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phwin9 Celebrity-inspired Thanksgiving recipes, plus last-minute holiday meal ideasHome for the holidays? Show relatives you care with some tech support

Minister for education and information technology N. Lokesh facilitated the safe return of a woman from Kuwait who had been facing difficulties with her employer. Sheik Munni, a resident of Atmakur in Nellore district, had travelled to Kuwait seeking employment. However, she encountered harassment from her employer and, unable to endure the ordeal, reached out to the minister for help via the microblogging platform ‘X’. Responding promptly to her plea, Lokesh instructed his team to ensure the woman’s safe return to Andhra Pradesh. Subsequently, Munni was brought back and reunited with her family. Her family members expressed gratitude to the minister for his timely intervention, which enabled her safe rescue and return to her hometown.

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From the DBS leadership renewal to the Straits Times Index surging to a 17-year high, these are some events this year that captured headlines. G insurer Allianz announced on Dec 16 that it is scrapping its 1.5 billion euro (S$2.1 billion) offer to buy at least 51 per cent of the shares in Income Insurance. Its offer had ignited public criticism as many voiced concerns on it detracting from Income’s social mission to provide affordable insurance to low-income workers. In October, the Singapore government also rejected the deal after assessing that it was not in the public’s interest for the proposed transaction to proceed in its initial form. However, it said it was open to the deal proceeding with new arrangements so long as the concerns raised were addressed. Singapore’s largest lender will soon welcome its first female chief executive officer. Tan Su Shan, who is currently head of institutional banking at DBS, will replace Piyush Gupta next year . In August, Tan was named deputy chief executive ahead of her upcoming replacement of Gupta, who will retire at the bank’s next annual general meeting on Mar 28, 2025. The board said that the decision to appoint the 56-year-old – who has more than 35 years of experience in consumer banking, wealth management and institutional banking under her belt – was “unanimous”. Lawrence Wong was sworn in as prime minister on May 15 , succeeding former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong. Wong, who entered Parliament in 2011 before being appointed as the minister of state for defence and education shortly after, has been in politics for 13 years. He was selected by peers in 2022 to be the leader of Singapore’s fourth-generation team after then deputy prime minster Heng Swee Keat announced in April 2021 that he was stepping down as presumptive PM-in-waiting due to his age, challenges of the pandemic and the heavy demands of the job. Kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder’s Olympic bronze was the city-state’s sole medal at this year’s Paris Games. His Olympic win has earned him a coveted place among the ranks of Singapore’s Olympians – making him the sixth one in the nation’s sporting history. Just shy of 18 years at the time of his crowning achievement, Maeder is also the nation’s youngest Olympic medallist to date. Private cord-blood bank Cordlife’s troubles over the mishandling of cord-blood units deepened in 2024. Four directors and former group CEO Tan Poh Lan were arrested by the Commercial Affairs Department in March. The Ministry of Health (MOH) had imposed a six-month suspension on the cord-blood bank in November 2023 that prohibited it from collecting, testing, processing and/or storing any new cord blood and human tissues after investigations revealed that it had inappropriately stored cord blood above acceptable temperature limits. MOH has since granted the cord-blood bank permission to resume cord-blood banking services “in a controlled manner” as of September. Former transport minister S Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months in jail on Oct 3 after he pleaded guilty to five charges in September. The sentencing sets a precedent for a provision that has not been used in Singapore since independence: Section 165 of the Penal Code, which prohibits a public servant from accepting or obtaining anything of value for free or inadequate payment, from any person with whom they are involved in an official capacity. Beleaguered billionaire Lim Oon Kuin was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison on three charges of cheating and forgery after a 62-day trial that prosecutors said was one of Singapore’s most serious cases of trade financing fraud. The owner of the oil trading company Hin Leong, who initially faced 130 criminal charges of forgery and cheating involving a total sum of US$2.7 billion, said he would appeal his conviction. The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) surged to a 17-year high on Nov 8 , climbing up 1.4 per cent or 50.88 points to 3,724.37. This came as the trio of local banking stocks rallied and soared to fresh records. Analysts have listed factors such as expectations that the US Federal Reserve