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Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100Stock market today: Wall Street drifts lower as it waits for inflation dataMurders, fake nurse, fraud and Chinese documents case occupy B.C. courts in 2024
HONEYWELL AND BOMBARDIER SIGN LANDMARK AGREEMENT TO DELIVER THE NEXT GENERATION OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY; HONEYWELL UPDATES 2024 OUTLOOK
Jimmy Carter had the longest post-presidency of anyone to hold the office, and one of the most active. Here is a look back at his life. 1924 — Jimmy Carter was born on Oct. 1 to Earl and Lillian Carter in the small town of Plains, Georgia. 1928 — Earl Carter bought a 350-acre farm 3 miles from Plains in the tiny community of Archery. The Carter family lived in a house on the farm without running water or electricity. 1941 — He graduated from Plains High School and enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus. 1942 — He transferred to Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. 1943 — Carter’s boyhood dream of being in the Navy becomes a reality as he is appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. 1946 — He received his naval commission and on July 7 married Rosalynn Smith of Plains. They moved to Norfolk, Virginia. 1946-1952 — Carter’s three sons are born, Jack in 1947, Chip in 1950 and Jeff in 1952. 1962-66 — Carter is elected to the Georgia State Senate and serves two terms. 1953 — Carter’s father died and he cut his naval career short to save the family farm. Due to a limited income, Jimmy, Rosalynn and their three sons moved into Public Housing Apartment 9A in Plains. 1966 — He ran for governor, but lost. 1967 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s fourth child, Amy, is born. 1971 — He ran for governor again and won the election, becoming Georgia’s 76th governor on Jan. 12. 1974 — Carter announced his candidacy for president. 1976 — Carter was elected 39th president on Nov. 2, narrowly defeating incumbent Gerald Ford. 1978 — U.S. and the Peoples’ Republic of China establish full diplomatic relations. President Carter negotiates and mediates an accord between Egypt and Israel at Camp David. 1979 — The Department of Education is formed. Iranian radicals overrun the U.S. Embassy and seize American hostages. The Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty is signed. 1980 — On March 21, Carter announces that the U.S. will boycott the Olympic Games scheduled in Moscow. A rescue attempt to get American hostages out of Iran is unsuccessful. Carter was defeated in his bid for a second term as president by Ronald Reagan in November. 1981 — President Carter continues to negotiate the release of the American hostages in Iran. Minutes before his term as president is over, the hostages are released. 1982 — Carter became a distinguished professor at Emory University in Atlanta, and founded The Carter Center. The nonpartisan and nonprofit center addresses national and international issues of public policy. 1984 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter volunteer one week a year for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps needy people in the United States and in other countries renovate and build homes, until 2020. He also taught Sunday school in the Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains from the mid-’80s until 2020. 2002 — Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 2015 — Carter announced in August he had been diagnosed with melanoma that spread to his brain. 2016 — He said in March that he no longer needed cancer treatment. 2024 — Carter dies at 100 years old. Sources: Cartercenter.org, Plains Historical Preservation Trust, The Associated Press; The Brookings Institution; U.S. Navy; WhiteHouse.gov, GallupHONEYWELL AND BOMBARDIER SIGN LANDMARK AGREEMENT TO DELIVER THE NEXT GENERATION OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY; HONEYWELL UPDATES 2024 OUTLOOK
Some of our most-read stories of the year delved into the big issues of day-to-day life in the Bay Area: affording a home, negotiating traffic, finding a community. Here are five such reports. The home search series : When a Menlo Park family started looking for a place beyond their starter home, they had no interest in settling. “We’re looking for a unicorn,” Niket Sirsi said. The unicorn hunt was the sixth episode in housing reporter Kate Talerico’s series on Bay Area home hunts, following hopeful buyers as they narrowed down their options. Part 6: They wanted good schools, nature and ‘a feeling of privacy.’ What could they find on the Peninsula with $3.5 million? | The whole series They were part of the Bay Area exodus. Now, they’ve decided to return . For the Diaz family, Texas seemed — at first — to align with their more conservative politics and be a better place to raise children. That same summer, Rob Surrency made a major leap of faith with a move to Alaska: “If I’m going to do something drastic, then let’s do it.” Neither of them anticipated they would end up back here . They decided to leave the Bay Area and never looked back . Four former Bay Area residents say they’re happier after making the big move. Plus : 5 charts that explain the California Exodus Silicon Valley billionaires’ Solano County utopia plan: Big promises, deep doubts . Hundreds of thousands of residents. Thousands of well-paid jobs. Offices. Factories. Roads. Schools. Transit. Parks. These were the promises from California Forever , the controversial company backed by Silicon Valley billionaires planning to build a new city from the ground up in Solano County. Business reporter Ethan Baron followed the saga – until the sudden scrapping of the ballot initiative . State officials wouldn’t let these homeowners build a sea wall. Their lawsuit could reshape California’s coast . At the end of a quiet residential street in Half Moon Bay, a kind of coastal upheaval is gaining momentum — one that could decide the fate of billions of dollars of property and affect hundreds of public beaches as rising seas pose a growing threat to California’s beloved 1,100-mile coastline. | Latest update : The court’s ruling Plus : Billionaire Vinod Khosla loses bid to halt state lawsuit seeking more public beach access Turbo roundabout comes to South Bay, bringing mixed reactions from commuters . After nearly two years of work, commuters are using the pinwheel-shaped rotary for the first time, and while some say the experience has gone smoothly, others find the