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Mayorkas says feds sending more resources to address New Jersey drone sightings
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says the federal government is sending more resources, personnel, and technology to New Jersey, where drone sightings have surged in recent weeks.
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https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/video/mayorkas-says-feds-sending-more-resources-to-address-new-jersey-drone-sightings/
| 2024-12-16T07:12:33Z
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MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MLA Narendra Bhondekar has resigned from all party posts while expressing disappointment at not being included in the Maharashtra cabinet.
Speaking to reporters in Bhandara on Sunday, Bhondekar, who was the Shiv Sena's deputy leader and co-ordinator for eastern Vidarbha districts, claimed his party head and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had promised him a cabinet berth.
Bhondekar said he aspired to secure a cabinet berth to become the guardian minister of Bhandara district and work for its development.
He won from the Bhandara constituency by defeating his Congress rival by more than 38,000 votes in the November 20 state polls.
A total of 39 legislators from Mahayuti allies were sworn in on Sunday in the first cabinet expansion of the Devendra Fadnavis-led ministry including 16 new faces, while 10 former ministers were excluded.
While the BJP secured 19 ministerial berths by virtue of being the largest party among allies, Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were allotted 11 and 9 berths, respectively.
Bhondekar said, "I joined the Shiv Sena on the condition that I would be given a cabinet berth. Shinde had even promised me the same. When Shinde became chief minister in the previous government, I was an independent MLA and extended support to him."
The Sena leader claimed his name was also considered for a ministerial position during the last cabinet expansion (of the previous Mahayuti government).
"When I reviewed the cabinet list and realised I was omitted, I decided to step down from all positions in the party," he said.
Bhondekar said he intended to secure a cabinet post to become the guardian minister of Bhandara district, but he will now serve as an ordinary party worker.
Bhandara district consistently had an outsider as the guardian minister for several years. Such a practice has hindered the resolution of issues affecting the district, he claimed.
"I no longer have the mindset to hold any official position. I have submitted my resignation to my party leaders and await their response," Bhondekar said.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Dec/16/denied-cabinet-berth-shiv-sena-mla-narendra-bhondekar-quits-party-posts
| 2024-12-16T07:12:33Z
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Sam Howell News: Struggles in relief Sunday
Howell took over for Geno Smith (knee) in the second half of Sunday's 30-13 loss to Green Bay, completing just five of 14 pass attempts for 24 yards and an interception. He added one carry for two yards.
Howell did not fare well in his first extended look since joining the Seahawks this past offseason. The former Commander took over for an injured Smith early in the second half and finished with an abysmal 14.6 passer rating on 14 attempts. Smith's knee injury didn't appear to be season-ending, but the team will run tests on the veteran starter Monday. In the event Howell is asked to start in Week 16, he would make for a poor fantasy choice in almost any format given his track record for inaccuracy combined with a tough opponent (the Vikings).
|
https://www.rotowire.com/football/headlines/sam-howell-news-struggles-in-relief-sunday-590987
| 2024-12-16T07:12:37Z
|
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Morning rain and fog for Chicago area on Monday; falling temps in the afternoon
CBS News Chicago meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist has the latest forecast.
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https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/video/morning-rain-and-fog-for-chicago-area-on-monday-falling-temps-in-the-afternoon/
| 2024-12-16T07:12:39Z
|
NEW DELHI: North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL) won the first prize in India's National Energy Conservation Awards-2024 for excellent energy conservation works done in the DISCOM sector under the category of institutions.
Senior IAS officer Dr Nilesh Deore, who is the MD of North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, received this prestigious award from Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar at the Vigyan Bhawan here on Saturday.
"This award reflects the organisation's exceptional efforts and achievements in advancing energy conservation and sustainability", the Ministry of Power cited it while inviting Dr Nilesh Deore for this country's prestige award.
While speaking to TNIE, he said that North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, Patna has left many private units working in this sector behind in achieving excellence in its services.
"The SEVA_NBPDC has been awarded with the National Award for the Best Discom by the Ministry of Power (MoP). Over the past six months, we have successfully installed 16 lakh smart meters, covering 30% of our consumer base, marking a significant step toward digitalization and efficiency in power distribution", Deore said.
He further said that we transformed the financial performance of the Discom, achieving a profit of Rs 240 crore in the first eight months of this financial year. This turnaround was especially significant as the department started the year with a Rs 340 crore loss at the end of the first quarter(June).
"Winning this award by a state like Bihar which once was called the 'power starved ' state to become a 'power sufficient state', is an encouraging feat to other states", said a senior official here on the sideline of this ceremony.
The Energy Conservation Day is held every year on December 14 in Delhi to promote and recognise achievements in the power sectors across the country. This award is given to many categories such as industry, transport, building, institutions etc.
|
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Dec/16/nbpdcl-won-first-prize-in-indias-national-energy-conservation-awards-2024
| 2024-12-16T07:12:39Z
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New Delhi, Dec 15: Bollywood star Varun Dhawan, who welcomed daughter Lara with wife Natasha Dalal earlier this year, says embracing fatherhood has been a part crazy, part wonderful experience for him.
The actor said he is a changed man after Natasha gave birth to their first children on June 3.
“Being a father to a daughter is a unique experience. It shakes you completely, making you realise how much your thinking changes. All the things your mother used to teach you during childhood start coming back to your mind. When Natasha gave birth to the baby, the first thought that I had was how could I ever be mean to my mother.
“How can anyone be rude to their mother, especially after they nurture their child for nine months, after seeing what Natasha has done for the baby. It’s a crazy, wonderful experience. Having a daughter teaches you a lot about life and what actually being a man is,” Varun told reporters here.
The actor was in the national capital to promote his upcoming film “Baby John”.
The action drama is directed by Kalees and marks the Hindi production debut of director Atlee of “Jawan” fame. It also stars Wamiqa Gabbi, Keerthy Suresh and Jackie Shroff in key roles with a cameo by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.
Working with Salman in “Baby John” was a “wonderful” experience, said Varun.
“Whenever we get a chance to work with such a superstar, it’s amazing. It’s a completely original character crafted for him. We have never seen any character like this before. I don’t want to divulge much about the role but no matter the amount of time he is on the screen for, the impact of his role will be longer,” he added.
During his Delhi visit, the actor also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“Inke Saamne Toh Hum Sab ‘Baby’ Hai 🙂 It was an absolute pleasure to meet the Honourable Home Minister amitshah ji in Delhi ” Varun captioned a picture with Shah on Instagram.
“Baby John” is produced by Atlee and his wife Priya Mohan’s banner A For Apple Studios, Jio Studios and Murad Khetani’s Cine1 Studios. It is slated to hit the big screens on December 25.
|
https://thehillstimes.in/entertainment/being-a-father-to-a-daughter-a-unique-experience-varun-dhawan
| 2024-12-16T07:12:38Z
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Tony Pollard News: Inconsistent showing against Cincy
Pollard rushed the ball 17 times for 45 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-27 loss to the Bengals. He was not targeted in the passing game.
Pollard got off to a strong start, as he accounted for 22 yards and a touchdown on the Titans' opening possession. Things got rocky from there, however. In addition to briefly leaving the game due to ankle injury, Pollard also lost a fumble that should have been returned for a touchdown before Jordan Battle fumbled out of the end zone. Positively, Pollard remains the clear lead back and has shown the ability to excel on the ground despite the poor state of the Tennessee offense.
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https://www.rotowire.com/football/headlines/tony-pollard-news-inconsistent-showing-against-cincy-590992
| 2024-12-16T07:12:43Z
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Mothers who lost children to gun violence come together to seek hope and healing
Several Chicago mothers came together Sunday to honor and remember the children they have lost to gun violence. The dinner in the South Shore neighborhood was organized and hosted by the family of Daveon Gibson, a 16-year-old boy shot and killed on Jan. 31 after leaving Senn High School.
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https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/video/mothers-who-lost-children-to-gun-violence-come-together-to-seek-hope-and-healing/
| 2024-12-16T07:12:45Z
|
Peak Design CEO denies rumors company helped ID UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect
The maker of the backpack carried by Luigi Mangione – the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO – said the company is getting threats based on false rumors Peak Design helped investigators track down the suspect.
|
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/video/peak-design-ceo-denies-rumors-company-helped-id-unitedhealthcare-shooting-suspect/
| 2024-12-16T07:12:45Z
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NEW DELHI: A constitutional amendment bill for holding Lok Sabha and assembly elections simultaneously is likely to be introduced in Parliament on Tuesday and could be referred to a joint committee of the two Houses.
A top government functionary said the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, popularly being referred to as the Bill on "one nation, one election", was expected to be introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
After its introduction, Meghwal will request Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer the Bill to a Joint Committee of Parliament for wider consultations.
The joint panel will be constituted on a pro-rata basis, based on the strength of MPs of various parties.
As the largest party, the BJP will get the chairmanship of the committee, besides several members, the functionary said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was a member of the high-level committee led by former president Ram Nath Kovind that recommended holding Lok Sabha, state assembly and local body elections simultaneously in a phased manner, is likely to be present in the Lower House at the time of Bill's introduction, the functionary said.
The Union Cabinet last week decided to hold simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies but opted to leave "as of now" how local body polls are held.
Meghwal may tell the Lower House that since the Bill will need wider consultations with lawmakers and the public, it should be sent to a joint committee.
The speaker will seek the names of members for the proposed panel from the parties on the same day.
If the parties do not inform the speaker about the members they wish to send on the panel, according to rules, they may lose membership.
The speaker will announce the committee's composition by the evening on the day the Bill is introduced, the functionary said.
Initially, the tenure of the proposed committee will be for 90 days but it may be extended later.
The Union Cabinet has approved two bills to hold the parliamentary and assembly polls concurrently.
Kovind had said during the consultation process on "one nation, one election" that 32 parties supported the idea while 15 did not. Simultaneous polls were held in the country between 1951 and 1967.
The concept of simultaneous elections has featured in many reports and studies since 1983, essentially implying a return to the previous practice of conducting polls concurrently.
|
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Dec/16/one-nation-one-election-bill-likely-to-be-introduced-in-lok-sabha-on-december-17
| 2024-12-16T07:12:45Z
|
New Delhi, Dec 15: Punjabi singing sensation Diljit Dosanjh dedicated his Chandigarh concert to D Gukesh, praising the newly crowned world chess champion for turning his dream into a reality.
Diljit, who performed a show in Chandigarh on Saturday as part of his “Dil-Luminati India Tour 2024”, shared a video from his speech on his official Instagram page.
“Tonight’s concert is dedicated to the world chess champion Gukesh. Do you know why it is dedicated to him? Because whatever you dream of in life, Gukesh has already dreamt of it and made it a reality. He became the world champion,” the actor-singer said in the clip.
At the concert, Diljit also recreated Telugu superstar Allu Arjun’s signature pose from his blockbuster film franchise “Pushpa”.
The 40-year-old singer asked the audience if they had seen “Pushpa 2: The Rule”, the recently released sequel to 2021’s “Pushpa: The Rise”.
“Did you watch the film ‘Pushpa’? I seen the first film, but haven’t watched the second part yet. There is this famous dialogue ‘Jhukega nahi saala’. Saala nahi jhukega toh kya jeeja jhuk jayega?” he quipped, referencing Arjun’s popular catchphrase from the movie.
Diljit then assured the concert goers that they will have a lot of fun during the show.
“I promise you today’s night will be the best,” he added.
The singer will next perform in Mumbai on December 19.
“Dil-Luminati India Tour 2024”, which began on October 26 in New Delhi, will come to an end on December 29 in Guwahati.
|
https://thehillstimes.in/entertainment/diljit-dedicates-chandigarh-concert-to-world-chess-champion-d-gukesh-recreates-pushpa-pose
| 2024-12-16T07:12:46Z
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Tyjae Spears News: Strong showing as pass catcher
Spears rushed the ball four times for five yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-27 loss to the Bengals. He added six receptions on seven targets for 87 yards and an additional score.
Spears has been surprisingly uninvolved in the Tennessee offense for much of the season, though he exploded for a big showing Sunday. He finished off the team's second possession with a one-yard touchdown leap, his only impact as a rusher in the game. However, Spears produced very well as a pass catcher with Mason Rudolph under center and the Titans chasing points in the fourth quarter, highlighted by a long gain of 43 yards as well as a 17-yard touchdown reception. Tony Pollard remains the lead back, though Spears may have be able to carve out a more significant role across the final four games of the season.
|
https://www.rotowire.com/football/headlines/tyjae-spears-news-strong-showing-as-pass-catcher-590993
| 2024-12-16T07:12:49Z
|
Today's NYT Connections hints and answers for Mon, December 16th
Need some Connections hints today? Read our guide for help with Connections #553.
Looking for a hint to help with today's Connections puzzle on 16th December? If you can't spot any patterns in the sea of words today, don't worry. Whether you need the answers or just a bit of help, we've got you covered.
Connections is a word puzzle game published every day by the New York Times (NYT), the hosts of the endlessly popular Wordle puzzle. Crafted each day by puzzle-maker Wyna Liu, Connections presents you with a selection of 16 seemingly disparate words, and you have to group them together in four sets of four, where each group of four words has a common theme.
It's a simple premise, but as many of us here know, Connections can be devilishly difficult at times, filled to the brim with red herrings, misleading words, and little-known trivia. If you're struggling to solve today's Connections puzzle, this guide will help you to find the answers for Monday, 16th December 2024.
Below we offer some carefully crafted hints and clues for today's Connections, and after that we reveal the four different groups, and finally the Connections answers themselves for those who are tired of wondering how it all fits together.
In this guide:
Connections hints for Monday 16th December
Here's a hint for each of the word groups in today's Connections puzzle, plus a couple more Connections clues to help you find the answer.
Our Connections hints for today are:
- Yellow (Easiest): Like a phone, but not quite.
- Green (Easy): Throwing is fun!
- Blue (Medium): Think of chocolate and cream.
- Purple (Hardest): Funny or not, 'Joe Mama' would fit.
- Extra hint 1: One word group involves fighting, but nobody gets hurt.
- Extra hint 2: 'Ham radio' stands for amateur radio.
If you're looking for more Connections hints today to help narrow down the answers, tap the spoiler text below to reveal one word belonging to each group:
Yellow (Easiest):
Ham
Green (Easy):
Food
Blue (Medium):
Yodel
Purple (Hardest):
Chicken
What are today's Connections words?
Here are the 16 Connections words for today:
What are today's Connections groups?
If you need an even bigger clue to figure out today's Connections puzzle, below we'll reveal the four correct Connections groups - the themes which link together each set of four words in the Connections grid.
Here are the Connections groups for today:
- Types Of Radio
- Kinds Of Play Fights
- Snack Cakes
- Classic Joke Staples
Now that you know the themes for the various different Connections in today's puzzle, see if you can solve it! If not, check just below for the full answer.
Spoiler warning! Today's Connections answer lies ahead!
What are today's Connections answers?
Here are the full answers to today's Connections puzzle on Monday, 16th December:
- Types Of Radio: Am, Ham, Satellite, Walkie-Talkie
- Kinds Of Play Fights: Food, Pillow, Snowball, Water Balloon
- Snack Cakes: Devil Dog, Ding Dong, Hoho, Yodel
- Classic Joke Staples: Bar, Chicken, Knock-Knock, Light Bulb
There were a few obvious Connections in today's puzzle, such as snowball and water balloon, or satellite and walkie-talkie. The snack cakes were the most difficult for me as they require a degree of familiarity - following a quick Google search, I get the feeling I might be missing out there. The joke staples are tricky too, though I'm sure most people will see a light bulb after a few minutes of thinking.
Congratulations if you got today's Connections answer right, with or without the help of our handy hints above! And if you didn't succeed today, don't worry - a new Connections puzzle is released every day at midnight, so you can try again tomorrow, just like with Wordle.
What is Connections?
Connections is one of the most popular daily puzzle games published by the New York Times (owners of Wordle). The aim of Connections is to group the 16 words of the day into four groups, where each group of four words has a common theme.
For instance, the words "Hook", "Nana", "Peter", and "Wendy" are all Peter Pan characters. Or to take another example, "Action", "Ballpark", "Go", and "Stick" are all words which commonly come just before the word "Figure".
Your job is to figure out what these themes are that connect the various words together - but be wary, because a lot of the time there are red herring connections placed in there deliberately to throw you off! To win the game, you have to find all four Connections without making 4 mistakes. On your fourth mistake, the game is over and the answer is revealed automatically.
Each of the four groups in each day's Connections puzzle is also assigned a different colour, which represents how easy or difficult the Connection is to find. These colours are: Yellow (Easiest), Green (Easy), Blue (Medium), and Purple (Hardest).
That wraps up today's guide on how to solve the NYT Connections word puzzle. If you're looking for help with Wordle, we've also got you covered with our list of past Wordle answers, as well as the Wordle hint and answer for Sunday 15th December. You can also check out our list of the best starting words for Wordle, or use our Wordle Solver tool to help you find the answer with ease!
|
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/connections-hint-and-answers-16-12-24
| 2024-12-16T07:12:50Z
|
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Ukrainian drone hits Russian special forces barracks in Chechnya
Dramatic eyewitness video shows the moment a Ukrainian drone exploded deep within Russian territory, at a special forces facility in Chechnya.
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https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/video/ukrainian-drone-hits-russian-special-forces-barracks-in-chechnya/
| 2024-12-16T07:12:52Z
|
The National Cyber Security Association (NCA) today released its 2024 cybersecurity summary report focused on individual users. This report is based on an online survey conducted from November 28 to December 14, with over 59,000 participants.
The National Cybersecurity Agency (NCA) predicted that online fraud will persist as a significant issue, leading to severe repercussions for hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese users in 2024. The likelihood of an individual becoming a victim of online fraud is approximately 1 in 220, translating to a rate of 0.45 percent. The financial impact of online fraud is projected to reach VND18,900 billion in 2024. While the number of fraud victims is substantial, the proportion of those who manage to recover their lost funds remains minimal.
Although 88.98 percent of users reported that they promptly alerted and discussed the incident with family and friends, only 45.69 percent of those surveyed indicated that they reported the fraud to the authorities, reflecting a relatively low reporting rate.
The NCA report highlights the increasing sophistication and variety of scams targeting users. In 2024, the three most prevalent forms of attack include enticing users into fraudulent investment schemes with promises of high returns; impersonating government agencies and organizations; and issuing fake notifications about prize winnings or major promotions.
Survey results reveal that 70.72 percent of users have encountered invitations to invest in financial platforms of dubious origin, often guaranteed to be risk-free and highly profitable.
Additionally, 62.08 percent reported receiving calls from individuals impersonating entities such as the police, courts, tax authorities, or banks, urging them to install software or transfer funds under the guise of proving their innocence in alleged legal violations. Meanwhile, 60.01 percent of respondents noted receiving vague and suspicious messages about winning prizes or exclusive promotions.
In addition to employing sophisticated schemes, scammers increasingly make the most of advanced technologies to deceive their victims. These include Deepfake artificial intelligence to generate convincing fake videos and voices that build trust, automated tools like chatbots to maintain continuous communication with targets, and specialized softwares for making mass telecommunication calls. The use of such high-tech methods makes it challenging for many victims to differentiate between genuine and fake content, leaving them more vulnerable to deception.
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https://en.sggp.org.vn/cybercrime-in-vietnam-inflicts-losses-of-around-us743-million-post114525.html
| 2024-12-16T07:12:51Z
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DELHI: Rizwan Kadri, a member of the Prime Minister's Museum and Library (PMML) Society has written a letter to the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi requesting to give back the documents, that he called are "important aspect of its history" and were withdrawn from the museum allegedly on the order of Congress senior leader Sonia Gandhi.
Kadri said that he wrote a letter to Sonia Gandhi in September requesting her to return the documents back to the institution
"In September 2024, I wrote a letter to Sonia Gandhi requesting that the 51 cartoons from approximately eight different sections, which were part of the Nehru collections at the Prime Ministers' Museum (formerly the Nehru Memorial), be either returned to the institution, or we be granted permission to scan them, or provided with their scanned copies. This would allow us to study them and facilitate research by various scholars," he said.
"These include important correspondences between Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Lady Mountbatten, as well as letters exchanged with Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant, Jayaprakash Narayan, and others. These letters are a significant part of Indian history and have been proven through records to have been withdrawn from the museum in 2008 at Sonia Gandhi's direction," Rizwan Kadri added.
He also mentioned that after receiving no response from Sonia Gandhi, he wrote another letter to Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on the same.
"Since no response was received from her, I have requested Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to help in getting these materials restored. I have also urged him to consider that these documents are part of the nation's heritage and an important aspect of its history. Until we can view these materials, we cannot determine the reasons for their withdrawal. There must have been some objectionable content for them to have been removed," Kadri said.
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sambit Patra also responded to the same and said that it is "intriguing."
"From what's today the Prime Minister's Museum and Library and formerly Nehru Museum and Library, the then UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi took away 51 cartoons of letters written by Nehru to various personalities... In the recently concluded AGM of the PMML one of the members, Rizwan Kadri has written to LoP Rahul Gandhi and sought his help in getting back the letters from his mother Sonia Gandhi!" Patra wrote on X.
"What intrigues me is what would have Nehru ji written to EDWINA MOUNTBATTEN that needed censoring and will LOP Rahul help getting back the letters between Nehru and Edwina!" the BJP MP insinuated.
Nehru Museum Memorial and Library in the Teen Murti complex in New Delhi was the official residence of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister and it was set up in his memory as an autonomous institution under the Union Culture Ministry.
|
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Dec/16/pms-museum-member-asks-congress-to-return-nehru-documents-withdrawn-on-sonia-gandhis-order
| 2024-12-16T07:12:52Z
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Brock Faber News: Hands out helper Sunday
Faber notched an assist and two blocked shots in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Golden Knights.
Faber has a helper in three straight games and in five of his last seven outings. The 22-year-old defenseman set up the second of Kirill Kaprizov's goal in this loss. Faber is now at three goals, 14 assists, 40 shots on net, 41 blocked shots and a plus-14 rating over 31 appearances. He has upside in a variety of areas, and he should be active for most fantasy managers.
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https://www.rotowire.com/hockey/headlines/brock-faber-news-hands-out-helper-sunday-544099
| 2024-12-16T07:12:56Z
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Today's Wordle hints and answer (#1276): How to solve the Monday December 16 Wordle
Stuck on today's Wordle word for December 16? Read our hint or find the answer below!
Need a hint for today's Wordle answer? If you find yourself at a loss for today's Wordle, we'll help you find the answer.
Every day, Wordle presents its legions of players with a deviously simple quandary: can you guess the right five-letter word within just six guesses? All you have to help you in finding the Wordle answer are the contextual clues you gain from each guess - but often, that's not enough. Wordle can be tricky, you see, and it's not unusual to look for a little bit of help if you want to preserve your year-long winstreak.
In this guide we'll offer up a selection of Wordle hints to help you figure out today's solution for Monday December 16. Scroll down a bit further and we'll also reveal today's Wordle answer for 16/12, and a definition of the word if you need it.
Use our Wordle Solver tool to help you figure out the answer to any Wordle in moments! Just pop your current guesses in the grid and watch the tool instantly give you all the potential answers.
Wordle hints: Clues for today's Wordle on 16/12
Every day we offer up a number of Wordle hints that you can use to help figure out the solution. So have a read of our clues below and see if you can figure it out before skipping ahead to the answer:
What is the Wordle hint today?
This is what you'll do to your friends once you find today's Wordle answer.
What letter does today's Wordle begin with?
Today's Wordle word begins with B.
What letter does today's Wordle end with?
Today's Wordle word ends with T.
How many vowels are in today's Wordle?
Today's Wordle word contains 2 vowels.
Are there any double letters in today's Wordle?
There are 5 unique letters in today's Wordle word.
What's a good starting word for today's Wordle?
If you type in the starting word "oaths", then four letters will turn yellow.
Still having some trouble finding today's Wordle solution? To preserve your win streak, scroll down to reveal today's Wordle answer, and a description of the word's meaning.
What is today's Wordle answer on December 16?
It's time to reveal the answer to today's Wordle for 16/12. The word is...
BOAST.
Congrats if you managed to correctly guess the Wordle answer today!
What does the Wordle answer today mean?
To 'boast' means to brag about something you take pride in: "he boasts about his wealth".
How to share your Wordle results without spoilers
Wordle has a built-in method of sharing your results in a spoiler-free way, so that those you sent it to don't see today's Wordle word itself, only the colours in your grid to show how well you did.
To share your Wordle results, simply complete (or lose) today's Wordle, and then wait a moment for the statistics panel to appear on your screen. Then tap the "SHARE" button.
On PC this will simply copy the text into your clipboard, so you can then paste the text anywhere you wish, whether it's a private message or a status update on social media. On iPhone or Android, when you tap the "SHARE" button you'll have the option either to copy to clipboard, or to share the results directly to another app on your phone (such as WhatsApp or Twitter).
Using the built-in sharing feature of Wordle is a much nicer way of sharing your results than potentially spoiling the answer to those who haven't yet had the chance to play today's Wordle themselves. So we highly encourage you to use it!
How to play Wordle
Wordle is wonderfully simple. The aim is to guess the correct five-letter word within six guesses. After each guess, the letters of your chosen word will highlight green if they're in the correct place, yellow if they're in the wrong place, or grey if they don't appear in the word at all.
Using these clues you can start to narrow down the correct word. Head over to the Wordle site to try it for yourself!
How did Wordle begin?
Wordle began life as a little family game created by software engineer Josh Wardle. He created the game so that he and his partner could play a fun little word game together during the pandemic, and they quickly realised that there was something quite special in this simple little guessing game. So after a bit of refinement, Wardle released it to the public on his website, Power Language.
The game was released in October 2021, and by the end of the year the game had two million daily players. It became a viral hit, thanks in large part to the ease with which players could share their results in a spoiler-free manner on Twitter and other social media sites. In January 2022, Wardle accepted an offer from the New York Times to acquire Wordle for a seven-figure sum. Well done, Mr Wardle. Well done indeed.
Are any Wordle words not allowed?
You can type in pretty much any five-letter word in the English language and Wordle will accept it as a guess. However, the answer is picked each day from a much smaller list of more common five-letter words. There are still thousands of possible answers, of course, but it means the answer will never be a word as obscure as, say, "THIOL", or "CAIRD", or "MALIC" (yes, those are all real words).
There are very occasional words which the New York Times will choose not to publish as the day's Wordle answer, perhaps for reasons relating to recent news or politics. For example, shortly after news broke that Roe v Wade might be overturned in the United States, the NYT decided to change the March 30th word from "FETUS" to "SHINE", as the feeling was that the word "fetus" was too politically charged a word in the context of recent events.
The New York Times has also been careful never to allow what they consider to be rude words as the answer to a Wordle puzzle. But of course there's nothing stopping you from using even the dirtiest of words as guesses, as long as they're accepted words in the dictionary, and as long as you realise that they'll never end up being the answer.
Is Wordle getting too easy for you?
If Wordle is starting to get too easy, there are a few ways you can make the game more challenging for yourself. The first choice is to turn on Hard Mode. You can do this on the Wordle site by clicking the cog icon in the top-right of the screen. Hard Mode means that any highlighted letters must be used in all future guesses. This stops you from using the common tactic of choosing two words like "OUNCE" and "PAINS" to test all five vowels early on.
You can take it up another notch by playing by what we call "Ultra-Hard" rules. This means that every guess you enter must potentially be the answer. If you were just playing on Hard Mode, and you typed "MOIST", and the "O" appeared yellow, then nothing would stop you from making "POLAR" as your next word, even though it couldn't possibly be the answer because you already know the "O" is in the wrong place. If you play by "Ultra-Hard" rules, that's not allowed. You must adhere to every clue, and make sure every single word you enter is potentially the answer.
If after all that Wordle is still too easy for you, then you could always try one of the many other Wordle-inspired games online that have cropped up over the past year. One of our favourites is Worldle, in which you must guess a country of the world based on its shape. There's also Waffle, which is about swapping letters in a completed grid to complete all the words; Moviedle, which shows you an entire movie in a tiny space of time and challenges you to guess the movie within six guesses; and Quordle, which tasks you with solving four Wordles at once with the same guesses.
If you need some help with future Wordles, be sure to check out our list of the best Wordle starting words for the greatest chance of success. You can also check out our archive of past Wordle answers to see which words have been chosen previously.
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https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/wordle-hint-and-answer-today-16-12-24
| 2024-12-16T07:12:56Z
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Mumbai, The friendship between Raj Kapoor and Mukesh is well documented in the annals of Hindi cinema, but what remains relatively unknown is how the legendary filmmaker mentored the singer’s son, Nitin Mukesh, through both his personal and professional journey over the years.
Mukesh sang over 100 songs for Raj Kapoor in films, including “Awara”, “Anari”, “Shree 420”, “Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai”, “Sangam”, and “Mera Naam Joker”, becoming the almost exclusive singing voice in majority of his movies. The two were so close that Raj Kapoor famously said “I have lost my voice” when Mukesh died in 1976.
Nitin Mukesh too had a special relationship with the actor-filmmaker whose 100th birth anniversary was marked on December 14.
“God has forgotten to make human beings like him and my father. Where will you see such bonding and friendships these days? Raj uncle got me into playback singing and shows but he would still keep a check on me. Emotionally, I would look up to him.
“It all started because of Raj uncle. That’s his role in my life, and I worship him. He was a father figure, because my father was not around, he took it upon himself to settle me and my family. He was there at every step for me, till he was not there,” the singer told PTI in an interview.
Recalling the time he “crushed” his father’s dreams when he returned to Mumbai from London before completing his studies, Nitin Mukesh said it was Raj Kapoor who pacified Mukesh.
“Raj uncle said, ‘Nitin has come back but don’t consider this as failure,’ and instantly made me sing for ‘Mera Naam Joker’,” he said, referring to an iteration of Gracie Fields’ song “Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye”.
The singer, also known for songs such as “So Gaya Yeh Jahan”, “Zindagi Ki Na Toote Ladi”, and “Hanste Hanste”, said the filmmaker let him try his hand at film distribution and gave his father the rights to “Mera Naam Joker”, ensuring he didn’t lose a penny when the 1970 film flopped.
“That’s how he was involved in my life,” he added.
Despite their contrasting backgrounds, Raj Kapoor and Mukesh were “destined” to be friends for life, recalled the 74-year-old.
“There was a world of difference between his stature and that of my father, who came to Mumbai and was not educated and had to go through a big struggle. At that time, for two people to meet and be attracted to each other’s creativity was nothing short of a miracle.
“It was divine intervention that Papa and Raj uncle met and took to each other like fish to water, or, as he would say, ‘soul to a body or a body to a soul’.”
As Nitin Mukesh progressed in his career, Raj Kapoor continued to mentor him, encouraging him to take bold steps.