might slow down the pace of interest rate cuts after the US presidential elections in particular. That is positive for the banks, which are STI heavyweights. A series of job cuts occurred this year. Here are a few: Carousell axed 76 jobs or 7 per cent of its total headcount across regional offices on Dec 6, citing the need to reallocate resources away from certain business areas to others that showed promise. Affected employees were given layoff packages including one month of salary for every year of service, with a minimum of three months’ salary. Healthtech startup Dr Anywhere in December announced it laid off around 45 or 8.1 per cent of its workforce in South-east Asia and Singapore. In 2023, Dr Anywhere posted a US$23.6 million operating loss on a US$62.1 million revenue. Beverage manufacturer Yeo Hiap Seng laid off 25 employees after Oatly’s closure of its Singapore manufacturing operations. That is in addition to the 34 Oatly workers affected by the closure, bringing the total to 59. The company said the affected workers had been hired specifically to support Oatly’s production at Yeo’s Senoko plant, and were retrenched as a direct result of Oatly ceasing its manufacturing in Singapore. Sea is cutting more jobs at e-commerce unit Shopee in Indonesia , Bloomberg reported in November, citing sources. Singapore Post (SingPost) sacked three of its senior management staff as they were found to be negligent in the handling of internal investigations over a whistle-blower report that it received earlier this year. The employment of group chief executive Vincent Phang, group chief financial officer Vincent Yik, and the chief executive of the company’s international business unit Li Yu were terminated with immediate effect on Dec 21, 2024.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir held an urgent meeting of top security brass on Friday after a shootout at the home of powerful former spy chief Akol Koor, who was sacked almost two months ago amid rumours of a coup plot. Gunfire erupted on Thursday evening in the capital Juba, sparking concerns about the stability of the world’s youngest country that is already plagued by power struggles, ethnic infighting and a deep economic malaise. The shooting around the home of Koor, who was fired by Kiir in early October and placed under house arrest, caused panic among local residents before it was contained after about an hour. Following the meeting, South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said the incident took place after a “misunderstanding” between security forces attempting to relocate the ex-head of the National Security Services. Koang said Koor had now agreed to the relocation “with his dear wife, one bodyguard, and a cook” elsewhere in the city. He would be provided with additional army protection at his new residence, but Koang emphasised he was not under “their (army) detention.” He said four people, two civilians and two soldiers, had been killed during the confrontation. The meeting convened by Kiir included the heads of defence, police, national security and military intelligence. A source in the presidency press unit said Koor was also present. The Sudans Post newspaper quoted a security official as saying the meeting had “resolved all outstanding tensions” and that the spy chief and his family “have been assured of their safety”. In an alert to its staff on the ground on Thursday, the United Nations in South Sudan had said the shooting was linked to the arrest of the former spymaster and advised people to take cover. Koang told AFP that Koor “remains at his house”, and denied claims circulating on social media that he had fled to the UN compound in Juba. There was a heavy deployment of military forces around his home in the Thongpiny district, an AFP correspondent said, but traffic has resumed and people were going about their daily business. – ‘Remain vigilant’ – Police spokesman John Kassara said the situation was now calm but that Thongpiny remained sealed off and residents “should remain vigilant”. Koor became head of the feared National Security Services (NSS) after South Sudan’s independence in 2011 but was sacked in October leading to widespread speculation he had been planning to overthrow Kiir. After his dismissal from the NSS, Koor was appointed governor of Warrap State, Kiir’s home state, but this was abruptly revoked by the president before he took the oath of office. Koang said there had been a “misunderstanding” between two security services forces present at Koor’s residence when a third unit arrived for the relocation. “That was the start of the armed confrontation that you heard,” he said. Four people, two servicemen and two civilians, were killed in the incident, he said, and two civilians were wounded. Koor’s sacking came just two weeks after Kiir again postponed by two years, to December 2026, the first elections in the nation’s history. The delay has exasperated the international community, which has been pressing the country’s leaders to complete a transitional process, including unifying rival armed forces and drawing up a constitution. The NSS was at the centre of controversy in July when parliament approved amendments to