No, UnitedHealthcare didn’t post a job listing for a new CEO the day after Brian Thompson’s deathDiVincenzo scores 26 to lead Timberwolves past Spurs 112-110 despite 34 points from WembanyamaFingered for thumbnails: Inside one family's digital nightmare
Hospice, or end-of-life care, is an interesting beast. We live in a society that is especially bad at talking about death. Which is kind of funny, since we are all going to experience death, at some point. Today, I want to tell you about a frequent conversation I have with patients when they come into our care. I call it, “You are more than parts,” meaning the material and organs that make up your physical body. So much of healthcare is about curing (or fixing) material problems, not hospice. Hospice is a specialized form of palliative (comfort-based) care. When people are referred to the hospice level of care it is after hearing something like, “There is nothing else we (medicine) can do.” For perfectly understandable reasons, folks (and their families) often come in pretty defeated or depressed. Who wouldn’t be after hearing that? That’s where Hospice of the Panhandle and I, as a Clinical Chaplain and part of the interdisciplinary team providing your care, come in. Hospice is about supporting people through their end-of-life circumstances. Chaplains serve as sojourners or companions on your journey. Our role is not about changing your mind, convincing you of anything, or dragging you from your beliefs into ours. What Chaplains do is assess one’s beliefs and resources, identify concerns/issues, and develop plans of care to address those concerns. Chaplains listen to your stories, especially the things weighing on your spirit. Then, gently observe where there are misalignments of beliefs or breaks in one’s relationships with self, others, the world around them, or the divine. My conversations frequently start with the obvious observation, “You aren’t dead, yet!” Hearing that one has reached the extent of what can be done medically can be devastating. To me, words like cancer or hospice are like lightning strikes – out on the horizon they get your attention, but when striking us or someone we love, that flash is blinding and the boom disorienting. However, you are more than parts that can be replaced through surgery or tweaked by diet or medicines. You are a complete human being, with hopes, dreams, fears, goals, and a whole host of competing needs...and you aren’t dead yet! You, or your loved one, may very well be beyond the limits of curative interventions for the body, but you are so much more than parts. Even when your body is failing, your mind, soul, and spirit can still benefit from attending to those needs. Being at “end of life” frequently gives people permission to focus on finishing well, whatever that means to them. Hospice, as a level of healthcare, is about quality of life, for the remainder of life...this is a very individual process. Let me close with a movie quote – Miracle Max says in The Princess Bride, “There’s a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive.” The goal of your entire hospice team – Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, Aides, or Chaplains – is to help you live fully, until you are all dead and, therefore, truly beyond the concerns of this life. Blessings to you and your family.Weekly Horoscope Aquarius, November 24 to 30, 2024 predicts a fresh start!
Asian 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.
striker will remain sidelined until at least February as she recovers from a torn ACL, manager Sonia Bompastor said on Friday. The international during Chelsea's warm-weather training camp in . She underwent surgery shortly afterwards. "We are looking to maybe have her back with us [in] February [or] March, not before that," Bompastor said in a news conference. "She's still on her individual process rehab. It will take at least two or three more months for her to be fit enough to be with the squad." The 31-year-old has scored 99 goals in 128 games for Chelsea. The Blues have made a perfect start to the season in both the and Women's Champions League. In Bompastor's first season in charge, the team has won all 12 of their games. Bompastor added that forward likely won't be back from a calf injury until January.