One notable instance was when many industry insiders advised against the singer singing “Woh Aurat Hai Tu Mehbooba” in 1978’s “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” as it was originally meant to be sung by his father Mukesh.
But Raj Kapoor had faith in Nitin Mukesh’s abilities and allowed him to sing the song picturised on Shashi Kapoor, his younger brother, and leading lady Zeenat Aman, for whom Lata Mangeshkar lent her voice.
“The industry took notice of the song and soon Manoj Kumar ji made me sing for his movies like ‘Kranti’ and ‘Santosh’. Laxmikant-Pyarelal ji made me sing for other films. I never looked back,” he said.
Raj Kapoor’s affection for the Mukesh family extended beyond work as the filmmaker would frequently visit their home with presents.
The screen icon, who used to call Nitin Mukesh ‘Goldie Baba’, once gifted him an air conditioner, he recalled.
From birthdays, wedding anniversaries to festivals, the Mukesh and Kapoor families celebrated every occasion, big or small, together.
“December 14 was a free party for everyone in the film industry, and the who’s who would descend at Raj uncle’s house. We would spend quality time there,” the singer recounted.
At parties, Raj Kapoor and Mukesh would be “inseparable”.
“They would sing and entertain other guests. One could see their camaraderie and respect for each other. The governor, chief minister of the state, and other big luminaries were invited but Mukesh would be by his side. Raj uncle had many friends and many people were close to him but he had a different fondness for Papa,” Nitin Mukesh said.
The singer said his world came “crashing down” when Raj Kapoor died at Delhi’s AIIMS a month after receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award on May 2, 1988.
Nitin Mukesh remembers his frequent visits to the hospital and singing one of Raj Kapoor’s favourite songs, “Bahut Diya Denewale Ne Tujhko”, originally sung by his father for a non-Raj Kapoor movie, 1962’s “Soorat Aur Seerat”.
“When he was in the ICU, Krishna aunty once told me, ‘Take blessings from uncle and sing the song’. Both of us got emotional and we could see tears trickle down from his eyes while he was on the ventilator. This was one week before he passed away. I had his blessings right till the end,” he said.
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https://thehillstimes.in/entertainment/he-was-a-father-figure-to-me-nitin-mukesh-on-his-bond-with-raj-kapoor
| 2024-12-16T07:12:55Z
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The great tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain has been taken from our midst at the fag end of the year in which he became the first Indian to win three Grammy Awards.
A family statement confirmed the death of the 73-year-old musician in a San Francisco hospital at 5:12 a.m. (IST) on Monday, citing complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as the cause. He had been in hospital for the past two weeks and was shifted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on Sunday after his condition had deteriorated.
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."
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.
Zakir Hussain won Grammys for Best Global Music Performance for the song "Pashto", Best Contemporary Instrumental Album and Best Global Music Album at the Premier Music Awards earlier this year making history history as the first Indian to win three Grammys in a single night.
Born to the legendary musician Alla Rakha, Hussain was a child prodigy, giving his first concert at the age of seven and beginning to tour by the age of 12. After completing his education in Mumbai, he moved to the US in 1970, marking the beginning of his international career.
In a career spanning six decades, Hussain collaborated with some of the most renowned international and Indian artists, leaving an enduring impact on global music.
He worked with nearly all of India’s iconic performers, including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma.
His collaborations with Western musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, George Harrison, and the pop group Earth, Wind & Fire brought tabla and Indian classical music to audiences worldwide, solidifying his reputation as a global cultural ambassador.
In 1973, Hussain achieved global recognition for his groundbreaking work with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. 'Vikku' Vinayakram. Together, they formed Shakti, a band that fused Indian classical music with jazz in a revolutionary blend of styles.
Shakti disbanded in the late 1970s but re-emerged two decades later as Remembering Shakti, with original members Hussain and McLaughlin joined by stalwarts such as the late Mandolin U. Srinivas, vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, percussionist V. Selvaganesh (son of Vinayakram), flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia, and violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan.
In 2020, Shakti reformed with its current lineup of Hussain, McLaughlin, Selvaganesh, Mahadevan, and Rajagopalan. This version of the band won Shakti its recent Grammys.
Over his career, Hussain received four Grammy Awards, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.
Recognized as one of India’s greatest classical musicians, Hussain was honored with the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023, solidifying his legacy as a cultural icon.
In a 2018 interview, Hussain expressed his belief that the role of a percussionist is to accompany the vocalist, no matter how famous the musician may be. He explained that a tabla player must always be a "subordinate" when performing alongside a classical musician or singer.
"My job will be to help him (vocalist), accompany him, and play with him. For a tabla player to be in that situation is something very normal, not a stigma of any kind," Hussain said.
Hussain often spoke about the deep bond he shared with his tabla, which he considered more than just an instrument. "Music has brought me to the world and the world to me," he once said.
The maestro viewed his tabla as his "mate," a brother, a friend, and even the bed he slept in. He spoke of a special connection with the spirit of the instrument, saying, "I cannot imagine that I can exist without it. It motivates me to get up in the morning and say, 'hello.'"
Eight years ago, Hussain had narrated how his father Alla Rakha had welcomed him into this world by putting the musical instrument's rhythms into his ears when asked to recite prayers.
Hussain spoke of his father holding him in his arms for the first time.
“I was brought home and handed over to my dad in his arms. The tradition was that the father is supposed to recite a prayer in the baby's ear, welcoming the baby and putting some good words. So he takes me in his arms, puts his lips to my ear and recites the tabla rhythms into my ears. My mother was livid. She said, what are you doing? You're supposed to say, you know, prayers, not rhythms," Zakir Hussain said
“And he said, but these are my prayers. This is how I pray. He said, I am the worshipper of Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesh. This was a devout Muslim talking. He said this is the knowledge he got from his teachers and wanted to pass it on to his son,” the legendary musician continued.
Born on March 9, 1951 in Mumbai, Zakir had his early education from St. Michael's School in Mahim and did his graduation from St Xavier's College.
During his early days, he 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.
In another interview, 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.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Dec/16/remembering-ustad-zakir-hussain-the-shakti-that-took-tabla-and-indian-classical-music-global
| 2024-12-16T07:12:58Z
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The report on the construction of the railway route from the southern economic hub to the Mekong Delta hub of Can Tho is expected to be completed and submitted to the relevant authorities for approval in 2025.
Accordingly, the high-speed train connecting the two cities will run more than 175 kilometers through Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Binh Duong, Long An, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Can Tho City with 12 stations, four passenger terminals, and three maintenance stations.
The high-speed rail will have a design speed of 160 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight trains. The projected demand for goods transported on the line by 2055 is around 26.184 million tons per year, with 18.324 million passenger trips.
The project’s investment is expected to be about US$9.86 billion, including total investment for Phase 1 of US$7.16 billion.
The investor will set a plan to establish Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho Railway Transport Joint Stock Company for the management and operation.
The consulting consortium has proposed that the Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho high-speed railway project will be submitted to the Government for approval in 2025; the pre-feasibility study report will be prepared and approved in 2026-2027; the construction is planned to begin before 2030; and it will be put into operation in 2035.
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https://en.sggp.org.vn/hcmc-can-tho-railway-needs-over-us9-billion-of-investment-post114523.html
| 2024-12-16T07:12:58Z
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Trial opens for Healing the Divide's Iris Koh, doctor and assistant accused of cheating MOH over COVID-19 jabs
A court heard details of how Iris Koh allegedly referred patients to Dr Jipson Quah, who was offered up to S$6,000 (US$4,500) to give a family saline solutions instead of the vaccine.
SINGAPORE: The trial of Healing the Divide founder Iris Koh, suspended doctor Jipson Quah and his assistant Thomas Chua Cheng Soon opened at the State Courts on Monday (Dec 16).
The trio is accused of a criminal conspiracy to cheat the Ministry of Health (MOH) that people were immunised with the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine when they were not.
The allegations span periods in 2021 and 2022, when vaccination-differentiated measures for activities like dining in at eateries and returning to the office were in place in Singapore.
A district court heard more details of how the scheme operated, including how Koh allegedly referred patients to Dr Quah, who said he was offered up to S$6,000 (US$4,500) to give a family saline solutions that were recorded as the COVID-19 vaccination.
Koh, 58, is the founder of Healing the Divide, a group that is known to be against COVID-19 vaccination.
She faces a total of 14 charges, of which the prosecution is proceeding with seven charges of conspiracy to cheat MOH. She is represented by Mr Wee Pan Lee of Wee, Tay & Lim.
Her seven remaining charges have been stood down while the trial proceeds. These are for allegedly instigating Healing the Divide members to “flood” government hotlines and harass doctors at vaccination centres, organising a public assembly against the national COVID-19 immunisation programme, and refusing to sign and tearing up a copy of her police statement.
Against Dr Quah, 36, the prosecution is proceeding with 17 charges of conspiring to cheat MOH. He was suspended from medical practice by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) in March 2022, and is represented by Mr Adrian Wee of Lighthouse Law.
Chua, the doctor’s 43-year-old assistant, faces seven charges of conspiring to cheat MOH, and is representing himself.
The prosecution’s case is that Koh would refer people who did not want to be vaccinated to Dr Quah, for him to assist in recording them as having received a COVID-19 jab, when they had not.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Timotheus Koh, Yohanes Ng and Thaddeus Tan said that Dr Quah would administer saline solution to these patients instead of the vaccine.
He then made false representations to the National Immunisation Registry of the Health Promotion Board by notifying the registry that these persons had received a COVID-19 vaccine, the prosecutors said.
Dr Quah operated various clinics between Oct 16, 2021 and Jan 19, 2022, according to the prosecutors.
MOH previously said that Dr Quah was the licensee or manager of Wan Medical Clinic, Mayfair Medical Clinic, Mayfair Medical Clinic (Yishun Chong Pang) and Ong Clinic & Surgery (Yishun).
Chua, who worked for Dr Quah at the clinics, allegedly helped him to liaise with these patients and knew the doctor was administering saline instead of a vaccine.
The prosecutors said that Dr Quah and Chua admitted to these offences in their police statements. They will seek to prove the prosecution’s case using 11 statements that each man recorded.
The prosecution will also call other co-conspirators or patients named in the charges, who consulted Dr Quah at his clinics, to testify before District Judge Paul Quan.
“REFERRALS” FROM KOH
The prosecutors said that Dr Quah became acquainted with Koh sometime in 2021. The court heard more details of how they met and how Dr Quah allegedly started giving patients saline.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Karl Elliott Lim Peng, who was the prosecution’s first witness, took the court through a statement he recorded from Dr Quah on Jan 21, 2022.
In the statement, Dr Quah said that Koh accompanied a female patient to one of his clinics in July 2021. He only knew Koh from what had been reported about her in the media at the time.
Dr Quah said the patient requested a blood test to determine if she had vaccine-related complications, and he administered one.
After this, Koh was “grateful” and wanted to know if he could conduct blood tests for other patients with similar symptoms. They exchanged numbers and kept in touch.
According to Dr Quah’s statement, after the government started introducing more vaccine-differentiated measures, Koh asked him if he administered Sinopharm vaccines. When he confirmed this, she said she would refer people to him for the vaccines.
In the statement, Dr Quah claimed his understanding was that Koh would refer the patients to him to receive the Sinopharm vaccine.
Sometime in 2021, a female patient visited his clinic and identified herself as a “referral” from Koh. According to Dr Quah, she said she would like to receive the COVID-19 vaccine but was fearful of the side effects, and “pleaded” with him to administer an alternative shot.
He also told ASP Lim that over time, more patients “trickled” in identifying themselves as referrals from Koh and saying that they were fearful of vaccinations.
Dr Quah said in the statement that he mostly would not know in advance if a patient was affiliated with Koh, although she would sometimes text him ahead of time to say who the patients were and when they would visit.
He said that for all patients seeking a Sinopharm vaccine, he would prepare and administer it following standard procedure.
But if they called themselves “referrals from Iris” and said they were afraid of being vaccinated, he would offer a saline jab and reflect them as having received the Sinopharm vaccine, Dr Quah said in his statement.
When ASP Lim asked Dr Quah why he did this, the doctor responded that he felt “sorry” for the patients because unvaccinated people faced restrictions at the time. He said he “found it hard” to reject an elderly couple who made such a request, for example.
He claimed that some of the patients came to him as they did not want to be terminated from their employment, while others wanted to “get around” social restrictions on unvaccinated people.
“TOKEN OF GRATITUDE” FOR SALINE JABS
The doctor also told ASP Lim that he did not intend to harm anyone or profit through the saline injections, but wanted to help those in need.
He said in the statement that one family of three offered him S$1,000 to S$6,000 for saline injections that would be recorded as COVID-19 vaccinations.
However, he said he interpreted this as a “token of gratitude” rather than payment, and said he would not reject patients who offered to pay more.
One of Dr Quah’s patients, David Christopher Newton, was previously convicted and jailed for paying S$6,000 for saline shots for him and his unsuspecting wife in December 2021 and January 2022.
Checks by CNA in August 2021 showed that clinics in Singapore priced the two-dose Sinopharm vaccine at about S$98 or S$99, with GST.
In his statement, Dr Quah also said that Chua was the only member of his staff at the clinics who knew about the saline shots, and that Chua had been working for him for the past two years to deliver medicines and run medical errands.
He described Chua as the “middleman” who liaised between Koh, the patients and the clinic, and the one who collected the money from the patients and passed it to him.
Dr Quah also told ASP Lim that he let Chua keep about 30 per cent of the takings as he wanted to help Chua improve his financial situation.
If found guilty of dishonestly making a false representation, the punishment is imprisonment for up to 20 years, a fine or both for each charge.
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/iris-koh-jipson-quah-healing-divide-covid-19-vaccine-saline-cheat-moh-4808881
| 2024-12-16T07:13:00Z
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NEW YORK -- For the first time in almost two months, the box office doesn't belong to blue people.
After seven weeks as the top film in theaters, "Avatar: The Way of Water" was finally knocked out of the No. 1 spot by the M. Night Shyamalan thriller "Knock at the Cabin" and the octogenarian comedy "80 for Brady."
"Knock at the Cabin," a home invasion horror film with an apocalyptic riff, dethroned James Cameron's 3-D sci-fi epic with $14.2 million in ticket sales at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. The Universal Pictures release stars Dave Bautista as one of four strangers who approach a family vacationing in a rural cabin.
The opening for "Knock at the Cabin" came up shy of some of Shyamalan's recent releases. His last film, 2021's "Old," about a beach that rapidly ages those who visit it, launched with $16.9 million and ultimately collected $90.1 million worldwide. His 2019 film "Glass," the third installment in the director's "Unbreakable" trilogy, opened with $40.3 million on its way to grossing $247 million globally. Every other film directed by Shyamalan has opened higher than "Knock at the Cabin."
But "Knock at the Cabin" still marks Shyamalan's seventh film as director to open No. 1. With a modest budget of $20 million, "Knock at the Cabin" should easily turn a profit. The film, which drew mostly positive reviews from critics (68% on Rotten Tomatoes), added another $7 million internationally.
Taking second place was "80 for Brady," a comedy about four friends (Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno and Sally Field) who take a trip to the 2017 Super Bowl. It opened with an estimated $12.5 million. Shortly after announcing his retirement from football (again), Tom Brady attended the film's premiere.
Paramount Pictures employed a unique strategy in releasing "80 for Brady." While many films have sought to capitalize on higher ticket prices through large-format or 3-D screenings or surge pricing, which films like "The Batman" have tried, Paramount went the other direction on "80 for Brady." The studio partnered with exhibitors, including the largest chains, to play "80 for Brady" at matinee prices to help lure its largely older audience. (Half of ticket buyers were over the age of 55.)
It seemed to work. At a time when comedies have struggled mightily in theaters, "80 for Brady" (with a production budget of $28 million) had one of the best openings for a live-action comedy in years. Discount pricing is to continue for the rest of the film's run.
"Avatar: The Way of Water" slide to third with $10.8 million domestically in its eighth weekend. The film's No. 1 streak matched the run of 2009's "Avatar." In the last four decades, only those two by Cameron and his "Titanic" (1997) have had such sustained reigns atop the box office.
"The Way of Water" continues to perform especially strongly overseas, where its $27.9 million this weekend pushed its overall total to $2.17 billion worldwide. That puts it at fourth highest gross of all-time; Cameron -- with two "Avatar" films and "Titanic" -- now accounts for three of the top four.
"BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas" took in $5.1 million to land in fifth place. The BTS concert film is drawn from their October 2022 performance in Busan, South Korea -- a send-off show before the group began a two-year hiatus. It opened in 1,111 locations.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. "Knock at the Cabin," $14.2 million.
2. "80 for Brady," $12.5 million.
3. "Avatar: The Way of Water," $10.8 million.
4. "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish," $8 million.
5. "BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas," $5.1 million.
6. "A Man Called Otto," $4.2 million.
7. "M3gan," $3.8 million.
8. "Missing," $3.7 million.
9. "The Chosen Season 3 Finale," $3.6 million.
10. "Pathaan," $2.8 million.
Follow AP film writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
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https://www.semissourian.com/entertainment/knock-at-the-cabin-knocks-off-avatar-at-the-box-office-2982677/
| 2024-12-16T07:13:01Z
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Noah Dobson News: Goals in back-to-back games
Dobson netted an even-strength goal on eight shots and added one block, three hits and one takeaway to go along with a team-high 24:26 of ice time in Sunday's 5-3 loss to Chicago.
Dobson has now scored in two straight games, and he's picked up the pace in December with three goals and eight points through seven contests. The right-shot blueliner logged 10 points (one goal) through the first 25 games of the campaign, so he seems to have settled in after a shaky start to 2024-25. Dobson's production could increase even more in the near future as Mathew Barzal (upper body) returned from a 21-game absence Sunday, and Anthony Duclair (lower body) is nearing a return. All three of these players will more than likely serve on the No. 1 power-play unit when healthy. Dobson is leading New York's blueliners in scoring with four goals and 18 points through 32 appearances.
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https://www.rotowire.com/hockey/headlines/noah-dobson-news-goals-in-back-to-back-games-544101
| 2024-12-16T07:13:02Z
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CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered interspaced short palindromic repeats; DNA editing, point mutation-gene insertion), mRNA technology vaccines (Malone Bourla Weissman et al.), siRNA (small interfering RNA), RNA
helicase enzymes, ribonuclease targeting chimeras (RIBOTACs)...these entities, especially CRISPR, siRNA, mRNA technology vaccines (encapsulated lipid-nano particle/LNP platform); get to know them
Re-post given the significance!
Get familiar with these mRNA technology vaccine related technical terms for they will rule humanity long-term whether you like it or wanted it!
They are bringing a fake fraud avian bird flu, PCR manufactured, just like COVID. Be warned!
It is no longer is it efficacious or effective (proven in ideal and real-world settings), is it safe (proven safe where harms have been excluded via the proper duration of follow-up studies/RCTs etc.) and is it NEEDED (is it something society demands or wants or can use or has value-added)…no no no, these demons in pharma etc. do not care if you need it. They are giving it to you.
There is a line between good and evil, and we are at the line and crossed over into ‘evil’. These mRNA MADMEN and MADWOMEN! They must be called out, dragged into courts with judges and juries, examined under oath and if shown caused harms and deaths, as declared by judges and juries, then they must be jailed or executed.
mRNA gene-based technology vaccines were imposed on society, mandated, as part of OWS (the ‘crown jewel of OWS) with no safety testing, nothing, despite out of the box showing the vaccine did not stop infection or transmission (thus non-sterilizing) and thus was moot, dead, without care for the long-term implications and you could not stop them during COVID. The ‘powers at be’ decided what they were going to do in order to gain power, control, money.
If a vaccine does not stop transmission, it cannot be mandated as confers no societal benefit. Period! Yet that did not stop the evil beasts we confronted at CDC and FDA and HHS and NIH etc. Did not stop our corrupt inept, academically lazy, intellectually sloppy, specious, non-sensical medical doctors, our scientists…no no no…they were power-drunk and money-craven.
And we are off the cliff now with this mRNA technology and it is bumping into AI (artificial intelligence) and the dangers AI poses. The makers of AI, their intended uses. As soon as humanity discovered atomic/nuclear fission, what did we do? We invented the atomic bomb to kill people. And we did. Human beings take technology and advancements and somehow figure out how to harm with it FIRST and the problem with mRNA technology is that it gets at the very core of humanity and civilization, this being the human genome, DNA. And interferes with it. And we have no understanding of the long-term implications.
Yet we know one thing thus far:
The OWS mRNA vaccines (and DNA viral vector platforms that were also made) did not work, never worked, and caused tremendous harms and death. Still are!
I am going to study this further (while I have a decent enough understanding) and I wish to read Hulscher’s paper on siRNA (small interfering RNAs) and RIBOTACs as well as Sasha Latypova’s rebuttal that raises serious and key questions. Latypova’s questions are really simple, and they are mine which is, all of the implications of present mRNA technology and vaccine, all of the drawbacks and harms, apply to siRNA technology etc. Also not studied on populations, not studied for harms, not studied for long-term implications on DNA and the human genome.
In short, based on the molecular tools (all surrounding manipulation in some manner of human DNA/genetic material) I describe below, and their evil intentions (the ‘makes), our daily lives will be changed forever with this mRNA (RNA) technology. This is their intention, BIG business, BIG pharma, BIG evil, BIG cabal, BIG globalists, which is to make perpetual money, never ending, and at our expense. They do not care about your well-being. This is about MONEY. These beelzebub beasts have no care for our safety and survival. Just their fame, money, power, control. Worse.
If we do not get on top of this now, if we do not understand this and have the urgent necessary discussions societally, then this Malone Bancel et al. mRNA technology and gene-based vaccine and platform, it’s unison with CRISPR, siRNA etc., then we will be in serious harm trouble, from a HUMANITY point of view.
Yet it is happening ‘while you sleep’. The ‘powers at be’ are rolling this out and mainstreaming it, and we seem powerless. But if we do not stop this now, our lives will be changed negatively forever for there have never been the proper clinical studies and particularly study that could ‘exclude’ harms. No study has been or is slated to demonstrate safety in this era of mRNA technology. Moreover, as of now, the evidence clearly shows this technology is problematic and dangerous.
The Operation Warp Speed (OWS) mRNA COVID vaccines were NOT needed, did not work, and showed a dangerous prior safety history in all attempts to study it or apply it, and have been a catastrophic failure yet the merchants of death, the modern day Mengeles, Klaus Barbies, Hesses etc. with their mRNA technology, will not stop.
What do we do? Well, we have to stop them! So, who will be the mRNA technology Pretorians? The Vanguards to safeguard humanity?
What Robert Malone, Moncef Slaoui, Albert Bourla, Bancel, Ugur Sahin, Katalin Karikó, Drew Weissman, General Perna, Ozlem Tureci et al., these people, have done to the world with a safety untested mRNA technology and the Pfizer, Moderna, BioNTech vaccine is monstrous. Monstrous.
I continue to call for a complete ban, not a study of, not a review, but a 100% ban on all RNA products, any mRNA product, LNP product, or any such OWS ‘countermeasure’ product as part of any human vaccines e.g. the current mRNA COVID related vaccines must be stopped in full. All the evidence to date shows these mRNA gene-based technology vaccines to be ineffective (negative effectiveness, non-sterilizing/non-neutralizing) and harmful, deadly. Must be stopped in toto. And if I can get it back into the genie box, then forever! It has no place.
mRNA vaccines under OWS were not needed, never needed and did not work! Anyone who said they worked and that they saved lives…lied to you! Deceived you!
Complete and now! There is no evidence anywhere in the entire world showing the synthetic mRNA (on its own) technology or as part of the LNP (delivery platform) is safe or effective. It must be stopped! It has shown itself to be just too harmful. There is no, not ONE, none, ZERO, randomized clinical trials, no proper comparative effectiveness research studies that have shown that any of the OWS mRNA technology gene-based vaccines (in adults or children) worked to reduce hospitalizations, ICU, severe harms, or deaths. Not one! As of today! And all of this work remains on emergency use (EUA) because FDA knows if they put these through their proper regulatory assessment framework, their BLA process, that they will fail. So, these MUST remain on EUA. Imagine that!
We have been set up as a society, as people by evil people.
I might be willing to consider that these entities (listed above) will all need to be taken back to the lab for at least 100 more years of bench research using all types of animal models etc. (harms completely excluded) and with the proper ethical debate before ever brought back in front of the population to consider in a vaccine and always in 100 years, based on proper benefit versus risk informed consenting. A vaccine maker making something does not mean the population has to accept it. Or will accept it. 100 years before we look at this again and a core aspect is it must be shown that it does not and cannot interface or re-integrate or interfere in any manner, with the underlying human DNA. Conclusively shown. Exhaustive definitive evidence of safety with harms excluded, remains a basic ingredient for us to even look at this in 100 years and no sooner. For us to discuss, not for us to implement. The population must be core to any debate as to IF they want it. A religious component is key also.
I have tabled the key molecular entities here within this new deadly arena of mRNA technology platform vaccines (created by Malone Bourla Bancel Sahin Weissman Katalin Karikó et al. and disastrously used in the fake fraud PCR-created COVID non-pandemic yet positioning to become part of your daily life replacing all therapeutics) that include the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing platform and siRNA. We are entering into a very dangerous arena now, that will transform our lives. We argue catastrophically. Many involved seek to make money, PERIOD. mRNA technology researchers, vaccine makers like Pfizer, Moderna etc. They do not care about the ethics of this, or the safety of this. Just money! Thus far mRNA vaccines have proven ineffective and deadly.
These molecular entities and tools e.g. CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered interspaced short palindromic repeats; DNA editing, point mutation-gene insertion), mRNA technology vaccines (Malone Bourla Weissman et al.), siRNA (small interfering RNA), RNA helicase enzymes, ribonuclease targeting chimeras (RIBOTACs) are changing and about to radically transform our lives. In terrible ways given the harms we know so far. Moreover, the type of ethics debates needed are not happening.
Not because pharma can create something means we the population wants it or desires it.
So these molecular tools and entities I have names above now must be studied, discussed and Hulscher et al. and Sasha Latypova now centers the debate.
I thank them.
My first blush tells me that it is outrageous to consider a mRNA vaccine (siRNA etc.) to fix or detoxify or suppress or de-activate the existing mRNA technology vaccine (created by Malone Bourla Bancel Sahin Weissman Katalin Karikó et al.). We need proper oversight of all of this insanity.
"Pre-medication", or how to sell $50 worth of generic drugs for $600,000!
The curious case of Onpattro, siRNA in lipid nanoparticle now being considered by some as a potential treatment for mRNA injuries
Jun 17
‘I had a friend in school, who needed a “pre-dinner” before dinner, and then a pizza slice after the dinner. He was skinny. I still hate him.
This is not a hit piece. This is a “pre-crime” novel.
Due Diligence and Art is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
A couple of weeks ago, many of us were rather shocked by the following publication:
Courageous Discourse™ with Dr. Peter McCullough & John Leake
By Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH As the world is waking up to nearly two thirds with potential future disease and disability from the long-lasting mRNA coding for the dangerous Wuhan Spike protein, the search is on for ways to stop this molecular monster from doing more damage…
In their review paper, Huschler, McCullough and Marotta proposed that treatment of mRNA induced vaccine injury may be mitigated with small interfering RNA (siRNA) and ribonuclease targeting chimeras (RIBOTACs). Quoting from the Substack post by Dr. McCullough:
It may seem unfathomable for doctors to inject more RNA to deactivate Pfizer and Moderna synthetic mRNA that has accumulated in the body after multiple injections. However, siRNA used today in my practice (patisiran, inclisiran) appears to be safe and well-tolerated only notable for injection site reactions.
I am one of the people for whom this idea is unfathomable, and I would like to provide some reasons as to why. I am not accusing anyone of anything. I believe that there is important information missing from this review, which I am going to discuss here.
While proposing siRNA as a treatment for mRNA injury, the paper does not discuss the current on-market siRNA drugs (patisiran - Onpattro, and inclisiran- Leqvio) in detail.
To address Leqvio briefly: it is administered by subcutaneous injection that targets the liver, has many severe counterindications, is known to cause fetal damage, has warnings for cardiovascular adverse events (while being indicated to presumably improve cardiac condition!), and it has never been shown to improve any real health outcomes. As many “new-new-science” drugs on the market, it treats test results, flowcharts, “standards of care” and income statements, not real humans. It is designed to “modify lipids”, i.e. make your cholesterol test look better in the eyes of the establishment/government medicine. The label states that “the effect of inclisiran on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not yet been determined”.
This article will focus on Onpattro, as it is similar to the covid shots, being a synthetic RNA (albeit a much smaller strand vs mRNA), encapsulated in LNP containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) - a known extremely toxic substance, which may account for a large % of known covid jab toxicities.
Onpattro (patisiran) is an injectable small interfering RNA that may be used to treat polyneuropathy (multiple nerve damage) caused by hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR) in adults. ATTR occurs when liver produces faulty transthyretin (TTR) proteins and TTR deposits accumulate in organs and tissues, most commonly the peripheral nerves. While I have not delved into ATTR, when exactly it was discovered and what evidence makes it hereditary, I strongly suspect that it is yet another BS new “rare genetic disease” made up as a cover for vaccine and/or environmental toxicity.
The mechanism of action for Onpattro is described as breaking down mutant and wild-type transthyretin (TTR) proteins through RNA interference. TTR is a protein primarily produced by the liver, that carries the thyroid hormone thyroxine and retinol (vitamin A) throughout the body.
Onpattro was FDA-approved on August 10, 2018.
Reviewing the FDA-approved label, I was immediately struck by the following (p.1, Dosage and Administration):
Premedicate with a corticosteroid, acetaminophen, and antihistamines
All patients should receive premedication prior to ONPATTRO administration to reduce the risk of infusion-related reactions (IRRs) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Each of the following premedications should be given on the day of ONPATTRO infusion at least 60 minutes prior to the start of infusion:
• Intravenous corticosteroid (e.g., dexamethasone 10 mg, or equivalent)
• Oral acetaminophen (500 mg)
• Intravenous H1 blocker (e.g., diphenhydramine 50 mg, or equivalent)
• Intravenous H2 blocker (e.g., ranitidine 50 mg, or equivalent)
Pre-medication here is a requirement and involves 4 generic drugs, including a steroid, a known big “fire extinguisher” for any inflammatory symptoms. It is not something that should be used long term. Yet, here we have prescribed chronic use of it, for life. Long-term side effects of steroids include:
Long-term side effects:
Osteoporosis (bone loss)
Aseptic necrosis (death of bone tissue)
Adrenal insufficiency (reduced adrenal gland function)
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Increased risk of infections
Mood disorders (depression, anxiety, psychosis)
Reduced libido
Weight gain and obesity
Skin thinning and easy bruising
Hair loss
Increased risk of diabetes
High blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Other risks:
Withdrawal symptoms when stopping steroid use, such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and joint pain
Increased risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures
Reduced immune system function
Increased risk of infections, including pneumonia and tuberculosis
Increased risk of gastrointestinal problems, such as stomach ulcers and bleeding
Was Onpattro, the first-ever synthetic RNA product approved for market, ever studied alone, without the use of 4 “pre-medications”?
