.
“I think he has a moral dilemma and he finds his own way to actually address that and to act in the way he does but obviously the consequences of his actions, which the book doesn’t deal with, are very clear from how cleverly Claire has written the book.
“We understand the opposition that’s going to come from the town, from within his own family, from within the religious community as a result of the action that he’s taken.
“But nevertheless, Furlong feels he has done the right thing, and the book ends on a kind of a hopeful note for him.
“I think it’s the reason why I wanted somebody with the type of voice and sort of soulful presence that Andrew Bennett has to read this.
“Directors can only be as good as the actors they work with and Andrew is a very fine actor and has a great sensibility for this particular piece of work so it’s very easy to work with him on this.
“As I said at the beginning, the writing is so spare and it’s just so apt that there isn’t a wasted word in the entire book.
“Every time I read it, I’m very moved by it.
“Still, just reading it the other day to refresh my own memory on it before we go back into rehearsal.
“So many things in it is very evocative of my own childhood.
“I find it very moving still to read the book.
“I’m a big fan of Claire’s work and can’t wait for her next book to come out, as I’m sure is the case with a lot of people.”
You say the book was in the ether last year due to its Booke Prize nomination etc. This year we have seen the novella be made into a film with Cillian Murphy…
“Obviously the film has brought the book to international attention and it’s been very well received in the United States.
“Of course the film will open up the story to some extent, and it’s a very different experience than hearing the book read in the theatre in the way that we do it, so I hope that they’re complementary exercises and the fact that it’s in the ether at the moment as something that people are talking about again will whet people’s appetite to come and hear it read in the theatre as well.
“Although it’s a dark story in some ways, is set at Christmas time so doing it on a winter’s night in a theatre is very appropriate around the Christmas period.”
It was in 2022 that we had the record breaking success of An Cailín Ciúin which was adapted from Claire Keegan’s Foster.
Then this year we have had Small Things Like This adapted for the screen.
What do you think these things do for Claire as an author?
“I often think it’s a little bit bittersweet for writers that it’s often not until things are on television or they come out as films, a wider public sits up and takes notice.
“Writers write the books and they send them out into the world and people read them.
“Then they get refracted through the lens of a television camera or film and I think it becomes a very different thing. sometimes.
“Sometimes it can take it off in a different direction but it’s just a different art form.
“I think many of the writers that I’ve worked with and many of whom have had their plays or books made into films would say it’s great that that happens and brings in a whole new readership but it’s a whole different thing.
“I think the byproduct of the fact that there’s been a film and that there’s been films of Claire’s work is that the readership will increase.
“I think that can’t be a bad thing.”
Would you like to take it on the road for more shows even beyond this run?
“I think it’s very much a winter Christmas sort of thing.
“I mean, I did a piece by Eoin Colfer called My Real Life with Don Wycherly and we kept it on the go for about five years so we certainly wouldn’t rule out the possibility of doing it again.
“The problem is that everybody’s very busy.
“Andrew works in film a lot these days.
“Eleanor is always touring.
“So it would be a question of trying to find space in everybody’s diary to do it again but because it’s a reading and it’s not something that needs to be learned, it’s something that we can revive relatively easily if the opportunity presents itself.”
Small Things Like These, A Staged Reading, comes to Irish Cultural Centre 20 and 21 December.
For more information or to book, click here.
The reading also comes to Wexford Arts Centre 12- 14 December, Pavilion in Dun Laoghaire 17- 18 December, Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray on 10 January and Garter Lane in Waterford 16- 17 January.
For more information on Four Rivers Theatre, click here.
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https://www.theirishworld.com/all-the-small-things/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:51Z
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Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster Gts. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Boxster Gts 982 My20 2.5L Petrol 2D Roadster
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
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- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
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- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Alcantara Trim
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- 20 Inch Alloy Wheels
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- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
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- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
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- Heated Front Seats
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|
https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-boxster-gts-982-my20-petrol-2d-roadster-FvGMNquAkE
| 2024-12-16T05:58:50Z
|
A release date for A Nice Indian Boy has finally been announced.
Based on Madhuri Shekar’s hit play of the same name, the upcoming romantic comedy stars Karan Soni as the “socially-reserved doctor Naveen, who brings his fiancé Jay” – played by Looking star Jonathan Groff – “home to meet his traditional family”.
The synopsis adds: “[Naveen’s family] must contend with accepting his white-orphan-artist boyfriend and helping them plan the Indian wedding of their dreams”.
Since its premiere at SXSW and BFI Film Festival earlier this year, A Nice Indian Boy has received praise from critics – with many lauding the film’s humour, Soni and Groff’s performances, and its refreshing representation of the LGBTQIA+ community in India.
The rom-com also boasts a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Fortunately for LGBTQIA+ moviegoers, a general release date for the wholesome film has finally been revealed.
According to Variety, the producers for A Nice Indian Boy –Levantine Films and Wayfarer Studios – partnered with Blue Harbor Entertainment for its US distribution.
As a result, the film will be released in cinemas on 5 April 2025 stateside. A release date for the UK and other international territories has yet to be announced.
View this post on Instagram
In response to the exciting development, the director of A Nice Indian Boy, Roshan Sethi, shared a statement with the news outlet celebrating the movie’s upcoming release.
“I was closeted only six years ago, so it’s surreal on a personal level to have made this particular romantic comedy about love and acceptance and family belonging. I am excited,“ he said.
Andrew Calof, president of production at Wayfarer Studios, echoed similar sentiments, describing the project as a “true labour of love, filled with heart and humour.“
“We are absolutely thrilled by the response this film has received at festivals around the world, and we are incredibly grateful to our partners at Blue Harbor for helping us bring it to theatres nationwide,“ he said.
Lastly, the star of the film and Sethi’s real-life partner, Soni, expressed excitement about the news in a heartfelt Instagram post.
“@aniceindianboyfilm is coming to the big screen on April 4th,” he wrote. “What’s more, the queen of comedy and rom-coms (I haven’t gotten to that new show you’re talking about because I’m still rewatching The Mindy Project) @mindykaling is helping us get this film out into the world!! I don’t think I need therapy anymore because this news is gonna fix all my problems.”
Stay tuned for more information about A Nice Indian Boy.
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https://www.gaytimes.com/films/a-nice-indian-boy-release-date-confirmed-for-karan-soni-and-jonathan-groffs-gay-rom-com/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:52Z
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2024 was big for bitcoin. States could see a crypto policy blitz in 2025 in spite of the risks
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — 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.
By MARC LEVY
Associated Press
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https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/national/us-government/3472809/2024-was-big-for-bitcoin-states-could-see-a-crypto-policy-blitz-in-2025-in-spite-of-the-risks.html
| 2024-12-16T05:58:55Z
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End Of The Dubai Dream For Europe's Drug Lords?
Drug lords like Sean McGovern, a top lieutenant of the Kinahan cartel, and Faissal Taghi -- son of the infamous head of the Dutch-Moroccan Mocro Maffia -- used to hang out and party in Dubai's glitzy hotels and restaurants without a care in the world.
Until their arrests -- and the smashing of a massive Russian-run money laundering operation based there this month -- the Gulf emirate was a haven for some of Europe's biggest drug traffickers.
For years major drug barons have brazenly run their operations out of the city's skyscrapers and luxury villas without fear of extradition. Limited judicial cooperation from the local authorities meant they had little to fear, European investigators and magistrates told AFP.
Europol described the city as a "remote coordination hub" for Europe's drugs trade, where traffickers live openly and launder their money through luxury goods and real estate.
Far from the European ports like Antwerp, Rotterdam and Le Havre where their drugs transit, police say the barons pull the strings from the comfort of Dubai, ruling by fear and extreme violence from one of the safest cities in the world.
Ironically, Dubai's low crime rate means they can operate there in security, doing deals and networking with other global narcotics players in the city's cafes and shisha bars.
However, the tide may now be turning.
In October, McGovern -- the right-hand-man of Irish drugs lord Daniel Kinahan -- was arrested on an extradition warrant from Dublin, accused of murder and being a leader of a criminal organisation.
The US Treasury calls the Kinahan cartel a "threat to the entire licit economy", with Washington slapping a $15-million bounty on the heads of its three leading members.
McGovern's arrest in Dubai followed the extradition in July of Faissal Taghi to the Netherlands on drug trafficking and murder-related charges. Belgian drug lord Nordin El Hajjioui was sent back in handcuffs to Brussels in March.
"The UAE is committed to working with all its international partners to disrupt and deter all forms of global illicit finance," a government official told AFP.
A crossroads linking Europe and Asia, Dubai has one of the world's busiest ports and airports -- and is a favourite winter sunspot for sports stars and influencers.
But for more than a decade, it has also been home to a rogue's gallery of European crime figures.
Cartel boss Kinahan and "El Tigre", the Spanish cocaine kingpin Alejandro Salgado Vega, are among the most notorious to have settled there.
Kinahan's associate, Ridouan Taghi -- Faissal's father -- was also a longtime Dubai denizen till the fearsome gangster was jailed for life for a string of hits in February after a mega trial in a high-security Amsterdam court known as De Bunker.
Many other big-time drug dealers are also openly living it large there.
"They don't hide. They are not like refugees with false papers," said Francisco Torres, head of Spain's elite Guardia Civil unit which tackles organised crime.
"They live a luxurious life in front of everyone with total impunity," he told AFP.
Abdelkader "Bibi" Bouguettaia is a case in point. A French-Algerian trafficker wanted by Interpol, he lives in luxury apartments near the Palm Jumeirah home of the British celebrity couple David and Victoria Beckham.
Bouguettaia had already fled when France sentenced him to nine years for smuggling 599 kilos of cocaine and he is suspected of orchestrating a vast 2.5-tonne shipment through Marseille.
Investigators say he drives high-end cars and enjoys dining at such celebrity hangouts as Salt Bae's Nusr-Et Steakhouse, where a gold leaf filet can set you back more than $2,000.
Fellow French fugitive Tarik Kerbouci, known as "The Bison" -- wanted for a 3.3-tonne cocaine shipment -- also loves his luxury. But he likes speed even more, coming second in the Gulf Radical Cup championship series in his own fluorescent yellow racing car.
Recent arrests may have called Dubai's reputation as a haven for global crime syndicates into question.
But its appeal remains strong, with its unique combination of luxury, strategic location and local legal loopholes that make extradition difficult and money laundering relatively easy.
The UK-based Centre for the Study of Corruption said in August that there has been "a large-scale shift in the global epicentre of dirty money networks to Dubai and Hong Kong".
One anti-money laundering expert based in the emirate told AFP that it is a perfect safe space for crime groups.
"Organisations can plan an operation... in Dubai and never see each other again afterwards," he said.
"They hang out at the Five resort on the Palm Jumeirah where there are lots of prostitutes, at the Cafe de Paris or in the shisha bars in the marina."
In 2022, Europol's Operation Desert Light revealed the existence of a mostly Dubai-based "super cartel" headed by six figures including Daniel Kinahan that controlled a third of the cocaine coming into Europe.
"Bibi" Bouguettaia coordinated tonnes of what came through Le Havre, France's biggest port.
AFP has seen the transcript of the police interrogation of one of his suspected foot soldiers who explained how the operations worked.
"Bibi" is allied with a Dutch drug baron, and runs cocaine into Paris and Antwerp, Europe's second largest port.
He has a strong hold on Le Havre, the man told police. "Dockers, the people who look after port security, he pays them."
Everything is run over the phone, the witness said, with the threat of violence ever-present.
When someone refuses a mission or responds too slowly, a picture of a family member would be sent to them as a silent threat.
Dubai's other big attraction is its cash economy, where criminals can quickly get rid of dirty money that would be hard to spend in Europe.
The emirate's ancestral "hawala" banking system, which allows cash to be transferred without money actually moving, has allowed drug lords to invest heavily in property and other high-end businesses there with little trace.
"A building sells within 15 minutes," a money laundering expert in the UAE told AFP, with skyscrapers and gated communities popping out of the sand as fast as they can be built. Drawn by its low taxes and light-touch regulation, nine out of 10 of the city's population are expatriates.
While Dubai is less rich in oil than its neighbours, transactions in its booming property market hit a record 132 billion euros ($139 billion) in 2022.
With homes in its glitziest neighbourhoods selling for more than $10 million, Tarik "The Bison" Kerbouci set himself up as an "estate agent", according to a French judicial source.
Based on leaks of a property register, the Washington-based Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS) said he owned at least a villa and an apartment in the Al Barsha and Al Hebiah areas.
It was also able to establish that Daniel Kinahan and his wife Caoimhe Robinson owned several properties including one near the Palm Jumeirah and another bought for six million euros in Emirates Hills that is now reportedly worth twice that.
The glacial nature of the extradition process had also helped keep top criminals living there.
Arrested in Dubai in July 2022, Kerbouci was freed 40 days later, the deadline for official reception of his extradition request having passed.
Bouguettaia benefited from the same slowness after he was arrested in October last year before being released in January. "El Tigre" is again living in total liberty in Dubai, his lawyer said, after being held in 2022.
The UAE signed extradition treaties with France in 2007, with Spain two years later, with Belgium and the Netherlands in 2021 and Ireland this year.
But only a small handful of major drug dealers have been extradited.
"We have identified some 30 priority targets in Dubai," French foreign ministry official Jean-Noel Bonnieu told lawmakers earlier this year. "None of these traffickers have been extradited, although some have been arrested."
Of the 20 or so people wanted by Belgium, only four have been returned since 2021, according to official figures.
The French authorities complain of the "extreme strictness of the UAE's interpretation of the documents needed and the time window in which they must be sent".
Torres, of Spain's Guardia Civil, said Dubai's demands were often "absurd" and "impossible to meet", such as having to send all the original documents with each page signed by a judge.
But this year there has been progress on judicial cooperation.
A French magistrate with organised crime experience has been sent to neighbouring Abu Dhabi, with Belgium in October appointing a judge to liaise directly with the UAE.
The same month, the then Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin hailed its new extradition treaty with the UAE as "an important step".
Since then "Bibi" Bouguettaia has again been arrested along with one of Belgium's top traffickers, Othman El Ballouti, whom Brussels has been trying to extradite for years, official sources told AFP.
The UAE has also been trying to show it has been cleaning up its act since being put on the "grey list" by the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2022.
Tougher surveillance of the flows of cash through the Emirates meant it was taken off the list in February.
But a French judicial source told AFP that Dubai has never seized "any assets for any foreign financial authority" despite a major influx of Russian business figures since the war in Ukraine started nearly three years ago.
Even so, some say Dubai's criminal elite may already be looking for their next bolthole. "With all the attention on Dubai... eyes are turning to Turkey as another possible centre for international criminal activities," a Dutch judicial source told AFP.
"Some big names are looking to North Africa, Indonesia and Bali," according to a French specialist in money laundering.
"The Bison", Tarik Kerbouci, has already left and gone on the run. He is probably living elsewhere in the Middle East or North Africa, European sources say, under a false identity.
© Copyright AFP 2024. All rights reserved.
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https://www.ibtimes.com/end-dubai-dream-europes-drug-lords-3755597
| 2024-12-16T05:58:58Z
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This is CNBC's live blog covering European markets.
European markets are expected to open in mixed territory Monday, as traders gear up for the final Federal Reserve meeting of the year.
The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 4 points lower at 8,292, Germany's DAX up 36 points at 20,443, France's CAC down 1 point at 7,401 and Italy's FTSE MIB up 16 points at 34,876, according to data from IG.
The Fed's decision on Dec. 18 stateside is front and center for global markets this week, with the CME Fedwatch tool forecasting a 96% chance of a 25-basis-point cut by the central bank. Traders will be paying close attention to the updated policy statement and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference for clues about the trajectory for interest rates.
Get top local stories in Southern California delivered to you every morning. >Sign up for NBC LA's News Headlines newsletter.
In Europe Monday, investors will be keeping an eye on Berlin where a vote of confidence will take place in parliament Monday. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to call on the German parliament today to declare it has no confidence in him in order for snap polls to take place in February. The move comes after his governing coalition collapsed last month.
Data releases include flash services and manufacturing purchasing managers' index data from France and Germany.
Traders expect Fed to cut this week, pause in January
Money Report
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut rates by 0.25 percentage points on Wednesday, but traders will be paying close attention to the updated policy statement and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference for clues about what comes next.
As of Sunday night, pricing in the Fed funds futures market pointed to a 95.3% likelihood of a rate cut this week, according to the CME FedWatch tool. However, traders are also betting that the Fed will pause its rate cutting cycle in January.
That could be a welcome move for investors who are still uneasy with the path of inflation.
Logan Moulton, portfolio manager at Intelligent Wealth Solutions, said inflation appears to be "stickier" than Fed officials previously thought and that there are risks to upward pressure on inflation when the Trump administration takes office.
"Heading into 2025, I think they should at least pause," Moulton said.
— Jesse Pound
CNBC Pro: Morgan Stanley names 7 beneficiaries of Amazon AWS’ new Trainium 2 AI chip
Morgan Stanley has identified the companies that are set to benefit from Amazon's launch of its new artificial intelligence chip.
The Big Tech giant's cloud computing division Amazon Web Services launched its Trainium 2 AI chip earlier this month. AWS hopes these chips will help it diversify away from Nvidia, its primary AI chip supplier.
The investment bank said seven Taiwanese companies are set to benefit from AWS's new Trainium 2 AI chip.
CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.
— Ganesh Rao
European markets: Here are the opening calls
European markets are expected to open in mixed territory Monday.
The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 4 points lower at 8,292, Germany's DAX up 36 points at 20,443, France's CAC down 1 point at 7,401 and Italy's FTSE MIB up 16 points at 34,876, according to data from IG.
Data releases include flash services and manufacturing purchasing managers' index data from France and Germany.
— Holly Ellyatt
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https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/business/money-report/european-markets-head-for-mixed-open-as-traders-focus-on-fed-meeting-this-week/3583302/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:58Z
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All schools, and colleges, in Telangana, are closed today, December 16, 2024. This decision was taken in view of the TNPSC Group 2 exam being conducted in more than 1368 centres across the state, including schools and colleges. Since it is a two-day exam, one exam was conducted on Sunday, December 15. Another session of the TNPSC Group 2 exam is being conducted in selected schools and colleges in the state.
According to the data, around 5 lakh candidates registered for this exam. The exam consists of four papers. The first and third papers are being conducted from 10 am to 12.30 pm and the second and fourth papers will be conducted from 3 pm to 5:30 pm. Candidates appearing in the TNPSC Group 2 exam are required to carry all the documents to the exams centre which include their admit card along with a valid government-issued identification proof such as their Aadhar card or PAN card. Candidates have been also advised to follow all the exam day guidelines mentioned on their hall tickets and in case of any discrepancy report them to the exam authorities.
The Combined Civil Services Examination 2 (Group-2 A Services) services prelims results were announced on December 12. Those who have been shortlisted for the main exam are required to pay Rs 150 as an examination fee (unless exemption of fee is claimed) for Group-IIA Services. The commission has asked candidates to pay the fees and also to exercise their revised option of two district centres where they wish to appear for the Main Written Examination for Group-II A Services, through their registered OTR ID. This facility will remain open from December 14 to December 18, 2024, on the official portal.
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https://www.indiatvnews.com/education/news/telangana-schools-closed-today-in-view-of-tnpsc-group-2-exam-details-here-2024-12-16-966415
| 2024-12-16T05:58:58Z
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The dates are yet to be announced by the Election Commission of India for the contests for seats and supremacy in the Delhi Assembly, but the Aam Aadmi Party has already moved into a high-pitched gambit to retain its hold. It now has 62 seats in a house of 70 members and anything less would be a regression.
That said, it is a reality that in Delhi which AAP had won against all odds, first for a short stint and then easily two full terms with unprecedented majority, the going is not going to be the same. For one, the combatants are not the same. Initially, it had fought a welter of parties. Recall how legacy parties had tried to kill it in the cradle.
Edited tapes were aired on news TV which showed the infant party in a concocted bad light, Anna Hazare – where is he now? – disowning it, leading lights like Prashant Bhushan, and Yugendra Yadav leaving it in disagreement with Kejriwal, et al – didn’t affect its spectacular electoral gains. It managed to do almost as well in Punjab and has now emerged as a National Party.
This time, the AAP has to win and it is taking no risks. It does not see itself contesting the elections as a pre-poll partner of the Congress with which it had trouble in Haryana. Not only did it not win a single seat there but the arithmetic ensured that it dented Congress’s prospects in a few seats. And it moved early in the game.
Therefore, AAP seems to have devised a different strategy. Alliance with Congress, it has announced, is out of the question. It sees the Bharatiya Janata Party as the main rival at the hustings and has already come out with its full list of 70 candidates. Arvind Kejriwal has already moved into the war mode.
Congress does not figure in Kejriwal’s declaration taunting the BJP. He has said the BJP was “nowhere to be seen” nor does it have a “CM candidate” nor a “vision for Delhi” while his party was “contesting the elections with full confidence and thorough preparation.” All that the BJP can say is “Hatao Kejriwal.”
It implies that the AAP is looking to a major AAP vs. BJP fight ahead in February but saying that BJP has no plan does not make it so. BJP does not say anything without a plan and when it unveils it, is to be sensed and felt, not merely heard. This election is going to be rough and cacophonic and the two may counter each other differently.
AAP’s disdain for Congress is rooted in two intentions. One, when the hustings are over, it apparently wants to share power with none; and two, when it allied with Congress for the recent Lok Sabha elections, both parties lost to the BJP. AAP is not a party which any party can share power with, nor would it want to.
Its functioning is different from other parties where there are clear hierarchies. AAP has different dynamics where Kejriwal is a maverick despite thrice being a chief minister. Its politics is pro-people and other considerations come later, if there are any. It has not played the game using emotions.
There is, however, one commonality with the BJP. Narendra Modi is the focal point and also the means to win elections. With the AAP, Arvind Kejriwal is. Others are loyal subordinates. It may be recalled that in competitive electoral politics, it was Kejriwal who used his personalized “guarantee”, which he does not hesitate to say was “copied by Modiji.”
If anything, voter fatigue with AAP, despite its successes in the delivery of promises, could be it. If it does exist, would that fatigue be overcome by the delivery of most of the promises AAP had made to Delhi residents. No doubt, some like the cleaning of Yamuna which is only a frothy watery snake coursing through Delhi, remain to be achieved. But schooling and health services stand on an unprecedented standard among all states.
Watch out for fireworks from now till the last vote is cast on the day to be fixed by Delhi. The fights are going to be intense, loud, acrimonious, no-holds-barred, and IT and AI will play a key role. It could very well be a different kind of election where the BJP is not going to be found lacking in any department. AAP may be short of funds compared to the deep pockets of the BJP.
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https://www.siasat.com/delhi-polls-aap-moves-quick-mocks-bjp-keeps-cong-away-3148822/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:58Z
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Nick Danan and Ed Hulme of Strange Fish Theatre told David Hennessy about their Christmas production of Conor McPherson’s St Nicholas.
Strange Fish Theatre Company return to the Omnibus Theatre with St Nicholas, the dark and supernatural tale of vampires roaming the streets of London.
Written by the great Irish playwright Conor McPherson, St Nicholas features Nick Danan in a tale of primal urges and redemption.
The story sees a jaded and cynical Dublin theatre critic fall for a beautiful young actress.
His obsession and desires lead him to abandon his life and strike an irreversible bargain with a coven of modern-day vampires.
They offer him a tantalising new life- his part of the bargain is to help them feed their bloodlust.
St Nicholas challenges the boundaries between reality and the supernatural and weaves a story that is both unsettling and deeply human.
With its haunting narrative and evocative storytelling, St Nicholas offers a dark alternative to the traditional Christmas show.
Strange Fish Theatre Company have previously staged three acclaimed productions at Omnibus Theatre: The Matchbox; Quietly and The Turn of the Screw. The last two productions featured Nick Danan.
Conor McPherson is the internationally renowned playwright whose work often contemplates themes such as loneliness, redemption, and the supernatural.
His work includes The Weir, Girl from the North Country, Shining City and Port Authority.
He was named by The New York Times as “the finest playwright of his generation”.
Founded in 2016, Strange Fish Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing the best of Irish theatre to audiences across the UK.
Nick Danan, Artistic Director of Strange Fish, has appeared in both West End and regional theatres throughout the UK.
He is currently filming as a series regular in the new crime mystery The Puzzle Lady starring Phyllis Logan for Channel 5.
The Irish World caught up with one of Strange Fish’s founders Nick Danan, who is from Belfast, and the show’s director, Ed Hulme.
What does the play St Nicholas mean to you?
Nick: “It’s Conor McPherson so you know you’re in good hands.
“It was an earlier play of his, so it’s not been done for a while.
“I was just very, very excited by it when I read it because it was just such a brilliant yarn.
“Reading it, it was a real page turner.
“I really wanted to know what happened next.
“He’s such a brilliant storyteller and it’s just a very exciting, gripping tale.
“That was the thing that initially drew it to me.
“Then what drew to me in as an actor, the idea of actually performing it was just how many layers this guy’s got.
“He’s complicated.
“He’s nuanced.
“He’s shocking.
“He’s funny.
“He’s sad.
“All that stuff is real catnip to an actor.
“I just thought, ‘This is great. This guy’s brilliant’.
“He’s not afraid to speak his mind so you get to say lots of things you’ve always wanted to say but never really dare say.
“He’s a brilliant character.
“I think that that’s what drew me to him.
“He goes on an extraordinary journey.
“He’s a really unpleasant fellow in the way he kind of comports himself.
“He’s a theatre critic and he’s not a nice man, but he’s never had to question how he was living his life but there was all sorts of things going wrong in his life.
“Then he gets into this extraordinary situation with the long and the short of it being he gets tangled up with a group of modern day vampires and this kind of extraordinary adventure/ threatening situation he gets into forces him to face his own demons.
“Within this incredible supernatural story about drunken shenanigans and scary vampires is this man’s journey to actually try and find redemption starting from a very poor place.
“That journey was really attractive to me as an actor.”
Ed: “It’s incredibly compelling and brilliantly written.
“I’m a big fan of story, of theatre, of film that asks the audience questions, that gets an audience to really reflect and ask questions, and think and feel something.
“This play really does that and it does it through, like Nick said, the story of a theatre critic and vampires.
“I love when people ask me, ‘What’s it about?’
“I say, ’So it’s about this theatre critic who falls for an actress, leaves his family, travels to London and then falls in with a coven of vampires. But it’s not how it sounds’.
“You do have to see it.
“It’s like a lot of my favourite cinema.
“It’s very hard to explain what some of it’s about.
“It’s about the experience that the audience has watching it and that communication that they have with him on stage telling that story and this play because Conor McPherson’s deliberately written this for it to challenge an audience and to get an audience thinking.
“I think that’s really, really compelling for me and it gives me purpose as a director and helping to put something like this on stage.”
Nick: “The other exciting thing was all of this is packaged in a way that really leans heavily into the seanchaí tradition because he’s telling these people a story.
“He even says that.
“He says, ‘I’m going to tell you a story here’.
“And it is a brilliant story.
“Conor McPherson studied philosophy at UCD.
“He’s got all of this stuff going on about what it means to be a human, how do we examine our lives?
“But all of that is packaged in this incredible narrative.
“It’s just, as I say, a real page turner.
“There’s a real masterful storytelling element to this.
“All this is happening in a story that just sweeps you up.
“You cannot help but get sucked into the story and the way that those brilliant storytellers can do so before you know it, you’re in the middle of this insane world with all this crazy stuff happening with vampires and drunken adventures and all sorts of stuff going on.
“That’s brilliant as well because to do that in a live setting is just very exciting.”
Is it fair to say it’s one of his lesser known ones? Is St Nicholas an under an underappreciated Conor McPherson?
Nick: “It is lesser known because he was a young, unknown writer when he wrote it and it was produced at the Bush Theatre with a director I’ve worked with called Dominic Drumgoole.
“That place was very much about nurturing new talent and at the time, we’re talking about the late 90s here, he was very much new talent.
“I wouldn’t say it’s underappreciated, it’s just produced less because it’s an earlier work.
“But it’s an absolute gem of a piece.”