Nebraska football defeats Wisconsin 44-25, securing program’s first bowl game since 2016WASHINGTON (AP) — As a former and potentially future president, Donald Trump hailed what would become Project 2025 as a road map for “exactly what our movement will do” with another crack at the White House. As the blueprint for a hard-right turn in America became a liability during the 2024 campaign, Trump pulled an about-face . He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans written in part by his first-term aides and allies. Now, after being elected the 47th president on Nov. 5, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the detailed effort he temporarily shunned. Most notably, Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy . Those moves have accelerated criticisms from Democrats who warn that Trump's election hands government reins to movement conservatives who spent years envisioning how to concentrate power in the West Wing and impose a starkly rightward shift across the U.S. government and society. Trump and his aides maintain that he won a mandate to overhaul Washington. But they maintain the specifics are his alone. “President Trump never had anything to do with Project 2025,” said Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt in a statement. “All of President Trumps' Cabinet nominees and appointments are whole-heartedly committed to President Trump's agenda, not the agenda of outside groups.” Here is a look at what some of Trump's choices portend for his second presidency. The Office of Management and Budget director, a role Vought held under Trump previously and requires Senate confirmation, prepares a president's proposed budget and is generally responsible for implementing the administration's agenda across agencies. The job is influential but Vought made clear as author of a Project 2025 chapter on presidential authority that he wants the post to wield more direct power. “The Director must view his job as the best, most comprehensive approximation of the President’s mind,” Vought wrote. The OMB, he wrote, “is a President’s air-traffic control system” and should be “involved in all aspects of the White House policy process,” becoming “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.” Trump did not go into such details when naming Vought but implicitly endorsed aggressive action. Vought, the president-elect said, “knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State” — Trump’s catch-all for federal bureaucracy — and would help “restore fiscal sanity.” In June, speaking on former Trump aide Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, Vought relished the potential tension: “We’re not going to save our country without a little confrontation.” The strategy of further concentrating federal authority in the presidency permeates Project 2025's and Trump's campaign proposals. Vought's vision is especially striking when paired with Trump's proposals to dramatically expand the president's control over federal workers and government purse strings — ideas intertwined with the president-elect tapping mega-billionaire Elon Musk and venture capitalist Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a “Department of Government Efficiency.” Trump in his first term sought to remake the federal civil service by reclassifying tens of thousands of federal civil service workers — who have job protection through changes in administration — as political appointees, making them easier to fire and replace with loyalists. Currently, only about 4,000 of the federal government's roughly 2 million workers are political appointees. President Joe Biden rescinded Trump's changes. Trump can now reinstate them. Meanwhile, Musk's and Ramaswamy's sweeping “efficiency” mandates from Trump could turn on an old, defunct constitutional theory that the president — not Congress — is the real gatekeeper of federal spending. In his “Agenda 47,” Trump endorsed so-called “impoundment,” which holds that when lawmakers pass appropriations bills, they simply set a spending ceiling, but not a floor. The president, the theory holds, can simply decide not to spend money on anything he deems unnecessary. Vought did not venture into impoundment in his Project 2025 chapter. But, he wrote, “The President should use every possible tool to propose and impose fiscal discipline on the federal government. Anything short of that would constitute abject failure.” Trump's choice immediately sparked backlash. “Russ Vought is a far-right ideologue who has tried to break the law to give President Trump unilateral authority he does not possess to override the spending decisions of Congress (and) who has and will again fight to give Trump the ability to summarily fire tens of thousands of civil servants,” said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a Democrat and outgoing Senate Appropriations chairwoman. Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, leading Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, said Vought wants to “dismantle the expert federal workforce” to the detriment of Americans who depend on everything from veterans' health care to Social Security benefits. “Pain itself is the agenda,” they said. Trump’s protests about Project 2025 always glossed over overlaps in the two agendas . Both want to reimpose Trump-era immigration limits. Project 2025 includes a litany of detailed proposals for various U.S. immigration statutes, executive branch rules and agreements with other countries — reducing the number of refugees, work visa recipients and asylum seekers, for example. Miller is one of Trump's longest-serving advisers and architect of his immigration ideas, including his promise of the largest deportation force in U.S. history. As deputy policy chief, which is not subject to Senate confirmation, Miller would remain in Trump's West Wing inner circle. “America is for Americans and Americans only,” Miller said at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on Oct. 27. “America First Legal,” Miller’s organization founded as an ideological counter to the American Civil Liberties Union, was listed as an advisory group to Project 2025 until Miller asked that the name be removed because of negative attention. Homan, a Project 2025 named contributor, was an acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director during Trump’s first presidency, playing a key role in what became known as Trump's “family separation policy.” Previewing Trump 2.0 earlier this year, Homan said: “No one’s off the table. If you’re here illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder.” John Ratcliffe, Trump's pick to lead the CIA , was previously one of Trump's directors of national intelligence. He is a Project 2025 contributor. The document's chapter on U.S. intelligence was written by Dustin Carmack, Ratcliffe's chief of staff in the first Trump administration. Reflecting Ratcliffe's and Trump's approach, Carmack declared the intelligence establishment too cautious. Ratcliffe, like the chapter attributed to Carmack, is hawkish toward China. Throughout the Project 2025 document, Beijing is framed as a U.S. adversary that cannot be trusted. Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, wrote Project 2025's FCC chapter and is now Trump's pick to chair the panel. Carr wrote that the FCC chairman “is empowered with significant authority that is not shared” with other FCC members. He called for the FCC to address “threats to individual liberty posed by corporations that are abusing dominant positions in the market,” specifically “Big Tech and its attempts to drive diverse political viewpoints from the digital town square.” He called for more stringent transparency rules for social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube and “empower consumers to choose their own content filters and fact checkers, if any.” Carr and Ratcliffe would require Senate confirmation for their posts.
OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship'ABUJA – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a scathing rebuke of former Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili, accusing him of engaging in sycophancy and lacking the integrity expected of an elder statesman. Wike’s remarks came during a special thanksgiving service organised by the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, held at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Port Harcourt on Sunday. The FCT minister in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, criticised Odili for his recent comments, praising the current Rivers State governor as having surpassed the achievements of all previous governors, including Wike himself. Wike dismissed the comments as insincere and politically motivated. “How can an elder statesman, someone who is supposed to be a father figure, reduce himself to a sycophant and a trader?” Wike asked. “Must you be a trader all the time? After serving as governor for eight years, what else are you looking for?” Wike claimed that Odili’s statements were inconsistent with his earlier positions, highlighting past instances where Odili praised Wike’s administration. “When I was governor, this same Odili praised me to high heaven,” Wike recalled. “He said all past governors combined did not achieve what I did. Now, barely a year into a new administration, he’s already saying this governor has done more than all past governors. What kind of elder talks like this?” Wike also detailed his contributions to Odili’s legacy, including state sponsorship of students at PAMO University, a private institution linked to Odili. “Rivers State sponsored 100 students per session, each paying nothing less than N5 million. People attacked me for it, but I stood firm because I believed in supporting him,” Wike explained. He added, “I personally called Julius Berger to build him a mansion. He was taking people around, saying, ‘Look at what Wike has done for me.’ Now, because of a Christmas Carol, he’s singing a different tune. Why reduce yourself to a laughing stock?” Wike further criticised Odili’s political inconsistencies, accusing him of neglecting his late elder brother’s son for a political appointment. “It was his nephew, his late senior brother’s son, that was recommended for commissioner. But what did he do? He took the slot and gave it to his own daughter. Is that the mark of an elder statesman?” He also accused Odili of sycophantic behaviour towards the current Rivers State governor. “When I was plotting who would be governor after me, was he there? Then, he said this governor couldn’t speak in public. Now, he’s organising Christmas Carols for him,” Wike said. Wike questioned the values Odili was passing on to younger generations. “When your children ask you, ‘Is this not the same man you praised before?’ What will you tell them? An elder must be consistent and uphold integrity,” he stated. Wike concluded by urging Odili and others to focus on unity and sincerity in governance rather than divisive politics. “We have left the government. We are managing. You’ve taken the Assembly money; they are not dying of hunger, and they will not die of hunger. But all these sycophancies will not elevate you to the level I have attained,” Wike said. The minister’s remarks highlight ongoing tensions within the Rivers State political landscape, raising questions about the conduct and integrity of its key players.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday refused to budge from its planned protest on November 24 as its Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that a “final call” meant a final call with the authorities implemented extensive security and transportation restrictions across major cities, turning the twin cities virtually into security fortresses. Earlier in related development, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar only to inform him that the government will not grant permission for any sit-in or rally in Islamabad due to security concerns during an official visit from a high-ranking Belarusian delegation. Naqvi’s call to Barrister Gohar comes as Pakistan prepares for an 80-member Belarusian delegation, led by President Alexander Lukashenko, to arrive in Islamabad from November 24 to 27. The interior minister noted that the government is bound by Islamabad High Court guidelines, which restrict public gatherings that could pose risks during international visits. Naqvi provided Gohar with a detailed schedule of the Belarusian delegation’s visit, explaining that, in light of the security measures, no rallies or gatherings would be authorised. Gohar responded by saying he would consult with party leaders before finalising a response. ‘Final call means final call, only Khan can review it’ Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan declared that a “final call” meant a final call and only Imran could review the decision. “Khan sahib is Khan sahib. He is the boss. He doesn’t recommend. He orders, we follow,” he asserted while talking to a private TV channel. He said Imran had given the call for the protest, he had given the instructions and thus it was his decision to review it. Gohar said the PTI’s political committee discussed everything as per Imran’s instructions and it was not its option to review something that the PTI founder ordered and give a contrary direction. Regarding his earlier talks with Naqvi and media coverage of the development, Gohar said they only made contact once and no commitment was made of when the PTI chairman would inform the interior minister about his final response. Regarding possible consequences of contravention of the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) Thursday order, which had ruled the planned protest as unlawful, Gohar said the PTI was not heard in the case and said it was not the court’s final order but still a pending matter. He said earlier today that “party consultation” would decide whether the PTI would go ahead with its planned protest tomorrow after Naqvi contacted him over the matter. Earlier in the day, PTI Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram said that the party will “break through any barriers to reach their destination at D-Chowk, and that they will not return without achieving their objective.” Akram stated, “The Constitution gives us the right to peaceful protest, and we will not surrender under any circumstances. On November 24, the entire nation will be on the streets,” Express News reported. Meanwhile, the leadership of PTI has reiterated its stance of marching towards Islamabad tomorrow, with plans for a sit-in at D-Chowk, Islamabad, regardless of any obstacles. In a meeting chaired by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, senior PTI leaders including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, former President Arif Alvi, Shibli Faraz, Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram, and others, decided to proceed with the protest. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has finalised its plan for the November 24 protest, which includes the booking of heavy machinery. According to PTI Peshawar region president, Arbab Asim, there is no shortage of heavy machinery this time. “We will use private machinery to remove obstacles, and the responsibility for security will rest with the Youth Wing.” Security measures enforced in the capital city Islamabad, all major entry and exit points sealed On the other hand, security measures were enforced in the capital city Islamabad, with all major entry and exit points of the city sealed while all roads leading into the capital city were shut off, particularly those from the neighboring cities of Rawalpindi and other surrounding regions. Container blockades have been set up along key thoroughfares like Iran Avenue and Margalla Road to prevent access to crucial parts of the city, including the Parliament House and the central business districts. The Expressway, a major route connecting Islamabad with Rawalpindi, and Zero Point were also closed as authorities braced for the PTI protests. In a move to prevent any public transport from becoming part of the demonstration, the local administration ordered a complete suspension of the metro bus service for the day. The Metro Bus service, which typically operates between various points in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including routes from the Secretariat to IJP Road, will remain completely closed. Additionally, bus terminals within Islamabad have been shut down, and all intercity transport operations, including services to Rawalpindi, were suspended. This has severely impacted those relying on public transport to travel to and from the capital city. In Lahore, similar security measures have been implemented with the local administration has shut down key motorways leading out of the city, including those connecting Lahore to Islamabad and other cities. Specifically, the motorway routes from Lahore to Islamabad and from Lahore to Multan have been blocked. This includes sections of the M-3 and M-4 motorways, along with the M-11, which links Lahore to Sialkot. One of the major choke points, the Babu Sabu Interchange, was also sealed off using containers and barriers, and a heavy police force was stationed at the location to maintain control. This step was taken to prevent any large gatherings or attempts to march into the city as part of the planned protest. Additionally, all bus terminals located along the blocked roads were also shut down, further complicating travel within the city and to other destinations. The Lahore Ring Road, another key route connecting various parts of the city, was closed for traffic, intensifying the congestion in the city center. Commuters and businesses were left struggling as roads remained gridlocked for hours, with authorities urging people to avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary. 30,000 police personnel including FC deployed in Islamabad In response to the potential scale of the PTI protests, the government has mobilised significant security forces and a total of 30,000 additional police officers have been dispatched from various provinces, including 19,000 from Punjab, 5,000 from Sindh, and 1,000 from Azad Kashmir. These reinforcements have been deployed to assist the local police in controlling crowds and ensuring law and order. In addition to the police force, approximately 5,000 personnel from the Frontier Corps (FC) and Rangers have also been deployed to Islamabad. These paramilitary forces are expected to play a crucial role in managing any violent outbreaks or public disorder. The federal government has granted these forces powers under the Anti-Terrorism Act, allowing them to take direct action if necessary to ensure peace and stability in the capital. Given the rising tensions, the federal government has issued a notification regarding the deployment of Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel in the capital. These forces will assist the local police in maintaining control and preventing any potential violence. The decision was made after the Islamabad Commissioner sent a formal request to the Ministry of Interior, outlining the need for additional security measures. The presence of the Rangers and FC was a clear signal that the government is taking no chances regarding the PTI’s protest, especially after previous demonstrations that escalated into violent confrontations. The use of paramilitary forces is expected to help prevent any breakdown in law and order, ensuring the safety of both protesters and ordinary citizens. The extensive security measures have led to considerable inconvenience for the general public. Commuters who rely on public transportation, including buses and the metro service, are particularly affected by the shutdowns. The blockade of key roads in Lahore and Islamabad has also severely hindered business activities, with many shops and businesses either closing early or remaining closed for the entire day. Travelers from other cities, including Rawalpindi and Multan, have reported being stranded due to the closure of major motorways. This has led to a significant buildup of traffic on the remaining open roads, further exacerbating the already challenging situation. PTI protest and sit-in will continue till release of Imran Khan: Gandapur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said that PTI has made all out preparations for protest and sit-in in Islamabad’s D Chowk. Spokesperson