Kuwait first in region to offer children RSV, pneumonia vaccines"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.
Jalandhar: Updated voter lists were not uploaded on any official website till Monday evening even as the process of filing nominations for the elections to five municipal corporations in Punjab has started, according to Jalandhar District Congress Committee president and former MLA Rajinder Beri, Punjab Congress Legal Wing state general secretary Parminder Singh Vig and district president Gurjit Singh Kahlon. Questioning Punjab State Election Commission and district administration on appointment of returning officers, they said as no PCS officer had been appointed as returning officer, it showed the state govt wanted to use administrative officials to build pressure. They claimed that mainly engineers from different departments had been appointed as ROs. We also published the following articles recently G Poonguzhali appointed as nodal officer for Hema Committee cases G Poonguzhali IPS, AIG Coastal Security, has been designated as the nodal officer and point of contact for victims whose cases stem from the Justice Hema Committee report. This officer will act as a single point of contact for those facing threats or intimidation during the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) investigations. Answers uploaded on website to 3 questions in MPSC prelims confound aspirants Maharashtra State Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2024 aspirants contest MPSC's answer key for three questions related to science, economics, and geography. Candidates cite discrepancies in census data, coal locations in Chandrapur, and population growth theories, providing references and urging corrections. MPSC secretary assures review and rectification if necessary. Odisha IPS officer appointed as ITBP IG Odisha cadre IPS officer Ashish Kumar Singh has been appointed as the new IG of Indo-Tibetan Border Police. The 2004-batch officer's five-year tenure begins upon assuming the post. Previously, Singh faced controversy and removal as IG (central range) following election interference allegations. He then served as IG (CM's security) before being reassigned as an officer on special duty. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Capital project: plugging in profits from a big battery
Tyler Herro scores 27 before ejection in Heat's 104-100 win over RocketsFormer Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had a special bond with Visakhapatnam and participated in quite a few programmes in the city, including the laying of foundation stone for the expansion of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP). He was also instrumental in the expansion of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). There was an air of festivity at the VSP during the visit of Dr. Singh on May 20, 2006. “He laid the foundation stone for expansion of the VSP, besides presenting the PM’s trophy for being the Best Integrated Steel Plant from the same platform. The then CMD, Y. Siva Sagar Rao, received the trophy from Dr. Singh,” recalled a VSP official on Friday. The then Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the then Union Minister of Steel, Ram Vilas Paswan, and the then MP, T. Subbarami Reddy, were among those present on the occasion. The stone was laid for expansion of the steel plant capacity from 3 million tonnes to 6.3 million tonnes. “Dr. Singh was instrumental in the merger of Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), which was then in losses, with the Defence sector and the Bharat Heavy Plate and Vessels Limited (BHPV) with the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). He had announced that another shipyard would be allotted to Andhra Pradesh. He had participated in the inaugural of the Gangavaram Port and played a key role in the setting up of the Naval Alternate Operating Base (NAOB) at Rambilli in Visakhapatnam district,” Koyya Prasada Reddy, former Chairman of AP Technology Services (APTS), told The Hindu . Dr. Singh, who was the chief guest at the five-day Indian Science Congress, organised by the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) at Andhra University in January 2008, had announced a new scheme – INSPIRE – to attract talent. Dr. Singh had launched INS Arihant, the nuclear-powered submarine, which was built at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), on July 26, 2009, the anniversary of ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’, organised to mark the victory of India over Pakistan in the Kargil War. He had asked his wife Gursharan Kaur to break the coconut to mark the launch of the submarine. Meanwhile, leaders of political parties and others from various walks of life condoled the demise of Dr. Singh. YSRCP MLC Botcha Satyanarayana paid tributes to Dr. Singh in the city. Former Minister Gudivada Amarnath garlanded the portrait of Dr. Singh at the party office. Rajya Sabha member Golla Babu Rao, MLC Varudu Kalyani, party leaders T. Vijay Kumar, T. Nagireddy and Chintalapudi Venkataramaiah paid tributes to the departed leader. Published - December 28, 2024 02:40 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Andhra Pradesh / politics / Indian National Congress
