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NoneFans of ITV's Who Wants to be a Millionaire "switched off" as they complained that a festive episode was "painful" to watch. Host Jeremy Clarkson welcomed a number of celebrity faces to the show as they tested their general knowledge skills in a bid to win up to £1 million. First up in the hot seat was English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer and television presenter, Jools Holland . However, he proved that his general knowledge skills were not as strong as his musical skills as he struggled to answered questions without help. Very early on in the game he had already used most of his lifelines, meaning that he got stuck on one of the lower amount questions. Playing for £16,000 - where he set his safety net - Jools was asked: The 'Football for Sale' investigation by the Telegraph newspaper led to the resignation of which England manager? The optional answers were Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Sam Allardyce. Working through the answers, Jools said: "Well, football isn't really my specialist subject but I remember Sven having to leave. "I don't know if it was this. So I'm going to try and go for C - because I seem to remember him having to leave. And that is my final answer." Unfortunately for Jools, Jeremy told the star guest that it was the incorrect answer as he revealed Sam Allardyce to be correct. The musician dropped his head in disappointment as he realised that he was out of the game. Consoling the star, Jeremy said: "If it makes you feel any better, I wouldn't have known that." Jools responded saying: "Oh, well that does make me feel better." He added: "Could I ask this - did anyone in the audience know that?" The audience replied with a choir of "yes". Despite the loss, Jools was leaving the ITV quiz show with £16,000 for his chosen charities - He had been playing for The Princes Trust & Caring Hands. While he secured a respectable amount for his charities, fans on social media were less than impressed. Posting to X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote: "God this is painful, it’s starting to irritate me. Switching off. #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire." Another added: "Jools Holland proving to be detached from the real world here. #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire," with a third saying: "A safety net at 16k Jules Holland is terrible at this game. #WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire." "I expected more of #JoolsHolland ... #whowantstobeamillionaire," one more noted while someone else shared: "Wow. It’s a good job Jools can play the piano well because he’s bloody useless at this.... #whowantstobeamillionaire."OpenAI's For-Profit Transition, Trump's AI Advisor, And Google's Code Red: This Week In AIWhat to know about Scott Turner, Trump's pick for housing secretary
Miami (6-7) at Houston (8-5) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS BetMGM Odds: Texans by 3. Against the spread: Dolphins 5-8; Texans 5-6-2. Series record: Texans lead 8-3. Last meeting: Dolphins beat Texans 30-15, on Nov. 27, 2022, in Miami. Last week: Dolphins beat Jets 32-26 in OT; Texans were off, beat Jaguars 23-20 on Dec. 1. Dolphins offense: overall (19), rush (24), pass (14), scoring (23). Dolphins defense: overall (9), rush (7), pass (11), scoring (T14). Texans offense: overall (18), rush (16), pass (17), scoring (11). Texans defense: overall (5), rush (10), pass (7), scoring (T12). Turnover differential: Dolphins minus-2; Texans plus-10. QB Tua Tagovailoa, who has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL at throwing with anticipation and accuracy since he returned from a concussion in Week 8. Tagovailoa leads the NFL with a 73.8% completion rate and threw for 300 yards for the third straight game last week vs. the Jets. Tagovailoa is the first player in NFL history to have at least 40 pass attempts, multiple touchdown passes and no interceptions in three consecutive games within a single season. QB C.J. Stroud has thrown for at least 225 yards in each of his six home games this season and is 11-4 in 15 starts in Houston, including the playoffs. He has thrown for 3,117 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. Houston RB Joe Mixon vs. Miami’s run defense. Mixon ran for 101 yards in Houston’s previous game for his seventh 100-yard game this season. He ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game. This week he’ll face a run defense that ranks seventh in the NFL by holding teams to 105.6 yards a game. Miami LT Terron Armstead is dealing with a knee injury that limited him to just five snaps last week. He did not practice Wednesday... LBs Bradley Chubb (knee) and Cameron Goode (knee) could make their season debut, depending on how this week of practice goes, coach Mike McDaniel said. ... WRs Tyreek Hill (wrist) and Jaylen Waddle (hamstring), RB Raheem Mostert (hip), and LB Anthony Walker Jr. (hamstring) were among those limited in practice Wednesday. ... Houston S