Apple’s UK engineering teams have ‘doubled in size in five years’
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The "Secure Housing Delivery" initiative is part of the government's efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing for low-income families and to improve living conditions for residents across the province. The completion of 41,715 sets of housing units is a significant step towards achieving these goals and reflects the government's commitment to addressing the housing needs of its citizens.Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat this week after Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.” Shohei Ohtani wins third MVP award, first in NL. Aaron Judge earns second AL honor in 3 seasons NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points.Title: Algorithmic Profiteering: The "Systemic Apathy" Driven by Commercialism
By Leah Nylen and Jaewon Kang | Bloomberg A judge blocked Kroger Co.’s $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons Cos. , finding the takeover would lessen competition for US grocery shoppers, in a ruling that marks a likely death knell for the deal. In a decision filed in Oregon federal court Tuesday, US District Judge Adrienne Nelson found in favor of the US Federal Trade Commission. The agency had argued that the proposed tie-up violates US antitrust law and that a division of hundreds of stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. wouldn’t do enough to replace the lost competition. Also see: Biggest question from Kroger-Albertsons trial: What’s a grocery store? “There is ample evidence that the division is not sufficient in scale to adequately compete with the merged firm and is structured in a way that will significantly disadvantage C&S as a competitor,” Nelson wrote. “The deficiencies in the disvestiture scope and structure create a risk that some or all of the divested stores will lose sales or close, as has happened in past C&S acquisitions.” Nelson’s decision is a major victory for the FTC and its outgoing Chair Lina Khan, who came under harsh criticism from conservatives and business groups for stepped-up antitrust enforcement under the Biden administration. “Today’s win protects competition in the grocery market, which will prevent prices from rising even more,” said FTC spokesperson Douglas Farrar. “This statement makes it clear that strong, reality-based antitrust enforcement delivers real results for consumers, workers, and small businesses.” Also see: Albertsons would have shed these 63 California stores A C&S Wholesale spokesperson said the company is disappointed by the court’s decision and that it looks forward to seeing how Kroger and Albertsons will determine the next steps of the proposed deal. Kroger and Albertsons didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Attorneys for the companies have said the acquisition would probably be called off if the judge ruled against the deal. Kroger shares jumped as much as 6.1% in New York trading on Tuesday, extending earlier gains. Albertsons slumped as much as 10%. Specific Market Nelson agreed with the FTC that supermarkets constitute a specific market, countering the companies’ argument that the market extends to online retailers like Amazon.com Inc. “Supermarkets are distinct from other grocery retailers,” Nelson wrote. “Supermarkets offer a larger selection of fresh and non-perishable items, a one-stop shopping experience that appeals to a particular consumer’s preference to meet all their grocery needs in one location, and a customer service focus with deli, bakery, meat, and other specialized departments.” The ruling marks a disappointing end to a two-year odyssey by Kroger and Albertsons, which sought to become a bigger player with a more substantial national footprint to better compete against larger, non-unionized rivals including Walmart Inc. Kroger and Albertsons agreed to combine in October 2022 in what would have been the biggest US grocery deal in history, bringing together more than 4,000 stores across 48 states and Washington, DC. Kroger will likely turn its focus back to improving and investing in its existing network of about 2,750 stores. Albertsons, on the other hand, could emerge again as a deal target, but is expected in the near term to invest in its roughly 2,270 stores and technology. The proposed deal has been a political hot potato, drawing pushback from elected officials, union groups and consumer advocacy firms. The companies vowed to spend $1 billion to cut prices, $1.3 billion to improve store conditions and $1 billion to raise worker wages and benefits following the deal. The FTC has increased antitrust enforcement under the Biden administration, though the results in court have been mixed. The FTC lost a challenge to Microsoft Corp.’