Turns out, no!
I found the published Phase 3 study for Onpattro, based on which it received the FDA approval. In my opinion, the study has a lot of highly questionable design features. I am not a clinical trial statistician, so I can’t provide a re-analysis and I am not sure it is possible from the information given in the paper. I am just going to list what I find very concerning:
The study was small (~225 patients enrolled, 193 completed the study), and the number of clinical sites is very large 44 in 19 countries. This means, on average, 1 clinical trial site handled ~4-5 patients in the period of ~3+ years it took to complete the study. A small study divided among a large number of international sites is a recipe for large variability in a small dataset, and also an easy scenario for data manipulation. This is also a market-capture strategy. Pay lavish fees to every “key” doctor in a particular disease area to participate in the clinical trial where they might have to see a couple of patients a year and they become your devoted sales team. They get to be co-authors of the prestigious NEJM paper discussing “first”, “breakthrough”, “innovative” tech that Elon Musk says will cure cancer one day! Who cares about little things like data variability, we are saving the world here!
While using 5 (!!!) drugs in the study regimen (4 “pre-medications” + Onpattro), none of them are studied alone. Onpattro is never studied alone. The 4 pre-meds are not studied alone in this patient population either! We have no idea what each drug does by itself in this patient population. There are only 2 arms in the study - “pre-meds”+ saline IV and “pre-meds”+Onpattro. This is not a valid clinical trial design for a new medicine, and remember that this was the first and only “real” approval of RNA+LNP therapeutic. So, we are not just talking new medicine, but an entire new medicine class.
siRNA (just as mRNA products) is a pro-drug! It makes your liver act in certain way and produce the medicinal effect (allegedly). Again, combining a pro-drug with 4 drugs - who knows what interactions are happening? Nobody does…
The patients in the treatment arm were allowed to leave the study if the treatment didn’t work for them. Reasonable for severely ill people. However, this of course creates a bias for the study results, similar to what happens to your GPA if you are allowed to drop a course that you know you are going to fail. It is not explained in the paper whether this bias was properly handled in the statistics.
The study was not entirely blinded. Due to infusion-reactions, which were far more numerous, and characteristic in the active group of the study, it is likely that the investigators became unblinded after the first visit where a patient experienced a particular reaction. There was no mention of how this potential bias was handled.
The rate of adverse events was a staggering 97% in both placebo and active groups, but there was a much higher rate of severe and serious adverse events in the placebo group (4 generics + IV saline) vs the treatment group. The frequency of severe adverse events (28% in the patisiran group and 36% in the placebo group) and serious adverse events (36% and 40%, respectively). Adverse events leading to discontinuation of the trial regimen occurred more frequently with placebo (14%) than with patisiran (5%). Death occurred in seven patients (5%) in the patisiran group and in six patients (8%) in the placebo group. All seven deaths in Onpattro group were cardiac arrests or failure. All deemed “unrelated”! This is absolutely staggering - 7 deaths in 18 months in 140 people who all received “new, innovative, breakthrough, we-are-going-to-Mars” medicine. Same cause of death.
At best, I would consider this study inconclusive. The study proclaims Onpattro is efficacious and similarly “safe” as the placebo regimen. However, from presented data, a conclusion can be made that the 4 generic drugs in the “placebo” regimen are dangerous for this patient population. In addition, a conclusion can also be made that apparent “efficacy” of Onpattro is simply due to the study design that favored those in whom the 4 generics produced an improvement (steroids will make some people feel much better) to complete the Onpattro group of the study. In other words, the $50 regimen can be now marketed for $600K!
Another reason that I think siRNA is not a great idea to treat the mRNA injury: the covid jabs already contain (in addition to the toxic PEG) synthetic siRNA and miRNA in unpredictable quantities! Therefore, it is possible that covid vaccine injuries at least in some people are DUE TO these substances, and thus proposing the same as treatment is like pouring gasoline on a fire.
I have reported on this eons ago. At the time of issuing the EUA for these shots, the manufacturers could not demonstrate that they were able to make mRNA-LNP product even close to the specification. The RNA is supposed to be certain length of molecule to “instruct” your cells to make the specific antigen, remember? It’s supposed to be the mRNA for the “Wuhan variant”, or for “Omicron”, or for “RSV”, and those are quite different mRNAs! However, an ability to make such precise molecule reliably has never been demonstrated, by anyone. The regulators simply changed the prior standard of acceptance of RNA conformity to 50% of the batch being approximately the weight that the specified molecule should have, and the rest could be shards and pieces of RNA, including siRNAs and miRNAs. All of this was of course based solely on manufacturer self-certification, no independent analysis of batches was done by regulators.
However, we have a lot of data from independent vial tests since then. One such analysis was done by Vanessa Schmidt-Kruger in Germany in 2022, and here are her results for RNA composition by weight (length) in a Pfizer vial.
The first line is what was supposed to be found for RNA sequence in a Pfizer vial which is claimed to induce the cells to make a very specific protein against the “Wuhan” variant of SarsCov2 (should be 4300 nucleotides in length). The rest of the lines is what was actually found.
detail:
None of the findings correspond to what is supposed to be there for mRNA molecule composition. There are some strands that would pass the weight (length) test set by the FDA’s fake-acceptance criteria, but none have the composition that is claimed to produce some specific protein! There are many shorter clusters of RNA which would further degrade into shorter components such as siRNA or miRNA. It is important to emphasize, all these designations are models. There isn’t even a consensus on what the model of miRNA should be.
Side note: if you need another confirmation that it is not possible to make weaponized pandemic-causing viruses via gain-of-function molecular engineering in a lab, this is it. You are looking at the current, technological cutting-edge, state-of-the-art precision capabilities of making RNA viruses in labs! The GOF uses the same non-functioning biomanufacturing tools to allegedly build even larger very precise RNA constructs (full genome SarsCov is ~30K base pairs), reproducibly, in quantity, without a single error! They can’t make an RNA strand of ~4000 nucleotides to specification, even when it’s stabilized and encased in LNP, yet the fear porn producers tell you they can certainly make a “live virus” with scary-sounding features like “HIV insert” and “furin cleavage site”. This is when even 1 nucleotide error/change renders a potentially lethal virus into a dud. Yet, we must believe this is a world-ending scenario and demand banning this dangerous activity everywhere, but conveniently forgetting Fort Dietrick, because they are just poor confused soldiers following orders from bad Fauci, and also forgetting that this activity is already internationally banned. I agree, let’s ban this some more…
Finally, let’s examine the financial model:
In the United States, the cost of Onpattro is around $10,313 for a supply of 5 milliliters, depending on the pharmacy. The annual cost is estimated to be around $451,430 to $677,145 per patient, depending on the patient’s weight.
Inclisiran (Leqvio), an add-on therapy to other LDL-lowering drugs (statins and monoclonal antibodies), is priced at $3250/dose. I could not find annual cost estimates.
In case you didn’t know this, Medicare is not allowed to negotiate drug prices, and all private insurers follow Medicare’s pricing lead paying whatever price is demanded by pharma companies. Additionally, insurers are NOT interested in lowering costs of healthcare in general or drugs in particular. That is because their business model is based on charging a “premium”, which is dependent on the prior years’ cost increases. The more costs increase, the higher the “premium”, and thus profit. Finally, your doctor is also not interested in treating you with cheap generic medicines or things that make no profit at all, like lifestyle and diet changes. That is because the “physician charge” component for generics is zilch, while a $600,000/year treatment will have a pretty hefty allowance in the physician’s bill for the in-office infusion. Yes, they are all in on it.’
You must not wait for another catastrophic crisis (at times manufactured but we are prevented from making our own basic personal decisions or accessing needed drugs and response tools) to catch you off-guard. We must take charge and be prepared today so that we can enjoy peace of mind tomorrow.
Enter the Wellness Company as a solution and a willing participant in the health care conversation. From telemedicine, prescriptions, memberships, and supplements, TWC is leading America with alternative choices to the traditional health care model.
Firstly, please consider going from an UNPAID subscriber or follower to a PAID at $5 per month or $30 per year. This can provide me help. If this is not possible at this time, this is ok, please remain a subscriber for FREE and there is no difference between FREE and PAID. No restrictions.
Alternatively, if you wish to give a donation to help, you can at:
Zelle:
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Please consider support of a good company Drs. McCullough, Risch, Thorp, myself support (they are our sponsors), The Wellness Company; see the emergency preparation kit (with antibiotics you were denied by doctors, pharmacists, governments during the fraud COVID), first aid kit, travel emergency kit, contagion control kit etc. Please consider the SPIKE SUPPORT (spike protein DETOX dissolving) formula with NATTOKINASE as well as the triple formula (SPIKE SUPPORT, BROMELAIN, CIRCUMIN)
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https://palexander.substack.com/p/crisprcas9-clustered-interspaced-833
| 2024-12-16T07:13:02Z
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As Ustad Zakir Hussain bid farewell to the world, tributes pour in reminiscing his glory as a musician and his exceptionally charming persona. Musicians, politicians, artists and music lovers from around the globe remembered the legend for the magic he created on his tabla, which he considered his "mate."
Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej called him "one of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced."
"Shocked, deeply saddened and devastated by the passing-on of the legend Ustad Zakir Hussain. One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakirji was known for his immense humility, approachable nature, and for being responsible for the careers of numerous musicians, who are now forces to reckon with themselves," Ricky Kej wrote in a post on X.
He added that Zakir Hussain was a "treasure trove of skill and knowledge" who encouraged the entire music community through his collaborations and actions.
In a career spanning six decades, Hussain collaborated with some of the most renowned international artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Charles Lloyd, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Mickey Hart, George Harrison, and the pop group Earth, Wind & Fire bringing tabla and Indian classical music to audiences worldwide, solidifying his reputation as a global cultural ambassador.
He also collaborated with iconic Indian musicians including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma.
Calling him an inspiration, Oscar and Grammy-winning musician A. R. Rahman regretted not being able to collaborate with Zakir Hussain in recent years.
"Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim. His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned an album together. You shall be truly missed. May his family and his countless students worldwide find the strength to bear this immense loss,” Rahman wrote on X.
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta remembered Ustad as "the man who made tabla sexy."
"The maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away a few hours ago. Goodbye Ustadji. The man who made the tabla sexy, who brought an accompanying instrument to the forefront is gone. Deepest condolences to his family, fans and students around the globe," he wrote on X.
American music composer Nate Smith thanked Zakir Husain for "all the music."
"One time for the legend, Zakir Hussain. rest in peace and thank you for all of the music you gave us," Smith wrote on X.
Playback singer Sonu Nigam expressed shock in Zakir Husain's sudden demise.
"Zakir bhai... What is this?" the singer wrote on Instagram.
Indian classical singer Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar remarked that Zakir Hussain had a "rhythmic soul."
"Zakir sir was and will always be a huge inspiration to us. His loss is irreplaceable. He had a great rhythmic soul, and his contributions to music will live on forever. He won many hearts with his great talent and warmth," Dagar told ETV Bharat.
Veteran Tamil actor and politician Kamal Hassan thanked Ustad for the art he left behind.
"Zakir Bhai ! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art. Goodbye and Thank you," Kamal Hassan wrote on X.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called Zakir Hussain's passing "a monumental loss to culture and humanity."
"Ustad Zakir Hussain was instrumental in popularising Indian music across the globe, serving as a beacon of India’s rich musical heritage. A true custodian of classical traditions, his contributions to the arts remain unparalleled. His passing is a monumental loss to culture and humanity. Heartfelt condolences to his loved ones," Vijayan wrote on X.
Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away earlier on Monday after being admitted to a San Francisco hospital due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Confirming his death, Zakir's family stated that he "leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come."
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," Aulia told PTI.
Zakir Hussain won Grammys for Best Global Music Performance for the song "Pashto", Best Contemporary Instrumental Album and Best Global Music Album at the Premier Music Awards earlier this year making history as the first Indian to win three Grammys in a single night.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Dec/16/rhythmic-soul-man-who-made-tabla-sexy-tributes-pour-in-for-music-maestro-ustad-zakir-hussain
| 2024-12-16T07:13:04Z
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Welcome to The Hills Times, your trusted source for daily news and updates in English from the heart of Assam, India. Since our establishment in 2000, we've been dedicated to providing timely and accurate information to our readers in Diphu and Guwahati.
As the first English newspaper in the then undemarcated Karbi Anglong district, we've forged a strong connection with diverse communities and age groups, earning a reputation for being a reliable source of news and insights.
In addition to our print edition, we keep pace with the digital age through our website, https://thehillstimes.in, where we diligently update our readers with the latest happenings day by day. Whether it's local events, regional developments, or global news, The Hills Times strives to keep you informed with dedication and integrity. Join us in staying ahead of the curve and exploring the world through our lens.
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https://thehillstimes.in/epaper/16-december-2024-epaper
| 2024-12-16T07:13:03Z
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The most outstanding highlights of HCMC in 2024 are:
- HCMC’s projected GRDP growth is of approximately 7.17 percent;
- Budget revenue has, for the first time, surpassed the VND-500-trillion threshold (estimated at VND502 trillion (US$19.8 million), a 12-percent increase from 2023);
- The city’s budget comprises around 27 percent of the national budget revenue;
- Numerous tasks have been completed exceptionally, marking new milestones.
For 2025, HCMC has boldly outlined nine core task groups and solutions, creating new momentum to achieve GRDP growth exceeding 10 percent, accumulating sufficient strength and potential for the country to enter a “New Development Era – Vietnamese National Emergence”.
Decentralization and delegation
In his closing remarks at the 10th plenary session of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, addressing strategic directions and solutions for the upcoming period, General Secretary To Lam explicitly emphasized the need to accelerate decentralization with the principle of “local decisions, local implementation, local responsibility”; encouraging local self-reliance, proactiveness, and creativity.
HCMC has identified this as a breakthrough policy for urban development. For the city, robust decentralization and delegation will liberate the potential of all districts and Thu Duc City, enhancing administrative reform and autonomy at the grassroots level.
HCMC stands out as one of the few localities in the country to receive such extensive and focused attention from the central authorities.
Since 1982, the Central Government and the Politburo have issued numerous policies and resolutions to support HCMC’s socio-economic development and its decentralization process, the most prominent of which is Resolution 98/2023, providing exceptional mechanisms and opportunities. The city has been granted significant autonomy to drive its growth and address local challenges. The Government's commitment to decentralization and empowerment aims to create a thriving, modern city that contributes to the nation's overall development.
The city has systematically delegated authority to agencies, units, and district People's Committees to enhance administrative efficiency and public service quality. Specifically, in implementing Decree 84/2024/NĐ-CP on pilot decentralization in certain management domains, the city has decisively empowered grassroots levels, thereby encouraging dynamism, creativity, and autonomy across governmental levels.
The most recent development was the 20th session of the 10th HCMC People's Council, which approved a Decentralization Proposal involving 18 domains across two departments and local authorities. This initiative aims to reduce intermediary stages in policy implementation and clarify responsibilities between different administrative levels.
The proposal meticulously delineates tasks, authorities, and responsibilities between the HCMC People's Committee and its various departments, the People's Committees of Thu Duc City and all districts. It elevates the spirit of accountability at every level and across all sectors, with particular emphasis on leadership accountability while effectively leveraging and mobilizing the resources of local authorities, agencies, and organizational units.
The decentralization process is intimately connected with administrative procedure optimization, strategically reducing bureaucratic intermediaries, thereby condensing procedural timelines and implementation protocols. Consequently, this approach enables more timely resolution and superior responsiveness to the legitimate requirements of both citizens and enterprises.
Continuing breakthrough and transformative innovation
General Secretary To Lam has once emphasized that guided by the Communist Party, Vietnam is working diligently to become a prosperous, powerful, democratic, equitable, and civilized nation during this period of national resurgence.
Every citizen shall experience a life of abundance and happiness, increasingly contributing to regional and global peace, stability, and progress, ultimately advancing human happiness and global civilization. The ultimate destination of this emerging era is a society marked by national wealth and strength, democratic principles, social equity, civilizational advancement – developing within a socialist social framework, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with global powers.
The 14th Party Congress marks the beginning of a new era for Vietnam, aiming to transform the nation into a modern industrialized country with upper-middle-income status by 2030 and a high-income developed socialist nation by 2045. To achieve these goals, the country will leverage its strengths and overcome challenges, fostering a spirit of self-reliance and national pride. The Party's leadership will guide the nation's development, ensuring a prosperous future for all Vietnamese people.
To realize this collective objective, HCMC must continue to cultivate its leading role, embrace its transformative mission, and definitively establish its strategic position on the path of international integration, thereby enabling the entire nation to emerge triumphantly in this new era.
Vital role in national development
During each transformative developmental phase, particularly throughout the nation's renovation endeavors, HCMC has consistently maintained a pioneering role. Accompanied by the leadership courageous enough to conceptualize, execute, and assume responsibility, the city has spearheaded national innovations, introducing groundbreaking models and creative methodologies. Through strategic incremental progress, the city has systematically surmounted challenges, generating remarkable economic development breakthroughs and contributing substantially to the country's comprehensive advancement.
The pragmatic economic development lessons derived from HCMC’s experience enabled other nationwide localities to conceive innovative approaches, ultimately laying the groundwork for the Party’s comprehensive national renovation strategy introduced at the sixth Party Congress in December 1986.
Nearly five decades after the Southern Liberation Day and National Reunification, and approaching four decades of systematic national renovation, HCMC has consistently led economic development.
Contributing over 22 percent of GDP, capturing nearly one-third of national budget revenues, and maintaining labor productivity 2.6 times the national average, the city’s achievements are remarkable. Even in 2020, amid the severe global and national economic disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the city steadfastly maintained its position as the nation's premier budget revenue generator.
“Our Party, State, and People consistently affirm HCMC as a strategically critical domain – a unique urban center and significant metropolitan hub for political, economic, cultural, educational, scientific-technological dimensions, serving as a pivotal international exchange and integration hub. It is considered the leader for the Southeastern Region, Mekong Delta, Southern Key Economic Zone, and indeed, the entire nation.”
General Secretary To Lam (Working session with HCMC on August 17, 2024)
Perpetuating the traditions of solidarity and aspiration, profoundly internalizing the perspectives and insights of General Secretary To Lam regarding the new era, HCMC persistently maintains its pioneering role, forging pathways in the Industrial Revolution 4.0.
This endeavor encompasses constructing a knowledge-based economy, developing an intelligent metropolis with an innovative pioneer role; a city characterized by superior living standards, civility, modernity, profound humanistic values; ultimately transforming into Asia’s premier economic, financial, and service hub.
HCMC is implementing a comprehensive strategy to drive economic growth and urban development. This includes institutional reform, policy innovation, and infrastructure development. The city aims to optimize land use, enhance regional connectivity, and upgrade its industrial, urban, and service sectors. By resolving pending projects and strategically developing the Saigon River, the city seeks to foster sustainable tourism and secure water resources.
HCMC is embarking on a transformative journey, prioritizing high-tech development, green and digital transitions, and human capital development. The city is attracting investments that align with these priorities, focusing on technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and the utilization of skilled talent. To facilitate this transformation, the city is revamping its institutional and policy frameworks to drive strategic implementation.
The city’s economic strategy emphasizes rapid and sustainable growth, with a focus on industrialization and service sector development. By embracing innovative economic models like green economics, circular economies, and digital platforms, HCMC aims to establish itself as a thriving global metropolis. The city’s strategic focus on urban, maritime, and global service ecosystems will position it as a logistics hub, an Asian economic and financial center, and a culturally vibrant city with a high quality of life.
Since the 2020-2025 political tenure began, HCMC has implemented groundbreaking innovative strategies that have significantly advanced socio-economic development while maintaining its status as the nation's economic powerhouse.
With unwavering determination and a dynamic spirit, the city stands poised for robust progression. As a distinctive urban center, it embodies modern sophistication and profound humanity, aspiring to be a comprehensive national focal point that drives Vietnam’s industrialization and modernization objectives while honoring its legacy as the city bearing President Ho Chi Minh’s revered name.
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https://en.sggp.org.vn/hcmcs-bold-steps-towards-brighter-future-post114520.html
| 2024-12-16T07:13:06Z
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From the time I could remember, Dad always carried a three-blade pocket knife and a Vick's inhaler. He used both daily. The pocket knife was special to Dad. It was something he took care of and used daily. I watched him lance the big boils on cows, and the smell was awful. He used the same knife to turn the bull calves into steers and to show me how to skin a coyote. Then, since he wore dentures, he'd use the same knife to whittle on an apple or a pear. He had a round whet stone that he used pretty often so his knife was always sharp.
I was pretty little when I began to carry a two-blade pocket knife. One blade was a screwdriver and can opener and the other was a regular knife blade that had been broken right in the middle. It had a kind of loop on one end where you could tie a string or snap to something. I carried it for years. Seems like it was a Lone Ranger knife or something. As I got older I started to carry a three-blade Old Timer knife. It was made by Schrade in the United States.
Back then I did a lot of coyote hunting with my Swift with calls or traps, so there was always a coyote to skin. Seems like Marge and the boys and me always had fleas. One year I got 37 coyotes, so the Old Timer got a lot of use. It was decent to sharpen, but it would really hold an edge. Some knife edges would last forever, but were almost impossible to get sharp. I lost a few back then.
I was around my cousin, and he carried an Uncle Henry about the size of my Old Timer. His was a little slicker and better looking than mine, so I went to carrying an Uncle Henry. It was still made by Schrade. When in Moscow on a mission trip, I had packed my Uncle Henry in my luggage, but in Moscow it was in my pocket. The group of us went to the Bolshoi Ballet one evening, and we had to empty our pockets for the guards to see what we were carrying. When the little gal saw I had a pocket knife, she showed the guard. He looked at me and motioned her to give it back, so I carried it into the theater.
A few years later I was carrying an Uncle Henry when we were searched down in Memphis, when I rode the Greyhound bus. The Uncle Henry was in my pocket so they collected it. Never saw that USA-made Uncle Henry pocket knife again. I was disgusted! So when I got back to Scott City, Marge bought me a new Uncle Henry, but it was Chinese. So I went on Ebay and found some old USA Uncle Henrys and bought enough to last me. It's simply a darn good pocket knife. The one that I bought was kind of special. It is an XX Case three-blade pocket knife made in the USA. What makes it special is the handle is made from Missouri oak. I've carried it quite a bit and still do, but mainly for dress.
I was at a garage sale several years ago, and they had a two-blade Buck knife made in China that had belonged to Joe Lusk. I had never carried a two-blade knife so this was kind of unusual. After carrying it for several weeks, I came to like the two-blade Buck. It is still difficult to sharpen, but it works. All summer I used that Buck to peel cucumbers and tomatoes and peppers. I can't say how many I've eaten using that Buck. It's been used to pick slivers or to cut baler twine. I clean it occasionally. Most of the time I just wipe the blade clean on my old bib's leg.
Many people carry a knife nowadays, but not many carry a real pocket knife. Those who sit and whittle on an apple or pear or cucumber or turnip with a pocket knife are a dying breed.
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https://www.semissourian.com/features/pocket-knives-2910791/
| 2024-12-16T07:13:07Z
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Ryan Pulock News: Finds back of net in defeat
Pulock scored his first goal of the season in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Blackhawks.
Pulock beat Arvid Soderblom with a slap shot to tie the game at 1-1 late in the first period. The 30-year-old Pulock has gotten on the scoresheet in back-to-back games after recording just one assist over seven prior outings. The right-shot blueliner has provided one goal, 10 helpers, eight PIM, 45 shots on goal and a plus-5 rating while averaging 22:46 of ice time through 32 contests. The Manitoba will attempt to earn his first three-game point streak of the season against Carolina on Tuesday.
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https://www.rotowire.com/hockey/headlines/ryan-pulock-news-finds-back-of-net-in-defeat-544100
| 2024-12-16T07:13:08Z
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Jail for man who ran S$5 million Ponzi scheme while posing as 'successful' forex trader
Kenneth Kam Boon Hee promised victims a monthly interest rate of 3 per cent in return for loans.
SINGAPORE: A man who posed as a forex trader was sentenced to 10 years’ jail on Monday (Dec 16) for running a S$5 million Ponzi scheme that ensnared over a dozen investors, the police said.
Kenneth Kam Boon Hee, 57, was earlier convicted on Aug 26 on 63 charges of cheating.
The court found that Kam - the director of several companies including Kenn Capital, Kenn Organisation International and Kenneth Kam Pte Ltd - had falsely represented himself as a "successful" forex trader and misled victims into granting him loans.
He claimed to have generated high profits from his trading, giving victims the impression that he was capable of paying a monthly interest rate of 3 per cent that he promised in return for their loans.
“On this basis, the victims lent money to Kam for him to trade in forex in order to generate profits,” police said.
“In reality, Kam had been running a Ponzi scheme, and had funded the 3 per cent monthly interest payments to lenders with money borrowed from other members of the public.”
The businessman received about S$5 million in loans from investors, according to the police.
Kam was first charged in 2020 with 149 counts of cheating of about S$9 million, before being handed further charges in 2021.
“In total, he was charged with 340 cheating charges involving amounts of more than S$16 million and four charges of transferring benefits from his criminal conduct,” police said.
Kam's trial proceeded on 63 counts of cheating involving 13 victims who had lent money to Kam, while the remaining charges were stood down, police added.
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ponzi-scheme-kenneth-kam-jail-forex-trader-cheating-returns-high-interest-rate-4808896
| 2024-12-16T07:13:10Z
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea filed by former Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam Khan challenging an order of the Allahabad High Court denying them bail in a machine theft case.
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Aravind Kumar issued notice to the state government and sought its reply. Khan and his son have moved the top court against the September 21 order of the high court.
The criminal case was registered in 2022 against Khan, his son and five others alleging that they had stolen the road-cleaning machine, which was purchased by the Nagar Palika Parishad, Rampur district.
It was further alleged that this machine was later recovered from Khan's Jauhar University of Rampur.
After the change of government in the state, a person named Wakar Ali Khan lodged an FIR in 2022 at Kotwali, Rampur against the seven persons.
It was alleged in the FIR that they had in 2014 stolen the government's road cleaning machine
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Dec/16/sc-issues-notice-to-up-government-on-bail-plea-by-azam-khan-son-in-machine-theft-case
| 2024-12-16T07:13:10Z
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The 2024 Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship for the U14, U16, and U18 age groups brought together players from 35 countries and territories to compete in age-specific rapid and blitz tournaments for both boys and girls. The Vietnamese team was represented by 15 players.
The Vietnamese youth chess team secured its first gold medal in the rapid chess event yesterday with Dau Khuong Duy emerging victorious. Competing in the U14 men's category, Khuong Duy amassed an impressive total of 9.5 points over 11 games, finishing at the top of the standings. He suffered only one defeat against Haug Havard from Norway, alongside one draw and nine wins. Despite a strong effort, Havard concluded the tournament with 9 points, earning him the silver medal.
Additionally, Nguyen Nam Kiet contributed to the team's success by claiming a bronze medal in the same group with a score of 8 points.
In the U14 women's category, player Dang Le Xuan Hien completed 11 matches, accumulating a total of 9 points and earning the gold medal. Throughout the tournament, Xuan Hien experienced only one loss, two draws, and secured eight victories. In this same category, player Le Thai Hoang Anh achieved 7.5 points, finishing in fifth place.
The Vietnamese youth chess team also celebrated a third gold medal, awarded to player Nguyen Binh Vy in the U16 women's division. Player Binh Vy amassed 9.5 points over 11 games, claiming the top position. Additionally, player Nguyen Ngoc Hien participated in this group but finished in tenth place with 6 points.
The tournament is set to continue until December 17, local time, featuring competitions in men's and women's blitz chess across the U14, U16, and U18 categories.
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https://en.sggp.org.vn/vietnamese-youth-chess-players-shine-at-world-championships-with-3-gold-medals-post114526.html
| 2024-12-16T07:13:13Z
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Join the Cape Parks and Recreation Department for a health and wellness seminar: walk-tober at 1 p.m. Monday throughFriday at the Osage Centre trailhead. It will be focused on wellness.
Each day will feature a new topic and focus. Great for all levels as we will take breaks as needed and finish up with stretches. Register online at cityofcape.org/wellnessevents.
PC Medical Centers will host prevent back surgery with three three tips at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Mary Jane Burgers & Brews in Perryville, Missouri. People are facing back, knee or hip surgery should attend this seminar. Learn a couple back stretches, some great advice and free lunch. Space is limited. Registration is required. Call (573) 335-9188.
Every Person Impacts Community will hold free parenting classes from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday from Oct. 12 through Dec. 14 at Christ Episcopal Church Red Door Jubilee Center. the classes will use the evidence-based Parenting Inside Out ciurriculum.
To register, contact Chariety Ratliff at epi@epicprevention.org or call (573) 270-9381.
The Southeast Symphony's Gala Season Opener Concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State Unitersity's River Campus. The famous orchestral tone poem by Prokofiev, "Peter and the Wolf," will open the season. This tells the story of the adventures of the young boy, Peter, while out in the woods. One of the most frequently performed classical pieces, this performance will have live narration. Additional colorful works for orchestra will also be presented. For more information and tickets, visit rivercampus.org.
Spice life: Cinnamon will be the topic of discussion in this Facebook live virtual event from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday by Cape Girardeau Public Library.
How well do you know this pantry staple? The history of cinnamon, what cinnamon is, and some uses beyond the sweet stuff will be discussed.
Go to capelibrary.org/event/spice-life-cinnamon.
Fields of Faith will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Houck Stadium. Fields of Faith is a peer-to-peer movement where thousands of students from across the nation and world gather on their school's athletic field to share faith stories and challenge each other to apply the Bible as their "game plan for live." Gates open at 6 p.m. and program starts at 7 p.m. For more information, go to fieldsoffaith.com.
"Conversations from the Soul" will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus.
The jazz concert featuring the Southeast Jazz Lab and Studio Ensembles, will present a program of jazz tunes combining elements of rhythm and blues, gospel and soul music, popularized by African Americans.
For more information and tickets, visit rivercampus.org.
The city of Scott City will hold a fall city-wide yard sale Oct. 15 and 16. Times will vary by individual sales. If you would like your address added to the map the city provides, call Phyllis Spinks at (573) 270-6700 or send address and payment to SCIPP, P.O. Box 4147, Scott City, MO 63780 or drop payment off at 101 Bell in Scott City.
Also, spaces are available to rent in the parking lot on Main Street. Call Spinks to reserve a space on Main Street or at the pavillion.
The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center will offer a class to learn a different way to cook fish from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Nature Center.