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By CHRISTINE FERNANDO CHICAGO (AP) — As Donald Trump’s Cabinet begins to take shape, those on both sides of the abortion debate are watching closely for clues about how his picks might affect reproductive rights policy in the president-elect’s second term . Trump’s cabinet picks offer a preview of how his administration could handle abortion after he repeatedly flip-flopped on the issue on the campaign trail. He attempted to distance himself from anti-abortion allies by deferring to states on abortion policy, even while boasting about nominating three Supreme Court justices who helped strike down the constitutional protections for abortion that had stood for half a century. In an NBC News interview that aired Sunday, Trump said he doesn’t plan to restrict medication abortion but also seemed to leave the door open, saying “things change.” “Things do change, but I don’t think it’s going to change at all,” he said. The early lineup of his new administration , including nominations to lead health agencies, the Justice Department and event the Department of Veterans Affairs, has garnered mixed — but generally positive — reactions from anti-abortion groups. Abortion law experts said Trump’s decision to include fewer candidates with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement could indicate that abortion will not be a priority for Trump’s administration. “It almost seems to suggest that President Trump might be focusing his administration in other directions,” said Greer Donley, an associate law professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Karen Stone, vice president of public policy at Planned Parenthood Action Fund , said while many of the nominees have “extensive records against reproductive health care,” some do not. She cautioned against making assumptions based on Trump’s initial cabinet selections. Still, many abortion rights groups are wary, in part because many of the nominees hold strong anti-abortion views even if they do not have direct ties to anti-abortion activists. They’re concerned that an administration filled with top-level officials who are personally opposed to abortion could take steps to restrict access to the procedure and funding. After Trump’s ambiguity about abortion during his campaign, “there’s still a lot we don’t know about what policy is going to look like,” said Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law. That approach may be revealed as the staffs within key departments are announced. Trump announced he would nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department, which anti-abortion forces have long targeted as central to curtailing abortion rights nationwide. Yet Kennedy shifted on the issue during his own presidential campaign. In campaign videos, Kennedy said he supports abortion access until viability , which doctors say is sometime after 21 weeks, although there is no defined timeframe. But he also said “every abortion is a tragedy” and argued for a national ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a stance he quickly walked back. The head of Health and Human Services oversees Title X funding for a host of family planning services and has sweeping authority over agencies that directly affect abortion access, including the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The role is especially vital amid legal battles over a federal law known as EMTALA, which President Joe Biden’s administration has argued requires emergency abortion access nationwide, and FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. Mini Timmaraju, president of the national abortion rights organization Reproductive Freedom for All, called Kennedy an “unfit, unqualified extremist who cannot be trusted to protect the health, safety and reproductive freedom of American families.” His potential nomination also has caused waves in the anti-abortion movement. Former Vice President Mike Pence , a staunch abortion opponent, urged the Senate to reject Kennedy’s nomination. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said the group had its own concerns about Kennedy. “There’s no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary,” she said. Fox News correspondent Marty Makary is Trump’s pick to lead the FDA, which plays a critical role in access to medication abortion and contraception. Abortion rights groups have accused him of sharing misinformation about abortion on air. Russell Vought , a staunch anti-abortion conservative, has been nominated for director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought was a key architect of Project 2025 , a right-wing blueprint for running the federal government. Among other actions to limit reproductive rights, it calls for eliminating access to medication abortion nationwide, cutting Medicaid funding for abortion and restricting access to contraceptive care, especially long-acting reversible contraceptives such as IUD’s. Despite distancing himself from