How would you describe the character? You say he is a critic, he is also quite bitter, isn’t he?
Nick: “Yes, he is bitter because he feels like a failure.
“He wanted to be a wonderful writer, a playwright, a novelist himself and he couldn’t manage it so a lot of his bitterness is actually self-loathing but he’s very funny about it.
“He goes through this crisis with this situation with these vampires and he ends up trying to head towards something that looks like redemption and it’s making him examine his own life.
“So when he’s in his bitter phase, he’s in denial.
“He’s drinking far too much, nobody likes him, he’s horrible to everybody else, he behaves appallingly and he’s kind of trapped in this role as the bad guy but he wants to break out of it.
“It literally has to reach crisis point for him to start to do that.
“It is all about all the mistakes we make in life one at a time and how if we’re not careful, we’ll turn around one day and realise that we’re no longer a very nice person and we need to do something about it.
“That’s his journey.”
Ed: “I think what’s really interesting about what you see as an audience member is that you see him years after the events that he’s talking about choosing to come to a theatre to tell you the story.
“There’s this kind of open dialogue with the audience that, ‘I’ve made this decision to come and tell you this story’.
“What you’re seeing is somebody trying to redeem themselves, trying to kind of get some answers to his past life and have redemption of the things that he’s done and you’re seeing that happen in real time.
“I really enjoy as a director the kind of theatricality of that, playing with that idea.”
You mention redemption a lot and of course the vampires in the story. Does redemption come somehow from or because of these vampires?
Nick: “He looks at these vampires and how they behave and he starts to see a parallel between them and him and he thinks, ‘Oh, that’s not good’.
“So that would be the inciting incident that sets him on a slightly different path.
“But as Ed says, it actually is asking questions the whole time.
“It’s not all neatly packaged in a bow with a little trite ending.
“It’s asking the audience the question, ‘What do you do to sort your own life out?’ without necessarily giving all the answers.”
Have you seen a production of it yourself? Brendan Coyle did a version of it some years ago..
Nick: “No, I didn’t and I’m sort of glad I didn’t because everybody has to make this guy their own version of this guy.
“It’s great to not have to feel like I’m stepping into somebody else’s shoes.
“Brian Cox originally played it so very big shoes to step into and I don’t have any of that pressure because this version of this theatre critic is my version of him and obviously any actor is going to be hugely informed by the writing.
“I haven’t and that’s probably a happy accident.
“I mean, I would love to see a production of it as an audience member because, like I said, it’s such a treat to sit there and be told this story.
“But as it happens, I haven’t.”
Conor McPherson is one of Ireland’s greatest living playwrights, what does he mean to you?
Nick: “I’ve always admired him.
“I just think he’s a brilliant playwright, brilliant storyteller.
“He knows how to create incredible atmosphere on stage.”
Ed: “Yeah, even rehearsing it today having spent weeks doing it last year, you’re just hearing lines in a way that you just didn’t hear them before just jumping out at you.
“I think brilliant playwrights have a way of establishing relationship, place, atmosphere, with this effortless ease and he’s one of the best living playwrights to do that.
“Before you know it, you are sucked into something.
“I think as an audience member, those really good playwrights wash over you and suddenly you understand.
“You don’t have to think about it, you just understand. I think really great playwrights do that.
“My favourite kind of playwrights can establish a relationship of a whole family in five lines of dialogue between each other and Conor McPherson is someone who does that and his record speaks for itself.
“He understands theatre, he really does.”
Nick: “Yeah, a single line will suddenly just send shivers down your spine or make you excited, or make you want to cry.
“He is absolutely brilliant.
“He’s a total master at what he does.”
Ed: “Our job really in rehearsals is to get the script- I wouldn’t say pull it apart but just kind of find the order of it, understand the way that it all fits together and works together, getting into the real detail of it.
“When you start doing that and you start kind of looking at how the machine works, you get even more respect for it, even more respect for these little moments that just help the flow, help the build of it and how something like this, which is a monologue, keeps the audience entertained, keeps them gripped for the hour and a half that it’s on.”
Nick: “Because you’d think that a monologue might be a bit heavy going.
“I had done a different Conor McPherson play which was all monologs.
“That was This Lime Tree Bower and I remember people saying, ‘It didn’t feel like I was sitting down listening to somebody just talk to me, it felt like I’d just been to the movies. I had that buzz’.
“And I think he’s such a brilliant storyteller.
“It’s just exciting to listen to his stories, to see his stories unfold.”
It’s called St Nicholas. It refers to Christmas but isn’t overly festive, is it?
Nick: “Yeah, he’s a bold one with his titles if you think about it with a lot of his plays.
“There are a few sneaky references to Christmas actually which is very handy.”
Ed: “The only way that I’ve managed to make any sense of it is that St Nicholas is someone who brings you a gift.
“That’s the only link.”
Nick: “And this guy is here saying, ‘Look, listen to me because you’ll benefit from what I’ve got to tell you’.
“I think there’s something there and also, it is a supernatural tale.
“Conor does lean into that in a number of his pieces.
“And that’s kind of wonderful to do at Christmas time too, because there was always that tradition back in the day of telling ghost stories and whatnot around Christmas time.
“I think there is definitely something about doing it this time of year where it’s cold and dark outside and you all gather somewhere warm.
“It goes back to that tradition of telling spooky stories at Christmas time around the fire.”
Ed: “But it’s very important that, despite the name, no one gets confused,
“If a primary school rock up, we’re in trouble.”
Nick: “Yeah, it’s not suitable for children. That’s for sure.
“I don’t dress up as Santa or anything like that.”
Strange Fish Theatre Company’s production of St Nicholas was nominated for Best Production at the prestigious Buxton Fringe Festival 2023 and Nick Danan’s portrayal of the tormented critic earned him the Best Actor award at the same festival.
The production has earned you awards, you must be pleased with that..
Nick: “We are very pleased and that’s partly why we wanted to do it again.
“We just felt like we really had something great on our hands and it would be great to bring it back to a London audience.
“It’s a piece we’re very proud of that we know has gone down very, very well in the past so we’re excited for more people to come and see it and obviously we hope they do.
“It’s a busy time at Christmas but I think it would be a great night out for people, I really do.
“We’re very pleased to be able to do it again and we’ve been thrilled that Conor’s been so supportive of the production and his agent’s been so supportive of us. It’s been great.”
Ed: “I think that doing this type of show, this kind of monologue really plays into Nick’s skills as an actor.
“I think it’s a brilliant performance and it’s great that we’re reviving it because I can say that.
“I’ve seen it, I know that it’s a brilliant performance and that award proves it as well.
“It’s not your average night at the theatre because it is a monologue, there’s no fourth wall. This is a man who’s come to talk to us and I think people really get something out of it and get taken on a journey in a way that maybe you wouldn’t going seeing something else.
“It’s a really great, great show, but it wouldn’t work without a really great actor at the helm.”
Nick: “I’ve been sort of hoping to get to work with Ed for a long time and I’m so pleased we finally managed to do it because he’s absolutely my kind of director.
“Any good player needs a great coach behind them and I’ve certainly got that in Ed, no question about it.”
St Nicholas is at Omnibus Theatre 17 December- 5 January. For more information, click here or call the box office at 020 7498 4699.
For more information on Strange Fish Theatre, click here.
|
https://www.theirishworld.com/an-alternative-christmas-tale/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:58Z
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Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster Gts. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Boxster Gts 982 My20 2.5L Petrol 2D Roadster
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
- Automatic Stop/Start
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Alcantara Trim
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- 20 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Black Alloy Wheels
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Convex Mirror Right Side
- Communication Management System
- Connect App Services
- Connect Plus
- Convertible Top Colour
- Digital Audio Broadcast Radio
- Driver Foot Rest
- Door Handle Courtesy Lights
- Digital Instrument Cluster
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Daytime Running Lights - LED
- Door Sill Finishers - Embossed/Personalised
- Dry Sump Lubrication System
- Electrically Heated Windscreen
- Exterior Mirrors - Auto Dimming
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Head Airbags
- Head Airbags - Front Seats (side)
- Headlights - Auto On/Off Function
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Windshield
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Leather Armrest - Front
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- LED Indicators
- Light Pack
- Multi-function Display
- Multi-function Steering Wheel - Heated
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Navigation System
- Park Assist 2
- Porsche Active Suspension Management
- Power Front Seat Driver 14 Way
- Positioning Lights LED
- Power Mirrors With Folding
- Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Power Steering
- Powered Sports Seats
- Powered Sports Seats 2 Way
- Power Soft Top
- Power Soft Top - Remote Operation
- Power Windows
- Power Windows With One-Touch Operation
- Rain Sensor
- Rear Apron - Painted
- Red Brake Calipers
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rollover Mitigation System
- Rollover Protection System
- Reversing Camera
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Storage Compartment - Centre Floor Console
- Solar Control Glass Roof
- Sports Chrono Package
- Sports Design Pack
- Sports Exhaust System
- Side Front AirBags
- Side Impact Protection
- Sound Package Plus
- Sports Pedals
- Sound System with 6 Speakers
- Sports Steering Wheel
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- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Thorax Airbag(s)
- Tail Lights - Special
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Torque Vectoring Differential Rear
- Tinted Windows
- Vehicle Stability Management System
- Wheel Centres - Special
- Wind Deflector
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Windscreen With Sunband
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,570
- Aluminium Gear Selector - $1,110
- Air Intake Grilles Painted - $1,060
- Aluminium Gear Knob - $500
- Alcantara Sunvisors - $860
- Alcantara Steering Wheel - $1,580
- Alloy Pedals - $550
- Adaptive Sports Seats Plus - 18 Way - $2,850
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System Plus - $1,150
- Climate Control Panel - Leather - $1,220
- Climate Control Panel - Painted - $1,220
- Ceramic Brakes - $15,370
- Carbon Floor Mats - $1,490
- Coloured Instrument Dials - $1,030
- Carbon Onboard Folder - $1,630
- Customization Package Gear Lever - $1,630
- Coloured Seat Belts - $570
- Carbon Sill Guards - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $2,440
- Carbon Steering Wheel Special - $930
- Coloured Tailpipes - $1,120
- Extended Leather Pack - $1,090
- Embossed Headrests - $470
- Exterior Pack - Painted - $2,690
- Gear Lever - Carbon - $1,050
- Home Link - $600
- Interior Pack - Painted (non leather) - $1,220
- Interior Pack - Painted (leather) - $1,460
- Interior Pack - Wood (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Wood (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Carbon (non leather) - $2,640
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- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (non leather) - $1,250
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (leather) - $1,470
- Interior Trim Pack - $4,250
- Interior Trim Special - $5,750
- Keyless Entry & Drive - $1,470
- Leather Accented Upholstery
- Leather Backrests Sports Seats Plus - $2,810
- Lane Change Assist - $1,220
- Leather Dashboard - $2,520
- LED Dynamic Light System - $2,330
- Leather Interior Exclusive - $7,680
- Leather Interior Pack (without leather interior) - $1,290
- Leather Interior Pack (with leather interior) - $1,540
- Leather Interior Pack Partial Leather Seats - $830
- Leather Int Pack Partial Leather Seats - Two Tone - $1,200
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - $4,410
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - Premium - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Premium Two-tone - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Natural Leather - $6,910
- Leather Int Pk Leather Seats - Nat Leath Two-tone - $7,680
- Leather Interior Two-Tone - $4,410
- Leather Steering Column Surround - $940
- Leather Sill Guards - Special - $1,210
- Leather Sports Steering Wheel - $570
- Leather Sunvisors - $860
- Leather Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery Special - $1,000
- Metallic Paint - $1,870
- Metallic Paint Special - $18,490
- Painted Alloy Wheels - Premium - $2,500
- Paint Colour Special - $4,920
- Painted Key - $840
- Rollover Bars - Painted - $1,060
- Seatbelt Buckles - Leather - $1,000
- Seatbelt Passage - Painted - $1,030
- Sports Chrono Instrument Dials - $720
- Sports Design Black Pack - $6,220
- Special Identifying Badging - $540
- Solid Paint
- Solid Paint Special - $18,490
- Sports Seats - Bucket - $6,870
- Sports Seats - Special - $3,060
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - Illuminated - $1,370
- St/Steel Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $1,760
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - $500
- Surround Sound System Premium - $8,220
- Surround Sound System - $2,470
- Ventilated Front Seats - $1,950
- Wood Gear Selector - $1,050
- Wheel Centres - $340
- Wood Steering Wheel Special - $930
|
https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-boxster-gts-982-my20-petrol-2d-roadster-GBTe8ZlXHQ
| 2024-12-16T05:58:58Z
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Sarah Michelle Gellar has had a change of heart regarding a potential Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot.
Back in 2023, the Cruel Intentions star seemingly shut down the idea of revisiting her iconic character new series.
“I am very proud of the show that we created, and it doesn’t need to be done. We wrapped that up,” Gellar told SFX Magazine in a recent interview, per CBR.
“I am all for them continuing the story because there’s the story of female empowerment. I love the way the show was left: ‘Every girl, who has the power can have the power.
“It’s set up perfectly for someone else to have the power. But like I said, the metaphors of Buffy were the horrors of adolescence. I think I look young, but I am not an adolescent.”
While Gellar seemingly closed the door to a Buffy reboot, the beloved talent shared a different opinion during her recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show.
When asked about the series and potentially coming back, the Wolf Pack star said: “It’s funny. I always used to say no because it’s in its bubble, and it’s so perfect.”
Gellar went on to say that watching other reboot series like And Just Like That and being part of the Dexter prequel series helped her realize that there “are ways to do it.”
“Definitely does get your mind thinking, ‘Well, maybe,” she added. “It could be anything. It’s a universe. And it makes you realize that in this world, we need those heroes, I think, more so than ever.”
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Gellar’s comments come a few months after a producer from the planned Buffy reboot revealed that it was essentially shelved.
The show, which was initially confirmed in 2018, was set to feature a Black lead and be helmed by original series creator Joss Whedon and Fringe alum Monica Owusu-Breen.
However, four years after the show was announced, producer Gail Berman revealed that it was “on pause” during a 2022 interview on The Hollywood Reporter’s TV Top 5 podcast.
She then clarified her comment further by stating that the term “on pause” was “industry speak for purgatory, make of that what you will.”
Berman had previously worked on the original series and its spin-off Angel as one of its producers.
Since its premiere in 1997, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has often been considered one of the best shows in television history.
The show focuses on a titular character as she uses her supernatural abilities to defeat vampires, demons and the forces of darkness.
During its seven-season run, the show delivered critically acclaimed episodes like Hush, The Body, and Once More, with Feeling.
It also made TV history for its unapologetic LGBTQ+ representation – specifically regarding queer Scoobie Gang members Willow Rosenberg (Allison Hannigan) and Tara Maclay (Amber Benson).
Here’s to hoping that Gellar and her iconic character return for another round of vampire slaying in the future.
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https://www.gaytimes.com/television/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-sarah-michelle-gellar-shares-new-outlook-on-potential-reboot/
| 2024-12-16T05:58:59Z
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In a scathing critique, veteran journalist and political analyst Andrew Mwenda has expressed strong doubts about the viability of former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga’s new political pressure group Democratic Alliance, suggesting it is “dead on arrival” due to public perception and internal dynamics within Uganda’s opposition.
Mwenda’s comments come in the wake of Mpuuga’s recent departure from the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the announcement of his intentions to establish a new political entity. The decision has sparked controversy, particularly among opposition supporters who have questioned Mpuuga’s integrity and political motivations.
“One because he has left Parliament heavily compromised,” Mwenda said. “There is in the air the smell that corruption deals in Parliament compromised him. The strongest base of the opposition, those with the greatest fanatical enthusiasm, see him as a traitor. So his party will be dead on arrival.”
Mwenda’s reference to allegations of corruption stems from Mpuuga’s handling of Parliamentary affairs and accusations regarding his relationship with government officials. While Mpuuga has denied any wrongdoing, Mwenda argues that perception, rather than reality, will play a critical role in determining the fate of his political future.
“Whether those allegations or suspicions are true or not is irrelevant. What is relevant is the public perception,” Mwenda emphasized.
In his analysis while on NTV on Thursday night, Mwenda didn’t spare NUP and its leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. He accused the party of failing to maintain opposition momentum and criticised Bobi Wine for his inability to expand his support base beyond his core followers.
“NUP itself has become a non-starter,” Mwenda remarked. “Bobi Wine lacks the tenacity to sustain the momentum of opposition politics. He continues to rally his base but has failed to create a broad coalition.”
Mwenda compared Bobi Wine’s political strategy unfavourably with President Yoweri Museveni’s, highlighting Museveni’s ability to forge alliances with key social institutions such as the Catholic Church, the Buganda Kingdom, and business leaders during his rise to power.
“Museveni knew that to win over society, you need to ally yourself with the powerful social institutions through which people express and identify themselves,” Mwenda said. “Bobi Wine has failed to reach out to those who are undecided and those who disagree with him.”
Opportunism Within NUP
Mwenda also suggested that many MPs who joined NUP, including Mpuuga, did so for “opportunistic reasons,” driven by the party’s initial surge in popularity rather than ideological conviction.
“Most of the MPs who joined NUP did so out of strategic calculation that this was a new party attracting support,” Mwenda noted. “They flocked to it for opportunistic reasons, but I don’t think they believe in Bobi Wine’s leadership.”
Mwenda likened this political behaviour to broader trends, comparing it to the Republican Party in the United States where some members align with Donald Trump despite disagreements with his leadership.
As Mpuuga ventures into uncharted political territory, Mwenda’s critique underscores the challenges he faces in regaining public trust and building a sustainable political platform. According to Mwenda, overcoming the perception of betrayal and corruption will be a significant hurdle.
“Given the way he quit NUP, amidst accusations of dealings with the government, his new party faces an uphill battle,” Mwenda concluded.
As Uganda’s political landscape continues to evolve, the success or failure of Mpuuga’s new party will ultimately hinge on whether he can reshape public perception and demonstrate a clear ideological vision that resonates with the broader opposition.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
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https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20241216/175817/veteran-journalist-andrew-mwenda-criticizes-mpuugas-new-political-party-predicts-failure.html
| 2024-12-16T05:58:52Z
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Survivors seek a reckoning as FBI investigates child sex abuse in little-known Christian sect
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Nearly every detail about the religious group Lisa Webb’s family belonged to was hidden from the outside world. Its followers met in homes rather than churches. Its leadership structure was hard to discern, its finances opaque. It didn’t even have an official name.
But for decades, no secret was as closely guarded as the identities of the sexual predators inside the group known as the “Two by Twos.”
Now a growing number of public allegations from around the world have prompted a broad investigation by the FBI and placed an uncomfortable spotlight on the long-quiet Christian sect. Survivors say the group’s leaders protected child-abusing ministers by pressuring victims to forgive, ignoring legal reporting requirements and by transferring abusers to new locations to live with unsuspecting families.
Ministry leaders have publicly condemned the abuse but several declined to answer questions from The Associated Press.
For Webb, who was sexually abused by one of the group’s ministers as a child, the attention has brought an unexpected sense of “strength in numbers.”
“There are so many who are frustrated and disheartened,” said Webb. “But there’s also camaraderie in that, and support.”
A website, a hotline and social media pages established by victims have documented allegations against more than 900 abusers, with survivors in more than 30 countries and cases continuing to emerge. In the past year, news stories and a Hulu documentary have focused on the sect’s predator preachers and the leaders who enabled them.
While perpetrators have been sentenced to prison in isolated cases, the sect has largely avoided legal repercussions, protected by its decentralized structure, hidden finances and state laws that limit the timeline for criminal charges.
The secret sect’s origin story
The sect, also known to its members as “The Way” or “The Truth,” was founded in Ireland in 1897 by William Irvine, who railed against the existence of churches. The only way to spread Christianity, he argued, was to do as Jesus instructed in the Book of Matthew: to send apostles out to live among those they sought to convert.
The sect grew as volunteer preachers — known as workers — went “two by two” to live in the family homes of followers for days or weeks at a time. Sect historians say there were up to a few million members just a few decades ago, but current estimates put the figure at 75,000 to 85,000 worldwide.
Unlike the Boy Scouts or the Catholic Church, which have paid out billions to sex abuse victims, the sect’s aversion to property leaves it without apparent assets that might be used to pay settlements, legal experts say.
Workers are supposed to shun worldly possessions, relying on followers for food, shelter and transportation. But that also ensures abusive workers have access to potential victims.
Webb was abused by a preacher who stayed with her family in Michigan when she was 11. The man, Peter Mousseau, was convicted much later — after he expressed an interest in visiting her in 2008 and she decided to pursue charges. A regional overseer to whom she previously reported the abuse was later convicted for failing to report abuse allegations against another local worker.
“You have this mindset that they are angels in your home. They can do no wrong, so you don’t have any kind of wall up,” she said. “It was just the perfect storm created, the perfect recipe for this kind of behavior.”
Abusers live among their victims
Sheri Autrey had just turned 14 when a 28-year-old worker moved into her family’s home in Visalia, California, for two months.
He began abusing her immediately, sneaking to her room at night and taking her for daytime drives. He turned up the radio whenever the Hall & Oates song “Maneater” came on, singing: “Watch out boy, she’ll chew you up.”
When Autrey revealed the abuse to her mother a few years later, her mom reported it to the sect’s regional overseer, who was in charge of all the workers in the area.
The overseer refused to warn other families. Instead, he sent the worker back to Autrey’s home to apologize.
Autrey, raised to be meek, erupted. Her family took her to the district attorney’s office but declined to put her through a prosecution.
“I would have to explain, explicitly, what happened,” Autrey said. “And I was in no way prepared for that.”
Decades later, Autrey was at a baseball game when “Maneater” came on. She had to walk around the stadium to calm herself down, and she resolved to send a letter about the abuse to hundreds of sect members.
“I wanted anyone else who was a victim to know she is not the only one,” Autrey said. “She needs to know there is help.”
Many more cases of abuse
One worker from Peru, Americo Quispe, was sent to Garland, Texas, in the early 2000s after facing allegations of inappropriate behavior in his home country. He soon found new victims, some of whose families went to police. He returned to Peru before he could be arrested.
Quispe was later convicted of molestation in Peru and sentenced to 30 years. He has never faced the charges in Texas.
Another worker, Ruben Mata, abused dozens of boys, among them 10-year-old Douglas Patterson, who was lured away from his family during a sect convention in the early 1990s. Patterson said he kept quiet about it because he feared his family would leave the sect — and thus be barred from eternal salvation — if he told.
Mata was eventually convicted in 2006 in a separate sex abuse case. He died in a California prison.
Members told to keep abuse reports quiet
A few months before Mata’s trial, the Saskatchewan, Canada, overseer, Dale Shultz, sent two letters to colleagues.
One was to be shown to any concerned members. It acknowledged Mata was a pedophile and that workers had been alerted to his abuse at least three times. The sect only notified authorities after Mata resigned, according to the letter.
The second was for staff. It said no copies should be made of the first letter.
“The purpose of the letter is to help those who have concerns, not to advertise a kingdom problem to those who either do not know about it or are not having a problem with it,” Shultz wrote.
In another case, a regional overseer for Arizona, Ed Alexander, wrote a letter to a child-molesting elder in 2005 observing that “we love our people very much and don’t want to report their misdeeds.”
The letter suggested the sect could fulfill its mandatory abuse-reporting obligations by recommending offenders get professional counseling, because then the counselors — rather than sect leaders — would be obligated to make the reports to police.
“They believe that child sexual assault is just a sin. Like, you’re a sinner, they are a sinner, it’s all just sin,” said Eileen Dickey, one of the man’s victims. She reported the abuse to sect leaders because she was worried other children would be targeted.
“I was told never to talk about it,” she said.
Alexander would not speak with The Associated Press: “Unfortunately, the media coverage has been so negative and one-sided that I am going to have to decline an interview,” he texted.
Former minister recounts culture of downplaying misdeeds
Jared Snyder spent more than two decades as an itinerant minister before becoming disillusioned and quitting. No one told him directly about abuse, Snyder said, but he occasionally heard rumors.
The sect’s culture — which makes gossip taboo and places tremendous pressure on members to be merciful — meant that misdeeds big or small were downplayed, he said.
“One overseer just explicitly told me, ‘The less you know, the better off you are,’” he said.
As a worker, Snyder received no paychecks, retirement benefits or health insurance benefits, and he was discouraged from using banks. But he was never without spending money: Followers regularly offer cash to the workers, and Snyder said he frequently had thousands of dollars in his pockets.
Most of that money would get spent on building materials, food or other supplies at regional conventions, Snyder said.
The case that exposed the sect to more scrutiny
In June 2022, a regional overseer named Dean Bruer died in an Oregon motel room. Bruer, 67, had served in at least 22 states and territories and seven countries since 1976, according to a timeline compiled by Pam Walton, a former member who has used historical records and photographs to track the movements of predatory preachers.
Nine months after Bruer died, Doyle Smith, the overseer for Idaho and Oregon, wrote a letter to members. Evidence left on Bruer’s phone and laptop showed he had raped and abused multiple underage victims, Smith wrote.
“Dean was a sexual predator,” Smith wrote. “We never respect or defend such totally inappropriate behavior among us. There is a very united consensus among us that the only thing to do is to be transparent with all of you for obvious reasons, though this is very difficult.”
That transparency did not extend to dealings with local police. It was only after Autrey, another abuse survivor, and private investigator Cynthia Liles — all former sect members — pressured Smith that he turned Bruer’s laptop over to detectives, Autrey told the AP.
By then, the computer had been tampered with, according to records from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon. The web browser search history was cleared. Bruer’s Apple ID had been changed and files transferred out of his DropBox account. Bruer’s phone was never provided to police, and the “Find My iPhone” feature had been disabled.
“What web browsing history was present on the laptop that someone didn’t want anyone else knowing about?” Detective Jeffrey Burlew wrote in a police report. Unable to find any evidence of a crime within its jurisdiction, the office closed the investigation.
Smith did not respond to phone messages from the AP.
Survivors and law enforcement dig deeper
Though Autrey and others had long sought reforms in the sect, Bruer’s death proved to be a catalyst. Autrey, Liles and another survivor launched a hotline, website and Facebook pages for survivors.
In February, the FBI’s field office in Omaha, Nebraska, announced an investigation.
The outcry prompted some sect leaders to condemn the abuse and to ask consultants for advice on how to better protect members. But at least some regional overseers have ultimately declined to adopt recommended child abuse prevention policies — saying the only true code of conduct is the New Testament.
And some leaders still warn members against criticizing the sect.
At an August convention in Duncan, British Columbia, a worker helping to lead the event did not mention the abuse scandal directly but told members to lay aside “evil speakings.”
“It’s more easy to be critical than to be correct,” preached Robert Doecke, a worker from Australia. “If you feed on problems, it will only make more problems. But if you focus on the Lord, it will lead to solutions.”
By REBECCA BOONE
Associated Press
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https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/state/3472815/survivors-seek-a-reckoning-as-fbi-investigates-child-sex-abuse-in-little-known-christian-sect.html
| 2024-12-16T05:59:01Z
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Fiji Says Five Patients Being Discharged After Pina Colada Incident
Fiji doctors have decided to discharge five of the seven patients -- including four Australians and an American -- who were hospitalised after drinking pina coladas at a luxury hotel bar, the government said Monday.
All seven were taken to hospital on Saturday night suffering from "nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms", according to Fiji's health ministry.
They fell ill after drinking pina colada cocktails prepared at a bar in the five-star Warwick Fiji resort on the Coral Coast, about 70 kilometres (45 miles) west of the capital Suva, officials said.
A health ministry spokesperson said the seven guests, aged from 18 to 56, included four Australians, one American and two others whose nationalities were not given.
One of the patients had been discharged Sunday from the Sigatoka Hospital near the hotel, said the tourism minister, Viliame Gavoka.
The other six were transferred to the larger Lautoka Hospital on the island's west coast, he said, with two of them released earlier Monday and another two set to leave later in the day.
The two patients remaining in Lautoka Hospital were in a "stable condition" in intensive care, he told a news conference.
Fiji's health ministry and police force were investigating the cause, Gavoka said, adding that results from "critical" toxicology tests normally take three or four days.