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. and won against Illumina Inc. over its purchase of startup Grail and against Tapestry Inc.’s planned $8.5 billion acquisition of Capri Holdings Inc. The companies and the agency fought their case in court for three weeks over the summer in Oregon, as grocery inflation came back into the political spotlight ahead of the US presidential election. Grocery inflation hit a four-decade high in 2022 due to higher costs of labor, transportation and ingredients. Price increases have moderated and are expected to stay within historical ranges, though many American shoppers still say expensive groceries continue to squeeze their ability to spend. The FTC argued that the deal would harm consumers by eliminating competition on prices and quality, making the combined entity less likely to improve its services by offering flexible hours and pickup services. It said the grocers would have more leverage over workers, which would slow wage growth and worsen benefits, and that the proposed divestiture would be inadequate. The agency tried to depict Kroger and Albertsons as the most direct competitors. It said the deal would combine the two largest “traditional supermarkets” in a market that includes Walmart and Target, but does not include Amazon, Costco, Aldi and dollar stores. The companies argued that such a definition is “antiquated” and no longer describes how people shop and pointed to various changes they have made in response to newer threats. The grocers also said joining forces would help them increase market share and improve technology to compete with Amazon, Walmart and other companies. The case is Federal Trade Commission v. Kroger Co., 24-cv-00347, US District Court, District of Oregon (Portland). 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The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed that yet another child has died due to suspected food poisoning. The Grade 2 learner from Thabisile Primary School in Diepkloof, Soweto, reportedly died on Friday, 22 November. GRADE 2 LEARNER DIES FROM SUSPECTED FOOD POISONING According to the Gauteng Department of Education the learner allegedly fell ill on Wednesday, 20 November, after reportedly consuming biscuits from a local spaza shop. Her condition reportedly worsened over the course of the next two days, and she was taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital on Friday, where she was tragically declared deceased. Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said at this stage, the exact cause of her passing remains unclear. The relevant authorities are conducting investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Mabona said they have dispatched the psycho-social support unit to provide counselling to the affected family, learners, and staff at Thabisile Primary School on Monday, 25 November. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and school community during this difficult time. We remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all learners and will continue to monitor developments closely,” Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said. Meanwhile, on Friday, a five-year-old Grade R learner also from Diepkloof in Soweto, Gauteng died from suspected food poisoning after consuming snacks bought from a local spaza shop. Three other minors who were hospitalised. FOODBORNE ILLNESSES CLASSIFIED AS A NATIONAL DISASTER On Thursday, 21 November, ministers leading the multidisciplinary teams in government responsible for the national response to foodborne illnesses held a media briefing to outline the government’s action plan to manage foodborne diseases. Justice Minister Thembi Simelane said the disaster management centre had classified foodborne illnesses as a national disaster under the National Disaster Act. Simelane said the classification encourages all organs of state, the private sector, and communities to improve their risk-avoidance practices by adhering to food safety legislation, standards and procedures. Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
Furthermore, experts are stressing the importance of improving evidence collection procedures when investigating allegations of sexual harassment. This includes encouraging individuals to come forward with their experiences, providing them with a safe and supportive environment to do so, and implementing protocols for documenting and preserving evidence. By strengthening evidence collection practices, authorities can better substantiate claims of sexual harassment and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.Furthermore, revamping down jackets allows individuals to express their creativity and showcase their unique sense of style. Whether it's adding bold colors, intricate designs, or personal touches, each revamped jacket becomes a statement piece that reflects the individuality and creativity of its wearer. By embracing this trend, young people are moving away from cookie-cutter fashion choices and embracing a more personalized and authentic approach to style.Title: Young People Embrace the Trend of Revamping Down Jackets to Save Money and Stay Stylish