the conservative manifesto on the campaign trail, Trump is stocking his administration with people who played central roles in developing Project 2025. Trump acknowledged that drafters of the report would be part of his incoming administration during the Sunday interview with NBC News, saying “Many of those things I happen to agree with.” “These cabinet appointments all confirm that Project 2025 was in fact the blueprint all along, and the alarm we saw about it was warranted,” said Amy Williams Navarro, director of government relations for Reproductive Freedom for All. Dr. Mehmet Oz , Trump’s choice to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is a former television talk show host who has been accused of hawking dubious medical treatments and products. He voiced contradictory abortion views during his failed Senate run in 2022. Oz has described himself as “strongly pro-life, praised the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade , claimed “life starts at conception” and referred to abortion as “murder.” But he also has echoed Trump’s states-rights approach, arguing the federal government should not be involved in abortion decisions. “I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy that’s always allowed our nation to thrive to put the best ideas forward so states can decide for themselves,” he said during a Senate debate two years ago. An array of reproductive rights groups opposed his Senate run. As CMS administrator, Oz would be in a key position to determine Medicaid coverage for family planning services and investigate potential EMTALA violations. Related Articles National Politics | Honor after exoneration: Port Chicago sailors’ fight for justice isn’t over National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president National Politics | With Trump on the way, advocates look to states to pick up medical debt fight As Florida’s attorney general, Pam Bondi defended abortion restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period. Now she’s Trump’s choice for attorney general . Her nomination is being celebrated by abortion opponents but denounced by abortion rights groups concerned she may revive the Comstock Act , an anti-vice law passed by Congress in 1873 that, among other things, bans mailing of medication or instruments used in abortion. An anti-abortion and anti-vaccine former Florida congressman, David Weldon, has been chosen to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which collects and monitors abortion data across the country. Former Republican congressman Doug Collins is Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs amid a political battle over abortion access and funding for troops and veterans. Collins voted consistently to restrict funding and access to abortion and celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade. “This is a team that the pro-life movement can work with,” said Kristin Hawkins, president of the national anti-abortion organization Students for Life.TAXPAYERS who meet a certain criteria could be handed up to $1,400 in "special payments" from the IRS. As part of continuing efforts to help taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service announced that it will issue automatic payments to eligible people who did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. The Recovery Rebate Credit is a "refundable credit for individuals who did not receive one or more Economic Impact Payments also known as stimulus payments," said the IRS. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Only those who failed to claim the RRC for the 2021 tax year or have not yet filed for 2021 are eligible. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS previously issued three rounds of stimulus payments. This means most, if not all, eligible people have already received stimulus payments and won't be eligible to claim the special payment. Read More on IRS The payments vary depending on several factors, but are capped at $1,400. The estimated amount of payments going out will be about $2.4 billion to over million Americans. Eligible taxpayers do not need to take action to receive these payments. They will go out automatically in December and should arrive by late January 2025. The payments will be automatically direct deposited or sent by paper check; those who are eligible will receive a separate letter notifying them of the payment. Most read in Money 'MINIMIZE HEADACHES' “The IRS continues to work hard to make improvements and help taxpayers,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “These payments are an example of our commitment to go the extra mile for taxpayers. Looking at our internal data, we realized that one million taxpayers overlooked claiming this complex credit when they were actually eligible." "To minimize headaches and get this money to eligible taxpayers, we’re making these payments automatic, meaning these people will not be required to go through the extensive process of filing an amended return to receive it." The IRS also reminded taxpayers who haven’t filed 2021 tax returns they might be eligible as well. Those who haven't