Jalen Pitre is expected to miss a second straight game with a shoulder injury. ... DE Denico Autry was limited in practice Wednesday because of a knee injury. Houston won the first seven meetings in this series. ... Miami didn’t get its first win against the Texans until a 44-26 victory in 2015. ... The Dolphins have won the past two meetings. ... These teams first met in the season opener in 2003 when Houston got a 21-20 win on a late field goal. Three of Miami’s final four games of the season are on the road. ... K Jason Sanders needs 13 points Sunday to reach 800. He also needs one field goal to reach 177, which would give him the second-most field goals made in franchise history. ... TE Jonnu Smith needs 100 yards receiving to reach 792 and set a franchise record for most yards receiving by a tight end in a single season. Smith had three catches for 44 yards, including the game-winning TD vs. the Jets last week after having no receptions during regulation. ... Tagovailoa needs a completion rate of 70% or better on Sunday to reach eight consecutive games completing at least 70% of his passes. That would tie him with Joe Montana (1989) and Drew Brees (2017-18) for the longest streak in NFL history. ... The Dolphins gave up a season-high 402 yards to the Jets last week. Aaron Rodgers burned Miami’s pass defense for 319 yards, and Miami’s secondary allowed a combined 223 yards by Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams. ... Houston can clinch the AFC South title for the second straight year with a win and a loss by Indianapolis Sunday. ... The Texans rank second in the NFL with 84 tackles for loss. ... Their 42 sacks also rank second. ... WR Nico Collins had eight receptions for 119 yards for his fourth 100-yard game this season in Houston’s previous game. He has had at least 75 yards receiving and a TD reception in each of his four home games this season. ... TE Dalton Schultz had five receptions for 61 yards and a score in Week 13. He has had at least five catches in two of his past three games. ... LB Azeez Al-Shaai will serve the first game of a three-game suspension for an illegal hit to the head of QB Trevor Lawrence Sunday. ... DE Danielle Hunter is one of two players in the NFL this season with at least 15 tackles for loss (15) and 10 sacks (10 1/2). It’s his sixth career season with at least 10 sacks. He has eight tackles for loss and five sacks combined in his past three games. ... DE Will Anderson has had a sack in his past two home games. ... LB Henry To’oTo’o has had at least five tackles in four straight games. ... CB Derek Stingley had his third interception of the season in his previous game. ... CB Kamari Lassiter had a career-high eight tackles, including a tackle for loss in Week 13. ... S Jimmie Ward has had an interception in his past two home games. He also had an interception in his previous game against Miami in 2022 while with San Francisco. Collins has 456 yards receiving and four touchdown receptions in four home games this season. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Pritzker ‘disappointed’ in Lion Electric, blames Trump's 'pressure' on EV marketThe Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing gear still closed, and slamming into the wall, triggering an explosion and generating plumes of thick, black smoke. The crash killed 179 people, the South Korean fire agency said. Emergency workers pulled two crew members, to safety. They were conscious and did not appear to have any life-threatening injuries, health officials said. The chief of the Muan fire station, Lee Jeong-hyeon, told a televised briefing that the plane was completely destroyed, with only the tail assembly still recognizable in the wreckage. Officials were investigating the cause of the crash, including whether the aircraft was struck by birds, Lee said. The control tower issued a warning about birds to the plane shortly before it intended to land and gave the crew permission to land in a different area, Transport Ministry officials said. The crew sent out a distress signal shortly before the crash, officials said. Investigators retrieved the jet's flight data and cockpit voice recorders, said senior Transport Ministry official Joo Jong-wan. He said it may take months to complete the probe into the crash. The runway will be closed until Jan. 1, the ministry said. Video of the crash indicated that the pilots did not deploy flaps or slats to slow the aircraft, suggesting a possible hydraulic failure, and they did not manually lower the landing gear, suggesting they did not have time, said John Cox, a retired airline pilot and CEO of Safety Operating Systems in St. Petersburg, Florida. Despite that, the jetliner was under control and traveling in a straight line, and damage and injuries likely would have been minimized if not for a barrier being so close to the runway, Cox said. “It’s all in one piece. Everything is coming along fine until it hits that wall, at which point it disintegrates into a catastrophe,” he said. Another aviation expert said videos