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A Kenosha teen accused to trying to enter a local elementary school while armed has entered a plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to a charge of making a terroristic threat. On Friday the teen was found to be competent to stand trial. The case will continue to be heard in juvenile court where proceedings are confidential. The 13-year-old will undergo a mental evaluation, and will next appear before Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Jodi Meier on Dec. 20. His attorney, Terry Rose, said that hearing may be continued if the evaluation report in December. The teen attends Mahone Middle School in Kenosha and was a former Roosevelt Elementary student, police said, and have not released his name. The charge was filed in connection with an incident which started at 9:02 a.m. Nov. 7, when Kenosha police said someone had attempted to enter Roosevelt Elementary, 3322 Roosevelt Road, through a secure area. The individual was reportedly carrying a backpack and a duffel bag when stopped and questioned by school staff in the building’s secured entryway, then fled the building into the neighborhood. Kenosha Unified schools were placed on lockdown for the rest of the day as police searched for the boy. They arrested him at his home that afternoon. Kenosha police indicated its detectives executed a search warrant at the teen’s home where they found several air soft replica handguns and a replica rifle. No real firearms were located during the search. In response to the incident, KUSD initiated a review of its safety procedures to identify areas for improvement and enhance school security. Immediate changes were later announced by the district. Updated doorbell camera monitors offering improved visibility and an added monitor with additional outdoor camera views will be installed in offices across district buildings. All front office staff will receive refresher training on visitor protocols, including essential safety screening practices and using the Raptor visitor management system which looks up ID information when someone comes to the school. KUSD announced it will also employ new part-time school entrance monitors at the seven schools currently without controlled entrances. The individuals will be stationed at main entrances to escort visitors screened by office staff to their destinations. With great convenience comes great responsibility. QR codes have opened up a whole new world of ease for consumers and businesses. But as with any new tech, scammers are exploiting the growing market to take advantage of consumers. Uniqode analyzed resources from the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission to compile a list of tips on staying safe when using QR codes in public. QR codes are the now-ubiquitous, black-and-white-patterned squares that can be scanned to access a hyperlink on your phone's web browser. Now almost annually, the FBI has issued consumer warnings that criminals are leveraging QR codes to steal sensitive information. The rise of QR codes for contactless exchanges during the COVID-19 pandemic made the technology all the more appealing for criminals, according to cybersecurity firm Trellix . More than a third of smartphone users scanned a QR code in 2022, a share expected to rise to 42.6% by 2025, according to data forecaster eMarketer. The public adoption of QR codes and their cost-saving potential for businesses has helped keep them around long after pandemic safety measures faded away. But a little vigilance can go a long way for consumers using these web portals. One QR code scheme commonly reported is a version of package delivery scams often carried out via text message. In this case, a potential victim receives a message that appears to come from FedEx or another reputable company directing them to scan a QR code to check on the status of their package delivery. Instead of taking the user to an authentic company website, they'll get a fake one that looks legitimate. Any username and password info submitted to the fake page goes straight to the bad actors who can use it to access sensitive information. QR codes are also easy and cheap for anyone with a phone or computer to generate. The FBI reported about $150 million in losses attributable to QR code scams in the last year, sometimes referred to as "quishing." The practice, in spirit, is the same as "phishing," where a criminal attempts to dupe their victim into revealing personal information that can be used to illicitly access sensitive platforms like banking and email accounts. In a quishing scheme, the criminal intercepts your device not with a shady email or text message but with a hyperlink to a website on your phone populated by the QR code when you scan it. Numerous scams have been reported in which hackers place fake, malicious QR codes on parking meters, restaurant menus, advertisements, and other common locations for digital payments. In some cases, these methods can also steal credit card information stored on the phone used to scan the code. Whenever you scan a QR code with your phone camera, a preview of the link will usually show up on your screen. Make sure the link looks like an official, secure website a legitimate business would host. For example, the standard protocol for secure websites requires that they begin with the string "https://" with the "s" standing for "secure." Another form of attack commonly seen by cybersecurity firms has been dubbed QRLJacking . In this scheme, the victim receives a message containing a QR code, urging them to log in to a platform the victim already uses. When the victim logs in, they're entering their credentials into a fake version of a seemingly legitimate site, giving the attacker access to their actual account. As a technology, QR codes allow users to move very quickly to the point of purchase. Remember to slow down and assess the situation. If you receive an unexpected notification with an accompanying QR code via text message or email, be wary of any instructions urging you to act quickly. Cybercriminals commonly employ urgency tactics because they encourage uncertainty and rushed decisions—the psychological conditions to make it easier for the victim to make a mistake such as entering personal information into a webpage without thinking twice. While QR codes are convenient for businesses to use for mass transactions, the benefits don't outweigh the risks in a direct payment situation when buying things secondhand, for example. Cybersecurity firm KeepNet reported a scam in which the victim was sent a malicious QR code during a Facebook Marketplace transaction. Be wary of these, as navigating directly to a trusted payment platform like Zelle or PayPal may make the most sense. If you're working in an industry particularly vulnerable to these scams, like finance or the energy sector, extra caution may be necessary. The FBI recommends against downloading applications or making payments directly on sites linked to QR codes since they could potentially be malicious. Instead, navigate to the URL manually so that a payment can be made confidently on a trusted, known website, the agency recommends. Other scams include phony QR code scanning applications that are actually malicious software, which can allow malware to be downloaded on your phone. Note that the camera app on most leading smartphones has a QR code scanning capability built in, so there's generally no need to download an additional app. Smartphones may be even more vulnerable to malicious phishing attempts because of the sheer amount of personal information stored on them. Hackers are constantly seeking out vulnerabilities in software to exploit and steal personal information. By keeping your software up to date, you'll ensure that you have the latest version of your phone's operating system, which is the least vulnerable to scams. Another safeguard is multifactor authentication, which provides an additional layer of security that can thwart all types of unauthorized users, including QR scammers. This feature is available for all leading email platforms, social networks, and reputable banks. It requires the user to confirm their identity by logging in with a code or prompt on a separate device after entering the password. A criminal trying to steal personal information through a QR code may get login information, but they won't be able to get past the multifactor authentication unless they also have access to the authenticating device. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Elisa Huang. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Uniqode and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Harry and Meghan’s polo docuseries to highlight ‘grit behind the glamour’Editor’s note : Chris Wright has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Energy secretary and this column is reprinted from March 27, 2022. The energy transition is not happening. Or not nearly at the pace that everyone believes or wishes. At rates the “transition” is set to finish in the mid-2600s. The U.N. Rio Convention and subsequent Kyoto Protocol launched the energy transition drive in 1992. Global energy consumption from hydrocarbons has grown massively since then, with market share only declining by four percentage points over the last 30 years from 87% in 1992 to 83% in 2022. I am not celebrating this fact as I have spent years working on energy transition technologies. The energy transition isn’t failing for lack of earnest effort. It is failing because energy is hard, and 3 billion people living in energy poverty are desperate for reliable and scalable energy sources. Meanwhile, 1 billion energy-rich people are resistant to diminishing their standard of living with higher cost and an increasingly unreliable energy diet. There is no “climate crisis” either. If there is a term more at odds with the exhaustive literature surveys of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change than “climate crisis,” I have not heard it. Climate change is a real global challenge that is extensively studied. Unfortunately, the facts and rational dialogue about the myriad trade-offs aren’t reaching policymakers, the media or activist groups. Or are they are simply ignoring these inconvenient truths? For example, we hear endlessly about the rise in frequency and intensity of extreme weather. This narrative is highly effective at scaring people and driving political action. It is also false. The reality is detailed in countless publications and summarized in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports. Deaths from extreme weather have plunged over the last century, reaching new all-time lows last year, an outcome to be celebrated. This is not because extreme weather has declined. In fact, extreme weather shows no meaningful trend at all. Deaths from extreme weather events have declined because highly energized, wealthier societies are much better prepared to survive nature’s wrath. You are not supposed to say out loud that there is no climate crisis or that the energy transition is proceeding at a glacial pace. These are unfashionable and, to many, offensive facts. But let’s be honest. Energy transition ambitions must recognize reality. Otherwise, poor investment decisions and regulatory frameworks will lead to surging global-energy and food prices. This is exactly what is happening. We are here today in large part because energy transition efforts that previously encompassed solely aggressive support of alternative energy policies, economics be damned, have recently supplemented this strategy with growing efforts to obstruct fossil fuel development. Fossil fuels make the modern world possible. The real crisis today is an energy crisis. It began to reveal itself last fall with a severe shortage in globally traded Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). The LNG crisis has not abated, and it gives Russia’s Vladimir