filed yet have until April 15, 2025 to claim the credit and any other refund they might be owed. AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS Taxpayers who qualify but did not claim the credit on their 2021 tax return should receive payments by late January 2025. The payment will be sent to the bank account listed on the taxpayer’s 2023 tax return. In addition, an IRS letter will be sent to the taxpayer receiving these 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit payments. If the taxpayer closed their bank account after filing their 2023 tax return, taxpayers do not need to take any action. The bank will return the payment to the IRS and the refund will be reissued to the listed address. Read More on The US Sun Meanwhile, Americans go crazy over viral social media posts claiming stimulus checks are coming. And individuals with unprocessed tax returns by the IRS will be accruing interest.The Miami Hurricanes, who once appeared to be a near-lock for the College Football Playoff, are not playing for a national title. Instead, they will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando. That bowl berth against Iowa State is a let-down for fans with dreams of a sixth national title in their minds, as well as players hoping to compete for a championship. However, Miami’s trip to Orlando and the lead-up to it are still crucial periods for the Hurricanes for multiple reasons. First, it’s a chance for the program to achieve something it has not done in more than two decades: win 11 games. Although the 11th win won’t get them closer to a championship, it is a good sign of the program’s progress over Mario Cristobal’s tenure. It would also end UM’s five-game losing streak in bowls. “We’re not satisfied,” Cristobal said. “We want to win every single game. We won 10. We were close on the other two, but close isn’t good enough. We want progress. We’re hungry and driven to get better, and so that’s what our focus is on: to improving as a football program, to getting better, to moving into the postseason with an opportunity against a great football team like this and putting our best on the field.” There are signs the Hurricanes will show up at close to full strength for the bowl game. Running back Damien Martinez announced he was going to play, and star quarterback Cam Ward said in a video call posted on social media that he intends to play, as well. “We’re trying to win our first bowl game in 20 years,” Ward said in the video, mistaking the length of UM’s long bowl losing streak. “We’re going hard.” Playing in the bowl game also provides the opportunity for the Hurricanes to get in several practices between now and the game. That means Miami can develop its young players and prepare them for next season during both the practices and the bowl game itself. “It’s extremely valuable,” Cristobal said. “You really don’t have many opportunities throughout the course of the year — time is limited more and more each season with your student-athletes. I want to state this and be very clear: it’s very important, it’s ultra-important for the University of Miami to continue to develop and grow and progress by stressing the importance of offseason opportunities ... You learn a lot about your team and learn a lot about your people and your program when you head to the postseason.” Of course, there are potential negatives. Players can get hurt; Mark Fletcher Jr. suffered a foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl last year that cost him all of spring practice. A poor performance can also potentially set the tone for next season, like how Florida State, fresh off a playoff snub last year, suffered a devastating loss against Georgia in the Orange Bowl and went on to a dismal 2-10 season this year. “This is the ending of ’24 and the beginning of ’25,” Cristobal said. “This is the last opportunity to be on the field and carry some momentum into the offseason. So it is, in essence, it is the most important game because it’s the next game. “There’s a lot of excitement in the form of opportunity for our guys. Our guys love to play football. The chance to play one more time with this special group — this is a special group of guys now. They’ve worked hard to really change the trajectory of the University of Miami, and they want to continue to elevate the status and the culture at the University of Miami. So certainly a ton to play for.” ____
