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216 phlove MONTREAL — A prominent polling analyst says Quebec's governing party would be reduced to fewer than 10 seats in the provincial legislature if an election were held today, based on current poll numbers. Philippe J. Fournier, creator of poll aggregator 338Canada, says Premier François Legault's approval rating is now worse than that of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which recent polls have pegged around 30 per cent. A Pallas Data poll released Monday for 338Canada and L'Actualité magazine suggests a majority of Quebecers think Legault should step down before the next provincial election in 2026, and only one in five respondents are satisfied with his performance. "We have in Quebec a premier who not long ago could almost walk on water," Fournier said in an interview. "And the confidence, the link that he had with many voters in Quebec is utterly broken right now." Legault won a second term in 2022, when his party secured 90 of 125 seats — the largest majority Quebec had seen in decades. But the centre-right party he co-founded in 2011, the Coalition Avenir Québec, has been lagging behind the sovereigntist Parti Québécois in opinion polls for more than a year. Fournier said he was surprised Legault's numbers are as bad as they are. "Twenty per cent satisfaction is incredibly low for a party that won 90 seats two years ago," he said. "Usually a premier or a prime minister with such numbers, when they're in the second mandate, there is no coming back." The poll showed 53 per cent of respondents think Legault should not seek a third mandate, with fairly consistent results across age groups and regions of the province. Fournier pointed out that the 33 per cent of respondents who said Legault should stay on include Parti Québécois and Liberal voters who may want him to seek re-election because they think he's weak. Fournier drew parallels between Legault and Trudeau, whose Liberal party is trailing the Conservatives by a wide margin in the polls. "I see two men who were extremely popular at the peak of their powers, and then they had to go through the pandemic," he said. "The post-pandemic world that we have, I think we're still destabilized. I think inflation is going down, but it hurt a lot of people, and so whoever is in charge, they will be blamed for it. Many incumbents are falling right now." Many observers point to Legault's decision last year to abandon plans to build motorists a tunnel between Quebec City and suburbs south of the St. Lawrence River as the beginning of his downward spiral. The government promised to revive the project after losing a Quebec City byelection last fall. He has since taken heat for other controversial decisions, including a plan to spend up to $7 million to lure the NHL's Los Angeles Kings to play two pre-season games in Quebec City in October. But Fournier said that where voters in the rest of Canada might blame Ottawa for inflation and the cost of living, Quebecers are more likely to direct their ire toward the provincial government. "They're not pointing at Justin Trudeau, they're pointing at François Legault," he said. Fournier said seat projections he's releasing later this week will show the Coalition Avenir Québec in single-digit territory. "If the numbers are still like this (in a year), not only is he heading toward defeat, but it will be a crushing defeat," he said, adding that he believes Legault will either step down or be pushed out if the polls don't change. Legault has said he will run again in 2026. Antonine Yaccarini, a political analyst and former PQ and CAQ staffer, said U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's threats to slap tariffs on products from Canada could be an opportunity for the premier to create a "common front" with leaders across the country to look for solutions. "When we face a crisis, it can have a rallying effect around a leader," she said. But she said Legault has often been too quick to react to negative headlines. Earlier this year, for example, he abruptly announced that his party would no longer accept donations amid cash-for-access allegations. "So there is a bit of this tendency to rush, and to react to what is in the media very, very quickly," she said, adding that the premier needs to be more focused and disciplined. Yaccarini said it's difficult to predict what the political landscape would look like in Quebec if Legault were to step aside, since he created the party in his image. "It's a coalition of people, some who are former separatists, others who are more federalist," she said. "So depending on who will carry the CAQ in the future, it could have a huge impact on their positions." The Quebec Liberal Party, which currently forms the official Opposition, is set to launch a leadership race in January. It remains to be seen what direction the party will take under new leadership, Yaccarini said. The Pallas Data poll surveyed 1,093 adults by phone last week, and has a margin of error of three percentage points, 19 times out of 20. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2024. Maura Forrest, The Canadian PressNFL Week 14 could be the turning point for this year's playoff race. Just look at the standings as the 2024 regular season reaches its stretch run , and then glance at the schedule. It's littered with games that could decide division races , wild card spots and postseason tiebreakers. That starts Thursday night when the Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers in a matchup of NFC North contenders. Sunday's action includes a matchup to decide first place the NFC West ( Seahawks vs. Cardinals ), two teams in the middle of the logjam atop the NFC North and NFC South ( Falcons vs. Vikings ) and "Sunday Night Football" featuring the two best teams in the AFC West ( Chargers vs. Chiefs ). There's a whole lot at stake. After this week, when six teams are on a bye, every team in the league will have only four games left in the