legislation allowing the agency to continue to arrest — without a warrant — anyone accused of offences against the state, raising alarm among rights groups and South Sudan’s international partners. The country has struggled to recover from a brutal civil war between forces loyal to Kiir and his now deputy Riek Machar from 2013 to 2018 that killed about 400,000 people and drove millions from their homes. It remains one of the poorest and most corrupt countries on the planet and continues to be plagued by chronic instability and climate disasters. With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jacob Ognacevic's 20 points helped Lipscomb defeat Southeast Missouri State 78-60 on Thursday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jacob Ognacevic's 20 points helped Lipscomb defeat Southeast Missouri State 78-60 on Thursday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jacob Ognacevic’s 20 points helped Lipscomb defeat Southeast Missouri State 78-60 on Thursday. Ognacevic added seven rebounds for the Bisons (6-4). Gyasi Powell scored 19 points, going 6 of 9 (5 for 8 from 3-point range). Dylan Faulkner shot 5 of 8 from the field and 3 for 6 from the line to finish with 13 points, while adding nine rebounds. Troy Cole Jr. finished with 10 points and six rebounds for the Redhawks (3-5). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Taylor Swift once raved about the sweet potato casserole served at a New York City restaurant and now that recipe pops up every now and again at Thanksgiving. The holidays encourage many of us to try new recipes. Social media right now is flooded with recipes for appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Anyone making that cornbread casserole from TikTok? While we might not get to share a Thanksgiving feast with Swift — is your name Blake Lively? — or other celebrities beloved by Kansas City, we can eat like them. So here’s the recipe for that casserole Swift loved so much, and favorite family side dish recipes from Donna Kelce and Eric Stonestreet. Enjoy. Travis Kelce's mother, Donna Kelce, seen here last year at her son's music festival, dined on a cheesesteak made by actor Bradley Cooper at QVC festivities in Las Vegas this week. (Emily Curiel/Kansas City Star/TNS) If we tried to guess how many holiday dinner rolls Travis Kelce and his brother, Jason Kelce, have scarfed over the years, would it be in the hundreds? Thousands? Their mom has spoken often about the batches of holiday crescent rolls she has baked over the years. Based on the recipe that won the 1969 Pillsbury Bake-Off, Pillsbury’s Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs , they’re now known as Mama Kelce’s Dinner Rolls. They blend the crescent roll pastry with marshmallows, cinnamon and sugar. Dinner roll or dessert? We bet they didn’t last long enough in front of Travis and Jason for that debate. Ingredients Rolls •1/4 cup granulated sugar •2 tablespoons Pillsbury Best all-purpose flour •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon •2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count) •16 large marshmallows •1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted Glaze •1/2 cup powdered sugar •1/2 teaspoon vanilla •2-3 teaspoons milk •1/4 cup chopped nuts Directions Make the rolls 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 16 medium muffin cups with nonstick baking spray. 2. In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar, flour and cinnamon. 3. Separate the dough into 16 triangles. For each roll, dip 1 marshmallow into melted butter; roll in the sugar mixture. Place marshmallow on the shortest side of a triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side and rolling to opposite point. Completely cover the marshmallow with the dough; firmly pinch edges to seal. Dip 1 end in remaining butter; place butter side down in muffin cup. 4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. 5. When done, remove from the oven and let the puffs cool in the pan for 1 minute. Remove rolls from muffin cups; place on cooling racks set over waxed paper. Make the glaze and assemble In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve warm. Eric Stonestreet attends 'Eric Stonestreet visits The SiriusXM Hollywood Studios in Los Angeles' at SiriusXM Studios on Oct. 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM/TNS) Thanksgiving is one of the “Modern Family” star’s favorite holidays. Three years ago, as part of a campaign honoring hometown heroes , he shared one of his favorite recipe with McCormick Spices: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Butternut Squash . This recipe serves eight. Ingredients •1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved •1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite-size cubes •1 tablespoon olive oil •1/2 teaspoon garlic powder •1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves •1/2 teaspoon salt •1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper •5 slices bacon, chopped •1 shallot, finely chopped •1/2 cup dried cranberries •1/4 cup balsamic vinegar •1 teaspoon whole grain mustard •1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional) •1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, (optional) Directions 1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Spray large shallow baking pan with no stick cooking spray; set aside. Place Brussels sprouts and squash in large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper; toss to coat evenly. Spread in single layer on prepared pan. 2. Roast 16 to 18 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, stirring halfway through cooking. 