showed the aircraft had used up much of the runway before touching down. With little braking ability, the aircraft skidded atop its engine cowlings, said Ross “Rusty” Aimer, CEO of Aero Consulting Experts. “It's basically like skidding on ice,” he said. The Boeing 737-800 is a "proven airplane" that belongs to a different class of aircraft than the Boeing 737 Max jetliner that was linked to fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, added Alan Price, a former chief pilot at Delta Air Lines and now a consultant. More than 4,500 of the planes are in service around the world, according to the aviation analytics company Cirium. One of the survivors was being treated for fractures to his ribs, shoulder blade and upper spine, said Ju Woong, director of the Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital. Ju said the man, whose name was not released, told doctors he “woke up to find (himself) rescued.” Details on the other survivor were not immediately available. The passengers were predominantly South Korean and included two people from Thailand. Officials identified 88 of them in the hours after the crash, the fire agency said. Thailand’s prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, expressed condolences to the families of those aboard the plane in a post on X. Paetongtarn said she ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide assistance. Boonchuay Duangmanee, the father of a Thai passenger, told The Associated Press that his daughter, Jongluk, had been working in a factory in South Korea for several years and returned to Thailand to visit her family. "I never thought that this would be the last time we would see each other forever,” he said. Kerati Kijmanawat, the director of Thailand's airports, confirmed in a statement that Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 departed from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport with no reports of anything abnormal aboard the aircraft or on the runway. Jeju Air in a statement expressed its “deep apology” over the crash and said it will do its “utmost to manage the aftermath of the accident.” In a televised news conference, the company's president, Kim E-bae, bowed deeply with other senior company officials as he apologized to bereaved families and said he feels “full responsibility” for the crash. He said the company had not identified any mechanical problems with the aircraft following regular checkups and that he would wait for the results of government investigations. Family members wailed as officials announced the names of some victims at a lounge in the Muan airport. Boeing said in a statement on X that it was in contact with Jeju Air and was ready to support the company in dealing with the crash. The crash happened as South Korea is embroiled in a political crisis triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning imposition of martial law and ensuing impeachment . South Korean lawmakers on Friday impeached acting President Han Duck-soo and suspended his duties, leading Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok to take over. Choi, who traveled to the site in Muan, called for officials to use all available resources to identify the dead as soon as possible. The government declared Muan a special disaster zone and designated a weeklong national mourning period. Yoon’s office said his chief secretary, Chung Jin-suk, presided over an emergency meeting between senior presidential staff to discuss the crash and reported the details to Choi. Yoon expressed condolences to the victims in a Facebook post. In Rome’s St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said he joined in “prayer for the survivors and the dead.” U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States was ready to offer “any necessary assistance.” The Muan crash is one of the deadliest disasters in South Korea’s aviation history. The last time South Korea suffered a large-scale air disaster was in 1997, when a Korean Airlines plane crashed in Guam, killing 228 people on board. In 2013, an Asiana Airlines plane crash-landed in San Francisco, killing three and injuring about 200. Sunday’s accident was also one of the worst landing disasters since a July 2007 crash that killed all 187 people on board and 12 others on the ground when an Airbus A320 slid off a slick airstrip in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and hit a nearby building, according to data compiled by the Flight Safety Foundation, a nonprofit group aimed at improving air safety. In 2010, 158 people died when an Air India Express aircraft overshot a runway in Mangalore, India, and plummeted into a gorge before erupting into flames, according to the safety foundation. Associated Press journalists David Sharp in Portland, Maine; Paul Wiseman in Washington; Bobby Caina Calvan in New York; Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul and Jintamas Saksornchai in Bangkok; Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo; and Giada Zampano in Rome contributed to this report.