new traffic pattern confusing. More like this:Biden's broken promise on pardoning his son Hunter is raising new questions about his legacy WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s decision to go back on his word and pardon his son Hunter wasn't all that surprising to those who are familiar with the president's devotion to his family. But by choosing to put his family first, the 82-year-old president has raised new questions about his legacy. Biden has held himself up as placing his respect for the American judicial system and rule of law over his own personal concerns. It was part of an effort to draw a deliberate contrast with Republican Donald Trump. Now, both his broken promise and his act of clemency are a political lightning rod. Some Democrats are frustrated over Joe Biden reversing course and pardoning his son Hunter ATLANTA (AP) — Already reeling from their November defeat at the polls, Democrats now are grappling with President Joe Biden's pardoning of his son for a federal felony conviction — after the party spent years slamming Donald Trump as a threat to democracy who operates above the law. The White House on Monday struggled to defend the pardon, claiming the prosecution was politically motivated — a page out of Trump's playbook. That explanation did not satisfy some Democrats who are angry that Biden’s reversal could make it harder to take on Trump. Hezbollah fires into Israel-held area after multiple Israeli strikes in Lebanon since truce began JERUSALEM (AP) — Hezbollah fired into a disputed border zone held by Israel after multiple Israeli strikes inside Lebanon since a ceasefire took hold last week. The militant group said the volley, its first during the truce, was a warning shot in response to what it called repeated Israeli violations. Israeli leaders threatened to retaliate, further straining the fragile U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire. Israeli strikes in recent days, including a string of hits on Monday, have killed at least four people in Lebanon. U.S. officials said the ceasefire was largely holding. Key players in Syria's long-running civil war, reignited by a shock rebel offensive BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s civil war has exploded back onto the world stage after insurgents poured out of their main bastion in northwestern Syria and seized large parts of nearby Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and dozens of nearby towns and villages.. The insurgents offensive triggered the heaviest clashes in the country since a March 2020 cease-fire brokered by Turkey and Russia, who back rival sides in the conflict. Five countries have military presence in Syria including the U.S. that has troops deployed in the country’s east, Turkey that controls parts of northern Syria, Israel that has presence in the Golan Heights and Russia and Iran that have been a main backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Woman driving drunk who killed bride still in her wedding dress sentenced to 25 years in prison A woman who admitted to drinking and who was driving well over twice the speed limit when she smashed into a golf cart killing a bride who had just got married at a South Carolina beach has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. Jamie Lee Komoroski pleaded guilty Monday to reckless homicide and three felony driving under the influence charges. Police said the 27-year-old drank at several bars on April 28, 2023, and was driving 65 mph on a narrow Folly Beach road when she slammed into a golf cart leaving a wedding. The bride, 34-year-old Samantha Miller, died still wearing her wedding dress. Great Lakes region gets yet more snow after a weekend of snarled Thanksgiving travel Some storm-weary residents of the Great Lakes region saw additional snow and faced the prospect of even more accumulations this week. Lake-effect snow continued to fall on parts of western New York that were already blanketed with a foot or more over the past four days. Lake-effect snow warnings were in effect through Tuesday night in parts of Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. Snow showers fell in western Michigan overnight, and heavier, persistent snow of up to a foot was expected to follow Monday. Stock market today: Rising tech stocks pull Wall Street to another record NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks pulled Wall Street to another record amid mixed trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% Monday after closing November at an all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared after saying an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or the company’s board. Retailers were mixed coming off Black Friday and heading into what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Cyber Monday shoppers expected to set a record on the year's biggest day for online shopping Consumers in the U.S. are scouring the internet for online deals as they look to make the most of the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon on Cyber Monday. The National Retail Federation coined the term for the Monday after Black Friday in 2005. Even though e-commerce is now part and parcel of many people’s regular routine, Cyber Monday continues to be the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to steady discounts and a fair amount of hype. Several major retails actually started their Cyber Monday promotions over the weekend. Consumer spending for the online shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday provides an indication of how much shoppers are willing to spend for the holidays. Panic among spectators at soccer game kills at least 56 in the West African nation of Guinea CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Officials and witnesses say chaos erupted at a soccer game in Guinea after fans protested a referee’s call and thousands of panicked spectators tried to flee the stadium, leaving at least 56 people dead in the West African nation. Local news website Media Guinea reported that security forces used tear gas. A journalist covering the game for a local sports website tells The Associated Press many of the dead were crushed as they tried to escape through the stadium gates. The world’s latest sports crowd disaster unfurled Sunday in the second-largest city in the military-run nation. Information there is sparse and government-controlled at the best of times. It was not immediately clear how much the death toll could grow.
Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase stay hot as the Bengals finally break through to end a 3-game skid
The Daily Star (TDS): How did you transition to your new research focus on the garment sector in Bangladesh, given your previous extensive research on the prospects and implications of microloans in the country? What prompted this apparent shift from rural to urban settings in your research field? Prof Lamia Karim (LK): I am an economic anthropologist specializing in political economy and women's labor. My primary focus lies in the anthropological dynamics surrounding women's participation in the workforce, particularly the recognition of women as visible agents within the labor market. Historically, women have engaged in informal labor within the domestic sphere, contributing to their families and supporting their husbands. For instance, a male vendor selling food in the market often relies on female family members to prepare the food. Consequently, women's labor remains both invisible and uncompensated. Feminist scholars have long advocated for the acknowledgment and inclusion of unpaid work within economic policy. My interest in this field is also shaped by my personal background. I grew up in a family where women were actively engaged in professional roles; my great-aunt (my grandmother's sister) was a published poet in the 1930s, my mother's first cousin was the first female photographer in what was then East Pakistan, and my mother, along with several of her female cousins, held academic positions as professors and principals of women's colleges. Thus, the sight of women pursuing professional careers was integral to my upbringing. However, I also witnessed the labor of women hired to work in our household—specifically, cooks and cleaners—whose work was often regarded as a natural extension of their identity rather than as respectful employment. These life experiences made me particularly interested in examining the effects of both waged and unwaged work on women and how social forces condition us to view women's work. Bangladesh is home to two significant industries that center on women's work: the microfinance sector pioneered by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and the overseas apparel production industry. Both sectors have emerged as prominent examples of women's work as empowerment, a debatable point, within the framework of neoliberal capitalism. Therefore, I perceive my intellectual trajectory not as a shift but as a natural progression of my scholarly pursuits. TDS: How do you interpret the trajectory of the garment sector in Bangladesh, which originated from a global capitalist restructuring that heavily relied on exploiting cheap labor, and incidents of so many accidents eventually evolving into the primary contributor to the nation's economy? Despite witnessing a semblance of women's empowerment, how do you address the prevalent issue of widespread exploitation of women, which has unfortunately remained integral to this sector? LK: The exploitation of women's labor within the manufacturing industry has a deeply entrenched and troubling history. An examination of industrialization in 19th-century England reveals how poverty forced women, men, and children to the cotton mills of Manchester, where they endured minimal wages and horrific work conditions. A pivotal moment in labor history occurred in the United States in 1911, when the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire claimed the lives of 143 workers, in factory conditions reminiscent of what occurred at the Rana Plaza factory collapse that killed over 1,100 workers. Bangladesh is no different. A complex web of actors—including global retailers, government entities, factory owners, BGMEA, the families of these workers, and Western consumers—contributes to the systemic exploitation of working-class women, thereby facilitating the extraction of labor to yield profits and affordable goods. The answer to your question is also embedded in cultural attitudes. We are a very class-based hierarchical society. Upper and middle-classes tend to treat people from the lower economic strata as less than them. Many factory owners, managers, supervisors, see the workers as lower than them on the social scale, and they take it for granted that they can treat workers poorly, such as using vile language or to physically hit them. Firing workers under all sorts of fictional pretexts and defrauding them of wages is another way that workers get exploited. To tackle the problem of violence against women at work, the way forward is the unionization of garment workers, a movement that remains significantly underrepresented in the Bangladeshi apparel industry. Legal NGOs and Human Rights Organizations should be watchdogs scrutinizing the factories for compliance to safety standards. The government too has a crucial role to play in supporting workers' rights. If all these actors could come together, viable change is possible. TDS: What have your research findings revealed about the daily experiences of women laborers in the apparel manufacturing industry? You mentioned that instead of facilitating sustainable improvements in their lives, the neoliberal economy has perpetuated precarity in their work. Could you elaborate on how this has impacted the lives of these women? LK: One is the precarity of global supply chains where workers are at the mercy of the global economy. During the pandemic for example, stores closed in the West, factories had to close in Bangladesh, making many workers lose their earnings. This dependence on the global economy is precarity at its worst manifestation because the workers who are the bottom of the supply chain do not control what happens to them. There are no safety nets to support them. Importantly, these workers do not understand how supply chains work, and how a sudden loss in demand in the US or EU will have tremendous effect on their livelihoods. Precarity at the factory—low wages, long hours, poor quality of housing, poor diet, abuse at the hand of factory management, is constantly compounding precarity in worker's lives. It is well-known that the wages they receive do not cover their living expenses. The women also support their extended families, by extension, another twenty million people (mothers, father, siblings) indirectly depend on their wages. They send home money for a brother's education, mother's medical expense, building a new roof, and so on. Their private lives are also precarious. Most of these women enter the workforce around the average age of fifteen. They are recent rural-to-urban migrants. They are usually brought to the city by a relative or a procurer. Most of them come to Dhaka with no prior knowledge of what it means to live in the city and how cruel and unforgiving the city can be. Many of the young women fall in love with men they meet in the city, who unbeknownst to them may already have a wife. These relationships are tragic and often involve severe domestic abuse. The men in their lives make constant demands on their wages, and if they do not hand the money over, the women are severely beaten. With no family elders, such as a father or an uncle to intercede for them, these women have to cope with these situations on their own. So, one on the one hand, they have attained certain autonomy, they earn wages, they have physical mobility, go to a movie, sit outdoors with friends and have some fuchka, met someone romantically, all the things that would be denied to them in rural society. On the other hand, they make many difficult decisions on their that often gets them into serious domestic precarity. TDS: In your research, you explored the private lives of garment workers, delving