regular season. The playoffs aren't far off anymore , and analysts are already weighing in on what might happen next. Here is an early look at picks and predictions for every game on the Week 14 schedule : NFL Week 14 game predictions, picks Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 2 NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions ∎ BetMGM : Packers cover with Lions ailing "Aidan Hutchinson, Alex Anzalone and now Malcolm Rodriguez. Those are the glaring absentees for Detroit (on defense), which also has Marcus Davenport on IR and Carlton Davis sidelined. The quality of Detroit’s offense may be enough to overcome those absences from an outright standpoint, but will they really cover this big a number?" ∎ Arizona Republic : Lions 28, Packers 24 "Can the Packers upset the Lions in Detroit? Sure they can. Will they? We don't think so after the Lions got a bit of a wake-up call against the Bears on Thanksgiving." New York Jets at Miami Dolphins ∎ Betting Pros : Dolphins win big "This is a good spot for the Dolphins to get back on track. ... New York’s offense continues to struggle, and its defense has also been an issue. With Miami at home, the offense should be able to cruise to a lopsided win and keep their slim playoff hopes alive." ∎ Pro Football Network : Dolphins 24, Jets 17 "The metrics tell you that the Dolphins are the superior team here offensively, while they are essentially even defensively. Throw in home-field advantage, and it makes a lot of sense that Miami is favored." Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings ∎ BetMGM : Take the points with Atlanta "Atlanta’s 17-13 defeat against the Chargers is slightly misleading. (Kirk) Cousins threw four interceptions, including one in the end zone, and had a pick returned for a touchdown. But the Falcons offense dominated the line of scrimmage and produced a strong offensive performance. Atlanta outgained the Chargers, 350-187." ∎ Bookies.com : Vikings get a 'must' win "Kirk Cousins returns to Minnesota. The Vikings have moved on just fine without him, going 10-2 in their first dozen games with Sam Darnold at QB. ... They're just one game behind Detroit in the race for the NFC North and the (slim) possibility for a first-round bye and home field. This one is a must. The Falcons have begun their late-season descent in the NFC South." New Orleans Saints at New York Giants ∎ Arizona Republic : Saints 21, Giants 13 "If the Giants want to get a win at home this season, this might be their best opportunity. Still, we don't like New York's chances." ∎ Pro Football Network : Saints 20, Giants 17 "It is uncomfortable to lay five points with this Saints team on the road. They are 1-4 on the road this year, with their only win coming indoors against the Dallas Cowboys back in Week 2, meaning they’re 0-3 outdoors this season." Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles ∎ Bookies.com : Eagles win, Panthers cover "The Panthers have covered in 4 straight games, including their lone two wins of the season in early November. ... Philly has won 8 straight and has also covered in its past 4 games. But this number is the largest the Eagles have faced all season as favorites. Philly wants to run the ball and the clock here. Bryce Young and the Panthers' defense can deliver the back door cover here." ∎ Arizona Republic : Eagles 30, Panthers 16 "The Eagles are the biggest favorite of the week and for good reason. This team is rolling (eight straight wins). Jalen Hurts and company will make it nine straight after this game." Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers ∎ Betting Pros : Steelers get revenge "The Steelers were upset by the Browns (in Week 12) in a game that was significantly impacted by weather. However, Pittsburgh plays much better at home, and the offense has come to life under Russell Wilson. Expect the Steelers offense to score and for the defense to get after Jameis Winston." ∎ Pro Football Network : Steelers 20, Browns 17 "It’s hard to project which version of the (Jameis) Winston experience you’re going to get. Defensively, they are essentially even, so the edge goes to the Steelers." Las Vegas Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers ∎ Bookies.com : Lay the points in Tampa "Baker Mayfield has the Bucs cooking just in time for the NFC South and NFC playoff race. Tampa Bay is getting healthier each week. The Bucs offense at home against a Mountain/West team with an early kickoff should over perform." ∎ Arizona Republic : Buccaneers 24, Raiders 14 "We wrote off Tampa Bay a few weeks ago. We were wrong. The Buccaneers are now tied for the NFC South lead and should at least be in that same position after this week." Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans ∎ BetMGM : Fade Will Levis and the Titans "Lost in the Jaguars ’ loss to the Texans is the fact their offense excelled behind Mac Jones ... But the crux of this play is fading Will Levis as a market favorite. Levis is 1-3 against the spread as a market favorite for his career. It’s also the first time Brian Callahan will play a game as a favorite with Levis. With Mason Rudolph, he’s 0-3 against the spread." ∎ Pro Football Network : Titans 23, Jaguars 20 "Can you really lay 4.5 points with Will Levis and a Titans’ defense that is seemingly crumbling? Equally, can you trust Mac Jones, who led his team to 13 points in two starts (albeit against very good defenses)?" Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals ∎ Arizona Republic : Cardinals 27, Seahawks 20 "The Cardinals really need to win this game to help their chances to win the NFC West after two-straight losses on the road. Luckily for Arizona, this game is at home, where the Bird Gang will help Arizona rise." ∎ Bookies.com : Seattle has the Cardinals' number "The Seahawks kept Kyler Murray’s offense out of the end zone in their 16-6 win over the Cardinals in Seattle two weeks ago. ... The Seahawks have beaten the Cardinals six-straight times." Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams ∎ Pro Football Network : Bills 30, Rams 20 "The Buffalo Bills are on a tear right now. They’ve won seven in a row, with five being by more than one score. Buffalo’s struggles, however, have come on the road. ... The Bills have a chance to fix that narrative in the next two weeks, and the first step comes against the Los Angeles Rams ." ∎ Arizona Republic : Bills 30, Rams 20 "The Rams are fighting for their playoff lives, but the Bills are just playing at an elite level right now. Matthew Stafford and company won't be able to keep up." Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers ∎ Pro Football Network : 49ers 23, Bears 20 "What a fascinating matchup this is between a team that has fired its head coach and another that is reeling from injury issues and coming off two humiliating road losses in cold-weather games." ∎ Bookies.com : Bet on the Bears "The 4-8 Bears have lost seven-straight on the road, but the Niners have failed to cover in four-straight. Chicago is primed for the interim-coach bounce back cover - if not win." Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs ∎ ESPN : Chargers cover in a close game "The Chiefs are riding a four-game win streak but haven't had a victory of more than 3.5 points ... The Chargers have also won five of their last six games. But their scoring margin in those six games is +49 compared to the Chiefs' margin of +11 over the same stretch. Los Angeles is playing much better than they were the last time these two teams met. And even if the Chiefs pull it out, it is likely that it's going to be a really close, last-second victory." ∎ Pro Football Focus : Bet on Chiefs' luck to run out "The Chargers have hit their stride in recent weeks, producing a better expected points added margin than Kansas City since Week 7. Their defense, especially, has been an elite unit and should be able to pressure Patrick Mahomes." Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys ∎ Arizona Republic : Bengals 24, Cowboys 17 "Two of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season. We have more faith in Joe Burrow and the Bengals' ability to put points on the scoreboard." ∎ Pro Football Network : Bengals 30, Cowboys 24 "The Bengals have been involved in several shootouts this year, but I question whether Cooper Rush can go toe-to-toe in one against Joe Burrow and that offense. ... Cincinnati is 2-4 this year when scoring over 30 points, demonstrating just how bad the defense is." We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.Free Agent Returning to Dodgers With $66 Million Contract

Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rulesArticle content In the days after her absence from a vigil one year after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, Mayor Olivia Chow got an earful, emails released to the Toronto Sun show. Recommended Videos A freedom-of-information request yielded 135 pages worth of emails to and from Chow and her staff. Most of them are fully redacted – essentially just blank pages – but 44 of them contain emails regarding the Oct. 7 vigil and its organizers, the United Jewish Appeal and Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. Of those, most are emails from irate Torontonians sent after Chow’s absence. Chow has since apologized and has cited fatigue, a scheduling conflict with a meeting on bike lanes , an issue with her email account and a decision to instead wear black as reasons for not attending. In a recent emailed statement to the Sun , Chow did not address the complaints but again apologized, saying she “should have been there to show the Jewish community how much I care about their safety and well-being in this city.” The vigil was held one year after the attack on Israel to honour the 1,200 people who were slain. Some of the emails were sent the night of the vigil. “You ... chose not to attend the UJA memorial tonight,” one email read. “Nor have you posted a statement on social media to honour families who lost loved ones in the most horrific attack last Oct. 7... You are a disgrace and you should continue hiding until you are finally voted out of office. You owe the Toronto Jewish community an apology. Shame on you!” (Any information that could identify someone who made a complaint, such as a name or email address, was redacted by city staff.) Another email sent Oct. 9 began: “I am a Jewish man who has lived in Toronto all of my life. Never have I, and so many other Toronto Jews, ever felt more uncomfortable and threatened in our lives.” “There seems to be ample time for you to have press conferences in opening Woodbine toilets early, time for you to tweak at Caribana, a photo opportunity at Nuit Blanche, all of the really important and relevant things you were elected to do,” the man added. A parent, who also emailed on Oct. 9, expressed “frustration” with Chow’s apparent inaction. “My daughters who attend a Jewish high school have had three bomb threats made to their school just for being Jewish,” reads that message. “I am shocked that you have not played a more active role in combating this blatant anti-Semitism!” Another Oct. 9 email from an “appalled” resident stated: “A meeting on bike lanes? That was more important than being there to show support for all those who were killed, raped or taken hostage? You did not get my vote in the last election and your absence and then your terrible excuse have made sure you will never get my vote. I am embarrassed to be a Torontonian because of you.” Another person wrote on Oct. 10: “It is shocking that someone in your esteemed position could not exercise the moral clarity to prioritize standing alongside the Jewish community, but instead chose to remain at a meeting about bike lanes. Mayor Chow – only one word comes to mind: egregious.” An Oct. 8 email accused Chow of being “conspicuously un-empathetic to the Jewish population of Toronto.” “Please comment in a meaningful way so I am able to comprehend your absence in this matter.” (It does not appear Chow