to KP CM Faraz Mughal said that PTI convoys the across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will reach D Chowk on Sunday. Gandapur said that there will be no fix time for sit-in and protest and PTI workers will continue their protest till the release of Imran Khan. The spokesperson of the Chief Minister said, “whatever obstacles the federal government put up, public will cross at all cost and reach Islamabad”. He said, “this time, heavy machinery is being taken with each rally to remove the obstructions”. “We will not use government missionaries, more than 50 private excavators and heavy missionaries are being taken along”, CM spokesman clarified. KP Chief Minister also claimed that modern machinery had been procured to counter police shelling. He said arrangements have been made to divert air during tear gas shelling. CM spokesman said along with the caravans, ambulance services have been obtained. Gandapur said PTI protest is peaceful and will remain peaceful. He said like previous protest, this time federal government was making plan to open straight fire on PTI workers from the front. KP Chief Minister said PTI workers are committed and they have vowed to take a bullet in the chest but will not back down. Interior Minister, PTI Chairman discuss current situation Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi contacted PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan in light of Islamabad High Court’s order. They held a detailed discussion about the current situation. Mohsin Naqvi informed Barrister Gohar about the post-Islamabad High Court order situation. He said we are bound by the high court’s order and cannot permit any procession, sit-in or rally. The Interior Minister also briefed Barrister Gohar about the engagements of the eighty member high-level delegation led by the President of Belarus from 24th to 27th November. He said Belarusian President will arrive in Pakistan on Monday and the delegation will remain in Islamabad until Wednesday. Barrister Gohar said he will inform the Interior Minister about the final response after party consultation. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is set to visit Pakistan on November 25 to strengthen bilateral ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation in diverse fields between both countries. During the visit Pakistan-Belarus Trade Roadmap will be signed, source said. During stay in Pakistan, President Lukashenko is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and military leadership. Expanding collaboration in modern farming techniques and equipment, enhancing trade ties and boosting bilateral commerce, security and defence relationship will also come under discussion between both sides. Pakistan has expressed keen interest in cooperation in the tractor manufacturing sector, highlighting Belarus’s expertise in agricultural machinery. Several agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries, fostering collaboration across multiple sectors and paving the way for stronger economic and strategic ties, the source said. Closure of mobile, internet services A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry said on Saturday the government will consider suspending mobile and internet services only in areas where security threats are imminent. The spokesperson said that mobile and internet service in rest of the country will remain unaffected. A report suggested earlier that the federal government has decided to shut down the mobile and internet services in the country as jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is all set to march on Islamabad on November 24. The report quoted sources as saying that a decision has been made to shut down the mobile and internet services at midnight on Saturday. The Interior Ministry will issue orders to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTI) soon. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
On verge of 500 career wins, Jay Flanagan’s success ‘goes far beyond the victories’CHP Arrests Suspected Gunman After Chase on Interstate 580, Oakland Driver at Large
Now Poundland's selling flats... but you'll need 85,000 £1s to buy one Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By KRISSY STORRAR Published: 21:16 GMT, 4 December 2024 | Updated: 21:36 GMT, 4 December 2024 e-mail View comments It has long been beloved by bargain hunters for its slogan ‘Everything’s a pound’. Now Poundland is hoping to attract shoppers of a different kind after putting its first-ever apartments up for sale. The discount retailer bought a listed former bank in Elgin, Moray, in 2019 and it is the only building in the UK that it owns outright rather than leases. Builders spent six years working on the restoration of the ground-floor shop space and the four flats above it. The first flat has now gone on the market for offers over £85,000 and has been billed as ‘perfect for those seeking modern living combined with historical elegance’. The one-bedroom property has also been decorated with products from Poundland, including rugs, picture frames, cutlery, wine glasses and vases, which will