3. Meanwhile, cook bacon in medium skillet on medium heat about 6 minutes or until crispy. Remove using slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Add shallot to same skillet; cook and stir 2 minutes until softened and lightly browned. Stir in cranberries, vinegar and mustard until well blended. Transfer mixture to small bowl; set aside. 4. Arrange roasted Brussels sprouts and squash on serving platter. Drizzle with cranberry balsamic glaze and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cooked bacon, toasted pecans, and crumbled blue cheese, if desired. Serve immediately. Donna Kelce, left, mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce watched the game with pop superstar Taylor Swift, center, during the first-half on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. (Tammy Ljungblad/Kansas City Star/TNS) Swift gushed about the sweet potato casserole served at Del Frisco’s Grille in New York City, a dish crowned with a crunchy candied pecan and oatmeal crumble. “I’ve never enjoyed anything with the word casserole in it ever before, but it’s basically sweet potatoes with this brown sugary crust,” she told InStyle. ”Oh my God, it’s amazing.” The media rushed to find the recipe, which Parade has published this Thanksgiving season . “Similar to T. Swift herself, we think this recipe is a mastermind, especially if you’ve been asked to bring the sweet potato side dish to this year’s Thanksgiving feast. It seriously begs the question: who needs pumpkin pie?” the magazine writes. Ingredients •4 lbs sweet potatoes •1⁄3 cup oats •12 oz unsalted butter, divided •1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar •1⁄2 cup toasted pecans •1⁄2 cup granulated sugar •1 tsp kosher salt •2 tsp vanilla extract •4 large eggs, beaten Directions Preheat oven to 375°F. 1. Scrub sweet potatoes. Pierce each several times with a fork and wrap tightly in foil. Place on a sheet pan. Bake 90 minutes or until tender. Set aside until cool enough to handle. 2. Meanwhile, place oats in a food processor; process 1 minute. Add 4 oz butter, brown sugar and pecans; pulse five times to combine. Spread mixture on a baking sheet; bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven, crumble. Bake 5 minutes or until golden brown. 3. Melt remaining 8 oz butter. Remove skin from cooled sweet potatoes. In a large bowl, whisk sweet potatoes, melted butter, granulated sugar and remaining ingredients until slightly lumpy. Transfer to a greased baking dish, smoothing surface evenly. Top with oat mixture. Bake 12 minutes or until heated through. Make-ahead tips •Sweet potato filling can be made up to 2 days in advance. Prepare the sweet potato filling, cool, place in a casserole dish and keep refrigerated. •Oat-pecan crust can also be made up to 2 days ahead. Make the crust according to recipe directions, cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Sprinkle over the sweet potato filling just before baking. With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food.American Airlines fixes technical issue that halted Christmas Eve flights

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NoneBetween cooking, cleaning and hosting, the familiar hustle of the holiday season can sometimes feel more hectic than heartwarming. But what if there were a way to embrace the season while leaving the chaos behind? Holiday cruises make all of this possible, offering the perfect getaway that can be tailored to any vibe – blending festive traditions with the excitement of travel. Imagine sipping hot chocolate in the background of the Northern Lights, exploring sun-drenched islands or maybe enjoying a festive dinner on the sea. Whether looking for family-friendly fun, romance for two or peaceful solo travel, holiday cruises deliver a unique celebration unlike any other. Do you want to skip the stress of the season but don’t want to miss out on the holiday cheer? Rest assured, among the most well-known cruise lines, most of them host elaborate holiday festivities that transform their ships into winter wonderlands complete with decorations, entertainment and activities fit for Santa Claus himself. Instead of buying gifts, stressing over what to cook or bake and cleaning over the holidays, Michelle Price of prefers a holiday cruise for her family. “The ship takes care of everything, from making the beds in the morning to prepping our meals throughout the day. And they have various fun activities to keep us busy,” she says. From towering Christmas trees in the atrium to twinkling lights on every railing, cruises at this time of year are very creative with their festive splendor. Cruises will also complement their aesthetics to match entertainment, including tree-lighting ceremonies, live caroling