replied to this or any other of the emails from constituents.) “Regardless of the mayor’s personal politics,” a constituent wrote on Oct. 10, “she is the mayor of all the people... The mayor should know that she can support one side and still have empathy and compassion for the other. The latter in this case sorely lacking.” A brief Oct. 10 email, sent to both Chow and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, stated Chow “should be kicked out of Toronto” and called the Mayor a “pathetic weasel.” On the afternoon of Oct. 9, a self-professed lifelong Jewish resident of Toronto claimed to be “astounded” that Chow wasn’t at the vigil. “The event was attended by Premier Ford and several MPPs, former mayor John Tory and several members of Toronto council and several MPs. Prime Minister Trudeau attended the event in Ottawa. Your absence is inexcusable ... I have seen you on television at several Palestinian events.” “Are we really supposed to believe that a seasoned politician and the mayor of a world-class city like Toronto was unable to attend because of an alleged email mishap?” reads another email from Oct. 10. “This explanation is as flimsy as it is offensive. ... And now, rather than acknowledging the growing fear and alienation in the Jewish community, you offer a half-hearted ‘regret’ through a statement sent to the media.” An Oct. 8 email from a voter reads: “As a Jew in Toronto – who voted for you – I feel unseen, unheard, unacknowledged, uncared-for.” In another email, sent Oct. 9, the writer admitted feeling “lost” since the no-show and brought up the memory of Chow’s late husband. “You should have been fighting to be there, to stand up for those tragically slain innocents, to support your constituents who mourn. Jack would have been there,” the email said. “My disappointment stems from your lack of concern. It deepens to disgust when I imagine the reason for your non-attendance was to please that part of your constituents to whom you pander.” An Oct. 9 email expressed “profound dissatisfaction” in the email subject line. “You are a disgrace to the office of mayor – supposedly mayor for all the people of this diverse city. You attend street festivals and smile your way to all – except the Jewish community,” the email accused. “The Jewish community will never forget nor forgive your absence and failure to acknowledge our pain. Shame on you!” A talk radio listener wrote on Oct. 9: “I heard you this morning on the John Moore show (on) CFRB with your incredibly ridiculous excuses, none of which will fly with anyone with even one synapse firing in their heads.” An Oct. 10 email with “Disappointed” in the subject line accused Chow of failing to do her job. “You know that Oct 7, 2023, was the most horrific day in the lives of humanity since the Holocaust... A resignation from you would please many,” the person wrote. An Oct. 9 email ended: “Apology is just a word. Your actions have conveyed a hateful message to all Torontonians.” An email from the morning of Oct. 8, with the subject line “Your silence speaks volumes,” reads: “When the Jewish community comes together they do not block streets, do not cover their faces and do not shout hate.” Another email from that same day ended: “I will be volunteering to help anyone who will put their name forward to run against you in the next election.” An email writer on Oct. 9 signed off: “You are a terrible and nasty mayor.” And another email sent on the evening of Oct. 8 stated: “The mayor should be completely ashamed of herself, and is unfit to lead a diverse city like Toronto. The sooner she resigns, the better.” jholmes@postmedia.com

Two Arrested For Lynching Man Over Stealing Money In Mizoram: Cops

NEW YORK – With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you're saving to move out of your parents' house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. Recommended Videos “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year," Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they're attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Change your relationship with money Think about how you currently deal with finances — what's good, what's bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there's shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it's time to change that mentality, Lapato said. To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. Know your “why” When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it's important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you're saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. Budget, budget, budget “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. "Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year." McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. Pay down outstanding debt “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. Take control of your credit card interest rate “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. Set realistic, practical goals When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma's Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you'll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. Don't ‘flamingo' or bury your head in the sand “You can't manage what you can't see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025," said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that's one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers' credit scores. Automate savings, where possible Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Slow down Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams . A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, executive vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Focus on financial wellness Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution," said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. "Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said. —— The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.