Join conservation staff members for a hands-on look at a whole new way to prepare your catch. This classic Louisiana dish is a fantastic way to use fish and game of all sorts, and will really add a little jazz to your table. This program is open to ages 12 with an adult needed to help the younger participants take part. Because attendees will be unable to fully practice social distancing, a face covering is strongly encouraged.
For more information, go mdc.mo.gov/southeastevents or call (573) 290-5218.
Every Person Impacts Community will hold harvest heyday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday at CoNEXTion Community Resource Center. EPIC will be sharing pre-stuffed goodie bags that will include a light meal item, snacks and other useful item s. There will be fun activities for children and familes.Bags will be available while supplies last.
The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department will host the Haunted Hall of Horror. It will be held 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 and 31. Those who entered should be prepared for endless mazes full of creepy clowns, a 3-D freak show, an asylum, dolls that come alive and so much more.
Cape Girardeau Public Library will hold adult trivia night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Gather your team and see if you can survive. The topic will be scary movies. For more information, go to capelibrary.org/event/adult-trivia-night-scary-movies or call (573) 334-5279.
Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson will hold a fall bazaar sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 16. Items for sale will include crafts, clothes, kitchen/household items, etc. Baked goods, sweet treats and quarts of soup or chili made by EUCC fellowship members will be available to purchase. For more information, call (573) 243-3323.
New Salem United Methodist Church in Daisy will hold a kettle beef and chicken dressing drive-through supper from 3:30 to 6:30 on Oct. 16. Menu includes kettle beef, chicken dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, slaw, homemade bread, apple butter and dessert. The church is located on Highway AA near Daisy.
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.
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https://www.semissourian.com/features/fyi-10-10-21-2910792/
| 2024-12-16T07:13:14Z
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IMPHAL, Dec 15: A threat letter along with a hand grenade was found at a contractor’s house in Manipur’s Imphal East district on Sunday, triggering panic, police said.
The grenade was kept at the entrance of the house of Thokchom Shankar (52) in Kairang Makha Leikai Lane 3 in the Heingang police station area, they said.
The note accompanying it asked if Thokchom can save the lives of his family members, they added.
Police seized the grenade and started an investigation into the incident.
Extortion is suspected to be the cause of the threat, police said, adding that they were yet to identify those behind it.
Meanwhile, locals staged a sit-in demonstration at Singjamei in Imphal West district over a similar incident. On December 12, a bomb was left at a house in the area. (PTI)
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https://thehillstimes.in/northeast/grenade-letter-found-outside-contractors-home-in-imphal
| 2024-12-16T07:13:12Z
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Simon Holmstrom News: Pots goal Sunday
Holmstrom lit the lamp on two shots and went plus-1 in 16:26 of ice time Sunday in a 5-3 loss to the Blackhawks.
Holmstrom was on the receiving end of a pass from Pierre Engvall that banked off of the former's skate past Arvid Soderblom early in the second period. Holmstrom has produced two goals and two assists over the last two games after registering just one helper across five prior outings. The Swedish winger has been relatively productive in a third-line role and on the No. 2 power-play unit -- he's up to nine goals and 19 points (four on the man advantage) through 32 games. Holmstrom is shooting at a 25.0 percent clip, though, which is more than likely to regress over the course of the season.
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https://www.rotowire.com/hockey/headlines/simon-holmstrom-news-pots-goal-sunday-544102
| 2024-12-16T07:13:15Z
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BALOD: Six persons were killed and seven others injured when a sports utility vehicle (SUV) they were travelling in collided with a truck in Chhattisgarh's Balod district, police said on Monday.
The accident took place under Daundi police station area late Sunday night when the victims, natives of the Gunderdehi area in the district were returning from a family function, they said.
"The vehicle collided head-on with the truck. Of the 13 occupants of the SUV, six died on the spot, while seven others suffered serious injuries," a police official here said.
The deceased have been identified as Durpat Prajapati (30), four women - Sumitra Bai Kumbhkar (50), Manisha Kumbhkar (35), Sagun Bai Kumbhkar (50) and Imla Bai (55) - and minor boy Jignesh Kumbhkar (7), he said.
The seven injured persons, including five women and a child, were shifted to a local community health centre from where they were referred to Rajnandgaon district hospital for further medication, the official said.
An accidental death report has been registered and further investigation is underway, he added.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Dec/16/six-killed-seven-injured-in-suv-truck-collision-in-chhattisgarh
| 2024-12-16T07:13:16Z
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Specifications for the 2014 Volkswagen Golf Gti Performance. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2014 Volkswagen Golf Gti Performance Au My14 2.0L Petrol 5D Hatchback
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Airbag - Knee Driver
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Adaptive Headlights
- Adjustable Front Seats - Manual
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Alloy Sports Pedals
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Ambient Temperature Display
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- AUX/USB Input Socket
- 19 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Brake Assist
- Body Coloured Bumpers
- Body Coloured Exterior Door Handles
- Body Coloured Exterior Mirrors
- Bottle Holders - Front Seats
- Cruise Control
- Cargo Cover
- Cup Holders - Front & Rear
- Chrome Highlight - Interior
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Child Proof Rear Door Locks
- Child Seat Anchor Points
- Digital Clock
- Diff Locks
- Dust & Pollen Filter
- Door Pockets - Front Seat
- Daytime Running Lights - LED
- Electronic Brake Force Distribution
- Emergency Brake Lights - Flashing
- Electronic Differential Lock
- Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Fog Lights - Front
- Floor Mats - Front & Rear
- Glovebox Cooler
- Grab Handles - Front & Rear
- Headrests - Adjustable on All Seats
- Head Airbags
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Hill Holder
- Illuminated - Entry/Exit with Delayed Fade
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Lockable Glove Box Compartment
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Memory Card Reader
- Multi-function Control Screen
- Multi-function Steering Wheel
- MP3 Compatible Audio/CD Player
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Park Assist
- Parking Distance Control Rear
- Power Mirrors With Indicators
- Power Steering
- Power Windows
- Rear Centre Armrest
- Radio CD with 8 Speakers
- Remote Fuel Lid Release
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rear Spoiler
- Rain Sensing Wipers
- Reversing Camera
- Rear View Mirror - Auto Dimming
- Rear Wiper/Washer
- Satellite Navigation
- Seatbelts - Height Adjustable Front Seats
- Seatbelts - Load Limiters Front Seats
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Seatbelts - Pre-tensioners Front Seats
- Seatbelts - Reminder for Front Seats
- Storage Compartment Under the Front Seats
- Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock
- Side Front AirBags
- Split Fold Rear Seat
- Seatback Pockets - Front Seats
- Sport Seats
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Spare Wheel - Space Saver/Temporary
- Trip Computer
- Traction Control System
- Tinted Windows
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Driver Assist Pack - $1,390
- Leather Upholstery - $3,150
- Metallic Paint - $500
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https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2014-volkswagen-golf-gti-performance-au-my14-petrol-5d-hatchback-9x8g3yxX6p
| 2024-12-16T07:13:16Z
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New Zealand hunt victory after Williamson hundred in Hamilton
:Kane Williamson scored a magisterial 156 at his most productive venue to drive New Zealand to the brink of a consolation victory over England at the end of the third day of the third test in Hamilton on Monday.
After the opening session was lost to wet weather, Williamson led the way under the Seddon Park lights as the Black Caps took their lead from 340 to 657 before England finally bowled them out for 453 in the final hour.
England, who have secured series honours after big wins in Christchurch and Wellington, reached 18 for two at the close of play with Jacob Bethell, on nine not out, and scoreless Joe Root at the crease still 640 runs from their unlikely target.
England could also be a man short in their chase as captain Ben Stokes left the contest with a hamstring injury and is not certain to bat.
Tim Southee, playing on his home ground in his final test, got one of the biggest cheers of the day when he came out to bat in the New Zealand tail but holed out for two chasing his 99th six in tests.
The crowd erupted again soon afterwards when Southee fired a delivery down the off side at Ben Duckett and the England opener got a thick inside edge onto his stumps for four. Zak Crawley followed for five when Matt Henry trapped him in front.
On a day spent waiting for a declaration that never came, Daryl Mitchell (60), Mitchell Santner (49), Rachin Ravindra (44) and Tom Blundell (44 not out) all made valuable contributions with the bat but Williamson was a class above.
The 34-year-old resumed on 50 with New Zealand 136-3 and had a couple of nervy moments, not least an lbw appeal from Brydon Carse when he was on 73 that was turned down but judged an umpire's call on review.
He shared a 107-run fourth-wicket partnership with Ravindra as he patiently moved towards his 33rd test century and seventh in 12 matches at Seddon Park.
Williamson threw off the shackles as he approached the century mark for the fifth test in a row in Hamilton, smashing Bethell's occasional spin straight down the ground for a six to reach the mark from 137 balls.
Another partnership of 92 with Mitchell put the lead well beyond the record successful fourth-innings run chase of 418 achieved by West Indies against Australia at St John's in 2003.
Williamson glided through to 150 before finally departing attempting a sweep off Shoaib Bashir but only finding the substitute fielder in the deep.
Bethell was England's best bowler with figures of three for 72 after removing Mitchell for his maiden test wicket and sending back Southee and Matt Henry with the last two deliveries of the innings.
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/new-zealand-hunt-victory-hamilton-after-williamson-hundred-4808306
| 2024-12-16T07:13:20Z
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Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, who was being treated for serious ailments in a San Francisco hospital in the US, has passed away. His family issued a statement today at 5 am confirming the news. The maestro was 73 years old.
The eldest son of Ustad Alla Rakha, who frequently accompanied sitar legend Ravi Shankar on the tabla, Zakir Hussain was one of the second-generation crossover Indian artistes whose play, sound, and stage presence were electric, and who was embraced as being part of world music from the start.
A huge talent, he was also at the right place at the right time; he was just 11 when he performed for the first time in the US.
In many interviews, he had talked about being an artiste at a time when the idea of mainstreaming and mixing Hindustani classical music with Western pop music was emerging. He first performed before an Indian audience in Thane.
He first performed before an Indian audience in Thane. For young people in the '90s, the fusion band Shakti was the first introduction to Zakir Hussain. Formed by English guitarist John McLaughlin, its members were L Shankar on the violin, percussionists were Zakir Hussain and Vikku Vinayakram.
Hussain’s appetite for performance continued till the last. In 2022, he had clocked more than 90 performances all over the world.
His tryst with the world of cinema, in English and Hindi, included such Merchant-Ivory films as Heat and Dust (1983), in which he, playing the gentle Inder Lal, romances Julie Christie. For Shashi Kapoor’s last film, In Custody (1993), another Merchant-Ivory production, he composed the soundtrack.
The tabla, however, was always his first love. When asked what his life would have been without it during a Doordarshan interview, he said the thought had never crossed his mind. “Tabla has been bhai (brother) and dost (friend).”
Young and restless—that has always been Zakir Hussain’s spirit. Even in 2024, he continued his association with young musicians, winning three Grammys, including one for Best Global Music Performance. The Punjab gharana, and India, has lost a beloved son.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Dec/16/ustad-zakir-hussain-the-rhythm-of-a-lifetime-silenced-but-his-legacy-beats-on
| 2024-12-16T07:13:20Z
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BENGALURU: Simran Shaikh was bought for her base price of Rs 10 lakh by UP Warriorz at the inaugural Women's Premier League auction. A resident of Mumbai's Dharavi, Asia's biggest slums, Simran's poor returns in the 2023 season meant she was released by the franchise and didn't find a team for the second edition as she went unsold.
Her father, Jahid Ali, an electrician, was in disbelief when Simran was bought by UP in February last year. Almost a year and 10 months later, Jahid is over the moon as her daughter has become the costliest buy at the WPL mini auction in Bengaluru on Sunday. She was bought by Gujarat Giants for Rs 1.90 crore.
"She comes from Dharavi. If you look at it from the financial point of view, it is great for her that she is getting the opportunity once again. She has worked extremely hard for this and the results are there for everyone to see. It is important in terms of financial stability," Shaikh's coach and former India international Sunetra Paranjape told this daily. Along with Paranjape, the Giants' head coach, Michael Klinger praised the journey of his player. "If we can change her life, not just for her, but for her family, it's fantastic. Mind you, this is not a charity given to her, she has earned this. She has put on some great performances in recent times. It is great to hear that this can change her life," he told this daily in an exclusive interview.
TN teenager third-costliest player
Along with Shaikh, Tamil Nadu's G Kamalini also fetched one of the highest bids. Mumbai Indians paid a whopping Rs 1.60 cr for the youngster to make her third costliest buy. West Indies superstar Deandra Dottin was among the highest-paid overseas players at Rs 1.70 cr and joined Shaikh at Giants. Royal Challengers Bengaluru persisted with a bid for Uttarakhand's Prema Rawat as she joined the defending champions for Rs 1.20 crore.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2024/Dec/16/dharavi-to-wpl-riches-simran-pockets-rs-19-crore
| 2024-12-16T07:13:26Z
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Fiji says five hotel guests to be discharged after falling ill from pina coladas
SUVA: 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 on Monday (Dec 16).
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 70km 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 on 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 on 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.
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/fiji-says-five-hotel-guests-be-discharged-after-falling-ill-pina-coladas-4808426
| 2024-12-16T07:13:30Z
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BRISBANE: Just as Australia were getting in their huddle after the second rain break on Day Three at The Gabba, there was a huge gasp in the media centre. India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was taking throw downs just before going into bat for the first time at this venue, had mistakenly hit one towards the Australian huddle.
The ball didn’t hit any player but the video person with Cricket Australia seemed to have taken the blow on the ankle. Usman Khawaja came out of the huddle to check his leg while Jaiswal apologised, first from where he stood, and then walking closer, checking if everything was okay. All through this, the videographer had a smile, taking it like a true sport.
That was perhaps the only moment that Indian contingent would afford a smile.
Seconds later, Jaiswal was in the middle, taking strike against Mitchell Starc. The first ball of the innings, as perfect as it could have been, was pitched full on off-stump line, with a slight swing away that Jaiswal had to play at it. He brought the bat down straight and the ball flew off the outside edge for four.
We were in for a brawl. Either India were going to get bundled out like they did on the first day of the series in Perth or put their head down and bat like they did in the second innings at Perth. Turns out, it was the first. On the second ball, Jaiswal would chip the full delivery on his pads to Mitchell Marsh in square leg. Shubhman Gill got three balls from Starc. One hit the inside half of bat, one was worked for a single and the third, after Gill waited an over at the other end, was a teaser outside off-stump. Gill chased and Marsh took a blinder in what was the second gully position. Starc was letting it rip and the fact that the pitch — which had been under the covers on and off due to rain — had a bit of uneven bounce. Indian batters didn't help their cause either. Virat Kohli. Every cricket watcher in world knows Kohli chases balls outside off-stump. So one has to assume Kohli knows too. He puts in the time in nets, looks as good as he can, the sound off his bat his music, but none of it matters when he gets on the field. What matters there is the discipline the batter shows, especially early in the innings.
One of the centurions from first innings, Steve Smith, who played a part in Australia getting to 445 had explained it after Say One. He said that on such a pitch that had bounce, the batters have to look out for themselves in the first 30 overs while having some luck going their way. Kohli knows his luck has run out for a while now. In recent years, there have been multiple occasions where the marginal calls have gone against him. So, all that was left was the discipline outside off-stump — which seemed to have deserted him for a while now as well, especially early on in his innings.
Brisbane, however, was significant on so many levels. On a day that saw as many as eight rain delays from the morning till Rohit Sharma walked out to bat, India needed their most experienced batter to just spend time in the middle. They needed Kohli to do what Smith did, at least for a session. That need, that belief, all went away after the first ball he faced.
Kohli, up against Starc, went for a drive to a full delivery while being in his stance. He got beaten, but that in essence, summed up the way things were going to go. Starc went short, pushing Kohli back and beating him again. He gets an inside edge, walks to other end and tackles Josh Hazlewood. Over the next few overs, he stayed in the middle despite his best efforts to not chase the ball outside off-stump and nick one.
On the first ball of eighth over, KL Rahul pulled Hazlewood so well that it should have raced to the ropes. But Starc put in a full length dive and kept it to a single. Kohli was back on strike. And Hazlewood floated it on the full and Kohli took the bait. Another long, disappointing walk back to the pavilion. Kohli three off 16 and India 22/3. While cricketing world celebrated Kohli’s century in Perth as what could be the beginning of his second coming in Australian conditions, it feels like a one-off moment right. It is not just that he isn’t scoring runs, but the pattern of dismissals clearly paints a disturbing picture. India went down to 48/4 when heavens opened up again at the fall of Rishabh Pant. India trail hosts by 397 runs.
Another day where the top-order let down Indian bowlers (read Jasprit Bumrah) when all they had to do was just stay on the field. While Rohit Sharma has joined Rahul in the middle, the only thing that could save India at Gabba at the moment is the forecast. Heavy showers expected on Day Four and Five and India would want to try and survive as long as they can. At moment, one cannot say for sure whether ‘as long as they can’ would be enough.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2024/Dec/16/india-in-dire-straits-at-484-at-lunch-after-top-order-batters-flop-show
| 2024-12-16T07:13:32Z
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Petrol and EV confirmed as BMW prices all-new Mini Cooper
For the moment, the red-hot John Cooper Works, with both petrol and EV drivetrains, remains off-limits for South Africa.
New Mini range consists of five models. headed by the depicted Cooper C. Image: Mini
While initially planned for a earlier market debut this year, BMW has released pricing for the full new Mini Cooper range once again consisting of combustion engine and electric motivation.
Unveiled with the latter powertrain globally in September last year, with the petrol derivative bowing in February this year, the local line-up, for now, spans five models with neither the red-hot combustion or electric John Cooper Works variants being available.
Range
Cooper C
Officially called the Mini Cooper and no longer the Mini hatch with the Cooper name used to denote a trim level, the range kicks-off with the Cooper C in both three-door and five-door configurations.
ALSO READ: No electric help needed as Mini debuts new petrol only Cooper S
Omitting any form of hybridisation as in the Cooper S, the C makes do with the BMW Group’s tried-and-tested 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine developing 115kW/230Nm.
The sole transmission option is the seven-speed dual-clutch Steptronic. Claimed top speed is 225 km/h with the three-door getting from 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and the five-door in eight seconds.
Cooper S
Next up, the aforementioned Cooper S offers the same door options, but swaps the three-cylinder for the four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo rated at 150kW/300Nm.
Paired to a dual-clutch seven-speed Steptronic as well, the three-door S will get from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds with the five-door taking two-tenths longer. Both top out at 242 km/h.
Cooper SE
Build in China as part of BMW’s partnership with Great Wall Motors (GWM) – versus the combustion model made at the Oxford Plant in the United Kingdom – the three-door only Cooper SE tops the local line-up for now solely in its most powerful guise.
Eschewing the entry-level Cooper E offered in Europe, the S gets its motivation from a single front-mounted electric motor powered by a 54.2-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The result is 160kW/330Nm, a limited top speed of 170 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and an all-electric range of 402 km.
Supporting DC charging up to 95 kW, the Cooper SE comes standard with an 11 kW on-board charger and according to Mini, will require a waiting time of 30 minutes from 10-80% using the latter.
Price
Included with each of the five models’ price is a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan and in the case of the Cooper SE, an added eight-year/100 000 km battery warranty.
- Cooper C three-door – R602 052
- Cooper C five-door – R624 052
- Cooper S three-door – R646 395
- Cooper S five-door – R676 395
- Cooper SE – R802 000
Price information from duoporta.com.
NOW READ: More doors and space return as Mini debuts new five-door Cooper
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https://www.citizen.co.za/motoring/new-mini-cooper-south-africa-price/
| 2024-12-16T07:13:32Z
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Lagoon continues its 40th-anniversary celebrations by announcing its largest model yet, the Lagoon Eighty2, a mighty 80-footer that will indeed have the crowds queuing for an ogle at boat shows.
The Bordeaux brand strengthens its offering in the lengthy yacht market with the Lagoon Eighty2. It has already built 88 catamarans over 75ft, including 52 of its Seventy7.
Designed by Lagoon’s stronghold team of VPLP, Nauta and Patrick Le Quément, this Lagoon Eighty2 retains the prize feature of the Seventy7 – a hull door which opens out of the topsides to create a private terrace for the master cabin. Stepping out from the king-sized berth and diving straight into the sea must be a heightened level of luxury.
The layout of the first model sees three other guest cabins and a lower galley connecting to crew quarters. This is a yacht for many guests, friends and family to enjoy – you just need to choose from where best to do so. The beam-wide saloon looks formidable, and links through to a forward cockpit for up to eight.
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Right aft you’ll find a hydraulically lifting dinghy and bathing platform, which can seamlessly extend the already generous cockpit space. Or take the gently sloping stairs up to the freestanding furniture adorning the 50m2 of flybridge space. Decisions, decisions…
Hulls are constructed in bio-sourced and recycled resin, which reduces CO2 emissions by 10 tonnes per boat. The world premiere is expected to be at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2025.
If you enjoyed this….
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https://www.yachtingworld.com/news/lagoon-eighty2-first-look-an-80-footer-with-space-for-hosting-many-guests-156106
| 2024-12-16T07:13:32Z
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Specifications for the 2014 Volkswagen Golf R. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2014 Volkswagen Golf R Au My14 2.0L Petrol 5D Hatchback
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Airbag - Knee Driver
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Adjustable Front Seats - Manual
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Antenna - Roof-mounted Shark Fin type
- Alloy Sports Pedals
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Ambient Temperature Display
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- AUX/USB Input Socket
- 19 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Brake Assist
- Body Coloured Bumpers
- Body Coloured Exterior Door Handles
- Bottle Holders - Front Seats
- Cruise Control
- Chrome Exterior Mirrors
- Chrome Exhaust Tip/s
- Cargo Cover
- Cup Holders - Front & Rear
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Child Proof Rear Door Locks
- Child Seat Anchor Points
- Digital Clock
- Dust & Pollen Filter
- Daytime Running Lights - LED
- Electronic Brake Force Distribution
- Emergency Brake Lights - Flashing
- Electronic Differential Lock
- Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Exterior Mirror - Reverse Tilt on Passenger Side
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Fog Lights - Front
- Floor Mats - Front & Rear
- Glovebox Cooler
- Grab Handles - Front & Rear
- Headrests - Adjustable on All Seats
- Head Airbags
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Hill Holder
- High Mounted Rear Stop Light
- Headlight Washer System
- Illuminated - Entry/Exit with Delayed Fade
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Keyless Entry & Drive
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- Lockable Glove Box Compartment
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Memory Card Reader
- Multi-function Control Screen
- Multi-function Steering Wheel
- Metallic Paint
- MP3 Compatible Audio/CD Player
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Park Assist
- Parking Distance Control Rear
- Power Mirrors With Indicators
- Power Steering
- Power Windows
- Rear Centre Armrest
- Radio CD with 8 Speakers
- Remote Fuel Lid Release
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rear Spoiler
- Rain Sensing Wipers
- Reversing Camera
- Rear View Mirror - Auto Dimming
- Rear Wiper/Washer
- Satellite Navigation
- Seatbelts - Height Adjustable Front Seats
- Seatbelts - Load Limiters Front Seats
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Seatbelts - Pre-tensioners Front Seats
- Seatbelts - Reminder for Front Seats
- Storage Compartment Under the Front Seats
- Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock
- Side Front AirBags
- Split Fold Rear Seat
- Seatback Pockets - Front Seats
- Racing Sports Seats
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Spare Wheel - Space Saver/Temporary
- Trip Computer
- Traction Control System
- Tinted Windows
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Driver Assist Pack - $1,000
- Leather Upholstery - $3,150
- Power Sunroof - $1,850
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https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2014-volkswagen-golf-r-au-my14-petrol-5d-hatchback-SegqKwDCsA
| 2024-12-16T07:13:32Z
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BRISBANE: Former England player and commentator Isa Guha, who referred to Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as a "primate" during the third Test between India and Australia here, apologised for her racist remark on Monday.
She said she was "deeply sorry" for choosing a wrong word to describe the India pacer's brilliant display with the ball.
Guha commented in response to Brett Lee's praise of the Indian bowler after Bumrah dismissed both Australian openers on day two of the Test on Sunday.
"Well, he's the MVP, isn't he? Most valuable primate, Jasprit Bumrah," Guha had said while commentating for Fox Cricket.
"He is the one that's going to do all the talking for India, and why so much focus was on him in the buildup to this Test match, and whether he would be fit."
The usage of the word "primate" by Guha caused a social media storm, as fans slammed her and forced the 39-year-old to issue an apology.
"Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways. I'd like to apologise for any offence caused. I set myself high standards when it comes to empathy and respect of others. If you listen to the full transcript I only meant the highest praise for one of India's greatest players. And someone that I admire greatly," Guha said on air at the start of day three.
Guha, who is of Indian heritage and has been in Fox Sports' broadcast team for several years, said there was no malice in her comments.
"I'm an advocate for equality and someone who has spent their career thinking about inclusion and understanding in the game. I was trying to frame the enormity of his achievement and I've chosen the wrong word. For that I am deeply sorry," she added.
"As someone who is also of South Asian heritage, I hope people would recognise there was no other intention or malice there. I hope this doesn't overshadow what has been a great Test match so far and I look forward to seeing how it progresses. Once again, I am really, really sorry."
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who sat next to Guha when she issued the apology, praised her for addressing the matter live on air. Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist was also there.
"Brave woman, to apologise on live television takes some steel. You heard it from the horse's mouth so as far as I am concerned, game's over," Shastri said.
"People are entitled to make mistakes, we are all human. In the heat of the moment, sometimes when you have the mic in your hand, things can happen. Let's move on," said Shastri.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2024/Dec/16/isa-guha-calls-bumrah-primate-apologises-for-her-remark-later-2
| 2024-12-16T07:13:38Z
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Another truck plunges into bus and two cars on N3 in Durban
According to the department, from 1 to 12 December, the province recorded 63 accidents, an increase from 56 during the same period last year.
Picture: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements
At least 10 people were injured after another truck plunged into a bus and two cars just before the Marianhill Toll Plaza on the N3, Durban-bound, on Sunday.
According to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements, a truck travelling from Zambia loaded with copper experienced brake failure and plunged into a bus and two cars at the Marrianhill Toll Plaza.
About ten passengers from the bus were taken to Prince Mashiyeni Hospital and are receiving medical attention.
ALSO READ: Driver crashes into six trucks and five other vehicles on N3 in Durban
“In view of the driver’s admission that the truck experienced break failure, we believe that the owner of the truck must be held accountable,” said MEC Siboniso Duma.
“On the other hand, we are strengthening our roadworthiness inspections through the deployment of 197 traffic officers from the Road Traffic Management Corporation.”
Truck accidents in KZN
Duma said accidents involving trucks are receiving the government’s urgent attention.
On Friday evening, one person died, while several others were injured in a multiple vehicle crash just before the Marianhill Toll Plaza on the N3, Durban Bound.
According to the department, a heavy motor vehicle from Zimbabwe collided with six trucks and five light motor vehicles.
ALSO READ: Road Accident Fund warns it won’t pay people who throw themselves at cars
According to the department, from 1 to 12 December, the province recorded 63 accidents. This is an increase from 56 during the same period last year.
In terms of fatalities, the province recorded 61 deaths during this period last year, compared to 64 this year.
“According to our analysis, most of these fatal crashes occur between 6am and 10am. And between 5pm and 1am over the weekend,” said the department.
The leading causes of accidents are speeding, drunken driving, fatigue and roadworthiness of vehicles.
The province has been carrying out roadblocks involving different law enforcement agencies from Friday evening.
ALSO READ: Almost R140 billion paid out by Road Accident Fund in three years
“The target is to have more than 99 speed operations across all corners of the province by the end of the festive season,” said Sibiya.
“We remain worried about the increasing number of young people who are perishing on our roads, most of them under the influence of alcohol.
“We have deployed road safety officers who are working with local municipal road safety teams.”
For more news your way
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
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https://www.citizen.co.za/news/another-truck-plunges-bus-two-cars-n3-durban/
| 2024-12-16T07:13:38Z
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Bangladesh to hold elections in late 2025 or early 2026: Yunus
DHAKA: Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who heads the caretaker government installed after an August revolution, said on Monday (Dec 16) 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-prime minister 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.
"VOTING RIGHTS"
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 per cent 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.
Yunus has said his administration is also focused on ensuring those guilty of abuses during the past government face justice, including issuing a warrant for Hasina's arrest.
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/bangladesh-elections-late-2025-early-2026-muhammad-yunus-4808796?cid=cna_flip_070214
| 2024-12-16T07:13:40Z
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Specifications for the 2014 Volkswagen Golf R. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
2014 Volkswagen Golf R Au My14 2.0L Petrol 5D Hatchback
Standard Features
- 12 Volt Power Outlet
- Dual Front Airbags Package
- Airbag - Knee Driver
- Anti-lock Braking
- Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones
- Adjustable Front Seats - Manual
- Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
- Antenna - Roof-mounted Shark Fin type
- Alloy Sports Pedals
- Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic
- Ambient Temperature Display
- Anti-theft Wheel Bolts
- AUX/USB Input Socket
- 19 Inch Alloy Wheels
- Brake Assist
- Body Coloured Bumpers
- Body Coloured Exterior Door Handles
- Bottle Holders - Front Seats
- Cruise Control
- Chrome Exterior Mirrors
- Chrome Exhaust Tip/s
- Cargo Cover
- Cup Holders - Front & Rear
- Centre Console Box - Multi-purpose
- Central Locking Remote Control
- Child Proof Rear Door Locks
- Child Seat Anchor Points
- Digital Clock
- Dust & Pollen Filter
- Daytime Running Lights - LED
- Electronic Brake Force Distribution
- Emergency Brake Lights - Flashing
- Electronic Differential Lock
- Exterior Mirrors - Heated
- Exterior Mirror - Reverse Tilt on Passenger Side
- Electronic Stability Program
- Front Footwell Lights
- Fog Lights - Front
- Floor Mats - Front & Rear
- Glovebox Cooler
- Grab Handles - Front & Rear
- Headrests - Adjustable on All Seats
- Head Airbags
- Headlights - Coming/Leaving Home Function
- Hill Holder
- High Mounted Rear Stop Light
- Headlight Washer System
- Illuminated - Entry/Exit with Delayed Fade
- Illuminated Glove Box Compartment
- Engine Immobiliser
- Keyless Entry & Drive
- Luggage/Cargo Area Light/s
- Lockable Glove Box Compartment
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Memory Card Reader
- Multi-function Control Screen
- Multi-function Steering Wheel
- Metallic Paint
- MP3 Compatible Audio/CD Player
- Mobile Phone Connectivity
- Map/Reading Lights - Front
- Park Assist
- Parking Distance Control Rear
- Power Mirrors With Indicators
- Power Steering
- Power Windows
- Rear Centre Armrest
- Radio CD with 8 Speakers
- Remote Fuel Lid Release
- Rear Lights - LED
- Rear Spoiler
- Rain Sensing Wipers
- Reversing Camera
- Rear View Mirror - Auto Dimming
- Rear Wiper/Washer
- Satellite Navigation
- Seatbelts - Height Adjustable Front Seats
- Seatbelts - Load Limiters Front Seats
- Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for All Seats
- Seatbelts - Pre-tensioners Front Seats
- Seatbelts - Reminder for Front Seats
- Storage Compartment Under the Front Seats
- Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock
- Side Front AirBags
- Split Fold Rear Seat
- Seatback Pockets - Front Seats
- Racing Sports Seats
- Sunvisors with Vanity Mirrors & Illumination
- Spare Wheel - Space Saver/Temporary
- Trip Computer
- Traction Control System
- Tinted Windows
- Xenon Headlights
Optional Extras
- Driver Assist Pack - $1,000
- Leather Upholstery - $3,150
- Power Sunroof - $1,850
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https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2014-volkswagen-golf-r-au-my14-petrol-5d-hatchback-cmkCl6mfmX
| 2024-12-16T07:13:39Z
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BARCELONA: Barcelona stayed top of the Spanish league despite a shock 1-0 home defeat on Sunday to lowly Leganes, a team that had not won away all season.