Putin tremendous leverage over Europe. Without Russian gas, the lights in Europe go out. Amid war, public outrage, and intense sanctions, Russian gas flows to Europe remain unchanged. Russian oil exports have continued with minimal interruption. The world can talk tough about sanctioning Russian energy exports, but those exports are vitally needed; hence they continue. Energy security equals national security. The world energy system, critical to human well-being, requires meaningful spare capacity to handle inevitable bumps in the road. In the electricity sector, which represents only 20% of global energy but 40% in wealthy countries, this is called reserve capacity. In the oil market, spare production capacity today is shrinking and concentrated in OPEC nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Also, there is a massive global storage network in surface tanks and underground caverns. In natural gas markets, there are extensive underground storage reservoirs and typically spare export capacity through pipelines and large industrial LNG export and import facilities. The last several years have seen this spare capacity whittled away due partly to lower commodity prices and poor corporate returns shrinking the appetite to invest. Excess capacity has also shrunk due to regulatory blockage of critical energy infrastructure like pipelines and export terminals. Roadblocks for well permitting and leasing on federal lands, together with a mass public miseducation campaign on energy and climate alarmism, are also stymying hydrocarbon development. Investment capital is further constrained by a corporate Environment, Social and Governance movement, and divestment campaigns. These factors are shrinking hydrocarbon investment below what it otherwise would be in response to price signals and outlook for supply and demand. The net result is a constrained supply of oil, natural gas, and coal, which means higher prices and greater risk of market dislocations like the one unfolding today. High energy and food price inflation is the cruelest form of tax on the poor. After a few specific examples, I’ll return to what we should do now to reverse these damaging and deeply inequitable trends. Why does the world today suffer from a severe shortage of LNG? Demand for natural gas has been growing strongly for decades. It provides a much cleaner substitute for coal in electricity production, home heating, and a myriad industrial and petrochemical uses. Rising displacement of coal by natural gas has been the largest source of greenhouse gas emission reductions. Unfortunately, the aforementioned factors have prevented supply from keeping pace with rising demand. Energy shortages drive rapid prices rises and have cascading impacts on everything else. Energy is foundational to everything humans do. Everything. Perhaps the most critical use of natural gas is nitrogen fertilizer production. Roughly a century ago, two German chemists, both subsequently awarded Nobel Prizes, developed a process to produce nitrogen fertilizer on an industrial scale. Before the Haber-Bosch process innovation, nitrogen content in soil was a major constraint on crop productivity. Existing nitrogen sources from bird guano, manure, and rotating cultivation of pea crops were limited. Today, elimination of natural gas-synthesized nitrogen fertilizer would cut global food production in half. The LNG crisis translates into a worldwide food crisis as skyrocketing fertilizer prices are cascading into much higher food prices. Wheat prices are at a record high and will likely head higher as spring plantings suffer from under fertilization. Global LNG markets are tight because rising demand has outrun the growth in LNG export capacity in the United States, now the largest LNG exporter. We have an abundance of natural gas in the United States. Unfortunately, we have a shortage of pipelines to transport this gas and LNG export terminals, preventing us from relieving the energy crisis in Europe and around the world. These pipeline and export terminal shortages are due in large part to regulatory blockage. The result is that natural gas prices in the United States and Canada are five to 10 times lower than in Asia and Europe. This deeply disadvantages consumers and factories (like fertilizer factories) in Europe and Asia that rely on LNG imports to fulfill their needs. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine did not cause today’s energy crisis. Quite the reverse. Today’s energy crisis is likely an important factor in why Russia chose to invade Ukraine. Europe’s energy situation is tenuous and highly dependent on Russian imports. Russia is the second-largest oil and natural gas producer after the United States. Russia is the largest exporter of natural gas, supplying over 40% of Europe’s total demand. Additionally, Russia is the largest source of imported oil and coal to Europe. Europe put itself in this unenviable position by pursuing unrealistic, politically-driven policies attempting to rapidly transition its energy sources to combat climate change. Europe’s energy pivot has been a massive failure on all fronts: higher energy costs, grave energy insecurity, and negligible climate impacts. Germany is the poster child of this failure. In 2000, Germany set out to decarbonize its energy system, spending hundreds of billions of dollars on this effort over the last 20 years. Germany only marginally reduced its dependence on hydrocarbons from 84% in 2000 to 78% today. The United States matched this 6% decline in hydrocarbon market share from 86% in 2000 to 80% today. Unlike in the U.S., Germany more than doubled its electricity prices — before the recent massive additional price increases — by creating a second electric grid. This second grid is comprised of massive wind and solar electric generating sources that only deliver 20% of nameplate capacity on average, and often less than 5% for days at a time. The sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow. Hence, Germany could only shrink legacy coal, gas and nuclear capacity by 15%. It now must pay to maintain both grids. The legacy grid must always be flexing up and down in a wildly inefficient manner to keep the lights on, hospitals functioning, homes heated, and factories powered. Outside the electricity sector, Germany’s energy system is largely unchanged. It has long had high taxes on gasoline and diesel for transportation, and lower energy taxes on industry. Germany subsidizes industrial energy prices attempting to avoid the near-complete de-industrialization that the UK has suffered due to expensive energy policies across the board. Over the last 20 years, the United States has seen two shale revolutions, first in natural gas and then in oil. The net result has been the U.S. producing greater energy than consumed in 2019 and 2020 for the first time since the 1950s. The U.S. went from the largest importer of natural gas to the second-largest exporter in less than 15 years, all with private capital and innovation. The shale revolution lowered domestic and global energy prices due to surging growth in U.S. production. Surging U.S. propane exports are reducing the cost and raising the availability of clean cooking and heating fuels for those in dire energy poverty still burning wood, dung, and agricultural waste to cook their daily meals. U.S. Greenhouse gas emissions also plunged to the lowest level on a per capita basis since 1960. Imagine the world’s energy situation today with the American shale revolution. We are starting to hamstring and squander the enormous benefits of the shale revolution. The same misinformed anti-hydrocarbon crusade that impoverished Europe and made it heavily dependent on Russia is now sweeping the US. California and New England had adopted European-style energy policies driving up electricity prices, reducing grid reliability, and driving manufacturing and other energy-intensive, blue-collar jobs out of their states. Colorado is not far behind. California, a state with a plenitude of blessings, managed to create the highest adjusted poverty rate in the nation with an expensive, unstable power grid increasingly reliant on coal-powered electricity imports from Nevada and Utah. New England’s proximity to Pennsylvania’s clean low-cost natural gas resources was a stroke of luck. But it refused to expand the natural gas pipelines running from Pennsylvania, leaving it chronically short of natural gas, its largest source of electricity and cleanest option for home heating. Instead, it remains heavily reliant on fuel oil for home heating and occasionally imports LNG from Russia to keep the lights on. Last winter New England burned copious amounts of fuel oil to produce electricity which went out of fashion in the 1970s elsewhere in the US. Texas has not been immune from energy illiteracy and collateral damage. Texas’ poorly designed electric grid, structured to encourage investment in renewables, led to hundreds dying in the 2021 Uri cold spell. No one would pay the same price for an Uber that showed up whenever convenient for the driver and dropped you off wherever they desired. But that is what Texas does with electricity: paying the same price for reliable electricity that balances the grid as they do for unreliable, unpredictable electricity. No wonder the reliability of the Texas grid has declined and is headed for more trouble. The common thread in these cases is unrealistic beliefs in how rapidly new energy systems can replace demand for hydrocarbons, currently at all-time highs. Political intervention and miscalculation have led to overinvestment in unreliable energy sources and, far worse, underinvestment in reliable energy sources and infrastructure. The full costs of this colossal mal-investment have been somewhat hidden from view as spare capacity in the global energy network has mostly kept the train on the tracks. Now that excess capacity has shrunk to a critically low level, more impacts are hitting home. Like the disease, the cure takes years to run its course. But that longer time frame is no excuse not to act now in a thoughtful fashion to begin rectifying historical blunders. Steel, cement, plastics and fertilizer are the four building blocks of the modern world and all are highly reliant on hydrocarbons. Most critically this means removing the growing myriad obstacles to hydrocarbon development, justified in the name of fighting climate change. This is nonsense. Overly cumbersome hurdles to hydrocarbon development in the U.S. do nothing to change oil and gas demand. They simply displace U.S. production overseas where production practices are less stringent and less ethical. Resulting in increased greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants, reduced economic opportunities for Americans, and increased geopolitical leverage of Russia and OPEC — see the invasion of Ukraine. Climate change is a long-term problem best addressed with technologies cost-effective today like natural gas, energy efficiency, and nuclear. The solution requires combining today’s commercial low-carbon energy sources with research and technology development in carbon sequestration, next-generation geothermal, and economical energy storage to make solar and wind more viable. Today the price mechanism must destroy energy demand to bring it in line with short-term supply. This reduces the quality of living, especially for low-income families. The price mechanism will also incentivize new supply to the extent possible in the face of growing regulatory hurdles, infrastructure shortages, and capital starvation. A revaluation of all three of these factors is urgently needed. Is the overarching goal “energy transition” at all costs? Or is it humane policies that better human lives and expand opportunities for all? We need to replace the former mindset with the latter. Chris Wright is chairman and CEO of Liberty Energy, a Denver-based hydraulic fracturing company.