"Everyone is in a state of disbelief that this has happened," he said.
Asked whether the illness might be related to methanol poisoning, Gavoka said that was "something that we don't believe is possible in Fiji".
While declining to speculate about the cause, he said it was a "very isolated incident".
Fijian tourism, which attracts close to a million people each year, was "typically very safe", he said.
The minister said he did not believe it was the result of any deliberate action.
The hotel bar involved was "very busy" on the evening, he added, but only seven people were sickened by the pina coladas, which were normally "pretty harmless".
A spokesperson for the Warwick Fiji hotel said it was conducting an investigation and waiting for test results from the health authorities.
"At this moment, we do not have conclusive details, but we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests," the spokesperson said.
Australia's foreign ministry said it was providing consular assistance to two families but declined further comment citing "privacy obligations".
In a separate incident in Laos last month, two Danish citizens, an American, a Briton and two Australians died of suspected methanol poisoning following what local media said was a night out in the town of Vang Vieng.
© Copyright AFP 2024. All rights reserved.
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https://www.ibtimes.com/fiji-says-five-patients-being-discharged-after-pina-colada-incident-3755601
| 2024-12-16T05:59:04Z
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Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died in a hospital in America after a long illness on Sunday. Reportedly, the Padma Shri recipient was suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. But do you know that Ustab Zakir Hussain's first concert was at the age of 11 that too in America, where he took his last breaths? Yes! spread his art not only in India but all over the world. Even after achieving fame in life, he preferred to live a simple life and remained connected to the ground. Read further to know about his life history.
The first concert was in America at the age of 11
Zakir Hussain was born on March 9, 1951 in Mumbai. He is the son of tabla player Ustad Allah Rakha. Zakir inherited the talent of playing tabla from his father. He learned to play the instrument with full dedication since childhood. He learned to play pakhavaj at the age of just three years. This art was taught to him by his father. He gave his first concert in America at the age of just 11 years. After this, he launched his first album 'Living in the Material World' in the year 1973.
Zakir had strengthened his hold on the tabla at a very young age. After this, he started the journey of playing tabla at the age of 11-12 years. He used to travel from place to place for his concerts. Considering his tabla as Saraswati, he left no stone unturned in its protection and worship. There was also a time when Ustad did not have a reserved seat to sit in the train, so he used to spread a newspaper and sit down. He used to keep the tabla in his lap so that no one's foot or shoe touched it.
Great contribution to Indian classical music
After crossing all the challenges, he made a place in the hearts of people all over the world. Ustad Zakir Hussain has made a great contribution to the development of Indian classical music. He was awarded Padma Shri in 1988 and Padma Bhushan in 2002. After this, in 2009, he was also awarded the Grammy Award, the most prestigious award in music.
Also Read: Zakir Hussain, tabla maestro, dies: A complete 'wah ustad wah' journey of India's Padma Vibhushan
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https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/news/zakir-hussain-s-first-concert-was-in-america-when-he-was-11-years-old-2024-12-16-966417
| 2024-12-16T05:59:04Z
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The CPI State unit has moved an adjournment motion in the Telangana Assembly to discuss the demolitions along Hyderabad’s Musi River and the compensation to be provided to affected residents.
CPI MLA from Kothagudem, K. Sambasiva Rao, who served the adjournment motion, highlighted the growing fear and anxiety among residents facing evictions near the Musi River. The party emphasized the urgent need for fair compensation for the oustees.
Government plans residential towers for evictees
In October, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka announced plans to construct residential towers near the Musi River in Hyderabad.
Speaking at a Naredco property show at Hitex, he assured that the towers would include integrated facilities such as schools, support for women’s self-help groups, and spaces for small-scale businesses, ensuring a secure future for those displaced.
Hyderabad’s Musi River rejuvenation project in focus
Recently, Telangana Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Principal Secretary M. Dana Kishore, speaking at the conclusion of a 13-day international urban workshop in the city, stated that restoring the Musi River to its historic grandeur and making its water drinkable is the primary goal of the Musi Rejuvenation Project.
The adjournment motion in the Telangana Assembly underscores the pressing concerns surrounding the Musi River, from displacement to its long-term restoration and sustainability.
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https://www.siasat.com/demolitions-along-musi-river-in-hyderabad-adjournment-motion-served-in-assembly-3148806/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:04Z
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Tony Mortimer, well known from East 17, told David Hennessy about 30 years of their Christmas number one Stay Another Day, the painful inspiration behind it and his Irish family.
Tony Mortimer, former lead singer and songwriter with East 17, is marking 30 years since their song Stay Another Day was Christmas number one.
To mark the occasion, Mortimer (54) has partnered with the music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins and the song is once again available with a special vinyl release.
It was in 1994 that the world first heard Stay Another Day.
The song came from East 17’s second album Steam after the band announced themselves with songs like House of Love.
Stay Another Day spent five weeks at number one, keeping Mariah Carey’s Christmas favourite All I Want For Christmas from the top of the charts.
It went to number one in eight counties, top 10 in many more and earned Tony a prestigious Ivor Novello award.
Many thought it was a love song but there was a sadder personal reason behind it for Tony as the song was written about his brother’s suicide at the age of 22.
Stay Another Day has been covered by everyone from Jorja Smith and Kylie Minogue to Girls Aloud and Chvrches.
In fact, in 2023 it amassed 20 million streams – almost double what it achieved the previous year
Tony is an East London lad.
Of course, the band took its name from the postcode of their native Walthamstow but Tony’s blood and DNA is 100% Irish with a mother from Tipperary and a father from Laois.
Can you believe it has been 30 years? Is it strange?
“It is.
“30 years is such a long time when you say it like that.
“It feels like a while ago, but it doesn’t feel like 30 years ago.
“I was obviously only six when I wrote it.
“It is 30 years and people are still talking about it.
“I did lots of other things 30 years ago no one’s talking about.”
I bet you just can’t believe how the song has endured…
“Has stayed.
“It’s stuck with Christmas and I think that’s what’s given it it’s longevity, the public have accepted it as a Christmas song and it’s become a Christmas hit and a Christmas staple for people.
“Lots of people say Christmas hasn’t started until they hear this song.
“That’s a very big compliment.
“I had no idea. I’d love to take credit and say I planned it all but I didn’t.”
The song was so personal to you you were even reluctant about releasing it, weren’t you?
“It was a lot more than reluctance.
“I was adamant it wasn’t going to be released but everyone that heard it kept commenting on it and saying they really liked it.
“I was like, ‘Can you just forget that one?’
“But it got released and it went on.
“I’m very proud of it.
“I’m very proud that the public have taken it to their hearts in such a way.
“It’s quite phenomenal.
“It’s overwhelming.
“It’s an overwhelming thing every year that it’s still around.
“This year, obviously, is the 30th anniversary so we’re doing a big thing with Nordoff and Robbins and music therapy.
“They are a great charity.
“They do so much for families that have got autistic children or elderly people that have got dementia.
“These music therapists go around and they help these people.
“As soon as I heard about it, I wanted to get involved and do something for it.
“That’s what makes me feel proud about Stay Another Day this year, because it’s doing something good and it’s giving something back.
“The record company have got behind it.
“They’ve got a Stay Another Day Christmas bauble and that raises money for the charity.
“It just feels nice rather than releasing it and taking money and going, ‘Oh, look, the song’s doing well’.
“The song did what it done 30 years ago.
“That was its time but for the 30th anniversary, I’m so pleased to be able to do something and give a little back.
“Even if it doesn’t get back in the charts to a high number, I still feel like it’s done so much and spread the word of music therapy and Nordoff and Robbins.”
Nordoff and Robbins are all about helping people through the power of music.
Was music a solace to you in your younger days?
“Yeah, that’s why we get involved with music, because it is so powerful.
“I think it’s just a magical thing.
“When I was a kid, it helped me so much through my turbulent teens.
“I think it does help teenagers a lot, music. They tend to listen to music more than they do their parents or authority.
“Music is a wonderful thing because it can heal. It takes us back in time.
“It helps people with dementia who are trapped and struggling and then they hear this song and it will take them back to these memories and they come alive again from it.
“Music therapy can heal us a lot more than we think.”
Made up of Tony, Brian Harvey, John Hendy and Terry Coldwell, East 17 emerged in 1991 with singles like House of Love. Their debut album Walthamstow would go to number one in 1992.
Was it all a bit crazy? Was it like one day everything was normal and the next you just couldn’t go outside?
“That’s exactly what happened.
“All of a sudden it really took off and it was crazy.
“It was like a whirlwind.
“Then we were getting telephone calls to the management saying they want you on a TV show in France, then they want you on TV shows in Germany and Sweden.
“Then we started plane hopping around Europe.
“France was always later with their singles so we’d have House of Love released in France but we’d have Deep released in England and we were going to different countries performing different songs that were in the charts.
“The travelling becomes hard work, the constant travel.
“I think a lot of a lot of the boy bands of that time found it very difficult.
“But I didn’t really see us as a boy band as such.
“We were an indie boy band, a ravey thing.
“Yeah, I thought we were a bit more like the Prodigy, but I was wrong.
“Back in the early, early days, just going up in an airplane was a pinch me moment.
“The whole ride was like a roller coaster ride.
“It was really nice.
“The industry was different then.
“It was a 20 billion pound a year, massive animal of a beast.
“But there’s so many pinch me moments, too many to mention.
“I mean, going to Asia, Australia and seeing the world.
“I think that was the greatest thing: Seeing the world, seeing all these different people and cultures and how we’re all one big, crazy family. We really are.”
But all the travelling did take a toll.
The band would be embroiled in controversy after some comments about drugs made by Brian Harvey.
The band would split in 1997. Although there have been attempted reunions, these did not last and East 17 exist today still with Terry Coldwell the only original member.
“The flame starts to go out but I think we were so burnt out and tired by then that you need a little break because it was crazy.
“I found the travelling quite crazy because you go into different time zones and it’s really hard for your body to adjust.
“In the end you’re just in this sort of whirlwind of half awake, half asleep, half ‘I don’t know where I am, I need that person to talk literally so I know what country I’m in. Oh, I’m in Sweden. Brilliant’.
“It was like that.
“It was an amazing lifestyle.
“We were all enjoying it.
“But unfortunately, they don’t last forever.”
Are they fond memories all in all?
“It was 30 years ago and it’s fond now because I look back at my youth.
“I look back when I was 10 stone lighter and when I could move around more.
“You should let go of the past but look back there.
“Don’t be a prisoner to it, but I am still aware it’s a massive part of how people see me and how they portray me.
“A lot of it I take with a pinch of salt because it’s not based on fact.
“It’s more based on misinformation sometimes and all sorts of stuff.
“It was a great time where we made some great records and we had a little impact for a couple of years.
“Looking back on it, it’s wonderful.
“I couldn’t complain and I wouldn’t change anything.”
I bet you’re glad you came along before the social media that we have now…
“We were lucky, weren’t we?
“I call it anti-social media because it’s just this outrageous.
“It has a good side as well because you’re not so controlled and manipulated by the media, you can actually have your own say now.”
To be Christmas number one must remain one of your highlights..
“Yeah, it was there for five weeks, we kept some real big numbers off the top of the charts.
“It was massive.
“It was a high point, certainly, of my songwriting career.
“The first album we released, I managed to write a number one album and then I wrote a number one single so that’s lovely.
“I remember the next year they were still playing it.
“And it’s still going on 30 years later.
“Hopefully it will continue but I do always think, ‘One day they’ll stop playing it, one day they’ll stop and they’ll move on from it’.
“Over the years people have told me what the song means to them and what it reminds them of.
“That’s what’s really important, is what it means to them.
“I do feel guilty sometimes telling people the story behind it and my inspiration because that’s not important to them.
“What’s important is what it means to them.
“I’ve let go of the song.
“And that was hard to do because I was very protective over it, but it’s the right thing to do.
“It’s the public’s song.
“They like it and they want to do what they want with it.
“And they’ve told me loads of things.
“Lots of people say the song makes them cry, and I’m sorry about that.
“I wish I wrote a happy one but they love it at the same time.
“It’s a nice sadness it gives them.
“But it means a lot to a lot of people. That’s such a compliment, such a high accolade to get.”
You’ve mentioned the song’s sad inspiration and the loss you suffered, does that mean it was emotional to perform?
“It still is.
“I know why I wrote every word and every line and what they mean to me and what they’re about so it’s always emotional.
“It still is emotional now.
“I’m playing it in church next week with a choir and a string quartet.
“It’s going to be amazing.
“It will be really emotional but you hold that back and you try and step aside from it.
“It’s going to be really fantastic.
“But of course, it’s always emotional.
“It can never stop being emotional because it is what it is, what it means to me.
“But I like to think I’m in control of it, 99% of the time, in control of my emotions.”
Tell us about your Irish family. I understand you have a lot of Irish blood..
“Well, my mum and dad have passed now but my mum was from Tipperary and my dad was from Laois so I’ve got hundreds of family over there.
“I’ve got Irish blood in me.
“I’ve done my genetic test and I’m 100% Irish apparently.
“All my family are Irish.
“I love it.
“I was over there in Dublin at the weekend, lovely city.
“My mum worked in Dublin before she came to England.
“My dad, he came from a family of ten so there’s a big family, I’ve got hundreds of cousins and aunts and uncles all over there. There’s not many in England actually, they’re mostly in Ireland.
“The first time I ever went over there, I think, was in East 17 and we played at The Point in Dublin.
“It was lovely to play there.
“Mum and dad had come over because there wasn’t much money over in Ireland at the time and they were looking for work.
“Then their son grows up and he gets himself into a right musical mess and ends up playing at The Point in Dublin.
“Backstage there was all my family and aunts and uncles were there so it was lovely.”
Do you feel at home in Ireland?
“Yeah, of course.
“I love the countryside and I’ve always loved the countryside since I was a child growing up in London.
“I think it’s ingrained in me genetically.
“It’s just lovely walking in the countryside.”
Do you think your musical inclinations come from your Irish heritage?
“Yeah, definitely.
“The Irish are very musical people so I was brought up around instruments and my mum won medals as an Irish dancer.
“Music and writing was ingrained and installed in us all through our childhood.”
So is a case of it getting to November every year and then you start hearing your song again?
“We push Christmas back in our house until 1 December.
“We kind of hold it back. “It starts leaking into your life, which is lovely, but we keep it back to the first of December and then we put the Christmas tree up and we put the decorations up.”
There is a big Christmas tree visible behind Tony as he chats to us on zoom so he is clearly in the spirit.
“If it was a big Christmas hit or not, we would still do this at Christmas because Christmas is just the most special time of the year.
“I know there’s so many people that struggle around Christmas as well but it’s a time where you can try and help them, that’s what Christmas is about.”
You said you often get reminded of your East 17 days and some of it is not based on fact. Is it a bit strange sometimes if you’re just going about your day to day and someone wants to talk about 30 years ago?
“Yeah it happens a lot, especially around the end of the year and around Christmas time.
“You can be minding your own business like I was minding my own business the other day.
“I got out of the station near Oxford Street and across the road, there’s this massive video complex where they play music all day and it was Stay Another Day.
“It just hit me, all these people were in there listening to Stay Another Day.
“It was amazing.
“It slaps you when you’re least expecting it or people will talk to you about it when you’re switched off and you’re somewhere else.
“But I accept it and do you know what? I think it’s better they’re doing that than not doing that because the silence is even more deafening.
“I wouldn’t like it any other way and I don’t know of it any other way.
“It’s been 30 years now, they still love the song and I’m very grateful.
“I do know they’ll change one day and they’ll all flip onto another song but for now, I just enjoy it.
“I give a little wry smile and this year I feel selfish but blessed that I could give a little something back with it.
“Every year it pops up.
“People talk less about the song now and more about the white coats.”
Stay Another Day is available on limited special edition 7 inch vinyl from London Records.
For all items sold via www.stayanotherday.co.uk London Records will be donating £1 to Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy.
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https://www.theirishworld.com/staying-power/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:04Z
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Anthony Davis had 40 points and 16 rebounds, LeBron James added 18 points in his return and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 116-110 on Sunday night.
James also had eight rebounds, eight assists and five turnovers in 34 minutes after missing the previous two games because of a left foot injury. He was away from the team most of last week due to personal reasons.
Austin Reaves scored 19 points for Los Angeles. The Lakers never trailed and led by 23 points in the second half.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 25 points for Memphis, which had won four in a row. Ja Morant had 20 points, Zach Edey added 13 points and 10 rebounds and Luke Kennard had 12 points.
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Takeaways
Grizzlies: Memphis entered as the NBA’s highest-scoring offense but down 64-46 at the half and trailed by at least two possessions the entire second half.
Lakers: James’ return energized Los Angeles, but Davis continues to carry the team. The 31-year-old power forward had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the first half. He briefly left in the third quarter because of shoulder injury, then returned in the fourth and scored 12 critical points down the stretch.
Sports
Get today's sports news out of Los Angeles. Here's the latest on the Dodgers, Lakers, Angels, Kings, Galaxy, LAFC, USC, UCLA and more LA teams.
Key moment
James scored his first points on a running one-handed dunk just over two minutes into the first quarter. He followed immediately with a block and added tip-in basket on the Lakers’ ensuing offensive possession to give Los Angeles a 9-2 lead.
Key stat
Davis has had at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in three of his last four games.
Up next
Both teams are back in action Thursday night. The Grizzlies host Golden State, and the Lakers are at Sacramento.
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https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/anthony-davis-scores-40-points-lebron-james-has-18-in-return-to-help-lakers-beat-grizzlies-116-110/3583300/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:04Z
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Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster S. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Boxster S 982 My19 2.5L Petrol 2D Roadster
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
- Automatic Stop/Start
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- 20 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Convex Mirror Right Side
- Communication Management System
- Connect App Services
- Connect Plus
- Convertible Top Colour
- Digital Audio Broadcast Radio
- Dynamic Drive
- Driver Foot Rest
- Door Handle Courtesy Lights
- Digital Instrument Cluster
- Driver Mode Selection
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Door Sill Finishers - Embossed/Personalised
- Dry Sump Lubrication System
- Electrically Heated Windscreen
- Exterior Mirrors - Auto Dimming
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Head Airbags
- Head Airbags - Front Seats (side)
- Headlights - Auto On/Off Function
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Windshield
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Leather Armrest - Front
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- LED Indicators
- Light Pack
- Multi-function Display
- Multi-function Steering Wheel - Heated
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Navigation System
- Park Assist 2
- Paddle Shifters on Steering Wheel
- Power Front Seat Driver 14 Way
- Positioning Lights LED
- Power Mirrors With Folding
- Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Power Steering
- Power Front Seats 14 Way with Memory
- Powered Sports Seats
- Power Soft Top
- Power Soft Top - Remote Operation
- Power Windows
- Power Windows With One-Touch Operation
- Rain Sensor
- Red Brake Calipers
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rollover Mitigation System
- Rollover Protection System
- Reversing Camera
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Storage Compartment - Centre Floor Console
- Solar Control Glass Roof
- Sports Exhaust System
- Side Front AirBags
- Side Impact Protection
- Sound Package Plus
- Sports Pedals
- Sound System with 6 Speakers
- Sports Steering Wheel
- Stainless Steel Exhaust System
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Thorax Airbag(s)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Tinted Windows
- Vehicle Stability Management System
- Wind Deflector
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Windscreen With Sunband
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,570
- Aluminium Gear Selector - $1,110
- Air Intake Grilles Painted - $1,060
- Aluminium Gear Knob - $500
- Alcantara Sunvisors - $860
- Alcantara Steering Wheel - $1,580
- Alloy Pedals - $550
- Adaptive Sports Seats Plus - 18 Way - $2,850
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System Plus - $1,150
- Climate Control Panel - Leather - $1,220
- Climate Control Panel - Painted - $1,220
- Ceramic Brakes - $15,370
- Carbon Floor Mats - $1,490
- Coloured Instrument Dials - $1,030
- Carbon Onboard Folder - $1,630
- Customization Package Gear Lever - $1,630
- Coloured Seat Belts - $570
- Carbon Sill Guards - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $2,440
- Carbon Steering Wheel Special - $930
- Coloured Tailpipes - $1,120
- Extended Leather Pack - $1,090
- Embossed Headrests - $470
- Exterior Pack - Painted - $2,960
- Gear Lever - Carbon - $1,050
- Home Link - $600
- Interior Pack - Painted (non leather) - $1,220
- Interior Pack - Painted (leather) - $1,460
- Interior Pack - Wood (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Wood (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Carbon (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Carbon (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (non leather) - $1,250
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (leather) - $1,470
- Interior Trim Pack - $4,250
- Interior Trim Special - $5,750
- Keyless Entry & Drive - $1,470
- Leather Accented Upholstery
- Leather Backrests Sports Seats Plus - $2,810
- Lane Change Assist - $1,220
- Leather Dashboard - $2,520
- LED Dynamic Light System - $2,330
- Leather Interior Exclusive - $7,680
- Leather Interior Pack (without leather interior) - $1,290
- Leather Interior Pack (with leather interior) - $1,540
- Leather Interior Pack Partial Leather Seats - $830
- Leather Int Pack Partial Leather Seats - Two Tone - $1,200
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - $4,410
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - Premium - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Premium Two-tone - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Natural Leather - $6,910
- Leather Int Pk Leather Seats - Nat Leath Two-tone - $7,680
- Leather Interior Two-Tone - $4,410
- Leather Steering Column Surround - $940
- Leather Sill Guards - Special - $1,210
- Leather Sports Steering Wheel - $570
- Leather Sunvisors - $860
- Leather Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery Special - $1,000
- Metallic Paint - $1,870
- Metallic Paint Special - $18,490
- Porsche Active Suspension Management - $3,000
- Painted Alloy Wheels - Premium - $2,500
- Paint Colour Special - $4,920
- Painted Key - $840
- Rollover Bars - Painted - $1,060
- Seatbelt Buckles - Leather - $1,000
- Seatbelt Passage - Painted - $1,030
- Sports Chrono Instrument Dials - $720
- Sports Chrono Package - $3,770
- Sports Design Black Pack - $6,220
- Sports Design Pack - $5,250
- Special Identifying Badging - $540
- Solid Paint
- Solid Paint Special - $18,490
- Sports Seats - Bucket - $6,870
- Sports Seats - Special - $3,060
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - Illuminated - $1,370
- St/Steel Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $1,760
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - $500
- Surround Sound System Premium - $8,220
- Surround Sound System - $2,470
- Tail Lights - Special - $1,290
- Torque Vectoring Differential Rear - $2,750
- Ventilated Front Seats - $1,950
- Wood Gear Selector - $1,050
- Wheel Centres - $340
- Wood Steering Wheel Special - $930
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https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-boxster-s-982-my19-petrol-2d-roadster-6FNYv7a5YA
| 2024-12-16T05:59:06Z
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Luka Doncic has triple-double with season-best 45 points in Mavs’ 143-133 win over Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Luka Doncic had his 80th career triple-double with a season-high 45 points along with 13 assists and 11 rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks beat Klay Thompson’s former Golden State Warriors 143-133 on Sunday night in a second visit to Chase Center in just more than a month.
Thompson hit two late 3-pointers for seven total and finished with 29 points after the Mavericks lost 120-117 in his emotional return Nov. 12.
His former Splash Brother Stephen Curry had 26 points and 10 assists for Golden State in a game added to the schedule once the teams were eliminated from the NBA Cup. The Warriors lost by a point at Houston on Wednesday.
Dallas opened 14 of 19 to go ahead 39-18 before Draymond Green hit back-to-back 3-pointers. Green had season highs of five 3s and 21 points.
Takeaways
Mavericks: F/C Maxi Kleber sat out his third consecutive game, the first two with an illness and Sunday because of a fractured rib that coach Jason Kidd said may have happened in a game.
Warriors: New acquisition Dennis Schroder is expected to join the team Monday to undergo his physical and then practice ahead of Thursday’s game at Memphis. Coach Steve Kerr considers him a “perfect fit” to start alongside Curry.
Key moment
Lindy Waters III made a steal with eight seconds remaining in the third, Curry found Jonathan Kuminga for a one-handed slam to end the quarter with Golden State trailing 114-107. Andrew Wiggins then hit a 3 to begin the fourth but Golden State couldn’t make enough defensive stops.
Key stat
Doncic shot 16 for 23, making 9 of his first 11 shots with four 3-pointers on the way to 28 points by halftime.
Up next
The Mavericks host the Clippers on Thursday night. while Golden State is at Memphis on Thursday.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer
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https://www.mymotherlode.com/sports/basketball-general-news/3472812/luka-doncic-has-triple-double-with-season-best-45-points-in-mavs-143-133-win-over-warriors.html
| 2024-12-16T05:59:08Z
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Famous tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain, who gave India a distinct identity in classical music worldwide, is no longer among us. Zakir Hussain died at the age of 73. He breathed his last in San Francisco, America. Zakir Hussain was a patient with a serious lung disease and high blood pressure. Due to this, he developed heart problems. He was admitted to the hospital for treatment, where he died due to heart problems.
According to a report by news agency PTI, Zakir Hussain's family said in a statement that he was suffering from a rare lung disease called 'idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis', due to which complications started arising.
What is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)?
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a serious lung disease. When you breathe, oxygen passes through the small air sacs in our lungs into the blood and then from here, it is supplied to all the organs of the body. But when IPF occurs, scar tissue starts growing inside the lungs, due to which breathing becomes difficult. With age, this problem starts getting worse. Due to this, there is a lack of oxygen in the blood through the lungs. Due to this other organs of your body are not able to function properly.
Symptoms and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Let us tell you that there is no cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, it can only be controlled. In case of a serious condition, there is an option of a lung transplant. Gradually, tissues start growing in the lungs and wounds appear in the lungs. Due to this, you may have chest pain or tightness, swelling in the legs, loss of appetite, sore throat, cough, feeling tired, joint and muscle pain, weight loss and difficulty in breathing. If you are suffering from any other disease, then the problems start increasing further.
(This article is for general information, please consult a doctor before adopting any remedy)
ALSO READ: Ustad Zakir Hussain admitted to US hospital in critical condition
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https://www.indiatvnews.com/health/famous-tabla-player-ustad-zakir-hussain-died-due-to-idopathic-pulomonary-fibrosis-know-causes-and-symptoms-2024-12-16-966418
| 2024-12-16T05:59:10Z
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The Urdu Hindi Cultural Association of New Zealand (UHCANZ) successfully hosted a spectacular Ghazal Night Mehfil-E-Saaz Aur Awaaz on Friday, December 14, 2024, at the Fickling Convention Centre, Three Kings, Auckland. The event was a resounding success, drawing a full house and graced by community leaders, political dignitaries, media personalities, and members of the entertainment industry.
Key guests and dignitaries
The event was honoured by the presence of special guests:
- H.E. Mrs. Neeta Bhushan, High Commissioner of India
- Dr. Parmjeet Parmar, Member of Parliament (ACT Party)
- Dr. Carlos Cheung, Member of Parliament (National Party)
- Imran Hussein Apna Network CEO
Highlights of the event
Soulful Ghazal Performances
The audience was mesmerised by enchanting performances from talented ghazal singers, including Jaspreet Kandhari, Nadia Sheikh, Jyoti Virk Klar, Kiranjit Singh, Sudha Tata, Nisar Mirza, Yudhistar Rajput, Adison Albert, Rushikesh Ahinave.
Poetic Excellence
Renowned poets captivated the audience with their beautiful verses: Sachin Kumar , Shiv Bhagirath, and Somnath Gupta.
Musical Talent
The evening’s music was brought to life by an outstanding team of instrumentalists: Vijender- Keyboard , Piyush – Tabla , Paramvir sing – Guitar – Jessy – Harmonium and DJ Jiten – Sound System
Key Moments
Renowned community leader and founder of Roopa Aur Aap, Ms. Roopa Suchdev QSM, was honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Ms. Suchdev expressed, “This award is not just mine but belongs to the entire community I serve. I am deeply humbled and will continue to dedicate my life to this cause.”