into their intimate spheres of love, marriage, and romance. This perspective offers a novel way to understand them beyond the confines of economic analysis. How do you perceive the generational shifts among workers in this sector, from the macroscopic view to the individual human experience? LK: I wanted to understand the attitudinal differences between older and younger women workers. The older women entered in the 1990s, some even in 1980s, at very low wages. All the older women shared a similar background. They came from landless and impoverished families. They described the before and after of coming to work as "Before I could not eat, now I can eat, before I could not send my child to school, now I can send my child to school, before I lived in a house with a leaking roof, now I live in a house with a roof that does not leak." The women had basic literacy of class three or five in a rural school. They could not read their hiring documents, making it easy for factory managers to fire them by making them sign on a document they could not read. Most of the older women came as married women with children, but their husbands had abandoned them. The women had to raise the children on their own. By the time they entered the factory, they already had many familial responsibilities. These women saw themselves as poor women whose goal was to get their children educated and moved up the economic social ladder. After twenty plus years of working, these older women's bodies and hearts were broken. The younger women were entering with higher levels of education, often between class eight to ten. They could read their hiring documents. The younger were mostly single when they came from the village. They also came from poor families, but they entered factory work at higher wages. They would buy new salwar-kameezes, go to the beauty parlors to get their eyebrows threaded, openly hang out with their boyfriends. They did not have children to take care of. Familicidal responsibilities were less burdensome for them. Some of them told me that they would delay marriage because they wanted to experience life and make some money. These younger women exercised more sexual autonomy. They saw themselves as moving up the social ladder. They always called themselves middle-class and they would call the factory "office" and not karkhana. They eschewed the term kormojibi or sromik. To the younger garment factory workers, belonging to the middle class signaled the exit from their poverty-stricken rural backgrounds. Factory employment had moved them up the economic scale. Similarly, taking the label of middle class set them apart from the poorer people they encountered in the city. As garment workers they were not like the women who worked as day laborers, cleaners, maids, cooks, and the like. They worked in brick buildings, operating industrial machines. that endowed them with a sense of pride and achievement when compared to their poorer rural and urban counterparts. They were the new symbol of "Made in Bangladesh" that is youthful, shiny, and hopeful. The combination of these factors gave them a sense of a new world of opportunities and their entrance into middle-class status. TDS: Could you share insights from your conversations with the 16 interlocutors who are older or have aged out of the workforce about their initial aspirations? Additionally, could you discuss the differences observed in their ultimate realities, particularly regarding the changes in life after reaching a mature state within the garment sector? LK: The sixteen older women, between the ages of 45-55 approximately, I interviewed had earned a limited form of sovereignty over their lives. They left abusive spouses, stood up to factory management when they faced workplace injustices, and tried to create better lives for their children through education. For these factory women, class mobility was a cherished goal that they saw as worth sacrificing for. Their goal was to help their children reach the new middle class that was unfolding through industrial capitalism in Bangladesh. Yet only two sons of the older female workers had made it to the new middle class, one as an accountant at a factory, and the other as an IT technician, the rest of their children had either entered the garment workforce or they were in other low-paying jobs as vendors, shop-keepers, guards. These older women recognized the limits of upward mobility in a deeply hierarchical society due to their lack of social capital. As one older woman said to me, "My son has received his bachelor's degree. He wants to work in a government office, but I do not have the contacts to help him. He has ended up working at a store." But their voices remained laced with traces of hope—if not for them, then for their children. These older women entered the workforce when wages were very low, so they had little savings by the time they were forced out of factory work. They suffered from poor health. Their eyesight, fingers, arms were affected from long-term factory work. Kidneys were affected from not drinking water at work to avoid taking toilet breaks, something frowned upon by line supervisors. Many of them suffered from lung infections from breathing the air inside factories that is full of debris of clothing. Many workers were provided masks, but workers did not wear them because they felt hot and uncomfortable. It was a zero-sum game for these women. TDS: Have you noticed any significant changes in the trade union movement or apparent enhancements in safety measures within this sector following the Rana Plaza incident? LK: The trade union movement, still insignificant compared to the scale of the workforce, has become more visible after the Rana Plaza factory collapse. After the accident, the global retailers and EU did not have a fig leaf to cover their complicity in ignoring the safety conditions in the factories they were sourcing from. EU, Canada, Australia, and US to a lesser degree, became vocal about the right to unionize and the safety accords were written and implemented, with their many limitations. Trade union leaders have told me that now they have a voice with factory owners, BGMEA, and the government. This is an ongoing struggle. I did not inspect factories since that was not what I was doing. Safety measures vary across factories. There are factory owners who are forward looking and want to improve work conditions; there are others who think of workers as disposable bodies. The answer to your question requires investigative journalism. TDS: As automation advances, Bangladesh's impending graduation from the category of least developed countries (LDCs) looms, coinciding with a gradual decline in women's participation in the sector. What are your thoughts on the garments industry as a whole, and what potential changes, both minor and monumental, do you envision that could reshape the prevailing landscape? LK: With the garment sector accounting for Bangladesh's largest export, generating $47 billion in 2023 and employing approximately four million workers whose earnings sustain the Bangladeshi economy. To effect meaningful change, it is essential to improve wages, enhance workplace safety, and provide accessible housing, healthcare, childcare, and education for their children. Factory owners resist these improvements, citing pressure from Western buyers who are reluctant to increase costs. Bangladesh will face increased competition from other LDCs. The Ethiopian government sought to attract Western buyers by guaranteeing wages as low as $22 per month for workers. Conversations with several garment factory owners regarding the potential loss of business to competing countries revealed a prevailing belief in their logistical