NEW YORK — Are you a YouTube TV subscriber? Your monthly bills are about to get more expensive again. On Thursday, YouTube announced that it's upping the price of its streaming service's base plan by $10 — citing “the rising cost of content" and other investments. The new $82.99 a month price tag will go into effect starting Jan. 13 for existing subscribers, and immediately for new customers who sign up going forward. “We don’t make these decisions lightly, and we realize this impacts our members,” YouTube wrote on X. Google's video giant also directed customers to an online FAQ for more information. Those who currently pay discounted prices, for example, won't see the change until their trial or promotional has elapsed. YouTube TV has rolled out a series of price hikes over the years. When launched back in 2017, the going price of its streaming package was $35 a month. By 2019, that fee rose to $50 — and has climbed higher and higher since. The last time YouTube TV raised its base price, then to $72.99, was in March 2023. Earlier increases arrived as YouTube TV added more and more channels for subscribers to stream live. But licensing disputes have also added pressures — and YouTube has instead attributed its more recent hikes, like those announced both Thursday and last year, to rising operational costs. YouTube TV currently advertises more than 100 channels from broadcast, cable and regional sports networks, a DVR with unlimited storage and up to six accounts per household with three concurrent streams. And the platform says its latest price increase won't change any of that. While YouTube TV's live offerings are much different than individual online libraries seen from other popular streamers today, it’s no secret that streaming is getting more expensive overall — particularly as consumers juggle multiple subscriptions to access all the content they want. In recent years, big names like Netflix, Apple TV and Disney have all either hikes their prices or added things like ad-supported tiers and password limits. And more and more streamers have also tapped into bundles to get in on the live action. YouTube TV's new $82.99 price is the same as that advertised for Disney’s Hulu Live TV bundle. As of February, YouTube said it had more than 8 million YouTube TV subscribers. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.Los Alamos Chief Engineer Joins Nuclear Fusion Startup Fuse to Lead Federal Business
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it's usually a backhanded compliment. They say he's a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn't try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here's the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that's hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. "I get it — we have a really passionate fan base and they're a huge part of our success," Allar said Sunday at College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day. "For us, we always want to go out there every drive and end with a touchdown, so when we don't do that, there's nobody more frustrated than us." The polarizing Allar is having a solid season by just about any standard, completing more than 68% of his passes for 3,021 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the sixth-seeded Nittany Lions to a 12-2 record and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl for Tuesday's game against No. 3 seed Boise State. But in a college football world filled with high-scoring, explosive offenses, Allar's no-frills performances often are the object of ire. The Penn State offense is a run-first bunch, led by the talented combo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. "If we had a nickel for every time there was a Monday morning quarterback saying some BS stuff, we'd all be pretty rich," offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said. "I think part of being a quarterback, especially at Penn State but really anywhere, is how you respond to and manage criticism." The 20-year-old Allar has made strides in that department after a trying 2023 season that finished with a 10-3 record. He says that's largely because once fall camp started back in August, he logged off the social media platform X. Allar said negative online experiences wore on him last year, and his phone number was leaked a few times, which added to the stress. He finally realized that controlling outside narratives was impossible, so the best course of action was to eliminate a needless distraction. "I've been more mentally free, as much as that sounds crazy," Allar said. "I think that's been a huge difference for me this year." The biggest criticism of Allar — and really Penn State as a whole during the 11-year James Franklin era — is that he isn't capable of winning the big games. He's 0-2 against rival Ohio State and threw a late interception against Oregon in the Big Ten title game earlier this month, which sealed the Ducks' 45-37 victory. He wasn't great in the CFP's first round, either, completing just 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards as Penn State muscled past SMU 38-10 on a cold, blustery day to advance to the Fiesta Bowl. But the quarterback is confident a better performance — aided by a game that will be played in comfortable temperatures in a domed stadium — is coming. "For me, I just have to execute those (easy) throws early in the game and get our guys into rhythm," Allar said. "Get them involved early as much as I can and that allows us to stay on the field longer, call more plays and open up our offense more. That will help us a ton, building the momentum throughout the game." Allar might be a favorite punching bag for a section of the Penn State fan base, but that's not the case in his own locker room. Star tight end Tyler Warren praised his