Magazine Launch: Dhanak 2024 The 13th edition of Dhanak, UHCANZ’s trilingual literary magazine (Urdu, Hindi, and English), was officially released by H.E. Mrs. Neeta Bhushan, High Commissioner of India, Dr. Parmjeet Parmar, Member of Parliament, Dr. Parmjeet Parmar, Member of Parliament, Kanwaljit Singh, Former National List MP, Hon. Michael Philip Wood, Former MP and Ella Kumar, Chairperson, Puketāpapa Local Board
Managing Editor Tahseen Sultana highlighted the magazine’s role in preserving cultural heritage and inspiring the next generation. The editorial team includes: Syed Mujeeb QSM (Urdu), Rohit Kumar (Hindi), Sachin Kumar (English)
Delicious Cuisine and Vibrant Ambience
Guests enjoyed a variety of delicious dishes, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, snacks, tea, fruit salad, ice cream, and chocolates for children, enhancing the evening’s delightful experience.
Notable Guests in Attendance
Several prominent figures graced the occasion, including H.E. Mrs. Neeta Bhushan, High Commissioner of India, Dr. Carlos Cheung, Member of Parliament, Dr. Parmjeet Parmar, Member of Parliament, Kanwaljit Singh, Former National List MP, Hon. Michael Philip Wood, Former MP, Ella Kumar, Chairperson, Puketāpapa Local Board, Jeet Suchdev, Chairman, Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust.
Organisers’ Gratitude
General Secretary of UHCANZ, Syed Mujeeb QSM, expressed his appreciation: “I am overwhelmed by the support we received. The enchanting performances, vibrant ambience, and community camaraderie truly made it a memorable night.”
Ghouse Majeed, a key community leader, added: “Thank you very much to you all for your outstanding contributions and a big congratulations for making the event a grand success. Great singers and extremely talented musicians took the evening to new heights. Once again, congratulations to all.”
The Ghazal Night – Mehfil-E-Saaz Aur Awaaz was a grand celebration of Urdu and Hindi cultural heritage, blending soulful poetry, music, and community spirit. UHCANZ extends its heartfelt congratulations to the performers, musicians, emcees, and dedicated members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
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https://www.siasat.com/ghazal-night-mehfil-e-saaz-aur-awaaz-a-grand-success-in-new-zealand-3148796/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:10Z
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Spider Stacy, Jem Finer and James Fearnley- three of the founding members of ‘the best band in the world’- told David Hennessy about their first UK headline tour in 13 years, 40 years since Rum, Sodomy and the Lash and getting back onstage without their friend and bandmate Shane MacGowan.
Next year will see The Pogues take on their first UK headline tour in 13 years.
It will, of course, also be their first without Shane MacGowan who passed away last year.
Massive demand has already seen an extra date added in Glasgow.
The news follows the band reforming in May of this year to mark 40 years since their debut album, Red Roses for Me at Hackney Empire.
The band are now set to tour their sophomore album Rum, Sodomy and the Lash to mark four decades since the album that boasted greats like A Pair of Brown Eyes and Dirty Old Town. Rainy Night in Soho was also included as a bonus track on a 2005 reissue.
Released in 1985, Rum Sodomy & the Lash is a touchstone album in punk and alternative rock, known for its raw energy, poetic lyrics, and infectious melodies.
Ranked among Rolling Stone’s Best 500 Albums of All Time and featured in such tastemaker books as 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die; Rum Sodomy & the Lash is a certified classic which has influenced countless artists globally and continues to impact listeners 40 years on.
Original members Spider Stacy, James Fearnley, and Jem Finer will be joined by ‘special guests’ to take on the role of vocalist.
The Irish World caught up with Spider, James and Jem to look ahead to next year’s tour.
How does it feel to be looking forward to a Pogues tour after so many years?
Spider: “It’s all been a bit unexpected really, but it’s great.
“Obviously there are people we wish could be with us but who are unavoidably detained.
“But it’s great to be able to do it.”
Jem: “It’s funny to think of it as a Pogues tour because it kind of is and it kind of isn’t.
“So there’s been debates about how to bill it and I think it’s been billed quite well on the posters because it’s sort of a celebration of the Pogues and Rum, Sodomy and the Lash, rather than explicitly saying it’s the Pogues.
“But it’s definitely the spirit of The Pogues and we’re three of the founding members of the Pogues so we have every right to take such a thing on tour and as has been proven by the Red Roses for Me concert that we did, it works.
“The spirit is there and it’s not us saying that, it’s the response of the audience and everyone else.”
Announced special guests with the band have included members of bands such as The Scratch, Fontaines DC and The Mary Wallopers.
Spider: “It’s great having all these newer, younger people coming along and playing these songs with us, who are people who’ve been listening to us as they were growing up and just who really love the songs and just play them with such passion and feeling.
“The Red Roses show in London was just such a brilliant, brilliant evening and I’m sure the Dublin one is going to be as well, doing something similar for Rum, Sodomy and the Lash was always really a no brainer.
“It had to be done and I’m really happy that we’re doing it and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I think it’s going to be great.”
What are your memories of making Rum, Sodomy and the Lash? Does it seem like 40 years ago?
Jem: “It does and it doesn’t.
“Time is a funny thing.”
Spider: “Yeah, intellectually you know that it’s been 40 years but it kind of feels like something that happened a few weeks ago at the same time.”
Jem: “The structure of time is an endlessly fascinating subject.
“I don’t think anyone’s really got the definitive answer.
“How we experience time is mysterious and, in a sense, it does seem like it was only yesterday, maybe it was.”
James: “Or We could be doing it tomorrow.”
Spider: “It is weird.”
Did you know how special a record it would be when you were making it?
James: “No.”
Spider: “Yes.
“Seriously, in a way, yes because I remember the first time I heard The Sick Bed of CúChulainn.
“It was just a very rough demo version that the band had done at a rehearsal that I had missed.
“I heard it.
“I think we were in Sweden and we were driving from one gig to another and somebody put it on in the cassette player in the van, and it was just astonishing.
“I’d had the thought sometime before that that we might be the best band in the world.
“I thought we were the best band in the world.
“A lot of people, I guess, probably say that to themselves but there’s a difference between saying that to yourself and, actually this sounds really big headed, on some level knowing it and it being true.”
James laughs at this and says something we can’t quite catch about Spider getting carried away.
“And you’re too modest, James.
“It’s not about us all being the best musicians or anything like that at all.
“It’s just as a band producing the sound that we produce, the way that we interact well.
“How else are you going to define it? What else establishes a band as the best band in the world?
“I mean several, many bands can be the best band in the world all at the same time but it requires a certain number of things to happen in alignment and I think we had that, and I would stand by that.
“I’ve seen a couple of programmes about, and I’m not gonna mention any names, but documentaries or things about bands and I’m watching them sort of going, ‘But you’re just not very good’.
“I’m thinking, and this sounds horrible, ‘You do your rehearsals and all the time, you must know that you’re not actually very good, that your songs are sh*t’.”
James: “They think they are (the best band in the world).”
Spider: “But they can’t actually believe that they are.”
James: “They think they are but they’re wrong.”
Spider: “Yeah, but they’re wrong.”
James: “You have to go and tell them.”
Spider: “No, no, no, they’ll find out for themselves in time.”
Jem: “It would seem to be evident by now that-“
Spider: “We actually are.
“I knew this.”
James: “You were right.”
Spider: “I was right.”
James: “You were prescient.”
Spider: “Yes, thank you. Thank you. Prescient.”
Jem: “I had a similar thing with A Pair of Brown Eyes: The most amazing thing I had ever heard.
“It was something I’d never heard before but at the same time, it was something I really knew.
“It just felt so old and so now all at the same time.
“It had an incredible quality.”
James: “I’d say the same thing about The Old Main Drag and when I first heard that, ‘How does he even put that together?’”
Spider: “It’s true of a lot of them.
“The broad Majestic Shannon.”
James: “Oh my god, yeah. They keep coming.”
Spider: “He wrote so many utterly incredible songs.”
James: “But it wasn’t just the writing, it was the playing. We didn’t f**k them up.”
Spider: “It was the feel of them.”
Jem: “The core of it was the writing and the singing. It was amazing.
“What could be better than that?”
Would you believed it if someone told you back then that you would be marking the album forty years later?
Spider: “On reflection, yes.”
James: “In hindsight, yes.”
Spider: “I would have.”
Jem: “It’s a difficult one.
“At the time I couldn’t imagine this far forward.
“Looking back, I can imagine.
“But then it wouldn’t have even crossed my mind to think of being this age.
“I’m a pensioner.
“How can you conceive of being a pensioner? A pensioner’s an old bloke.”
Spider: “We were old blokes when we started.”
Jem: “I don’t think so, I couldn’t conceive of such a thing.
“And why would you want to? Why would you want to think, ‘Wow, in 40 years, people are going to be saying, ‘This is a really good album’.’
“We want them to like it now, not in 40 years’ time.
“It is a bonus if they do.”
Is it emotional? You say there are people you wish could be with you, is it bittersweet in that sense?
Spider: “Hackney, one of the things that really stood out about May was that, although Shane wasn’t there, the whole energy and the vibe of the night was very reminiscent of an early Pogues show as opposed to something that happened during the reunions, for example or even, indeed, a later Pogues show like in, say, ‘87, ‘88 something like that.
“There was this freshness and an energy about it and an excitement that was just really beautiful actually.”
Jem: “It felt like he was there.”
Spider: “It did feel like he was there.”
Jem: “And it was definitely celebratory rather than memorializing.”
Spider: “It was a more of a celebration than a eulogy.”
Was it something like the spirit of his funeral that you played at and was an incredible celebration?
Spider: “Yeah, obviously a funeral is also a time for mourning and for grief but I think it’s important that you can’t go on grieving and mourning forever.
“I think that it’s important that the celebration comes in as well as that’s the way these things are done and the way they should be done.
“So one of the things about Hackney that I really liked was that there was nothing in any way maudlin about it at all.
“It was just a really great night and a real ferocious celebration of the songs and of Shane and of the band and all of us, of life.”
There was such a wide outpouring of grief when Shane passed in November last year, was it a comfort to you as his bandmates to see how much he meant?
Spider: “I don’t know that comfort is entirely the right word but it was really remarkable.
“It was really moving just to see the impact that he had had, how much he meant to people, how affected they were by his passing, what he had given them and also by extension that we had given them.
“When my wife and I arrived in Ireland, it was just apparent from the off that the country was in the mood and it was like a state funeral.
“But certainly people’s reaction to his passing- And not just in Ireland either, not just the UK, it was across the world- was amazing.”
James: “To be on the altar steps with our friend in the box and playing to him a song was overpowering for me.
“It was amazing to be able to do.”
Do you think Shane himself knew how influential or inspirational he was?
Spider: “Yes.
“I think he absolutely did.
“I really hope so.
“I’m sure he did.
“He knew his own worth.”
Jem: “He was a pretty humble guy.
“He wasn’t going around sort of saying, ‘I’m the greatest’, but I think you got the impression at times. Things would slip out.”
Spider: “Yeah, he had no illusions regarding his talent.
“I don’t think he suffered from any doubt about that.”
Jem: “He didn’t feel the need to go around blowing his own trumpet.”
Do you think he enjoyed fame?
Jem: “No. I don’t think he enjoyed it at all.”
Spider: “When he finally called a halt to the reunions it was in 2014 in a hotel room in Tokyo and he went, ‘It was only meant to be one Christmas, it’s been 14 years!’
“He loved it sometimes but I think a lot of the time he’d have been quite happily anywhere else, often he was.
“But we were always able to build a bridge and lead him back over it. Most of the time.
“Sometimes he didn’t want to come, of course.”
You mentioned Christmas and your special Christmas concerts there.
It’s not part of Rum, Sodomy and the Lash or Red Roses For Me but will Fairytale of New York be getting an airing or is that too tough to do without Shane?
Spider: “Do you seriously think that we’d be able to get away with going to Dublin and not playing Fairytale of New York? I don’t see it.
“If there’s a piano, it’s on.”
Jem: “I don’t think we’ll be playing it in May next year.
“That’s unfortunately almost as far away from Christmas as you can get.”
James: “Yeah, we’re going to be doing our spring songs.”
Back to Rum, Sodomy and the Lash, are the memories of that album among your fondest Pogues memories?
Spider: “Like everything, it’s all great until things start going wrong.
“From around the time that (If I Should) Fall From Grace (with God) came out we were touring, touring, touring and I think that really put an awful lot of pressure on people, put an awful lot of pressure on Shane.”
James: “I think we already were (under pressure), way before that.”
Spider: “Well, yeah but it seemed to intensify.”
Did it get a bit much being on the road as much as you were?
James: “Well, it could do.
“I mean, I always enjoyed playing live.
“I really did enjoy it and I still do but it can get punishing after a while where you’re physically tired and you f**king hate the people that you’re with.”
Spider: “Thank you very much, we used to have meetings to say what a pleasure it was to have you around, how glad we were that you had joined the band.”
James: “You know, the confinement and the continuous movement day after day, it can wear a bit thin.”
Jem: “Well, I have to say that this question has very different answers for different people because it depends on your circumstances.
“For me it was very hard most of the time because I had this young family back home in London and so by turns I’d feel guilty I wasn’t there helping out and at the same time, I loved playing the music.
“So there was two sides for me.
“There was a bit of stress and missing people and enjoying myself all at the same time and getting back and being relieved.
“But then somehow the tours would always get longer than they were meant to be and I found it a bit difficult.
“In a sense, it’s an ideal vocation for someone without a family, you could have the life of Riley.
“It was difficult, I do think in the end it started to catch up with everyone, certainly with Shane and it was not good.”
In 1991 the band sacked Shane MacGowan after some erratic behaviour.
For a time he would be replaced by former Clash frontman Joe Strummer and then Spider Stacy was take over as frontman.
Eventually the band would split and not reform, complete with Shane, until 2001.
Do you ever look back and say ‘what if?’ As in, ‘what if we had kept the band together and kept Shane involved with the Pogues?’
Spider: “It was just in the nature, I think.
“I mean, there’s a case to be made that if we had taken a break around 1990, the time that we had to let Shane go rather than doing that.
“But that’s all very well saying that now.
“When you’re there in the moment, it would have been a difficult thing to do.
“I don’t think it would have ever occurred to anybody to think about it.”
James: “I think we were in a difficult contractual situation as well.
“We couldn’t really stop because we had these obligations we had to sort of see out.
“I think the time to have taken a break would have been before that, maybe after Fall from Grace (1988).”
Jem: “But we were actually in a real jam even then with obligations that we were being forced to go touring to pay debts that the band had and so we had got ourselves into a rather difficult situation and a very old school rock and roll situation which wasn’t entirely our fault.”
Are there plans for more gigs beyond these upcoming dates in the diary?
James: “Well, we’ve been joking all morning about getting to ‘the best of’ and then Waiting for Herb.
“I left the group by the time the Pogue Mahone record came out so I’m not expecting a phone call for that one but if they need me to tinkle on a piano or something, I’ll be happy to.
“That will be in twenty thirty something.
“They can bring me on in my iron lung or a wheelchair.”
The Pogues play the 3 Arena in Dublin on Tuesday 17 December.
The Pogues tour the UK with Rum, Sodomy and the Lash in 2025 playing O2 Academy in Leeds on 1 May, O2 Academy in Birmingham on 2 May, O2 Academy in Brixton, London on 3 May, Barrowland in Glasgow on 6 May, O2 Apollo in Manchester on 7 May, O2 City Hall, Newcastle on 8 May and an extra date added due to demand for Barrowland in Glasgow on 11 May.
For more information, click here.
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https://www.theirishworld.com/the-return-of-the-pogues/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:10Z
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China retail growth slows, agency calls for 2025 support
December 16, 2024Broadly positive Chinese economic data for November released on Monday also showed slower-than-expected growth of 3.3% in retail sales, much slower than in October and well adrift of the 4.6% forecast.
The slowdown came as a surprise because Beijing has been working to boost stimulus programs and encourage consumption, as it braces for possible headwinds as Donald Trump returns for a second term as US president, threatening increased tariffs.
China had implemented major online shopping promotions and government-subsidized trade-in programs boosting sales in things like cars, which were expected to buoy growth.
Markets in Shanghai and Hong Kong dipped as the news was announced on Monday morning. But by early afternoon, the Shanghai Exchange in particular had pared these losses and was back in the green, while the Hang Seng was down roughly 0.5%.
Chinese government pledging 'moderately loose' monetary policy
China's government has been trying to show it's working to kickstart consumption and reignite the world's second-largest economy.
Beijing last week announced new measures aimed at "lifting consumption vigorously" as part of a stimulus drive.
But as these left investors seemingly unimpressed, officials unveiled new promises over the weekend including a bid to boost the struggling property sector and change monitoring of equity markets.
President Xi Jinping said at the annual Central Economic Work Conference that the Chinese Communist Party would implement a "moderately loose" monetary policy, increase social financing and also reduce interest rates "at the right time."
Stats agency hints at tougher 2025 conditions
Despite concerns over the sluggish growth, and the more general downward trend compared to the rapid Chinese expansion achieved over the past couple of decades, Monday's figures remained robust.
Industrial output grew 5.4% compared to the previous November, a slight increase from October and in line with predictions.
Retail sales however dipped to 3.3% growth from 4.8% the previous month.
A spokesperson for the National Statistics Bureau warned while presenting the data that protectionism was on the rise and the agency anticipated tougher conditions next year.
They called for more efforts to promote economic recovery in 2025.
msh/sri (AFP, Reuters)
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https://www.dw.com/en/china-retail-growth-slows-agency-calls-for-2025-support/a-71063742?maca=en-rss-en-asia-5133-rdf
| 2024-12-16T05:59:11Z
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Korea’s foreign currency deposits down for 2nd month in November
Korea’s foreign currency deposits fell for a second straight month in November on sagging corporate demand for US dollar-denominated deposits, central bank data showed Monday.Residents' outstanding foreign currency-denominated deposits reached US$98.43 billion as of end-November, down $540 million fr...
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https://www.wam.ae/en/article/149sosh-korea%E2%80%99s-foreign-currency-deposits-down-for-2nd
| 2024-12-16T05:59:12Z
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Your view is that India has the potential and ability to grow at 6% to 7%, it could be 8% to 9%. We have all the ingredients like you mentioned and we are digital ready with the dynamism of a young population. Why should we fast track to the top three economies in the world?
Jim O'Neill: I mean, to be really candid, if India is not significantly bigger than Germany and Japan by 2030, I personally would be really worried for India. The next bit should be easy. I am going to say, I was thinking whether I should say this or not, India should set itself the challenge of being three times as big as Japan in another 15 years because that is how big the natural advantages are at this point.
Japan has dreadful demographics and it still has poor productivity and it is very vulnerable to a world that does less trading goods. It should be really easy for India to become quite a bit bigger. But if India wants to get to be really big and more wealthy for more Indian people, it should want to become a lot bigger and, I do not know, become half the size of the US by 2035 or something.
Fantastic. So, nice to hear that endorsement coming from you, the man who actually saw the potential when he coined the word BRIC. I am going to change gears and talk about the view of the world now. There is a change in regime in the United States. Everyone is saying it is like someone has pressed the reset button again. Do you think Donald Trump will press the reset button again?
Jim O'Neill: Does Donald Trump himself know what he is going to do? Like everybody else, I sit and watch and read these things about everybody who thinks they know what Donald Trump's going to do. I am not sure Donald Trump knows what he is going to do. I think he enjoys the game of dealing with people. A silly example, when I look back on his famous attempts to become a friend of the North Korean leader, he seemed to have no idea what it was he was going to do when he managed to meet him.
Yesterday I read that he has invited President Xi to his inauguration. That is quite an imaginative thing to do. We have a world of finance and business that is convinced that relations between the US and China are going to get worse. Maybe it would not. I do not know. Intellectually, it makes it fascinating, but I would not want to be overly confident in predicting that Trump's going to do X, Y, and Z, because I do not think he knows yet. What I would quickly add, I think he has chosen a very experienced person in macroeconomics to be his treasury secretary, and a very important thing that, again, I do not know how it will evolve, is how much Trump is going to trust Scott Bessent, or delegate economic issues to Scott.
(What's moving Sensex and Nifty Track latest market news, stock tips, Budget 2024 and expert advice, on ETMarkets. Also, ETMarkets.com is now on Telegram. For fastest news alerts on financial markets, investment strategies and stocks alerts, subscribe to our Telegram feeds .)
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(What's moving Sensex and Nifty Track latest market news, stock tips, Budget 2024 and expert advice, on ETMarkets. Also, ETMarkets.com is now on Telegram. For fastest news alerts on financial markets, investment strategies and stocks alerts, subscribe to our Telegram feeds .)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the Economic Times ePaper Online.and Sensex Today.
Top Trending Stocks: SBI Share Price, Axis Bank Share Price, HDFC Bank Share Price, Infosys Share Price, Wipro Share Price, NTPC Share Price
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https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/expert-view/india-should-set-itself-the-challenge-of-being-three-times-as-big-as-japan-in-15-years-jim-oneill/articleshow/116355123.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:59:13Z
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Jordan Love throws for 2 TDs and Packers beat Seahawks 30-13 as Seattle QB Geno Smith injures knee
SEATTLE (AP) — Jordan Love threw two touchdown passes to Romeo Doubs and the Green Bay Packers ended Seattle’s four-game winning streak with a 30-13 victory Sunday night over the Seahawks, who lost quarterback Geno Smith to a knee injury.
Josh Jacobs ran for 94 yards and a touchdown for the Packers (10-4), who have won eight of 10. Jacobs finished with 136 yards from scrimmage and Brandon McManus kicked three field goals.
After Doubs made an impressive grab in the back of the end zone late in the fourth quarter for his second TD, Packers fans at Lumen Field chanted, “Go Pack Go!”
Smith was hit low by Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper in the third quarter and threw his helmet to the ground after he limped off the field. He was replaced by Sam Howell, who had just one previous snap for the Seahawks (8-6).
Smith completed 15 of 19 passes for 149 yards, and Howell went 5 of 14 for 24 yards and a pick.
The Packers’ two losses over their last 10 have come to NFC North-leading Detroit, including a 34-31 defeat on Dec. 5, meaning the division title is likely out of reach. Green Bay has yet to clinch a playoff spot.
The Seahawks fell into a first-place tie with the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West, and Smith’s injury could impact their chances of winning the division.
Love finished 20 of 27 for 229 yards, and Doubs had three catches for 40 yards.
Smith was intercepted in the end zone in the first half and the Seahawks trailed 20-3 at the break. Green Bay scored on all four of its first-half possessions.
An unnecessary roughness penalty on Seattle’s Riq Woolen that put the Packers on the Seattle 28 on their initial possession. Jacobs’ 1-yard TD run capped the drive.
The Packers went up 14-0 on Love’s 13-yard pass to Doubs, who dragged two defenders with him into the end zone before waving at a television camera.
The Seahawks closed the gap on Jason Myers’ 48-yard field goal, but McManus answered with a 38-yarder for the Packers.
The Seahawks drove to the Green Bay 12, but Smith’s pass intended for Noah Fant was intercepted by in the end zone by Carrington Valentine, the first career pick for the second-year defensive back.
It was Smith’s 13th interception this season and fourth in the end zone.
Woolen was flagged for pass interference on Doubs on Green Bay’s final series of the half, but the Packers settled for McManus’ 21-yard field goal.
The Seahawks showed life early in the fourth quarter on Zach Charbonnet’s 24-yard touchdown run that made it 23-13. Three plays later, Doubs put it away with his pretty 22-yard throw to Doubs, who got his elbow down in the back of the end zone.
Green Bay, making its first trip to Lumen Field since 2018, had not won at Seattle since 2008.
Injuries
Packers: LB Quay Walker (ankle) left in the first half and did not return. All-Pro CB Jaire Alexander (knee) was inactive for a fourth straight game.
Seahawks: RB Kenneth Walker III did not play. C Olu Oluwatimi injured his right knee in the first half and his return was doubtful.
Up next
Packers: Host New Orleans on Monday, Dec. 23.
Seahawks: Host Minnesota next Sunday.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Writer
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https://www.mymotherlode.com/sports/nfl-general-news/3472810/jordan-love-throws-for-2-tds-and-packers-beat-seahawks-30-13-as-seattle-qb-geno-smith-injures-knee.html
| 2024-12-16T05:59:14Z
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Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster S. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Boxster S 982 My19 2.5L Petrol 2D Roadster
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
- Automatic Stop/Start
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- 20 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Convex Mirror Right Side
- Communication Management System
- Connect App Services
- Connect Plus
- Convertible Top Colour
- Digital Audio Broadcast Radio
- Driver Foot Rest
- Door Handle Courtesy Lights
- Digital Instrument Cluster
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Door Sill Finishers - Embossed/Personalised
- Dry Sump Lubrication System
- Electrically Heated Windscreen
- Exterior Mirrors - Auto Dimming
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Head Airbags
- Head Airbags - Front Seats (side)
- Headlights - Auto On/Off Function
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Windshield
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Leather Armrest - Front
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- LED Indicators
- Light Pack
- Multi-function Display
- Multi-function Steering Wheel - Heated
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Navigation System
- Park Assist 2
- Power Front Seat Driver 14 Way
- Positioning Lights LED
- Power Mirrors With Folding
- Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Power Steering
- Power Front Seats 14 Way with Memory
- Powered Sports Seats
- Power Soft Top
- Power Soft Top - Remote Operation
- Power Windows
- Power Windows With One-Touch Operation
- Rain Sensor
- Red Brake Calipers
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rollover Mitigation System
- Rollover Protection System
- Reversing Camera
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Storage Compartment - Centre Floor Console
- Solar Control Glass Roof
- Sports Exhaust System
- Side Front AirBags
- Side Impact Protection
- Sound Package Plus
- Sports Pedals
- Sound System with 6 Speakers
- Sports Steering Wheel
- Stainless Steel Exhaust System
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Thorax Airbag(s)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Tinted Windows
- Vehicle Stability Management System
- Wind Deflector
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Windscreen With Sunband
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,570
- Aluminium Gear Selector - $1,110
- Air Intake Grilles Painted - $1,060
- Aluminium Gear Knob - $500
- Alcantara Sunvisors - $860
- Alcantara Steering Wheel - $1,580
- Alloy Pedals - $550
- Adaptive Sports Seats Plus - 18 Way - $2,850
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System Plus - $1,150
- Climate Control Panel - Leather - $1,220
- Climate Control Panel - Painted - $1,220
- Ceramic Brakes - $15,370
- Carbon Floor Mats - $1,490
- Coloured Instrument Dials - $1,030
- Carbon Onboard Folder - $1,630
- Customization Package Gear Lever - $1,630
- Coloured Seat Belts - $570
- Carbon Sill Guards - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $2,440
- Carbon Steering Wheel Special - $930
- Coloured Tailpipes - $1,120
- Extended Leather Pack - $1,090
- Embossed Headrests - $470
- Exterior Pack - Painted - $2,690
- Gear Lever - Carbon - $1,050
- Home Link - $600
- Interior Pack - Painted (non leather) - $1,220
- Interior Pack - Painted (leather) - $1,460
- Interior Pack - Wood (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Wood (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Carbon (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Carbon (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (non leather) - $1,250
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (leather) - $1,470
- Interior Trim Pack - $4,250
- Interior Trim Special - $5,750
- Keyless Entry & Drive - $1,470
- Leather Accented Upholstery
- Leather Backrests Sports Seats Plus - $2,810
- Lane Change Assist - $1,220
- Leather Dashboard - $2,520
- LED Dynamic Light System - $2,330
- Leather Interior Exclusive - $7,680
- Leather Interior Pack (without leather interior) - $1,290
- Leather Interior Pack (with leather interior) - $1,540
- Leather Interior Pack Partial Leather Seats - $830
- Leather Int Pack Partial Leather Seats - Two Tone - $1,200
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - $4,410
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - Premium - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Premium Two-tone - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Natural Leather - $6,910
- Leather Int Pk Leather Seats - Nat Leath Two-tone - $7,680
- Leather Interior Two-Tone - $4,410
- Leather Steering Column Surround - $940
- Leather Sill Guards - Special - $1,210
- Leather Sports Steering Wheel - $570
- Leather Sunvisors - $860
- Leather Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery Special - $1,000
- Metallic Paint - $1,870
- Metallic Paint Special - $18,490
- Porsche Active Suspension Management - $3,000
- Painted Alloy Wheels - Premium - $2,500
- Paint Colour Special - $4,920
- Painted Key - $840
- Rollover Bars - Painted - $1,060
- Seatbelt Buckles - Leather - $1,000
- Seatbelt Passage - Painted - $1,030
- Sports Chrono Instrument Dials - $720
- Sports Chrono Package - $3,770
- Sports Design Black Pack - $6,220
- Sports Design Pack - $5,250
- Special Identifying Badging - $540
- Solid Paint
- Solid Paint Special - $18,490
- Sports Seats - Bucket - $6,870
- Sports Seats - Special - $3,060
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - Illuminated - $1,370
- St/Steel Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $1,760
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - $500
- Surround Sound System Premium - $8,220
- Surround Sound System - $2,470
- Tail Lights - Special - $1,290
- Torque Vectoring Differential Rear - $2,750
- Ventilated Front Seats - $1,950
- Wood Gear Selector - $1,050
- Wheel Centres - $340
- Wood Steering Wheel Special - $930
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https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-boxster-s-982-my19-petrol-2d-roadster-ghlvfrSrPe
| 2024-12-16T05:59:13Z
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In a heartfelt tribute to tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, who breathed his last in a hospital in San Francisco, US, on Monday, the US Embassy in India said Zakir was a true maestro who touched millions of hearts worldwide. The embassy took to X to post a video featuring Hussain, which was created to celebrate 75 years of the US-India relationship.