advantages. However, as evidenced by the presence of garments labeled "Made in Ethiopia" in H&M stores, capital will invariably pursue profit at the expense of workers unless robust unionization efforts are undertaken. Such collective action represents a crucial avenue for genuine empowerment and systemic change. I would recommend diversification from the garment industry to other sectors, and to invest in the domestic market. Here I am arguing for import substitution, so we are not wholly dependent on the vicissitudes of the global economy. While China has transitioned from low-wage apparel manufacturing to high-value sectors such as semiconductor processing, Bangladesh remains stuck on its garment industry. The nation's economic landscape necessitates a forward-looking approach, emphasizing diversification away from apparel manufacturing and the training of workers for more sustainable employment opportunities. But there is an intangible paradox here between the welfare of workers and the welfare of capital. The logic of capitalism is to chase lowest production costs across the globe, devouring the poor and dispossessed on its journey. To harness unfettered capitalism, one needs a systemic change to the economic structure. I do not see that on the horizon. My goal in writing Castoffs of Capital was to humanize these women, to glimpse their world through their eyes, as they graciously allowed me into their lives. I envisioned a future where a Western consumer, poised to purchase a simple tee-shirt or a pair of jeans, could not only see the garment but also feel the pulse of those who made it. I wanted them to visualize the women, to empathize with their stories, and to reflect on the profound consequences of their consumer choices. In this way, I hoped to weave a deeper understanding of the interlocking human tapestry that sustains our global economy. My heartfelt thanks to Kormojibi Nari who assisted me with the research on older workers. The interview was taken by Priyam Paul of The Daily Star
DUNNES Stores shoppers are set for a frenzy over a new dress that is perfect for Christmas. The retailer has been releasing a range of different pieces for the festive season, and shoppers have been loving them. The newest release is a gorgeous maxi dress with shimmering fabric. The Gallery Plisse Dress is a bargain costing €35 and is set to fly off the shelves. The dress comes in sizes 8 to 20. The gorgeous dress has an elasticated waist and a pleated skirt, giving it a figure hugging flattering silhouette. In the official item description on the website, Dunnes Stores bosses said: "Standout in this dazzling midi-length dress from Gallery. "Crafted from a shimmering lurex fabric that catches the light beautifully, it features a flattering v-neckline, balloon sleeves, and a self-tie belt that cinches the waist. "It is perfect for special occasions and evening events. Gallery is available exclusively at Dunnes Stores." Shoppers can complete the look with a new pair of embellished boots. Priced at only €40, these boots are the perfect combination of style and glamour. Shoppers who love a touch of glitz will be thrilled with these boots, which feature dazzling rhinestone embellishments across a classic black design. With a 10 cm kitten heel, they add just the right amount of height without sacrificing comfort, making them versatile enough for any occasion. Perfect for Christmas parties, New Year's celebrations, or simply elevating a casual winter look, they’re bound to be a staple in wardrobes this season. The boots come in sizes 36 to 41, although size 36 has already sold out on the Dunnes website, leaving only sizes 37 to 41 available online. However, customers hoping to snag the smaller size might still find it in stores, though stocks are expected to go quickly. Dunnes shoppers are thrilled about the arrival of this festive footwear option, with many calling it the perfect finishing touch for holiday outfits. And the rhinestones catch the light beautifully, making them perfect for any party scene. Shoppers are also in a frenzy over a new range of handbags that are a must-have for party season. The Bow Handle Bag that comes in black and is available for just €15. This velvet-touch handbag has a pretty bow on the handle, which brings a touch of sophistication to any evening look. It comes with a main zip closure and a small internal zip pocket. The handbag is perfectly sized for your essentials. DUNNES Stores opened its first store on Patrick Street in Cork in 1944 - and it was an instant hit. Shoppers from all over the city rushed to the store to snap up quality clothing at pre-war prices in Ireland's first 'shopping frenzy'. During the excitement, a window was forced in and the police had to be called to help control the crowds hoping to bag founder Ben Dunne's 'Better Value' bargains. Dunnes later opened more stores in the 1950s and began to sell groceries in 1960 - starting with apples and oranges. The retailer said: "Fruit was expensive at the time and Ben Dunne yet again offered Better Value than anyone else in town. "Over time, our food selection has grown and that spirit of good value has remained strong. "Now we offer a wide range of carefully-sourced foods from both local Irish suppliers and overseas." The retailer's first Dublin store opened its doors in 1957 on Henry Street and a super store on South Great Georges Street was unveiled in 1960. They added: "In 1971, our first Northern Irish store opened, and many others soon followed. "Expansion continued in the 1980s in Spain, and later into Scotland and England." Dunnes now has 142 stores and employs 15,000 people.Rift in B.C. Conservative caucus deepens as MLA defies party leader
Info-Tech Research Group's newly published blueprint provides technology service providers (TSPs) with practical strategies to become trusted partners in the cyber insurance industry, bridging critical service gaps and driving operational efficiency across the entire cyber insurance lifecycle, from risk assessment to claims management. TORONTO , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - As AI-driven threats escalate and cybersecurity vulnerabilities evolve, the cyber insurance industry faces mounting pressure to adapt to a rapidly changing risk landscape. Insurers are raising eligibility requirements, leaving organizations struggling to meet heightened expectations while balancing cost, coverage, and effective risk management. To address these challenges, Info-Tech Research Group's newly published blueprint, Launch Cyber Insurance Support Services , provides technology service providers (TSPs) with a strategic framework to help their clients meet rising requirements and navigate the complexities of the cyber insurance lifecycle. This resource equips TSPs with practical strategies to position themselves as indispensable partners throughout the cyber insurance lifecycle. By offering tailored advisory and cybersecurity services that meet the needs of both policyholders and insurers, TSPs can bridge service gaps while optimizing processes such as risk assessment, claims management, and policy renewal. "Today, the cyber insurance industry stands at an inflection point, recognizing that previous approaches to security were ineffective and unsustainable," says Justin St-Maurice , principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group . "Insurers now demand robust due diligence and comprehensive security controls, meaning only organizations with mature security postures will qualify for coverage. As the bar for insurance eligibility continues to rise, customers around the world are scrambling to meet these new requirements." Info-Tech's blueprint emphasizes the critical role of TSPs in bridging the