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Police say suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing wasn't a client of the insurerSAN DIEGO (AP) — Syracuse coach Fran Brown and Washington State acting coach Pete Kaligis shared a heartfelt hug after their Holiday Bowl news conference on Thursday. Kaligis can certainly use all the support he can get, especially an embrace and some encouraging words from the opposing coach. No. 22 Syracuse (9-3, No. 21 CFP), led by national passing leader Kyle McCord, is a 17-point favorite according to BetMGM in Friday night's Holiday Bowl against the depleted Cougars (8-4), whose season has nosedived since mid-November. After beating future Pac-12 opponent San Diego State 29-26 on Oct. 26 at Snapdragon Stadium, coach Jake Dickert, quarterback John Mateer and the rest of the Cougars were 7-1 and about to jump into The Associated Press Top 25. Now the Cougars are barely recognizable as they return to Snapdragon. Dickert was hired away by Wake Forest, Mateer transferred to Oklahoma and running back Wayshawn Parker left for Utah. Numerous coaches, including the offensive and defensive coordinators, are gone, and more than 20 players have entered the transfer portal. The Cougars, who lost their last three games, are a prime example of how college football's rapidly changing landscape can dramatically affect a program. “Going into the ins-and-outs of the game tomorrow doesn’t matter,” Kaligis said. “We are who we are, we have what we have. I know that’s for both of us.” Kaligis said players who entered the portal after Dickert left can suit up Friday night. “I know we came here with 98 guys. That's who we’re going to show up on the field with.” Kaligis said relationships between players and coaches are more important than ever, even if there's less time to develop trust “and coach them the right way.” “When a staff (member) leaves and guys get in the portal, it’s because of the relationships they have garnered with their position coaches. When that position coach isn’t guaranteed he’s going to be there, that’s who that young man trusts,” Kaligis said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time," he added. "What’s been hard for me, I spent 13 years at Wyoming, I saw three graduating classes. I remember I was the longest-tenured coach there. To see them all the way through. When I came to Wazzu, I was their fourth D-line coach." The Cougs improved to 8-1 by beating Utah State 49-28 on Nov. 9 but then lost three straight, including to Oregon State in the de facto championship game between the two teams left in the Pac-12. They also lost to New Mexico and Wyoming, two of the Mountain West teams that weren't invited to join the reconstituted Pac-12 starting in 2026. McCord, who transferred from Ohio State, rewrote the Orange's record book this season with 4,326 yards passing, 29 touchdowns and 367 completions. He's well within range of breaking Deshaun Watson's ACC single-season record of 4,593, which he set in 15 games in 2016. A win will give Syracuse 10 wins for the first time since 2018 and just the third time since 2000. Brown can become the second Syracuse coach since World War II to record 10 wins in his first season, joining Paul Pasqualoni, who did it in 1991. In their final regular-season game, the Orange rallied from a 21-0 deficit for a 42-38 win against then-No. 6 Miami that knocked the Hurricanes out of ACC title contention and ended their College Football Playoff hopes. McCord threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns. “We want to go out and have a good game,” Brown said. “We have an opportunity of winning 10 games, which means you’re starting to become a successful program, right? Our players haven’t had a chance of winning a bowl game. So there’s a lot of things that are on the line for us to really be able to build our program and being able to move forward.” This will be the teams' second meeting. Syracuse beat Washington State 52-25 in 1979. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballArt Basel Miami Beach 2024 concluded just days ago, leaving the art world buzzing with record-breaking sales, innovative presentations, and dynamic cultural dialogue. Marking the first edition under new director Bridget Finn, this year’s fair cemented its position as the premier art event in the Americas, drawing over 75,000 attendees from across the globe, including top collectors, curators, and representatives from over 230 leading museums and institutions. The week began with standout sales during the VIP preview, headlined by Hauser & Wirth’s $4.75 million sale of David Hammons’s Untitled (2014), the highest-priced transaction of the event. From modern masters like Pablo Picasso and Keith Haring to contemporary luminaries like Wangechi Mutu and Cecily Brown, the fair showcased a stunning array of works that captured the attention of seasoned collectors and first-time buyers alike. With 286 galleries from 38 countries—two-thirds of them hailing from the Americas—the fair celebrated its most diverse and innovative programming to date. Highlights included the reimagined Meridians sector, curated by Yasmil Raymond, featuring monumental works by Alice Aycock and Franz West; the Nova and Positions sectors, championing emerging voices; and a robust Conversations program led by Kimberly Bradley, featuring packed discussions on the intersection of art, technology, and global culture. Reflecting on her first edition as director, Bridget Finn shared, “It was an ecstatic feeling to finally open the doors of our show to visitors, after more than a year of planning with our exhibitors and their artists, our Selection Committee, the Art Basel team, partners, and institutional collaborators. I am extremely proud of innovations we introduced this year – from the repositioning and reconceptualization of Meridians to the roll-out of a new booth model, which allowed us to welcome many vital new voices and perspectives in the main sector of the show.” Finn added, “Across the board, galleries presented truly ambitious, rare, and in some cases career- and canon-defining proposals, which have been placed in first-rate collections and sparked significant future conversations for the art world. I am deeply grateful for the trust they lent to me for my first edition.” This year’s Art Basel Miami Beach was a true celebration of the transformative power of art. From museum-quality installations to accessible public programs, Art Basel demonstrated why it remains a cultural cornerstone and an unmissable event on the international art calendar. 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[+] 2024 Renowned for its curated presentations of modern and contemporary art, Hauser & Wirth returned to Miami this year with an extraordinary array of works by its most distinguished artists, including Louise Bourgeois, Frank Bowling, Ed Clark, and Philip Guston. New additions to the gallery’s roster—Nairy Baghramian, Jeffrey Gibson, William Kentridge, and Michaela Yearwood-Dan—added an exciting dimension to the display, reflecting the gallery’s dynamic evolution in 2024. Hauser & Wirth Booth at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 Two standout pieces from this year’s presentation captivated audiences: Louise Bourgeois’ Woman With Blue Necklace (2005), a poignant hand-sewn masterpiece exploring femininity and motherhood, and Philip Guston’s monumental Two Hearts (1978), a six-and-a-half-foot ode to intimacy, introspection, and self-revelation. Together, these works highlighted the gallery’s commitment to presenting deeply evocative, narrative-driven art that resonates across time and space. Wentrup Gallery, Anastasia Samoylova Coinciding with her current exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, photographer Anastasia Samoylova presented work from her Floridas series in this group presentation at Wentrup Gallery during Art Basel Miami Beach 2024. Living in Miami since 2016, Samoylova has used her mastery of color and form to capture the region’s complexities and contradictions, from climate change and gentrification to political extremism. The resulting images reveal deeply rooted issues within the country while breathing new life into the typically male-dominated genre of location photography. Miami Beach Reflection, 2015 MAHKU - Huni Kuin Artists Movement, Carmo Johnson Projects Led by Ibã HuniKuin and founded in 2012, MAHKU’s work is centered around creating their own unique, almost surrealistic, interpretation of the Amazon forest. Their work is at the forefront of relevant social and political issues facing indigenous communities in Brazil such as reparation. Through selling their paintings MAKHU are buying back their land with the goal of gaining autonomy in their own territory of the Amazon. In Miami, MAHKU will be shown in a solo booth with Brazilian gallery, Carmo Johnson Projects as part of Positions. This new body of paintings are related to MAHKU’s Huni Kuin ancestry, and depict translated and transformed Huni Meka Chants, the ceremony in which ayahuasca medicine is consecrated. Parley for the Oceans Parley for the Oceans, the global environmental organization and nonprofit, has a presence within the Collectors Lounge at Art Basel Miami Beach for the first time this year. The space invites visitors to explore the beauty and fragility of our oceans through imagery, design and art – storytelling that communicates the urgency of the environmental crisis and the reality of the world that we all live in. Notably, Parley presents a limited-edition Pierre Paulin, Chirac Sofa, in collaboration with Paulin Paulin Paulin. The fabric of this collectible piece of design was created using the iconic red polypropylene ropes from the monumental artwork by Christo and Jeanne-Claude titled L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped 1961–2021 . As done for previous Christo and Jeanne-Claude projects, all of the materials used to create L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped , are being reused, upcycled, and recycled. Parley For The Oceans Booth at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 VIP Collector's Lounge The 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) of red polypropylene rope have been processed by Parley and together with Paulin Paulin Paulin, have been repurposed to upholster the iconic Chirac Sofa, originally created for Paris City Hall in 1988. Parley is also hosting guided tours during the public days of the fair highlighting key artworks around the theme of sustainability and has launched artist-designed scarves at The Art Basel Shop by artists Janaina Tschäpe (BR), Sam Falls (US), and Thalita Hamaoui (BR). Made in Italy and crafted from 40% silk and 60% upcycled Ocean Plastic®, the scarves will be available in editions of 100 signed and numbered artist proofs per artist for $450. Proceeds support the Parley Foundation, bringing together fashion and environmental consciousness. Thalita Hamaoui Silk Scarf for Parley For The Oceans Art Basel Shop The Art Basel Shop returned to Miami Beach for its largest and most ambitious iteration during Art Basel Miami Beach 2024. Spanning over 2,000 square feet at the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC), the shop showcased an eclectic blend