quarterback's ability to avoid sacks, saying that the 6-foot-5, 238-pounder brings a toughness that resonates with teammates. "He's a football player," Warren said. "He plays quarterback, but when you watch him play and the energy he brings and the way he runs the ball, he's just a football player and that fires up our offense." Now Allar and Penn State have a chance to silence critics who say that the Nittany Lions don't show up in big games. Not that he's worried about what other people think. "I think it's a skill at the end of the day — blocking out the outside noise," Allar said. "Focusing on you and the process and being honest with yourself, both good and bad." Get local news delivered to your inbox!Bjork is 'absolutely' confident that Day will return next year at Ohio StateHarry and Meghan 's absence from Selfridges' Royal bauble collection has become the butt of jokes online, with shoppers quipping they might end up "in the bargain bin". Fans looking to add a regal touch to their tree can snap up £40 ornaments representing King Charles, the late Queen Elizabeth, or the Prince and Princess of Wales at the iconic Oxford Street location. Sadly, the Sussexes and Queen Consort Camilla are conspicuously missing from the luxury lineup. Jibes about the oversight have spread across social media, with one user quipping: "I'm presuming that the Harry and Meghan baubles are in the bargain bin?!" Another chimed in: "I am sure Queen Camilla is very grateful!" READ MORE: Dad slams school as he's forced to take autistic daughter home every time she needs the toilet However, not everyone is thrilled by the appearance of the decorations, with comments ranging from labelling them as "tacky" to bluntly questioning, "Who in God's name would want to look at William or his dad?" Others disparaged the looks of the Royal couple’s baubles, with a detractor saying: "Both awful looking. No doubt the royal sycophants on here will lap these up, though." Within the walls of Selfridges, while many were initially taken by the quirky baubles, sticker shock was common. A pair of American tourists, after posing beside Prince William's likeness, protested: "It's nice - but not for £40!" Another shopper voiced her skepticism to a companion, musing: "They're sweet - but £40 just for one?" Prince William's baubles found themselves nestled among those fashioned after British icon Audrey Hepburn and the American star Post Malone. Surrounding the future king were glittering figures of Amy Winehouse, Harry Styles , Freddie Mercury , Britney Spears, and Paul Hollywood. These festive ornaments, crafted from coloured glass, stand approximately 12 - 13cm tall. King Charles graces one in his majestic Coronation Day regalia, while a separate bauble honours Queen Elizabeth adorned with one of her numerous crowns. On its website, Selfridges extols its Kate Middleton decoration, calling it "a stunning depiction of Her Royal Highness Princess Kate ." About its Prince William ornament, the retailer boasts: "This piece is sure to add a hint of regal sophistication to your Christmas decor."
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This is according to the Financial Sector Skills Survey released by the Kigali International Finance Centre (KIFC), aimed at taking stock of the existing financial talent pool in Rwanda's financial sector and determining the gap in terms of capabilities and skills. Rwanda Finance Limited, the agency tasked with promoting KIFC, targets to attract $600 million in assets into the centre by 2025. However, according to the report, gaps in the availability of skilled and experienced professionals and the current fragmented training system, pose a significant challenge to the growth of the financial centre. According to Anita Mutesi, Senior Capacity Building Program Manager at the Rwanda Finance Limited, the financial sector lacks certified specialised professionals. Only 2 per cent of the approximately 37,000 professionals employed in Rwanda's financial sector, are certified, she said, adding that these professionals are not sufficient to serve the investors coming in through the KIFC. ALSO READ:FEATURED: KIFC, a beacon of financial sector stability, progress in the region Mutesi noted that the skills gap in the financial sector, if not addressed, will jeopardise the efforts of the financial centre. If investors come in and do not find the skills they are looking for, they either leave or bring in their own people, defeating one of KIFC's purposes of creating jobs, she said. Rwanda Finance limited CEO, Nick Barigye, said the survey also highlighted the need for emerging skills for the future. “The demand for expertise in areas such as corporate governance, FinTech, green finance, risk management is growing exponentially,” he said, adding that there is an opportunity to develop specialised training programmes and partnerships that cater to these needs. Employability The report indicates that while 60 per cent of finance and accounting graduates are employed, only 9 per cent actually work in the finance sector, indicating that the sector is not absorbing the graduates. This low employability rate, the reports says, indicates a need for better alignment between university curriculums and industry needs. Christine Baingana, Rwanda Academy of Finance steering committee Chairperson and CEO of Urwego Finance, said there is a need to address the non-alignment of education curriculums and industry needs. Overhauling the education sector is a massive endeavor, but adding elements like critical thinking, analytical thinking and financial modelling would be a good foundation on which the financial sector can build on and upskill the professionals,” she noted. Richard Tushabe, the Minister of State in charge of the National Treasury