gap between insurers and policyholders. While insurers focus on assuming calculated risks, TSPs can mitigate these risks by providing proactive strategies and cybersecurity enhancements that meet rising industry standards. Acting as strategic intermediaries, TSPs are uniquely positioned to align, ensuring robust security measures are in place to prevent breaches, minimize losses, and maintain insurability. By aligning their services with both insurer requirements and customer needs, TSPs can drive operational efficiency while supporting critical processes throughout the insurance journey. Info-Tech's resource outlines the following seven key stages in the cyber insurance lifecycle, detailing how TSPs can deliver value at each step: Risk Assessment – Perform detailed cyber risk quantification and vulnerability identification to assess exposure and ensure alignment with requirements. Policy Selection – Translate risk assessments into financial terms and recommend policies that meet risk-transfer needs. Underwriting – Prepare comprehensive documentation, support onsite audits, and advocate for the organization's cybersecurity posture to insurers. Implementation and Maintenance – Continuously monitor, audit, and test cybersecurity controls and perform regular penetration testing to maintain compliance. Incident Response – Coordinate incident response with insurers by providing regular updates, avoiding duplication of effort, and ensuring all entitled services are used. Claims Management – Provide detailed claims documentation, resolve disputes through technical evidence, and validate compliance with policy requirements. Policy Renewal – Assess the effectiveness of modernized cybersecurity practices, review insurance usage, and renew policies based on current risk and innovation. The evolving threat landscape and increasing complexity of insurance requirements have created a unique opportunity for TSPs to expand their influence. By aligning their services with insurer standards and providing tailored support to policyholders, TSPs can reduce breach risks, streamline processes, and establish themselves as indispensable players in a growing market. Through the actionable strategies outlined in Info-Tech's blueprint, TSPs can not only meet but exceed these expectations, strengthening relationships and fostering trust across the cyber insurance ecosystem. To receive exclusive commentary or to schedule an interview or podcast appearance with Justin St-Maurice , a leader in implementing technology and driving digital transformations, and to access to the complete Launch Cyber Insurance Support Services blueprint , please contact pr@infotech.com . About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com . For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rising-cybersecurity-insurance-demands-create-new-opportunities-for-technology-service-providers-says-info-tech-research-group-302328083.html SOURCE Info-Tech Research GroupNone
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Audi Crooks scored the winning shot as time expired and a season-high 33 points as No. 8 Iowa State survived with an 80-78 win over Drake on Sunday afternoon. Addy Brown added 13 points and eight rebounds, Emily Ryan scored 11 points with 12 assists and Kenzie Hare had 10 points as the Cyclones (5-1) avoided a second consecutive loss. The Bulldogs (2-3) were led by guard Katie Dinnebier, who scored 39 points on 13-of-16 shooting and went 8 of 10 from 3-point range. Dinnebier went 5 of 6 from the charity stripe. Anna Miller added 18 points in Drake's attempt to dethrone Iowa State, and Abbie Aalsma scored 11 off the bench. Drake: The Bulldogs, who were picked to finish first in the Missouri Valley Conference in the preseason, tied a season high with 19 turnovers. Iowa State scored 24 points from those turnovers. Iowa State: The Cyclones found a way to bounce back after losing to Northern Iowa on Wednesday night. A 10-0 run in the first quarter was the difference in a close Cyclone win. The Cyclones were outrebounded 42-31 by the Bulldogs, marking the first time Iowa State was outrebounded this season. Iowa State heads to Florida to play No. 1 South Carolina on Thursday in the Women's Fort Myers Tip-Off, the same day Drake plays Wyoming in the San Juan Shootout in Puerto Rico. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball
History is filled with extraordinary moments that defy imagination in various ways that astonish, inspire, and perplex. While we often celebrate the monumental events that shape nations and transform civilisations, countless extraordinary tales remain hidden, their brilliance obscured by the grander narratives of time. These moments are not just anecdotes but stories of courage, ingenuity, tragedy, and sheer eccentricity—each offering a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of the human experience. From daring feats of resilience to bizarre acts of genius and tragedy, these astonishing tales of forgotten heroes, eccentric inventors, and uncanny coincidences are so remarkable that they read like fiction—but are all real. Read also: John Tinniswood: 112yrs old man who survived Titanic’s era, lived through history According to Ranker, here are 11 most jaw-dropping moments in history you probably missed. Mitchell Red Cloud Jr., a member of the Oglala Lakota, became a legendary figure in the Korean War for his extraordinary courage. In 1950, during a brutal firefight, Red Cloud stood his ground after being hit with multiple bullets. Despite his grave wounds, he ordered his men to tie him to a tree to continue firing, ensuring his unit could retreat. His actions saved lives and helped secure a defensive position. Red Cloud’s sacrifice earned him the Medal of Honor, and his story remains a symbol of selflessness and bravery under extreme conditions. Betty Robinson’s extraordinary story of survival captivated the world. As a teenager, she won Olympic gold in the 4×100 metre relay at the 1928 Olympics. However, her life took a dramatic turn when she was involved in a tragic plane crash in 1931. Initially declared dead, Robinson was later discovered to be alive in a morgue, barely clinging to life. Doctors initially doubted she’d ever walk again, but she fought through unimaginable pain and went on to win another Olympic gold medal in 1936, solidifying her place as one of history’s greatest comeback athletes. Victor Hugo, the legendary French author of Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, was not only a literary giant but also a man whose death commanded immense respect. In 1885, when Hugo passed away, his funeral became a national event. In an extraordinary show of respect, Parisian brothels—known for their open doors—closed for the day as a tribute. Rumour has it that Hugo, who had a complex relationship with love and sexuality, had been a client of the Brothels, adding an ironic twist to the story of his funeral. Read also: Samson Dauda: The Nigerian-born bodybuilder who made history at Mr. Olympia 2024 James Jameson, heir to the Jameson whiskey fortune, was a man of many contradictions. In 1887, while on an expedition in the Congo, he reportedly paid to witness the cannibalization of a young girl by a tribal group. Jameson, a passionate and controversial figure, later denied his involvement, claiming he was merely a witness. However, the disturbing sketches he made of the event and his participation in documenting the horrific scene left a stain on his legacy, raising questions about his motivations and the ethics of colonial exploration during that era. The Greek philosopher Pythagoras is perhaps best known for the theorem that bears his name – the Pythagorean Theorem. While the sixth-century BCE Ionian lives