How an unexpected gift reminds us of what mattersOver the years, the courses offered in prison school have expanded beyond the national examinations. SINGAPORE – Nakarasan, 49, has been in and out of prison since his teenage years for offences such as robbery, vehicle theft and housebreaking. When he was handed a 10-year prison sentence in 2015, the extent of the time he would be behind bars hit him. “I wanted to change. I realised I was wasting my life,” Nakarasan, who did not want to give his full name, told The Straits Times. Determined to make that his last incarceration, he enrolled in a Nitec course in electronics and computer networking in prison school to give himself a goal to work towards. “I realised that education was my ticket to a new life. I wanted to break free, to live with purpose, and to truly embrace the life I was meant to lead,” he said. Nakarasan, who will be released in March 2025, is now in a halfway house for the last part of his sentence. He continued his studies in prison school in 2023, pursuing a diploma in business practice (administration and management) from Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP). He completed the course in May 2024, and now works at a pharmaceutical company. “This job has helped me rebuild my life, and I am deeply appreciative of the trust and support I have received along the way,” he said. He is one of 300 people who studied while in prison in 2023. Classes are held on prison grounds in classrooms that – if one looks past the barred windows – resemble those in typical mainstream schools, with whiteboards and tables. Prison guards sometimes patrol the corridor outside the classrooms. Lessons can be held both in person and virtually. Over the years, the courses offered in prison school have expanded beyond the national examinations, giving inmates more chances at better prospects when they return to society. The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) collaborated with NP in 2018 to begin offering a diploma in business practice course for inmates. In 2020, a degree programme from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) was added to the prison school. The prison school also started offering the Institute of Technical Education’s Nitec in services course in 2021. The number of inmates taking the diploma course offered by NP has gone up from 16 in 2022 to 38 in 2023. The inmates pursuing degrees also doubled in number, from three in 2022 to six in 2023. SUSS told ST that it has plans to introduce more part-time undergraduate programmes to prison school students. SPS said that about 70 per cent of its inmate population have secondary-level education or below. “Hence, availing education and skills training programmes is important to help raise inmates’ economic capital and increase their employability upon release,” it said. “Ex-offenders who remain employed are at a lower risk of reoffending than those who are not.” The Ministry of Education has offered work attachment opportunities for teachers who are keen to teach at prison school since the 1970s. For the past five years, around 12 teachers have been seconded to prison school yearly, with the average tenure ranging from two to five years, it added. Madam Hernie Salleh taught English in prison school from January 2021 to December 2022. She was initially worried and anxious about teaching in the new environment, which she feared might be daunting. “I was particularly concerned about potential discipline issues and how best to handle or approach them if they arose,” she said. Madam Hernie’s worries were eased on the first day when she saw how excited the class was at meeting a new teacher. The students were respectful in their interactions with her and asked questions politely, she said. “They frequently asked questions about how to improve their English and what they could do to continue learning after class, despite having limited resources in their cells.” Many also shared their aspirations for the future with her, with some telling her they hoped to continue in prison school as far as they could. “Their drive and self-reflection made me pause and think about how much they valued education as a means to better themselves,” she said. “Witnessing the determination of students striving to excel, even under such constrained circumstances, was incredibly inspiring and reinforced the value of education as a tool for transformation.” Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now

Lisa Simpson once said during an episode of “The Simpsons:” What could be more exciting than the savage ballet that is pro football? On Monday night, the entire Simpsons universe gets to experience it in a way not many could have imagined. The prime-time matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys will also take place at Springfield’s Atoms Stadium as part of “The Simpsons Funday Football” alternate broadcast. The altcast will be streamed on ESPN+, Disney+, and NFL+ (on mobile devices). ESPN and ABC have the main broadcast, while ESPN2 will carry the final “ManningCast” of the regular season. The replay will be available on Disney+ for 30 days. Globally, more than 145 countries will have access to either live or on replay. “We’re such huge football fans, and the Simpsons audience and the football audience, I feel, are like the same audience of just American families and football. And the Simpsons are so much a part of the DNA of the American family and culture that for us to, like, mush them together in this crazy video game, it’s so fun,” said Matt Selman, executive producer of “The Simpsons.” While the game is the focal point, the alternate broadcast, in some ways, will resemble a three-hour episode of “The Simpsons.” It starts with Homer eating too many hot dogs and having a dream while watching football. Homer joins the Cowboys in the dream while Bart teams up with the Bengals. Lisa and Marge will be sideline reporters. “That’s the beginning of the story, and the story continues through the entire game until Homer wakes up from his dream at the end of the game. It is like a complete story, and the NFL game will happen in between. It’s just going to be an amazing presentation with tons of surprises,” said Michael “Spike” Szykowny, ESPN’s VP of edit and animation. This is the second year ESPN has done an alternate broadcast for an NFL game. It used the characters from “Toy Story” for last year’s Sunday morning game from London between the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars. “The Simpsons” has featured many sports-themed episodes during its 35 seasons. Even though “Homer at the Bat” remains the consensus favorite sports episode for many Simpsons fans, there have been football ones such as “Bart Star” and “Lisa The Greek.” There also was a Super Bowl-themed one after Fox’s broadcast of Super Bowl 33 between Denver and Atlanta in 1999. Even though “The Simpsons” remains a staple on Fox’s prime-time schedule, it is part of the Disney family after their acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019. All 35 seasons are on Disney+. The show’s creators have worked with ESPN and the NFL to make sure the look and sound is definitely Simpsonsesque. The theme song is a mash-up of “The Simpsons” opening and “Monday Night Football’s” iconic “Heavy Action.” There have also been pre-recorded skits and bits to use during the broadcast featuring Simpson’s legendary voices Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, and Yeardley Smith. The telecast will be entirely animated, with the players’ movements in sync with what is happening in real-time on the field. That is done through player-tracking data enabled by the NFL’s Next Gen Stats system and Sony’s Beyond Sports Technology. While Next Gen Stats tracks where players are on the field with a tracking chip in the shoulder pads, there is skeletal data tracking and limb tracking data — which uses 29 points per player — to get closer to the player’s movements. The other data tracking will allow Beyond Sports and Disney to add special characters to the game. For example, there might be a play where Lisa catches the ball and goes 30 yards instead of Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins. “Lisa is much smaller than the rest of the players. So, in real life, the ball would go over her head, but now, with data processing, we can take the ball and make it go exactly into her hands. So for the viewer, it still looks believable, and it all makes sense,” said Beyond Sports co-founder Nicolaas Westerhof. The other major challenge is making “The Simpsons” two-dimensional cartoon characters into 3-D simulations. Szykowny and his team worked to make that a reality over the past couple of months. “That’s a big leap of faith for them to say, hey, we trust you to make our characters 3-D and work with it. Our ESPN creative studio team has done a wonderful job,” Szykowny said. Lisa, Krusty, Nelson, Milhouse and Ralph will be with Bart and the Bengals; while Carl, Barney, Lenny and Moe join up with with Homer and the Cowboys. The broadcast will also feature ESPN personalities Stephen A. Smith, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. ESPN’s Drew Carter, Mina Kimes and Dan Orlovsky will call the game from Bristol, Connecticut, and also be animated. They will wear Meta Quest Pro headsets to experience the game from Springfield using VR technology. For Kimes, being part of the broadcast and being an animated Simpsons character is a dream come true. She is a massive fan of the show and has a framed photo of Lisa Simpson — who she said is a personal hero and icon — as part of her backdrop when she makes appearances on ESPN NFL shows from her home in Los Angeles. “I didn’t have any input, and I didn’t see anything beforehand, so I wasn’t sure if it would look like me, but it kind of does, which is very funny,” said Kimes, who drew Simpsons characters when she was a kid. “To see the actual staff turn me into one was a dream.” Even though the Bengals (4-8) and Cowboys (5-7) have struggled this season, Selman thinks both teams have personalities that appeal to “The Simpsons” universe. “We were just so lucky also that the Cowboys are sort of like a Homer Simpson-type team, American team, and Mike McCarthy might be a Homer-type guy, one might imagine,” he said. ”And then you have Joe Burrow on the other side who is a cool young, spiky-haired, blonde bad boy -- he’s like Bart. And that fits our character archetypes so perfectly. “If Homer is mad at Bart and has a hot dog dream while watching ’Monday Night Football’, and then it’s basically McCarthy versus Burrow, Homer versus Bart, and that’s the simple father versus son strangling — Homer strangling Bart dynamic that has been part of the show for 35 years. I don’t know if that would have worked as well if it was like Titans versus Jacksonville. We would have found something. We would have made it work.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Joe Reedy, The Associated PressAechelon lands Sagewind's backing

COLLEGE BOWLRomania's far-right candidate Calin Georgescu on Saturday urged voters to go to polling stations despite the country's top court having scrapped the presidential elections over alleged irregularities amid claims of Russian interference. The court's shock ruling, coming just before the presidential run-off which had been due Sunday, opens the way for a new electoral process starting from scratch in the EU and NATO member state bordering war-torn Ukraine. The annulment follows a spate of intelligence documents declassified by the presidency this week detailing allegations against Georgescu and Russia, including claims of "massive" social media promotion and cyberattacks. Georgescu -- who unexpectedly topped last month's first round of voting -- called for voters on Sunday "to wait to be welcomed, to wait for democracy to win through their power", said a statement from his team. "Mr. Calin Georgescu believes that voting is an earned right," said the statement. "That is why he believes that Romanians have the right to be in front of the polling stations tomorrow." Georgescu himself would go to a polling station near Bucharest at 0600 GMT, said his team. Earlier Saturday, police raided three houses in Brasov city in central Romania as part of the investigation "in connection with crimes of voter corruption, money laundering, computer forgery". Among the houses searched was that of businessman Bogdan Peschir, a TikTok