at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), said the survey should serve as a wake-up call to the education sector ALSO READ: How can the skills gap among youth be addressed? The skills gap and low employability rate of graduates, highlights the urgent need for targeted strategies to realign the education system in our country with industry demands, Tushabe said. Gender disparities The survey also brought to the fore the gender disparities in the financial sector, with more men employed than women. Simon Kibe, a human resource consultant, emphasised the need to do more to accommodate women in the financial services sector, citing a bias towards men. There is a bias towards men in the sector probably because they can spend long hours at work. The sector needs to customise the workplace to accommodate the needs of women, especially those with young children and enable them to play at the same level as men, she observed. A number of financial institutions in the country have established a mother's room, designed to cater to the needs of nursing mothers and their infants during working hours, a move that is slowly helping to promote gender equality in the financial sector. Low hanging fruits Developing specialised skills for the financial sector takes a significant amount of time, but given its target to become a financial hub in the region and the wider continent, the country does not have the luxury of time. “The private sector should be encouraged or incentivised to provide internship to graduates, Kibe said, adding that mechanisms such as waiving Pay As You Earn (PAYE) for interns in the short employment period could encourage the culture of professional internships. Kato Kimbugwe, Managing Director, Vanguard Economics, said, The low hanging fruit for me is internship programmes, driven by the private sector, and linked to universities.” The report also recommends a training levy that will be used to train staff in specialised roles and reduce poaching. To attract and retain specialised skilled staff in the financial sector, the report recommends salary incentives, by benchmarking with other countries in the region or by offering performance-based bonuses.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tesi Kaven" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }
Home of Mavericks star Luka Doncic is burglarized
ISTANBUL: Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), is “ready to make a call” to back a new initiative by the Turkish government to end decades of conflict, Turkiye’s pro-Kurd party said Sunday. Two lawmakers from the DEM party made a rare visit to Ocalan on Saturday on his prison island, the first by the party in almost a decade, amid signs of easing tensions between the Turkish government and the PKK. On Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government approved DEM’s request to visit the founder of the PKK, which is designated a terror group by Turkiye and its Western allies. Ocalan has been serving a life sentence on the island of Imrali south of Istanbul since 1999. The government’s approval of the visit comes two months after the head of Turkiye’s nationalist MHP party, Devlet Bahceli, extended Ocalan a shock olive branch, inviting him to parliament to renounce terror and disband his group, a move backed by Erdogan. “I have the competence and determination to make a positive contribution to the new paradigm started by Mr.Bahceli and Mr.Erdogan,” Ocalan said, according to a DEM statement Sunday. Ocalan said the visiting delegation would share his approach with both the state and political circles. “In light of this, I am ready to take the necessary positive steps and make the call.” DEM party co-chair Tuncer Bakirhan lauded Ocalan’s appeal as “historic opportunity to build a common future,” in a message on social media platform X. “We are on the eve of a potential democratic transformation across Turkiye and the region. Now is the time for courage and foresight for an honorable peace,” he said. The PKK has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, claiming tens of thousands of lives. A peace process between the PKK and the government collapsed in 2015, unleashing violence especially in the Kurdish-majority southeast. The new initiative launched in October by Bahceli, who has been fiercely hostile to the PKK, sparked a public debate, with Erdogan hailing it as a “historic window of opportunity.” But a deadly terror attack in October on a Turkish defense company in the capital Ankara, for which PKK militants claimed responsibility, put those hopes on hold. Turkiye launched strikes on Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria after the attack, which killed five people. “Re-strengthening the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood is not only a historical responsibility but also... an urgency for all peoples,” Ocalan said, according to the DEM statement. He said all the efforts would “take the country to the level it deserves” and become a “very valuable guide for a democratic transformation.” “It’s time for peace, democracy and brotherhood in Turkiye and the region.” The new outreach by both sides comes as Islamist rebels consolidate their control in neighboring Syria after toppling its strongman president Bashar Assad. Turkiye hopes Syria’s new leaders will address the issue of Kurdish forces in the country, which Ankara sees as a terror group affiliated to the PKK. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his US counterpart Antony Blinken in a phone call on Saturday that Kurdish fighters “cannot be allowed to take shelter in Syria,” according to the ministry spokesman. According to the DEM statement, Ocalan said developments in Syria had shown that outside interference would only complicate the problem, and a solution could no longer be postponed.