on with the geometric statement about triangles, Pythagoras is also known for his works on the soul. Pythagoras was also a vegetarian, although how strictly he avoided meat remains unclear. Regardless, Pythagoras had thoughts about food, especially fava beans. Pythagoras didn’t eat beans and forbade his followers from eating them as well. Beans were not allowed because they caused internal distress – gas – and could make it difficult to focus. Farting aside, there were also beliefs in the ancient world that beans were associated with Hades and contained reincarnated souls of the dead. Beans were also associated with poverty because poor people ate them. Another interpretation is that Pythagoras really meant politics when he said beans because voting in ancient Greece was done with beans. But stories about beans essentially causing Pythagoras’s demise contradict this explanation: When Pythagoras was chased by an angry mob, the philosopher refused to cross a field of beans to escape. He either saw them as sacred or simply feared them, but either way, he was slain as a result. The word “boycott” has its origins in 19th-century Ireland, specifically in the context of the Land War. Charles Cunningham Boycott, an English land agent in Ireland, was notoriously harsh in his dealings with tenants. In 1880, a group of Irish farmers, led by local activist Michael Davitt, began a campaign of social banishment against Boycott. They refused to work for him or provide services, effectively isolating him from the community. The term “boycott” was coined as a result, forever linking his name to the idea of collective action against unjust individuals or systems. Read also: Forced migration: Facing the largest global displacement crisis in history Anita Ekberg, the Swedish actress who captured hearts in La Dolce Vita, was not just a beauty icon but also a woman of striking courage. In 1964, she was embroiled in an altercation with a persistent paparazzo outside her home. As he tried to snap pictures of her, Ekberg grabbed a bow and arrow and aimed it at the photographer. Though the arrow missed, the incident added to her reputation as a woman who fiercely defended her privacy. Her boldness only intensified her mystique in the world of film and fashion. John Joseph Merlin, a talented inventor and mechanical engineer, created one of the first roller skates, but his debut of the invention in 1783 ended in disaster. Merlin, known for his eccentric personality, appeared at a London masquerade ball wearing his roller skates while playing the violin. However, his attempt at a graceful performance went horribly wrong when he lost control, crashing into a mirror and injuring himself. While his invention would eventually become the history and foundation for modern roller skating, Merlin’s public mishap remains one of the most memorable moments in the history of the sport. The phrase “computer bug” is often credited to Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist in the 1940s. While working on the Mark II computer at Harvard University in 1947, her team discovered that the machine was malfunctioning due to a moth trapped in one of its circuits. The team carefully removed the insect, and Hopper humorously documented it in her logbook, writing: “First actual case of bug being found.” This moment, though trivial at the time, marked the beginning of the term “computer bug,” which is still used today to refer to technical glitches. Read also: 11 key moments of 2021 Lady Meux, an eccentric and wealthy Victorian woman, became a well-known figure in London’s social scene for her bizarre and extravagant lifestyle. One of her more unusual traits was her fondness for zebras, which she had trained to pull her chariot around London. As a wealthy widow with a passion for the exotic, she owned a private zoo and often hosted lavish events at her residence, where she entertained guests with her collection of wild animals. Her bizarre use of zebras was a public spectacle that cemented her as a symbol of Victorian opulence and eccentricity. In 1835, President Andrew Jackson was presented with a 1,400-pound block of cheddar cheese, a gift from a group of supporters in New York. Rather than let the cheese go to waste, Jackson decided to throw a grand public party at the White House, inviting crowds to sample the massive block. The event quickly descended into chaos, with thousands of visitors swarming the White House, pushing, shoving, and indulging in the cheese. It was a bizarre scene, but it shifted national attention away from a political scandal, cementing Jackson’s reputation as an unconventional president.
Croatia's president faces conservative rival in election run-offThe Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is the United States Air Force's second-largest strategic airlifter (after the C-5M Super Galaxy - the largest US airlifter service ). The C-17 Globemaster III was designed during the Cold War period and first flew in 1991 entering service four years later in 1995. They are currently in service in nine air forces around the world (including the UK, Australia, Canada, India, and a number of Gulf states). Production ended in 2015 and since then, there has been talk about Boeing restarting production (this hasn't happened yet). The C-17s will eventually need to be replaced, but the question is with what? They could be replaced with more modernized C-17s, a similar cargo aircraft, or a completely new design (or a combination of the options). It is possible that a replacement of the C-17 may not even look like a replacement (e.g., it is suggested that space rockets could theoretically take on part of the role). 1 Restarting C-17 production is an option The Air Force has 222 C-17 Globemasters in service Production period: 1991–2015 Number produced: 279 Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas / Boeing The C-17 Globemaster III doesn't necessarily need to be replaced with a new aircraft design. Another option is to just restart production (likely of a modernized variant). An example of this is the older C-130 Hercules being replaced by the new and modernized C-130J Hercules. Restarting a closed production line is expensive, but possible. Internationally, Russia has restarted production of its Ilyushin Il-76 strategic lifter. The US also restarted the production of the C-5M Galaxy after a pause between 1973 and 1985. According to FlightGlobal , Boeing still receives inquiries about potentially reviving production of the Globemaster III. In 2013, Boeing took the decision to end production due to a lack of orders - the last aircraft to roll off the assembly line was delivered to the Indian Air Force in 2019. In February 2024, FlightGlobal reported Boeing's vice president as saying " There are a number of other customers who wish they had acquired it at the time ." Saudi Arabia came very close to ordering the aircraft before Boeing closed the production line. Reopening production for export orders would also make it cheaper for the Air Force to purchase new C-17s if they wanted to. The T-tail design offers greater stability at low speeds. 