user who according to the declassified documents allegedly paid $381,000 to those involved in the promotion of Georgescu, Romanian media reported. Peschir has compared his support for Georgescu to the world's richest man Elon Musk's backing of US president-elect Donald Trump. Little-known outsider Georgescu, a 62-year-old former senior civil servant, was favourite to win the second round on Sunday against centrist pro-EU mayor Elena Lasconi, 52, according to several polls. But the constitutional court on Friday unanimously decided to annul the entire electoral process as it was "marred... by multiple irregularities and violations of electoral legislation". President Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday that he had discussed with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, and they agreed on the "need to strengthen the security of social media". The European Commission announced earlier this week that it had stepped up monitoring TikTok after Romania's authorities alleged "preferential treatment" of Georgescu on the platform -- a claim the company has denied. Following the court's decision, the United States said it had faith in Romania's institutions and called for a "peaceful democratic process". Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., on X branded the vote's cancellation an "attempt at rigging the outcome" and "denying the will of the people". Georgescu called it "a formalised coup d'etat" and said democracy was "under attack". His team on Saturday declined to comment on the raids, saying they "will not comment or provide answers until we have exact data". Georgescu and another far-right party, the AUR, have said they plan to appeal the decision to stop the voting to the High Court of Cassation and Justice. A past admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Georgescu, an EU and NATO sceptic, in recent days had reframed himself as "ultra pro-Trump," vowing to put Romania "on the world map" and cut aid for neighbouring Ukraine. In an interview with US broadcaster Sky News on Saturday, Georgescu said there were no links between him and Russia. Political scientist Costin Ciobanu told AFP that the annulment has "further polarised Romanian society". With trust in institutions and the ruling class already low, the vote's cancellation poses a "major danger that Romanians will think that it doesn't matter how they vote", Ciobanu added. Elsewhere in the EU, Austria annulled presidential elections in 2016 because of procedural irregularities. In Romania, a new government is expected to set another date for the presidential vote. In last weekend's legislative elections, the ruling Social Democrats came top. But far-right parties made big gains, securing an unprecedented third of the ballots on mounting anger over soaring inflation and fears over Russia's war in Ukraine. In a joint appeal on Wednesday, the Social Democrats and three other pro-EU parties -- together making up an absolute majority in parliament -- signed an agreement to form a coalition, promising "stability". bur-jza/jj

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Duke Energy: A 3.9% Dividend Yield From This Electric UtilityUS homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many peopleHow two apps are turning smartphones into navigation devices for the blindI remember where I was when I first heard the term. It was early 1998 and I was in a McDonald's drive-thru. My friend was explaining to me why he and his family had decided to move to rural Arkansas next year. "Y2K," I said. "What's that?" Y2K. The "millenium bug" arriving in the year 2000. The new millennium. Some of you might well remember this time. For those under about age 30, let me catch you up. Many of the computers used in government and business in the late 20th century, including ones that powered the early internet, supposedly had something of a ticking time bomb inside of them. "It's very hard to tell how bad the situation will be. I'm sure things will break. It's very hard to dispel a nightmare scenario," Nathan Myhrvold, Microsoft's chief technology officer, was cited as saying in a January 1999 Forum column. "The dark-side scenario of airplanes falling out of the sky and bank computers crashing is possible. But it's fundamentally very, very hard to know whether the impact will be big or little." The problem was the two-digit-year date field (think "93" as in "1/1/93"). Theoretically, the arrival of the new millennium — the year 2000 — would reset all these computer clocks to "00" as in "1/1/00," wrecking anything that counted on dates to function properly. Theoretically, anyway. The list of public fears was a long one, illustrating how central computer technology had become in our lives, and mirroring larger uncertainty about the new millennium. And while company officials and local, state and federal officials sought to reassure the public, ongoing reporting indicated nobody was quite sure nothing would fail. So the fears remained up until the last minute. "Up against the deadline for fixing an unprecedented technological blunder, the world exhibited some jitters Thursday over the prospect of failures in the computers on which we depend," wrote the Associated Press, as printed by The Forum on New Year's Eve, 1999. "There was testing galore and a few confessions of Y2K-unreadiness." Some religious figures took the moment to insist the coming apocalypse was God's judgment on a wayward culture. "(God) may be preparing to confound our language, to jam our communications, scatter our efforts and judge us for our sin and rebellion against his lordship," evangelical Christian leader Jerry Falwell said in August 1998. "We are hearing from many sources that Jan. 1, 2000, will be a fateful day in the history of the world." As if to embody the looming fears, WWE wrestler Chris Jericho gave himself the moniker Y2J (for Jericho), playing off the Y2K term. His entrance to arenas was marked by a countdown video that, when it got to zero, included shutting off the venue lights, leaving people in noisy darkness before Jericho was revealed. As the year 2000 approached, the fears began to grow into something of a hysteria for some people, sparking drastic decisions, like my