The embassy's post on X reads, "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."
Zakir, who is regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, is survived by his wife Antonia Minnecola and their daughters- Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
Earlier, Zakir's family in a statement said he died from complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
He was admitted to the hospital for the past two weeks and was shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after his health condition declined. Hussain's sister Khurshid Aulia said he passed away "very peacefully".
"He passed away very peacefully after the ventilation machine was switched off. This was 4 pm San Francisco time," she told PTI.
Born on March 9, 1951, he was the son of legendary tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha.
The family said in its statement, "He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come."
Zakir Hussain's illustrious carrer
Zakir's career spanned six decades during which he worked with several renowned international and Indian artists. However, it was his 1973 project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar and percussionist TH 'Vikku' Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical music and elements of jazz in a hitherto unknown fusion.
Zakir, whose career started as early as when he was seven, went on to collaborate with virtually all of India's iconic performers, including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and Shivkumar Sharma.
He has also collaborated with Western musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart and George Harrison, which brought Indian classical music to an international audience, cementing his status as a global cultural ambassador.
Zakir Hussain, India's most celebrated classical musician
Hussain received a total of four Grammy Awards in his career, which includes three at the 66th awards ceremony earlier this year.
Zakir, the percussionist, is India's most celebrated classical musician. He received the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
Also Read: Famous tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain died due to THIS dangerous disease, know causes and symptoms
(With inputs from agency)
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https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/us-embassy-in-india-tribute-to-zakir-hussain-posts-heartfelt-video-2024-12-16-966419
| 2024-12-16T05:59:16Z
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Hyderabad: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Hyderabad has issued its first cold wave warning of the current winter season, signaling a significant drop in temperatures across Telangana.
The warning signals the onset of biting winter conditions, with minimum temperatures expected to plummet as low as 5 degrees Celsius in certain districts.
IMD Hyderabad’s cold wave warning for various Telangana districts
According to IMD Hyderabad, the cold wave is set to affect multiple districts in the state. Among the most impacted areas are Adilabad, Kamareddy, Kumuram Bheem, Mancherial, Medak, and Nirmal, where the sharpest declines in temperatures are anticipated.
On Sunday, Adilabad recorded a minimum temperature of 6.3 degrees Celsius, the lowest so far this season.
Other districts, including Nirmal, Sangareddy, Kumuram Bheem, Rangareddy, Vikarabad, Siddipet, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Jagtial, Nizamabad, Hanumakonda, Rajanna Sircilla, Mulugu, Warangal, and Peddapalli, also reported minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. These chilling figures underline the cold wave’s grip on Telangana, intensifying the winter chill.
Winter forecast for Hyderabad
While issuing a cold wave warning for the entire state, IMD Hyderabad forecasted partly cloudy skies with misty or hazy mornings persisting until December 19. All city zones, including Charminar, Khairatabad, Kukatpally, LB Nagar, Secunderabad, and Serilingampally, are likely to witness similar weather patterns.
The coldest minimum temperature in Hyderabad was recorded in Maredpally at 9.7 degrees Celsius, with areas such as Bahadurpura, Asifnagar, Shaikpet, Golkonda, Bandlaguda, Tirumalagiri, Amberpet, Musheerabad, and Mondamarket experiencing minimum temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius.
For the first time this winter, IMD Hyderabad has issued a yellow alert for the city.
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https://www.siasat.com/imd-hyderabad-issues-first-cold-wave-warning-this-winter-as-temperatures-dip-3148792/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:16Z
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India: Legendary musician Zakir Hussain dies at 73
December 16, 2024Grammy Award-winning Indian musician Zakir Hussain died in San Francisco on Sunday night, his family said.
The 73-year-old tabla maestro had been in a hospital due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare lung disease, according to his family.
At the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year, Hussain had won three awards, to add to his previous two wins.
"It was a great day for India at the Grammys and I'm proud to be carrying the national flag," he posted on Instagram after his win.
He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, his daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi.
The making of a maestro
Born in Mumbai in 1951, Hussain was the eldest son of renowned tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha.
Hussain earned global acclaim as one of the greatest tabla players of his generation during a career spanning over six decades.
His legacy includes collaborations with Indian legends like Ravi Shankar and Shivkumar Sharma, as well as global icons such as Yo-Yo Ma, Bela Fleck, and George Harrison.
In 1973, his groundbreaking collaboration with musicians John McLaughlin, L Shankar, and TH 'Vikku' Vinayakram introduced the world to a fusion of Indian classical and jazz.
Through these partnerships, he brought Indian classical music to a global audience.
In India, the maestro was a recipient of some of the country's highest civilian accolades, including the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and Padma Vibhushan (2023).
Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru
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https://www.dw.com/en/legendary-indian-musician-zakir-hussain-dies-at-73/a-71063746?maca=en-rss-en-asia-5133-rdf
| 2024-12-16T05:59:17Z
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Arabic Poetry Criticism Award announces 4th edition winners
The General Secretariat of the Sharjah Award for Arabic Poetry Criticism announced the three winners of the fourth edition, which was titled "The Convergence of Literary Genres in Contemporary Arabic Poetry.”The award is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, S...
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https://www.wam.ae/en/article/149sosi-arabic-poetry-criticism-award-announces-4th
| 2024-12-16T05:59:18Z
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The company stated in its filing, "We would like to inform you that an order worth Rs 1,522.40 crore (plus applicable taxes) has been received from Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for the supply, installation, and commissioning of on-board TCAS (KAVACH) equipment in locomotives."
The order includes the installation of KAVACH systems on 2,200 locomotives and is expected to be completed within 12 months from the date of the purchase order.
HBL Power Systems reported a 27.1% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit for Q2 FY25, reaching Rs 87.26 crore compared to Rs 68.67 crore in Q2 FY24. However, revenue from operations declined by 6.4% to Rs 520.96 crore for the quarter ended 30 September 2024.
On Friday, HBL Power Systems shares closed at Rs 695.3, up 3.5% on the BSE, while the benchmark Sensex surged 1.04%. The stock has gained 59%so far in 2024 and 540% over the past two years, with the company’s market capitalization now at Rs 19,274 crore.
Technically, the stock's relative strength index (RSI) is at 72.6. According to Trendlyne, RSI above 70 is considered overbought. This implies that stock may show pullback. Additionally, the MACD is at 22, which is above its center and signal Line, this is a bullish indicator.
The stock is trading below its 5-day, 10-day, 20-day, 30-day, 50-day, 100-day, 150-day, and 200-day simple moving averages (SMAs) while trading above SMAs.
Also Read: Hot Stocks: 5 stocks that may give returns between 11-30%
HBL Power Systems specializes in developing and manufacturing products for telecom, industrial, railways, and defense applications. With seven fully integrated manufacturing facilities, the company produces batteries, electronics, and engineered products based on in-house technologies. HBL caters to niche sectors such as telecom, UPS, solar, defense, and railways in India and exports its products to over 80 countries.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
(What's moving Sensex and Nifty Track latest market news, stock tips, Budget 2024 and expert advice, on ETMarkets. Also, ETMarkets.com is now on Telegram. For fastest news alerts on financial markets, investment strategies and stocks alerts, subscribe to our Telegram feeds .)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the Economic Times ePaper Online.and Sensex Today.
Top Trending Stocks: SBI Share Price, Axis Bank Share Price, HDFC Bank Share Price, Infosys Share Price, Wipro Share Price, NTPC Share Price
Read More News on
(What's moving Sensex and Nifty Track latest market news, stock tips, Budget 2024 and expert advice, on ETMarkets. Also, ETMarkets.com is now on Telegram. For fastest news alerts on financial markets, investment strategies and stocks alerts, subscribe to our Telegram feeds .)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the Economic Times ePaper Online.and Sensex Today.
Top Trending Stocks: SBI Share Price, Axis Bank Share Price, HDFC Bank Share Price, Infosys Share Price, Wipro Share Price, NTPC Share Price
|
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/hbl-power-systems-shares-in-focus-after-securing-rs-1522-crore-kavach-order/articleshow/116353055.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:59:19Z
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The joint venture would be structured with a 51:49 equity split, with Global Munition holding the majority share, the company said in an exchange filing on Friday.
The company had recently received an order of Rs 89.20 crore from Singareni Collieries Company, a state-owned firm, for supply of SME explosives, LDC explosives and accessories for use in OB blasting at different Opencast Projects of SCCL to be delivered over a period of 2 years.
Premier Explosives had posted a 27.7% decline in its September quarter net profit at Rs 8.42 crore.
The company produces explosives and & accessories, which include Emulsion and Slurry explosives, LD cartridge explosives, Bulk Explosives, Small-dia non-permitted explosives, Permitted explosives, Cast Boosters, and pillow packs for secondary blasting.
Premier Explosives is India’s first private-sector explosives manufacturer and supplies solid propellants for India's missile programs like Akash, Astra, and LRSAM.
Also read | Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank among top 26 stocks to watch in 2025: ICICI Securities
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
(What's moving Sensex and Nifty Track latest market news, stock tips, Budget 2024 and expert advice, on ETMarkets. Also, ETMarkets.com is now on Telegram. For fastest news alerts on financial markets, investment strategies and stocks alerts, subscribe to our Telegram feeds .)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the Economic Times ePaper Online.and Sensex Today.
Top Trending Stocks: SBI Share Price, Axis Bank Share Price, HDFC Bank Share Price, Infosys Share Price, Wipro Share Price, NTPC Share Price
Read More News on
(What's moving Sensex and Nifty Track latest market news, stock tips, Budget 2024 and expert advice, on ETMarkets. Also, ETMarkets.com is now on Telegram. For fastest news alerts on financial markets, investment strategies and stocks alerts, subscribe to our Telegram feeds .)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the Economic Times ePaper Online.and Sensex Today.
Top Trending Stocks: SBI Share Price, Axis Bank Share Price, HDFC Bank Share Price, Infosys Share Price, Wipro Share Price, NTPC Share Price
|
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/premier-explosives-shares-rally-10-on-signing-mou-to-form-jv-in-defence-and-aerospace/articleshow/116354562.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:59:21Z
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Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster S. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Boxster S 982 My20 2.5L Petrol 2D Roadster
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
- Automatic Stop/Start
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- 20 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Convex Mirror Right Side
- Communication Management System
- Connect App Services
- Connect Plus
- Convertible Top Colour
- Digital Audio Broadcast Radio
- Dynamic Drive
- Driver Foot Rest
- Door Handle Courtesy Lights
- Digital Instrument Cluster
- Driver Mode Selection
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Door Sill Finishers - Embossed/Personalised
- Dry Sump Lubrication System
- Electrically Heated Windscreen
- Exterior Mirrors - Auto Dimming
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Head Airbags
- Head Airbags - Front Seats (side)
- Headlights - Auto On/Off Function
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Windshield
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Leather Armrest - Front
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- LED Indicators
- Light Pack
- Multi-function Display
- Multi-function Steering Wheel - Heated
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Navigation System
- Park Assist 2
- Paddle Shifters on Steering Wheel
- Power Front Seat Driver 14 Way
- Positioning Lights LED
- Power Mirrors With Folding
- Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Power Steering
- Power Front Seats 14 Way with Memory
- Powered Sports Seats
- Power Soft Top
- Power Soft Top - Remote Operation
- Power Windows
- Power Windows With One-Touch Operation
- Rain Sensor
- Red Brake Calipers
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rollover Mitigation System
- Rollover Protection System
- Reversing Camera
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Storage Compartment - Centre Floor Console
- Solar Control Glass Roof
- Sports Exhaust System
- Side Front AirBags
- Side Impact Protection
- Sound Package Plus
- Sports Pedals
- Sound System with 6 Speakers
- Sports Steering Wheel
- Stainless Steel Exhaust System
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Thorax Airbag(s)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Tinted Windows
- Vehicle Stability Management System
- Wind Deflector
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Windscreen With Sunband
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,570
- Aluminium Gear Selector - $1,110
- Air Intake Grilles Painted - $1,060
- Aluminium Gear Knob - $500
- Alcantara Sunvisors - $860
- Alcantara Steering Wheel - $1,580
- Alloy Pedals - $550
- Adaptive Sports Seats Plus - 18 Way - $2,850
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System Plus - $1,150
- Climate Control Panel - Leather - $1,220
- Climate Control Panel - Painted - $1,220
- Ceramic Brakes - $15,370
- Carbon Floor Mats - $1,490
- Coloured Instrument Dials - $1,030
- Carbon Onboard Folder - $1,630
- Customization Package Gear Lever - $1,630
- Coloured Seat Belts - $570
- Carbon Sill Guards - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $2,440
- Carbon Steering Wheel Special - $930
- Coloured Tailpipes - $1,120
- Extended Leather Pack - $1,090
- Embossed Headrests - $470
- Exterior Pack - Painted - $2,960
- Gear Lever - Carbon - $1,050
- Home Link - $600
- Interior Pack - Painted (non leather) - $1,220
- Interior Pack - Painted (leather) - $1,460
- Interior Pack - Wood (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Wood (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Carbon (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Carbon (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (non leather) - $1,250
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (leather) - $1,470
- Interior Trim Pack - $4,250
- Interior Trim Special - $5,750
- Keyless Entry & Drive - $1,470
- Leather Accented Upholstery
- Leather Backrests Sports Seats Plus - $2,810
- Lane Change Assist - $1,220
- Leather Dashboard - $2,520
- LED Dynamic Light System - $2,330
- Leather Interior Exclusive - $7,680
- Leather Interior Pack (without leather interior) - $1,290
- Leather Interior Pack (with leather interior) - $1,540
- Leather Interior Pack Partial Leather Seats - $830
- Leather Int Pack Partial Leather Seats - Two Tone - $1,200
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - $4,410
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - Premium - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Premium Two-tone - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Natural Leather - $6,910
- Leather Int Pk Leather Seats - Nat Leath Two-tone - $7,680
- Leather Interior Two-Tone - $4,410
- Leather Steering Column Surround - $940
- Leather Sill Guards - Special - $1,210
- Leather Sports Steering Wheel - $570
- Leather Sunvisors - $860
- Leather Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery Special - $1,000
- Metallic Paint - $1,870
- Metallic Paint Special - $18,490
- Porsche Active Suspension Management - $3,000
- Painted Alloy Wheels - Premium - $2,500
- Paint Colour Special - $4,920
- Painted Key - $840
- Rollover Bars - Painted - $1,060
- Seatbelt Buckles - Leather - $1,000
- Seatbelt Passage - Painted - $1,030
- Sports Chrono Instrument Dials - $720
- Sports Chrono Package - $3,770
- Sports Design Black Pack - $6,220
- Sports Design Pack - $5,250
- Special Identifying Badging - $540
- Solid Paint
- Solid Paint Special - $18,490
- Sports Seats - Bucket - $6,870
- Sports Seats - Special - $3,060
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - Illuminated - $1,370
- St/Steel Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $1,760
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - $500
- Surround Sound System Premium - $8,220
- Surround Sound System - $2,470
- Tail Lights - Special - $1,290
- Torque Vectoring Differential Rear - $2,750
- Ventilated Front Seats - $1,950
- Wood Gear Selector - $1,050
- Wheel Centres - $340
- Wood Steering Wheel Special - $930
|
https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-boxster-s-982-my20-petrol-2d-roadster-9qazk6xpPN
| 2024-12-16T05:59:21Z
|
Hundreds of new species found living along Mekong River
Researchers working in the Mekong region in South-East Asia have discovered more than 230 as yet unrecorded vertebrate and plant species over the past year, a report from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reveals.Hundreds of scientists working in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam have ...
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https://www.wam.ae/en/article/149sosj-hundreds-new-species-found-living-along-mekong
| 2024-12-16T05:59:25Z
|
Mumbai: The Indian stock market opened in red on Monday as selling was seen in Nifty’s auto, IT, PSU Bank, pharma and metal sectors.
At around 9:32 am, Sensex was trading at 81,876.95 after declining 256.17 points or 0.31 per cent, while the Nifty was trading at 24,705.60 after dropping 62.70 points or 0.25 per cent.
The market trend remained positive. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 1,170 stocks were trading in green, while 571 stocks were in red.
Akshay Chinchalkar of Axis Securities said that Friday’s highly volatile session saw the Nifty slump during the early part of the session, “but the day’s low occurred exactly at the falling neckline of the bullish head-and-shoulders pattern which was activated on December 3 with an upside objective of 25,500.”
This objective remains valid as long as the market stays above 23,873, but more critical support now is the Friday low of 24,180, he added.
Nifty Bank was down 168 points or 0.31 per cent at 53,415.80. Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 59,234.85 after rising 243.30 points or 0.41 per cent. Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 19,515.40 after rising 108.10 points or 0.56 per cent.
According to market experts, the huge positions in F&O segments are causing such heightened volatility in the market. The 500 point move in the nifty from the day’s trough to the peak indicates massive short covering.
In the Sensex pack, NTPC, JSW Steel, M&M, Titan, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Infosys, TCS, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Axis Bank and Tech Mahindra were the top losers. Tata Steel, UltraTech Cement, L&T, ITC, Tata Motors, IndusInd Bank and HCL Tech were the top gainers.
In the Asian markets, except China, the markets of Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, Jakarta and Japan were trading in red.
In US stock markets the Nasdaq Composite ended 0.12 per cent higher and Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.20 per cent down on the previous trading session.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 2,335.32 crore on December 13, while domestic institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 732.20 crore on the same day.
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https://www.siasat.com/indian-share-market-opens-lower-auto-and-it-stocks-drag-3148823/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:26Z
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“Pursuant to Regulation 30 read with para B of part A of schedule Ill of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, and SEBI Circular no. CIR/CFD/CFD-PoD-1/P/CIR/2023/123 dated July 13, 2023, we are pleased to inform you that RITES has received work for Project Implementation Services for the Construction of Integrated Check Post (ICP) from Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India,” said RITES via a filing to the stock exchanges.
The company has informed that the project is expected to be completed in the next 59 months, including the defect liability period.
The shares of RITES have increased by nearly 18% in the last one year as well as on a year-to-date basis. However, in the last 6 and 3 months, the stock has witnessed a decline of 12.8% and 14.74% respectively.
On charts, the stock is trading above its short term exponential moving averages, i.e, 10 and 20 DEMA, but is placed below the medium and long-term (50, 100 and 200) exponential moving averages, according to the Trendlyne data.
The shares of RITES closed 0.74% lower at Rs 296.50 on the BSE on Friday.
Also read: A bullish Nifty may target 25,200: Technical Analysts
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
(What's moving Sensex and Nifty Track latest market news, stock tips, Budget 2024 and expert advice, on ETMarkets. Also, ETMarkets.com is now on Telegram. For fastest news alerts on financial markets, investment strategies and stocks alerts, subscribe to our Telegram feeds .)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the Economic Times ePaper Online.and Sensex Today.
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Read More News on
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Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the Economic Times ePaper Online.and Sensex Today.
Top Trending Stocks: SBI Share Price, Axis Bank Share Price, HDFC Bank Share Price, Infosys Share Price, Wipro Share Price, NTPC Share Price
|
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/rites-shares-rally-4-as-company-bags-rs-298-order-from-ministry-of-external-affairs/articleshow/116353878.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:59:27Z
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FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Detectives have provided new details about the chain of events leading up to a deputy-involved shooting in Fort Lauderdale that left a man dead.
Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives on Sunday identified the man who was killed in Saturday’s shooting as 64-year-old Robert Drangel.
Investigators said the shooting happened in the area of Southwest 21st Avenue, near the Tri-Rail station.
Authorities said four deputies felt threatened by Drangel who was armed and driving a car stolen from a home on Granville Drive in Tamarac.
Detectives said that’s where Drangel assaulted his estranged wife and another person.
The four deputies involved are on administrative duty while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the shooting.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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https://wsvn.com/news/local/broward/bso-man-killed-in-deputy-involved-shooting-in-fort-lauderdale-was-driving-stolen-car-assaulted-estranged-wife/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:29Z
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DHAKA (AFP) : Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who heads the caretaker government installed after an August revolution, said Monday that general elections would be held late next year or in early 2026.
Pressure has been growing on Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus — appointed the country’s “chief adviser” after the student-led uprising that toppled ex-premier Sheikh Hasina in August — to set a date.
The 84-year-old microfinance pioneer is leading a temporary administration to tackle what he has called the “extremely tough” challenge of restoring democratic institutions in the South Asian nation of some 170 million people.
“Election dates could be fixed by the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026,” he said in a broadcast on state television.
Hasina, 77, fled by helicopter to neighbouring India as thousands of protesters stormed the prime minister’s palace in Dhaka.
Her government was also accused of politicising courts and the civil service, as well as staging lopsided elections, to dismantle democratic checks on its power.
Hasina’s 15-year rule saw widespread human rights abuses, including the mass detention and extrajudicial killings of her political opponents.
Yunus has launched commissions to oversee a raft of reforms he says are needed, and setting an election date depends on what political parties agree.
“Throughout, I have emphasised that reforms should take place first before the arrangements for an election,” he said.
“If the political parties agree to hold the election on an earlier date with minimum reforms, such as having a flawless voter list, the election could be held by the end of November,” he added.
But including the full list of electoral reforms would delay polls by a few months, he said.
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https://thefrontierpost.com/bangladesh-to-hold-elections-in-late-2025-or-early-2026-yunus/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:29Z
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Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster S. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Boxster S 982 My20 2.5L Petrol 2D Roadster
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
- Automatic Stop/Start
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- 20 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Convex Mirror Right Side
- Communication Management System
- Connect App Services
- Connect Plus
- Convertible Top Colour
- Digital Audio Broadcast Radio
- Driver Foot Rest
- Door Handle Courtesy Lights
- Digital Instrument Cluster
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Door Sill Finishers - Embossed/Personalised
- Dry Sump Lubrication System
- Electrically Heated Windscreen
- Exterior Mirrors - Auto Dimming
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Head Airbags
- Head Airbags - Front Seats (side)
- Headlights - Auto On/Off Function
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Windshield
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Leather Armrest - Front
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- LED Indicators
- Light Pack
- Multi-function Display
- Multi-function Steering Wheel - Heated
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Navigation System
- Park Assist 2
- Power Front Seat Driver 14 Way
- Positioning Lights LED
- Power Mirrors With Folding
- Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Power Steering
- Power Front Seats 14 Way with Memory
- Powered Sports Seats
- Power Soft Top
- Power Soft Top - Remote Operation
- Power Windows
- Power Windows With One-Touch Operation
- Rain Sensor
- Red Brake Calipers
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rollover Mitigation System
- Rollover Protection System
- Reversing Camera
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Storage Compartment - Centre Floor Console
- Solar Control Glass Roof
- Sports Exhaust System
- Side Front AirBags
- Side Impact Protection
- Sound Package Plus
- Sports Pedals
- Sound System with 6 Speakers
- Sports Steering Wheel
- Stainless Steel Exhaust System
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Thorax Airbag(s)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Tinted Windows
- Vehicle Stability Management System
- Wind Deflector
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Windscreen With Sunband
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,570
- Aluminium Gear Selector - $1,110
- Air Intake Grilles Painted - $1,060
- Aluminium Gear Knob - $500
- Alcantara Sunvisors - $860
- Alcantara Steering Wheel - $1,580
- Alloy Pedals - $550
- Adaptive Sports Seats Plus - 18 Way - $2,850
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System Plus - $1,150
- Climate Control Panel - Leather - $1,220
- Climate Control Panel - Painted - $1,220
- Ceramic Brakes - $15,370
- Carbon Floor Mats - $1,490
- Coloured Instrument Dials - $1,030
- Carbon Onboard Folder - $1,630
- Customization Package Gear Lever - $1,630
- Coloured Seat Belts - $570
- Carbon Sill Guards - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $2,440
- Carbon Steering Wheel Special - $930
- Coloured Tailpipes - $1,120
- Extended Leather Pack - $1,090
- Embossed Headrests - $470
- Exterior Pack - Painted - $2,690
- Gear Lever - Carbon - $1,050
- Home Link - $600
- Interior Pack - Painted (non leather) - $1,220
- Interior Pack - Painted (leather) - $1,460
- Interior Pack - Wood (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Wood (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Carbon (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Carbon (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (non leather) - $1,250
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (leather) - $1,470
- Interior Trim Pack - $4,250
- Interior Trim Special - $5,750
- Keyless Entry & Drive - $1,470
- Leather Accented Upholstery
- Leather Backrests Sports Seats Plus - $2,810
- Lane Change Assist - $1,220
- Leather Dashboard - $2,520
- LED Dynamic Light System - $2,330
- Leather Interior Exclusive - $7,680
- Leather Interior Pack (without leather interior) - $1,290
- Leather Interior Pack (with leather interior) - $1,540
- Leather Interior Pack Partial Leather Seats - $830
- Leather Int Pack Partial Leather Seats - Two Tone - $1,200
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - $4,410
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - Premium - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Premium Two-tone - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Natural Leather - $6,910
- Leather Int Pk Leather Seats - Nat Leath Two-tone - $7,680
- Leather Interior Two-Tone - $4,410
- Leather Steering Column Surround - $940
- Leather Sill Guards - Special - $1,210
- Leather Sports Steering Wheel - $570
- Leather Sunvisors - $860
- Leather Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery Special - $1,000
- Metallic Paint - $1,870
- Metallic Paint Special - $18,490
- Porsche Active Suspension Management - $3,000
- Painted Alloy Wheels - Premium - $2,500
- Paint Colour Special - $4,920
- Painted Key - $840
- Rollover Bars - Painted - $1,060
- Seatbelt Buckles - Leather - $1,000
- Seatbelt Passage - Painted - $1,030
- Sports Chrono Instrument Dials - $720
- Sports Chrono Package - $3,770
- Sports Design Black Pack - $6,220
- Sports Design Pack - $5,250
- Special Identifying Badging - $540
- Solid Paint
- Solid Paint Special - $18,490
- Sports Seats - Bucket - $6,870
- Sports Seats - Special - $3,060
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - Illuminated - $1,370
- St/Steel Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $1,760
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - $500
- Surround Sound System Premium - $8,220
- Surround Sound System - $2,470
- Tail Lights - Special - $1,290
- Torque Vectoring Differential Rear - $2,750
- Ventilated Front Seats - $1,950
- Wood Gear Selector - $1,050
- Wheel Centres - $340
- Wood Steering Wheel Special - $930
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https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-boxster-s-982-my20-petrol-2d-roadster-Mc8edv9254
| 2024-12-16T05:59:29Z
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Obiter is the name of off-the-cuff or casual observations expressed by a court during the course of proceedings and, even though they sometimes can form part of the written order, are not considered part of “precedent” to be later followed by subordinate courts or courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
There are three parts to any judgement: a) the facts and the law applied to them, b) the reasoning which leads to the decision, and c) the decision itself. Only the second part, the ratio decidendi or reasoning that the court relied on to arrive at its conclusion, is considered precedent or the guidance which binds courts, subordinate as well as of coordinate jurisdiction, which are required to follow it in subsequent matters to be decided consistent with that precedent (until it is overruled, dissented from or distinguished, in later proceedings in the interregnum).