NoneWho plays on 'Monday Night Football' tonight? Time, TV channel, schedule for NFL Week 17 game | Sporting NewsMHA promotes Gilani (IPS) to DGP rank JAMMU: The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has ordered the promotion of senior IPS Officer, Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gilani to the DGP Grade with effect from the date of assumption of charge. An order issued by Rakesh Kumar Singh, Under Secretary to Government of India, reads: “In pursuance to the recommendations of the Screening Committee in its meeting held on 20.12.2023 and with the approval of the Competent Authority, Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gilani, IPS (AGMUT:1994) is herby promoted to the DGP Grade (Level-16 IN THE PAY MATRIX) with effect from the date of assumption of charge”. UP Invites LG For Maha Kumbh Mela Jammu: Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday extended an invitation to Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha for his participation in Maha Kumbh Mela. Organised every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh will be held from January 13 to February 26 in UP’s in Prayagraj. Over 40 crore people are expected to attend the mela, making it a record-breaking event. On behalf of the UP CM Yogi Adityanath, science and technology minister Anil Kumar and Minister of State for minority welfare Danish Azad Ansari reached Jammu to handover the invitation to the LG and chief minister Omar Abdullah. “We are here on the directions of CM Adityanath to extend an invitation to LG Sinha, CM Abdullah and all the people for the Maha Kumbh, which is a symbol of India’s great culture and diversity besides an opportunity to carry forward our heritage,” Ansari told reporters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Prayagraj tomorrow to personally oversee the arrangements made by the UP government for the Maha Kumbh, the minister said. Meanwhile, minister Kumar said they are in Jammu and Kashmir to invite the people to “take a dip in the confluence of faith”. “We are meeting LG shortly and will also call upon the chief minister later in the day to hand over the invitation to them,” he said. Responding to a question on the security measures for the mega event, Kumar said a seven-layered security cordon covering both outer and inner circles will be ensured for the safety of the devotees. Asked whether the invitation will be extended to Congress leaders after they skipped Ram temple inauguration in Ayodhya, he said this is a religious affair and the UP CM has formed various two-member teams to visit all parts of the country to extend invitations to the chief ministers and others. He said the railways are running special trains to facilitate the devotees to reach the venue. They also requested for the participation of cultural organisations and citizens from across Jammu Kashmir in this sacred festival, it said.