Vincerx Pharma Enters into a Binding Term Sheet for a Strategic Merger with Oqory, Inc.ROSEN, RECOGNIZED INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Match Group, Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel ...HOUSTON (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 27 points before being one of six people ejected after a fight in the final minute of the Miami Heat’s 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. Herro was thrown to the ground by the Rockets’ Amen Thompson with 35 seconds left and the Heat leading 99-94. Players and coaches from both benches then came onto the court. Both players were thrown out along with Rockets guard Jalen Green, coach Ime Udoka and assistant coach Ben Sullivan. Terry Rozier was also ejected for Miami. Houston led 92-85 after Fred VanVleet’s layup with 8:10 to play, but the Rockets missed their next 11 shots, allowing Miami to tie the game when Herro found Haywood Highsmith for a 3-pointer with 4:47 to play. Herro’s jumper with 1:56 to play put the Heat on top for good. MAGIC 102, NETS 101 ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Cole Anthony drove for a layup with 0.2 seconds left to complete Orlando's 17-point fourth-quarter comeback in a win over Brooklyn. Cam Thomas missed a jumper from the corner at the final horn. Anthony scored 10, and Tristan da Silva scored 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter for Orlando, which was down 71-51 midway through the third quarter. Goga Bitadze added 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. The Magic’s comeback was their second in eight days after Orlando rallied from 25 points down to beat Miami 121-114 on Dec. 21. Thomas came off the bench with 25 points to lead the Nets in his first game since Nov. 25. Jalen Wilson added 16 points including two free throws with 6.2 seconds left. Thomas, Brooklyn’s leading scorer with 24.7 points per game, played 25 minutes after missing 13 games with a strained left hamstring. PACERS 123, CELTICS 114 BOSTON (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points and Indiana rebounded from a 37-point loss to Boston two nights earlier by winning the rematch. Andrew Nembhard, who returned after missing Friday’s game with tendinitis in his left knee, added 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Pacers. Pascal Siakam chipped in with 17 points and Bennedict Mathurin had 14. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 31 points and six assists. Jayson Tatum had 22 points, nine boards and six assists. Payton Pritchard added 21 points and Derrick White scored 17. The Celtics lost their sixth game at home already this season. Last season, they went 37-4 at TD Garden during the regular season and 9-2 in the playoffs en route to the NBA championship. HAWKS 136, RAPTORS 107 TORONTO (AP) — Trae Young had 34 points and 10 assists, De’Andre Hunter scored 22 points and Atlanta routed Toronto for their fourth straight win. Clint Capela had 11 points and 13 rebounds as the Hawks opened a six-game trip by handing the reeling Raptors their 10th consecutive loss. Scottie Barnes scored 19 points and RJ Barrett had 17, but the Raptors fell behind by more than 30 points and allowed more than 130 for the second straight game. Toronto gave up a franchise-worst 155 points in Thursday’s loss at Memphis. Young shot 7 for 13 from 3-point range, singlehandedly making as many shots from distance than the entire Raptors team, who combined to go 7 for 24. Toronto’s Bruce Brown made his season debut after sitting out the first 31 games recovering from right knee surgery. Brown soared for a one-handed dunk for his first points shortly after entering the game in the first quarter. He finished with 12 points in 19 minutes. THUNDER 130, GRIZZLIES 106 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and Oklahoma City won their 11th straight game, beating short-handed Memphis in a matchup of Western Conference leaders that turned lopsided before halftime. Rookie Ajay Mitchell scored 17 points, Aaron Wiggins contributed 16 and Jalen Williams added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder (26-5), who opened a five-game lead over second-place Memphis. Gilgeous-Alexander made 14 of 19 shots to go along with seven assists, six rebounds and a team-high four blocks. He sat most of the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City blocked nine shots, including three by center Isaiah Hartenstein. The Thunder led 76-50 at halftime behind 23 points from Gilgeous-Alexander and 12 each from Mitchell and Kenrich Williams, who combined to go 5 for 7 on 3-point shots. Oklahoma City outscored the Grizzlies 42-19 in the second quarter to take control. Desmond Bane had 22 points and nine rebounds for Memphis (22-11), which played without star Ja Morant (shoulder) and Zach Edey, the team’s No. 9 overall draft pick, who was in concussion protocol. Jay Huff added 17 points but Jaren Jackson Jr., the team’s leading scorer at 21.9 points per game, managed 13 points on 3-of-17 shooting. TIMBERWOLVES 112, SPURS 110 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Donte DiVincenzo scored 26 points as Minnesota defeated San Antonio. Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves, won won their third straight. Julius Randle had 16 points, while Jaden McDaniels added 12 points and 10 boards for Minnesota. Anthony Edwards, who earlier in the day was fined $100,000 for continued use of profanity in postgame media comments, was held to 14 points, 11 below his season average. After DiVincenzo made one of two free throws with 12.1 seconds left, the Spurs had one more possession down 112-110. San Antonio found a wide-open Jeremy Sochan for 3, but he came up short. Wembanyama led San Antonio with 34 points and eight rebounds. Harrison Barnes had 24 points, Devin Vassell had 22 and Chris Paul dished out 14 assists. The Associated Press