One such obiter remark from the Supreme Court has opened the floodgates of judicial license towards admitting cases and passing alarming orders inviting the opening of floodgates of motivated legal proceedings calling in question the religious character and origins of minority places of worship in derogation of the constitutionally guaranteed position statutorily encapsulated in the “Places of Worship Act”.
Places of Worship Act
That that Act is being repeatedly misinterpreted, misapplied and abused is manifest and clear to any thinking mind which can claim a lack of bias. There are still any number of people who choose to believe that a very large number of mosques if not all, should be dug up to ascertain whether they were temples that were destroyed and mosques built on the site of the possibly destroyed temples. There are also some segments that are “more inclusive” (in an acutely literal but deliberately warped sense), which hold that all places of worship belonging to minorities should be done away with and all signs of their existence erased. Some, given to thinking big, extrapolate that to a larger more expansive canvas, extending this thought to cover Mughal monuments as well in order to remove all traces, especially of Muslim presence, from the nation.
Why not Pakistan and Bangladesh?
Thinking again, why even stop there? These worthies would do well to remember that at one point what are now Pakistan and Bangladesh were also parts of the same nation which stood colonised by the British and whatever came to happen within what is today Bharat would have also happened in what is today Pakistan and Bangladesh, and therefore it would be appropriate for them to include, in their grand scheme, the survey and demolition of all Muslim and Christian places of worship not just in India but in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well. Come to think of it, perhaps they should include Buddhist and Parsi places of worship as well. More inclusive, you see.
However, these are just brazen in-your-face matters, and, away from the light focused on these breaking news events, there are much more “interesting”, much more volatile, much more ominous things happening. More and more learned judges including of the high courts are coming out in open publicly stated support of a partisan and biased view which is violative of their constitutional oath of office and their duty as citizens to uphold the constitution, its principles, ideals, and values. It is of course good to think that such judges ought to be shown the door so that others of similar inclination think again before going ahead with such unacceptable utterances.
“Casual utterance” gaining legitimacy
It is, however, perhaps not without significance that these utterances find expression not infrequently in events sponsored or conducted by one specific group that subscribes to a line of thinking that again falls foul of constitutional expectations. On one hand, sitting judges’ participation in these events can sow in their minds the seeds of partisan thinking that compromise their ability to steer clear of bias in their decisions; on the other hand, sitting judges’ participation in these events sees the legitimisation of these events, however hostile to inclusive pluralism in national life they may be. Both consequences are unacceptable from a patriot’s point of view.
As a general proposition we can say that judges ought not to attend such events nor should they make such statements. That would be a very superficial ineffective and pointless platitude. I say this because if a few judges of high courts have deemed it safe to come forward and express such views, earlier confined to the shadows, it can only indicate that a much larger number of judges hold such views, only some of whom have given expression to them. Could the expressions be a testing of the waters and an invitation to a judicial fifth column to stand up and be counted?
Miscarriage of justice
There are two aspects to this: one is that this shows that the malaise of shockingly anti-constitutional thinking, which completely derogates from the requirement of judicious disposal of legal disputes, has taken root among a large number of judges but is as yet very openly manifested in their statements; two, that where there are disputes which involve competing claims between members of minority and majority groups, it is almost certain that judges who subscribe to such regrettable and even offensive thinking are extremely likely to deliver judgments which are inconsistent with the law and result in serious miscarriages of justice.
This causes sections of the people who are at the receiving end of such unjust decisions to start believing that the system as such has become hostile to their interests and they are not likely to get justice within the system. If this happens the logical extension of that thought is for people constrained to believe thus, to look for ways to redress their grievances outside the system perceived as “hostile”, and the dangers of that leading to alienation and worse, cannot be overemphasised.
There is no method by which the minds of judges can be read and just as there are moles in the spying since there can be elements within the judiciary that are presently “asleep” but will “wake up” when the time comes to deliver results: decisions which are consistent with a certain worldview which does not conform to or uphold Indian constitutional principles that “nevertheless ought to inform every organ of governance” as the Directive Principles of State Policy say, but actively operates to destroy those.
Persons with ideological slant
I have long stated that people with an ideological slant that is likely to compete with the requirements of constitutionality and constitutional values and principles ought not to be elevated to judicial office. They ought to be filtered out of every office. Be that as it may, it is obvious that a person need not always wear his heart on his sleeve and there can be any number of judicial officers who subscribe to minority-hostile, communal, exclusivist views but keep them under wraps to project political correctness and to acquire, and be able to resort to, plausible deniability, as and when occasion could arise.
Of a recent case which caught national headlines the Supreme Court is reported to have called for a report from the concerned high court and possibly some steps will follow. Will that suffice? If towards solving the problem, clearly no.
If towards driving the manifestation of this line of objectionable, unconstitutional thinking, violative of the judicial oath of office, and suggestive of a degraded and despicable human spirit as it is, underground, or into the shadows, very emphatically yes.
The risk then is that hidden there, it will be nurtured, nursed, allowed to come of age, and acquire strength when it can burst forth in all its malignant power. Any intelligent judge can harbour such views, not reveal them, project propriety, and only allow them to rear their heads in so subtle a manner as to ensure that he or she cannot be called to account. After all, judges can and do make mistakes, and there is a law conferring immunity on judges.
I desperately hope there is no truth in the rumour that more and more people elevated to judicial office must first pass a certain quiet, unstated, unofficial “test of allegiance”, and only thereafter is their candidature for judicial office considered. If that rumour has some basis, however tenuous, we can be excused for worrying that we may find more and more courts packed with judges pliant towards a certain ideological stance, and therefore not free agents at all, unable to adjudicate matters according to the dictates of their consciences, or conforming to the Constitution and the law.
Drastic steps required
There is a call therefore to appreciate that very drastic steps have to be taken if the message is to percolate to judicial officers right down the line, from the highest up to the lowest, that every judgement delivered, every order made, every bail application denied and allowed, shall be vetted by a panel of retired Supreme Court judges constituted into a Judicial Accountability Commission which can be addressed by those who believe that they are a victim of a biased decision which is violated of these constitutional guarantees; if that judicial accountability committee comes to the conclusion that such is in fact the case the judges who passed the objectionable orders shall be removed from judicial office once an inquiry finds them culpable; till such time as the inquiry is concluded they should not be assigned any judicial work.
This too is not an effective mechanism because the reality “out there” is that more and more we find that people who have been convicted of offences are, despite their conviction, or even because of the conviction being for offences against minority groups, treated to receptions with sweets and garlands and fanfare on display counting them as heroes among the populace, whatever the law might have said about them. It is extremely likely that these honourable gentlemen thereafter soon find themselves participating in elections and then holding high political office.
In cases like Manzar Sayeed Khan v. State of Maharashtra, where communication is by ordinary persons, the SC said the effect of the words must be judged from the standards of reasonable, strong-minded, firm, and courageous men and not those of weak and vacillating minds, nor of those who scent danger in every hostile point of view.
‘Pro-active officials’
Absolutely, but when words pregnant with meaning, intended or incidental, fall from the mouths of “reasonable, strong-minded, firm and courageous men” themselves, others holding judicial office lower down, of weak and vacillating minds, who scent danger in every minority point of view, eager to misinterpret law and gloat at miscarriages of justice, ably supported by trigger-happy “pro-active” officials in administration waiting for opportunities to strike, can and do play havoc.
It is thus of great significance for those holding high judicial office to realise that their letting their guard down while pontificating from the bench and making unnecessary statements that can be misconstrued by judges lower down, or are so often eagerly and deliberately misinterpreted by administrations hostile to minorities, is actively eroding national cohesion, actively destroying a potentially powerful India.
One wonders whether these persons are not liable to be charged, to be tried and punished for not only committing, but also actively instigating, abetting and encouraging regrettable acts, violative of law and destructive of the constitutional fabric, the judicial fabric and, in fact, the very fabric of our nation’s pluralistic, inclusive and secular credentials. Of these it can be said that they are the real fifth column, the traitors.
That it was the Supreme Court that opened Pandora’s box with its casual observation makes one wonder whether people who reach that level of judicial authority should not be more circumspect in their speech, more careful in their choice of words, more reticent about what need not be said, more aware of the likely consequences and fall-out of unnecessary observations and advisory statements, more responsible towards the Constitutional accountability that their office carries, and less prone to seek contrived glory from the publicity that follows every scandalous or sensationalist statement covertly aimed at pleasing the powers that be in search of post-retirement security and official frills.
Maybe it is too late already.
Jai Hind!
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https://www.siasat.com/is-the-places-of-worship-act-under-threat-or-is-the-judiciary-on-trial-3148828/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:32Z
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China announces measures to modernise retail industry
The Chinese government issued a document on Monday outlining key tasks in five aspects to promote the high-quality development of the nation's retail industry over the next five years.According to China Central Television (CCTV), the implementation plan for enhancing retail innovation outlines the count...
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https://www.wam.ae/en/article/149sosu-china-announces-measures-modernise-retail
| 2024-12-16T05:59:32Z
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The target price given by the domestic brokerage firm indicates an upside of 20% for the stock from its Friday’s closing price.
Axis Capital believes that Swiggy is in second place but is still in the race.
“Compelling investment opportunity as India's second-largest Q-com/food-delivery player as the food-delivery and Q-com businesses remain underpenetrated, with a long growth runway,” said Axis Capital in its note.
Swiggy's ambitious store expansion targets in Q-com should aid its GOV and top-line growth, while its cost control is also improving. The brokerage firm added that Swiggy's ideation and innovation abilities, along with its strengthened leadership team, should help it maintain its position as a market leader.
Also read: Dixon Technologies shares rise 2% as it forms joint venture with Vivo to manufacture smartphones in India
Additionally, about 11.1 lakh shares of the company have also witnessed a change of hands in a block deal in an early trade today. However, the official parties to the transaction are not currently known.
The shares of Swiggy got listed on the exchanges earlier in the month of November at a price of Rs 420 on the NSE and Rs 412 on the BSE. Since then, the stock has increased by 30% and nearly 32% on the NSE and the BSE respectively.
Currently, on charts, the stock is trading above all its significant exponential moving averages and is oscillating near the 61 mark on the relative strength indicator (RSI).
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
(What's moving Sensex and Nifty Track latest market news, stock tips, Budget 2024 and expert advice, on ETMarkets. Also, ETMarkets.com is now on Telegram. For fastest news alerts on financial markets, investment strategies and stocks alerts, subscribe to our Telegram feeds .)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the Economic Times ePaper Online.and Sensex Today.
Top Trending Stocks: SBI Share Price, Axis Bank Share Price, HDFC Bank Share Price, Infosys Share Price, Wipro Share Price, NTPC Share Price
Read More News on
(What's moving Sensex and Nifty Track latest market news, stock tips, Budget 2024 and expert advice, on ETMarkets. Also, ETMarkets.com is now on Telegram. For fastest news alerts on financial markets, investment strategies and stocks alerts, subscribe to our Telegram feeds .)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the Economic Times ePaper Online.and Sensex Today.
Top Trending Stocks: SBI Share Price, Axis Bank Share Price, HDFC Bank Share Price, Infosys Share Price, Wipro Share Price, NTPC Share Price
|
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/swiggy-shares-jump-2-after-axis-capital-initiates-coverage-with-rs-640-target/articleshow/116353714.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:59:33Z
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FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A sweet South Florida pup is being nursed back to health after X-ray scans revealed a shocking discovery.
Plum is receiving lots of love this weekend as she recovers from surgery.
Officials with the Humane Society of Broward County said the 3-year-old dog was brought in to their shelter in Fort Lauderdale from a rural area.
Officials said Plum was in rough condition when she came in, so they knew she needed a lot of care. And so the work began.
Veterinary technician Shelley Henry said their checkup unearthed something disturbing.
“So. Plum was being prepped for surgery, just a regular spay surgery, and as we were moving her from the prep table to the surgery table, our hands kind of ran along her legs, and we could feel a lump that just didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel like it belonged,” she said.
An X-ray revealed what the lump was.
“When we X-rayed her leg, we could see what appeared to be a metal object,” said Henry. “After it was removed, when she had her spay, we removed the object from her leg, and it appeared to be a .22 bullet that was smashed in her leg.”
It was a surprising discovery, as there was no open wound on her leg. Henry said that probably means Plum was shot a long time ago.
“The fur was growing back, everything. It just looked perfectly normal,” she said. “There was absolutely no indication that there was anything wrong with this dog’s leg, apart from the fact that you could feel this hard lump.”
Plum underwent surgery to remove the bullet, as well as heartworm treatment.
It made all the difference. Now she’s hoping to find a loving family with lots of TLC. The shelter said she is a playful, loving and energetic pup who loves to bask in the sun.
The Humane Society of Broward County asks anyone interested in adopting her, or any of the other pets at their shelter, to call them at 954-989-3977 or go to their website for more information.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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https://wsvn.com/news/local/broward/x-rays-reveal-bullet-lodged-in-leg-of-dog-brought-to-broward-humane-society-shelter/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:35Z
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JERUSALEM: Israel’s government has approved a plan to increase the number of settlers in the illegally occupied Golan Heights, days after seizing more Syrian territory following the toppling of Syria’s longtime leader Bashar al-Assad.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the government had “unanimously approved” the “demographic development” of the occupied territory, which would seek to double the Israeli population there.
The new plan is only for the portion of the Golan Heights that Israel has occupied since 1967. In 1981, Israel’s Knesset moved to impose Israeli law over the territory, in an effective annexation.
The plan does not relate to the portion of Syrian land seized by Israel in the wake of al-Assad’s toppling a week ago. The seized area, which had been demilitarised as part of an agreement reached after the 1973 war, also includes Mount Hermon overlooking the Syrian capital Damascus.
In a statement, Netanyahu praised the plan, which provides more than 40 million shekels ($11m) to increase the settler population.
There are about 31,000 Israeli settlers spread across dozens of illegal settlements in the Golan Heights already. They live alongside minority groups, including the Druze, who predominantly identify as Syrian.
“Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time,” Netanyahu said. “We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom, and settle in it.”
Reporting from Amman, Jordan, Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh said the approval comes at what Israel views as an “opportune moment”.
While Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights is illegal under international law, during his first term in office, from 2017 to 2021, US President-elect Donald Trump made the United States the first country in the world to officially recognise Israeli sovereignty over the area.
Trump is set to retake office again on January 20 after winning the US presidential election in November.
“Netanyahu is using this moment to announce more settlement activity in order to entrench that occupation and make it permanent,” Odeh said. “Much like he’s doing in the occupied West Bank: land grab, settlements, permanent occupation.”
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s office said he had discussed the situation in Syria during a phone call with Trump on Saturday. He also discussed efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Despite Israel launching hundreds of strikes on Syrian sites since opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew al-Assad and moved to create a transitional government, Netanyahu said: “We have no interest in conflict with Syria.”
He said the attacks were to “thwart the potential threats from Syria and to prevent the takeover of terrorist elements near our border”.
On Sunday, Saudi Arabia was among the first to condemn Israel’s new plan to increase the number of settlers, while accusing Israeli leaders of seeking to sabotage Syria’s fledgling transition.
courtesy : al jazeera
|
https://thefrontierpost.com/israel-approves-plan-to-surge-settler-population-in-occupied-golan-heights/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:35Z
|
Damascus: Israeli warplanes launched multiple airstrikes, targeting former military arsenals across Syria, according to a war monitor.
The latest raids hit missile bases in Battalion 107 near Zama and weapons warehouses in rural Tartus, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Sunday.
Earlier on Sunday evening, an Israeli jet reportedly struck radar installations at the Deir Al-Zour Military Airport in eastern Syria.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli aircraft targeted former munitions depots dug into mountains in Rural Damascus, causing a series of powerful explosions.
There were no reports of casualties.
These attacks are part of an ongoing military campaign by Israel that began on December 8, targeting any remaining military capabilities linked to Syria’s former leadership, as the country’s new authorities are working to stabilise the country’s security situation.
Israeli troops entered the United Nations-patrolled buffer zone that separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights last weekend in a move the UN said violated the 1974 armistice agreement.
The United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said Israel launched 61 missiles at Syrian military sites in less than five hours overnight, striking military warehouses in Homs, Deraa, Suwayda, and the Qalamoun mountains near Damascus, as well as air defences at the Hama airport.
The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and de-facto head of Syria’s new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa, said Israelis can no longer justify their recent actions in Syria, but added that his country was not in a position to be drawn into a new conflict.
“The Israelis have clearly crossed the disengagement line in Syria, which threatens a new unjustified escalation in the region,” al-Sharaa said, adding that despite the violation, “the general exhaustion in Syria after years of war and conflict does not allow us to enter new conflicts.”
“The priority at this stage is reconstruction and stability,” he added.
For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country had “no interest in a conflict with Syria”, adding that Israeli actions in the country were intended to “thwart the potential threats from Syria and to prevent the takeover of terrorist elements near our border”.
Meanwhile, the US said on Saturday that it had made contact with HTS, despite the US having designated the group as “terrorist” in 2018.
“We’ve been in contact with HTS and with other parties,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters, without specifying how the contact took place.
Blinken and other diplomats from the Arab states and Turkey held talks on Syria in Aqaba, Jordan, on Saturday.
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https://www.siasat.com/israel-continues-airstrikes-across-syria-targeting-military-arsenals-3148785/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:38Z
|
Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Cayman 982 My19 2.0L Petrol 2D Coupe
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
- Automatic Stop/Start
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- 19 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Black Brake Calipers
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Convex Mirror Right Side
- Communication Management System
- Connect App Services
- Connect Plus
- Convertible Top Colour
- Digital Audio Broadcast Radio
- Driver Foot Rest
- Door Handle Courtesy Lights
- Digital Instrument Cluster
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Door Sill Finishers - Embossed/Personalised
- Dry Sump Lubrication System
- Electrically Heated Windscreen
- Exterior Mirrors - Auto Dimming
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Head Airbags
- Head Airbags - Front Seats (side)
- Headlights - Auto On/Off Function
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Windshield
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Leather Armrest - Front
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- LED Indicators
- Light Pack
- Multi-function Display
- Multi-function Steering Wheel - Heated
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Navigation System
- Park Assist 2
- Power Front Seat Driver 14 Way
- Positioning Lights LED
- Power Mirrors With Folding
- Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Power Steering
- Power Front Seats 14 Way with Memory
- Powered Sports Seats
- Power Soft Top
- Power Soft Top - Remote Operation
- Power Windows
- Power Windows With One-Touch Operation
- Rain Sensor
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rollover Mitigation System
- Rollover Protection System
- Reversing Camera
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Storage Compartment - Centre Floor Console
- Solar Control Glass Roof
- Sports Exhaust System
- Side Front AirBags
- Side Impact Protection
- Sound Package Plus
- Sports Pedals
- Sound System with 6 Speakers
- Sports Steering Wheel
- Stainless Steel Exhaust System
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Thorax Airbag(s)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Tinted Windows
- Vehicle Stability Management System
- Wind Deflector
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Windscreen With Sunband
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,570
- Aluminium Gear Selector - $1,110
- Air Intake Grilles Painted - $1,060
- Aluminium Gear Knob - $500
- Alcantara Sunvisors - $860
- Alcantara Steering Wheel - $1,580
- Alloy Pedals - $550
- Adaptive Sports Seats Plus - 18 Way - $2,850
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System Plus - $1,150
- Climate Control Panel - Leather - $1,220
- Climate Control Panel - Painted - $1,220
- Ceramic Brakes - $15,370
- Carbon Floor Mats - $1,490
- Coloured Instrument Dials - $1,030
- Carbon Onboard Folder - $1,630
- Customization Package Gear Lever - $1,630
- Coloured Seat Belts - $570
- Carbon Sill Guards - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $2,440
- Carbon Steering Wheel Special - $930
- Coloured Tailpipes - $1,120
- Extended Leather Pack - $1,090
- Embossed Headrests - $470
- Exterior Pack - Painted - $2,690
- Gear Lever - Carbon - $1,050
- Home Link - $600
- Interior Pack - Painted (non leather) - $1,220
- Interior Pack - Painted (leather) - $1,460
- Interior Pack - Wood (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Wood (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Carbon (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Carbon (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (non leather) - $1,250
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (leather) - $1,470
- Interior Trim Pack - $4,250
- Interior Trim Special - $5,750
- Keyless Entry & Drive - $1,470
- Leather Accented Upholstery
- Leather Backrests Sports Seats Plus - $2,810
- Lane Change Assist - $1,220
- Leather Dashboard - $2,520
- LED Dynamic Light System - $2,330
- Leather Interior Exclusive - $7,680
- Leather Interior Pack (without leather interior) - $1,290
- Leather Interior Pack (with leather interior) - $1,540
- Leather Interior Pack Partial Leather Seats - $830
- Leather Int Pack Partial Leather Seats - Two Tone - $1,200
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - $4,410
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - Premium - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Premium Two-tone - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Natural Leather - $6,910
- Leather Int Pk Leather Seats - Nat Leath Two-tone - $7,680
- Leather Interior Two-Tone - $4,410
- Leather Steering Column Surround - $940
- Leather Sill Guards - Special - $1,210
- Leather Sports Steering Wheel - $570
- Leather Sunvisors - $860
- Leather Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery Special - $1,000
- Metallic Paint - $1,870
- Metallic Paint Special - $18,490
- Painted Alloy Wheels - Premium - $2,500
- Paint Colour Special - $4,920
- Painted Key - $840
- Rollover Bars - Painted - $1,060
- Seatbelt Buckles - Leather - $1,000
- Seatbelt Passage - Painted - $1,030
- Sports Chrono Instrument Dials - $720
- Sports Design Black Pack - $6,220
- Special Identifying Badging - $540
- Solid Paint
- Solid Paint Special - $18,490
- Sports Seats - Bucket - $6,870
- Sports Seats - Special - $3,060
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - Illuminated - $1,370
- St/Steel Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $1,760
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - $500
- Surround Sound System Premium - $8,220
- Surround Sound System - $2,470
- Ventilated Front Seats - $1,950
- Wood Gear Selector - $1,050
- Wheel Centres - $340
- Wood Steering Wheel Special - $930
|
https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-cayman-982-my19-petrol-2d-coupe-FHvyZABbWV
| 2024-12-16T05:59:37Z
|
The pharmaceutical company said in an exchange filing, that Zaynich effectively treated a 73-year-old US patient with bile duct cancer who was suffering from chronic bile duct infections caused by extensively drug-resistant pathogens. The treatment enabled the patient to undergo a successful liver transplant and resume chemotherapy.
This is the latest development in a series of compassionate use cases where Zaynich has been deployed to treat life-threatening Gram-negative infections, the company said, adding that to date, 45 patients have benefited from this investigational drug under such programs.
Zaynich is Wockhardt’s proprietary antibiotic targeting multi-drug resistant gram-negative infections. The drug is currently nearing the completion of Phase III trials, which are expected to support its global registration and marketing authorization.
Earlier clinical pharmacology studies were conducted in the United States, and additional trials are ongoing in India for the treatment of carbapenem-resistant infections.
The company has a portfolio of six products at various stages of clinical development and commercialization, each granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product status by the US FDA.
Also read | Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank among top 26 stocks to watch in 2025: ICICI Securities
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|
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/wockhardt-shares-surge-over-8-on-liver-transplant-news/articleshow/116354340.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:59:40Z
|
LARGO, Fla. (WSVN) — A missing child near Clearwater was found safe, thanks to a clever K-9 named Duke.
Duke, a K-9 with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, was given the scent from the child’s belongings and took off, leading them through the Largo neighborhood on Friday.
The search ended at a covered car, where Duke found the child hiding underneath.
Thanks to the pup’s sharp nose and quick action, the child was found 20 minutes after going missing.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
https://wsvn.com/news/local/florida/pinellas-county-sheriffs-office-k-9-finds-missing-child-near-clearwater-20-minutes-after-disappearance/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:41Z
|
Dhaka: Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who heads the caretaker government installed after an August revolution, said Monday that general elections would be held late next year or in early 2026.
"Election dates could be fixed by the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026," Yunus said in a broadcast on state television.
"Election dates could be fixed by the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026," Yunus said in a broadcast on state television.
(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2024 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.
(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2024 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.
|
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/bangladesh-to-hold-elections-in-late-2025-or-early-2026-muhammad-yunus/articleshow/116353599.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:59:41Z
|
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP): A Syria war monitor said early Monday that Israeli strikes had targeted military sites in Syria’s coastal Tartus region, calling them “the heaviest strikes” in the area in more than a decade.
“Israeli warplanes launched strikes” targeting a series of sites including air defense units and “surface-to-surface missile depots,” said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, in what it said were “the heaviest strikes in Syria’s coastal region since the start of strikes in 2012.”
|
https://thefrontierpost.com/syria-war-monitor-says-israel-struck-military-targets-on-syrian-coast/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:42Z
|
Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Home, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, clarified on Sunday, December 15, that he is not in the running for the position of Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president.
Kumar addressed the issue, stating that some of his followers had been posting messages on social media suggesting he would take over as president of the BJP’s Telangana unit. Additionally, certain media channels had been broadcasting similar news. While his supporters shared these messages out of affection, Kumar noted that he was personally facing difficulties due to misleading videos being circulated on social media. He also pointed out that such rumors were harmful to the party’s interests.
Brushing aside reports of him being reelected as Telangana BJP president, Kumar labeled these claims as baseless rumors.
He clarified that the party had already assigned him a greater responsibility as Union Minister of State, indicating his focus on fulfilling those duties.
Kumar urged his supporters and the media to refrain from spreading such speculative news on social media.