Atletico Madrid beat Getafe 1-0 to leapfrog city rival Real Madrid and go second. Both Barcelona and Atletico have 38 points but Barcelona has a better goal difference.
Playing in the first of five La Liga matches on Sunday, Atletico won its sixth consecutive league game to move a point clear of Real, which could only draw 3-3 with Real Vallecano on Saturday.
The results set up a mouthwatering clash between the top two at Barcelona next Saturday.
The Madrid side will go into the match with the momentum after recording its 11th straight victory in all competitions on a chilly afternoon at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Visitor Getafe had taken just two points from its seven away games so far this season but it made life difficult for Diego Simeone's side. It took Atletico until the 70th minute to get the winner from Alexander Sorloth's header.
Barcelona then missed the chance to restore its three-point cushion when it lost to Leganes.
Leganes went ahead with Sergio González's header after four minutes and spent most of the match defending its lead.
Leganes keeper Marko Dmitrović was superb, especially in the first half, and Barcelona's front players were so ineffectual that coach Hansi Flick withdrew Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal in the final quarter.
His changes, however, had little effect and Leganes, promoted from the second tier in May, celebrated a win that lifts it into 15th, four points clear of the relegation zone.
"Taking the lead so early against teams like this is dangerous because they have so much potential," said Leganes defender Jorge Saenz. "We were able to defend together and keep them away from our area. Dmitrovic made three saves that were life-saving for us."
"It's only three points, but for us they're like gold. Things were getting tight and this gives us a little breathing room."
Basque derby ends all square
Alaves and Athletic Bilbao shared the points in a 1-1 Basque derby that snapped Atheltic's six-game winning streak.
Alaves hadn't won since Nov. 1 and was knocked out of the Copa del Rey by lowly Deportiva Minera.
It was on the defensive for much of the match and went behind after 10 minutes when Unai Gómez hit the net after taking a nice pass from Iñaki Williams.
But Joan Jordán took advantage of a goalkeeping error midway through the second half to level the scores.
Athletic had chances to win – a late goal from Dani Vivian wasn't allowed because of an infringement – but the draw leaves it in fourth place, four points behind Real Madrid and five behind the top two.
"Winning today would have put us in a better position, but coming here for a derby is always tough," Williams said. "In terms of effort, we can't be faulted, but we lacked clarity up front."
"Overall, a draw is a fair result for both teams."
Betis stretches unbeaten run
Real Betis stretched its unbeaten run to four games with a 2-1 win at Villarreal but coach Manuel Pellegrini was angry at playing with 10 men for most of the game after Ezequiel Ávila saw red.
The Argentine forward was sent off for a cynical foul 11 minutes before halftime with Betis 1-0 up thanks to a goal from on-loan Barcelona striker Vitor Roque.
Giovani Lo Celso made it 2-0 a minute after the break with a superb free kick and, although Alex Baena got one back with a superbly taken volley, Betis left with all three points to take it to ninth place.
Pellegrini was angered that Ávila's foul, committed in the center of the pitch to stop a counterattack, was not reviewed by the video officials.
"Penalties, red cards, they should always be reviewed," Pellegrini said. "They unbalanced the match today unfairly. VAR reduces the chance of these eventualities. VAR should be an ally, not an enemy."
Also, Real Sociedad failed to win for the first time in five matches with a 0-0 draw at home to Las Palmas.
Both sides had chances to win the match but poor finishing and good goalkeeping at both ends meant a share of the points.
Real Sociedad is in seventh, a point behind Villarreal, while Las Palmas is in 14th.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/football/2024/Dec/16/leader-barcelona-loses-to-leganes-as-atletico-madrid-moves-level-on-points-at-top-of-spanish-league-2
| 2024-12-16T07:13:44Z
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Level 2 warning: Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain in six provinces
Here's what to expect on Monday.
Picture: iStock
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms causing heavy rain, large amounts of small hail, strong damaging winds and excessive lightning on Monday.
The weather patterns will affect the North West, Gauteng, Highveld of Mpumalanga and eastern and central parts of Free state as well as most of Kwa-Zulu Natal and the south western parts of Limpopo.
Residents in these areas should watch out for flooding, warned the weather service.
ALSO READ: Heatwave to end as rain showers loom over SA
The weather service expects extremely high fire danger conditions in the southern parts of the ZF Mgcawu and the western parts of the Pixey Ka Seme District Municipalities in the Northern Cape, the Limpopo Valley and the southern parts of the Limpopo Lowveld.
This as a heatwave continues to ravage the north-western and north-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal until Wednesday.
Monday’s weather forecast
Gauteng: Partly cloudy and warm to hot weather with scattered showers and thundershowers. The expected UVB sunburn index: Low.
Mpumalanga: Partly cloudy and warm to hot weather with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers, except in the north-east. It will be very hot to extremely hot in the Lowveld.
ALSO READ: Planning to head to the Vaal this festive season? Here’s the current dam level
Limpopo: Partly cloudy and hot to very with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers in the south-west. It will be extremely hot over the southern Lowveld.
North West: Partly cloudy windy and hot weather, with scattered showers and thundershowers.
Free State: Partly cloudy windy and hot, with scattered showers and thundershowers but isolated in the south.
Coastal provinces
Northern Cape: Fine, windy, and hot to very hot weather, becoming partly cloudy with isolated showers and thundershowers over the eastern parts. It will be warm in west. The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh south to south-easterly.
ALSO READ: Mokopane breaks temperature records during heatwave
Western Cape: Cloudy in the south-west, otherwise partly cloudy and cool to warm, except in the north-eastern parts. The wind along the coast will be light to moderate southerly south-westerly, becoming fresh to strong from the evening along the south coast. The expected UVB sunburn index: Very High.
Western half of the Eastern Cape: Cloudy with morning showers and rain, except in the extreme north-west, otherwise partly cloudy and warm, but cool in places along the coast. The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh south-westerly.
Eastern half of the Eastern Cape: Partly cloudy and warm to hot weather in the north, otherwise cloudy and cool with scattered showers and rain. Scattered thundershowers are expected in the north moving south of escarpment in the afternoon. The wind along the coast will be Light to moderate south-easterly.
KwaZulu-Natal: Partly cloudy to cloudy and cool to warm but hot weather in places in the north-west with scattered showers and thundershowers but isolated in the extreme north-east.
ALSO READ: Challenge Cup result: Lions triumph over Pau in weather affected clash
The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh northerly in the north at first, otherwise moderate to fresh southerly to south-westerly, becoming easterly to south-easterly from late morning but north-easterly south of Mtunzini by the evening. The expected UVB sunburn index: Very High.
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https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/weather/weather-update-16-december-2024/
| 2024-12-16T07:13:44Z
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Stellantis swiftly reshapes strategy under Elkann after Tavares exit
MILAN/DETROIT : Steered by Chairman John Elkann, Stellantis, owner of 14 brands including Fiat, Jeep and Ram, is acting swiftly to dismantle the legacy of its former CEO and repair relations with dealers, industry partners, governments and workers.
Carlos Tavares abruptly resigned on Dec. 1, almost 18 months before the expiry of his contract, as a rift widened between the board and main shareholders of the world's fourth-largest carmaker.
While it seeks a new CEO, Stellantis is being run by an interim executive committee, chaired by Elkann.
Having warned on profits at the end of September and facing a bloated inventory, Stellantis cannot afford to drift under its temporary leadership.
Elkann, 48, is the scion of the Agnelli family that founded Italian carmaker Fiat more than a century ago. He also chairs Ferrari and runs the Exor Agnelli family holding.
The new approach will be tested on Tuesday, when the automaker's representatives meet Italian Industry Minister Adolfo Urso and local unions to try to agree a long-term plan for production in Italy.
The company - the country's sole major automaker - may pledge to expand output and protect jobs in return for improved manufacturing conditions and government support for the industry's electric transition, easing tensions with Rome.
A Stellantis source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was the right time to sign a deal.
REJOINING LOBBY GROUP
Less than a week after the CEO quit, Stellantis said it would rejoin European auto lobby group ACEA. It left at the beginning of 2023 based on a decision by Tavares, who opted for an independent lobbying strategy without consulting the board, according to a second source.
The carmaker plans to align itself with the group's proposals, Stellantis' Europe Chief Jean-Philippe Imparato said last week.
Tavares had opposed a call by ACEA for relief on intermediate targets on the European Union's carbon reduction targets under which carmakers risk multi-billion euro fines.
His position was not backed by associations of Stellantis European dealers, who supported the ACEA proposal.
But in a meeting of Stellantis European retailers, held in Amsterdam days after Tavares' resignation, Imparato was the main guest and the mood was relaxed.
"The cooperation with Stellantis ... is strong, and we are confident that we can face future challenges with our partner," the dealers said in a statement.
Alberto Di Tanno, the chairman of Italian dealership group Intergea said it was too soon to see concrete changes but that he was confident.
"It looks like the company wants to present itself as less centralised, and give more autonomy to its country structures, including in relations with the dealers," he said.
REPAIRING RELATIONS
Tavares, an industry veteran who had led Stellantis since its creation in 2021 through the merger of PSA and Fiat-Chrysler, had been feted for increasing operating margins.
However, dealers on both sides of the Atlantic complained that rising prices for its mass-market marques ultimately lost it the support of inflation-hit customers.
Stellantis this month swiftly re-hired retired executive Timothy Kuniskis to lead Ram, one of its most important brands.
Industry analysts have interpreted the decision as a step to improve relations with dealers in the U.S., the group's profit powerhouse, and reverse Ram's U.S. sales, which were down 24 per cent this year as of the end of the third quarter.
Kevin Farrish, leader of Stellantis' dealer council, said Elkann met with their executive board in the U.S. in early December to discuss how the automaker could repair its relationship with the dealers.
Elkann said Antonio Filosa, appointed chief of North American operations in October, would have the authority to respond to market conditions, Farrish said.
"It meant a great deal to us," he said in a message. "We have a ton of opportunities to fix what Mr. Tavares harmed."
Santosh Viswanathan, who owns a Stellantis dealership in Delaware, said Elkann's early actions were promising, though there was a lot of work to do.
"The dealer body, which is your distribution channel, has been left in tatters," Viswanathan said.
"Right now, drastic times require drastic measures."
ELKANN'S STEADYING INFLUENCE
After sinking to their lowest since July 2022 on Dec. 2, following news of Tavares resignation, Stellantis shares have rebounded by over 18 per cent, after having fallen more than 40 per cent since the beginning of the year.
Andrea Scauri, a Swiss-based fund manager at Lemanik, who rebuilt a small Stellantis stake last week, said the whole automotive industry will benefit from a softer EU approach on carbon emission rules, including on potential fines on 2025 intermediate targets.
"Tavares denied this was a problem," Scauri said.
"Acknowledging there can be risks and having more constructive relations with politics, at a national and EU level, should help Stellantis."
A third source, who like the others spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly on the issues, said Elkann was devoting most of his time to Stellantis.
The source also said Elkann had opted for an interim executive team, rather than taking the interim-CEO position as he had done when Ferrari was left without a CEO in late 2020.
"His idea was to have a more collegial management during this phase, with increased focus on top executives, their role and their skills, compared to the previous one-man-only style under Tavares," the source said.
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/stellantis-swiftly-reshapes-strategy-under-elkann-after-tavares-exit-4808891?cid=cna_flip_070214
| 2024-12-16T07:13:50Z
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PARIS: Unbeaten Paris Saint-Germain moved seven points clear at the top of the French league with a 3-1 win against Lyon on Sunday that was marred and briefly interrupted by homophobic chanting.
PSG got off to a great start at the Parc des Princes and led 2-0 after 14 minutes thanks to goals from Ousmane Dembélé, and Vitinha from the penalty spot.
The visitors gradually got into the game and played with more verve as Georges Mikautadze pulled one back for Lyon before the interval. PSG was in control in the second half and Gonzalo Ramos sealed the win in the 88th with an agile finish from close range.
Second-place Marseille and Monaco, which were held to draws on Saturday, are tied on points behind PSG. Lyon remained in fifth place, 12 points off the pace.
Referee Benoît Bastien stopped play in the 53rd minute at the Parc des Princes with host PSG leading 2-1 after the chants were heard. PSG captain Achraf Hakimi approached fans standing in the Auteuil stand behind one of the goals to ask them to stop. A message reminding fans that discriminatory chants are forbidden was then displayed on the stadium's giant screens.
Play eventually resumed after a few minutes.
Perfect week for Brest
Following its 1-0 win against PSV on Tuesday, the surprise package of the Champions League followed up with a 4-1 defeat of Nantes in the French league on Sunday.
Substitute Abdallah Sima scored a brace after Kamory Doumbia and Brendan Chardonnet gave Brest a 2-0 halftime lead. Douglas Augusto was on the score sheet for Nantes.
Last season, Brest secured the final automatic berth for French clubs in the Champions League with a third-place finish. The club's results on the domestic scene have not been as good this season and Brest had lost four of its five previous league matches.
The attack-minded Brittany side remains in 11th place, one point behind Reims. Nantes is 14th.
Nice draws at Montpellier
Nice twice failed to hold on to its lead in a 2-2 draw at struggling Montpellier.
Three days after conceding a late goal in a 2-1 loss against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League, Nice missed the chance to cut the gap with its rivals in the race for European spots.
Nice remained in sixth place, six points behind Marseille and Monaco.
Last-place Montpellier will have regrets, too, after missing several chances in the last 10 minutes. It was a lively contest at the Stade de La Mosson, with the teams mustering a combined total of 38 scoring attempts.
Back to action after a months-long absence and several injuries, defender Theo Sainte-Luce leveled the score at 2-2 in the 80th for Montpellier. He came close to a brace but his attempt from a corner in the 90th was off target.
"I've been through some tough challenges and hard times," Sainte-Luce said. "So being rewarded like this definitely feels good."
In other matches, Rennes beat Angers 2-0 and Strasbourg won 3-0 at Le Havre.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/football/2024/Dec/16/psg-extends-lead-at-the-top-of-french-league-with-3-1-win-against-lyon-marred-by-homophobic-chants-2
| 2024-12-16T07:13:50Z
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Captain Marius Louw happy for Lions to get back to winning ways
After losing their last two URC games and going down to Ospreys in their Challenge Cup opener, the Lions needed to get back to winning ways.
Lions captain Marius Louw is tackled during their Challenge Cup win over Pau at Ellis Park on Saturday night. Picture: Gallo Images
Lions captain Marius Louw was thrilled to see his team break a three-match losing streak during their bonus point Challenge Cup (EPCR) win over French side Section Paloise (Pau) on Saturday night.
It was a weather disrupted match that saw the start delayed by an hour due to lightning, and then again for half an hour after lightning return during the second half, with the game in danger of being called off, before they were able to get back on and finish.
It wasn’t a perfect performance, with the Lions pushed hard throughout, as they led 19-16 at half-time, while Pau took a 23-19 lead early in the second half, before the hosts pulled away to secure a 43-35 win in the end.
After losing their last two United Rugby Championship (URC) games against Irish giants Leinster and Munster, and going down to Ospreys in their Challenge Cup opener a week previously, it was important for the Lions to get back to winning ways.
“We are really thankful that we were able to play the game, especially after all of the interruptions. It was special for us to play back at home in front of our fans, and for us to get the win under the belt after a couple of losses was important,” admitted Louw after the match
“I am proud of the boys for putting in a good performance. Our preparations the whole week couldn’t prepare us for a game like this. But I think we stuck to our game plan and it worked for us. So I am proud of the boys for sticking to their guns.”
Back on track
The bonus point win gets the Lions Challenge Cup campaign back on track, but they first face the Stormers in the URC this coming weekend, before turning their focus to their final two EPCR pool games in January, against Montpellier in France and at home against Dragons.
“It is important for us to just take it game by game in this competition, especially after getting this win. We now need to rest some bodies, as some of the guys travelled back from Europe and played at altitude. Even we (players who travelled a week earlier) could feel it,” said Louw.
“So we will make sure that we pick up on the work-ons that are needed going forward. We worked on a lot of things going into this game and managed to improve, which was good.”
Lions scrumhalf Morne van den Berg picked up the Man-of-the-Match award after an impressive performance and admitted it had been a very strange encounter.
“It was very weird. Probably one of the longest games. But I am just so glad that we could play the game and get the win,” said Van Den Berg.
“The rain in Joburg is a lot better than the rain in Europe. It’s been very hot the last couple of weeks so it (the rain) was welcome. It does make the ball quite slippery but we were able to handle it.”
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https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/marius-louw-happy-lions-back-winning-ways/
| 2024-12-16T07:13:50Z
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VIJAYAWADA: CPI State secretary K Ramakrishna met HRD Minister Nara Lokesh on Sunday, and submitted a representation urging him to immediately appoint Vice-Chancellors for all the universities in the State, and issue notification to fill up 4,439 vacant posts in universities. Even after five months, with no APSCHE Chairman, and Vice-Chancellors of varsities, the process of filling up the 4,439 assistant and associate professor posts has come to a halt.
He pointed out that though notification for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors for 17 universities was issued on July 18, no further steps have been taken so far. With a lack of Vice-Chancellors and a proper senate and executive committee, the university administration has been hit, he said. He also urged Lokesh to complete the pending appointment of 418 professors for 108 departments in 18 universities at the earliest.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2024/Dec/16/appoint-university-v-cs-cpi-secretary-urges-lokesh
| 2024-12-16T07:14:01Z
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VIJAYAWADA: YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had embarked on yet another publicity stunt in the name of Vision-2047.
Taking to X on Sunday, he posted, “This is just a ploy to deceive and mislead the people. Chandrababu’s manifesto has no place for the needs of the State and the needs of the people, let alone a realistic perspective. His rule has never been about implementing what he said in his manifesto during the five years given to him. His entire focus has always been on deceiving the people and misleading them.”
He described Naidu’s earlier efforts like Vision-2020, which was one of the darkest in the history of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh.
“The State witnessed widespread farmer suicides, mass migrations in search of livelihood, and rising unemployment. Instead of addressing these issues, Chandrababu sold off valuable public assets to his associates under the guise of privatisation, indulging in rampant corruption,” the YSRCP chief said in the post.
The people, mocked him, branding his Vision-2020 as ‘420’. His subsequent Vision-2029, announced in 2014, also failed to go beyond hollow promises and flashy propaganda, the former CM observed.
“Despite announcing three different visions, Chandrababu has never executed a single project that left an impact. Did he build a single government medical college, hospital or school? Did he create ports, harbours or improve agriculture? Did he generate jobs or invest in the future of Andhra Pradesh? The answer is no,” Jagan said.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2024/Dec/16/cm-naidu-embarked-on-another-publicity-stunt-in-name-of-vision-2047-jagan
| 2024-12-16T07:14:07Z
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VISAKHAPATNAM: Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu, Anakapalle MP CM Ramesh, and Madugula MLA Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi, and urged him to upgrade the road connecting Pinagadi, K Kotapadu, Devarapalli and Paderu into a four-lane highway.
Highlighting the significance of the route, they said the road development will improve connectivity in North Coastal Andhra, besides boosting economic activity in the region. In a separate meeting with Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, they sought the establishment of an industry or a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Madugula Assembly constituency to create employment opportunities and promote regional development. Both the Union Ministers promised to consider the proposals of the delegation, and directed officials to study the feasibility of these projects.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2024/Dec/16/develop-road-infrastructure-in-north-andhra-mps
| 2024-12-16T07:14:13Z
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ANANTAPUR: Award-winning journalist Malini Subramaniam highlighted the widespread human rights violations in Bastar, which have been normalised by both the media and society.
Subramaniam, who has been reporting from Chhattisgarh for over a decade, emphasised the complete suspension of law and rights in the region affected by the Maoist movement. She described how Aadivasis, dependent on forests for their livelihood, face restrictions on their freedom of movement, as the police curb their activities under the pretext of combating Maoists. Subramaniam expressed concern that brutal incidents of violence, illegal detentions, and extrajudicial killings of Aadivasis are rarely reported in the media.
“Local journalists are pressured to remain silent. To the outside world, Chhattisgarh seems fine due to developmental projects, but the real question is: Who benefits from them?,” she remarked, urging for greater attention to the plight of indigenous people.
SN Sahu, Officer on Special Duty to former President KR Narayanan, discussed the pervasive caste discrimination that even reaches the highest levels of government. He pointed out that even the former President Narayanan, faced caste-based discrimination.
“Caste is a disease. A caste census is essential to measure the extent of its spread. If we conduct censuses for animals, is it too much to ask for one to understand the marginalisation of certain groups?” he questioned.
Kopparthi Venkata Ramana Murthy, a retired history professor and writer, also spoke on the impact of NEP 2020, warning that it is steering towards the corporatisation of education, which could make it inaccessible for marginalised communities.
The conference, chaired by S Jeevan Kumar of the HRF, attracted more than 300 people.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2024/Dec/16/human-rights-violations-in-bastar-require-extensive-reporting
| 2024-12-16T07:14:19Z
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Trial opens for Healing the Divide's Iris Koh, doctor and assistant accused of cheating MOH over COVID-19 jabs
A court heard details of how Iris Koh allegedly referred patients to Dr Jipson Quah, who was offered up to S$6,000 (US$4,500) to give a family saline solutions instead of the vaccine.
SINGAPORE: The trial of Healing the Divide founder Iris Koh, suspended doctor Jipson Quah and his assistant Thomas Chua Cheng Soon opened at the State Courts on Monday (Dec 16).
The trio is accused of a criminal conspiracy to cheat the Ministry of Health (MOH) that people were immunised with the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine when they were not.
The allegations span periods in 2021 and 2022, when vaccination-differentiated measures for activities like dining in at eateries and returning to the office were in place in Singapore.
A district court heard more details of how the scheme operated, including how Koh allegedly referred patients to Dr Quah, who said he was offered up to S$6,000 (US$4,500) to give a family saline solutions that were recorded as the COVID-19 vaccination.
Koh, 58, is the founder of Healing the Divide, a group that is known to be against COVID-19 vaccination.
She faces a total of 14 charges, of which the prosecution is proceeding with seven charges of conspiracy to cheat MOH. She is represented by Mr Wee Pan Lee of Wee, Tay & Lim.
Her seven remaining charges have been stood down while the trial proceeds. These are for allegedly instigating Healing the Divide members to “flood” government hotlines and harass doctors at vaccination centres, organising a public assembly against the national COVID-19 immunisation programme, and refusing to sign and tearing up a copy of her police statement.
Against Dr Quah, 36, the prosecution is proceeding with 17 charges of conspiring to cheat MOH. He was suspended from medical practice by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) in March 2022, and is represented by Mr Adrian Wee of Lighthouse Law.
Chua, the doctor’s 43-year-old assistant, faces seven charges of conspiring to cheat MOH, and is representing himself.
The prosecution’s case is that Koh would refer people who did not want to be vaccinated to Dr Quah, for him to assist in recording them as having received a COVID-19 jab, when they had not.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Timotheus Koh, Yohanes Ng and Thaddeus Tan said that Dr Quah would administer saline solution to these patients instead of the vaccine.
He then made false representations to the National Immunisation Registry of the Health Promotion Board by notifying the registry that these persons had received a COVID-19 vaccine, the prosecutors said.
Dr Quah operated various clinics between Oct 16, 2021 and Jan 19, 2022, according to the prosecutors.
MOH previously said that Dr Quah was the licensee or manager of Wan Medical Clinic, Mayfair Medical Clinic, Mayfair Medical Clinic (Yishun Chong Pang) and Ong Clinic & Surgery (Yishun).
Chua, who worked for Dr Quah at the clinics, allegedly helped him to liaise with these patients and knew the doctor was administering saline instead of a vaccine.
The prosecutors said that Dr Quah and Chua admitted to these offences in their police statements. They will seek to prove the prosecution’s case using 11 statements that each man recorded.
The prosecution will also call other co-conspirators or patients named in the charges, who consulted Dr Quah at his clinics, to testify before District Judge Paul Quan.
“REFERRALS” FROM KOH
The prosecutors said that Dr Quah became acquainted with Koh sometime in 2021. The court heard more details of how they met and how Dr Quah allegedly started giving patients saline.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Karl Elliott Lim Peng, who was the prosecution’s first witness, took the court through a statement he recorded from Dr Quah on Jan 21, 2022.
In the statement, Dr Quah said that Koh accompanied a female patient to one of his clinics in July 2021. He only knew Koh from what had been reported about her in the media at the time.
Dr Quah said the patient requested a blood test to determine if she had vaccine-related complications, and he administered one.
After this, Koh was “grateful” and wanted to know if he could conduct blood tests for other patients with similar symptoms. They exchanged numbers and kept in touch.
According to Dr Quah’s statement, after the government started introducing more vaccine-differentiated measures, Koh asked him if he administered Sinopharm vaccines. When he confirmed this, she said she would refer people to him for the vaccines.
In the statement, Dr Quah claimed his understanding was that Koh would refer the patients to him to receive the Sinopharm vaccine.
Sometime in 2021, a female patient visited his clinic and identified herself as a “referral” from Koh. According to Dr Quah, she said she would like to receive the COVID-19 vaccine but was fearful of the side effects, and “pleaded” with him to administer an alternative shot.
He also told ASP Lim that over time, more patients “trickled” in identifying themselves as referrals from Koh and saying that they were fearful of vaccinations.
Dr Quah said in the statement that he mostly would not know in advance if a patient was affiliated with Koh, although she would sometimes text him ahead of time to say who the patients were and when they would visit.
He said that for all patients seeking a Sinopharm vaccine, he would prepare and administer it following standard procedure.
But if they called themselves “referrals from Iris” and said they were afraid of being vaccinated, he would offer a saline jab and reflect them as having received the Sinopharm vaccine, Dr Quah said in his statement.
When ASP Lim asked Dr Quah why he did this, the doctor responded that he felt “sorry” for the patients because unvaccinated people faced restrictions at the time. He said he “found it hard” to reject an elderly couple who made such a request, for example.
He claimed that some of the patients came to him as they did not want to be terminated from their employment, while others wanted to “get around” social restrictions on unvaccinated people.
“TOKEN OF GRATITUDE” FOR SALINE JABS
The doctor also told ASP Lim that he did not intend to harm anyone or profit through the saline injections, but wanted to help those in need.
He said in the statement that one family of three offered him S$1,000 to S$6,000 for saline injections that would be recorded as COVID-19 vaccinations.
However, he said he interpreted this as a “token of gratitude” rather than payment, and said he would not reject patients who offered to pay more.
One of Dr Quah’s patients, David Christopher Newton, was previously convicted and jailed for paying S$6,000 for saline shots for him and his unsuspecting wife in December 2021 and January 2022.
Checks by CNA in August 2021 showed that clinics in Singapore priced the two-dose Sinopharm vaccine at about S$98 or S$99, with GST.
In his statement, Dr Quah also said that Chua was the only member of his staff at the clinics who knew about the saline shots, and that Chua had been working for him for the past two years to deliver medicines and run medical errands.
He described Chua as the “middleman” who liaised between Koh, the patients and the clinic, and the one who collected the money from the patients and passed it to him.
Dr Quah also told ASP Lim that he let Chua keep about 30 per cent of the takings as he wanted to help Chua improve his financial situation.
If found guilty of dishonestly making a false representation, the punishment is imprisonment for up to 20 years, a fine or both for each charge.
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/iris-koh-jipson-quah-healing-divide-covid-19-vaccine-saline-cheat-moh-4808881?cid=cna_flip_070214
| 2024-12-16T07:14:20Z
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Three minutes into Boston College women’s basketball’s game against Bryant, Teya Sidberry raced to collect an errant pass.
The Eagles’ subsequent offense possession ended without a score, but BC’s defense showed its strength. Sidberry had three steals already, as BC was on an 8–0 run.
When Bryant came down the court again just seconds later, Sidberry corralled the rebound.
BC (9–4, 1–0 Atlantic Coast) capitalized on offensive rebounds and steals, which led the Eagles to 54 points off turnovers to go along with 33 second-chance points. BC’s 94–46 win over Bryant (7–4) marks its third-straight victory.
BC’s 14–0 run was aided by three Bryant turnovers. T’yana Todd led the offense during the Eagles’ run, as she began with two shots from beyond the arc and got an additional three-point play with a layup and-1.
BC’s defensive showing ended with Bryant turning the ball over 31 times. BC too, though, turned the ball seven times in the second quarter alone. Despite more than doubling Bryant’s point total, BC still tallied 19 turnovers.
BC held a 31-point lead at the end of the second quarter, but had no intention of slowing down.
Contributions from the bench included a career-high 13 points from Savannah Samuel, who also grabbed four offensive boards.
“I feel like lately I’ve kinda been focusing on getting rebounds and thinking, like in my head, that offense will come,” Samuel said. “Being able to do that really helps.”
In the final minute of the first quarter, Dontavia Waggoner secured a rebound and scored it herself from seven feet away.
Waggoner got the rebound on the next defensive possession, too, giving BC a chance to get off a buzzer beater before the quarter ended.
BC got the buzzer beater they were looking for— and in emphatic fashion.
Kaylah Ivey held the ball at the top of the three-point arc. She surveyed as the clock ran down and fired to Andrea Daley. Daley caught the pass in stride, banked in an and-1 shot, then drained her free throw to cap off a 24–4 first-quarter lead for the Eagles.
Sidberry finished with five steals while also ending with an efficient 5-of-9 shooting clip and a team-leading 14 points.
“I think it kinda energized me, and it was nice cause I had like all my teammates, like, communicating, so it makes it easier to feel like you can go for a steal and that kinda thing,” Sidberry said.
Every BC player who entered the game recorded at least one rebound and field goal.