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After 149 shows, an estimated US$2 billion in revenue and countless outfit changes, Taylor Swift takes to the stage tonight in Vancouver for the final show of her record-smashing Eras Tour. It’s the superstar’s third sold-out night at BC Place, where she has received a delirious welcome from Swifties both local and international. Swift has reciprocated the feeling, telling the audience on Friday night that she chose Canada and Vancouver to close out the tour because the fans not only know the lyrics, they “scream them.” Swifties have been planning something special to end the tour, with Swift forums abuzz with suggestions to surprise her by singing “Happy Birthday” at tonight’s show, ahead of Swift’s 35th birthday on Dec. 13. Fan projects like this have been a big part of the Eras Tour, with chants and patterned clapping breaking out during various songs. University of Kansas sociology professor and “Swiftologist” Brian Donovan says such moments of joyous social solidarity are known as “collective effervescence.” “What is interesting about the Eras Tour is that it also brought about unique cultural things like the trading of friendship bracelets,” he said, noting such practices were fan-driven and were not organized by Swift or her team. Swiftie Jenny Fox got tickets to Saturday’s show after seeing daughter Avery’s reaction to the Eras Tour movie. “I texted my husband in the theatre and said that if this is how it is in a movie theatre, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to see and experience this in real life in a massive stadium and to see the joy on Avery’s face,” she said. University of British Columbia philosophy professor Kimberley Brownlee said Swift’s concerts and the fans’ involvement have provided something “glorious,” and a “joy we get to share in collectively.” Before Swift’s Vancouver dates, she performed six shows in Toronto last month. Canada was announced as a late addition to the tour last year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously pleaded with the star on social media to visit Canada, telling her “don’t make it another cruel summer.” Trudeau and family members were among Swifties at the Toronto shows, as were former U.S. president Bill Clinton and wife Hillary. For Fox, attending the tour in Vancouver with her daughter has special meaning. Fox is the primary caretaker for her own mother, who has late-stage Alzheimer’s. Music, she said, has become the last connection to the person her mom once was. “As soon as we put certain music on, mom comes back,” she said. “So music is very near and dear to us. We play a lot of music, and a lot of Taylor Swift with her, so there is that love and memory and special tie to it.” She says music endures, and attending The Eras Tour together will be something she and Avery can hold on to. “It’s something that we will forever remember,” she said.Dame Dash has a lot to get off of his chest as an embattled former cofounder of Roc-A-Fella, and a lot of this relates to current events. For example, he's spoke on the heavy allegations against Jay-Z , their current business disputes in the legal space, and how he sees his overall legacy as part of the Roc. However, a lot of Dame's comments are also very reflective, and we got a pretty interesting example of that during his latest interview with The Art Of Dialogue . The topic of Roc label deals came up, as they took a walk down memory lane of many artists who almost signed to the label before it fizzled out. Furthermore, it turns out that he might have particular smoke for John Legend in this regard. "John Legend was supposed to be Roc-A-Fella," Dame Dash remarked on The Art Of Dialogue . "I toured John Legend. I would have never took John Legend on the road with Kanye and paid for him to go around the world to sing before Kanye sang unless I thought that he was going to sign to Roc-A-Fella. But he did some sneaky s**t and went to Sony." Read More: Top 40 Hottest Hip-Hop Albums Of 2024 For those unaware, after this rejection of Dame Dash and company's Roc-A-Fella, John Legend went on to work with one of the group's biggest exports: Kanye West . The singer signed to Ye's G.O.O.D. Music label – in fact, he was the very first signee . Following six studio albums via the imprint, he ended up parting ways with the Chicago artist due to their differing political views and the many antics that the Yeezy mogul wrapped himself up in. Beyond John Legend, though, Dame Dash has many other stories like this concerning Roc-A-Fella artists. During this interview with The Art Of Dialogue , he also claimed that Jay-Z prevented Joe Budden from putting an album out via Roc-A-Fella. As for why, the executive alleged that Hov sought to distance himself from the game ever since Reasonable Doubt , and wanted to maintain his grip from a distance while pushing others away from the main spot. This is all alleged at the end of the day, though, as we all know how the Roc fell in a similar blaze to what helped it rise. Read More: Top 50 Hottest Hip-Hop Songs Of 2024