After-Hours Market Surges, Bullish on Technological Innovation: Policy Benefits Drive Growth in Growth Stocks总之，中国在世界上拥有最多非物质文化遗产项目和将春节列入联合国非遗名录的成功是突显中国文化丰富性和多样性的重要里程碑。通过保护和推广非物质文化遗产，中国强化了自身的文化身份、促进了文化交流，并推动了全球范围内对其传统的赏识。Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger ’s baby boy is getting his moment in the spotlight. The Good Night, Sister author showed off her jam-packed November, which included the arrival of her and Chris’ third child together , Ford Fitzgerald Schwarzenegger Pratt , and gave the world the first glimpse of her baby boy. In the Dec. 6 post, which she simply captioned, “November,” Katherine, who also shares daughters Lyla , 4, and Eloise , 2, with Chris, lead with a photo of little Ford’s feet covered in plush socks that are the perfect match to his cozy onesie. The infant made another appearance, as the 34-year-old shared a picture of her cradling her baby bump in a pink dress, and a shot of a Ford onesie. And she even shared how her family was getting into the holiday spirit, with snaps of Lyla and Eloise in matching Grinch pajamas and a cute shot showing off their little red nails. Katherine and Chris—who is also dad to son Jack , 12, with ex-wife Anna Faris —announced their baby boy’s arrival last month, just four months after confirming her pregnancy . "We are overjoyed to announce the birth of our son," they shared on Instagram Nov. 11. "Mama and baby are doing well and Ford’s siblings are thrilled by his arrival. We feel so blessed and grateful. Love, Katherine and Chris." A post shared by Katherine Schwarzenegger (@katherineschwarzenegger) The Guardians of the Galaxy star didn’t hesitate to gush about his children. "They are cute and they're wonderful," Chris told E! News in May. "They're sweet, polite, kind, joyous little angels, and I love them." He also didn’t hold back as she shared his and Katherine’s approach to parenting and the way they are fostering healthy emotions in their children. "I think there's a new age of parenting," he continued. "I grew up, I did exactly what my parents said all the time. I never knew I could say 'no' to my parents. And now I'm a guy who didn't have a super healthy grip on his own emotions. So we're trying to raise them in a way that they feel comfortable expressing themselves." Keep reading for more of Katherine and Chris’ cutest moments... In June 2018, an insider told E! News that Chris Pratt was "smitten" with Katherine Schwarzenegger , adding that the Jurassic World star was "super happy" about the start of their blossoming relationship . Meeting the Family The couple took their romance to next level by spending time with the Schwarzenegger family . As it turned out, Katherine's mom Maria Shriver played matchmaker after meeting Chris through church. Getting Close With the Pratts By September 2018, Katherine was hanging out with the Jurassic World star's family and friends. The couple were all smiles during their outing Chris' brother Cully Pratt . Birthday Tribute "Happy Birthday Chief!" Chris captioned a series of never-before-seen snapshots in December 2018. "Your smile lights up the room. I've cherished our time together. Thrilled God put you in my life. Thankful for the laughs, kisses, talks, hikes, love and care." Chris popped the question to Katherine in Montecito, Calif., with the duo announcing their engagement in January 2019. "Sweet Katherine, so happy you said yes!" Chris wrote on Instagram. "I'm thrilled to be marrying you. Proud to live boldly in faith with you. Here we go!" Red Carpet Date The two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the Avengers: Endgame premiere in Los Angeles in April 2019. California Wedding Katherine and Chris wed in June 2019 at a star-studded ceremony on San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, Calif. Celebrity guests included Katherine's dad Arnold Schwarzenegger , G uardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn and Chris' Parks and Recreation costar Rob Lowe . The pair spent the pandemic together, with the Marvel star adorably crashing the author one of the author's baking videos. Oh Baby! In April 2020, E! News learned that Katherine was pregnant with the couple's first child together . Little Lyla "We are beyond thrilled to announce the birth of our daughter , Lyla Maria Schwarzenegger Pratt ," the couple shared in an August 2020 Instagram post. "We couldn't be happier. Both mom and baby are doing great. We are extremely blessed." Katherine shared this photo of her husband in June 2021. Double the Joy In December 2021, news broke that Chris and Katherine were expecting their second baby together . Hello Eloise The duo welcomed daughter Eloise Christina Schwarzenegger Pratt on May 21, 2022. "We are so excited to announce the birth of our second daughter," they shared in a Instagram statement a day later. "Mama and baby are doing well. We feel beyond blessed and grateful. Love, Katherine and Chris." Daddy Dearest Katherine posted this pic of her husband with their youngest daughter on Father's Day 2022. Baby No. 3 They became parents again in November 2024 with the arrival of son Ford Fitzgerald Schwarzenegger Pratt .