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https://www.bcheights.com/2024/12/15/boston-college-defeats-bryant-94-46/
| 2024-12-16T07:14:20Z
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In a groundbreaking initiative, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board is set to introduce a facial recognition-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) Darshan System to reduce waiting times for devotees. In an exclusive interview with BSN Malleswara Rao, TTD Chairman BR Naidu revealed that the AI-powered system will be implemented within six months, once it is established common devotees can complete Lord Venkateswara Swamy darshan within 1 hour. A Bengaluru-based company has already begun pilot project preparations in Tirupati and Tirumala. He envisioned Tirumala’s transformation into a smart city, blending modern infrastructure, thoughtful town planning, and serene landscaping to evoke profound devotion. The goal, he explained, is to create an immersive experience that envelops devotees in a spiritual ambiance, with carefully selected plants that delight both the senses of sight and smell.
BR Naidu asserted that he has the full backing of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan to implement necessary measures to restore Tirumala’s former glory. Confidently, he stated that his non-political background enables him to take bold decisions that his predecessors couldn’t, particularly in safeguarding Hindu Sanatana Dharma.
Excerpts:
You made a surprise move at the first board meeting. With the second meeting slated to take place soon, what key decisions can we expect from you this time around?
As a devout follower of Lord Venkateswara, I firmly believe that Tirumala’s sanctity was compromised during the previous administration. It’s our responsibility to review those decisions and restore the temple’s sanctity. While there are additional decisions on the horizon, I’m not at liberty to disclose them just yet.
One of the key decisions made by the board is the introduction of an AI-based system designed to significantly reduce waiting times for darshan. Can you elaborate on this innovative solution and how it will be implemented?
Our ambitious goal is to provide every devotee with a darshan of Lord Venkateswara within one hour. To achieve this, we are introducing an AI-powered facial recognition system, inspired by the Digi Yatra system used in airports. Devotees will have their faces scanned at 20 strategic locations, including the railway station, bus stand, and Alipiri, and be assigned a specific time slot for darshan. They can join the queue within an hour of their allotted time, and will have darshan within the next 60 minutes.
This innovative system, currently being demoed by a Bengaluru-based company, will be sponsored by generous donors. By leveraging technology, we aim to eradicate black ticketing, eliminate touts, and ensure a more dignified and efficient experience for devotees. The current system of compartmentalising devotees is outdated and raises human rights concerns. Our mission is to provide a seamless and respectful experience for all.
How does this AI-powered facial recognition system differ from the time-slot based darshan initiative introduced by the Chandrababu government in 2000?
The time-slot based darshan system, introduced earlier to manage crowds, was marred by token manipulation and black market sales. Moreover, darshan wait times remained lengthy. To address these issues, we are introducing an AI-powered facial recognition system, which ensures that devotees cannot manipulate or transfer their access. This secure system will enable any devotee, regardless of their origin, to have darshan within one hour. We aim to implement this system within the next six months, with the goal of introducing it even sooner.
Our objective is to provide a seamless and efficient experience, especially for devotees travelling from distant places like Kerala or Uttar Pradesh. While they are free to explore Tirumala’s spiritual attractions at their leisure, our target is to ensure they can have darshan within a swift 60-minute timeframe.
For the first time in Tirumala’s history, we now have a dedicated Town Planning Department. What plans are in place to renovate and revamp the buildings and streets to create a more immersive and spiritually uplifting experience for devotees?
Tirumala is a sacred destination, not a tourist spot. To preserve its spiritual essence, we are transforming every aspect of the town to exude divinity. From visual aesthetics to soothing sounds and fragrances, every detail will be meticulously enhanced.
We are envisioning Tirumala as a Smart City with a 50-year master plan. To achieve this, we will be engaging a consultancy to develop sector-wise plans that seamlessly blend traditional Agama Sastra principles with modern design elements.
How many TTD temples are being built in different States?
We are expanding the TTD’s presence by constructing numerous temples across India, not just in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, but also in southern and northern States. We are receiving requests from governments and individuals offering land, and we are eager to build temples on these sites. In fact, we are constructing a temple in Telangana’s Kodangal, which is the constituency of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. Additionally, we are renovating existing TTD Kalyana Mandapams, although the current cultural shift in marriage customs has reduced the demand for new ones.
Tirumala is known as Seven Hills. How the 8th Hill has come up, and when you will be clearing it?
For the past five years, a staggering 7 lakh metric tonnes of waste has been dumped between two hills on Tirumala, forming a massive dumpsite that has become unbearable due to its overpowering stench. Despite its enormity, this issue has been neglected for far too long.
I have issued a directive to clear this waste within three months. The plan involves compressing the waste material and transporting it downhill, where it will be utilised to generate electricity, providing a sustainable solution to this long standing problem.
What would be the logical conclusion to Pink Diamond controversy?
It is now widely acknowledged that the Pink Diamond controversy was a baseless conspiracy orchestrated by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Recently, Ramana Deekshitulu, the former chief priest who falsely claimed the diamond was missing, apologised unconditionally for his remarks. We are taking steps to resolve the two pending cases filed by the TTD against Deekshitulu and a YSRCP leader. To ensure transparency, we will publicly disclose all TTD assets and jewellery. Moreover, we will take strict action against anyone attempting to disrupt the sacred atmosphere in Tirumala.
How many non-Hindu employees are working in the TTD? What would happen to them?
Currently, over 250 non-Hindu employees are working with the TTD, including some in the Sri Venkateswara Bhakthi Channel, which was established to promote Hinduism. Ironically, one of these employees is even running a church. This blatant disregard for TTD’s principles is unacceptable. Previous chairmen, being politicians, may have overlooked this issue due to vote bank considerations. However, as a devout follower of Lord Venkateswara, my priority is to uphold the values of Hinduism. To address this anomaly, we will offer a Voluntary Retirement Scheme to these employees or surrender them to the government.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2024/Dec/16/interview-tirumala-balaji-darshan-in-just-one-hour-ttd-chairman-br-naidu
| 2024-12-16T07:14:25Z
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Jail for man who ran S$5 million Ponzi scheme while posing as 'successful' forex trader
Kenneth Kam Boon Hee promised victims a monthly interest rate of 3 per cent in return for loans.
SINGAPORE: A man who posed as a forex trader was sentenced to 10 years’ jail on Monday (Dec 16) for running a S$5 million Ponzi scheme that ensnared over a dozen investors, the police said.
Kenneth Kam Boon Hee, 57, was earlier convicted on Aug 26 on 63 charges of cheating.
The court found that Kam - the director of several companies including Kenn Capital, Kenn Organisation International and Kenneth Kam Pte Ltd - had falsely represented himself as a "successful" forex trader and misled victims into granting him loans.
He claimed to have generated high profits from his trading, giving victims the impression that he was capable of paying a monthly interest rate of 3 per cent that he promised in return for their loans.
“On this basis, the victims lent money to Kam for him to trade in forex in order to generate profits,” police said.
“In reality, Kam had been running a Ponzi scheme, and had funded the 3 per cent monthly interest payments to lenders with money borrowed from other members of the public.”
The businessman received about S$5 million in loans from investors, according to the police.
Kam was first charged in 2020 with 149 counts of cheating of about S$9 million, before being handed further charges in 2021.
“In total, he was charged with 340 cheating charges involving amounts of more than S$16 million and four charges of transferring benefits from his criminal conduct,” police said.
Kam's trial proceeded on 63 counts of cheating involving 13 victims who had lent money to Kam, while the remaining charges were stood down, police added.
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ponzi-scheme-kenneth-kam-jail-forex-trader-cheating-returns-high-interest-rate-4808896?cid=cna_flip_070214
| 2024-12-16T07:14:30Z
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An already quiet Conte Forum got even quieter when Boston College men’s basketball gave up two 3-pointers to Stonehill and the Skyhawks went up 6–0 two minutes into the Sunday afternoon matchup.
Despite only giving up six points in the paint in the first half, the Eagles (7–4, 0–1 Atlantic Coast) went into halftime up just five points as Stonehill (6–6) managed to hang around due to its outside shooting.
The Skyhawks could only do that for so long, though, as BC started pulling away to begin the second half.
Despite leading by as many as 13 points, though, it was a two-point game with seven seconds left in the matchup thanks to defensive collapses from the Eagles. BC ultimately held on to hand the Skyhawks a 73–69 loss, breaking its three-game losing streak in the process.
“We just had to grind,” Chas Kelley III said. “It was a gritty win.”
Donald Hand Jr. sank the Eagles’ first bucket in both the first and second halves. His stepback midrange jumper 40 seconds into the second half kicked off a run for BC, allowing it to take an 11-point lead 1:32 in. Suddenly, it looked like a completely different game than it had going into halftime.
“You gotta beat them,” BC head coach Earl Grant said. “They’re not gonna beat themselves.”
After Hand Jr. hit his shot, Chad Venning bodied his way into the paint and finished at the rim. Elijah Strong followed suit on the Eagles’ next trip down the court, making his way to the basket and fighting over a defender before kissing the ball off the glass to put BC up 41–30.
Things were far from over, though. The Eagles’ first-half demons came back to haunt them.
With just under four minutes left, the Eagles held a 63–52 lead—pretty comfortable, as long as nothing crazy happened. And nothing crazy happened.
But the Eagles reverted into their first-half form.
From the 6:11 mark to the 3:09 mark, the Eagles did not score. Stonehill went on a 7–2 run, cutting the deficit to four behind consecutive 3-point makes from Ethan Meuser, the second of which came on a busted Stonehill play and was contested by two BC defenders.
“We gotta close out with high hands especially,” Hand said. “Coach preaches that, and sometimes when we don’t do it, that’s when the team gets hot.”
It was Strong that broke BC’s scoring drought, then Hand that took it right at Stonehill. His layup attempt with 2:40 left was stopped short, but he picked up the foul and made two free throws to give the Eagles a 67–59 lead.
Their efforts on offense weren’t enough, though, because BC showed lapses in its defensive communication and switches. The Eagles gave up two more 3-pointers in 40 seconds—one each from Todd Brogna and Hermann Koffi to make it a 69–65 game.
“We got a group that’s trying to learn to hear and accept the voice of their teammate,” Grant said. “It’s a lot of new guys that haven’t been in these battles. Everything’s new for us.”
With 31 seconds remaining and BC with possession, Chas Stinson stole the ball clean out of Dion Brown’s hands. The Eagles had a foul to give, and Hand Jr. stopped the fast break with a foul.
“I thought we made some unforced turnovers down the stretch that we’ll learn from,” Grant said.
On the next play, Brogna flew into the paint for a reverse layup that made it a two-point game.
BC survived the scare, though, and was ultimately able to close out the game thanks to two free throws each from Strong and Hand.
“Take this win, celebrate it for about the rest of the day, and then just look into SMU tomorrow,” Kelley said, referring to the Eagles’ ACC home opener against Southern Methodist on Dec. 21.
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https://www.bcheights.com/2024/12/15/boston-college-mens-basketball-beats-stonehill/
| 2024-12-16T07:14:30Z
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VIJAYAWADA: Taking technology-driven policing to new heights, NTR District Commissioner of Police (CP) SV Rajasekhar Babu distributed drone cameras to all 28 police stations in the district on Sunday. The event, attended by Vijayawada city MLAs Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, Gadde Rammohan, Mylavaram MLA Vasantha Krishna Prasad, and Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni), marked a significant step in modern law enforcement.
Highlighting the integration of technology in policing, the CP emphasised the need for advancements to ensure citizen safety, particularly for women and children. He lauded Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s vision of ‘visible and invisible policing,’ which underpins the use of drones for innovative initiatives like ‘Cloud Patrolling.’
NTR district is the first in the country to implement drones extensively for law enforcement. The drones will facilitate various tasks, including automatic surveillance, crime scene mapping, traffic and crowd management, disaster response, and targeted operations like anti-narcotics and sand surveillance beats. CP Babu explained that ‘Cloud Patrolling’ would allow officers to monitor vulnerable locations and reconstruct crime scenes efficiently, reducing manpower needs for complex tasks. “Our CM said on the usage of technology in governance and wanted the State to be the drone capital of India. NTR district police has a distinct recognition for using drones in traffic management and crowd management. Taking it to the next level, we are going to bring cloud patrolling which will help us to identify vulnerable locations, crime scene construction and location mapping. This will help in completing any herculean task with less manpower,” he said.
The project received generous contributions in which the Vijayawada MP donated 10 drones, Kudaravalli Venkata Narsaiah contributed two, and the remaining 16 were donated by K Pawan Kumar and Raja from Vatsavai.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2024/Dec/16/ntr-cp-distributes-drone-cameras-to-28-police-stations
| 2024-12-16T07:14:31Z
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Yvette Nicole Brown has married Anthony Davis.
The 53-year-old actress got engaged to the 47-year-old actor towards the end of last year, and the happy couple tied the knot at an "intimate, classy and fun" ceremony with just 200 guests on Saturday (14.12.24) at The Maybourne Beverly Hills in Los Angeles.
Yvette's brother Paris had the honour of walking the former 'Drake and Josh' star down the aisle, as her father has Alzheimer's disease.
Both Yvette's mom and Anthony's parents are sadly no longer alive so their siblings "stood in".
Yvette told People: "Neither of our parents were able to be there in person.
"So my brother and his sister stood in, so it was nice to walk down the aisle toward family and with family, even if it's not the family we wish we had in those roles."
The bride wore a dramatic lacy fishtail gown by Ines Di Santo and the groomed looked dapper in a custom brown velvet suit by Vinny's Custom Clothes, complete with cufflinks carrying a sweet message about meeting his life partner and one of the pale pink roses from Yvette’s bouquet.
Anthony gushed over Yvette: "If you can imagine having one wing in your life and trying to fly with one wing, you kind of go in circles.
Now that I've found my other wing, I can fly straight and land where I need to land."
The 'Community' star confessed that she was "nervous" about getting emotional in front of her guests.
She said: "The idea that all of our friends and family would be there, and the spotlight would be on us, it's nervous.
"I've been on sets before. I know that when they say 'action,' everybody gets quiet and people speak and you're performing in that instance in front of a lot of people. But that's a character, right?
"So the idea that I am not performing, these are real words and real emotions, and we're really in front of everybody we know and love, [that made me] nervous."
After the main event, the guests enjoyed cocktails and a meal of sea bass and short rib as a harp was played.
The new Mr and Mrs Davis later cut into a lemon and strawberry shortcake cake adorned with flowers.
Yvette hopes her wedding is an inspiration for those who doubt they will get married later in life.
She said: "Because I am of a certain age and I never thought it would happen for me, my wedding can be an inspirational moment."
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https://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/former-drake-and-josh-star-yvette-nicole-brown-marries-anthony-davis-c-17102529
| 2024-12-16T07:14:33Z
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(Información remitida por la empresa firmante)
Gütersloh, 16.12.2024 (News Aktuell).- Many young adults in the EU share the feeling that they are lonely. Around 57 per cent of young Europeans aged from 18 to 35 feel moderately or strongly lonely, according to a new Bertelsmann Stiftung study entitled “Loneliness of Young People Compared across Europe in 2024.” The data for the EU-wide survey derive from the European opinion research tool eupinions.
While loneliness among young people has been an issue across the EU since the coronavirus pandemic, there are significant differences between the member states. Young people in France, for example, feel lonely very often: 40 per cent of young French people feel at least moderately lonely, and 23 per cent of them are extremely lonely. This means that almost two thirds of young people in France suffer from loneliness. These are the highest levels in the seven EU countries that permit comparison on account of the sample size.
Young adults in Germany are affected by loneliness slightly less often: 39 per cent of them say that they feel moderately lonely, and 12 per cent are extremely lonely. While moderate loneliness among young people in Germany is the lowest, young people in the Netherlands are least affected by extreme loneliness.
“Loneliness can reduce the feeling of belonging to the society and in this way become a social and political problem as well. We should for that reason tackle loneliness together as a society and not stigmatize those affected,” Bertelsmann Stiftung youth expert Leander Berner says.
Lower education level amplifies loneliness
In making comparisons across countries, it is noticeable that loneliness is particularly strongly felt among people with a lower level of education. There are various reasons for this to be found in the academic literature: It is assumed on the one hand that people with a higher level of education generally find more options to deal with stress and are able to sustain more social relationships and maintain them better. And on the other, better educated people often have higher income and can as a result participate in social life to a greater extent.
“Reducing loneliness among young people essentially requires incorporating their perspectives into political consultation processes systematically and in a binding way. To the extent that we draw young people into designing and implementing initiatives, we generate solutions that truly meet their needs and help them to feel less isolated,” Bertelsmann Stiftung youth expert Anja Langness recommends.
Those affected perceive extreme and long-term loneliness in particular as a big problem. The study points up various recommendations for action to counter this. Good data on the people affected, providing advice and ways of meeting, particularly for young people, a cross-country exchange of experiences, plus support for social and emotional skills can in this way make an effective contribution to reducing loneliness.
Contact:
Dr Anja Langness, Tel. +49 5241 81 81 169
Email: anja.langness@bertelsmann-stiftung.de
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https://www.europapress.es/comunicados/internacional-00907/noticia-comunicado-more-than-half-of-all-young-people-in-the-eu-feel-lonely-20241216075952.html
| 2024-12-16T07:14:34Z
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KAKINADA: Test reports of the PDS rice samples collected from cargo ship Stella L Panama have been submitted to Kakinada District Collector Shan Mohan Sagili. A 10-member multidisciplinary committee collected the rice samples on December 5. According to sources, the committee has found 2,000 metric tonnes of PDS rice on the cargo ship. However, it has not been officially confirmed yet.
Meanwhile, uncertainty prevails on the departure of Stella L Panama. The ship is supposed to sail from Kakinada Deep Water Port to Cotonou Port, Benin in West Africa with 52,000 metric tonnes of raw and boiled rice this week. Some of rice exporters out of 28 companies allegedly loaded Public Distribution System rice on it.
Joint Collector Rahul Meena visited the port on Sunday, and inspected the process of loading rice onto barges. He expressed satisfaction with the smooth and efficient loading operations. The Collector will disclose more information about Stella L Panama on Monday, he said.
Based on reliable information that PDS rice was being exported illegally, the Collector inspected the cargo ship on November 27. He revealed that the ship contained 640 metric tonnes of PDS rice. On November 28, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan visited the anchorage port and the ship. After his ‘Seize the ship’ orders, the loading was stopped. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the Deputy Chief Minister held a review meeting with the Collectors and SPs on steps to be taken to curb illegal exports of PDS rice from the State.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2024/Dec/16/rice-sample-test-results-likely-on-december-16
| 2024-12-16T07:14:37Z
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Jamie Foxx is feeling "too blessed to be stressed" after an apparent bust-up at his birthday dinner which left him needing stitches.
The 57-year-old actor was reportedly hit in the face by a glass which was thrown at him during a meal at the Mr Chow restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, on Friday (13.12.24) and he's now said to be recovering after heading to hospital to treat his injuries - and Jamie has now seemingly addressed the incident in a post on Instagram.
He shared the words: "The devil is busy … but I’m too blessed to be stressed," and added in the caption: "The devil is a lie. Can’t win here … Thank you to everybody that pray and check on me … When your light is shining bright … They try to bring you darkness … But they don’t know that you’re built for it …
"The lights have been shining bright ... "
Jamie went on to thank all his fans for watching his new Netflix special ‘Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was ...' during which he addressed the mystery illness that left him hospitalised last year - revealing he suffered a “brain bleed that led to a stroke”.
In the Instagram post, he added: "And huge thank yous to everyone that have watched and been inspired by 'What Had Happened Was' … Number 1 on @netflix if you haven’t checked it out please go check it out it’s from my heart and my soul … "
After the restaurant incident, a spokesperson for the ‘Ray’ actor told People that Jamie was struck with a glass during the birthday celebration.
They said: “Jamie Foxx was at his birthday dinner when someone from another table threw a glass that hit him in the mouth. “
"He had to get stitches and is recovering. The police were called and the matter is now in law enforcement’s hands."
TMZ.com reported cops were called to the restaurant around 10 p.m. local time regarding an alleged fight inside, and added that Jamie was involved and was not there by the time officers arrived.
The actor had attended the gathering with his daughters Corinne and Anelise, as well as ex Kristin Grannis, according to the Daily Mail.
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https://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/jamie-foxx-too-blessed-to-be-stressed-after-bust-up-c-17102527
| 2024-12-16T07:14:39Z
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Fiji says five hotel guests to be discharged after falling ill from pina coladas
SUVA: 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 on Monday (Dec 16).
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 70km 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 on 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 on 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.
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/fiji-says-five-hotel-guests-be-discharged-after-falling-ill-pina-coladas-4808426?cid=cna_flip_070214
| 2024-12-16T07:14:40Z
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VISAKHAPATNAM: Coastal erosion along Visakhapatnam’s coastline, particularly from Coastal Battery to Bheemili, is a well-known challenge attributed to both natural and human-induced factors.
This long-standing issue has not only impacted the environment, but also threatened the livelihoods of communities residing along the coast.
Recognising the urgent need for action, the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has proposed a Rs 200-crore project to tackle coastal erosion and restore the region’s coastline.
If everything goes as planned and the required approvals are obtained, the Port City could be set on a path toward addressing coastal erosion effectively. The project is funded in a 90:10 ratio by the Centre and the State government.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR), prepared with inputs from the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), has been submitted to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and forwarded to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for final approval.
“This initiative is designed not only to mitigate coastal erosion, but also to restore coastal ecosystems and safeguard the livelihoods of communities dependent on these areas,” VMRDA (Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority) Commissioner KS Viswanathan explained.
He pointed out, “We briefed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during his recent review meeting, and he approved the project. The detailed project report was prepared with scientific backing from the NCCR, which had already studied the erosion hotspots along our coast.”
The Rs 200-crore project is divided into two phases: structural mitigation and non-structural measures.
Rs 160 crore erosion mitigation plan underway
The structural mitigation phase, estimated at Rs 160 crore, involves key interventions such as the construction of sea walls at critical areas, including Bheemili fishermen’s boat landing area, Mangamaripeta, Peda Jalaripeta, and Jalari Yendada to Vasuvanipalem at a cost of Rs 60 crore.
Retention walls are planned along Bheemili Beach Road, Thota Veedi, and RK Beach Road near the Submarine Museum, costing Rs 25 crore.
Other measures include groyne arrangements at Gokul Park for Rs 1 crore, beach nourishment at Rushikonda for Rs 10 crore, dune stabilisation at Chepala Uppada for Rs 4 crore, and groyne fields at erosion-prone hotspots for Rs 60 crore.
The non-structural measures, costing Rs 40 crore, aim to restore coastal ecosystems and build community resilience.
These include managing coastal vegetation, creating shelter belts, and developing beach vegetation cover to strengthen the natural environment. Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) initiatives, capacity building, training programmes, and enhanced early warning systems will be implemented in vulnerable stretches such as Sagar Nagar to Timmapuram and Chepala Uppada to Bheemili.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2024/Dec/16/vmrda-solution-rs-200-crore-project-to-tackle-coastal-erosion
| 2024-12-16T07:14:43Z
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LeBron James returns in Lakers’ victory over Grizzlies after 2-game absence
LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James returned to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night in a 116-10 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies after a two-game break.
James is fighting a left foot injury and and was away from the team most of last week because of personal reasons.
James did not play last Sunday against Portland or Friday night at Minnesota. The Lakers announced about 45 minutes before tip-off against Memphis that James’ status had been upgraded from questionable to available.
James had 18 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and five turnovers in 34 minutes.
“I felt pretty good,” James said. “It’s very rare throughout the course of the season where you can take advantage of the schedule, and I was able to do that the past week.”
The Lakers described James’ time away as an excused absence while noting that he’s also been managing some left foot pain. Lakers coach JJ Redick revealed before the game with Memphis that he and the four-time NBA MVP met on the day of the Portland game to discuss his plan for a break.
“When I talked to him earlier this week, I think I said something along those lines, just hoping that he was getting a good mind and body reset,” Redick said in his pregame availability Sunday. “He said he felt like he was.”
James is the NBA’s oldest player and turns 40 on Dec. 30. Including playoffs, no player in league history has appeared in more games or played more minutes than James — who is in his 22nd season, tying Vince Carter for the NBA record.
“I felt my foot, felt my body….I did my pregame workout on that Sunday for the Portland game and decided it was probably best if I took that day off,” James said. “I had the opportunity to take more days and get my mind, body and just everything where I wanted to be for tonight, and it worked out.”
Redick indicated that he could appreciate if James felt the need for a few days off.
“I played 15 (years) and was emotionally, mentally, physically drained, fried,” Redick said. “I put everything I had into this game. I had nothing left. For guys like him and (Chris Paul), the Tom Brady’s of the world, the Roger Federer’s of the world, it’s hard to comprehend having that level of sustained excellence for so long because of the toll that it takes on all of you, not just your body.”
James said he spent most of his time away rehabbing his foot and training to stay in game shape.
“It was a very easy decision for myself and for the team and for my trainer to be able to take advantage of those days, just for everything,” James said. “It was great.”
James is averaging 23 points, 9.1 assists and eight rebounds this season. He also has seven triple-doubles, second-most in the NBA behind Denver’s Nikola Jokic.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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https://www.whec.com/national-sports/lebron-james-returns-in-lakers-victory-over-grizzlies-after-2-game-absence/
| 2024-12-16T07:14:44Z
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Ryan Reynolds wants to give his children "as normal a life as possible".
The 'Deadpool' star is father to four kids with his wife Blake Lively - James, nine, Inez, eight, Betty, five, and son Olin, who was born in 2023 - and the actor has revealed he tries to keep them feeling humble and grateful even though their luxurious upbringing is completely different to how their parents were raised.
He told The Hollywood Reporter: "We try to give them as normal a life as possible. I try not to impose upon them the difference in their childhood to my childhood or my wife’s childhood.
"We both grew up very working class, and I remember when they were very young, I used to say or think, like: 'Oh God, I would never have had a gift like this when I was a kid', or: 'I never would’ve had this luxury of getting takeout', or whatever.
"Then I realised that that’s not really their bag of rocks to carry."
He added of the kids: "They’re already very much in touch with gratitude and understanding the world enough to have a strong sense of empathy.
"Those are the things that I would think [would indicate] we’re doing an OK job - if our kids can empathise with other people and other kids.
"But yes, it’s different. When I was a kid, you would just suck it up, get out of the house and be back by sundown, which I just can’t even imagine now."
It comes after Ryan recently admitted he had a "very complicated" relationship with his own dad.
The 48-year-old actor was raised in a "blue-collar home" and he recalled his father - who died in 2015, after a 20-year battle with Parkinson’s disease - communicating via "simple grunts".
The 'Deadpool' star told Variety: "My relationship with my father was very complicated.
"I come from a middle-class, blue-collar home, and my dad was of that generation where he was Clint Eastwood. Simple grunts is how he communicated."
Ryan has since reevaluated his relationship with his dad in recent years, adding: "People tell themselves stories, and we have some responsibility as we grow older to question that a little bit. I’ve done that a bit more in the last five years; I didn’t know myself until I was probably 40-ish.
"I ask that question often: 'Was my dad as challenging as I like to think? Or am I romanticising that to pave over all these other things with whatever the drug is.' The story is not true; nobody’s black and white like that."
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https://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/ryan-reynolds-wants-his-kids-to-to-have-normal-life-c-17102526
| 2024-12-16T07:14:45Z
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Al Moosawi headquarters in Dubai
Starting from a small office in Deira, Al Moosawi Trading has grown into one of the Gulf region's most trusted suppliers
Celebrating 50 years in the UAE is no small feat, and the golden jubilee of K.M. Moidin Kunhi's remarkable journey stands as a testament to decades of resilience, hard work, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving market.
In 1974, K.M. Moidin Kunhi (Ceylon) embarked on a journey from Kasargod, a small town in Kerala, India, to Dubai. Travelling by ship, he sought better opportunities for himself and his family. Like many immigrants of the time, his early years were filled with long workdays and an unwavering determination to build a future.
K.M. Moidin Kunhi, Chairman and Director of Al Moosawi and Valmos Group of Companies
For the first decade, he worked with a trading company supplying pipeline fittings to marine, industrial, and oilfield clients. After years of honing his skills and gaining valuable experience, a sudden company closure forced him to turn a career setback into an opportunity. Undeterred, he launched his own venture - Al Moosawi Trading LLC. Now marking its 38th anniversary, Al Moosawi Trading LLC has evolved from humble beginnings into a prominent industrial powerhouse in the UAE, supplying essential products and services to both government and private sectors across the region. This entrepreneurial journey, from a single trading operation to a thriving conglomerate, reflects K.M. Moidin Kunhi's unyielding vision of a company synonymous with quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
K.M. Moidin Kunhi's entrepreneurial path is one of true perseverance. Starting from scratch, he aimed to create a company known for trust and innovation. Through his strategic leadership, Al Moosawi Trading LLC has continually adapted to market changes while holding fast to a commitment to quality and service excellence. Over the years, the company's role in the region's economic growth has been substantial, transforming from a small trading operation in Deira to a leading supplier in the marine and industrial sectors. At the core of this success story is K.M. Moidin Kunhi's vision, which laid the groundwork for what has now expanded into the Valmos Group - a multi-faceted enterprise integral to the UAE's industrial and infrastructure development.
A key pillar of Valmos Group's success is its culture of collaboration and family involvement. From the beginning, K.M. Moidin Kunhi's family and loyal team members have played crucial roles in the business's growth. Many employees, having been with the company for years, are regarded as extended family, contributing loyalty and expertise that uphold the company's high service standards. As a family-owned business, Kunhi invested his time and efforts in building a culture of trust and transparency with all stakeholders. This unity has fostered a foundation for business continuity, ensuring that the company's success supports his family, employees, and future generations.
Today, Al Moosawi Trading LLC is a leading name in the Gulf's marine and industrial supply industry, with a robust infrastructure that includes over 150,000 square feet of storage space, housing an inventory of over one million items across 8,000 different products.
The company has been instrumental in supporting major infrastructure projects across the UAE, including Dubai Drydocks and Dubai Maritime City, by providing essential materials and maintaining a strong presence in the marine and industrial sectors. Building on this foundation, the company has expanded into other GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. This strategic growth, aligned with Kunhi's vision, has extended the company's regional reach while upholding its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
With associate companies and a dedicated workforce of more than 110 employees, Valmos Group operates across seven strategic locations in the UAE, including Dubai Industrial City, Al Aweer, Deira, Mussafah in Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, and Sharjah Industrial Area. The company manages several large warehouses in these key locations, ensuring efficient distribution across the UAE's vital industrial zones.
In addition to geographic expansion, Valmos Group has diversified its portfolio to ensure long-term sustainability and growth. Today, the company operates in a variety of sectors, including auto repair and spare parts, healthcare, marine and oilfield products, transport services, and real estate and hospitality.