and holiday movie nights under the stars. Depending on the cruise, you can expect a robust calendar of events with activities like ugly sweater parties, holiday trivia, Santa appearances and even onboard Christmas markets. The holiday wouldn’t feel complete without the food to match, and cruise lines deliver. You can enjoy lavish holiday dinners complete with everything, from the traditional turkey to international Christmas dishes. Some cruises even offer themed buffets with everything, from a turkey carving station to hot and creamy , holiday cocktails, gingerbread-making workshops and seasonal dessert tastings to add fun to the feasts. Cruises cater to various travelers and take the guesswork out of planning a holiday. Unlike a traditional vacation where you are responsible for your own itinerary, cruises do the hard work for you by planning destinations, offering a wide variety of on-board activities and providing varied experiences that appeal to all. A 2024 survey by concluded that 82% of travelers who have cruised before say they would do it again. Traveling with the whole family can often feel like an exercise in logistics that leaves you more stressed than you were before your holiday. Holiday cruises simplify this, offering multigenerational activities, family-friendly dining options and flexible accommodations. The Disney Cruise Line, which includes the Very Merrytime Cruises for the holiday season, is popular for offering exciting kid-centric activities like themed crafts, holiday scavenger hunts and character meet-and-greets. These endless options paired with the kids’ or teens’ clubs keep younger travelers entertained while giving their parents peace of mind. When traveling with older family members, consider reaching out to the cruise ahead of time to find out what accessible options they offer. can sometimes accommodate requests that might be better suited for older folks like avoiding stairs or long walks to reach their room. Couples can rediscover their magic on holiday cruises that offer intimate moments and tailored experiences. The Romantic Cruises by Princess Cruises stand out because of their private balcony dining and couples’ activities like wine tastings or cooking classes to make . However, many holiday cruises offer specialty experiences like date-night-worthy restaurants, sunset strolls on the deck and shared excursions that are sure to create lasting memories. For couples looking to rest and relax, holiday cruises can provide serene spaces, spa suites and infinity verandas that are perfect for unwinding together. Cruises provide the perfect atmosphere for singles to mingle and enjoy the holiday season with company. Social events like trivia nights, dance parties and holiday mixers encourage connection and camaraderie. Certain cruises, like the Norwegian Cruise Line and the Virgin Voyages’ Holiday Cruises, cater specifically to solo travelers. These cruises include adult-only entertainment, curated activities and a vibrant nightlife. Rest assured, these cruises provide plenty of holiday entertainment and seasonal activities that ensure you enjoy yourself while staying close to your holiday traditions. With over 323 cruise ships currently in operation serving 36 million passengers this year alone, according to , how do you choose if you’re a ? Start by confirming that the cruise is appropriate for the needs of your traveling group. Often, experiences that are tailored for a specific group, whether kids or couples, will be described in the cruise line’s name – take for instance, the Disney Cruise Line. You can also check out the on-board activities available to make sure that there are plenty of options for your company. Related Articles Next, consider your budget. Holiday cruises make luxury accessible without breaking the bank, with options as low as $300 for shorter voyages. Cruises will often provide all-inclusive packages that bundle accommodations, dining, entertainment and travel into a single cost-effective experience. The Carnival Cruise line remains a favorite for budget-conscious travelers because of its fun festivities and great dining options. However, even high-end experiences, like the MSC Cruises’ Yacht Club, which includes amenities like private pools, lounges and butler services come at a fraction of the cost of traditional luxury resorts. Lastly, ask yourself what holiday vibe you’re going for. Are you dreaming of a sunny tropical Christmas or perhaps frosty landscapes? Either way, with thousands of options in December alone, as cataloged by , there’s a cruise waiting for you. The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Caribbean Cruises stop at destinations like the Great Stirrup Cay, while Hurtigruten’s Arctic Expeditions sail through breathtaking fjords and snowy landscapes. Holiday cruises offer a unique way to celebrate the season that’s a guaranteed hit without breaking the bank. Consider leaving behind the stress of hosting and planning; step aboard a ship where every detail has been curated to bring enjoyment and relaxation. With the holidays calling, will you answer with a ticket to set sail?Budget Blinds Announces Strategic Changes to Executive Leadership Team