In addition to their on-court success, the Sanctum Combination also served as inspirational figures for aspiring badminton players around the world. Their dedication to their craft, their commitment to excellence, and their unwavering passion for the sport served as a shining example of what is possible with hard work, determination, and a never-give-up attitude.For the second straight Major League Baseball offseason, a norm-shattering contract has been the talk of the winter, with Juan Soto agreeing with the New York Mets on a $765 million, 15-year deal that's the richest in baseball history. It comes almost exactly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers forked out a princely sum of $700 million on a 10-year, heavily deferred deal for two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. They are believed to be the two richest contracts in pro sports history. The way it's going, a contract approaching $1 billion doesn't seem out of the question. But several factors are working against it — at least in the near future. There's reason to believe the megadeals for Ohtani and Soto are unicorns in the baseball world. Both players are uniquely talented, surely, but both also had unusual circumstances propelling their value into the stratosphere. Ohtani is the greatest two-way player in baseball history, capable of improving any team on both sides of the ball. He's also the rare baseball player who has true international appeal. His every move ( like his unexpected marriage announcement ) is followed closely in his native Japan, adding another 125 million potential fans who buy merchandise, watch him play and help fill the Dodgers' coffers. Then there's Soto — a four-time All-Star and on-base machine who won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019. The X-factor for him is he became a free agent at the prime age of 26, which is extremely hard to do under current MLB rules. Players have to be in the big leagues for six years before testing free agency. The precocious Soto debuted at 19 with the Nats, making him part of a rare group of players who reached the highest level of professional baseball as a teenager. That accelerated his free agency timeline. It's rare for players to debut that young, and rarer still for them to develop into stars and test the open market the first chance they get. Two recent examples are Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, who both reached free agency in 2019. Machado signed a free-agent record $300 million contract with San Diego, and Harper overtook him days later with a $330 million contract to join the Phillies. Most players debut in the big leagues from ages 22 to 26, which means free agency comes in their late 20s or early 30s. A typical example is Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is one of this generation's great players but didn't hit the market until he was 30. Judge played three seasons of college baseball for Fresno State before getting drafted by the Yankees in 2013 at age 21 — already two years older than Soto was when he made his MLB debut. It took a few years for the budding superstar to reach the majors, and he was 25 when he had his breakout season in 2018, smashing 52 homers to earn AL Rookie of the Year honors. By the time he reached free agency after the 2022 season, he had already passed age 30. It's a major factor that led to him signing a $360 million, nine-year deal with the Yankees, which seems downright reasonable these days after the Ohtani and Soto deals. Two major trends are colliding that will make it harder for guys like Soto to hit free agency in their mid 20s. First, MLB teams have been more likely in recent years to take college players early in the draft, betting on more experienced talents. Just 10 high school players were drafted among the top 30 picks in the 2024 draft. Second, teams are more eager to lock up young, premium talent on long-term deals very early in their careers, well before they hit free agency. Sometimes before they even reach the majors. Since Soto, just two players have debuted in MLB before their 20th birthday — Elvis Luciano and Junior Caminero. Luciano hasn't been back to the majors since his 2019 cup of coffee. Caminero is now 21 and has only played in 50 big league games. Among those that debuted at 20: Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a $340 million, 14-year deal with San Diego in 2021, years before reaching the open market. Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio got an $82 million, eight-year deal before even reaching the big leagues. Young stars Corbin Carroll ($111 million, eight years with Arizona), Bobby Witt Jr. ($288 million, 11 years with Kansas City) and Julio Rodriguez ($209.3 million, 12 years with Seattle) also got massive guarantees early in their 20s to forgo an early free agency. The exception and wild card: Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be a 26-year-old free agent next offseason. Guerrero hasn't been as consistent in his young career as Soto, but a standout 2025 season could position him to threaten Soto's deal. More likely is that the player to pass Soto isn't in the majors yet — and might not even be in pro baseball. When 25-year-old Alex Rodriguez signed his record $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas in 2001, it took over a decade for another player to match that total, when Albert Pujols got $240 million over 10 years from the Angels in 2012. For many players, passing up life-changing money in their early or mid 20s is too enticing, even if it means that they might not maximize their value on the free agent market later in their careers. Soto was determined to test the market. He famously turned down a $440 million, 15-year offer to stay with the Washington Nationals in 2022, betting that he could make even more as a free agent. Not many players would turn down that kind of cash. Then again, that's what makes Soto so unique. And it's also why his $765 million deal could be the industry standard for some time.
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In the world of football, there is always a sense of excitement and anticipation when a talented player emerges onto the scene. This is exactly the case with the 25-year-old Phuket-born midfielder, who has taken the MLS by storm with his impressive performances for the past year. With 33 appearances, 17 goals, and 13 assists to his name, he played a pivotal role in securing the league title for his team.