For more information, visit www.valmos.ae and www.valmos.sa
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https://www.khaleejtimes.com/ta/business/a-golden-jubilee-milestone
| 2024-12-16T07:14:44Z
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The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority has confirmed the death of wildlife, including 4 endangered rhinos, due to pollution at Lake Chivero, Harare’s main water source.
In a press statement, ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said tests done by University of Zimbabwe ZimParks veterinary department confirmed that pollution within the dam caused the deaths.
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https://zwnews.com/4-rhinos-die-after-drinking-polluted-water-at-lake-chivero/
| 2024-12-16T07:14:44Z
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Mavericks, Warriors combine for NBA-record 48 3-pointers in Dallas’ 143-133 victory
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors combined for an NBA-record 48 3-pointers Sunday night.
Golden State hit 27 and Dallas made 21 in the Mavericks’ 143-133 victory at Chase Center.
Klay Thompson connected for seven of the Mavs’ 3-pointers facing his former team for the second time in just more than a month, and longtime Splash Brother Stephen Curry also hit seven. Dallas star Luka Doncic shot 6 for 11 from deep on the way to his 80th career triple-double that featured a season-high 45 points.
“The shot making was at a high, both teams shot the ball extremely well from 3,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “It was a fun game to watch, a fun game to participate in and making shots, and both teams did that at a high level tonight.”
In addition, Draymond Green had season highs of five 3s and 21 points and teammate Andrew Wiggins also hit five from long range.
Doncic shot 16 for 23, making 9 of his first 11 shots with four 3-pointers on the way to 28 points by halftime.
At 2,549 career 3s, Thompson moved within 11 of tying Reggie Miller for fifth on the career list with 2,560. Damian Lillard will be the next person for Thompson to chase — Lillard is in fourth place with 2,683.
“I love shooting at Chase Center,” Thompson said. “I’ve been lucky enough to set records here and have incredible memories.”
Curry is the career leader with 3,832, followed by James Harden (3,010) and Ray Allen (2,973).
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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https://www.whec.com/national-sports/mavericks-warriors-combine-for-nba-record-48-3-pointers-in-dallas-143-133-victory/
| 2024-12-16T07:14:50Z
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BENGALURU: BJP state president BY Vijayendra on Sunday said, “Former chairman of the state Minorities Commission Anwar Manippady has clarified that it was not me, but Congress members who approached him. Regarding accusations by Priyank Kharge and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that I offered Rs 150 crore to Manippady, it is not true and is just a joke.
When Congress leaders themselves are involved in exploiting waqf properties, how could I possibly offer any assistance to them? These allegations are baseless. As for the issues raised by the chief minister yesterday (Saturday), we will address them in the House.”
Siddaramaiah had alleged that Vijayendra tried to bribe Manipaddy to suppress an investigation against the encroachment of waqf properties. On the protest by Panchamasali Lingayats that saw lathi-charge by the police in Belagavi last week, Vijayendra said, “The attitude of the government was evident for everyone to see.
It was under instructions from higher-ups that the police resorted to lathicharging peaceful Panchamasali Lingayat protesters. This is the peak of arrogance of the state government. Without the directions of the government, the police cannot resort to using such massive force. What’s worse is that the government did not apologise for this in the present legislative session. BJP will take up the issue in the House and fight for reservation.’’
KBG for CBI probe into irregularities
Kolar: “Top leaders of the BJP should respond to the graft allegations being levelled by former Minority Commission chairman Anwar Manippady against the erstwhile BJP dispensation, and a detailed investigation must be launched by the CBI into the same,” said Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. He said that already, CM Siddaramaiah has urged PM Narendra Modi to break his silence on the alleged corruption charges against BJP leaders in Karnataka, and order a CBI inquiry into the allegations. Accordingly, a probe must be ordered by the central agency.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/Dec/16/anwar-manippady-clarifies-it-wasnt-me-who-approached-him-says-bjp-chief-vijayendra
| 2024-12-16T07:14:50Z
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2020 Volvo XC90
T6 AWD R-Design 7-Seater - LOW KMS!!
2020 Volvo XC90
T6 AWD R-Design 7-Seater - LOW KMS!!
Location
Jim Pattison Auto Group
15393 Guildford Drive, Surrey, BC V3R 0H9
604-588-6088
$47,990
+ taxes & licensing
Vehicle Details
- Exterior Colour Dark Grey
- Interior Colour Charcoal
- Body Style SUV / Crossover
- Fuel Type Gasoline
- Drive Type All Wheel Drive
- Transmission Automatic
- Engine 4-cylinder
- Doors 4-door
- Stock # U3836
- Mileage 32,633 KM
Vehicle Description
Experience dynamic performance and striking design with the 2020 Volvo XC90 T6 R-Design, now available in Thunder Grey at Jim Pattison Volvo Cars Surrey. This luxury SUV is powered by a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter engine, delivering 316 horsepower and paired with all-wheel drive for a confident and exhilarating driving experience.
The R-Design trim exudes sporty sophistication with its Thunder Grey exterior, gloss black accents, and bold 22-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the XC90 continues the theme with exclusive R-Design details, including Nappa leather and Nubuck sport seats, a perforated leather steering wheel, and metal mesh inlays. The cabin also features a panoramic moonroof, creating a bright and spacious atmosphere for up to seven passengers.
Stay seamlessly connected with Volvos Sensus infotainment system, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. Safety is at the core of Volvos DNA, with advanced features such as Pilot Assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera providing unmatched confidence on the road.
The 2020 Volvo XC90 T6 R-Design combines luxury, performance, and practicality in one stunning package. Visit Jim Pattison Volvo Cars Surrey today to test drive this exceptional SUV and discover what sets it apart!Price does not include $595 documentation, $695 used car finance placement fee or taxes. D#30601
Please contact the seller to confirm pricing, features, odometer, and availability of this vehicle.
See the Carpages.ca Terms & Conditions for more details.
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https://www.carpages.ca/used-cars/british-columbia/surrey/2020-volvo-xc90-12019054/
| 2024-12-16T07:14:50Z
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An emerging indie pop-rock band is eyeing becoming the next big arena act after winning the Limelight music support fund package valued at over $20,000.
A judging panel of WA and interstate music professionals chose The Kickons to receive the life-changing prize, which will offer them financial support for the next 12 months starting from January 1.
The package includes $5,000 in financial assistance, a radio campaign thanks to Nova Entertainment, music equipment thanks to Kosmic, recording studio time and rehearsal space thanks to Vision Studios.
The band will also feature in the WAMFest 2025 line-up and receive promotional support via RAC Arena’s marketing channels.
Members Leo van Ek, Matthais Gault, Tom Quick, Harrison Mitchell and James Kemble were thrilled to be chosen as this year’s main prize winner.
“We are incredibly excited and honoured that RAC Arena has selected us for the 2024 Limelight Support Fund,” they said.
“This represents the biggest opportunity that we have ever had and we could not be more thankful.
“The grant will support us to film a music video for our upcoming release in early February of Bring Me Down Slow and we can’t wait to get the project underway.”
RAC general manager Michael Scott said he looked forward to working alongside them as they build their career in our thriving WA music industry.
“Like the other judges, I was thoroughly impressed with their application and have no doubt they have a bright future ahead of them,” he said.
“It won’t be long until they are the next big arena act, and we look forward to playing our small part in it.”
Joining The Kickons as 2025 Limelight recipients are runner-ups indie folk artist, Anna Schneider and dark wave pop outfit, Gia Como, who have received support packages valued at $3000 each.
Launched as part of the Arena’s 10th-anniversary celebrations, Limelight, presented by RAC Arena and supported by WAM, seeks to support up-and-coming WA musicians by providing financial, performance and promotion opportunities over 12 months.
New and emerging Australian performers, 18 years or older, were invited to apply and demonstrate the activity they would like to undertake throughout the year, how they planned to use the support fund package, and lay out their expected outcomes to their career as a result.
The judging panel included Mr Scott, WAM board member Kristina West, alongside artist manager Hayley Ayres from 360 Artist Logistics, RTRFM producer and presenter Pamela Boland and Kam Dheda, general manager of touring for TEG Dainty.
After high school, The Kickons have made a name for themselves releasing singles and playing gigs at venues like The Rosemount, Indian Ocean Hotel and Dunsborough Tavern.
Their dynamic style combines nostalgic feelings of indie rock and pop with new-wave alternative sounds in the hope of delivering a vibrant experience that’s raw and authentic.
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https://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/music/emerging-perth-alt-rock-band-the-kickons-win-rac-limelight-music-support-package-for-2025-c-17101069
| 2024-12-16T07:14:51Z
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The African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) has reaffirmed its critical role as a catalyst for Africa’s industrial and trade development, including a US$870 million titanium project in Richards Bay, South Africa, led by a Zimbabwean-born executive.
The Cairo-based Afreximbank recommited and consolidated its positioning as the leading pan-African financial institution during the recent Africa Investment Forum Market in Rabat, Morocco, saying it will drive industrialisation and intra-African trade by supporting the
Johannesburg-based Nyanza Light Metals Proprietary Limited’s titanium project in Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Nyanza is led by a Zimbabwean-born chief executive Donovan Chimhandamba (left on the above picture)
The Africa Investment Forum took place from 4-6 December in Rabat.
This year’s theme was “Leveraging Innovative Partnerships for Scale” and it underscored commitment by partners to drive transformative investments across Africa through strategic collaborations.
The investment forum is a multi-stakeholder and multi-disciplinary platform that advances projects to bankable stages, raises capital, and accelerates deals to financial closure.
The forum’s founding partners include African Development Bank, Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, Africa50, Development Bank of Southern Africa, European Investment Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and Trade and Development Bank.
Afreximbank, a partner, is a key financial provider to African governments and private sector businesses in support of inter-African and Caribbean trade.
During the investment forum a crucial boardroom session was held at Hotel Sofitel Jardin des Roses in Rabat.
At the session, Afreximbank reaffirmed its role as a “catalyst for Africa’s industrial and trade development”.
The bank co-chaired a pivotal discussion on Nyanza, a transformative project set to establish Africa’s first fully integrated titanium processing plant.
Located in the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the facility will produce 80 000 tonnes per annum of sulphate-based titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment.
South Africa is one of the world’s largest producers of titanium, the second largest after China, and the largest on the African continent.
Besides South Africa, other key titanium-producing African countries are Mozambique, Kenya and Sierra Leone.
Africa produces 20% of the world’s titanium.
The continent’s titanium deposits have the potential to contribute significantly to Africa’s GDP and meet the growing global demand for titanium.
South Africa’s titanium value chain is fragmented, with the country only involved in four commercial stages.
It exports its extracted minerals in a relatively raw form, and imports melted products and powder to produce titanium parts.
That is why the Nyanza value addition project is critical.
Titanium is as strong as steel but much less dense; 45% lighter.
It is therefore important as an alloying agent with many metals including aluminium, molybdenum and iron.
These alloys are mainly used in aircraft, spacecraft and missiles because of their low density and ability to withstand extremes of temperature.
The groundbreaking Nyanza initiative, supported by Afreximbank as Co-Mandated Lead Arranger, seeks to raise US$ 508 million following a successful de-risking process.
Nyanza is now moving closer to implementation and is poised to stimulate industrialisation, boost export development, and enhance intra-African trade by supplying neighbouring countries in the southern African region.
The boardroom session, co-chaired by Albert Nyakujarah, Manager, Project & Asset-Based Finance (Extractives), Project & Asset-Based Finance (PABF) at Afreximbank and facilitated by Amr Roshdy, MBA, Analyst, Project Preparation Finance, received enthusiastic massive interest from stakeholders, underscoring the significance of the project.
The session had members of the Afreximbank delegation, including Zitto Alfayo, Babajide Bode-Harrison, Ama Amoah, Janice Costa, Amir Bodylawson and Assane Djanikro.
Chimhandamba, whose Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group was prevented by the Zimbabwean government from implementing the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) US$400 million recapitalisation project in 2019 due to corruption by senior Harare state officials and their cronies, also attended the session.
After being blocked from the NRZ US$400 million deal by the Zimbabwean government, Chimhandamba and his team, as well as stakeholders managed to mobilise US$870 million for the titanium project in South Africa.
As the first project on the continent of its kind, Nyanza’s titanium initiative represents a major step toward unlocking Africa’s potential in advanced manufacturing, creating jobs, and strengthening the continent’s position in global value chains.
Afreximbank remains at the forefront of initiatives that drive sustainable economic growth and foster Africa’s industrial and trade ambitions.
Newshawks
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https://zwnews.com/zim-executive-leads-us870m-deal/
| 2024-12-16T07:14:52Z
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Asian currencies were mostly weaker on the day, with the offshore Chinese yuan down 0.1%
The Indian rupee weakened slightly on Monday, tracking weakness in regional peers, while the dollar-rupee overnight swap rate jumped on the back of cash dollar inflows and tight rupee liquidity, pushing up the implied rupee yield on overnight swaps above 10%.
The rupee was at 84.8250 as of 10:00 a.m. IST, down 0.04% from its close at 84.7875 on Friday.
Asian currencies were mostly weaker on the day, with the offshore Chinese yuan down 0.1% after data showed that retail sales in the country were weaker than expected in November. The dollar index was little changed at 106.8.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Meanwhile, the dollar-rupee overnight swap rate extended its ongoing climb and rose to 1.20 paisa, pushing up the implied rupee yield on overnight FX swaps above 10%.
Cash dollar inflows, alongside tight INR and flush USD liquidity in the banking system, on the back of recent spot dollar sales by the central bank, prompted the rise in the overnight swap rate, traders said.
Dollar-rupee far forward premiums slipped, with the one-year implied yield down 2 basis points at 2.16%, pressured by a rise in U.S. bond yields ahead of the closely watched Federal Reserve policy decision later this week.
The one-year U.S. Treasury yield was up 4 basis points at 4.28%.
The U.S. central bank is widely expected to cut rates, with investors watching out for any hawkish revisions to policymakers' future interest rate projections.
The odds of a 25-basis point rate cut by the Fed are currently at 95%, according to CME's FedWatch tool.
"The dollar is currently defying seasonal trends for December weakness and we doubt that the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) needs to prove itself a negative event risk," ING Bank said in a note.
ALSO READ:
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https://www.khaleejtimes.com/ta/business/markets/indian-rupee-dips-implied-inr-yield-on-overnight-fx-swap-climbs-above-10
| 2024-12-16T07:14:51Z
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Seahawks QB Geno Smith exits with knee injury against Green Bay and will undergo testing
SEATTLE (AP) — An awkward hit ended quarterback Geno Smith’s night and may have done serious damage to the Seahawks’ playoff chances.
Smith left Seattle’s 30-13 loss to Green Bay on Sunday night with a right knee injury and was replaced by Sam Howell midway through the third quarter. The injury doomed the Seahawks’ comeback attempt and put a serious chill on their hopes for an NFC West title. They dropped into a tie atop the division with the Los Angeles Rams, who beat the Seahawks earlier this season and host them to end the season.
Smith will undergo scans on Monday to determine the extent of the injury.
“It’s tough,” linebacker Ernest Jones IV said. “Geno’s the heartbeat of this offense, the heartbeat of this team and one of our leaders. So obviously, you don’t want to see him get hurt. But we’ve got confidence in Sam, confidence in the guys behind him. So, I pray everything is OK with Geno. But we’ve got to be ready to go.”
Smith went down on a low hit by linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who rolled over Smith’s leg. He tried to walk off the field, went down, then got up again and limped to the sideline, where he threw his helmet. He walked to the locker room with trainers a short time later.
Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said there did not appear to be any structural damage to Smith’s right knee. Smith returned to the sideline with an ice bag held in place by a bandage, and Macdonald said the team considered allowing him to return until a late turnover put the game out of reach.
Howell, acquired in an offseason trade with Washington, completed 5 of 14 passes for 24 yards with an interception and led one touchdown drive.
Smith entered the night ranking second in the league in attempts, completions and passing yards and was on the way to breaking all the Seahawks single-season marks he set last year.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Geno, and just watching him through his career how he’s reinvented himself,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “And he’s playing really good football — I mean, you’re not the second-ranked passing leader in this game for no reason.”
Smith, who was not available to speak to reporters, struggled before he was hurt. He threw his fourth end-zone interception this season, tying the Browns’ Jameis Winston for the NFL high, when Carrington Valentine picked him off late in the first quarter. He was 15 of 19 for 149 yards and the pick, and Seattle trailed 20-6 when he left.
Howell said he’d be ready if called upon when the Seahawks host the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday.
“I prepare every week like I’m going to start,” Howell said. “But if I am playing, just getting those reps in practice will be important, and you just getting the whole week to get ready to go will be a big thing and I’ve got to make sure I’m doing the right things to prepare myself for Sunday.”
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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https://www.whec.com/national-sports/seahawks-qb-geno-smith-exits-with-knee-injury-against-green-bay-and-will-undergo-testing/
| 2024-12-16T07:14:56Z
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MALAPPURAM: A 36-year-old policeman allegedly took his own life by shooting himself dead in Kerala's Malappuram district, police said on Monday.
Vineeth, who had been serving as a Thunderbolt commando in the district and is now a part of the Special Operation Group (SOG), was found dead in the bathroom of the quarters on Sunday.
Thunderbolt force is engaged in anti-Maoist combing operations.
A native of Wayanad district, he was reportedly upset about not getting leave despite repeated requests, but police are yet to confirm this.
"He was found dead, shooting at himself. The reason for the extreme step is yet to be ascertained," a police officer said.
Police also said that the body was shifted to the nearby government hospital for post-mortem, and inquest procedures were completed.
(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Dec/16/policeman-shoots-himself-dead-with-service-gun-in-malappuram
| 2024-12-16T07:14:56Z
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The senior cop who was sacked for killing a 95-year-old grandmother with his Taser is taking his boss to court to try and get his job back.
Kristian James Samuel White, 34, is awaiting sentencing over his use of a stun gun on great-grandmother Clare Nowland in a nursing home in southern NSW in May 2023.
He was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury on November 27, prompting Commissioner Karen Webb to dismiss the senior constable earlier this month.
“I have determined that I do not have confidence in the officer’s suitability to continue as a police officer,” she said in a statement.
White had been suspended from duties with pay during his trial but was removed from the payroll a day after his guilty verdict.
But in a twist to the ongoing saga, another court matter for White popped up on Monday with the disgraced cop heading to the Industrial Relations Commission later this week to argue he’s been unfairly dismissed.
The Commission hears matters relating to NSW workplaces with White scheduled in for a conciliation hearing against his former boss, Commissioner Webb, later this week.
In a statement, NSW Police said it was aware of the case but was unable to comment further.
Webb’s decision to sack White was slammed by the grieving family of Clare Nowland last week, who said his termination was “too little, too late”.
Before telling the public about the termination, Webb spoke with Nowland’s family to notify them of the decision.
The family criticised the speed of the decision to “finally” terminate the 34-year-old’s employment.
“The Nowland family consider the decision to be too little, too late where the commissioner has had full access to all materials on which the jury last month found White guilty of the unlawful killing of Clare for over 12 months and chose to take no action,” lawyer Sam Tierney said on the family’s behalf.
The jury was told Nowland had symptoms of dementia so severe she would have been unable to comply with orders barked at her by White before being fatally tasered.
Police and paramedics were called to Nowland’s nursing home after the diminutive nonagenarian grabbed two steak knives from a kitchen and raised them against residents and staff before throwing one at a carer.
White pulled the Taser’s trigger after only three minutes of negotiations to get her to put down the remaining knife.
He was heard in video footage played at his trial saying “nah, bugger it” before shooting Nowland in the torso.
She hit her head on the floor as she fell and died at Cooma Hospital a week later.
“He never intended for Mrs Nowland to be harmed or injured,” White’s lawyers said after the jury’s verdict.
“He has never lost sight of the fact that Mrs Nowland passed away and he is acutely aware that the Nowland family is deeply hurt by what happened.”
White remains on bail after a failed crown detention application.
His sentence hearing is expected to be held in February.
You can catch the full update on Kristian White’s unfair dismissal fight tonight from 6pm on 7NEWS and 7Plus.
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https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/crime/taser-cop-kristian-white-taking-nsw-police-commissioner-karen-webb-to-court-after-getting-fired-c-16959797
| 2024-12-16T07:14:57Z
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Journalists anticipate a renewed hostility toward their work under the incoming Trump administration
NEW YORK (AP) — For the press heading into a second Trump administration, there’s a balancing act between being prepared and being fearful.
The return to power of Donald Trump, who has called journalists enemies and talked about retribution against those he feels have wronged him, has news executives nervous. Perceived threats are numerous: lawsuits of every sort, efforts to unmask anonymous sources, physical danger and intimidation, attacks on public media and libel protections, day-to-day demonization.
In a closely-watched case settled over the weekend, ABC chose to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by the president-elect over an inaccurate statement made by George Stephanopoulos by agreeing to pay $15 million toward Trump’s presidential library.
“The news media is heading into this next administration with its eyes open,” said Bruce Brown, executive director of the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press.
“Some challenges to the free press may be overt, some may be more subtle,” Brown said. “We’ll need to be prepared for rapid response as well as long campaigns to protect our rights — and to remember that our most important audiences are the courts and the public.”
One prominent editor warned against going on war footing with an administration that hasn’t taken office yet. “There may be a moment to cry wolf here,” said Stephen Engelberg, editor-in-chief of the nonprofit news outlet ProPublica. “But I don’t think we’ve reached it.”
A second chance, a third chance — but not a fourth
Speaking to Fox News two weeks after his election, Trump said he owed it to the American people to be open and available to the press — if he’s treated fairly.
“I am not looking for retribution, grandstanding or to destroy people who treated me very unfairly, or even badly beyond comprehension,” he told Fox. “I am always looking to give a second or even a third chance, but never willing to give a fourth chance. That is where I hold the line.”
News organizations are heading into the second Trump era weak both financially and in public esteem. To a large extent, Trump sidestepped legacy media outlets during his campaign in favor of podcasters, yet still had time for specific beefs against ABC, CBS and NBC.
The Trump team knows that many of its followers despise a probing press, and stoking that fury has political advantages. Two examples in the campaign to install Trump nominee Pete Hegseth as defense secretary shows how routine reporting activities can be characterized as an attack.
When The New York Times was tipped to an email that Hegseth’s mother once sent to him criticizing his treatment of women, it called her for comment. Penelope Hegseth later told Fox News that she perceived that as a threat, even though it enabled the newspaper to report that she had quickly apologized for sending the email and says she doesn’t feel that way about him now.
Pete Hegseth also used social media to say that ProPublica — he called it a “Left Wing hack group” — was about to knowingly publish a false report that he hadn’t been accepted into West Point decades ago. The news site had contacted him after officials at the military academy contradicted Hegseth’s claim of acceptance. Hegseth provided proof that those officials were mistaken, and ProPublica never published a story.
“That’s journalism,” noted ProPublica’s Jesse Eisinger. But a narrative had taken hold: “ProPublica’s botched Pete Hegseth smear,” the New York Post called it in a headline.
Keeping an eye on how journalists’ work is portrayed
During the presidential campaign, Trump sued CBS News for the way it edited an interview with opponent Kamala Harris; suggested ABC News lose its broadcast license for fact-checking him during his lone debate with Harris; and successfully called for equal time on NBC after Harris appeared on “Saturday Night Live.” In the Stephanopoulos lawsuit, the ABC anchor said Trump had been “found liable for rape” in writer E. Jean Carroll’s civil trial, when he had not.
Trump engages with the mainstream media — he gave a newsmaking interview to NBC’s “Meet the Press” this month — but journalists have to be alert to how their work will be portrayed.
Trump’s appointments, and what they’ve said about journalists, have raised alarms.
Kash Patel, Trump’s choice to lead the FBI, said on a podcast last year that “we’re going to come after people in the media who lied about American citizens.” Two appointees who have expressed hostility toward the media will be in a position to impact the work of journalists: Brendan Carr as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and Kari Lake as director of Voice of America.
News organizations are worried that a Justice Department policy that has generally prohibited prosecutors from seizing the records of journalists in order to investigate leaks will be reversed, and are already urging journalists to protect their work. “If you have something you don’t want to share with a broader audience, don’t put it on the cloud,” ProPublica’s Engelberg said.
During the first Trump administration, some journalists who covered immigration issues were pulled aside for screening and questioning. The Reporter’s Committee wonders if this might happen again — and whether similar practices might extend toward reporting on expected deportations.
The literary and human rights organization PEN America is concerned about journalists facing physical danger and digital hostility. It may have seemed like a flippant remark to some of his supporters when Trump, months after an attempt on his life, said at a rally that he wouldn’t mind if somebody had to “shoot through the fake news” to get to him. But it wasn’t for people standing on media risers.
“It’s important that the president act with responsibility to reduce physical violence against the press rather than encourage it,” said Viktorya Vilk, PEN America’s program director for digital safety and free expression.
Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana recently introduced a bill that would end taxpayer funding for public radio and television, a longtime goal of many Republicans that may get momentum with the party back in power. Some U.S. Supreme Court justices are eager to revisit a legal precedent that has made it difficult to prove defamation against news organizations.
It’s apparent that the new administration will come after the press in every conceivable way, former Washington Post editor Martin Baron said recently on NPR. “I do think he will use every tool in his toolbox,” Baron said, “and there are a lot of tools.”
Hungary’s experience inspires pessimism — but maybe a glimmer of hope
In their most pessimistic moments, advocates for the press look at what has happened in Hungary under the control of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Since Orban took control in 2010, he and his supporters have taken control of most media and turned it into a propaganda arm.
Don’t think that can’t happen in the United States, warns Andras Petho, an investigative journalist in Hungary who left a news website when it was pressured to stifle his work, and started the investigative journalism center Direkt36.
Despite repression, there is still a market for independent journalism in Hungary, he said. Earlier this year, two Hungarian officials resigned following an outcry when it was revealed that they had pardoned a man who had forced children to retract sexual abuse claims made against the director of a government-run facility.
Petho said it is important for journalists not to portray themselves as any sort of resistance, because that makes it easier for the government to dismiss them. Instead, they should just do the work.
“To be honest, we all have to accept and admit that our power as media has declined,” said Petho, who participated in the Nieman fellowship for journalists at Harvard University. “Our stories don’t have the same impact that they had a decade ago. But I wouldn’t underestimate the power of the news media, either.”
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David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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https://www.whec.com/national-world/journalists-anticipate-a-renewed-hostility-toward-their-work-under-the-incoming-trump-administration/
| 2024-12-16T07:15:02Z
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MANANTHAVADY: A tribal youth named Mathan was dragged along the road by a car for nearly half a kilometre at Mananthavady in Wayanad district. The incident occurred at Payyampalli Koodaladavu, where a verbal dispute between two groups escalated into violence.
Mathan, who intervened in the conflict, was injured after being dragged by a Maruti Celerio car. According to eyewitnesses, the youth was pulled along the road after his hand got caught in the car door when he attempted to stop another individual from attacking with stones. He sustained injuries to his waist and arms and is currently undergoing treatment at Mananthavady Medical College.
The car involved in the incident, bearing the registration number KL 52 H 8733, is registered to Muhammed Riyas, a resident of Kuttippuram. Police have filed an attempted murder case and initiated an investigation. The suspects, reportedly four individuals travelling in the car, are yet to be apprehended.
According to the local activists in the region, this disturbing incident has raised serious concerns about violence and law enforcement in the region especially against the people from the tribal Community.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Dec/16/tribal-youth-dragged-by-car-in-keralas-mananthavady-police-register-murder-case
| 2024-12-16T07:15:02Z
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The cause of death of the Padma Vibhushan awardee was confirmed to be idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease
Renowned tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away on Sunday, December 15. The legendary musician had been receiving treatment for heart-related complications in the ICU of a San Francisco hospital for the past two weeks.
The cause of death was confirmed to be idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. The news was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, representing the family.
The demise of the Padma Vibhushan awardee has left the music world and his countless admirers in profound grief, with tributes and condolences pouring in from the film industry.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Legendary musical composer AR Rahman took to X to offer his condolences over the passing of the tabla maestro.
"Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim. His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned an album together. You shall be truly missed. May his family and his countless students worldwide find the strength to bear this immense loss."
Film director and producer Madhur Bhandarkar offered his condolences to the family of Padma Vibhushan Zakir Hussain. Taking to his X handle, the 'Page 3' director wrote:
"Saddened to hear about the passing of the legendary tabla maestro, Padma Vibhushan Zakir Hussain sir. His extraordinary talent elevated Indian classical music to the world stage, making him a household name. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and the millions of admirers."
Music composer Shamir Tandon expressed his gratitude to Ustad Zakir Hussain for putting India on the global map of the music industry through his tabla.
While sharing a beautiful portrait of Zakir Hussain during one of his performances on Instagram, Shamir Tandon wrote: "The bols of Zakir bhai's tabla have put us on the global music firmament many decades ago. Making Indian classical cool and youtifying the instrument - such Gargantuan contribution to art and culture. RIP Zakir bhai. Thank you for everything. Grateful."
Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh paid tribute to the tabla maestro by sharing his photo along with a red heart and folded hands emoji.
The three-time Grammy Award-winning musician, Ricky Kej was 'shocked' and 'deeply saddened' by the demise of the legend Ustad Zakir Hussain. He called him one of the greatest musicians which India has ever produced. Sharing a monochrome portrait of the singer on Instagram, Ricky Kej wrote:
"Shocked, deeply saddened and devastated by the passing-on of the legend Ustad Zakir Hussain. One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakirji was known for his immense humility, approachable nature, and for being responsible for the careers of numerous musicians, who are now forces to reckon with themselves. He was a treasure trove of skill and knowledge and always shared and encouraged the entire music community through collaborations and his actions. His legacy will live on forever, and his influence will be felt for generations. He left us too soon."
Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, India, Zakir Hussain was the son of the iconic tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha. From a young age, he displayed a remarkable affinity for the tabla, quickly gaining recognition for his exceptional talent.
By the time he was a teenager, Zakir was already performing alongside some of the greatest Indian classical musicians.
Throughout his career, Ustad Zakir Hussain collaborated with some of the most iconic names in both traditional Indian and global music scenes. He worked with legends such as Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan and was a key figure in creating international fusion bands like Shakti with guitarist John McLaughlin and Planet Drum with Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart.
His collaboration on the Planet Drum album also earned him a Grammy Award.
ALSO READ:
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https://www.khaleejtimes.com/ta/entertainment/zakir-hussain-passes-away-at-73-bollywood-celebrities-mourn-loss-of-tabla-maestro
| 2024-12-16T07:14:59Z
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In our column that takes you inside the world of media we investigate whether Raygun is being truthful with her fans | And big moves in the world of media with retirements and “resignations” to axings and controversial hirings.
RAYGUN BLOWS IT AGAIN
A carefully crafted statement by a celebrity can often change minds when that celebrity has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. A bad one can often make matters worse.
Last week Rachel ‘Raygun’ Gunn was heavily criticised for forcing a musical parody based on her story to shut down just hours before its premiere after threatening legal action. So, she took to social media to offer a sympathetic view of her decision.