friend's family's decision to move to the woods. Others took money out of the bank. Some stocked up on supplies and guns and ammunition to survive the coming failure of civilization. The growing fears were in odd juxtaposition to the more joyful expressions by some about the year 2000. Big millennium parties were planned. Monopoly put out a millennium edition with fancy holographic cards. The boy band Backstreet Boys released their "Millennium" album, still iconic among my generation (OK, fine — I'm listening to it right now). Many people dismissed the fears and planned to go about their lives, expecting the furor was overblown. I moved from North Dakota to South Dakota in 1999, and as the new millennium approached, I was about 55% convinced Y2K was going to cause big problems. I remember counting down the last days of the 1900s and thinking everything was possibly about to change. It didn't, of course. While there were some hiccups among some computer systems, much of the billions of dollars in preparation worked. A concerted global effort to stave off disaster was effective. The apocalypse never arrived, civilization continued. In fact, my daughter was born later that year — one of many "millennium" babies who are now 24 years old. So what happened to my friend who moved to Arkansas? I don't know. I'd like to think he and his family went on to live their best life in a cabin in the Ozarks, ready for the end of the world that never arrived. Have a moment or person in history that you think is especially interesting? Contact me at jfugleberg@forumcomm.com and tell me why you think it would be a great subject for this column.

AU President Jonathan Alger and Mr. Astin will celebrate the Class of 2024 on Dec. 15 WASHINGTON , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American University is proud to present Sean Astin --fondly known to many as Mikey Walsh in The Goonies, Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Rudy Ruettiger in the sports classic Rudy, and Bob Newby in the Netflix's hit series Stranger Things--as the keynote speaker for fall commencement. Astin is also a recent graduate of the School of Public Affairs, earning his master's degree in public administration and policy. During the ceremonies, Astin will be awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Though many are familiar with his onscreen work, Astin is also known for his stewardship and leadership with his union, SAG-AFTRA. Serving on the National and Los Angeles Local Boards as well as on many committees, such as the Executive, Strike Preparedness, Government Affairs and Public Policy, and Government Rules. Astin served on the 2023 TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee, which oversaw the historic 118-day summer strike, —one of the longest labor outages in Hollywood history, which resulted in $1 billion in gains for SAG-AFTRA and new protections around AI technology. The native Angeleno also served under six cabinet secretaries in two presidential administrations as a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army. Astin was appointed to serve as a nonpartisan on the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. "Through his longtime career as an actor, his civic engagement, and his work as a mental health advocate, Sean Astin exemplifies what it means to be a lifelong learner and community-builder, which are both important parts of what we do and who we are at American University ," said AU President Jonathan Alger . "And, as an Eagle himself, Sean will inspire our graduates with his journey and his continued quest to build change in our world." Astin regularly speaks to universities, corporations, and nonprofit organizations on various subjects, including leadership, acting, and with a special emphasis on mental health. His dedication to advancing the conversation around mental health continues the legacy of the late Patty Duke , who was a champion for those who are impacted. "I have always had a passion for public policy and administration. Completing my degree at American University this year is the realization of a lifelong dream. At this moment in the history of our country, nothing is more important than affirming the value of the skill, talent, and dedication of our civil servants," Astin said. "Starting during COVID, the American University online program was an incredible guide. From the curriculum to my cohort, my academic journey was rigorous and fulfilling. I am thrilled at the opportunity to be delivering this year's commencement address. I believe that my mission is to offer praise and appreciation for everyone's accomplishments and to share some thoughts on our path forward." Sean Astin and President Alger will celebrate approximately 1,475 graduates, who will receive their degrees from all eight of AU's schools during ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in Bender Arena on the AU campus. Students will also hear from fellow graduates at each of the ceremonies: This is American University's 148 th commencement. Sean Astin joins other notable American University fall commencement speakers such as Abby Phillip , CNN senior political correspondent and anchor of NewsNight , Andrea Mitchell , host of MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports , and recently Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy . ABOUT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY : American University leverages the power and purpose of scholarship, learning, and community to impact our changing world. AU's faculty, students, staff, and alumni are changemakers who shape the future from sustainability to social justice to the sciences. Building on our 130-year history of education and research in the public interest, we say "Challenge Accepted " to addressing the world's pressing issues. Our Change Can't Wait comprehensive campaign creates transformative educational opportunities, advances research with impact, and builds stronger communities. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-university-to-welcome-recent-graduate-sean-astin-spampap-24-as-commencement-speaker-for-fall-commencement-302320024.html SOURCE American University

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