of bespoke lifestyle and heritage products that celebrated the essence of Art Basel. Curated by Parisian creative visionary Sarah Andelman, the shop emphasized innovation and accessibility, making it a standout feature of the fair. Art Basel Shop at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 A highlight of the AB by Artist line was Brazilian artist Paulo Nimer Pjota’s vibrant capsule collection, featuring tie-dye T-shirts, tote bags, hats, and notebooks adorned with lush, mystical motifs. Visitors also enjoyed the debut of the AB by Art Basel Heritage line, which paid homage to the fair’s legacy with playful items like Miami-themed beach towels, golf balls, and sun shades, celebrating the festive spirit of the city. Details: Art Basel Shop at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 The Art Basel Shop also featured collaborations between artists and lifestyle brands, including hand-painted Christmas ornaments by Kaye Donachie and Sola Olulode, limited-edition posters by Tyler Hobbs, and unique sunglasses by Paola Pivi. Andelman remarked, “The Art Basel Shop allows visitors to engage with art in innovative ways, blending the everyday with the extraordinary.” Freely accessible to the public, the shop’s activations, including book signings and artist meet-and-greets, offered an inclusive and immersive experience. Annie Morris, Timothy Taylor Gallery Annie Morris's Stack 8, Cobalt Turquoise (2024) enthralled us all at this year’s show. Presented by Timothy Taylor Gallery, this sculpture exemplifies Morris's signature style: a vertical arrangement of hand-molded, irregular spheres, precariously balanced and vibrantly colored with raw pigment. Standing at approximately 257 cm tall, the piece is crafted from foam core, pigment, steel, concrete, plaster, and sand. Morris's 'Stack' series, initiated in 2014, draws inspiration from personal experiences, particularly her reflections on motherhood and loss. The cobalt turquoise hue adds a serene yet dynamic presence, making it a highlight of the fair. Timothy Taylor Gallery, Annie Morris, Stack &, Cobalt Turquoise 2024 Chef’s Table x Art Basel During this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach, Chef’s Table that became globally famous through the Netflix series, was the official culinary partner of Art Basel. Together they hosted an exclusive Fine Diner Series from December 4–7 at 820 Alton Road. Each evening featured a renowned chef reimagining classic diner fare: Michael Rafidi (Albi and Yellow Cafe) on December 4, Kwame Onwuachi (Tatiana) on December 5, Evan Funke (Mother Wolf) on December 6, and Nancy Silverton (Mozza Restaurant Group) on December 7. The venue transformed into a retro-inspired diner, offering Art Basel VIPs a nostalgic yet innovative dining experience that blended culinary artistry with the vibrant atmosphere of Miami’s Art Week. Chef's Table x Art Basel Diner Pop in Miami during Art Basel Miami Beach 2024
India's exports to Australia surge 14% since ECTA, trade momentum strong
Illegal liquor worth ₹7 crore seized in Pune since poll code came into effectPASAY CITY, Philippines , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The SM Group is approaching the coming year with cautious optimism, encouraged by the continued growth of the Philippine economy. SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio said that despite ongoing challenges of peso volatility and higher inflation, the business sector has adapted well. Consistent demand sustained household spending in the third quarter, with Household Final Consumption Expenditure posting a year-on-year growth of 5.1%, maintaining the same level in the same quarter last year, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed. "Any moderation in inflation should trigger a strong confidence rebound. This could create opportunities in consumer-focused sectors in the country and we are poised to cater to these evolving demands," Mr. DyBuncio said. To cater to growing demand, SM continues to expand into more underserved areas, contributing to sustainable economic development and collaborating with government stakeholders to enhance access to modern retail, financial services, and integrated property developments. "By investing and expanding to more areas nationwide, SM creates new markets and improves access to these essential sectors, serving more communities and helping stimulate sustained economic activities," he said. Mr. DyBuncio also said SM continues to invest in promising ventures such as renewable energy and logistics, that foster economic activity. SM has invested in the clean energy industry through Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC) which produces 300 Megawatts of geothermal steam supply. SM aims to continue to develop geothermal concessions through PGPC in support of the Department of Energy's goal of reaching 50% renewable energy supply by 2040. To encourage circularity towards green energy production, SM's property arm, SM Prime Holdings partnered with GUUN Co. Ltd. ( GUUN ) to implement the Japanese technique of reducing landfill impact. The technology converts non-recyclable and hard-to-recycle packaging into alternative fuel. SM's banking arm, BDO Unibank is one of the largest funders of renewable energy projects. BDO has funded PHP898 billion in sustainable finance, including loans to 59 renewable energy projects as of December 2023. In logistics and tourism, the improvement of transport networks across the country's archipelago connects tourist and industrial areas that will help create inclusive growth. SM though its subsidiary 2GO launched MV Masigla and MV Masikap in 2024 to help better connect goods to 19 ports across the country including Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Manila , further supporting the government's push for medium term growth through an upgraded tourism infrastructure and ecosystem. "Our focus for 2025 will be to drive purposeful growth, empowering communities and partners through our investments towards a sustainable future," Mr. DyBuncio said. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sm-approaches-2025-with-cautious-optimism-302339448.html SOURCE SM Investments Corporation
Green Courte Partners Acquires Active-Adult Community Located in Atlanta, Georgia, MSAIt looks like the great MAGA love story of Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle has come to an end, with the oldest son of President-elect Donald Trump seen holding hands with his reputed new girlfriend, Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson, during a dinner date in her hometown Monday. Photos of Trump Jr. and Anderson, walking hand-in-hand while leaving a swanky Palm Beach restaurant, offer “incontrovertible proof” that the soon-to-be first son has moved on from Guilfoyle , his long-time fiancée and partner in pro-Donald Trump campaigning, the Daily Mail reported . Trump Jr., 46, has replaced Guilfoyle, 55, with Anderson, known as a 37-year-old “it girl” with a natural style of glamour, the Daily Mail has concluded. The New York Post also confirmed Tuesday that Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle had split — shortly before the incoming president announced that he had appointed the former Fox News host to serve as ambassador to Greece in his new White House term. “For many years, Kimberly has been a close friend and ally,” Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday afternoon, the Post and other outlets reported. “Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States, and safeguard its interests abroad.” Guilfoyle, also the ex-wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, said Tuesday that she was “honored to accept” Trump’s nomination, which requires Senate approval. Trump Jr. added on X : “I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador.” Any suggestion that Trump was sending Guilfoyle abroad to make way for his son’s new romance with Anderson was met with scorn by the president-elect’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, the New York Times reported . Cheung said such speculation was “sexist.” Whatever led to Guilfoyle’s appointment, the “loved-up” Trump Jr. and Anderson spent nearly two hours at the Palm Beach restaurant Buccan Monday night, the Daily Mail reported. The restaurant is some three miles from Anderson’s West Palm Beach townhouse, where the two “have been spending days and nights,” the Daily Mail added. But if Trump Jr. has been staying at Anderson’s place, that means that Guilfoyle could be holing up in the mansion about 20 miles north that she and Trump Jr. purchased together after they moved to Florida in 2021. Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle announced their “secret” engagement in early 2022, with the former San Francisco first lady sharing an Instagram photo showing her sporting a massive, sparkling diamond on the fourth finger of her left hand. She declared in a caption, “I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together.” Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle began dating in 2018, shortly after Trump Jr.’s first wife, Vanessa, filed for divorce to end their 12-year marriage. Trump Jr. and Vanessa share five children. As a couple, Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle, a former San Francisco prosecutor, became known as “the prom king and queen of MAGA” politics as they campaigned together around the country on his father’s behalf. At donor events, they also were known for alluding to their playful sex life , while Guilfoyle often liked to introduce herself to the crowd — or appear at Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021 rally preceding the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol — doing a sexy dance . Now comes the idea that Trump Jr. has ended his once red-hot romance with Guilfoyle. Then again, speculation has been brewing for months that they were no longer a couple. The Daily Mail first reported in September that his “dalliance” with Anderson had become an “open secret” in elite Republican circles in and around ritzy Palm Beach. The Daily Mail reported that Guilfoyle was said to be coming to terms that her fiancé had been “fooling around” with another woman. “Kimberly either didn’t know about Bettina — or didn’t want to know,” an insider told The Daily Mail in September. “Did she hear whispers that Don Jr. was fooling around with someone else? Probably.” At the time, the Daily Mail also revealed that Trump Jr. and Anderson had been seen “canoodling” and “kissing” during an “intimate brunch” in August. Breakup speculation grew on on election night, when Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump family observers noted a physical distance between Guilfoyle and Trump Jr., as they joined the rest of the family and other top supporters on stage in Florida to celebrate Trump’s return to the White House. Trump Jr. could even be seen in video, trying to avoid standing next to Guilfoyle several times before finally settling on turning his back on her, the Daily Beast reported. But Trump Jr. wasn’t the only person who may have been trying to avoid Guilfoyle that night, according to another Daily Beast report. She seemed to be getting “major side-eye” from Trump Jr.’s oldest daughter, Kai Trump. Though just 