It was not good. Let’s go through her statement (which you can view in the video above).
“We were totally blindsided by this.”
So? A comedian doesn’t have to get your permission to make jokes about you. That would be like saying a stand-up comic needs to contact every person/celebrity they make fun of. That’s not how the world works.
“Unfortunately, the blowback was quick. People assumed that we had developed it, that we had approved it, and it damaged many relationships, both personal and professional,” she added.
I’m calling BS on that.
In every article, every TV story it was obvious the creator of Raygun: The Musical, Steph Broadbridge, was not affiliated with Rachel Gunn.
“So this is why my management and legal team had to work so quickly to shut the musical down,” she said.
Why?
All you had to do was explain that you had nothing to do with the musical to anyone who asked.
“It was really unfortunate that the show had to be cancelled so close to the launch. I know the artist would’ve put a lot of work into it, and that really sucks. But had we known about it sooner, there could have been a different outcome.”
I’m calling BS again.
It’s not up to you to approve parody – impersonating someone for comedy or parody is actually protected in Australian law. You are just lucky the theatre you threatened didn’t get legal advice and caved in so easily.
“Not being able to take a joke is not what the issue is here. This has also never been about the money. I have been contacted to go on just about every reality TV show out there, and I’ve declined big money because I’m not about that,” she said.
See, I think it IS about fame and money. I think this whole thing has been about fame and money.
So I guess we can assume Raygun is NOT going on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here as has been reported. It’s going to be a very bad look if she does turn up on that show now.
“I also want to, um, take a moment to correct some of the misinformation. Yes, I’ve trademarked my name and my now famous Kangaroo silhouette pose, which is being used in just about every piece of Reagan merch out there, which I’m not profiting from by the way. And the reason we did that was because we were notified that there were applications from other parties trying to trademark my name and image for commercial purposes,” she said.
I actually don’t have a problem with that. I have no doubt there are many people trying to cash in on her Olympic fame (I mean, none more so than her, but whatever).
“In terms of the kangaroo dance, I did not trademark it or claim any trademark ownership of the kangaroo dance,” Raygun said.
But Steph Broadbridge disputes that claim.
“They also said I wasn’t allowed to do the dance because she owns the Kangaroo dance,” the comedian stated on the video she put out announcing the cancellation of the musical, after legal threats from Gunn’s team.
Gunn is also accused of trademarking Broadbridge’s poster for the musical.
“Halo has trademarked my poster, which is flattering, I hope they do something fun with that,” she said.
If Raygun was hoping this video would make her sympathetic it has backfired big time. Here she comes across as manipulative and motivated nothing more than self interest.
AXINGS AND RESIGNATIONS — WHAT A WEEK IN MEDIA!
They don’t call this the silly season for nothing! It’s been hard to keep up with all the changes happening in the world of media this past week as companies reset for 2025.
RAY HADLEY RETIRES
It was a fitting farewell on Friday for the current king of talkback as 2GB’s Ray Hadley was surrounded by family, friends and colleagues. There’s no doubt he’s been a controversial figure over the years, including accusations of bullying, but there’s no denying his ratings record is impressive. Hadley goes out having won 161 surveys out of 162 after dipping in his second last survey before retiring.
CHRIS O’KEEFE – RESIGNS?
Still on 2GB and there was a shock announcement with Drive host Chris O’Keefe announcing his resignation.
“Today is my last show and my last day in journalism,” O’Keefe said out of nowhere during his show.
“As much as I’ve enjoyed my time here at 2GB and my 13 years at Nine, the time is right for me to make the call to move on.
Now, I’m always suspicious when people announce a resignation effective immediately, but the reporting in the AFR says O’Keefe kept the news quiet so he wouldn’t interrupt Ray Hadley’s big day.
That’s actually a believable story – or some great spin.
O’Keefe says he is going to start a political advocacy company.
“You know I love politics. I know the players back to front, and I have always been fascinated by small businesses, so that’s what I have decided to do,” he said.
With Mark Levy replacing Hadley, now the hunt is on for a drive host. That’s a lot of change for Sydney’s biggest talkback station heading into 2025.
ERIN MOLAN – AXED
Sky News has decided to cut ties with presenter Erin Molan in what has been a horrible year for the likable host.
The axing of her Friday night show comes after her Sydney breakfast show Hughsey, Ed and Erin was cancelled in August without the team having an on-air farewell.
Speaking about her departure from the pay TV channel in a bit of a strange 5 minute video (which you can watch in the video player above), Molan said: “I loved every second of my time with Sky. My show. There became my purpose, my passion, and aside from my little girl, basically my entire existence, which is very sad. I know. And yes, I need to get out more. So that’s done now, but I am not. In fact, I’m just getting started. So I’m sorry to those who had hoped otherwise. I’m somewhat surprisingly much harder to kill off than you’d think.”
“You see, the problem is, and it’s always been this way with me, I just care too much about you, about the world, about a peaceful existence for every single child, about the safety of women everywhere, all women about my daughter’s future”.
This morning she provided an update on her social media platforms after her video message was liked by X owner Elon Musk:
“The irony… years spent desperately trying to get his attention so I could interview him for my tv show… I’m talking thousands of emails to addresses I guessed (clearly badly), messaging his 6th cousin’s twice removed’s sister’s best friend from pre-school as well as the intern at a law firm that he MAY have used once 30 years ago, pathetically tagging him in posts like a psychotic bunny boiler… and then… out of the blue… the video I do basically confirming I no longer have a tv show to interview anyone on… let alone him… HE LIKES 🙄🤯🤦♀️ That might just bloody do me 🤷♀️😂😂😂😂 Never give up kids 😬😭😉”
Molan is clearly a talent so we can’t wait to see what she does next (maybe she’ll finally score that interview).
CHRIS SMITH - HIRED
It’s a case of redemption for Chris Smith, who has been hired by 2SM to take over from John Laws, who retired this year.
Smith has faced his demons after being sacked by Nine radio and Sky News for inappropriate behaviour at a Christmas party.
Since then Smith has been on the wagon and hasn’t had a drink while he tries to rebuild his life. While there will be some who believe he doesn’t deserve another chance, I admire the fact he has faced up to his bad behaviour publicly, apologised and worked on changing.
Life is an ongoing lesson and Chris has learned some hard ones. Hopefully he won’t blow this new opportunity.
INSIDE MEDIA is published every Monday and Thursday on the 7NEWS website with a video version available in the player above or on YouTube.
Rob McKnight is the co-owner of TVblackbox.com.au
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https://www.perthnow.com.au/opinion/inside-media-raygun-blows-it-again-plus-media-shake-ups-as-erin-molan-chris-okeefe-and-ray-hadley-all-leave-jobs-c-17100541
| 2024-12-16T07:15:03Z
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Stock market today: Asian shares fall as China reports lackluster data, while bitcoin hits new highs
BANGKOK (AP) — Shares retreated Monday in Asia after China reported lackluster economic indicators for November, while bitcoin surged to fresh highs, topping $106,000.
Oil prices fell and U.S. futures were little changed.
Bitcoin was trading at $104,948 early Monday, up 3.4% but down from an earlier high of $106,495.
The price of the cryptocurrency has surged since the election in November given U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s bitcoin-friendly stance. Trump signaled a lighter regulatory approach to digital currencies with his choice of crypto advocate Paul Atkins to be the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bitcoin was trading below $70,000 before the Nov. 5 election.
A report Monday showed Chinese retail sales slowed in November, while growth in factory output was flat and home sales declined. The report said the economy and employment were stable, but noted a complicated “external environment,” reflecting unease over the outlook in coming months once U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office, potentially delivering on promises to sharply hike tariffs on imports from China.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index edged 0.1% lower, to 39,438.74, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 0.8% to 19,821.24.
The Shanghai Composite index was almost unchanged, at 3,390.91.
South Korea’s Kospi lost 0.3% to 2,486.47 as South Korean law enforcement authorities were pushing to summon impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning over his short-lived martial law decree and the Constitutional Court met to discuss whether to remove him from office or reinstate him.
Taiwan’s Taiex edged 0.1% higher, while the Sensex in India fell 0.4%. Thailand’s SET dropped 0.9%.
On Friday, major stock indexes on Wall Street drifted to a mixed finish Friday, capping a rare bumpy week for the market.
The S&P 500 ended essentially flat, down less than 0.1% at 6,051.09. The benchmark index posted a loss for the week, its first after three straight weekly gains.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2% to 43,828.06, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.1% to 19,926.72, ending just below the record high it set on Wednesday.
There were more than twice as many decliners than gainers on the New York Stock Exchange.
Gains in technology stocks helped temper losses in communication services, financials and other sectors of the market.
Broadcom surged 24.4% for the biggest gain in the S&P 500 after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. The company also raised its dividend.
But some tech stocks were a drag on the market. Nvidia fell 2.2%, Meta Platforms dropped 1.7% and Google parent Alphabet slid 1.1%.
Among the market’s other decliners were Airbnb, which fell 4.7% for the biggest loss in the S&P 500, and Charles Schwab, which closed 4% lower.
Furniture and housewares company RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged 17% after raising its forecast for revenue growth for the year.
Wall Street’s rally stalled this week amid mixed economic reports and ahead of the Federal Reserve’s last meeting of the year. The central bank is widely expected to cut interest rates for a third time since September when it meets this week.
Expectations of a series of rate cuts has driven the S&P 500 to 57 all-time highs so far this year.
The Fed has been lowering its benchmark interest rate after aggressively hiking rates to tame inflation. It raised rates from near-zero in early 2022 to a two-decade high by the middle of 2023. Inflation eased under pressure from higher interest rates, nearly to the central bank’s 2% target.
The economy, including consumer spending and employment, held strong despite the squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. A slowing job market, though, has helped push a long-awaited reversal of the Fed’s policy.
In other dealings early Monday, U.S. benchmark crude oil lost 47 cents to $70.82 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, lost 36 cents to $74.13 per barrel.
The U.S. dollar fell to 153.62 Japanese yen from 153.71 yen. The euro rose to $1.0516 from $1.0491.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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https://www.whec.com/national-world/stock-market-today-asian-shares-fall-as-china-reports-lackluster-data-while-bitcoin-hits-new-highs/
| 2024-12-16T07:15:08Z
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BHUBANESWAR: Over 90 per cent of the sewage generated in the municipal corporations of the state are being directly discharged into water bodies, revealed the latest findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
The report indicated gaping holes in the management of sewage in five big cities - Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Rourkela and Berhampur, where urban growth has outpaced the water treatment infrastructure leading to unregulated discharge into water bodies.
As per the CAG report published recently, out of 558.64 million litre per day (MLD) sewage waste generated in these five municipal corporations in May 2022, only 52.97 MLD, just about 9.48 per cent, was collected by the existing sewerage systems. The remaining 505.67 MLD, which comes to around 90.52 pc was left uncollected, and had been discharged into water bodies.
Out of 216.51 MLD sewage waste generated under Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) jurisdiction during the period, only 29.75 MLD had been collected by the existing sewerage systems, while the rest 186.76 MLD were discharged into water bodies.
Similarly in Cuttack, only 20.62 MLD out of a total of 167.20 MLD sewage was collected and the remaining 146.58 MLD was dumped into nearby water bodies.
Rourkela and Sambalpur too, were found to be dealing with a similar problem while in Berhampur Municipal Corporation area, the entire sewage waste was directly discharged to water bodies, the survey revealed.
Only 26.78 pc households were found to be connected to sewer lines in Bhubaneswar, 20.75 pc in Cuttack, 2.86 pc in Rourkela and zero pc in Sambalpur Municipal Corporation area.
According to the CAG, the government had in March 2023 said completion of house sewer connections in these cities will help in increasing waste water.
The reply was not tenable, as the waste generation was calculated at the rate of 80 per cent of water demand instead of water supply, the auditing body stated.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2024/Dec/16/over-90-city-sewage-being-released-into-water-bodies-cag-report-on-odisha
| 2024-12-16T07:15:08Z
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Jason Gillespie claims he was reduced to feeling like a warm-up assistant and left blindsided at times by Pakistan officials before quitting as the country's Test coach.
The former Australian Test quick walked away from his role as Pakistan's head coach last week, just eight months into a two-year contract.
Pakistan claimed a come-from-behind Test series win over England during Gillespie's tenure, and an ODI series victory in Australia while he filled in as white-ball mentor.
But he also had selection duties completely taken away from him mid-tenure, and was then taken by surprise when compatriot Tim Neilsen was removed as assistant.
"That was the straw that broke the camel's back," Gillespie said on ABC.
"As a head coach, you like to have clear communication with your employer. And I was completely and utterly blindsided.
"I had absolutely zero communication from anyone about that.
"After a number of other things that had gone on in the previous few months ... I thought, well, 'I'm not really sure if they actually really want me to do this job or not'."
Gillespie said he believed Nielsen had made significant inroads with the Pakistan team, to the point where they out-fielded England in their Test series.
The 71-Test paceman also believed he had the potential to turn Pakistan into a powerhouse, with cricket the No.1 sport in a country of 250 million people.
But off the field, his trust with officials was gradually eroded.
He grew concerned when he said he was informed of a new selection panel - that did not feature him - via text message during the Test series against England.
The 49-year-old said he was then left to ask selectors when he would learn what his team was, not knowing the make up of the XI on match eve.
He then believed his job was made untenable once the decision was made to remove Nielsen, prompting him to resign ahead of next week's first Test in South Africa.
Gillespie's exit followed that of white-ball coach Gary Kirsten in October, leaving Aqib Javed as interim coach in all formats.
"My opportunity to be able to help was severely diminished by a reduced role," Gillespie said.
"In essence, I felt I was basically hitting catches. And that was about it on the morning of a game.
"You want to be able to have clear communication with ... selectors, knowing what the team is as head coach at least the day before the game.
"Those sorts of things prove to be quite difficult, and that made things a lot more difficult to be able to do my job effectively."
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https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/cricket/gillespie-says-he-was-blindsided-by-pakistan-officials-c-17102433
| 2024-12-16T07:15:09Z
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India were 48 for four, trailing Australia's first-innings total by 397 runs
Photo: AFP file
Australia captain Pat Cummins removed Rishabh Pant during a rare break in the rain on day three of the third test against India in Brisbane on Monday but the poor weather returned to halt the hosts' charge.
India were 48 for four, trailing Australia's first-innings total by 397 runs, as another downpour brought tea early at the Gabba.
Opener KL Rahul was unbeaten on 30 with India skipper Rohit Sharma yet to score.
Australia's bowlers could send down only 14.1 overs after being bowled out for 445 in the morning but paceman Cummins did well to have Pant caught behind for nine in the first over following a rain break.
Two balls later, following a glorious cover drive for four by Rahul off Mitchell Starc, the players trudged off the ground again.
Several rain breaks earlier, Starc had taken two wickets in six balls with the help of namesake Mitchell Marsh, while Josh Hazlewood removed Virat Kohli as India's reply got off to a dreadful start.
Starc struck with the second ball of the innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal flicking a shot off his pads to be out for four, with Marsh jogging across from square leg to take an easy catch.
Big left-armer Starc then dismissed Shubman Gill for one as the number three drove at a full delivery to send a thick edge to Marsh, who leapt to his left in the gully to take a screamer of a catch.
Kohli lasted only 16 balls for his three runs, nibbling at a Hazlewood delivery to be caught behind.
Rahul survived, though, after wearing a painful blow on his wrist from Hazlewood's first ball of the morning.
Australia resumed in the morning on 405 for seven, losing their last three wickets for the addition of 40 runs.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey contributed a valuable 70 before caught slogging, becoming recalled paceman Akash Deep's first and only wicket of the innings.
Jasprit Bumrah finished with 6-76, adding Starc to his haul after the tailender made a useful 18, while Mohammed Siraj bowled Nathan Lyon for two to finish with 2-97.
ALSO READ:
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https://www.khaleejtimes.com/ta/sports/cricket/india-vs-australia-test-match-rain-halts-host-teams-advance-at-gabba
| 2024-12-16T07:15:08Z
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MADURAI: Lack of periodical maintenance has clogged the outlet canal of the Madakulam Tank and caused overflow in residential areas. Since Sunday morning, several areas in Ward 71 and nearby areas faced severe waterlogging issues. Activists cited lack of maintenance and encroachments in the waterbody as reasons.
In the morning, water released from Madakulam Tank to Kirithumal River through the outlet channel overflowed into residential areas in Madakulam, leaving roads in several residential areas inundated with foot-deep water. As the area lay in the middle of two separate WRD divisions (Vaigai and Gundar division) and the city corporation, officials from all three were inspecting the waterlogging in Madakulam.
"As the canal was not being maintained properly, whenever water was released from the Madakulam Tank, water overflowed into residential areas. On Sunday, knee-deep water got logged in residential areas in Annai Mahalakshmi Nagar in Ward 71. Though the corporation has been taking measures, we request concerned departments to do periodical maintenance in the canal to prevent waterlogging in the future," said Prasanna, from the resident's welfare association of Annai Mahalakshmi Nagar.
While speaking to TNIE, senior official from the WRD department, said the Madakulam Tank was half-full and considering the rain, excess water is being released through the outlet canal to Kirithumal River.
The WRD department has already floated tenders for carrying out maintenance works in the Krithumal River and Madakulam Tank and works will be started by January. At present, works are being carried out to prevent stagnation.
City Corporation Commissioner Dinesh Kumar said, "The water has breached into residential areas in two places, which was fixed later in the day. Also, blockages in canals have been cleared by the corporation and WRD department, the logged water is expected to drain off from residential areas by Monday."
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2024/Dec/16/water-breaches-from-madakulam-outlet-into-madurais-residential-areas
| 2024-12-16T07:15:14Z
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Cameron McInnes is poised to continue leading Cronulla in their NRL premiership window after signing a one-year contract extension.
The Sharks captain will remain with the club until at least the end of 2026, by which time he will be 32.
"I was lucky enough to sign here for four years in 2021 and to be able to extend here is all I wanted to do. I'm really glad the club are happy to have me," the lock said.
"The club's in such a secure place. It's a high-performing environment and that's what I want to be a part of."
McInnes' new deal continues an active off-season for the Sharks, who face a battle to retain their long list of off-contract players and maintain roster stability as their premiership window continues.
Braydon Trindall, Briton Nikora, Oregon Kaufusi and Liam Ison have all inked new deals since the beginning of November.
But winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, fullback Will Kennedy and forwards Tom Hazelton and Teig Wilton are all highly-prized players without contracts for 2026.
The club is also resigned to farewelling breakout utility Daniel Atkinson to St George Illawarra at the end of 2025.
Known as one of the NRL's toughest players, McInnes enjoyed a strong 2024 season, making his State of Origin debut for NSW in the game one loss to Queensland.
He averaged 40 tackles per match at club level and helped the Sharks break a seven-game finals losing streak with their semi-final defeat of North Queensland.
Cronulla were eliminated from the finals by eventual premiers Penrith a week later.
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https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/rugby-league/cameron-mcinnes-inks-new-deal-with-cronulla-c-17102337
| 2024-12-16T07:15:15Z
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The festive football fixtures is a tradition that makes the Premier League so exciting
Former Man United coach Sir Alex Ferguson with Mikael Silvestre. — X
There has been a lot of questions from people asking what life was like in the Old Trafford dressing room under the management of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
I will be dropping those memories in throughout the season but I thought looking back on my festive memories at Manchester United would give you an insight into some of the reasons we were so successful.
I had no idea when I signed for United what the festive football fixtures was like – and when I saw we were playing games on Boxing Day and pretty much every few days my jaw dropped!
But what was clear is that Sir Alex would treat us like adults and allow us to celebrate with family and friends at the right time. I remember that first year Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke coming round for dinner and that really helped me settle in.
The manager also made sure I got a lovely big turkey as a present to cook at Christmas which came as a big surprise when it was delivered to my house.
Ferguson and Silvestre at a press conference on February 25, 2002. — AFP file
Team spirit at United was massive and with the games coming thick and fast in December we spent a lot of time together and it is that bonding that I think paid a major role in our success. Nobody was left out and we all looked out for each other.
The famous English football Christmas party was organised at United by Cole, Yorke and Gary Neville – and I don’t think there is anyone in football history who knows how to throw a party quite like Yorkie.
The Christmas Day training session wasn’t something I was looking forward to that first season but again the manager did the right thing and made it a lot of fun and light-hearted – taking the pressure off us at a vital time.
That was a key part of his man management in understanding that we all had a house full of relatives to keep happy as well as winning football matches.
At United we had a reputation of our best form coming in the second half of the season but I look back at those festive periods and think we won titles at that time by getting wins and nicking draws when we may have lost.
(From left) Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mikael Silvestre celebrate a goal against Portsmouth on February 11, 2006. — AFP file
Sometimes the football is not that pretty but you get out there and get the job done.
There is always a debate at this time of the year whether English football should have a winter break like the rest of Europe but this is a tradition that makes the Premier League so exciting. It is unique with people heading to games all over Christmas and New Year and the atmosphere is always amazing.
A compromise should be to stop games for the first two weeks of January to give players a break before they go into the second half of the season.
But Christmas with no Premier League? That would be like Christmas Day without a turkey!
Former French defender Mikael Silvestre won five Premier League titles at Manchester United. He was also part of the United team that won the 2008 Champions League title
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https://www.khaleejtimes.com/ta/sports/football/the-football-insider-with-mikael-silvestre-when-sir-alex-bought-me-a-turkey
| 2024-12-16T07:15:16Z
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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.
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://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2024/Dec/16/bangladesh-to-hold-elections-in-late-2025-or-early-2026-yunus
| 2024-12-16T07:15:20Z
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Specifications for the 2014 Volkswagen Multivan Comfortline Tdi340. Details include engine, fuel usage, interior features, safety and more.
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https://www.whichcar.com.au/specs/2014-volkswagen-multivan-comfortline-tdi340-t5-my13-diesel-4d-wagon-DFebqaTFSH
| 2024-12-16T07:15:20Z
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NAIROBI: Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias, at war with the army, of committing widespread sexual violence in southern Sudan.
It is the latest such report by international monitors alleging sexual violence during Sudan's 20-month war which has led to what the United States called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
In its new report, HRW said it had documented dozens of cases since September 2023 involving women and girls aged between seven and 50 who were subjected to sexual violence, including gang rape and sexual slavery, in South Kordofan state.
The latest details follow a separate report last week from the New York-based watchdog which more broadly accused the RSF and allied Arab militias of carrying out numerous abuses, mainly against ethnic Nuba civilians, in South Kordofan state from December 2023 to March 2024.
These attacks, it said, "had not been widely reported" and constituted "war crimes".
Parts of South Kordofan and parts of Blue Nile state are controlled by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), a rebel group.
The SPLM-N faction led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu refused to join other Sudan rebels in signing a 2020 peace deal with the government, as Hilu sought a secular state as a prerequisite.
Many South Kordofan residents are members of Sudan's Christian minority.
Hilu also at that time refused talks with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, linking him with atrocities.
SPLM-N has clashed with both the army and RSF in parts of South Kordofan since April, 2023 when the war between the paramilitaries and Sudanese Armed Forces began, HRW said.
The conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people, internally displaced more than eight million, according to the UN, and forced more than three million others to seek safety in neighbouring countries.
'They kept raping me'
According to the HRW report, many of the victims were gang-raped at their or their neighbours' homes, often in front of families while some were abducted and held in conditions of enslavement.
One survivor, a 35-year-old Nuba woman, described being gang-raped by six RSF fighters who stormed her family compound and killed her husband and son when they tried to intervene.
"They kept raping me, all six of them," she said.
Another survivor, aged 18, recounted being taken in February with 17 others to a base where they joined 33 detained women and girls.
"On a daily basis for three months, the fighters raped and beat the women and girls, including the 18-year-old survivor, crimes that also constitute sexual slavery," HRW said.
At times, the captives were even chained together, it said.
"These acts of sexual violence, which constitute war crimes... underscore the urgent need for meaningful international action to protect civilians and deliver justice," HRW said in its report.
The UN's humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher raised the alarm late in November over an "epidemic of sexual violence" against women in Sudan, saying that the world "must do better".
In October, the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan said both sides have committed abuses including torture and sexual violence. But it accused the paramilitaries, in particular, of "sexual violence on a large scale".
These included "gang rapes and abducting and detaining victims in conditions that amount to sexual slavery", the mission said.
In its initial report last week, HRW urged the UN and African Union to "urgently deploy a mission to protect civilians in Sudan."
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2024/Dec/16/hrw-accuses-sudan-paramilitaries-of-widespread-sexual-violence
| 2024-12-16T07:15:26Z
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Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol resisted investigators' calls on Monday for him to answer questions over his failed bid to declare martial law this month.
Yoon, suspended from office by parliament since Saturday, faces concurrent probes over alleged insurrection by both South Korean prosecutors and a joint team of police, defence ministry and anti-corruption investigators.
South Korea's Constitutional Court began proceedings against Yoon on Monday and has around six months to determine whether to uphold the impeachment.
Yoon and some of his inner circle face possible life imprisonment, or even the death penalty, if found guilty and he remains under a travel ban.
Prosecutors issued Yoon with a second summons on Monday for questioning over insurrection and abuse of power allegations after he "refused to comply" with a similar request a day earlier.
The joint investigation unit also asked that the suspended president appear to answer questions on Wednesday but were rebuffed by his office, Yonhap news agency said.
Investigators could seek a court-issued arrest warrant should he continue to refuse.
Yoon was removed by South Korea's parliament on Saturday over his short-lived attempt to suspend civilian rule, which plunged the country into its worst political turmoil in years.
Fresh elections must be held within two months if his removal is upheld by the Constitutional Court. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is serving as interim leader in Yoon's stead.
Top priority
A spokeswoman for the court said on Monday judges had pencilled in a preliminary hearing on December 27, which Yoon is not required to attend.
"During the preparatory hearing, investigation records from the prosecution, police, and other relevant authorities will be promptly secured," spokeswoman Lee Jean told journalists.
"This case will be given top priority," she said.
Vast protests against Yoon, with smaller rallies supporting him, have rocked the South Korean capital since his short-lived December 3 martial law decree.
Demonstrators in both camps have vowed to keep up the pressure as the Constitutional Court considers Yoon's fate.
Police arrested both the current and former heads of the Defence Intelligence Command on Sunday in connection to the insurrection allegations, Yonhap reported.
Prosecutors also arrested the head of the Army Special Warfare Command Kwak Jong-keun, Yonhap said.
Kwak is accused of sending special forces troops to parliament during the martial law bid, sparking a dramatic confrontation between soldiers and parliamentary staff.
The head of Yoon's ruling People Power Party (PPP), who has not been linked to the martial law bid and expressed support for impeachment, also resigned on Monday.
"I sincerely apologise to all the people who have suffered due to the emergency martial law incident," Han Dong-hoon told a news conference in Seoul.
In declaring martial law, Yoon vowed to "eliminate anti-state elements" and suggested South Korea's electoral system was vulnerable to outside interference.
Han Dong-hoon condemned on Monday "extremists such as election fraud conspiracy theorists" and warned "there will be no future for conservatism" if the party entertained those views.
Ringleader of rebellion
The South Korean government has meanwhile sought to project an air of business as usual.
Acting president Han Duck-soo held a call on Sunday with US President Joe Biden, who underscored the strength of bilateral ties.
Han Duck-soo has also ordered the military to "enhance vigilance" against North Korea, with which the South technically remains at war.
North Korean state media decried Yoon as a "ringleader of rebellion" on Monday, its first reaction to his impeachment.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Yoon had attempted to shift responsibility for the "foolish emergency martial law declaration" onto opposition parties.
"The investigation into puppet Yoon Suk Yeol, the ringleader of the rebellion, and his accomplices is under way," KCNA said.
North Korean state media often refers to the South's leaders and institutions as being a "puppet" of Seoul's treaty ally, the United States.
KCNA has described the South as being "in chaos" over the martial law order.
Relations between the two Koreas have been at one of their lowest points in years, with the North launching a flurry of ballistic missiles in violation of UN sanctions.
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2024/Dec/16/south-koreas-yoon-resists-questioning-over-failed-martial-law-bid
| 2024-12-16T07:15:32Z
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"I’m so excited—this guarantees me at least 12 starts on the Tour next year," said the Dubai-born talent
Rayhan Thomas will return home to Dubai after successfully achieving his Korn Ferry Tour status at the PGA Tour Final Stage Qualifying School in Florida last weekend. – Supplied photo
Dubai’s Rayhan Thomas showcased his finest golf of the week to secure a tied 26th finish at the Final Stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School presented by Korn Ferry in Florida which earned him Korn Ferry Tour card status for 2025.
Thomas, 25, a former Dubai Creek member who trained under Justin Parsons and the team at the CH3 Performance Centre at The Els Club, Dubai, now competes as a representative of Dubai Creek Resort. He posted rounds of 70, 72, 71, and 68 to finish one over par in the tournament, which was played across two golf courses in Ponte Vedra, Florida: 36 holes at Sawgrass Country Club and 36 holes at TPC Sawgrass, Dye’s Valley.
Needing a low score to climb the Q-School leaderboard, Thomas began his final round at Dye’s Valley with birdies on the first two holes. Although he followed with a bogey on the 3rd, he quickly recovered—a hallmark of his game since turning professional in June this year—with another birdie on the 7th, making the turn in 33.
Impressive back nine
An impressive back nine of steady golf, consisting of nine pars, saw him finish with a solid 35 to card a 68. Meanwhile, many of his competitors struggled under the pressure of the final round of the PGA Tour Q-School Final Stage.
After officials informed him of his 2025 Korn Ferry Tour status, Thomas shared his thoughts with Khaleej Times.
“Today was my best round of the week, I played really solid,” he said. “It was a pretty steady round, I felt I was unwavering with my game, for the most part. I was not stressed out at all and felt in my comfort zone. I felt I had fun all week.
Excited Opportunity
“I am so excited and, I understand, this will give me a guaranteed minimum of 12 Korn Ferry Tour starts for 2025,” Thomas added.
“I will now come home to Dubai to chill out with my family and friends for Christmas and then head back to the US at the start of January to begin my Korn Ferry Tour 2025 season and career. I am pleased with how the week rolled out and I cannot wait to get started in a few weeks.”
The medalist this week was Lanto Griffin (US) on nine under par with rounds of 67, 72, 69 and 63 to win by three shots.
Lucky six
The top five and ties cut off for PGA Tour Cards fell at four under par with six players making the promotion. The next 40 players and ties earn their Korn Ferry Tour Membership
The rest of the field will earn Conditional Status for both the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour Americas. For all scores Visit: www.PGATour.com
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https://www.khaleejtimes.com/ta/sports/rayhan-thomas-secures-2025-korn-ferry-tour-card-with-stellar-q-school-display-in-florida
| 2024-12-16T07:15:31Z
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