be included in the sale. Another flat, on the second floor, has two bedrooms and a price tag of offers over £105,000. The new owners of the four flats will also be able to nip downstairs to stock up on essentials as the Poundland on the ground floor will reopen on Saturday after undergoing extensive refurbishment. Poundland has put its first-ever flats on sale above its new Elgin store in Moray Poundland is selling four flats after it bought a former bank in Elgin, Moray, and turned it into a retail space and homes The buiding was originally a branch of Royal Bank of Scotland which opened in 1856 and it has also been a temperance hotel and was a Woolworths store until 2008. Poundland at first leased it but bought it when the landlords were unable to carry out essential works to the historic building. Serious structural issues meant it needed to be rebuilt and the project was hampered by water leaks, the pandemic and a fire. But the flats are now complete and boast open plan kitchens, stylish shower rooms and double glazing. They are being marketed by Belvoir Sales, which said in the sales brochures that the properties offer a ‘unique opportunity to reside in a beautifully restored landmark building that’s the talk of the town’. Alan Smallman, Poundland’s transformation director who led the restoration project, said: ‘Bringing the building back to life and restoring it to its former glory has been no easy task but we know how much this building means to the people of Elgin and Moray. ‘We hope the love we’ve shown it will be a catalyst for more investment into Elgin and its high street. ‘I’d like to thank the whole team that’s helped bring us back home here in Elgin.’ Cllr Marc Macrae, Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee said: ‘I add my congratulations to the Poundland team’s efforts in refurbishing an iconic Moray building and giving the centre of Elgin a much-welcomed boost. ‘It’s especially heartening to see the store about to start trading again and hope the staff enjoy being back in their own building in the busy lead up to Christmas. ‘I’m sure there will be plenty of interest in the flats becoming available and it will be great to see more residential property being enjoyed in the town centre. ‘There is much to be impressed about with this whole project from Poundland and I look forward to seeing further development work in the town centre to meet the aspirational aims we have for Moray.’ Woolworths Poundland Share or comment on this article: Now Poundland's selling flats... but you'll need 85,000 £1s to buy one e-mail Add comment
Holiday shopping for Gen Zs and Alphas can be quite the adventure! Teens and tweens are perpetually ahead of the curve with their ever-evolving tastes and interests, which makes finding the perfect present a tricky task for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, and more. To hit the mark, though, you’ll do well to consider anything that’s Taylor Swift-coded , tech gadgets that keep them connected, trendy fashion or beauty items that let them express their unique style and personality, or complex craft kits and subscription boxes that can help fuel their imagination and awaken their creative spirits. As a mom of three very young Gen Alphas, I’m always trying to figure out exactly which games, toys, and trinkets will win them over, but the tween and teen set (Gen Z’s youngest are 12 years old right now) is even more impossible to please. Best Gifts for Tweens and Teens So, we’ve done some of the heavy lifting to bring you a list of 20 gifts guaranteed to have all the 10-somethings in your life flooding you with MAJOR aura points (i.e. your coolness is essentially off the charts). Bic BODYMARK Temporary Tattoo Markers Bic BODYMARK Temporary Tattoo Markers Amazon/Bic Price: $20, instead of $35 Okay, so we’re not saying that your teens should be inking up with reckless abandon, but if they want to flex some rebellion in their not-quite-an-adult-yet years, then these skin-safe markers might do the trick (I mean, remember how obsessed we all were with Milky Pen scribbles all over our arms and hands back in the early aughts?). With a variety of vibrant colors and tip types, teens 13 years old+ can draw freestyle or use the enclosed BODYMARK stencils to create eye-catching designs that showcase their unique sense of self, what they love, and what they stand for. BONNYCO Pink Cinema Light Box with 400 Letters & Emojis & 2 Markers BONNYCO Pink Cinema Light Box Amazon/BONNYCO Price: $28, instead of $40 Any gift that gives your tweenager a voice will have them heart-eyesing for days — quite literally, too, when emojis are involved. Prep it with a very special message and then put it under the tree, and come Christmas, they’ll be lit up with excitement. FlashCatch Light Up Football FlashCatch Light Up Football Amazon/FlashCatch Price: $28, instead of $35 Even though it gets dark at like 5 p.m. these days, your little baller can still keep their game in play with this glow-in-the-dark, professional-level football. They’ll need to pump it up before it’s ready to go (pump isn’t included), but the box come with