“The party will make a collective decision on the Telangana president, and everyone will have to respect and adhere to it,” he told the media.
|
https://www.siasat.com/not-in-race-to-become-telangana-bjp-president-bandi-sanjay-3148805/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:44Z
|
Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Cayman 982 My19 2.0L Petrol 2D Coupe
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
- Automatic Stop/Start
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- 19 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Black Brake Calipers
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Convex Mirror Right Side
- Communication Management System
- Connect App Services
- Connect Plus
- Convertible Top Colour
- Digital Audio Broadcast Radio
- Dynamic Drive
- Driver Foot Rest
- Door Handle Courtesy Lights
- Digital Instrument Cluster
- Driver Mode Selection
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Door Sill Finishers - Embossed/Personalised
- Dry Sump Lubrication System
- Electrically Heated Windscreen
- Exterior Mirrors - Auto Dimming
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Head Airbags
- Head Airbags - Front Seats (side)
- Headlights - Auto On/Off Function
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Windshield
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Leather Armrest - Front
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- LED Indicators
- Light Pack
- Multi-function Display
- Multi-function Steering Wheel - Heated
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Navigation System
- Park Assist 2
- Paddle Shifters on Steering Wheel
- Power Front Seat Driver 14 Way
- Positioning Lights LED
- Power Mirrors With Folding
- Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Power Steering
- Power Front Seats 14 Way with Memory
- Powered Sports Seats
- Power Soft Top
- Power Soft Top - Remote Operation
- Power Windows
- Power Windows With One-Touch Operation
- Rain Sensor
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rollover Mitigation System
- Rollover Protection System
- Reversing Camera
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Storage Compartment - Centre Floor Console
- Solar Control Glass Roof
- Sports Exhaust System
- Side Front AirBags
- Side Impact Protection
- Sound Package Plus
- Sports Pedals
- Sound System with 6 Speakers
- Sports Steering Wheel
- Stainless Steel Exhaust System
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Thorax Airbag(s)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Tinted Windows
- Vehicle Stability Management System
- Wind Deflector
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Windscreen With Sunband
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,570
- Aluminium Gear Selector - $1,110
- Air Intake Grilles Painted - $1,060
- Aluminium Gear Knob - $500
- Alcantara Sunvisors - $860
- Alcantara Steering Wheel - $1,580
- Alloy Pedals - $550
- Adaptive Sports Seats Plus - 18 Way - $2,850
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System Plus - $1,150
- Climate Control Panel - Leather - $1,220
- Climate Control Panel - Painted - $1,220
- Ceramic Brakes - $15,370
- Carbon Floor Mats - $1,490
- Coloured Instrument Dials - $1,030
- Carbon Onboard Folder - $1,630
- Customization Package Gear Lever - $1,630
- Coloured Seat Belts - $570
- Carbon Sill Guards - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $2,440
- Carbon Steering Wheel Special - $930
- Coloured Tailpipes - $1,120
- Extended Leather Pack - $1,090
- Embossed Headrests - $470
- Exterior Pack - Painted - $2,960
- Gear Lever - Carbon - $1,050
- Home Link - $600
- Interior Pack - Painted (non leather) - $1,220
- Interior Pack - Painted (leather) - $1,460
- Interior Pack - Wood (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Wood (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Carbon (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Carbon (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (non leather) - $1,250
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (leather) - $1,470
- Interior Trim Pack - $4,250
- Interior Trim Special - $5,750
- Keyless Entry & Drive - $1,470
- Leather Accented Upholstery
- Leather Backrests Sports Seats Plus - $2,810
- Lane Change Assist - $1,220
- Leather Dashboard - $2,520
- LED Dynamic Light System - $2,330
- Leather Interior Exclusive - $7,680
- Leather Interior Pack (without leather interior) - $1,290
- Leather Interior Pack (with leather interior) - $1,540
- Leather Interior Pack Partial Leather Seats - $830
- Leather Int Pack Partial Leather Seats - Two Tone - $1,200
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - $4,410
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - Premium - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Premium Two-tone - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Natural Leather - $6,910
- Leather Int Pk Leather Seats - Nat Leath Two-tone - $7,680
- Leather Interior Two-Tone - $4,410
- Leather Steering Column Surround - $940
- Leather Sill Guards - Special - $1,210
- Leather Sports Steering Wheel - $570
- Leather Sunvisors - $860
- Leather Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery Special - $1,000
- Metallic Paint - $1,870
- Metallic Paint Special - $18,490
- Painted Alloy Wheels - Premium - $2,500
- Paint Colour Special - $4,920
- Painted Key - $840
- Rollover Bars - Painted - $1,060
- Seatbelt Buckles - Leather - $1,000
- Seatbelt Passage - Painted - $1,030
- Sports Chrono Instrument Dials - $720
- Sports Design Black Pack - $6,220
- Special Identifying Badging - $540
- Solid Paint
- Solid Paint Special - $18,490
- Sports Seats - Bucket - $6,870
- Sports Seats - Special - $3,060
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - Illuminated - $1,370
- St/Steel Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $1,760
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - $500
- Surround Sound System Premium - $8,220
- Surround Sound System - $2,470
- Ventilated Front Seats - $1,950
- Wood Gear Selector - $1,050
- Wheel Centres - $340
- Wood Steering Wheel Special - $930
|
https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-cayman-982-my19-petrol-2d-coupe-TbD2vrxFsG
| 2024-12-16T05:59:44Z
|
NEW DELHI: The mad scramble for plastic trays at airports' pre-embarkation security check points for keeping personal electronic devices (PEDs), chargers and liquids separately from cabin bags has just got a little longer. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has asked airport operators not to install 3D computed tomography X-ray (CTX) machines for scanning cabin bag that would have allowed these things to remain inside bags.
For now, airports need to instead stick to the currently used 2D tech scanners that require electronics and liquids to be taken out. The reason: a high-powered multi-agency is examining the “suitability” of 3D CTX technology and whether it meets all threats that aviation in our country faces, said multiple people in the know.
This high-powered committee is also examining technology of body scanners — that do away with pat down checks of passengers — from an Indian perspective. “This committee is expected to shortly take a call on both CT X-ray and body scanners. Once the norms are finalised, airport operators will then be asked to change the security furniture in one go,” said sources.
“The question we asked ourselves is whether we should blindly go for the 3D X-ray scanners being used in the US and Europe since we have our own unique threat perception. Then it was decided to come out with India-specific norms or requirements for this technology factoring in our concerns. That will require original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to tweak their scanners for use at Indian airports,” they said.
The same panel is looking at full body scanners (FBS) from a “cultural aspect” of India. “People here use certain things for religious reasons. There are other things like, say gold bangles, which may sometimes be difficult to remove. The chunnat (layers) of saris/lungis are another aspect. The norms for body scanners from Indian perspective are also being looked at and will be issued shortly. OEMs of these products are on board and these items will be made from an Indian perspective,” they added.
While 3D CT X-ray machines are awaited to make pre-embarkation security check more seamless and end the mad scramble for plastic trays — that worsens in winters as at least one more tray is needed per passenger for jackets, — FBS promise to make checks more thorough, quicker and less intrusive with no pat down needed.
The rethink comes after BCAS had last year given Dec 31, 2023, deadline for airports handling 50 lakh and more passengers annually were to install CTX machines for cabin bag checks. And all hyper sensitive airports seeing a crore and more passengers annually were to introduce FBS by the same date. And all big new airports like greater Noida and Navi Mumbai were to open with these systems in place. However, now first the norms are awaited and then OEMs have to make machines meeting the same available before they can be ordered amid global supply chain issues and then installed at Indian airports.
“We expect the high powered committee to give its decision on norms from an Indian perspective soon. Then OEMs will have to make equipment that meets these requirements. Hopefully next year we should see rollout of these much-awaited systems,” said people in the know.
|
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/flyers-wait-to-let-laptops-remain-in-cabin-bags-for-security-checks-gets-longer-govt-panel-examining-3d-x-ray-scanner-tech/articleshow/116353860.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:59:47Z
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MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A man was arrested after, police said, he was caught recording video of a mother and her 10-year-old daughter in a Forever 21 dressing room in Miami Beach.
7News cameras captured Luca DiMichele shortly after he bonded out of the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade, Sunday morning.
When a photographer asked him whether he was DiMichele, the 31-year-old replied, “No,” and tried to avoid 7News’ questions as he walked away.
According to Miami Beach Police, the incident took place Saturday afternoon at the Forever 21 located at 701 Lincoln Road.
Investigators said the victims noticed a cellphone on the floor, in between their stall and the neighboring one, with its camera lens facing upward.
The mother then noticed the person in the next stall repositioned the phone on top of a pile of clothes, and that’s when she knew something was off.
As she and her daughter walked out of the stall, detectives said, the mother grabbed the cellphone and realized it had been recording video of them.
When confronted by the mother, DiMichele told her this was all a misunderstanding and asked her to give his cellphone back. She refused, and kept the phone as she searched for a store manager.
Police said the mother explained to manager what had happened to them inside the stall, and it was at that point that she stopped the video recording.
DiMichele remained at the store and waited for police to arrive and take him into custody. Responding officers didn’t believe this was a misunderstanding and placed the suspect in handcuffs.
DiMichele was charged with video voyeurism and was held on a $2,500 bond until he bonded out Sunday.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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https://wsvn.com/news/local/miami-dade/man-accused-of-recording-woman-and-10-year-old-daughter-at-forever-21-dressing-room-bonds-out-after-arrest/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:47Z
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- 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.
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.
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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.
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https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/business/money-report/bank-of-japan-expected-to-keep-rates-on-hold-this-week-cnbc-survey/3792751/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:48Z
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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
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https://www.thehawk.in/tag/indian-classical-legends
| 2024-12-16T05:59:48Z
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Bitcoin reached an all-time high of over $106,000 in early Asian trading on Monday, fueled by comments from President-elect Donald Trump suggesting that he may establish a U.S. bitcoin strategic reserve, similar to the country’s strategic oil reserve.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency peaked at $106,533 before settling at $105,688. Meanwhile, smaller cryptocurrency ether rose by nearly 3%, reaching $4,014.
Tony Sycamore, an analyst at IG, remarked, “We’re in blue sky territory now. The market’s next target is $110,000. The pullback many anticipated didn’t materialize, thanks to this new development.” Trump, in an interview with CNBC late last week, stated, “We’re going to do something significant with crypto because we don’t want China or anyone else – not just China, but others – to take the lead, and we want to be at the forefront.”
When asked if he intended to create a crypto reserve similar to the U.S. oil reserves, Trump responded, “Yeah, I think so.” Other nations have also explored the idea of building cryptocurrency reserves.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently questioned the need for state reserves in foreign currencies, stating that investing these reserves domestically was more attractive. He also criticized the U.S. administration for weakening the role of the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency by politicizing it, which has led many countries to turn to alternative assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Putin remarked, “For example, bitcoin, who can prohibit it? No one.”
However, there are critics, such as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who compared bitcoin to gold earlier this month, saying, “People aren’t using it as a form of payment or a store of value. It’s highly volatile and not a competitor to the dollar.”
Bitcoin’s price has surged over 50% since the November 5 election, which saw Trump and several pro-crypto candidates win. The overall cryptocurrency market has nearly doubled in value this year, reaching a record of over $3.8 trillion, according to CoinGecko.
Trump recently appointed former PayPal executive David Sacks, a close associate of Trump adviser Elon Musk, as a White House czar for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies. Trump also plans to nominate pro-crypto attorney Paul Atkins to head the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Additionally, Nasdaq announced that MicroStrategy, a major investor in bitcoin, will be added to the Nasdaq-100 Index. MicroStrategy’s shares have skyrocketed more than sixfold this year, boosting its market value to nearly $94 billion, making it the largest corporate holder of bitcoin.
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https://www.newsx.com/business/bitcoin-surges-to-record-high-above-106000-on-strategic-reserve-hopes/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:48Z
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TAIPEI (AFP) : Taiwan has received 38 advanced Abrams battle tanks from the United States, the defense ministry said Monday, as the island boosts its military capabilities against a potential Chinese attack.
Washington has long been Taipei’s most important ally and biggest arms supplier — angering Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its own territory.
The M1A2 tanks — the first batch of 108 ordered in 2019 — arrived in Taiwan late Sunday and were transferred to an army training base in Hsinchu, south of the capital Taipei, the defense ministry said.
Abrams tanks, which are among the heaviest in the world, are a mainstay of the US military.
The M1A2s are the first new tanks to be delivered to Taiwan in 30 years, the semi-official Central News Agency said.
Taiwan’s current tank force consists of around 1,000 Taiwan-made CM 11 Brave Tiger and US-made M60A3 tanks, technology that is increasingly obsolete.
The government previously allocated the equivalent of more than $1.2 billion for the 108 Abrams.
Taiwan faces the constant threat of an invasion by China, which has refused to rule out using force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.
While it has a home-grown defense industry and has been upgrading its equipment, Taiwan relies heavily on US arms sales to bolster its security capabilities.
Taiwan requested the state-of-the-art M1A2 tanks in 2019. The rest of the order is expected to be delivered in 2025 and 2026, an army official said.
While US arms supplies to Taiwan are enshrined into law, a massive backlog caused by Covid-19 supply chain disruptions and US weapons shipments to Ukraine and Israel have slowed deliveries to Taiwan.
The backlog now exceeds $21 billion, according to Washington think tank Cato Institute.
Taiwan would be massively outgunned in terms of troop numbers and firepower in any war with China and in recent years has increased spending on its military.
Taipei allocated a record $19 billion for 2024 and next year’s budget is set to hit a new high, as it seeks to bolster a more agile defense approach.
China has increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, regularly deploying fighter jets and warships around the island.
Taiwanese authorities said last week that China had held its biggest maritime drills in years, with around 90 ships deployed from near the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea.
The vessels simulated attacks on foreign ships and practiced blockading sea routes, a Taiwan security official said previously.
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https://thefrontierpost.com/taiwan-receives-first-batch-of-us-made-abrams-tanks/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:48Z
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Kolkata: The West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors (WBJPD) was planning to begin a sit-in demonstration in the heart of Kolkata from Tuesday over the CBI investigation into the RG Kar hospital rape and murder case, in which two key suspects were granted bail.
The proposed demonstration of the WBJPD, an umbrella organisation of five associations, will be held till December 26 at the Doreena Crossing, an office-bearer said.
“We also demand the immediate submission of the supplementary chargesheet by the CBI,” said doctor Punyabrata Gun, a joint convener of WBJPD.
He said WBJPD wrote to Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma, seeking permission for the 10-day demonstration.
“We have sought permission from the police to set up a temporary stage without any interruption to the traffic movement. We have assured them that the demonstration will be conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner following all legal and safety guidelines,” Gun said.
They have also asked the police to ensure the safety of all participants.
The WBJPD on Saturday organised a march to the CBI office at CGO Complex in Salt Lake over the issue.
An on-duty female doctor of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata was found dead on August 9, triggering nationwide protests.
On Friday, the Sealdah court granted bail to the ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College Sandip Ghosh and former officer-in-charge of Tala police station Abhijit Mondal in the rape-murder case.
They were granted bail after the CBI “failed” to file a charge sheet within the mandatory 90-day period.
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https://www.siasat.com/rg-kar-case-doctors-to-hold-10-day-protest-as-two-accused-get-bail-3148798/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:50Z
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Stock market today: Indian equity benchmark indices,
BSE Sensex and Nifty50, opened in red on Monday. While BSE Sensex was below 82,000,
Nifty50 was below 24,750. At 9:18 AM, BSE Sensex was trading at 81,964.22, down 169 points or 0.21%. Nifty50 was at 24,728.20, down 40 points or 0.16%.
Last week, the market maintained its upward trajectory for the fourth straight week, advancing approximately half a percent during consolidation. Investors will be watching Manufacturing and services PMI, with primary attention on the US Fed meeting, where a 25 basis point rate reduction is anticipated.
From a technical perspective, the outlook remains robust, with targets potentially reaching 25,000 and beyond in the near term, whilst finding support at 24,550.
US markets finished relatively flat on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Dow recording weekly losses, whilst the Nasdaq achieved its fourth consecutive weekly gain.
Asian markets displayed mixed performance early Monday, awaiting Chinese economic data. Notable movements include:
Oil prices retreated from recent highs as investors await the Federal Reserve meeting. The US dollar remained near three-week highs against major currencies.
Securities under ban include Granules, Manappuram, Metropolis, PVR Inox, RBL Bank, Hindustan Copper, SAIL, and Nalco.
FPIs invested Rs 2335 crore net, while DIIs sold Rs 732 crore worth of shares. FII net short position increased to Rs 60,551 crore on Friday.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/stock-market-today-bse-sensex-nifty50-december-16-2024-dalal-street-indian-equities-global-markets/articleshow/116351634.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:59:53Z
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This is CNBC's live blog covering European markets.
European markets are expected to open in mixed territory Monday, as traders gear up for the final Federal Reserve meeting of the year.
The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 4 points lower at 8,292, Germany's DAX up 36 points at 20,443, France's CAC down 1 point at 7,401 and Italy's FTSE MIB up 16 points at 34,876, according to data from IG.
The Fed's decision on Dec. 18 stateside is front and center for global markets this week, with the CME Fedwatch tool forecasting a 96% chance of a 25-basis-point cut by the central bank. Traders will be paying close attention to the updated policy statement and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference for clues about the trajectory for interest rates.
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. >Sign up here.
In Europe Monday, investors will be keeping an eye on Berlin where a vote of confidence will take place in parliament Monday. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to call on the German parliament today to declare it has no confidence in him in order for snap polls to take place in February. The move comes after his governing coalition collapsed last month.
Data releases include flash services and manufacturing purchasing managers' index data from France and Germany.
Traders expect Fed to cut this week, pause in January
Money Report
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut rates by 0.25 percentage points on Wednesday, but traders will be paying close attention to the updated policy statement and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference for clues about what comes next.
As of Sunday night, pricing in the Fed funds futures market pointed to a 95.3% likelihood of a rate cut this week, according to the CME FedWatch tool. However, traders are also betting that the Fed will pause its rate cutting cycle in January.
That could be a welcome move for investors who are still uneasy with the path of inflation.
Logan Moulton, portfolio manager at Intelligent Wealth Solutions, said inflation appears to be "stickier" than Fed officials previously thought and that there are risks to upward pressure on inflation when the Trump administration takes office.
"Heading into 2025, I think they should at least pause," Moulton said.
— Jesse Pound
CNBC Pro: Morgan Stanley names 7 beneficiaries of Amazon AWS’ new Trainium 2 AI chip
Morgan Stanley has identified the companies that are set to benefit from Amazon's launch of its new artificial intelligence chip.
The Big Tech giant's cloud computing division Amazon Web Services launched its Trainium 2 AI chip earlier this month. AWS hopes these chips will help it diversify away from Nvidia, its primary AI chip supplier.
The investment bank said seven Taiwanese companies are set to benefit from AWS's new Trainium 2 AI chip.
CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.
— Ganesh Rao
European markets: Here are the opening calls
European markets are expected to open in mixed territory Monday.
The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 4 points lower at 8,292, Germany's DAX up 36 points at 20,443, France's CAC down 1 point at 7,401 and Italy's FTSE MIB up 16 points at 34,876, according to data from IG.
Data releases include flash services and manufacturing purchasing managers' index data from France and Germany.
— Holly Ellyatt
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https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/business/money-report/european-markets-head-for-mixed-open-as-traders-focus-on-fed-meeting-this-week/3792754/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:54Z
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Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Cayman 982 My20 2.0L Petrol 2D Coupe
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
- Automatic Stop/Start
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- 19 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Black Brake Calipers
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Convex Mirror Right Side
- Communication Management System
- Connect App Services
- Connect Plus
- Convertible Top Colour
- Digital Audio Broadcast Radio
- Dynamic Drive
- Driver Foot Rest
- Door Handle Courtesy Lights
- Digital Instrument Cluster
- Driver Mode Selection
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Door Sill Finishers - Embossed/Personalised
- Dry Sump Lubrication System
- Electrically Heated Windscreen
- Exterior Mirrors - Auto Dimming
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Head Airbags
- Head Airbags - Front Seats (side)
- Headlights - Auto On/Off Function
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Windshield
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Leather Armrest - Front
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- LED Indicators
- Light Pack
- Multi-function Display
- Multi-function Steering Wheel - Heated
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Navigation System
- Park Assist 2
- Paddle Shifters on Steering Wheel
- Power Front Seat Driver 14 Way
- Positioning Lights LED
- Power Mirrors With Folding
- Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Power Steering
- Power Front Seats 14 Way with Memory
- Powered Sports Seats
- Power Soft Top
- Power Soft Top - Remote Operation
- Power Windows
- Power Windows With One-Touch Operation
- Rain Sensor
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rollover Mitigation System
- Rollover Protection System
- Reversing Camera
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Storage Compartment - Centre Floor Console
- Solar Control Glass Roof
- Sports Exhaust System
- Side Front AirBags
- Side Impact Protection
- Sound Package Plus
- Sports Pedals
- Sound System with 6 Speakers
- Sports Steering Wheel
- Stainless Steel Exhaust System
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Thorax Airbag(s)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Tinted Windows
- Vehicle Stability Management System
- Wind Deflector
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Windscreen With Sunband
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,570
- Aluminium Gear Selector - $1,110
- Air Intake Grilles Painted - $1,060
- Aluminium Gear Knob - $500
- Alcantara Sunvisors - $860
- Alcantara Steering Wheel - $1,580
- Alloy Pedals - $550
- Adaptive Sports Seats Plus - 18 Way - $2,850
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System Plus - $1,150
- Climate Control Panel - Leather - $1,220
- Climate Control Panel - Painted - $1,220
- Ceramic Brakes - $15,370
- Carbon Floor Mats - $1,490
- Coloured Instrument Dials - $1,030
- Carbon Onboard Folder - $1,630
- Customization Package Gear Lever - $1,630
- Coloured Seat Belts - $570
- Carbon Sill Guards - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $2,440
- Carbon Steering Wheel Special - $930
- Coloured Tailpipes - $1,120
- Extended Leather Pack - $1,090
- Embossed Headrests - $470
- Exterior Pack - Painted - $2,960
- Gear Lever - Carbon - $1,050
- Home Link - $600
- Interior Pack - Painted (non leather) - $1,220
- Interior Pack - Painted (leather) - $1,460
- Interior Pack - Wood (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Wood (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Carbon (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Carbon (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (non leather) - $1,250
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (leather) - $1,470
- Interior Trim Pack - $4,250
- Interior Trim Special - $5,750
- Keyless Entry & Drive - $1,470
- Leather Accented Upholstery
- Leather Backrests Sports Seats Plus - $2,810
- Lane Change Assist - $1,220
- Leather Dashboard - $2,520
- LED Dynamic Light System - $2,330
- Leather Interior Exclusive - $7,680
- Leather Interior Pack (without leather interior) - $1,290
- Leather Interior Pack (with leather interior) - $1,540
- Leather Interior Pack Partial Leather Seats - $830
- Leather Int Pack Partial Leather Seats - Two Tone - $1,200
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - $4,410
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - Premium - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Premium Two-tone - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Natural Leather - $6,910
- Leather Int Pk Leather Seats - Nat Leath Two-tone - $7,680
- Leather Interior Two-Tone - $4,410
- Leather Steering Column Surround - $940
- Leather Sill Guards - Special - $1,210
- Leather Sports Steering Wheel - $570
- Leather Sunvisors - $860
- Leather Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery Special - $1,000
- Metallic Paint - $1,870
- Metallic Paint Special - $18,490
- Painted Alloy Wheels - Premium - $2,500
- Paint Colour Special - $4,920
- Painted Key - $840
- Rollover Bars - Painted - $1,060
- Seatbelt Buckles - Leather - $1,000
- Seatbelt Passage - Painted - $1,030
- Sports Chrono Instrument Dials - $720
- Sports Design Black Pack - $6,220
- Special Identifying Badging - $540
- Solid Paint
- Solid Paint Special - $18,490
- Sports Seats - Bucket - $6,870
- Sports Seats - Special - $3,060
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - Illuminated - $1,370
- St/Steel Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $1,760
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - $500
- Surround Sound System Premium - $8,220
- Surround Sound System - $2,470
- Ventilated Front Seats - $1,950
- Wood Gear Selector - $1,050
- Wheel Centres - $340
- Wood Steering Wheel Special - $930
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https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-cayman-982-my20-petrol-2d-coupe-2asJFjUNUH
| 2024-12-16T05:59:52Z
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Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla virtuoso, passed away on Sunday, December 15, in the United States after battling complications related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. He was 73 years old. Known for his mastery of the tabla, Hussain’s contributions to both Indian classical music and global music culture earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and a Grammy.
Early Struggles and Determination
Born into a musical family, Zakir’s love for music was evident from a young age. Despite his talent, he faced opposition from his mother, who did not initially support his musical aspirations. In a revealing interview on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, Zakir shared an emotional story from his childhood. At just six years old, he ran away from home, upset by his mother’s discouragement. He planned to start a life with Pujaran, a woman who worked in the household and was a singer. Zakir believed they could survive by playing music together. However, he was eventually stopped by his father, Alla Rakha, a respected tabla master and Zakir’s first teacher. The young Zakir’s love for music, combined with his father’s mentorship, kept him grounded.
Global Recognition and Achievements
Zakir Hussain’s career blossomed into an international phenomenon. He became one of the most influential figures in Indian classical music, performing alongside world-renowned musicians and collaborating with artists across various genres, including jazz, world music, and fusion. He was instrumental in bringing Indian classical music to a global audience, and his work in both India and abroad earned him widespread acclaim.
In addition to his musical career, Zakir was a dedicated educator, passing on his knowledge and passion to generations of musicians. His collaborations extended beyond traditional Indian music, working with celebrated artists such as George Harrison, John McLaughlin, and Mickey Hart. His efforts to elevate the tabla and Indian classical music as a whole have left an indelible mark on the global music scene.
Legacy as a Teacher and Cultural Ambassador
Hussain’s legacy is not just in his extraordinary performances but in his tireless work as a mentor and cultural ambassador. His teachings have inspired countless students and musicians, and his ability to blend traditional Indian music with global influences has forever changed the musical landscape. His passing has left a void in the music world, but his influence will continue to inspire future generations.
The Hussain family issued a statement confirming his death and requesting privacy during this difficult time. “His prolific work as a teacher, mentor, and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians,” the statement read. “He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as one of the greatest musicians of all time.”
Zakir Hussain’s profound impact on music, both as a performer and as a teacher, will ensure that his legacy endures for years to come. He will be remembered not just as a virtuoso tabla player, but as a symbol of the universal power of music.
Also Read: Zakir Hussain Was The 1st Musician To Perform At The White House
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https://www.newsx.com/entertainment/zakir-hussain-once-ran-away-with-a-lady-at-the-age-of-6-know-why/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:55Z
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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
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https://www.thehawk.in/tag/indian-music-stalwarts
| 2024-12-16T05:59:55Z
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New Delhi: Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco, his family said on Monday.
Hussain died due to complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the family said in a statement. He was 73.
He had been hospitalised for the last two weeks and was later taken to the ICU after his condition deteriorated.
Hussain, who is regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola and his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Born on March 9, 1951, he is the son of legendary tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha.
“He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come,” the statement read.
In his career spanning six decades, the musician worked with several renowned international and Indian artistes, but it was his 1973 musical project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist TH ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical and elements of jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown.
Starting early at the age of seven, Zakir Hussain went on to collaborate with virtually all of India’s iconic performers, including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and Shivkumar Sharma in his career.
His groundbreaking work with Western musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, and George Harrison brought Indian classical music to an international audience, cementing his status as a global cultural ambassador.
Hussain has received four Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.
The percussionist, one of India’s most celebrated classical musicians, received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
Following Hussain’s demise at the hospital in San Francisco, messages of condolence poured in on social media.
Grammy winner musician Ricky Kej remembered Hussain for his “immense humility, approachable nature”.
“One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakirji was known 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,” Kej wrote on X.
American drummer Nate Smith thanked Hussain for “all of the music you gave us”.
Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi paid tributes to the “irreplaceable legend”
“The world of music will be lesser without Tabla Maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and his fans all around the world. My prayers, Om Shanti,” she wrote in a post on X.
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https://www.siasat.com/tabla-maestro-zakir-hussain-dies-at-hospital-in-san-francisco-3148789/
| 2024-12-16T05:59:56Z
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AGRA: An FIR has been registered under BNS sections of rape against a BJP functionary in Mathura after a woman from Delhi claimed that she was sexually assaulted by the accused at gunpoint on the pretext of offering her a job.
SHO of highway police station, Anand Kumar Shahi, said on Sunday: "The FIR was registered under BNS sections 64 (1) (rape) and 351 (3) (criminal intimidation) against the accused. The woman will be produced before the magisrate to record her statement. The case is being investigated in detail and further action will be taken accordingly."
Refuting the allegations, the accused, who is an ex-national executive member of BJP's Kisan Morcha and a leader of Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha, said, "Accusations levelled against me are baseless and an attempt to tarnish my image..."
In her police complaint, the woman, who lives in a colony in Delhi, claimed she became acquainted with the man via Facebook and they had been "communicating for about four years".
"The accused runs an NGO. In Sep, we were discussing NGO related projects, and on Sep 14, he called me to Mathura on the pretext of employment. I reached Narhauli intersection with my friend. From there, he and his associate took us in a vehicle to GS Farm on Govardhan Road, and we started talking in a room. Then he asked his associate and my friend to step out for a work-related discussion and bolted the room. To my utter shock, he took out a pistol, forcibly pulled me towards him and raped me. He also threatened to kill me if I told anyone about the crime. He later dropped me at the bus stand, and instructed me to come alone next time," the complainant said.
The next day, she informed the local police, but due to the accused's "influence in society", the cops ignored her complaint, the woman said, adding that she continued making rounds of the police station. Later, she took up her case with authorities in Delhi. Subsequently, three months after the crime, the police registered an FIR at Highway police station in Mathura on Friday, the survivor said.
The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/mathura-bjp-functionary-rapes-delhi-woman-at-gunpoint-fir-filed/articleshow/116341740.cms
| 2024-12-16T05:59:59Z
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Dozens of demonstrators made their voices heard outside a Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, Maryland. They’re calling on the community boycott at the restaurant for what they call unfair and disrespectful treatment to Charles County School System students with disabilities.