17, Kai has emerged as an enthusiastic MAGA influencer and leading voice in the young, up-and-coming generation of America’s new ruling dynasty. She’s also created a major presence on social media by sharing slickly produced photos and videos about the fun she has hanging out with her beloved, president-elect “grandpa.” In those posts, Kai has given off major signals as to who’s in and who’s out in the family’s inner circle, according to the Daily Beast. From Kai’s perspective, Guilfoyle looked to be on the outs with the “side-eye” she appeared to give her. If GuIlfoyle hasn’t “won her would-be stepdaughter over, it could be an uphill battle for her future as Mrs. Don Jr.,” the Daily Beast said. Two days later, Kai Trump posted a curious family photo on X — that didn’t include Guilfoyle. The photo was taken at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach resort on election night, and the teenager captioned it “the whole squad.” The photo showed the future 47th president surrounded by all five of his adult children and three of their partners, along with Kai and her four siblings. But Guilfoyle was notably absent from the “squad” photo. More or less in her place was Vanessa Trump, who stood with her ex-husband and their five children. Speaking of Vanessa Trump, Anderson bears some resemblance to her, with both women sporting slender model looks and long, light-colored hair. Anderson often posts photos of herself modeling designer outfits in glamorous settings. She cheekily refers to herself on Instagram as “Your typical stay at home mom ... only I don’t do household chores... or have a husband... or have kids.” Related Articles Entertainment | Kate Middleton’s post-chemo Christmas is ‘calm before storm’ of succession Entertainment | Malibu homes of Jay-Z, Beyonce and other celebrities under ‘significant threat’ from Franklin Fire Entertainment | TLC, Alanis Morissette added to ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ lineup Entertainment | ‘Mod Squad’ actor Michael Cole dead at 84 Entertainment | Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to make Broadway debut in '& Juliet' Anderson and Vanessa Trump also appeared to be pretty friendly when the socialite attended an “intimate” gathering of Trump supporters in Jupiter, Florida over the summer, the Daily Mail said in another report. Photos and videos shared on social media showed Anderson sitting close to both Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump. Kai Trump also was seen in the background, sharing a hug with her father and chatting with her mother and with Anderson. Again, Guilfoyle didn’t appear in any of these images. The Daily Mail reported Tuesday that Guilfoyle has not been photographed with Trump Jr. since Nov. 12. Meanwhile, Trump Jr. and Anderson looked very much like an established couple while leaving the restaurant in Palm Beach Monday night, according to the Daily Mail. They left the restaurant with another couple, and Trump Jr. could be heard laughing before he and Anderson said goodbye to the others and headed across the street to his pickup truck, while still holding hands. The first report about Trump Jr.’s alleged romance with Anderson came about four months after he proclaimed his love for Guilfoyle as the couple marked six years together. “Happy 6 year anniversary @kimberlyguilfoyle thanks for always being there no matter what the haters are throwing our way. I love you,” Trump Jr. gushed in an Instagram post. To mark the occasion, Guilfoyle also wrote on Instagram : “You are my best friend and my soulmate. Here’s to us and out incredibly blessed life we share together. Looking forward to creating new memories and enjoying more adventures together.”George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, diesFor the past three months I’ve been learning about the most popular K-beauty products in Seoul, South Korea, including the best Korean face masks. As someone who's been covering it for years, I can tell you first-hand that the market has become intensely competitive, with over thousands of skin care brands available. So, to help you find the best Korean sheet masks, I tapped dermatologists and trusted industry experts (like veteran product developers who clued me in on their most-used masks). I found some that were so good, I bought a second suitcase to haul them all home. Below, we tried different types for every skin type and concern, including a tingly pore treatment to smooth texture, a vitamin C-soaked mask that helps treat wrinkles, a brightening one for targeting hyperpigmentation, and an overnight option that’ll help give you that coveted glass skin glow. Pro tip: For the full Korean skin care routine, I’d recommend pairing them with one of my favorite Korean toners , a depuffing Korean eye cream , and a great Korean moisturizer . The best Korean face masks, at a glance Best Korean Face Mask for Acne-Prone Skin : Mediheal Tea Tree Essential Mask , $12 Best Korean Face Mask for Dry Skin : Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask , $13 Best Korean Face Mask for Oily Ski n : Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Quick Clay Stick Mask , $17 Best Korean Face Mask for Wrinkles : Vitabrid C12 Dual Face Mask , $18 Best Korean Face Mask for Sensitive Skin : House of Dohwa White Rice Wash-Off Mask , $16 Your Korean face mask questions, answered Mediheal’s toner pads are all the rage in South Korea; just walk into any Olive Young (South Korea’s most popular beauty retailer) and you’ll see them flying off shelves. Turns out the Mediheal Tea Tree Essential Mask is just as effective, previously winning a coveted Olive Young Award in 2022. Y. Claire Chang, MD , a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City, highly recommends this K-beauty sheet mask if you want to make blemishes go away faster. “It’s formulated with hydrating factors and tea tree oil to reduce inflammation in the skin,” she says. Tea tree oil is a common acne fighter because of its “known antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that may help prevent and improve acne,” says Dr. Chang, who personally uses the mask when she’s breaking out. “It feels cool on the skin and helps soothe, especially when I have active breakouts,” she says. “It doesn’t clog pores, and you can use your normal acne medications afterward.” Key ingredients: Tea tree leaf water, lactobacillus ferment, tea tree extract and leaf oil Fragrance-free: Yes Fast facts: Calming sheet mask, instantly soothes and reduces inflammation, recommended for acne-prone skin “Sheet masks and overnight masks dominate the [K-beauty] market right now,” says Hwang Wonuk, MD , a cosmetic physician at Cheongdam LeBelle Dermatologic Clinic in Seoul. According to Dr. Hwang, sheet masks are “favored for their convenience,” while overnight masks have become “increasingly popular for their intensive hydration properties.” This Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask, which falls under both categories, has been trending on both TikTok and Hwahae. (It took over TikTok as the sheet mask you wear while you sleep, although dermatologists and the brand both say you can remove it after 3-4 hours when the hydrogel turns from white to clear.) Dr. Chang says the ingredients ( hyaluronic acid , glycerin, and galactomyces ferment filtrate) are great for “deep hydration” and to “help repair the skin, brighten, and calm.” Collagen also helps moisturize, says Dr. Hwang, “but the effectiveness may be limited to superficial hydration.” If you’re looking for a mask that treats fine lines, he recommends looking for ingredients like “retinoids or peptides ,” but this is the one to pick for intense hydration. Grab this when your skin’s dehydrated or getting rough. “It leaves my face feeling plumper and softer for days,” says Dr. Chang. Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu also loves its impressive radiance-boosting effects. “I remember seeing people use this all over my FYP,” she says. “They’d take it off and have immediate glass skin. I can now confirm that’s not a filter; you leave it on for so long that it really traps the moisture in your skin. I rarely have the patience to do a three-hour long face mask, but the nice thing about the hydrogel is that it comes in two pieces that cling to my face. That means I can wear it while working and still chug coffee without the mask falling off. The most impressive thing about this is that by the time it turns clear and I take it off, my skin doesn’t even feel damp anymore but somehow still has that glassy glow.” Key ingredients: ultra-low molecular weight collagen, galactomyces, oligo hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerin Fragrance-free: Yes Fast facts: TikTok-viral overnight hydrogel mask, turns from white to clear as it dries, great for dry skin, leaves visible glow Glamour editors and dermatologists agree that vitamin C is one of the most effective ingredients if you’re looking for anti-aging, brightening benefits. Vitabrid’s C12 Dual Face Mask packs the ingredient into a single-use sheet mask, along with niacinamide. “ Niacinamide and vitamin C are staples in my beauty routine, and this one is great because it gives my skin a concentrated boost," says Christina Chung, MD , a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in Pennsylvania. “The hyaluronic acid leaves my skin so dewy, bright, and hydrated.” “Be careful when you open this because each mask comes swimming in a full bottle of essence, and you’ll have a lot left over,” says Wu. “I highly recommend using the leftover essence on your neck and body; you don’t want any of this going to waste. Some masks feel very watery, but I’d describe this as more of a milky serum. It coats my skin and makes it feel so plumped and hydrated. I like doing this one before events because it’s speedy but has an instant brightening effect.” Key ingredients: Peptibrid (proprietary peptide), Vitabrid CG (proprietary vitamin C), plant stem cells, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide Fragrance-free: Yes Fast facts: Instant brightening effect, antioxidant-rich formula, the most essence-soaked Korean mask we tested, recommended for dry/dull/mature skin Rice extract is a popular K-beauty ingredient that dermatologists often recommend for its anti-inflammatory, brightening, and hydrating benefits. House of Dohwa’s White Rice Wash-Off Mask combines a creamy base made with rice bran extract with real, powdered rice grains for mild exfoliation. According to the brand, it’s the 21st-century version of washing your face with rice water (a common beauty practice among wealthy households during the Joseon dynasty ). “I first picked up this mask on an earlier trip to Seoul because the packaging looks like a fancy Capri-sun,” says Wu. “Since then, it’s become one of my favorites. I love the way it smells subtly like a creamy rice pudding and is one of the gentlest masks in my rotation—when my skin looks inflamed, this does a great job soothing redness and doesn’t cause any further irritation. The formula never dries out, so I just leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse off. My skin feels so soft every time I use this, I can’t stop touching my face.” Key ingredients: Rice bran extract, rice powder Fragrance-free: No Fast