a spare set of batteries and over 30 hours of run-time, so no one needs to retire too early. Stanley x Barbie Icon 30-Ounce Quencher Stanley x Barbie Icon 30-Ounce Quencher Stanley/Mattel/Barbie Price: $50 If you’re shopping for a mini Barbie with a certifiable water bottle obsession, then you have to add to their growing collection with this best-selling hot pink Stanley Quencher. With a high-gloss “Barbie” signature in brush script and the doll’s unmistakable high-pony silhouette near the handle, this easy-to-hold sipper will be in hand everywhere they’re going. HASAKEE Q9 Drone HASAKEE Q9 Drone in Blue and Green HASAKEE Price: $40, instead of $50 This drone isn’t just about flying; it’s about creating a neon light show in the sky with its vibrant green and blue LEDs. It’s super easy to use, even for beginners, and it’s built to withstand all those inevitable crashes (bound to happen if you have a boy in between the ages of 8 and 12). Trust me, this drone will keep your young adventurer entertained for hours with its cool tricks and double flight time. CrunchLabs Subscription Box CrunchLabs Subscription Box CrunchLabs Price: starting from $25 per box (if paying annually for 12 months) You really can’t get a more “fire” gift than a subscription box straight from the mind of a real-life former NASA engineer. With a CrunchLabs Build Box subscription , your budding builder will get a cool new STEM project (like a disc launcher, coin spinner, or trip wire) that they can create, play with and learn from — via Mark Rober’s fun video guide. Plus, every box comes with a chance to win a Platinum Ticket to go to CrunchLabs and meet Rober himself. #Totalfankid approved. TOSY Flying Disc TOSY Flying Disc TOSY Price: $28, instead of $36 Some kids just cannot stay inside, and this TOSY light-up frisbee (basically) was made exclusively for them. The disc glows with bright, built-in LED lights, and it packs up to 90 minutes of air time. Your ultimate “W” in the gift-giving department might even convince your kiddo to commission a Christmas or New Year’s Eve throw challenge for the whole family... That’s the goal, right?! Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera Fujifilm Price: $79 What Polaroid had on lock in the 90s and 2000s is now being finessed for a new generation in Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera . This shutterbug-satisfying snapster — available in five pretty pastel colorways — prints out high-quality, 2-inch x 3-inch INSTAX mini instant photos in approximately five seconds. But, let’s be honest, it’s the built-in “selfie” mirror on the lens that’s just the total cherry on top. Bose New SoundLink Flex 2nd Gen Portable Bluetooth Speaker Bose New SoundLink Flex 2nd Gen Portable Bluetooth Speaker Bose Price: $119, instead of $149 Looking for a no-brainer gift idea for any music-loving 10 to 19-year-old? We got you! With up to 20 hours of battery life, they can jam out all day long without missing a beat. Its portable, waterproof, and dust-proof design means they can take their tunes anywhere — whether they’re having a sleepover party with friends or chilling at the beach or the park with their crew (when it’s finally nice outside again). And before you ask, YES, they can even charge their phone from the speaker, so they’ll never have to worry about their favorite Spotlfy playlist cutting out. UGG Ultra Mini Platform UGG Ultra Mini Platform UGG/Kids Foot Locker Price: $130 UGG boots are as much on the radar of our mini-mes as they are for us, so if you really want to earn yourself a “best gift giver of ALL time” superlative this season, going with a trendy pair of sheepskin slip-ons will help you do it. Featuring a unique asymmetrical design and super-cushy midsole, the fur-lined platforms — available in best-selling UGG colorways — are all they need to slay the day. Sorry, we just had... Even more gifts that hit different with this discerning crowd e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil for $8 SUSSED The Wacky ‘What Would You Do?’ Card Game for $13, instead of $15 Flipslide Game — Electronic Handheld Game for $15, instead of $18 MAREE Star Pimple Patches for Face for $16 Pretty Me Wall Collage Kit for $20, instead of $25 SCRIB3D P1 3D Printing Pen with Display for $37 BAGGU Medium Nylon Crescent Bag for $52 Beats Solo 3 — Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones for $95, instead of $200 LoveShackFancy Oran Weekender for $295 PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (Slim) for $374, instead of $450 The Best Gift Guides of 2024 12 expensive gifts that are so worth it, you actually won’t feel bad buying them for yourself or loved ones 20 unique gifts your girlfriend will actually love and use 21 white elephant gifts you can buy last minute on Amazon 15 coworker gift ideas for your next office holiday party 20 unique gifts for the boyfriend who has everything Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Danielle Halibey can be reached at dhalibey@njadvancemedia.com . Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips .
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