2 Air Force wants STOVL aircraft C-17s require at least 3,000 feet of runway to operate C-17 Takeoff run at MTOW: 8,200 feet C-17 takeoff run at 395,000 lbs: 3,000 feet Landing distance: 3,500 feet A potential issue is that the Air Force may not see the C-17 Globemaster III as suitable for its needs in the 2040s and 2050s. The Air Force is looking to become a much more agile organization able to operate from dispersed airbases around the world (which is why Boeing's Aurora is developing the STOVL Aurora X). While the C-17 Globemaster III may be a great transport aircraft, it is dependent on runways. The Marines realized their need for an STOVL aircraft during the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979-1981 (this led to the development of the tiltrotor CV-22 Osprey). When the Air Force eventually starts listing the requirements for a future strategic transport aircraft, they may include short take-offs and vertical landings. There are plenty of other things the Air Force may consider as part of their requirements for a next-generation airlifter. These could include increased efficiency (e.g., the efficiencies offered by blended wing body aircraft) and stealth (like the stealthy Skunks Wars NGAS tanker ). The US Air Force is restructuring to counter the ever-changing threats, to be more agile, and to be more combat-ready. 3 Aurora X Planned flight testing for 2027 Type: Stealthy, vertical lift, blended wing, military transport Wingspan: 130 feet Take off: Vertical lift (and landing) While the Aurora X may not be a direct replacement for the C-17 Globemaster, it may be aircraft like this that the US uses to supply the forward operating bases. The Aurora X is being designed with the ability to take off and land vertically while including a blended wing design and stealth (this enables them to operate much closer to contested areas). The current scaled-down demonstrator is set to have a payload of just 1,000 lbs (a far cry from the C-17's 170,000 lbs of payload). Aurora states , " The technology demonstrated in the SPRINT X-plane could be scaled to medium and heavy lift aircraft, creating a future family of systems. For example, Aurora envisions a manned, 130-ft wingspan aircraft with four lift fans and 40-ft payload bay. The FIW aircraft could meet or exceed the payloads, ranges, and speeds typical of fixed-wing military transport aircraft while delivering the tactical advantage of true vertical takeoff and landing ." Aurora's X-Plane in development could prove revolutionary for Air Force logistics if the demonstrator proves successful. 4 Other Potential alternative options Starship reaches speeds of 17,500 miles per hour SpaceX Starship: Can carry 100-150 tons of cargo anywhere in one hour Liberty Lifter: Ekranoplan that could cross the seas and fly JetZero demonstrator: New blended wing body aircraft concept The roles of the C-17 Globemaster do not have to be replaced one-for-one with another strategic airlifter. The Globemaster's roles could be partially replaced by a variety of other platforms. In the future, large aircraft like the C-17 are expected to be too vulnerable to operate in forward operating bases . This will reduce their utility and will require other aircraft to fill some of the roles filled by runway-bound tactical and strategic airlifters today. One eye-catching example is SpaceX's Starship (which can carry a massive payload of 100-150 tons point-to-point anywhere in the world within an hour). Defense One writes , " The Pentagon is also potentially eyeing Starship to help move cargo around the world very quickly, filling the role of a C-17 Globemaster, the Pentagon’s airlift workhorse ." Other options include DARPA's Liberty Lifter ekranoplan (aka ground effect vehicle) which can also fly up to 10,000 feet . The Liberty Lifter is intended to bridge the gap between airlift and sealift. Another option is JetZero's new blended wing body aircraft (expected to have both cargo and tanker uses). JetZero's design mostly has the benefit of being a more efficient design. There are also a range of other smaller drone or STOVL systems that the Air Force could consider. If built, the Liberty Lifter could supply the military with an ekranoplan that combines the benefits of ship and aircraft transportation. 5 Expensive and takes time KC-46A total acquisition cost $44 billion (179 aircraft) C-17 cost in 1998 dollars: $202 million C-17 cost in 2024 dollars: $394 million C-17 Max take-off weight: 585,000 pounds If the United States Air Force wants to replace the C-17 Globemaster III with a similar-sized and similarly shaped aircraft, it would be expensive and take time. It is always possible to design a clean-sheet aircraft or adapt an existing aircraft to fill the role. In 2019, The War Zone reported , " By rotating the C-17s around from active to guard to reserve units and into backup status, the USAF aimed to extend the life of its fleet of roughly 222 C-17s through the early 2030s. It may be possible to extend the life of some of the C-17s further through additional service life extension programs, but doing so would cost money and may have diminishing returns. " Replacing the C-17 and C-5M strategic airlifters does not seem to be a priority for the Air Force at this time. In fact, it seems that the Air Force has a surplus of C-5 Galaxy airlifters to its requirements. The Air Force procured a total of 131 C-5 Galaxies between 1968 and 1989. Most of these were retired by 2017 and sent to the boneyard where they sit in storage. Today, the Air Force only operates 52 upgraded C-5M Super Galaxy airlifters. Blended-wing aircraft promises a major leap in future US Air Force transport and refueling capabilities. 6 Smaller military The US Air Force has 4,000 non-trainer and non-UAV aircraft C-5M Super Galaxy: 52 in inventory C-17A Globemaster III: 222 in inventory C-130 Hercules/C-130J Super Hercules: 276 in inventory (approx) The United States military has been described as a logistics organization that also happens to fight. The US Air Force boasts around 75% of the world's tankers (which can also be used to carry cargo and troops). But the military is much smaller now than in the past. For example, at the end of the Cold War, the US Air Force had 4,556 fighter jets, and by mid-2023 that had fallen to 2,176 aircraft. Looking forward, from 2023 to 2028, the Air Force is planning to retire around 800 fighters while only procuring 345. It's not just the Air Force (e.g., the number of troops in the Army has also fallen). With a smaller military, the US also doesn't need the same amount of transport aircraft as it did in the 1980s. This is possibly part of the reason why large strategic transport aircraft have been out of production in the United States for some time. A smaller military likely means that if the Air Force were to acquire a direct replacement for the C-17 Globemaster III, it would likely purchase them in lower numbers than in the past. With more air forces operating the Super Hercules, the military transports flight hours have now exceeded 3 million hours.
After missing out on Juan Soto, the New York Yankees made their first splash of the offseason. The Yankees and left-handed starting pitcher Max Fried have agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract, several reports said Tuesday. The contract includes the most guaranteed money for a left-handed pitcher in baseball history, ESPN reported. A two-time All-Star, Fried will join right-handed ace Gerrit Cole to form a one-two punch at the front of the Yankees' rotation. Fried, 30, spent his first eight MLB seasons with the Atlanta Braves and went 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA across 29 starts last season. He had 166 strikeouts and a career-high 57 walks over 174 1/3 innings. He also pitched a major league-high two complete games (one shutout). Fried was an All-Star in 2022 and 2024, and he received votes for the National League Cy Young Award in 2020 (placing fifth) and 2022 (second). In 168 career games (151 starts), Fried has gone 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA and 863 strikeouts against 246 walks in 884 1/3 innings. He has tossed six complete games, including four shutouts. --Field Level MediaPNC Financial Services Group Inc. Boosts Stock Position in iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:SIZE)