facts: Creamy rinse-off mask, gentle brightening and hydrating effect, makes skin feel soft and smooth Best Korean Face Mask for Dull Skin: Then I Met You Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask This pale pink jelly, flecked with real rose petals, is a Glamour editor favorite . Then I Met You’s Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask was made to give you the results of a full facial in 15 minutes. Formulated with chemical exfoliants like glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids, it gently resurfaces dead skin cells and helps your skin look smoother and glowier in a single use. “ Charlotte Cho , the co-founder of Then I Met You and K-beauty retailer Soko Glam, is the one who introduced me to so many of my favorite Korean skin care products,” says Wu. “She’s constantly trying all the best products to curate on Soko Glam, and it definitely shows in this mask. My favorite thing about the texture is that the rose petals make it feel like a luxurious spa experience. More importantly, it works. My skin’s on the sensitive side so I leave it on for 10 minutes and avoid my midface where I tend to get rosacea flare ups. As soon as I rinse it off, I notice that my pores look more refined and my skin looks overall smoother and feels softer. I do this mask twice a month and recently emptied another tub, which I think is my third one so far.” Key ingredients: AHA/BHA rose complex, resveratrol, damask rose petals, Coptis japonica extract Fragrance-free: No Fast facts: Jelly rinse-off mask, fast exfoliating treatment, visible smoothing and brightening effect Best Korean Face Mask for Skin Barrier: Roundlab Camellia Collagen Mask Roundlab is famous in South Korea for its Dokdo Toner , a household staple made with locally-sourced seawater. The brand’s most recent launch, the Roundlab Camellia Collagen Mask, is also worth adding to your routine. Dr. Hwang says this mask focuses “on hydration and elasticity” and is recommended for “dry or mature” skin. While he notes that topical collagen like this won’t “significantly change skin structure over time,” the ingredients are great for “immediate” hydration. Dr. Chang also likes the rest of the ingredients list, which includes “camellia extract, quercetin, and niacinamide to brighten, soothe, and hydrate.” “The first thing I noticed about this mask was how comfortable and cushy the hydrogel felt,” says Wu. Like the viral Biodance mask, it also comes separated into two pieces so I can get a perfect fit on my face. You can leave it on for up to two hours, but I usually do a shorter half-hour treatment, which is enough time to make my skin feel calm, plump, and hydrated. Hydrogel masks like this one often come with two or three extra circular patches. A lot of people layer them on their smile lines under the mask, but I chose to stick these on my neck lines. Whatever works for you!” Key ingredients: Low-molecular collagen, camellia extract, niacinamide Fragrance-free: Yes Fast facts: Two-piece hydrogel mask that can be left on for 1-2 hours (or less), intensely hydrating, recommended for dry or mature skin Best Soothing Korean Face Mask: Abib Mild Acidic pH Sheet Mask Heartleaf Fit Abib’s soothing heartleaf line is a steady seller at Olive Young; the Abib Mild Acidic pH Sheet Mask Heartleaf Fit is so popular, it won an Olive Young award twice in a row in 2021 and 2022. Try this Korean sheet mask if you’re breaking out or need to rebalance your skin. It comes soaked in a full bottle of clear, watery essence (again, you should definitely consider repurposing the extra formula). The hero ingredient is heartleaf extract, which studies have shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties perfect for soothing, calming, and toning down redness. “I love how gentle and calming this sheet mask feels,” says Wu. “I had a stray forehead pimple while testing this mask and the last thing I wanted to do was dry my skin out and further irritate it. I recommend this mask to friends who are acne-prone or experiencing active breakouts, but also have sensitive skin. It feels incredibly refreshing as soon as I put it on, and I douse my neck and arms in the leftover essence while I wait for it to do its job. This and a dab of spot treatment over breakouts is my magic formula.” Key ingredients: Heartleaf extract, Centella asiatica extract, glycerin, rosemary leaf extract Fragrance-free: Yes Fast facts: Immediate soothing and calming effect, contains anti-inflammatory plant extracts, generously soaked in essence Best Retinol Korean Face Mask: PRMR Vitatinol Serum Gel Mask Dr. Chang loves the hero ingredient behind this mask: Vitatinol, a “proprietary retinol-ingredient fused with vitamin C, my two favorite anti-aging ingredients,” she says. It’s “designed to deliver intense hydration and anti-aging benefits.” Dr. Hwang says this mask is a useful pick “for those looking to address early signs of aging,” although anyone with especially sensitive skin may want to do a patch test first. “I tested so many overnight gel masks recently, and this was one of the few that stood out,” says Wu. “I’m already a fan of PRMR’s Vitatinol Serum , and this mask feels like an even more concentrated treatment. I’m incapable of wearing sheet masks in my sleep, but I do love this for a shorter treatment during the day. I’m happy with the brightening effects even if I just leave it on for 30-40 minutes instead of the full three hours. My skin is so picky with retinol and can’t tolerate high concentrations, but I’ve never had any irritation with this formula.” Key ingredients: Vitatinol (proprietary retinol and vitamin C blend), glycerin, ceramide NP Fragrance-free: No Fast facts: Overnight gel mask that can also be worn for three hours, turns clear when dry, derm-recommended for its powerful combination of vitamin C and retinol Best Gentle Korean Face Mask: Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask Here’s another mask inspired by the Joseon-dynasty practice of washing your face with rice water. Anyone who’s scrolled through KBeautyTok already knows this brand for its viral Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Prebiotics sunscreen . If you’re already a fan (or if you’re new to the brand), we recommend adding the Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask to your collection. It’s infused with rice powder and extracts, along with makgeolli lees (upcycled ingredients from Korean rice wine). You’ll also find honey in the formula (a known anti-inflammatory ), along with kaolin clay , a gentle ingredient for treating acne, pores, and sebum levels. “This mask contains so many things I love, like honey, rice extracts, and clays,” says Wu. “It’s a do-it-all formula for days when I know my skin needs an extra boost but don’t have one specific concern. It feels like a thick paste, so I definitely scoop it out over my bathroom sink to avoid mess. I’ll leave it on for around 20 minutes —I personally recommend using a cleanser to rinse it off because it’s so thick. It leaves my skin feeling smooth and balanced and never dries it out or causes irritation.” Key ingredients: Kaolin, honey, rice hull powder, rice extract, bentonite, makgeolli lees Fragrance-free: Yes Fast facts: Thick rinse-off mask, non-irritating formula, gently addresses multiple concerns from pores to dryness Best Korean Sheet Mask: Numbuzin No.3 Tingle-Pore Softening Sheet Mask Numbuzin’s No.3 Tingle-Pore Softening Sheet Mask is one of Olive Young’s best sellers and also won a Hwahae 2024 mid-year award, which is where we discovered it. “It’s formulated with bifida ferment lysate and galactomyces ferment filtrate to hydrate, and brighten,” explains Dr. Chang, who also loves the inclusion of “other hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, brightening antioxidants like niacinamide, and anti-inflammatory ingredients like witch hazel and Camellia sinensis.” She recommends it for a range of skin types including “acne-prone skin.” Dr. Hwang is also familiar with the mask’s popularity in South Korea. “It offers a cooling sensation while targeting pore refinement,” he says. According to Dr. Hwang, the mask’s signature tingling sensation makes it “refreshing for some,” but he says it might not be the best pick for “sensitive” or “more reactive skin.” “I definitely noticed the tingle right away, so I can confirm this mask lives up to its name,” says Wu. “I was worried it would be too much for my sensitive midface area, but it didn’t cause any irritation and I’d rank the tingling sensation as mild. If you compare it to something like an acid peel that actually stings, this is low on the scale. I did notice that the pores in my T-zone looked slightly less noticeable, but the more noticeable results for me were the overall smoothing, brightening effect.” Key ingredients: Niacinamide, witch hazel, bifida ferment lysate, galactomyces ferment filtrate, hyaluronic acid Fragrance-free: Yes Fast facts: Mildly tingly sheet mask designed for pore care, gives a subtle smoothing and refining effect, sensitive skin types should patch test first Best Korean Collagen Face Mask: Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask If you want to know how popular Medicube’s Collagen Night Wrapping Mask is, the brand says it’s been counterfeited so many times, they’ve recently updated the packaging from translucent to opaque to avoid fakes. (If you have an old version, don’t panic: Just check that it matches the brand’s official product images.) Dr. Hwang says this collagen-based mask is “suitable for dry or aging skin,” since it contains multiple hydrators. These “powerful” hydrating factors include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, as well as antioxidants like vitamin E and niacinamide, says Dr. Chang. Unlike other overnight masks, Medicube’s formula goes on as a clear gel and dries down in 15 minutes, “wrapping” your skin in moisture as you sleep. “It should be applied with a brush or spatula,” advises Dr. Chang. “You can peel it off in the morning and rinse your face. It’s comfortable to sleep in and leaves skin feeling softer and smoother.” “TikTok got me again with this one,” says Wu. “The effect when it dries reminds me of Pat McGrath’s porcelain doll makeup at Maison Margiela. It balls up as I peel it off so I don’t feel like I’m taking a layer of my skin with it and makes my skin look more hydrated and glowy the next morning. Sometimes I leave it on overnight—you really can sleep with this one without noticing it since it dries down—and sometimes I peel it off after half an hour. It’s definitely the most fun face mask I own.” Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, vitamin E, niacinamide Fragrance-free: Yes Fast facts: Goes on as clear gel and dries down in 15 minutes, meant to be worn overnight and peeled off the next morning, visible brightening and hydrating, nourishing effects Best Korean Face Mask for Oily Skin: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Quick Clay Stick Mask If you’re not a fan of overly messy clay masks, it truly doesn’t get more streamlined than this one. The Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Quick Clay Stick Mask lets you apply your mask as a swipe-on stick that you rinse off after a few minutes. Dr. Hwang recommends it as “an excellent choice for oily or acne-prone skin” because the clay base helps “absorb excess oil.” Dr. Chang confirms that the “five types of clay help cleanse clogged pores.” Who should avoid it? Anyone with very dry or dehydrated skin, since clay masks can be drying. The formula shouldn’t feel stripping on any other skin types, especially since it pairs clay with hydrating aloe and Centella asiastica (also known as cica), an ingredient “known for its soothing properties,” says Dr. Hwang. “I have combination skin, so I swipe this on across my T-zone like an extra-large glue stick,” says Wu. “It’s great on my nose, forehead, and chin. It’s so easy to apply and target specific areas that I start questioning why I used to mix my own clay masks. It only takes a few minutes to dry down—no more than five—probably because you apply it in such thin layers. I can feel it immediately soaking up all the excess oil on my T-zone and my pores look less noticeable as soon as I rinse it off, especially on my nose.” Key ingredients: Five types of clay (kaolin, bentonite, illite, montmorillonite, calamine), aloe, Centella asiatica extract Fragrance-free: Yes Fast facts: Swipe-on clay stick mask, recommended for combination/acne-prone/oily skin, immediately refines pores and soaks up excess oil Best Korean Overnight Face Mask: Hanyul Yuja Vitamin Sleeping Mask This Hanyul Yuja Vitamin Sleeping Mask’s claim to fame is that it packs six whole yuja fruits into every tub, an ingredient commonly used in Korean skin care because it’s “rich in antioxidants and vitamins,” says Dr. Chang. “This Hanyul mask was all the craze a few years back in Korea,” says Dr. Chung. “I particularly like this mask because I can leave it on overnight and get excellent coverage over the face and neck.” Dr. Chung loves applying this overnight mask for “brightening and moisturizing at the same time.” Dr. Hwang recommends it for targeting “uneven skin tone” or dark spots , although he adds that those with dry or dehydrated skin should layer it with an additional moisturizer. This is another sleeping mask that’s actually easy to snooze in; it feels like a thicker moisturizer, so you won’t notice it after it sinks in. “It really does smell like fresh, juicy yuja,” says Wu. “I always incorporate some form of vitamin C into my skin care routine for the brightening effects, and this is one of my favorite ways to get glowing skin. Once or twice a week, I apply it all over my face and neck before I sleep. It’s truly pillow-proof; as long as I let it sink in before I pass out, it doesn’t leave any residue on my bedding.” Key ingredients: Yuja-derived vitamins C and P, hyaluronic acid Fragrance-free: Yes Fast facts: Moisturizer-like overnight sleeping mask, rich in fruit-derived vitamins, recommended for addressing uneven skin tone and dullness Best Korean Cleansing Face Mask: Belif Super Knights Soothing Hydration Cleansing Mas Is it a cleanser or is it a mask? Technically, Belif’s Super Knights Soothing Hydration Cleansing Mask can do both. “It’s a great two-in-one cleanser and hydrating mask,” says Dr. Chung, who finds the formula “interesting and luxurious.” To use it as a mask, she likes to “apply a thick layer, leave it on, then lather and massage and rinse” for skin that feels “well-cleansed but still soft and moisturized.” All skin types can use this one, including “teens and young adults,” she says. Dr. Chang says you only need to leave it on for one minute to get the benefits of skin that feels “cleaner and moisturized.” The ingredients—hyaluronic acid, squalane, and madecassoside—help “hydrate, repair, and soothe,” she says. “This might be the prettiest mask I tested,” says Wu. “It’s a vibrant blue that actually makes washing my face feel enjoyable. You don’t need to leave it on for long to get the soothing, moisturizing benefits, so it’s a great mask for days when I’m in a rush but want to do a little treatment. Even when I just use it as a regular cleanser and rinse it off right away, I notice that it leaves my skin feeling seriously soft.” Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, madecassoside Fragrance-free: Yes Fast facts: Moisturizing cleanser and mask, only takes one minute to work, recommended for all skin types, leaves skin feeling calmer and softer
[Source: Reuters] At tea on day one of the first test in Perth, India’s stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah would have been ruing his decision to bat first after his side were skittled for 150 by Australia’s experienced seam attack. But in a fiery display of fast bowling in the final session, Bumrah (4-17) managed to turn the game on its head, sending three of Australia’s top-four packing in the first seven overs. The home team reached 67-7 at stumps on a frenetic 17-wicket day, still trailing by 83 and in danger of falling short of their lowest-ever total against India — 83, recorded in 1981. Debutant Nathan McSweeney (10) was his first victim, judged lbw on review, while Usman Khawaja was next, caught-behind for eight. Steve Smith was beaten for speed one ball later, trapped leg-before for nought. The 30-year-old held himself back, picking up a fourth wicket just before stumps by inducing an edge from counterpart Pat Cummins, allowing first-gamer Harshit Rana to unleash pace which resulted in Travis Head (11) being castled. Bumrah could have had a fifth in the session, had Virat Kohli held on to a regulation catch in the slips when Marnus Labuschagne was on zero. The drop did not prove costly, as Labuschagne laboured to two off 52 balls before paceman Mohammed Siraj (2-17) trapped him lbw. The Perth test marks Bumrah’s second stint as a stand-in captain, having also led his country against England in 2022, and he could not have been dealt a tougher hand. Permanent skipper Rohit Sharma, who recently welcomed his second child, opted not to travel to Perth ahead of the series opener. Furthermore, top-order batsman Shubman Gill sustained a hand injury in the lead-up to the test, ruling him out, and the selectors decided to leave out the experience provided by spin-duo Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin due to the seam-friendly conditions. Reddy was complimentary of Bumrah’s wisdom though, saying his messaging was simple after India were rolled cheaply just before the tea break. Alex Carey (19) and Mitchell Starc (six) are Australia’s not out batsmen overnight.
without a care in the world is the best way to ring in 2025. or signup to continue reading But if you need something, . Here are the opening hours for major stores, supermarkets and bottleshops in each Australian state and territory so you're well-stocked to greet the new year. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24-hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24-hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Stores in Firle, Tea Tree, Munno Para, Ingle Farm, Kurralta Park, West Lakes, Port Noarlunga, Marion and Churchill are closed on New Year's Day. Adelaide metro stores are open on New Year's Eve but close on New Year's Day. Adelaide's Rundle Place supermarket is the exception, opening from 11am to 5pm. Supermarkets in Berri, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge Green, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Victor Harbor and Whyalla are open from 8am to 8pm on New Year's Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All regional Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. However the Millicent store and metropolitan stores are closed on January 1. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Some stores in SA will close on 1 January 2025. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. However the Northam store is closed on January 1. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Most Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Stores in Byford, Belmont, Trinity, Raine Square, Erskine, Altone Park, Bunbury, Gosnells and Geraldton Bluff Point are closed on New Year's Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and from 8am to 8pm on New Year's Day. However the Gove store opens at 9am and closes at 5pm on January 1. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores open between 7am and 9am on New Year's Eve and will close, depending on the store, between 6pm and 10pm. Normal trading hours apply for 24 hour stores. Slightly reduced trading hours apply to some stores on New Year's Day and . Coles in Goondiwindi, Mt Isa and Ayr are closed on December 29, the supermarket said. Coles supermarkets are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. All Woolworths supermarkets are open until the end of the year and on New Year's Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . All stores will have reduced trading hours on 31 December and 1 January 2025, ALDI said. Dan Murphy's stores are open on New Year's Eve from 9am to 9pm. On New Year's Day stores are open from 10am to 7pm All BWS stores are open with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve. BWS said some stores may extend their opening hours on December 31. Stores are open on New Year's Day with public holiday trading hours. Normal trading hours apply for all First Choice Liquor Market stores on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Stores in Milton Village and Red Hill are closed on New Year's Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Most Liquorland stores are open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with normal trading hours. The Red Hill and Milton Village shops are closed on New Year's Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars stores are open through the end of the year and into 2025 with normal trading hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement
PASAY CITY, Philippines , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The SM Group is approaching the coming year with cautious optimism, encouraged by the continued growth of the Philippine economy. SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio said that despite ongoing challenges of peso volatility and higher inflation, the business sector has adapted well. Consistent demand sustained household spending in the third quarter, with Household Final Consumption Expenditure posting a year-on-year growth of 5.1%, maintaining the same level in the same quarter last year, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed. "Any moderation in inflation should trigger a strong confidence rebound. This could create opportunities in consumer-focused sectors in the country and we are poised to cater to these evolving demands," Mr. DyBuncio said. To cater to growing demand, SM continues to expand into more underserved areas, contributing to sustainable economic development and collaborating with government stakeholders to enhance access to modern retail, financial services, and integrated property developments. "By investing and expanding to more areas nationwide, SM creates new markets and improves access to these essential sectors, serving more communities and helping stimulate sustained economic activities," he said. Mr. DyBuncio also said SM continues to invest in promising ventures such as renewable energy and logistics, that foster economic activity. SM has invested in the clean energy industry through Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC) which produces 300 Megawatts of geothermal steam supply. SM aims to continue to develop geothermal concessions through PGPC in support of the Department of Energy's goal of reaching 50% renewable energy supply by 2040. To encourage circularity towards green energy production, SM's property arm, SM Prime Holdings partnered with GUUN Co. Ltd. ( GUUN ) to implement the Japanese technique of reducing landfill impact. The technology converts non-recyclable and hard-to-recycle packaging into alternative fuel. SM's banking arm, BDO Unibank is one of the largest funders of renewable energy projects. BDO has funded PHP898 billion in sustainable finance, including loans to 59 renewable energy projects as of December 2023. In logistics and tourism, the improvement of transport networks across the country's archipelago connects tourist and industrial areas that will help create inclusive growth. SM though its subsidiary 2GO launched MV Masigla and MV Masikap in 2024 to help better connect goods to 19 ports across the country including Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Manila , further supporting the government's push for medium term growth through an upgraded tourism infrastructure and ecosystem. "Our focus for 2025 will be to drive purposeful growth, empowering communities and partners through our investments towards a sustainable future," Mr. DyBuncio said. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sm-approaches-2025-with-cautious-optimism-302339448.html SOURCE SM Investments CorporationNEW ORLEANS — A scruffy little fugitive is on the lam again in New Orleans, gaining fame as he outwits a tenacious band of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets and a tranquilizer rifle. Scrim, a 17-pound mutt that's mostly terrier, has become a folk hero, inspiring tattoos, T-shirts and even a ballad as he eludes capture from the posse of volunteers. And like any antihero, Scrim has a backstory: Rescued from semi-feral life at a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, the dog broke loose in April and scurried around the city until he was cornered in October and brought to a new home. Weeks later, he'd had enough. Scrim leaped out of a second-story window, a desperate act recorded in a now-viral video. Since then, despite a stream of daily sightings, he's roamed free. The dog’s fans include Myra and Steve Foster, who wrote “Ode to Scrim” to the tune of Ricky Nelson’s 1961 hit, “I’m a Travelin’ Man.” Michelle Cheramie, founder of Zeus' Rescues, at her office in New Orleans on Dec. 9 with a whiteboard index of sheltered cats and dogs and a Scrim look-alike recuperating in the background. Leading the recapture effort is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former information technology professional. She lost everything — home, car, possessions — in Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and in the aftermath, found her calling rescuing pets. “I was like, ‘This is what I should be doing,’” Cheramie said. “I was born to rescue.” She launched Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that now averages 600 cat and dog adoptions a year and offers free pet food to anyone who needs it. She helped Scrim find the home he first escaped from. It was Cheramie's window Scrim leaped from in November. She's resumed her relentless mission since then, posting flyers on telephone poles and logging social media updates on his reported whereabouts. She's invested thousands of dollars on wildlife cameras, thermal sensors and other gear. She took a course offered by the San Diego Zoo on the finer points of tranquilizing animals. And she's developed a network of volunteers — the kind of neighbors who are willing to grid-search a city at 3 a.m. People like writer David W. Brown, who manages a crowd-sourced Google Map of all known Scrim sightings. He says the search galvanized residents from all walks of life to come together. As they search for Scrim, they hand out supplies to people in need. “Being a member of the community is seeing problems and doing what you can to make life a little better for the people around here and the animals around you,” Brown said. Neighbor Tammy Murray had to close her furniture store and lost her father to Parkinson's disease. This search, she says, got her mojo back. “Literally, for months, I’ve done nothing but hunt this dog,” said Murray, 53. “I feel like Wile E. Coyote on a daily basis with him.” Murray drives the Zeus' Rescues van toward reported Scrim sightings. She also handles a tactical net launcher, which looks like an oversized flashlight and once misfired, shattering the van's window as Scrim sped away. After realizing Scrim came to recognize the sound of the van's diesel engine, Murray switched to a Vespa scooter for stealth. Michelle Cheramie, director of Zeus' Rescues, left, walks with Scrim on Oct. 24 at the Metairie Small Animal Hospital in Metairie, La. Near-misses have been tantalizing. The search party spotted Scrim napping beneath an elevated house, and wrapped construction netting around the perimeter, but an over-eager volunteer broke ranks and dashed forward, leaving an opening Scrim slipped through. Scrim's repeated escapades prompted near-daily local media coverage and a devoted online following. Cheramie can relate. “We’re all running from something or to something," she said. "He's doing that, too.” Cheramie's team dreams of placing the pooch in a safe and loving environment. But a social media chorus growing under the hashtag #FreeScrim has other ideas — they say the runaway should be allowed a life of self-determination. The animal rescue volunteers consider that misguided. “The streets of New Orleans are not the place for a dog to be free,” Cheramie said. “It’s too dangerous.” Scrim rests in a kennel Oct. 24 at the Metairie Small Animal Hospital in Metairie, La. Scrim was a mess when Cheramie briefly recaptured him in October, with matted fur, missing teeth and a tattered ear. His trembling body was scraped and bruised, and punctured by projectiles. A vet removed one, but decided against operating to take out a possible bullet. The dog initially appeared content indoors, sitting in Cheramie's lap or napping beside her bed. Then while she was out one day, Scrim chewed through a mesh screen, dropped 13 feet to the ground and squeezed through a gap in the fence, trotting away. Murray said Cheramie's four cats probably spooked him. Cheramie thinks they may have gotten territorial. Devastated but undeterred, the pair is reassessing where Scrim might fit best — maybe a secure animal sanctuary with big outdoor spaces where other dogs can keep him company. Somewhere, Murray says, “where he can just breathe and be.” Scrim at the Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter in Louisiana. A homemade portrait of Scrim hangs Dec. 9 in the Zeus' Rescues shelter in New Orleans. Scrim spends some time outside Oct. 24 with Michelle Cheramie, director of Zeus' Rescues, in a fenced-in area at Metairie Small Animal Hospital in Metairie. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
Drones for commercial and recreational use have grown rapidly in popularity, despite restrictions on who can operate them and where they can be flown. No-fly zones are enforced around airports, military installations, nuclear plants, certain landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, and sports stadiums during games. Not everybody follows the rules. Sightings at airports have shut down flights in a few instances. Reported sightings of flying over New Jersey at night in recent weeks have created anxiety among some residents, in part because it is not clear who is operating them or why. Some state and local officials have called for stricter rules to govern drones. After receiving reports of drone activity last month near Morris County, New Jersey, the Federal Aviation Administration issued temporary bans on drone flights over a , New Jersey, that is owned by President-elect Donald Trump, and over . The FAA says the bans are in response to requests from “federal security partners.” Who regulates drones? The FAA is responsible for the , and Congress has written some requirements into law. Who enforces the rules? With a 2018 law, the Preventing Emerging Threats Act, Congress gave certain agencies in the Homeland Security and Justice departments authority to counter threats from unmanned aircraft to protect the safety of certain facilities. New drones must be outfitted with equipment allowing law enforcement to identify the operator, and Congress gave the agencies the power to detect and take down unmanned aircraft that they consider dangerous. The law spells out where the counter-drone measures can be used, including “national special security events” such as presidential inaugurations and other large gatherings of people. What does it take to become a drone pilot? To get a “remote pilot certificate,” you must be at least 16 years old, be proficient in English, pass an aeronautics exam, and not suffer from a ”mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of a small unmanned aircraft system.” Are drones allowed to fly at night? Yes, but the FAA imposes restrictions on nighttime operations. Most drones are not allowed to fly at night unless they are equipped with anti-collision lights that are visible for at least 3 miles (4.8 kilometers). Are drones a hazard? Over the past decade, pilots have reported hundreds of close calls between drones and airplanes including airline jets. In some cases, airplane pilots have had to take evasive action to avoid collisions. Drones buzzing over a runway at London’s Gatwick Airport during the Christmas travel rush in 2018 and . Police dismissed the idea of shooting down the drones, fearing that stray bullets could kill someone. Advances in drone technology have made it harder for law enforcement to find rogue drone operators — bigger drones in particular have more range and power. Will drone rules get tougher? Some state and local officials in New Jersey are calling for stronger restrictions because of the recent sightings, and that has the drone industry worried. Scott Shtofman, director of government affairs at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, said putting more limits on drones could have a “chilling effect” on “a growing economic engine for the United States.” “We would definitely oppose anything that is blindly pushing for new regulation of what are right now legal drone operations,” he said. AirSight, a company that sells software against “drone threats,” says more than 20 states have enacted laws against privacy invasion by drones, including Peeping Toms. Will Austin, president of Warren County Community College in New Jersey, and founder of its drone program, says it’s up to users to reduce public concern about the machines. He said operators must explain why they are flying when confronted by people worried about privacy or safety. “It’s a brand new technology that’s not really understood real well, so it will raise fear and anxiety in a lot of people,” Austin said. “We want to be good professional aviators and alleviate that.” ___ Associated Press reporter Rebecca Santana in Washington, D.C., contributed. David Koenig, The Associated Press