BEIJING , Nov. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from China.org.cn. Is used cooking oil also clean energy? Which energy sources can make our world cleaner? What does the whole supply chain look like? Our host Jason had an eye-opening day at the 2nd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE). Jason didn't expect to find used cooking oil at the clean energy section of CISCE. Beijing Haixin Energy Technology can transform used cooking oil into Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). Mixed with diesel, it can be used by cars, ships and planes. The first test point is in Beijing's Haidian district, creating a closed-loop system from collection to reuse. SINOPEC showed the large-capacity refueling dual-pressure liquid-driven hydrogen compressor, the largest of its kind in China . It'll power SINOPEC's new hydrogen station in Cangzhou, fueling over 100 heavy trucks. This saves over 5,000 tons of carbon emissions per year, equivalent to planting 500 hectares of trees, about the size of 700 soccer fields! And SINOPEC is building a complete hydrogen network from production to fueling stations. China National Offshore Oil Corporation(CNOOC)LNG-tanks store liquified natural gas (LNG). The gas is kept super cold, at minus 162 degrees. That extreme cold actually is very useful. It can be used for fish farms, cold storage warehouses, and even indoor snow parks. It is like a free air conditioning. Dongfang Turbine Co., Ltd. showed China's first self-developed F-class 50 MW heavy-duty gas turbine. It generates 50,000 kWh of electricity per hour, enough to supply 7,000 homes for a day. It cuts carbon dioxide emissions by 500,000 tons per year, equal to the amount of the gas absorbed by 4.5 million trees yearly. The turbine has over 20,000 parts. The company cooperated with universities, research institutions and more than 300 companies, 39 of them are specialized high-tech firms. Here you can see the upstream, midstream and downstream companies. In CISCE, this open platform, the global supply chain becomes much smoother. http://www.china.org.cn/business/2024-11/30/content_117578624.htm Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cf9dSj0eRgAsian shares were mixed on Monday after stocks fell broadly on Friday as Wall Street closed out a holiday-shortened week on a down note. U.S. futures were lower while oil prices were little changed. In Asia, South Korea’s Kospi added 0.6% to 2,418.80. But shares of Jeju Air Co. lost 8.8% after one of the company’s jets skidded off a runway , slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames Sunday in South Korea as its landing gear failed to deploy. 179 people died in the crash. Political turmoil continued as South Korean law enforcement officials requested a court warrant on Monday to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. They are investigating whether his martial law decree on Dec. 3 amounted to rebellion. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index lost 0.9% to 39,914.21 as the dollar gained against the Japanese yen, trading at 157.83 yen, up from 157.75 yen. The Tokyo market will wrap up trading for 2024 with a yearend ceremony as Japan begins its New Year holidays, the biggest festival of the year. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong shed 0.3% to 20,030.63 while the Shanghai Composite index was up 0.3% at 3,408.72. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.9% to 8,191.50. On Friday, the S&P 500 fell 1.1% to 5,970.84. Roughly 90% of stocks in the benchmark index lost ground, but it managed to hold onto a modest gain of 0.7% for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.8% to 42,992.21. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell 1.5%, to 19,722.03. The losses were made worse by sharp declines for the Big Tech stocks known as the “Magnificent 7”, which can heavily influence the direction of the market because of their large size. A wide range of retailers also fell. Amazon fell 1.5% and Best Buy slipped 1.5%. The sector is being closely watched for clues on how it performed during the holiday shopping season. The S&P 500 gained nearly 3% over a 3-day stretch before breaking for the Christmas holiday. On Thursday, the index posted a small decline. Despite Friday's drop, the market is moving closer to another standout annual finish . The S&P 500 is on track for a gain of around 25% in 2024. That would mark a second consecutive yearly gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The gains have been driven partly by upbeat economic data showing that consumers continued spending and the labor market remained strong. Inflation, while still high, has also been steadily easing. A report on Friday showed that sales and inventory estimates for the wholesales trade industry fell 0.2% in November, following a slight gain in October. That weaker-than-expected report follows an update on the labor market Thursday that showed unemployment benefits held steady last week. The stream of upbeat economic data and easing inflation helped prompt a reversal in the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy this year. Expectations for interest rate cuts also helped drive market gains. The central bank recently delivered its third cut to interest rates in 2024. Even though inflation has come closer to the central bank's target of 2%, it remains stubbornly above that mark and worries about it heating up again have tempered the forecast for more interest rate cuts. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market’s path ahead and shifting economic policies under incoming President Donald Trump. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. In other dealings early Monday, U.S. benchmark crude oil picked up 1 cent to $70.61 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, lost 1 cent to $73.78 per barrel. The euro fell to $1.0427 from $1.0433.