This all started when a group of students planned to take part in a life skills program, which involved the trip to the restaurant. According to an email that was sent out by the Charles County Public School Superintendent, staff notified the restaurant that they were coming and were told they didn't need a reservation. When the group arrived, a restaurant employee declined services and requested the restaurant be removed from the list of businesses willing to participate in the effort known as Community-Based Instruction.
The group was able to place a carry out order.
“We are her voice. We are advocates,” said Dustin Reed, whose daughter was part of the group and is nonverbal. “And if nothing is changed, or nothing is heard, if they’re not heard, then no change will happen.”
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After the initial backlash, Cracker Barrel said it fired a general manager and two employees.
In a statement to News4, the company also said, “We strive to create a welcoming environment and great experience for guests of all abilities, and we have a zero tolerance policy against any form of discrimination. We did not refuse service to this student group, but operational breakdowns caused by staffing shortages and poor communication on our part led us to fall well short of our service standards that day. This is unacceptable.”
Reed said the experience was hard for his daughter and that he and others are not satisfied with Cracker Barrel's response.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
“They have never apologized for discriminating against our children,” he said. “In the meeting that they had last Monday with us parents, they denied discrimination, told us that we're all going to have to agree to disagree and they’re sorry that we feel this way.”
Reed said a few people decided to turn back from the restaurant after hearing what the protesters had to say. He said the most important thing is continuing to advocate for those with disabilities.
“You never know what disability someone may have,” Reed said. “They may look like they don't have any disabilities or anything of that nature, but you have no idea. So just be kind. Always be Kind hearted to everybody.”
Some of those parents involved in the protests told News4 that they're weighing whether or not to take legal action against the restaurant chain. Cracker Barrel said it's working to fix some of those missteps, including moving forward with specialized training for some of the employees at the Waldorf Cracker Barrel.
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https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/parents-protest-outside-cracker-barrell-after-students-with-disabilities-denied-service/3792755/
| 2024-12-16T06:00:00Z
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Specifications for the 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2019 Porsche 718 Cayman 982 My20 2.0L Petrol 2D Coupe
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Advanced Brake Functions
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Automatic Climate Control Filtered
- Air Conditioning Charcoal Filter
- Apple Car Play
- Automatic Deploying Rear Wing
- Air Compressor
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alarm with Interior Movement Sensor
- Automatic Stop/Start
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- 19 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Black Brake Calipers
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders - Front Seats
- Coat Hanger Hook/s
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Convex Mirror Right Side
- Communication Management System
- Connect App Services
- Connect Plus
- Convertible Top Colour
- Digital Audio Broadcast Radio
- Driver Foot Rest
- Door Handle Courtesy Lights
- Digital Instrument Cluster
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Door Sill Finishers - Embossed/Personalised
- Dry Sump Lubrication System
- Electrically Heated Windscreen
- Exterior Mirrors - Auto Dimming
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Head Airbags
- Head Airbags - Front Seats (side)
- Headlights - Auto On/Off Function
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Heated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Windshield
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Leather Armrest - Front
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- LED Indicators
- Light Pack
- Multi-function Display
- Multi-function Steering Wheel - Heated
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Navigation System
- Park Assist 2
- Power Front Seat Driver 14 Way
- Positioning Lights LED
- Power Mirrors With Folding
- Power Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Power Steering
- Power Front Seats 14 Way with Memory
- Powered Sports Seats
- Power Soft Top
- Power Soft Top - Remote Operation
- Power Windows
- Power Windows With One-Touch Operation
- Rain Sensor
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rollover Mitigation System
- Rollover Protection System
- Reversing Camera
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Storage Compartment - Centre Floor Console
- Solar Control Glass Roof
- Sports Exhaust System
- Side Front AirBags
- Side Impact Protection
- Sound Package Plus
- Sports Pedals
- Sound System with 6 Speakers
- Sports Steering Wheel
- Stainless Steel Exhaust System
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Thorax Airbag(s)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Tyre Repair Kit
- Tinted Windows
- Vehicle Stability Management System
- Wind Deflector
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Windscreen With Sunband
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,570
- Aluminium Gear Selector - $1,110
- Air Intake Grilles Painted - $1,060
- Aluminium Gear Knob - $500
- Alcantara Sunvisors - $860
- Alcantara Steering Wheel - $1,580
- Alloy Pedals - $550
- Adaptive Sports Seats Plus - 18 Way - $2,850
- Bi-Xenon Dynamic Light System Plus - $1,150
- Climate Control Panel - Leather - $1,220
- Climate Control Panel - Painted - $1,220
- Ceramic Brakes - $15,370
- Carbon Floor Mats - $1,490
- Coloured Instrument Dials - $1,030
- Carbon Onboard Folder - $1,630
- Customization Package Gear Lever - $1,630
- Coloured Seat Belts - $570
- Carbon Sill Guards - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - $1,120
- Carbon Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $2,440
- Carbon Steering Wheel Special - $930
- Coloured Tailpipes - $1,120
- Extended Leather Pack - $1,090
- Embossed Headrests - $470
- Exterior Pack - Painted - $2,690
- Gear Lever - Carbon - $1,050
- Home Link - $600
- Interior Pack - Painted (non leather) - $1,220
- Interior Pack - Painted (leather) - $1,460
- Interior Pack - Wood (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Wood (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Carbon (non leather) - $2,640
- Interior Pack - Carbon (leather) - $3,110
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (non leather) - $1,250
- Interior Pack - Brushed Aluminium (leather) - $1,470
- Interior Trim Pack - $4,250
- Interior Trim Special - $5,750
- Keyless Entry & Drive - $1,470
- Leather Accented Upholstery
- Leather Backrests Sports Seats Plus - $2,810
- Lane Change Assist - $1,220
- Leather Dashboard - $2,520
- LED Dynamic Light System - $2,330
- Leather Interior Exclusive - $7,680
- Leather Interior Pack (without leather interior) - $1,290
- Leather Interior Pack (with leather interior) - $1,540
- Leather Interior Pack Partial Leather Seats - $830
- Leather Int Pack Partial Leather Seats - Two Tone - $1,200
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - $4,410
- Leather Interior Pack Leather Seats - Premium - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Premium Two-tone - $5,190
- Leather Int Pack Leather Seats - Natural Leather - $6,910
- Leather Int Pk Leather Seats - Nat Leath Two-tone - $7,680
- Leather Interior Two-Tone - $4,410
- Leather Steering Column Surround - $940
- Leather Sill Guards - Special - $1,210
- Leather Sports Steering Wheel - $570
- Leather Sunvisors - $860
- Leather Upholstery
- Leather Upholstery Special - $1,000
- Metallic Paint - $1,870
- Metallic Paint Special - $18,490
- Painted Alloy Wheels - Premium - $2,500
- Paint Colour Special - $4,920
- Painted Key - $840
- Rollover Bars - Painted - $1,060
- Seatbelt Buckles - Leather - $1,000
- Seatbelt Passage - Painted - $1,030
- Sports Chrono Instrument Dials - $720
- Sports Design Black Pack - $6,220
- Special Identifying Badging - $540
- Solid Paint
- Solid Paint Special - $18,490
- Sports Seats - Bucket - $6,870
- Sports Seats - Special - $3,060
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - Illuminated - $1,370
- St/Steel Sill Guards Illuminated - Personalised - $1,760
- Stainless Steel Sill Guards - $500
- Surround Sound System Premium - $8,220
- Surround Sound System - $2,470
- Ventilated Front Seats - $1,950
- Wood Gear Selector - $1,050
- Wheel Centres - $340
- Wood Steering Wheel Special - $930
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https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2019-porsche-718-cayman-982-my20-petrol-2d-coupe-PrTj6gaaC6
| 2024-12-16T06:00:00Z
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BENGALURU: Five days after 34-year-old Atul Subhash, automobile firm executive, died by suicide, Bengaluru police have arrested his wife, her mother and younger brother.
All three were brought to Bengaluru, produced before the magistrate at his residence and were remanded in 14-day judicial custody early Sunday.
The arrested were identified as Atul's wife Nikita Singhania, 29; her mother Nisha Singhania; and her younger brother Anurag Singhania, 27. Another accused, Sushil Singhania, mentioned in the FIR, is aged above 70 years, and his role in Atul's death is being verified for further action, police said.
Read also: Subhash Atul's estranged wife Nikita Singhania, her brother and mother arrestedAccording to deputy commissioner of police (Whitefield) Shivakumar Gunare's press statement, a team of officials detained Nikita from Gurugram in Haryana on Saturday morning. Another team detained Nisha and Anurag from Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh the same day.
Nikita was detained by police near Hongkong Bazar Road around 9am. She was staying in a paying guest accommodation in Phase 2, Rail Vihar, Gurugram, Haryana. Nisha and Anurag were picked up from near Hotel Rameshwaram Inn in Jhunsi, Allahabad district, Uttar Pradesh, around the same time.
According to police, the trio was brought to Bengaluru by flight. They reached the city around 10.30pm. They were subjected to a medical test and produced at the magistrate's residence around 5.30am Sunday. They were remanded in 14 days in judicial custody and taken to Central Prison, Parappana Agrahara.
Read also: Cops summon Subhash Atul's estranged wife, in-lawsDuring interrogation, Nikita claimed she didn't harass her husband; instead, she was harassed by him. She claimed she was staying away from him for almost three years. If she harassed him for money, why would she stay away from him, she was quoted as saying. "We will investigate the case thoroughly and file a chargesheet in court if the allegations made by Atul are proved," the officer added.
Marathahalli police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 108 (3) and (5) – (abetment to suicide) -- based on the complaint filed by Atul's younger brother, Bikas Kumar, on December 9. As the case became sensational, the police team spread across three states, including UP and Delhi.
According to police probing Atul's case, he left a four-page handwritten death note. About 44 pages were typed in a system. The total pages of the death note found by the police are around 48 pages. The video is around 90 minutes.
A senior police officer said the rumours about the Google Drive link of Atul's suicide missing are false. "Our team investigating the case, along with the Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) team, seized all devices and the handwritten death note from Atul's flat in Manjunatha Layout in Munekollala. The documents have been sealed and produced before the court," he added.
"There are also rumours about Atul's search history on internet. We agree has he searched for a few things, but we are not yet sure what exactly he has searched for and for how many days. We have got permission from the court to open the seizures made. We have to send them to the forensic sciences laboratory (FSL) and get a report; only then can we confirm it," a senior officer said.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/auto-execs-death-wife-2-more-arrested-sent-to-14-day-judicial-custody/articleshow/116345862.cms
| 2024-12-16T06:00:01Z
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Hyderabad: The National Lok Adalat in Telangana, held on December 14, resolved 1,57,088 registered cases across the state.
These cases included 20,752 FIRs, 74,767 e-petty cases, 59,438 Motor Vehicles (MV) Act cases, and 2,131 disaster management cases. Notably, during the Lok Adalat, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau facilitated the refund of Rs 33.2 crore to 4,893 victims of cyber fraud, the highest amount refunded to date.
In the tri-commissionerate regions, Hyderabad ranked first with 24,546 cases resolved, followed by Cyberabad with 12,797 cases, Rachakonda with 11,083 cases, Suryapet with 10,951 cases, and Nizamabad with 10,246 cases.
“This achievement was made possible through seamless coordination among TGCSB officers, the Telangana State Legal Services Authority (TGLSA), District Judges, Magistrates, District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), and District Superintendents of Police (SPs). Together, they created a robust legal framework,” Telangana DGP Dr Jitender said.
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https://www.siasat.com/telangana-over-1-57-lakh-cases-solved-in-national-lok-adalat-3148793/
| 2024-12-16T06:00:02Z
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Renowned Tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 on Monday in a San Francisco hospital. He had been receiving treatment for the past two weeks in the United States. Hussain’s death has deeply saddened the music world, his fans, and the entire nation. Widely regarded as one of the greatest tabla players, he made extraordinary contributions to Indian classical music and enjoyed a career that spanned several decades.
Early Life and Education
Zakir Hussain was born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, India, as Zakir Hussain Allaraka Qureshi. He attended St. Michael’s High School in Mahim and later graduated from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai.
Musical Legacy and Family
Hussain’s musical journey began under the guidance of his father, the legendary tabla maestro Allah Rakha Khan. He started learning the tabla at a young age, with his father being his first teacher. Hussain’s wife, Antonia Minnecola, a former Kathak dancer, was an important part of his life. The couple, married in 1978, had two daughters, Anisa and Isabella Qureshi.
Career Beginnings: At 11, Performed He Performed In US
Zakir’s extraordinary musical career took off early. At just 11 years old, he performed his first concert in the United States, marking the start of his global journey. His contributions to Indian classical music earned him several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
1st Indian Musician To Perform At A White House
Throughout his career, Hussain achieved widespread recognition across the globe. In 1973, he released his debut album Living in the Material World. He also became the first Indian musician to perform at a White House concert, invited by former U.S. President Barack Obama. Some of his most notable international projects include Planet Drum (1992) and Global Drum (2009), which further cemented his status as a musical pioneer.
Passion for Music
Zakir’s love for music was evident from his childhood, as he would often mimic his father by tapping his fingers on flat surfaces, emulating the rhythm of the tabla. His exceptional passion for the instrument was matched only by his dedication to preserving and innovating the classical traditions of Indian music.
Zakir Hussain’s passing marks the end of an era in Indian classical music, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers around the world.
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https://www.newsx.com/entertainment/zakir-hussain-was-the-1st-musician-to-perform-at-the-white-house/
| 2024-12-16T06:00:02Z
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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
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https://www.thehawk.in/tag/ricky-kej-tribute
| 2024-12-16T06:00:02Z
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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.
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 day's top national and international news.
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.
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https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/7-foreign-tourists-hospitalized-in-fiji-after-drinking-cocktails-at-a-resort-bar/3792741/
| 2024-12-16T06:00:06Z
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Zakir Hussain, one of the most celebrated tabla virtuosos of all time, passed away at the age of 73 in San Francisco due to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The news of his death, confirmed by his family on Monday, has sent waves of grief across the global music community. His family’s statement highlighted his extraordinary legacy, stating, “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come.”
Zakir Hussain Hospitalisation
The 73-year-old US-based musician, had reportedly been having blood pressure issues, Hussain's manager Nirmala Bachani said in a statement. "He has been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco for a heart-related problem for the last two weeks," Bachani said.
Zakir Hussain Passes Away LIVE UpdatesAmid reports claiming that Hussain had died on Sunday, the family's representative Jon Bleicher clarified in a statement to PTI, "Zakir is currently in a critical condition following complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The reports that he has passed are incorrect."
His sister Khursheed told PTI, "My brother is deeply ill at this time. We are asking all his fans around India and around the world to pray for him, to pray for his health. But as India's greatest ever exports, do not finish him off just yet."
Hussain's publicist also confirmed to PTI that the percussionist is being treated at the San Francisco hospital and "has not passed".
Aliment
Actor-singer Durga Jasraj, who had a conversation with Hussain's wife, exclusively told ETimes, "I just spoke to Zakir Bhai's wife. She said the reason for his ailment is fibrosis in his lungs, and he's extremely weak. We have to just pray for his journey back to where he came from."
Zakir Hussain Personal Life
Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, Zakir Hussain was the son of renowned tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha. A child prodigy, he began performing at the age of seven and quickly rose to prominence and was widely regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation.
He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, daughters Anisa and Isabella Qureshi, and extended family, including his brothers Taufiq and Fazal Qureshi and sister Khurshid Aulia. Known for his humility and charm, Hussain was as beloved for his personality as for his unmatched musical talent.
Zakir Hussain Education
Zakir Hussain had his early education from St. Michael's School in Mahim and did his graduation from St Xavier's College, both in Mumbai.
Early DaysDuring his early days, Zakir Hussain used to travel by train and if he could not find a seat, he would spread newspapers on the floor and sleep. During such journeys, so that no one's feet touched his tabla, he used to sleep with the musical instruments in his lap.
Zakir Hussain First Performance
Zakir Hussain had recalled an incident when he was 12 years old. He had gone to a concert with his father. Music stalwarts like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Bismillah Khan, Pandit Shanta Prasad and Pandit Kishan Maharaj were also present at that concert. Zakir Hussain went on stage with his father and got five rupees for the performance.
"I have earned a lot of money in my life, but those five rupees were the most valuable," the tabla maestro had said.
Zakir Hussain Music Career
Zakir Hussain collaborated with nearly all of India’s iconic performers, including legends such as Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma. His groundbreaking partnerships with Western artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, George Harrison, and John McLaughlin introduced Indian classical music to global audiences, cementing his status as a true cultural ambassador.
Renowned for elevating the tabla to the status of a virtuoso instrument, Hussain is widely regarded as a chief architect of the contemporary world music movement. His unparalleled mastery of rhythm allowed him to traverse musical boundaries, fostering authentic connections between diverse genres.
He participated in numerous historic collaborations, including Shakti (which he co-founded with John McLaughlin and L. Shankar), Remember Shakti, Making Music, The Diga Rhythm Band, Planet Drum, Global Drum Project (with Mickey Hart), Tabla Beat Science, and Sangam (with Charles Lloyd and Eric Harland). His performances and recordings featured an extraordinary range of collaborators, from George Harrison and Yo-Yo Ma to Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Pharoah Sanders, Billy Cobham, and the Kodo drummers.
Over a career spanning six decades, Hussain worked with both Indian and international luminaries, but his 1973 project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. 'Vikku' Vinayakram was particularly groundbreaking. It fused Indian classical music with elements of jazz in a style previously unexplored, paving the way for a new era of musical experimentation.
Beyond Music
In addition to his legendary career as a tabla maestro, Zakir Hussain made significant contributions as a composer, creating music for films such as Manto and Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. He also ventured into acting, appearing in notable films like Merchant Ivory’s Heat and Dust, The Perfect Murder, and Saaz, where he starred alongside Shabana Azmi.
In 1988, Hussain became a household name as the face of the Taj Mahal Tea brand. In a 33-second TV commercial, the ustad was shown immersed in his tabla riyaaz, only to later sip on a cup of Taj tea. The voiceover, by the famous Harish Bhimani, would then compliment Hussain's skills saying "Wah Ustad, wah!". To which, the percussionist would reply: "Arre huzoor, wah Taj boliye!"
The same year, Hussain also shared screen space with his father Allah Rakha in the iconic national integration song "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" which premiered on Doordarshan.
The 'Sexiest Man' Title
With his broad smile, boyish charm, and trademark curly locks swaying in rhythm with his tabla, Zakir Hussain's charisma extended far beyond his musical genius.
In 1994, he was voted the "sexiest man" by women readers of the Indian magazine Gentleman, outshining iconic contenders like Amitabh Bachchan.
Recalling the unexpected win, Hussain shared, "The magazine team came to see me and wanted me to wear all these suits, jackets, and Western clothes for their cover. I think they were as shocked as I was when I won the most votes—they had assumed the winner would be Amitabh Bachchan," as quoted by Kabir.
Awards won by Zakir Hussain
Hussain’s illustrious career was adorned with numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards. In a historic achievement, he became the first Indian musician to win three Grammys at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2024. He was recognised in the categories of Best Global Music Album (This Moment), Best Global Music Performance (Pashto), and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (As We Speak).
Expressing his gratitude, he wrote on Instagram, "I am overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love, affection, and blessings for my multiple Grammy wins. It is impossible for me to individually respond to all of you, but be assured that you are all in my heart and I'm bowing to each and every one of you in thanks. It was a great day for India at the Grammys, and I'm proud to be carrying the national flag."
At the 2024 Grammys, Hussain's This Moment with the fusion group Shakti—featuring British guitarist John McLaughlin, vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, and percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram—earned him his first award of the evening. He later shared honours with flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, American banjo player Béla Fleck, and bassist Edgar Meyer for their collaborative work.
Zakir Hussain Passes Away At 73, Takes Last Breath In US Hospital After Battling Heart Issues
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/tabla-maestro-zakir-hussain-passes-away-at-73-all-you-need-to-know-about-his-life-family-career-and-legacy/articleshow/116352775.cms
| 2024-12-16T06:00:08Z
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Mumbai: 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 was 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.
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https://www.siasat.com/zakir-hussain-the-ustad-of-the-ustads-3148811/
| 2024-12-16T06:00:09Z
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Former England cricketer and Fox Sports commentator Isa Guha apologized to Jasprit Bumrah on the second day of the third Test between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, on Sunday (December 15) for calling him a “primate,” which means “monkey.” This led to allegations of a racial comment regarding Bumrah. The incident sparked a significant controversy on social media.
After Bumrah took five wickets, Guha, while commentating for Fox Cricket, said, “Well, he is the MVP, right? Most Valuable Primate, Jasprit Bumrah. He is a player who contributes a lot to India, and that’s why so much attention was on him before this Test match. Will he be fit?”
What did Isa Guha say?
Given the historical tensions between the two cricket teams since the 2008 “Monkeygate” scandal, the use of the word “primate” drew significant attention. However, Guha apologized on-air before the third day’s play began. She said, “Yesterday, I used a word in commentary that can be interpreted in several ways. First, I want to apologize for any offense caused. When it comes to sympathy and respect for others, I have set high standards for myself, and if you listen to the full transcript, my intention was to praise one of India’s greatest players, someone I deeply admire.”
I chose the wrong word
Guha continued, “I am an advocate for equality, and I have spent my entire career thinking about inclusion and understanding in the game. I was trying to reflect the magnitude of his achievements. I chose the wrong word, and I deeply regret it. I am also of South Asian descent, so I hope people will understand that there was no ill intent or malice. I hope this doesn’t overshadow what has been one of the best Test matches so far, and I’m excited to see how it unfolds. Once again, I truly apologize.”
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https://www.newsx.com/sports/ind-vs-aus-isa-guha-apologizes-to-jasprit-bumrah-the-former-england-cricketer-had-made-a-racial-comment-during-commentary/
| 2024-12-16T06:00:09Z
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The New York Knicks defeated a shorthanded Orlando Magic squad for the second time this month, this time by a score of 100-91 Sunday. New York bounces back from a tough loss at home and improves to 16-10 while the Magic fall to 17-11.
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were terrific against the Magic
The offensive attack was led by Jalen Brunson, who finished with 31 points and five assists. He also shot 8-for-18 from the floor and 4-for-8 from three-point range.
Brunson needed a game like this after struggling mightily against the Atlanta Hawks earlier this week. Orlando had no answer for him, as he was getting to his spots with ease and turned out the shooting struggles he endured against the Hawks.
Towns also bounced back with yet another double-double, as he scored 22 points and grabbed a season-high 22 rebounds. He also dished five assists and knocked down all seven of his free throws.
The pair continue to be one of the top duos in the NBA this season, with their offensive prowess carrying the Knicks through the early part of the season.
Mikal Bridges was brilliant on both ends
Mikal Bridges continued his recent stretch of strong performances against Orlando on Sunday, as he was getting the job done on both ends of the floor and resembled the type of player they traded for in the summer.
Offensively, he finished with 17 points, shot 7-for-11 from the field, and knocked down one three-pointer. He showcased his creativity with the ball by scoring in many different ways, making nice drives to the basket with the ball while also being effective off the ball.
Bridges also shined defensively for the Knicks with the tall task of guarding Magic guard Jalen Suggs. Bridges gave Suggs trouble all night, as the Orlando guard finished with just nine points on 4-for-19 shooting from the floor and 1-for-5 from three.
His impact defensively was key to the Knicks’ overall success on that end of the floor on Sunday. The Magic, who entered the game as the worst three-point shooting team in the league, continued that alarming trend as they shot just 30% from beyond the arc.
The Knicks struggled with turnovers early
New York has generally been good at protecting the basketball this season, but they struggled to pass cleanly against a tough Magic defense. They turned the ball over 17 times on Sunday, which is much higher than their season average of 11.8 entering the game.
They committed 11 of those turnovers in the first half, though they cleaned it up in the second half with just six turnovers. The cleaner basketball allowed them to score more, and they found much better looks in the later portion of the game compared to the early part.
Overview
The Knicks got a much-needed bounce-back win after a disappointing loss at home earlier this week. They will now have a few days off before taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road on Thursday, which will be the first regular season matchup since the Towns trade in the offseason.
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https://empiresportsmedia.com/new-york-knicks/knicks-good-news-and-bad-news-from-100-91-win-over-magic/
| 2024-12-16T06:00:10Z
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https://www.thehawk.in/tag/zakir-hussain-legacy
| 2024-12-16T06:00:10Z
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A woman was arrested in Iran after she posted a video of herself singing without a hijab on YouTube, even though the Iranian parliament passed a new, stricter law on women's modesty that rights groups have criticized.
Parastoo Ahmadi posted a 27-minute video of her concert performance Wednesday, in which she sang in a sleeveless dress with her hair down accompanied by four male musicians. In the caption, she described it as an "imaginary concert" and invited the audience to "imagine this beautiful homeland" in Iran.
The performance was recorded in a caravanserai, the name for the roadside inns historically built along the Silk Road to provide merchants and travelers with places to rest as they trekked the ancient trade route spanning North Africa to Central Asia. Ahmadi wrote that it was "where history and our myths intertwine."
"I am Parastoo, a girl who wants to sing for the people I love," the caption said. "This is a right I could not ignore; singing for the land I love passionately."
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Milad Panahipour, an Iranian lawyer, told The Associated Press that Ahmadi was arrested Saturday over the performance. He said he was unaware of the charges, the arresting agency or the location of her detention.
Iran's judiciary confirmed that a case has been opened into Ahmadi's performance but did not specify the charges. The statement, released by the state-run Mehr News Agency, also said Ahmadi was released after an interview with authorities.
"The Mazandaran Police Information Center announced that Ms. Parastoo Ahmadi attended a briefing session after posting a video deemed contrary to cultural norms and values," the agency said. "She has been asked to appear before judicial authorities."
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The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, a Norway-based organization, said it got a report that two of the men performing with her — Sohail Faghih-Nassiri and Ehsan Beyraghdar — were also arrested.
Iran's hijab laws tighten
The hard-line regimes that have reigned since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution have passed laws saying women must be veiled in the presence of men, though women have resisted the rules both domestically and abroad.
Conflict over the issue drew international outrage once again in 2022 when a young woman named Mahsa Amini, 22, was arrested outside a subway station in Tehran and accused of failing to properly wear a hijab. She was dead just three days later.
Iran's government denied wrongdoing, claiming that Amini died of pre-existing medical conditions. Human rights groups, however, have cast doubt on that, and a United Nations fact-finding mission asserted she was killed “as a result of beatings” by Iranian authorities.
Her death drew rage throughout Iran, drawing women out to protest in droves despite violent crackdowns by authorities.
The authorities who enforce the modesty laws, often called the morality police, have eased public confrontations with women over veiling since President Masoud Pezeshkian was elected this year. Pezeshkian campaigned as a reformist who opposed such types of morality police patrols.
But enforcement has not stopped altogether, according to locals who have said the police are now instructed to issue warnings rather than take immediate action. So-called anti-unveiling clinics have also been established, where women are encouraged to follow the hijab laws through "therapy."
Despite Pezeshkian's reformist approach, the parliament pushed even harsher laws about women's veiling this year.
The Hijab and Chastity Law was originally submitted by former President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in May, and it was ultimately passed in September, according to Human Rights Watch. Enforcement will go into effect for a three-year trial period, which the rights organization said will dramatically increase the punishments for women who do not comply.
The new law extends the enforcement into online spaces, increases fines for violations depending on frequency, institutes a travel ban for offenders and includes long-term imprisonment as punishment, Human Rights Watch reported. Fines alone could be detrimental for many Iranians as the country's economy has struggled under the weight of years of sanctions and regional conflict.
The U.N. Human Rights Council's experts on Friday called for the law to be repealed, describing it as a "comprehensive system of gender-based persecution."
Pezeshkian himself criticized the law this month as difficult to enforce in both a statement on X and an interview on state television.
“We should not do anything that disrupts the unity and solidarity of society,” Pezeshkian said. “We need to have dialogue and engage in discussions about this issue.”
This article first appeared on NBCNews.com. Read more from NBC News here:
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https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/singer-in-iran-arrested-after-performing-on-youtube-without-a-hijab/3792744/
| 2024-12-16T06:00:12Z
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